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The Watermark newspaper, 1994-2012

 

Summary

Creator:
Watermark Media
Extent:
24 Linear Feet 12 boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], The Watermark newspaper, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of the LGBTQ+ publication The Watermark from the years 1994 through 2012.

Biographical / historical:

The Watermark is a LGBTQ+ newspaper and news source for the Central Florida region. Watermark Media, founded in Orlando, Florida by Tom Dyer, printed the first issue of The Watermark on August 31, 1994. In 1995, coverage grew to include Tampa Bay, Florida. The publishing group helped to found Beach Ball, a nighttime party, at Walt Disney World's Typhoon Lagoon in 1997. The Watermark made national news in 1998 when it petitioned to hang rainbow flags in downtown Orlando during Pride Month. In response, televangelist Pat Robertson predicted Orlando would be beset by hurricanes as punishment. Watermarkonline.com was launched online in 1999 and became an online-only publication in 2012. Watermark Publishing Group, founded by publisher Rick Todd, purchased Watermark in January 2016. As of 2025, the newspaper currently maintains offices in Tampa Bay and Orlando, Florida.

Acquisition information:
Gift of the LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida, 2021 (Accession no. CFM2021_22).
Processing information:

Collection processed by and finding aid prepared by Elisabeth Jimenez in 2022.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged to reflect the volumes and issues listed in the assigned boxes.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The entire collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright is owned and controlled by Watermark Publishing Group.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], The Watermark newspaper, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Location of this collection:
John C. Hitt Library
12701 Pegasus Drive, Building 2
Orlando
FL
32816-8030
USA