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2026 WONDER Awards: CENTRAL FLORIDA Final Round
CIVIC, ADVOCACY & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
1.
FAVORITE LOCAL POLITICIAN
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
State Rep. Anna V. Eskamani
U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost
Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan
State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith
2.
FAVORITE LOCAL LGBTQ+ ACTIVIST
Heather McLean, DeLand Pride
Darcel Stevens
Addison Taylor
Bubba Trahan
George Wallace, LGBT Center Orlando
3.
GREATEST ALLY TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
Brittani Acuff, Crew Health
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
State Rep. Anna V. Eskamani
Ida Starks, CAN Community Health
Okeechobee Commissioner Michael Sumner
4.
MOST EFFECTIVE LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
Crew Health
LGBT Center Orlando
OIC Inspired
Ronald McDonald House of Central Florida
Volusia Pride
5.
FAVORITE LOCAL TRANS-AFFIRMING ORGANIZATION
Crew Health
Harmony Healthcare
LGBT Center Orlando
Peer Support Space
Volusia Pride
6.
FAVORITE LOCAL TRANS-AFFIRMING SPACE
Abbey Bar Deland
Crew Health
Harmony Healthcare
LGBT Center Orlando
Volusia Pride Community Space
7.
FAVORITE LOCAL FAITH-BASED ESTABLISHMENT
Beach Street Church-FPC Daytona
First Unitarian Church of Orlando
First United Methodist Church of Orlando
Joy Metropolitan Community Church
St. Luke's United Methodist Church
MEDIA, JOURNALISM & INFORMATION
8.
FAVORITE LOCAL WRITER / JOURNALIST
Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel
Robin Mimna, "Hating Jesse Harmon"
Brendon O'Conner, Orlando Shine
Bellanee Plaza, Watermark Out News
Jeremy Williams, Watermark Out News
9.
FAVORITE LOCAL WEBSITE
ClickOrlando.com
OrlandoShine.com
TheMelaDen.org
VolusiaPride.org
WatermarkOutNews.com
10.
FAVORITE LOCAL TV / WEB PERSONALITY
Nancy Alvarez, WESH
Scott Mena, The Theater Guy
Jesse Pagan, WESH
Hector Vega, "Into the Spotlight"
Greg Warmoth, WFTV
11.
FAVORITE LOCAL RADIO SHOW / PODCAST
"Johnny's House," XL106.7
"Khé Esta Pasanda"
"The News Junkie," 104.1
"Unleashed: A Look Into The Pup Community"
"Wine, Wine Not: A Queer Podcast"
12.
FAVORITE LOCAL CONTENT CREATOR (NON-ADULT ENTERTAINMENT)
LemonHearted
Scott Mena, "The Theatre Guy"
Jaimie Nailett, Crew Health
Nick Smith, "Haunt and House"
Tasty Chomps: Orlando Food & Travel
EVENTS, NETWORKING & SPORTS
13.
FAVORITE ANNUAL LOCAL LGBTQ+ EVENT
Come Out With Pride
Gay Days
Love is Love Deland
One Magical Weekend
Pride Night at the Fair
14.
FAVORITE LOCAL TRANS-AFFIRMING EVENT
Come Out With Pride Trans March
Come Out With Pride Trans & Non-Binary Family Picnic
Come Out With Pride Transgender Day of Visibility
Love is Love Pride Fest, Volusia Pride
Sunset at the Zoo: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride
15.
FAVORITE LOCAL NETWORKING EVENT
NextGen Orlando
Pride Chamber Business Connect
The Umbrella Brigade & The Please Evolve Foundation's Coffee & Chisme
Volusia Pride's Silver Meet Up
Watermark Out News Third Thursday
16.
FAVORITE LOCAL SPORTS LEAGUE / ORGANIZATION
Central Florida Softball League
OBBA Orlando Gay Bowling
Orlando Otters RFC
Orlando Pride (Soccer)
OUT Sports League
HEALTH, WELLNESS & PERSONAL CARE
17.
FAVORITE LOCAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY
Crew Health
Harmony Healthcare
OIC Inspired
Orlando Health - Health Central Hospital
Pineapple Healthcare
18.
FAVORITE LOCAL PHYSICIAN
Sterling Brodniak, Crew Health
Phillip Maxwell, OIC Inspired
Michael Mercado, West Orange Family Medical
Rafael Piñero, Piñero Preventive Medical Care
LaKrystal Warren, Contemporary Women's Care
19.
FAVORITE LOCAL THERAPIST / COUNSELOR
Roberto Katz, Crew Health
Adam Miller, LGBT Center Orlando
Dorrit Ram, Free Spirit Counseling LLC
Mary Reyes, Crew Health
Shosana Stephens, RMHCI
20.
FAVORITE LOCAL FITNESS CENTER
Crunch East Colonial
Iron House Gym
LA Fitness Colonial
Planet Fitness Colonial
Spectrum Group Lift
21.
FAVORITE LOCAL HAIR SALON / BARBER SHOP
Blake Elliot Salon
Chosen Barber Lounge
Dale Harrison Studios
Floyds Mills
Vamp Hair Studio
22.
FAVORITE LOCAL PLACE TO PAMPER YOURSELF
26 Health
Anais Luna Makeup
Head Toe Spa
Illume
The Spa Orlando
PETS
23.
FAVORITE LOCAL VETERINARIAN CLINIC
Affordable Vet Care
Downtown Pet Hospital
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
Varsity Veterinary Center
Winter Park Veterinary Hospital
24.
FAVORITE LOCAL PET SPA
BarkHaven
Gurrs & Purrs
Paw Spa
Pawfields Enrichment Group
Rangers
25.
FAVORITE LOCAL PET-FRIENDLY VENUE
BarkHaven
Café Davinci
Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co.
Maxines on Shine
Outpost Neighborhood Tavern
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
26.
FAVORITE LOCAL REALTOR
David Dorman, Century 21 Carioti
Cameron MacDonald, Luxe Hunter Real Estate
Bobby Mills, Metro City Realty
Eric Rollings, Maineframe Real Estate
Cindy Sapp, Olympus Executive Realty
27.
FAVORITE LOCAL FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Wayne Dictor, Dictor Financial
Erika Link, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
Tom Robertson, Robertson Advisory Inc
Michael Wallman, Wallman Financial
Veronica Woodard, Edward Jones
28.
FAVORITE LOCAL LAW FIRM
Akin Law P.A.
Barry Miller Law
George Gibeault
Morgan & Morgan
S.K. Burt Law, P.A.
RETAIL, SHOPPING & BUSINESS
29.
FAVORITE LOCAL BUSINESS NOT A BAR / CLUB
A Paddle in Paradise
Drunken Monkey
Embellish FX
MojoMan Swimwear & Clothing
The Closing Agent
30.
FAVORITE NEW LOCAL BUSINESS
Anthem Orlando
A Paddle in Paradise
Bamita
Outpost Neighborhood Tavern
Reefers Bowl
31.
FAVORITE LOCAL MARKET
Daytona Pride Market
East End Market
Eola Farmer Market
H Mart Orlando
Milk Mart
32.
FAVORITE LOCAL FLORIST
Dorothy's Florist & Gift Shop
Farm Nine
In Bloom Florist
Lake Eola Florist
Lee Forrest Design LLC
33.
FAVORITE LOCAL TATTOO PARLOR
Mimi Batista Tattoos
Modern Elegance DeLand
Pride N Envy Tattoo
The Stab Bat
Tim Lease Custom Tattoos
34.
FAVORITE LOCAL ADULT NOVELTY STORE
Barcodes
Fairvilla
MojoMan Swimwear & Clothing
Premier Couples Superstore
Thee Fantasy Shoppe
35.
FAVORITE LOCAL CANNABIS DISPENSARY
Curaleaf Dispensary Orlando East
Florida Pirate Hippie
FLUENT
MÜV Dispensary Orlando - Garland
RISE Dispensary Orlando
36.
FAVORITE LOCAL SHOPPING / ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT
Disney Springs
Ivanhoe Village
Mills 50
Thornton Park
Waterford Lakes Town Center
ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT
37.
FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST
Lee Cohen
Ivy Hessler
Nick Smith
Kelly Stewart
Ky Vian
38.
FAVORITE LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER
Sara Hollamby
Kmoran Photography
Jack Rabold
Loc Robertson
Dylan Todd
39.
FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: DRAG QUEEN
Coco Cavalli
April Fresh
Mystree Hugga
Myki Meeks
Crystal Vahzz
40.
FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: DRAG KING
Axel Andrews
Zade Black
Edgar Allen Hoe
Twisted T
Karl Withakay
41.
FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: STAGE (NON-DRAG)
Luckz (Nathan Luckz Charles)
Kirk Davinci
Bobby Iman
Gregory Metts
Ivy Les Vixen
42.
FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: MUSICIAN
Craymo
Heather DeSanctis
Billy Mick
Jacque Pearce
Raspberry Pie
43.
FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: DJ
Matty Anderson
DJ dLux
DJ Galvin Girl
DJ Nani Soul
Blue Star
44.
FAVORITE LOCAL BREAKOUT PERFORMER
V Cavalli
Annie Daynow
Jenda Envy
Bobby Lynch
Gregory Metts
45.
FAVORITE LOCAL ADULT CONTENT CREATOR / ENTERTAINER
Zay Bae
Jaxx Cody
Robby Joe Dodd
Matt Giacomelli
Nerdy Kevin
46.
FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMING ARTS VENUE
Athens Theater
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Renaissance Theatre Company
SAVOY
The Plaza Live
47.
FAVORITE LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATION
Downtown Arts District
Opera Orlando
Orlando Fringe
Orlando Gay Chorus
Renaissance Theatre Company
48.
FAVORITE LOCAL THEATRICAL SHOW
“A Deloris Scrud Christmas," Michael Wanzie
“Forever Plaid,” Winter Park Playhouse
“Just Dempsey,” Dempsey Jara
“Nosferatu V,” Renaissance Theatre Company
“Sordid Lives,” Theater West End
FOOD, DRINK & NIGHTLIFE
49.
FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT
Hawkers
Linda's La Cantina Steakhouse
Outpost Neighborhood Tavern
Thrive Cocktail Lounge & Eatery
White Wolf Café
50.
FAVORITE LOCAL BRUNCH SPOT
Café Tu Tu Tango
Outpost Neighborhood Tavern
SAVOY
Thrive Cocktail Lounge & Eatery
White Wolf Café
51.
FAVORITE LOCAL COFFEE SHOP
Bamita
Craft & Common
Deeply Coffee Company
Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar
Foxtail Coffee Co.
52.
FAVORITE LOCAL UNIQUE DRINK/EAT/TREAT
Caress My Carrot, Better Than Sex Dessert Restaurant
Deviled Eggs, Outpost Neighborhood Tavern
Messy Jessy Dog, The Hot Dog Dispensary
Mexican Chocolate, Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream
Seasonal Kakigori, Koko Kakigori Café
53.
FAVORITE LOCAL LGBTQ+ BAR / CLUB
Anthem Orlando
Barcodes
District Dive
SAVOY
Southern Nights Orlando
54.
FAVORITE LOCAL ALLIED BAR / CLUB
Abbey Bar Deland
Burton's Thornton Park
Sunroom
The Dust
Thrive Cocktail Lounge & Eatery
55.
FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT (NOT A BAR/CLUB)
Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar
Infusion Tea
Lake Eola Park
Universal Studios
Volusia Pride Community Space
56.
FAVORITE LOCAL HAPPY HOUR
Barcodes
District Dive
Outpost Neighborhood Tavern
SAVOY
Thrive Cocktail Lounge & Eatery
57.
FAVORITE LOCAL HOST: KARAOKE
Jonathan Brown, Southern Nights Orlando
Paige LaShae, SAVOY
Zachary Morrison, Grumpy's Underground Eatery and Lounge
Ken Terrell, Grumpy's Underground Eatery & Lounge
Tyesha Williams, King Cajun Crawfish
58.
FAVORITE LOCAL HOST: TRIVIA
Kirk Davinci, Gotti's Grub & Pub
Kitana Gemini, Anthem Orlando
Brianna Rockmore, World of Beer Lake Eola
George Wallace, SAVOY
Michael Wanzie, SAVOY
59.
FAVORITE LOCAL HOST: BINGO
Kirk Davinci, Chronic Guru Orlando
Daisy Dior, Hourglass Brewing
Chantel Reshae, SAVOY
Addison Taylor, District Dive
Ivy Les Vixen, Heatwave
60.
FAVORITE LOCAL BARTENDER / SERVER
Tia Devine, Anthem Orlando
Tommy Ryan Greene, SAVOY
Ramon Hernandez, Southern Nights Orlando
Saul Lopez, SAVOY
Dom Vizcaya, Southern Nights Orlando
LOCAL DISCOVERIES
61.
FAVORITE PLACE TO TAKE AN OUT-OF-TOWNER
Disney Springs
Disney World
Lake Eola Park
Orange County Regional History Center
Universal Studios
62.
FAVORITE LOCAL HIDDEN GEM
A Paddle in Paradise
Enzian Theater
Grumpy's Underground Eatery and Lounge
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
The Maitland Art Center
LOOKING BACK & FORWARD
63.
What did we lose in 2025 that you will miss the most?
64.
What was your favorite local indulgence of 2025?
65.
What is your biggest hope for 2026?
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