Watermark Out News has been Central Florida and Tampa Bay’s leading LGBTQ+ news source for over 30 years. For most of that time, readers have recognized their local favorites through our annual “best of” awards.
Nominations and voting in the 2026 Watermark Out News: Diversity, Excellence and Resilience Awards, or WONDER Awards, closed in February. Readers nominated Central Florida and Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ+ community in the areas of activism, service, entertainment and more before celebrating their winners in March.
Congratulations to every person and organization who was recognized this year. View Central Florida’s Top 3 honorees below and read more about the 2026 WONDER Awards here.
FAVORITE LOCAL POLITICIAN
FIRST: State Rep. Anna V. Eskamani
SECOND: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
THIRD: U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost
FAVORITE LOCAL LGBTQ+ ACTIVIST
FIRST: Darcel Stevens
SECOND: Addison Taylor
THIRD: George Wallace, LGBT+ Center Orlando
GREATEST ALLY TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
FIRST: State Rep. Anna V. Eskamani
SECOND: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
THIRD: Brittani Acuff, Crew Health
MOST EFFECTIVE LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
FIRST: LGBT+ Center Orlando
SECOND: Crew Health
THIRD: Volusia Pride
FAVORITE LOCAL TRANS-AFFIRMING ORGANIZATION
FIRST: LGBT+ Center Orlando
SECOND: Crew Health
THIRD: Harmony Healthcare
FAVORITE LOCAL TRANS-AFFIRMING SPACE
FIRST: LGBT+ Center Orlando
SECOND: Crew Health
THIRD: Volusia Pride Community Space
FAVORITE LOCAL FAITH-BASED ESTABLISHMENT
FIRST: First United Methodist Church of Orlando
SECOND: Joy Metropolitan Community Church
THIRD: First Unitarian Church of Orlando
FAVORITE LOCAL WRITER / JOURNALIST
FIRST: Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel
SECOND: Jeremy Williams, Watermark Out News
THIRD: Bellanee Plaza, Watermark Out News
FAVORITE LOCAL WEBSITE
FIRST: WatermarkOutNews.com
SECOND: ClickOrlando.com
THIRD: VolusiaPride.org
FAVORITE LOCAL TV / WEB PERSONALITY
FIRST: Nancy Alvarez, WESH
SECOND: Greg Warmoth, WFTV
THIRD: Scott Mena, The Theater Guy
FAVORITE LOCAL RADIO SHOW / PODCAST
FIRST: “Wine, Wine Not: A Queer Podcast”
SECOND: “Johnny’s House,” XL106.7
THIRD: “Unleashed: A Look Into The Pup Community”
FAVORITE LOCAL CONTENT CREATOR
FIRST: Tasty Chomps: Orlando Food & Travel
SECOND: Scott Mena, “The Theatre Guy”
THIRD: Jaimie Nalitt, Crew Health
FAVORITE ANNUAL LOCAL LGBTQ+ EVENT
FIRST: Come Out With Pride
SECOND: One Magical Weekend
THIRD: GayDays
FAVORITE LOCAL TRANS-AFFIRMING EVENT
FIRST: Come Out With Pride Trans March
SECOND: Come Out With Pride Transgender Day of Visibility
THIRD: Sunset at the Zoo: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride
FAVORITE LOCAL NETWORKING EVENT
FIRST: Watermark Out News Third Thursday
SECOND: Pride Chamber Business Connect
THIRD: Volusia Pride’s Silver Meet Up
FAVORITE LOCAL SPORTS LEAGUE / ORGANIZATION
FIRST: OUT Sports League
SECOND: Orlando Pride
THIRD: Orlando Otters RFC
FAVORITE LOCAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY
FIRST: Pineapple Healthcare
SECOND: Crew Health
THIRD: Harmony Healthcare
FAVORITE LOCAL PHYSICIAN
FIRST: Rafael Piñero, Piñero Preventive Medical Care
SECOND: Sterling Brodniak, Crew Health
THIRD: Phillip Maxwell, OIC Inspired
FAVORITE LOCAL THERAPIST / COUNSELOR
FIRST: Adam Miller, LGBT+ Center Orlando
SECOND: Dorrit Ram, Free Spirit Counseling LLC
THIRD: Mary Reyes, Crew Health
FAVORITE LOCAL FITNESS CENTER
FIRST: LA Fitness Colonial
SECOND: Planet Fitness Colonial
THIRD: Crunch East Colonial
FAVORITE LOCAL HAIR SALON / BARBER SHOP
FIRST: Floyds Mills
SECOND: Vamp Hair Studio
THIRD: Dale Harrison Studios
FAVORITE LOCAL PLACE TO PAMPER YOURSELF
FIRST: The Spa Orlando
SECOND: Head To Toe Spa
THIRD: Anais Luna Makeup
FAVORITE LOCAL VETERINARIAN CLINIC
FIRST: Affordable Vet Care
SECOND: Downtown Pet Hospital
THIRD: Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
FAVORITE LOCAL PET SPA
FIRST: BarkHaven
SECOND: Paw Spa
THIRD: Gurrs & Purrs
FAVORITE LOCAL PET-FRIENDLY VENUE
FIRST: Outpost Neighborhood Tavern
SECOND: Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co.
THIRD: Café Davinci
FAVORITE LOCAL REALTOR
FIRST: Eric Rollings, Mainframe Real Estate
SECOND: David Dorman, Century 21 Carioti
THIRD: Bobby Mills, Metro City Realty
FAVORITE LOCAL FINANCIAL ADVISOR
FIRST: Wayne Dictor, Dictor Financial
SECOND: Veronica Woodard, Edward Jones
THIRD: Erika Link, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
FAVORITE LOCAL LAW FIRM
FIRST: Morgan & Morgan
SECOND: George Gibeault
THIRD: Barry Miller Law
FAVORITE LOCAL BUSINESS NOT A BAR/CLUB
FIRST: MojoMan Swimwear & Clothing
SECOND: Drunken Monkey
THIRD: Embellish FX
FAVORITE NEW LOCAL BUSINESS
FIRST: Anthem Orlando
SECOND: Outpost Neighborhood Tavern
THIRD: A Paddle in Paradise
FAVORITE LOCAL MARKET
FIRST: Eola Farmer Market
SECOND: H Mart Orlando
THIRD: East End Market
FAVORITE LOCAL FLORIST
FIRST: Lake Eola Florist
SECOND: In Bloom Florist
THIRD: Lee Forrest Design LLC
FAVORITE LOCAL TATTOO PARLOR
FIRST: Pride N Envy Tattoo
SECOND: The Stab Bat
THIRD: Mimi Batista Tattoos
FAVORITE LOCAL ADULT NOVELTY STORE
FIRST: Fairvilla
SECOND: Barcodes
THIRD: MojoMan Swimwear & Clothing
FAVORITE LOCAL CANNABIS DISPENSARY
FIRST: FLUENT
SECOND: RISE Dispensary Orlando
THIRD: Curaleaf Dispensary Orlando East
FAVORITE LOCAL SHOPPING / ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT
FIRST: Mills 50
SECOND: Disney Springs
THIRD: Ivanhoe Village
FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST
FIRST: Kelly Stewart
SECOND: Nick Smith
THIRD: Ky Vian
FAVORITE LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER
FIRST: Dylan Todd
SECOND: Loc Robertson
THIRD: Jack Rabold
FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: DRAG QUEEN
FIRST: Myki Meeks
SECOND: April Fresh
THIRD: Mystree Hugga
FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: DRAG KING
FIRST: Axel Andrews
SECOND: Zade Black
THIRD: Karl Withakay
FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: STAGE
FIRST: Ivy Les Vixen
SECOND: Gregory Metts
THIRD: Kirk Davinci
FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: MUSICIAN
FIRST: Raspberry Pie
SECOND: Billy Mick
THIRD: Jacque Pearce
FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: DJ
FIRST: Blue Star
SECOND: DJ dLux
THIRD: DJ Galvin Girl
FAVORITE LOCAL BREAKOUT PERFORMER
FIRST: Annie Daynow
SECOND: Gregory Metts
THIRD: Bobby Lynch
FAVORITE LOCAL ADULT CONTENT CREATOR / ENTERTAINER
FIRST: Nerdy Kevin
SECOND: Zay Bae
THIRD: Robby Joe Dodd
FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMING ARTS VENUE
FIRST: Renaissance Theatre Company
SECOND: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
THIRD: SAVOY
FAVORITE LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATION
FIRST: Renaissance Theatre Company
SECOND: Orlando Fringe
THIRD: Orlando Gay Chorus
FAVORITE LOCAL THEATRICAL SHOW
FIRST: “Nosferatu V,” Renaissance Theatre Company
SECOND: “Sordid Lives,” Theater West End
THIRD: “A Deloris Scrud Christmas,” Michael Wanzie
FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT
FIRST: Outpost Neighborhood Tavern
SECOND: White Wolf Café
THIRD: Linda’s La Cantina Steakhouse
FAVORITE LOCAL BRUNCH SPOT
FIRST: SAVOY
SECOND: White Wolf Café
THIRD: Outpost Neighborhood Tavern
FAVORITE LOCAL COFFEE SHOP
FIRST: Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar
SECOND: Foxtail Coffee Co.
THIRD: Craft & Common
FAVORITE LOCAL UNIQUE DRINK/EAT/TREAT
FIRST: Mexican Chocolate, Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream
SECOND: Deviled Eggs, Outpost Neighborhood Tavern
THIRD: Caress My Carrot, Better Than Sex Dessert Restaurant
FAVORITE LOCAL LGBTQ+ BAR / CLUB
FIRST: SAVOY
SECOND: Southern Nights Orlando
THIRD: District Dive
FAVORITE LOCAL ALLIED BAR / CLUB
FIRST: Burton’s Thornton Park
SECOND: Abbey Bar Deland
THIRD: Thrive Cocktail Lounge & Eatery
FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT
FIRST: Lake Eola Park
SECOND: Universal Studios
THIRD: Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar
FAVORITE LOCAL HAPPY HOUR
FIRST: SAVOY
SECOND: District Dive
THIRD: Barcodes
FAVORITE LOCAL HOST: KARAOKE
FIRST: Paige LaShae, SAVOY
SECOND: Jonathan Brown, Southern Nights Orlando
THIRD: Ken Terrell, Grumpy’s Underground Eatery & Lounge
FAVORITE LOCAL HOST: TRIVIA
FIRST: George Wallace, SAVOY
SECOND: Kitana Gemini, Anthem Orlando
THIRD: Kirk Davinci, Gotti’s Grub & Pub
FAVORITE LOCAL HOST: BINGO
FIRST: Addison Taylor, District Dive
SECOND: Chantel Reshae, SAVOY
THIRD: Kirk Davinci, Chronic Guru Orlando
FAVORITE LOCAL BARTENDER / SERVER
FIRST: Tommy Ryan Greene, SAVOY
SECOND: Ramon Hernandez, Southern Nights Orlando
THIRD: Tia Devine, Anthem Orlando
FAVORITE PLACE TO TAKE AN OUT-OF-TOWNER
FIRST: Lake Eola Park
SECOND: Disney Springs
THIRD: Universal Studios
FAVORITE LOCAL HIDDEN GEM
FIRST: Enzian Theater
SECOND: Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
THIRD: The Maitland Art Center
Read more about the 2026 WONDER Awards here.
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