Agenda Florida Edition Issue 259 by Multi-Media Platforms

FT LAUDERDALE • JACKSONVILLE • KEY WEST • MIAMI • ORLANDO • TAMPA / ST PETERSBURG

FLORIDAAGENDA.COM

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NOVEMBER

FT LAUDERDALE • JACKSONVILLE • KEY WEST

2014

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ISSUE

259

MIAMI • ORLANDO • TAMPA / ST PETERSBURG

Page 13 SPECIAL REPORT

RICK SCOTT WINS RE-ELECTION MARIJUANA INITIATIVE FAILS

Page 10

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November 5, 2014

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A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR THE EQUALITY FLORIDA INSTITUTE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN FLORIDA (1.800.435.7352). REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION #CH7992.

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CATHOLIC CHURCH IN SCOTLAND FACES ALLEGATIONS OF GAY ASSAULT COVER-UP

November 5, 2014

as a seminarian and said trainee priests who spurned the advances of others were bullied. He also complained of having his claims BLANTYRE, ST--The Catholic ignored. The book has since been Church is denying allegations withdrawn by Amazon in the UK, following legal threats by individby parishioners that it is shutting ual priests who claimed to have their local Church in Scotland in been defamed. an attempt to cover up claims of Church officials however deny gay sexual assault, according to the allegation, despite the plans Kaleido Scot. to move Fr Despard’s supporters First, Father Matthew Despard was suspended last year after pub- parishioners to St Joseph’s, where the clergy are hostile to the priest lishing allegations of gay bullying and his campaign. within the Church in the wake of Patrick Stirling, a supporter the Cardinal O’Brien sex scandal. Now his parish in Blantyre is being of Fr Despard, told The Herald: “For the last two weeks, we have closed in the wake of his suspenbeen gathering after Saturday sion, reported The Herald. vigil, but last week Fr Nolan Despard’s parish, St John Ogilcame in and told us we did not vie, in Blantyre, is one of about 40 parishes in Lanarkshire facing clo- have his permission to pray for Fr Despard within the church. sure, bring forced to merge with “We left without any confrontaSt Joseph’s, Blantyre, which has tion because we don’t want to be a much larger Catholic population labeled demonstrators but two within its vicinity. within the wider group had a real But parishioners claim they were told by his stand-in, Fr Willie go at Fr Nolan, who told them they would only have his permisNolan, that they had “no permission to pray for Fr Despard if he sion” to pray for the priest, and obeys Bishop Toal.” say this is effectively an attempt He added: “The sale of St at silencing the affair. According to The Herald, Fr Despard is facing John Ogilvie has always been in the cards. It’s a good locafurther legal action relating to his tion and could bring the church accommodation, which is due to in a decent amount of money. come before the Sheriff Court in But the events of last year could the coming weeks. hasten the merger, and there will Despard, who has been ordered by the courts to vacate his church- be chaos if they move us to St owned property, published a book Joseph’s.” However, Motherwell Diocese’s in the aftermath of the resignation Bishop Toal denied the allegations, of Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who was and said the merger is due to fallrelieved of his duties after admitting decades of sexually assaulting ing attendance and that “public prayers should only be arranged other clergy. In his book, Fr Despard claims he with the prior agreement of the priest in charge.” was approached inappropriately

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MP for Hammersmith, said the department should clarify whether it regards gay rights as “British values.” Shaun Dellenty, a gay rights activist, said the tweet was “appalling.” ONDON, GB—British schools The tweet was subsequently must now teach children to be deleted. tolerant of gay relationships and The policy has been met with transgender people. Schools that fail to follow the rules on “actively opposition from Christian groups, promoting” British values of toler- who warn it poses a threat to reliance will be judged inadequate by gious liberty. While the rules encompass Chrisinspectors and face closure. tian and Jewish schools, sources While no one is against the new said the initiative is squarely aimed curriculum, an Education Departat schools at risk of being targeted ment tweet has rankled some by so-called Trojan Horse plots in members of the Labor Party. The which radical Islamists attempt to tweet suggest that gay rights are take over state schools. Teachers at not “British Values.” one Birmingham school implicated According to the London in a plot called for “satanic” homoTelegraph, teachers who dissexuality to be “eradicated.” agree with gay marriage have Inspectors will seek out schools a right to express their views in who are “indoctrinating or alienclass, Department for Education ating” children by teaching them sources said, but they must show “respect” for children who are gay to be intolerant of same-sex marriage, or those that force girls to sit or have gay parents and must not at the back of the class. discriminate against them. Nicky Morgan, the Education The tweet was issued in Secretary, said: “Schools should response to a Sunday newspaper broaden horizons, not close minds, headline covering the policy, and and should encourage pupils to read: “Nonsense to say schools respect other people even if they ‘must teach gay rights’. We want do not agree with them. I should schools to teach broad curric have thought this is a principle based on British values.” It is with which the vast majority of understood officials felt the headpeople would agree. line “sensationalised” the policy. “These values – democracy, the However, according to the Telerule of law, individual liberty, and graph, the Labor Party said the distinction between gay rights and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs “British values” was wrong. Tristram Hunt, the shadow educa- – are not new. The requirement to actively promote them is designed tion secretary, responded: “LGBT rights are British values. The Depart- to reinforce the importance this govment for Education must back com- ernment attaches to those values.” Morgan voted against gay marpulsory sex and relationship educariage, but last week said she had tion, including LGBT rights.” changed her mind about the issue. Andy Slaughter, the Labor Party

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BRITISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S GAY RIGHTS TWEET CAUSES CONTROVERSY

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INTERNATIONAL

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NATION Acceptance, Uncertainty and Defiance in North Carolina Churches

CHARLOTTE, NC — Last month’s federal court ruling making same-sex marriage legal in North Carolina is causing ripples and waves in houses of worship across the state, according to Tim Funk writing in the Charlotte Observer. • Episcopal bishops in Raleigh and Asheville have given their diocesan priests the green light to effectively marry same-sex couples in their churches – including those in Charlotte. But for now, the rite to be used, called “The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant,” is different from the one for marriages of heterosexual couples. • In a letter last week, United Methodist Bishop Larry Goodpaster reminded clergy in the Western North

Carolina Conference that the denomination remains opposed to “samegender marriage.” Ministers can attend such services, he said. But he added, using denominational language, that any who preside at a same-sex marriage or sign such a marriage certificate could face possible reprimand or even a church trial. • The Roman Catholic bishops in Charlotte and Raleigh criticized the Oct. 10 court ruling as “unjust.” And in an interview published in last week’s Catholic News Herald, the Rev. John Putnam – judicial vicar of the Charlotte diocese – advised Catholics to refuse invitations to same-sex weddings. To attend, he added, “would be at least tacitly approving sin.” Speaking about the new guidelines for Episcopal churches, the Rev. Jim Pritchett offered words that could apply to the broader reality for many

INTERNATIONAL EGYPTIAN GAYS SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN JAIL

November 5, 2014

AIRO, EG--A court in Cairo sentenced eight men to three years in prison today, over charges of “debauchery” stemming from an online video that showed the men celebrating what appeared to be a same-sex wedding in August, according to reports on National Public Radio (NPR). The case stems from a short video of a party on a boat that fueled a lively discussion in social media and led the Egyptian site Cairo Scene to ask, “Is This Egypt’s First Gay Marriage?” after it was posted on YouTube. The event included the presentation of a ring and a cake featuring two of the jailed men. The defendants had denied the charges, with one of the men stating in an interview that he only gave a

friend a ring as a birthday present. The case has put new focus on gay rights in Egypt. According to a local blogger named Ahram, “Consensual same-sex relations are not explicitly prohibited in Egypt, but other laws have been used to imprison gay men in recent years, including charges [of] ‘debauchery’ or ‘shameless public acts.’ “Egypt’s forensics authority announced earlier this month that the defendants had undergone physical inspections and were found to be ‘not gay.’ “ Citing its Middle East editor for the BBC, Sebastian Usher, said, “Islamists had led the chorus of outrage against the video, saying that it proved moral standards had dropped since Islamist President Mohammed Morsi was removed from power last year.” Saturday’s ruling is subject to appeal.

in the state’s faith community. “This is a period of transition,” said Pritchett, the bishop’s assistant in the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. “So there is going to be some confusion and awkwardness.” The First United Methodist Church in uptown Charlotte oppose the denomination’s ban on gay and lesbian weddings in their and other Methodist sanctuaries. The Rev. Jonathan CoppedgeHenley, pastor at First United Methodist, said he’s been approached by two gay couples from his church and from friends at another church about marrying them. “I had to tell them all, ‘No. I can participate in the service, but I can’t preside,’ ” the pastor said. “I mean, that really stings.” Two days after same-sex marriage became legal in North Carolina, First United Methodist voted overwhelmingly – 94 percent – to adopt the church’s first-ever “Welcome Statement.” It says the church believes that the Kingdom of God includes people of all sexual orientations and that “every child of God is welcome in this congregation and we do not discriminate against any group in our midst.” First United Methodist has also become the first Charlotte church to join “Reconciling Ministries Network,” a national coalition of United Methodist groups that advocate for “persons pushed to the margins,” CoppedgeHenley said, “in particular LGBTQ because they are left out of most church literature.” The Rev. Patrick Hamrick, one of the associate pastors at First United Methodist, recently met near Greensboro with other “Reconciling” members from North Carolina. “This is a matter of human rights, first,” he told the Charlotte Observer. “And it’s part of my religious tradition to stand with the oppressed.” In Bishop Goodpaster’s letter to United Methodist clergy, he said he could not permit “actions counter to the Book of Discipline,” the denomination’s rule book, which now sanctions only marriage between a man and a woman. This Book of Discipline can’t be

changed until the denomination’s next General Conference in May 2016. And though the United Methodist Church remains divided, the issue “is expected to come up for discussion then,” said Michael Rich, communications manager for the Western North Carolina Conference.

North Carolina Judges Refuse to Conduct Same-Sex Weddings, Resign Their Jobs RALEIGH, NC — At least six North Carolina judges have resigned their bench since gay marriage was legalized in North Carolina October 10, 2014, claiming they did not want to go against their Christian faith and conduct wedding ceremonies for samesex couples. The magistrates involved include John Kallan Jr (Rockingham County), Gilbert Breedlove (Swain County), Bill Stevenson (Gaston County), Tommy Holland (Graham County), Gayle Myrick (Union County) and Jeff Powell (Jackson County). All say they are waiting on God to give them direction to start the next phases of their lives. Stevenson is the latest judge to have publicized that he has stepped down from his position citing religious conflicts with the newly passed North Carolina marriage law. “It was something I had to do out of conscience,” Stevenson told NBC’s Charlotte affiliate. “I felt like to perform same-sex unions would be in violation of the Lord’s commands, so I couldn’t do that.” Although Stevenson has only been a magistrate for over a year and a half, he is not concerned that he will be losing his main source of income as North Carolina Magistrates get paid more than $50,000 a year, according to the Winston-Salem Journal. “I hate to wax it so biblical but it says ‘what good is it for a man to gain the whole world but lose his own soul,’” Stevenson said. “So, that’s the stakes I put on this.”

the current life and conduct statement, will meet through February. Lindsay, meanwhile, said he wouldn’t be taking public stands in the future on any politically charged issues. “He made a mistake in signing it,” James Trent, a sociologist and Gordon professor for 11 years told Associated Press. Trent supports eliminating the ban on “homosexual practice.” ‘’The middle ground begins to wear when you’re oppressing people. How do you slightly oppress someone?”

Notre Dame Hosts “Gay in Christ” Conference

November 5, 2014 9

A conference last Friday at the University of Notre Dame addressed “a pastoral strategy for parishes to be able to receive the gifts of self-identified gay Catholics,” while remaining faithful to Catholic teaching on marriage and sexuality—but some speakers’ perspectives on “gay identity” may fall short of true orthodoxy. “Gay in Christ: Dimensions of Fidelity” was co-sponsored by Notre Dame’s Institute for Church Life (ICL) and the Gender Relations Center. ICL director Dr. John Cavadini poses the following question on the University’s website: “Can Church teaching support an ‘exchange of gifts,’ enabling a parish community to receive the gifts that such people bring to us, and, in turn, to make the gifts of ecclesial belonging more securely and fruitfully available to these Catholics?” Notre Dame indicated that many of the slated speakers for the conference are “self-identified gay Catholics” who observe Church teaching on marriage and sexuality and are celibate. But according to Austin Ruse, president of the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute, some of the speakers are too positive about homosexuality— describing it as something greater than physical, same-sex attraction—and may cause harm by arguing for the inherent good of a “gay identity.” “We are all children of God [and] we are not identified by our emotional and sexual desires,” Ruse told The Cardinal Newman Society in an interview.

“Moreover, there is no such thing as ‘gay exceptionalism,’ that is, gifts that are unique to the person who is samesex attracted.” Ruse warns that such ideas have the danger of confusing young people and leading them in the wrong direction. One of the scheduled speakers, Chris Damian, was interviewed by The Observer, Notre Dame’s student-run newspaper. Damian is a graduate of Notre Dame and recently gave a presentation at Notre Dame titled “Gay and Catholic.” He reportedly stated that “the language and rhetoric of the Catechism regarding homosexuality tends to be misrepresented and misunderstood by Catholics, specifically passages that refer to homosexuality as an intrinsic disorder.” He told The Observer: I’m going to argue that the way in which the Catechism treats homosexuality is actually quite different for how it’s understood in the broader culture. The more I’ve thought about it, it seems to me that while the desire for sexual intimacy with a person of the same sex is a significant part of the gay experience, it is only one aspect of it. This perspective was echoed by another conference speaker, Joshua Gonnerman, who published a piece for First Things titled “Why I Call Myself a Gay Christian.” He wrote: There are many things I find valuable about my experience of being gay… Gay Christians are, perhaps, “called to otherness”… [The] suggestion is that people with same-sex desire experience a kind of attraction that, when not concupiscent, is a gift to the Church. Ruse argues in Crisis Magazine that this approach leads some advocates to want more than genuine fidelity to Catholic teaching: What they want more than anything is a development of doctrine. The Church teaches that homosexuality is ‘objectively disordered’ and that homosexual sex is an ‘act of grave depravity.’ The Church sees homosexuality as a psychological issue, the genesis of which ‘remains largely unexplained.’ There is clearly a long way to go from this to [the] Church seeing homosexuality as a gift not just to the gay person but to the Body of Christ.

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WENHAM, MA — D. Michael Lindsay, the president of Gordon College, a small evangelical school in Massachusetts, thought he was on safe political ground when he signed a letter addressed to President Barack Obama to be exempt from Federal policies that granted expanded job protection for gays employed by federal contractors. Lindsay joined 13 evangelical and Roman Catholic leaders in signing the letter asking for the President to enlarge the scope of the exemption that would allow Gordon College to discriminate against gay students and employees based on religious rights. Unfortunately for Lindsay, Obama left the existing exemption in place. As a result of his requests, the college has lost a key backer for a federal grant, Gordon College has been reviewed by the regional college accrediting agency, and there has been growing campus protests over whether the school should maintain its ban on “homosexual practice” as part of its life and conduct standards. According to the Associated Press, Gordon is among the many conservative religious institutions struggling to find their place in a landscape rapidly changing in favor of gay rights. Their view of marriage as the union of one man and one woman is being challenged not only from outside, but also from within their own faith communities, and once-comfortable partnerships with public organizations are being re-evaluated according to new terms. Lindsay’s support for an exemption from civil rights for gays unleashed long-simmering campus tensions over the school’s assertion that it has created a safe place for lesbian and gay students, while maintaining a conduct policy that singles them out, according to AP. The school bars sex outside of marriage for everyone in the Gordon community, while also specifically banning “homosexual practice.” OneGordon, a group for gay students, alumni and their allies, is now pressing

the college to eliminate the language. “There should be the same sexual ethic for LGBT and heterosexual students,” said Paul O. Miller, an alumnus and co-founder of OneGordon. The uproar over Lindsay’s letter also prompted local community leaders to take another look at Gordon’s policies. The college hires gays and lesbians, but because of the ban on “homosexual practice,” effectively requires them to be celibate. Mayor Kim Driscoll of Salem responded by ending Gordon’s contract to manage the city’s Old Town Hall. Salem’s Peabody Essex Museum ended its academic relationship with the school and withdrew support for Gordon’s grant application to the National Endowment for the Humanities. The New England Association of Schools & Colleges started a review of the controversy, according to the Associated Press. Among its peers in Christian higher education, Gordon sits on the liberal end of the spectrum. The college upholds the Bible as the authoritative word of God while providing the “freedom to offer constructive criticism of this tradition.” Evolution is taught in the science program. Draped nude models are used for art students learning to draw the body — unusual in Christian art programs. An alcohol ban is only for campus and school events, instead of the blanket prohibition sometimes found at other evangelical schools. The 1,700 or so undergraduates are encouraged to respect different views of what it means to be Christian. In an effort to ease the controversy, Linday has met with faculty and staff and with gay students and alumni. He spoke to a teachers’ union in nearby Georgetown, which agreed to continue to host Gordon student-teachers, and sent letters to superintendents of other public schools where Gordon students trained. When the fall semester began, Lindsay went to the dorms over two nights to answer questions from undergraduates. Gordon has formed a working group including trustees, students, administrators and faculty to address some of the concerns raised about the challenges for gay students on campus. The group, which includes a gay student and some faculty who oppose

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Evangelical College in Uproar after President’s Stand on Gay Rights

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NATION

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10 November 5, 2014

SUNSHINE STATE RICK SCOTT WINS RE-ELECTION AS GOVERNOR

Gary Resnick Returns as Wilton Manors Mayor

fter months of campaigning, three debates and millions of dollars spent on campaign advertising, Rick Scott won re-election by the smallest of margins. Scott earned 2,846,127 votes to opponent Charlie Crist’s 2,769,381 (48% to 47% of the vote in very low voter turn-out). Former Gov. Charlie Crist, a Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat, conceded Florida’s close gubernatorial race against GOP Gov. Rick Scott at around midnight. “I called Governor Scott and I congratulated him,” Crist said Tuesday night at his election night headquarters around midnight. “And I wish him the best.” Crist said his campaign made the decision to concede after “the gap got to 100,000” votes. “Losing is not fun. But what is most important is that we come together as a state,” he said. “This was a tough election, and I understand that. I wish Gov. Scott the best. And his family. But I wish the best also for our state.” Speaking from his campaign headquartered, Scott said, ““I have two great pieces of news for the people for Florida,” Scott said at his election night party. “First I’m not going to give a long speech. And second, the campaign is over.” “You know what they say about democracy. It’s messy, but it’s absolutely the best form of government there is,” he continued. It was a nail-biter for both Florida gubernatorial candidates with Republican Rick Scott watching the votes come in from his campaign party headquarters in the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort in Bonita Springs, not far from his Naples, Florida, home. His competitor Charlie Crist spent the final hours of his campaign watching the election results at the Renaissance Vinoy in his hometown of St. Petersburg. Scott, the incumbent governor, spend his day accompanied by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, crisscrossing the state by plane, thanking his supporters and campaign workers. He started the day in Miami, then traveled to Tampa, Orlando, the Panhandle, and Jacksonville ending his day in Lakeland and The Villages, the mega-retirement complex that’s a mandatory destination for Republican candidates. Crist countered with a last-minute appearance with former President Bill Clinton at a nighttime student rally

at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. It was the final stop on a bus tour that took Crist and his running mate, Annette Taddeo, through the heart of the South Florida Democratic base including stops in Allapattah and Lauderdale Lakes, inner-city areas that many African-American voters call home. The race was ugly, it was personal and highly caustic between two polarizing political figures. It is said that Scott and Republicans spent much more money than Democrats. The campaigns combined spent at least $104 million on TV ads since March, the majority from Scott, who is said to have spent $100 million on his re-election effort. Most of the ads have been negative. Half of all voters cast their ballots in early voting locations, setting a new high for the state. That total includes a Sunday surge of thousands of Democrats, many of them African-Americans, who helped to shrink the Republicans’ pre-election ballot advantage to slightly more than 100,000 votes. While there were no tallies available for the way gays cast their ballots, traditionally a slim majority were favoring Charlie Crist who endorsed same-sex marriage and the marijuana initiative. Regarding that Amendment vote, Associate Press projected that the Florida voters have rejected the sale and distribution of medical marijuana in the state. While 57% of voters cast their ballots to pass Amendment 2, it did not reach the necessary 60 percent required to pass. The campaign for medical marijuana was among the most expensive ballot measures in the country, with millions spent on both sides. In other voting news, Wilton Manors voters re-elected incumbent Mayor Gary Resnick and Commissioner Scott Newton to office, while selecting former Commissioner Justin Flippen over incumbent Ted Galatis. Flippen led all candidates in the seven-way race for two commission seats, while Resnick fended off two challengers. The mayor was thrilled with securing another win, saying the city was heading in the right direction. “Everyone’s very happy in Wilton Manors,” Resnick told the Sun Sentinel. “Even my opponents didn’t say anything about the city. There was no reason to fire the existing mayor.” The Agenda will have full voting news from across the state in next week’s issue.

Wasserman-Schultz on 4th Annual National LGBT Leadership Forum FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Less than one week after the 2014 mid-term elections, the future of marriage equality and other LGBT issues will be the focus of a panel of nationally-prominent figures from the LGBT and mainstream political realms. Our Fund will bring the elite group together at the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale for the 4th Annual National LGBT Leadership Forum, slated for Monday, Nov. 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. For the first time, the most prominent leaders of national and state LGBT organizations will be joined by a nationally-prominent Member of Congress, when Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, (D-Weston), joins the panel to weigh in with her thoughts on the future of marriage equality and other LGBT issues. Wasserman Schultz will be joined by panelists Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force; Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director of Lambda Legal; Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida; and Paul Smith, Law Partner with the firm Jenner & Block of Washington, D.C. The five participants will present individually and take questions from the audience, which is expected to completely fill the 256-seat Horvitz Auditorium at the Museum of Art in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The Forum will be moderated by philanthropist Mona Pittenger, a member of Our Fund’s Board of Directors. The Leadership Forum is open to the public free of charge, however, seating is limited and guests must RSVP to Our Fund. For more information, visit www.our-fund. org/forum2014 or call 954/6836619. The National LGBT Leadership Forum is sponsored by the Gay & Lesbian Lawyer’s Network.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF MOON TAXI

November 5, 2014

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AS I SEE IT November 5, 2014 • ISSUE 259

BY RICHARD HACK

FOUNDER MULTIMEDIA PLATFORMS BOBBY BLAIR – CEO / MANAGING PARTNER

TIM COOK: “THIS IS MY BRICK”

November 5, 2014

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ast week, Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple Inc. came out of the closet and proclaimed himself to be gay. In doing so, he trod on virgin territory, since he is the first CEO of any S&P 500 company to make such a proclamation in public. Moreover, Tim Cook selected his words carefully, phrasing his sexual orientation eloquently, with a poetic style that belies the genius that makes Apple the technological leader it is. In coming out, Cook said, “Let me be clear: I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me.” But Cook did not stop there. He told Bloomberg Businessweek, “Being gay has given me a deeper understanding of what it means to be in the minority and provided a window into the challenges that people in other minority groups deal with every day. It’s made me more empathetic, which has led to a richer life.” This from a man whose blessed life has been full of riches and challenges fulfilled. In an America that has made great steps toward equality in the past year alone, Cook lamented that our giant strides are not enough. “There (still) are laws on the books in a majority of states that allow employers to fire people based solely on their sexual orientation,” he said. “There are many places where landlords can evict tenants for being gay, or where we can be barred from visiting sick partners and sharing in their legacies. Countless people, particularly kids, face fear and abuse every day because of their sexual orientation,” he told Bloomsberg Businessweek. And while all this is very true, it does not detract from the power of Cook’s admission at a time when CEO’s are not exactly flocking to grant same-sex

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benefits or make workplaces safer for the LGBT community. Despite the fact that gay marriage is now legal in 32 states plus the District of Columbia, that a transgender woman found herself on the cover of New York Magazine as the highest paid female executive in the country, and that the NFL broke its own taboo and drafted its first openly gay football player, the wins we have achieved pale in comparison to years of discrimination and physical torment at the hands of homophobes and their followers. For many, it is not safe to proclaim their sexual orientation as Cook did. According to a 2014 Human Rights Campaign survey, over 53% of the nation’s workers remain closeted in the workplace. It is a shame that more corporate executives do not openly provide a comfortable work environment for all employees, thereby allowing such declarations. According to the Center for Talent Innovation, those companies that have “active allies,” who openly support their

LGBT co-workers, help create networks that facilitate positive communication, which in turn reflects in employee benefits for same-sex partners. It is far easier to make progress, of course, at companies where the chief executive is either gay or a gay ally. Apple Inc. was already a progressive company whose LGBT incentives were noteworthy. That may have helped Tim Cook come out as he did. At the very least, his proclamation will help others in Apple and corporate executives worldwide to make the same leap of faith. It only makes business sense for corporations to begin supporting the LGBT community in any way possible. Our nearly $900 billion in buying power and brand loyalty to companies that favor gays and lesbians is well documented. Each day we take baby steps to universal acceptance. One of those steps was taken by Tim Cook last week. “We pave the sunlit path toward justice together, brick by brick. This is my brick,” Cook said. Bravo.

ALL MATERIAL in the Agenda is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the Agenda. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred or implied. The appearance of names or pictorial representation does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that person or persons. Although this paper is supported by many fine advertisers, the Agenda cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. EDITORIAL POSITIONS of the Agenda are expressed in editorials and in editors’ notes as determined by the paper’s editors. Other opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Agenda or its staff. TO SUBMIT A LETTER OR COMMENTARY: Letters should be fewer than 400 words; commentaries should be fewer than 750 words. Submissions may be edited for content and length, and must include a name, address and phone number for verification. Send submissions by e-mail to Editor@floridaagenda. com by fax to 954-566-7900 or by regular mail to the Agenda office, attn: Letters/Commentary. MAIN OFFICE / SALES: 2929 E Commercial Blvd, PhD, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 Phone 954-380-8563 FAX 954-380-8567 A bureau of LGBTQNation.com www.floridaagenda.com Printed by Forum Publishing Group (954) 574-5321 MEDIA ADVISORY BOARD Alan Beck, Keith Blackburn, Robert Boo, Reece Darham, Richard Hack, Kevin Hopper, Paul Hugo, Peter Jackson, Krishan Manners, Terry DeCarlo, Mark Negrete, Jackson Padgett, Gary Santis, Jason Tamanini, Brett Tannenbaum, Dean Trantalis, Victor Zepka © 2014, Mutimedia Platforms LLC. All rights reserved.

COVER STORY

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NEW HIV CURE FOUND BY FRENCH SCIENTISTS

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BY RICHARD HACK

ments that try and clear all traces of HIV from human cells and from cell reservoirs where they hide. “We suggest that persistence of integrated HIV DNA is not a barrier, but on the contrary, may be a prerequisite to HIV cure,” the study authors wrote. “We propose a new vision of HIV cure through integration, inactivation and potential endogenisation of a viral genome into the human genome.” The team said they did not believe the two patients were unique or that the phenomenon was new. And they called for “massive sequencing” of human DNA, particularly from Africans who had been exposed to HIV for longest, to find further proof. Only one person is thought to have ever been cured of HIV: Timothy Ray Brown who had bone marrow transplants as a treatment for leukaemia, from a donor with resistance to HIV. A baby given anti-AIDS drugs immediately after birth for 18 months, was at first also thought to have been cured, but the virus later came back.

tions in its genetic code. The researchers suggested spontaneous evolution between humans and the virus, a process called “endogenisation” that is believed to have neutralized other viruses in humans in the past. A similar process has been witnessed in a population of koalas that has integrated an AIDS-like virus into their genes, neutralized it, and were passing resistance on to their offspring. “We propose that HIV cure may occur through HIV endogenisation in humans,” the team wrote. “These findings suggest that without therapeutic and prophylactic strategies, after several decades of HIV/host integrations and millions of deaths, it is likely that a few individuals might have endogenised and neutralised the virus and transmitted it to their progeny,” they added. “We believe that the persistence of HIV DNA can lead to cure, and protection, from HIV.” The approach is directly opposite to current treat-

November 5, 2014

ARIS, FR — In what may be the most stunning news for HIV infected individuals and AIDS patients, French scientists said Tuesday they had found the genetic mechanism by which two HIV-infected men may have experienced a “spontaneous cure.” The researchers said the discovery offered a new strategy in the fight against AIDS, according to a report by Agence France Presse. “This finding represents an avenue for a cure,” said study co-author Didier Raoult. Both men were infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), one of them 30 years ago, but never developed AIDS symptoms. The AIDScausing virus remained in their immune cells but was inactivated because its genetic code had been altered, the scientists said. The change appeared to be linked to increased activity of a common enzyme named APOBEC, they theorised. The “apparent spontaneous cure” throws up an intriguing avenue for drug engineers, the team said in a statement. “By using or stimulating this enzyme, we now have avenues for identifying individuals among newly-infected patients who have a chance of a spontaneous cure.” The work, published in the Journal Clinical Microbiology and Infection, was carried out by scientists at France’s Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm). HIV replicates by invading human CD4 immune cells, which it reprogrammes to become virus factories. A rare group of people -- fewer than one percent of those infected -- are naturally able to rein in viral replication and keep the virus at clinically undetectable levels. They are known as “elite controllers,” but the mechanism by which they keep the virus at bay remains a mystery. The French group looked at two such individuals, a 57-year-old man diagnosed HIV-positive in 1985, and a 23-year-old diagnosed in 2011, and sequenced their virus genomes. Though they remained infected, standard tests could not detect the virus in their blood. The team found that in both cases, the virus was unable to replicate in immune cells due to muta-

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Funeral Services Announced for Sal DeFalco

al DeFalco passed away on Friday, October 31st, 2014, at Broward General North, after recent cancer surgery. Sal was 54 and is survived by his partner Claude Tant; his sisters, Helen, Patricia, AnnMarie and Marion; and his nieces and nephews. If it can be said that he had children, they were his dogs, which he adored. The funeral service will be on Saturday, November 8, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 333 Tarpon Drive in Fort Lauderdale. He was a prominent personality on the South Florida gay social scene, a celebrity bartender at Hunters and other clubs, as well as a writer. But, before that, Sal DeFalco was one of the memorable personalities who emerged from the legendary Studio 54 disco nightclub in New York, where he tended bar, had numerous affairs

November 5, 2014

KEVIN MILLER

LISSA MOON

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PASSAGES

with celebrities, and knew all about “the scene” in the 70s and early 80s. He was saving some of those stories for his autobiography. A first-hand witness of the devastation of the AIDS epidemic over the years, Sal recently expressed his concern about the new HIV crisis in South Florida and the return of unprotected sex among gays in Fort Lauderdale. Over the years, Sal has inspired three articles in the Agenda, the last one just last week when he was our “Bartender of the Week.” Go to FloridaAgenda.com for more information.

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November 5, 2014

1) ALIBI 2266 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors

18) NEW YORK GRILLED CHEESE 2207 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors

17) NAKED GRAPE 2163 Wilton Drive Wilton manors

BAR MAP

2) BILL’S FILLING STATION 2209 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors

19) PJ’S CORNER POCKET 2340 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors

22) ROSIE’S BAR & GRILL 2449 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors

21) RAMROD 1508 NE 4th Ave Fort Lauderdale

20) PROGRESS 2440 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors

3) BOARDWALK 1721 N Andrews Ave Fort Lauderdale 4) CORNER PUB 1915 N Andrews Ave Wilton Manors 5) CUBBY HOLE 823 N Federal Hwy Fort Lauderdale 6) DAPUR 1620 N Federal Hwy Fort Lauderdale 7) GREGARIOUS 2033 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors

9) INFINITY LOUNGE 2184 WIlton Drive Wilton Manors

25) SCARFONE’S 2150 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors

24) SCANDALS SALOON 3073 NE 6th Ave Wilton Manors

23) RUMORS BAR & GRILL 2426 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors

10) JMARK’S 1245 N Federal Hwy Fort Lauderdale

26) SIDELINES 2031 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors

8) HUNTERS NIGHTCLUIB 2232 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors

11) JOHNNY’S 1116 W Broward Blvd Fort Lauderdale

27) SMARTY PANTS 2400 E Oakland Park Blvd Fort Lauderdale

November 5, 2014

31) VILLAGE PUB 2283 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors

30) TROPICS 2000 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors

29) 13 I Even 2037 Wilton Dr Wilton Manors

28) THE STABLE 205 E Oakland Park Blvd Fort Lauderdale

12) LE PATIO 2401 NE 11th Ave Wilton Manors 13) LIPS 1421 E Oakland Park Blvd Oakland Park 14) THE MANOR 2345 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors 15) MONA’S 502 E Sunrise Blvd Fort Lauderdale 16) MONKEY BUSINESS 2740 N Andrews Ave Fort Lauderdale /floridaagenda

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Contact us for a free staging consultation. Visit our retail showroom to purchase quality furniture and accessories at substantial savings!

Retail Showroom hours: M-Sun, 12-6p 1438 NE 26th St, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 phone 954.530.6155

www.floridastagehands.com

November 5, 2014

FSH’s Staging Director, Rich Palmiere combines eclectic style with attention to detail, creating warm and inviting interiors. Originally from NYC, Rich brings an urban vibe to coastal living.

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In today’s competitive real estate market, first impression is everything. A professionally staged home sets itself apart from the competition. Florida Stage Hands can showcase your home by creating a striking ambiance, accenting its features, customized to style and scale…

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INTERIOR STAGING & DESIGN

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FLORIDA STAGE HANDS

November 5, 2014

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BY FRANK CORRADO

Magnifico!

I give this establishment

SANTA LUCIA RISTORANTE ITALIANO 2701 EAST OAKLAND PARK BLVD, FT LAUDERDALE, FL 33306 954-396-0930

November 5, 2014

marinara sauce, tossed with small cherry peppers, pungent in every bite. Our entrees arrived, selected from the special’s menu. Linguini Frutti Di Mare ($26) An array of colorful, delicate and beautifully presented seafood consisting of juicy calamari, little neck clams, mussels, baby octopus and jumbo size shrimp over a bed of fresh linguini that will knock your socks off! Use a tablespoon for twirling, or you might get caught slurping the long pasta strings of this incredible dish. Note: gluten free and whole wheat pasta available upon request. Vitello Scallopini Pizzaiola ($26) A large portion of veal medallions, sautéed in a mushroom, garlic and olive oil base,in a light pomodoro tomato sauce flavored with a hint of oregano, essential with this recipe. Served with warm green crunchy vegetables, and rosemary potatoes. Quite frankly, the potatoes would have been better placed next to an egg omelette, rather than this Italian homemade meal. Ordering wine was a bit tricky since typically a seafood-based meal indicates white wine, while a tomato sauce tempts you to have red. I ordered a bottle of Pinio Grigio, perfect for both entrees. For dessert, a double espresso , and a side of black Sambuco served in a brandy snifter with 3 beans. Ahhh, the sweet taste of anise and licorice. My guest ordered a Caffe Macchiato, an espresso with foamed milk. The table once again adorned with two cordial glasses filled with Limoncello, a southern Italian lemon liqueur, compliments of Santa Lucia. Be the next diner to have a sip! If you haven’t been here yet, now is a perfect time to discover such a great addition to Fort Lauderdale’s fine dining. Thank, chef Rino, for a job well done! And tell them The Agenda sent you.

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ocated in a convenient strip plaza with angled parking, and (on specific nights) a handsome valet opens your door, hands you a ticket, parks your car. Outside, a spacious covered patio lined with tall bronze-colored planters with grassy greenery atop, black sectional rattan seating with bright red cushions, soft music setting the tone for a lovely dining experience. The entry doors open directly into the bar. Exquisitely designed, with dimmed lighting, as the lounge offers stylish upbeat music as you order a drink at the bar. If you are lucky enough to have Jennifer serve you, you might stay and order your meal from the bar menu. It all starts right here! You may even be teased by the aroma emanated from the nearby kitchen window. We were there on a Wednesday evening, which happens to be gentleman’s night, Offering 2-4-1 entrees from a specific paper printed menu, in addition to the regular vinyl bound menu. After 2 extra dry straight up Grey Goose Martinis with colossal blue cheese stuffed olives, we asked to be seated for dinner. The waiter smiled, and walked us over to a candle lit, black clothed table, in a quaint area of the main dining area. A Busboy arrived with a pitcher of cold water, a small wire basket, filled with crisp warm slices of Italian bread, blanketed in a black cloth napkin. Instantly, you smell the piping hot aroma of freshly made bread. Devoured in a matter of moments, we asked the busboy for another serving. His grin confirmed we were not the only diners with such a request! Menus arrived, specials announced and thoroughly described. After a moment and a few more sips of my martini, I gently raised my hand to a slight signal, ready to order. An appetizer, Calamari Fritti ($12) can easily be shared by two. Crispy fried fresh calamari in a delectable spicy homemade

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SANTA LUCIA RISTORANTE ITALIANO

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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PHOTOS BY BIG DEWITTE

k o o L T U O

METROPOLITAN GROUNDBREAKING

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November 5, 2014

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Politics Makes Strange Bedfellows

November 5, 2014

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PUZZLE

ACROSS 1 Matthew Warchus film about strange bedfellows 6 Weeps with abandon 10 Org. of guys who are knock-outs? 13 ___ Eclipse 14 Goal for Sheryl Swoopes 15 Like a pale face 16 “It’s the end of ___” 17 She’s cock-eyed in South Pacific 19 Protest in 1-Across 21 Snatch 22 Bentley of American Beauty 23 Circle segment 26 Ed Wood role 29 Bit of hope 32 Composer Ned 35 Tongue, to a French teacher 38 Actress in 1-Across 40 Like a masochist’s partner 41 New Orleans footballer 42 Rocker Brian 43 Classic soft drink 45 Duvall played her in Popeye 46 Vintage wheels 48 Way across the Pacific

51 Unlikely bedfellows in 1-Across 57 J olie of The Bone Collector 58 Big wheels at sea 61 Winter product prefix, in ads 62 Famous cookie maker 63 Shoot off some hot stuff 64 Ship, to seamen 65 Where Boy Scouts sleep together 66 Actor Bill of 1-Across DOWN 1 Mom-and-pop org. 2 Wood of the Stones 3 Bit from Ted Casablanca 4 Spacey in Beyond the Sea 5 Writer Dykewomon 6 Restaurateur Toots 7 Basketball to Eliza Doolittle? 8 Zimbabwe neighbor 9 Catty quality 10 V-J Day ended it 11 Catch some rays at South Beach 12 Fork over, with “up” 18 Mr. Williams, as Doubtfire 20 Come out on the beach 23 Leave your lover in bed

4 Caesar or Antony 2 25 Belief summary 27 De Wolfe of design 28 Gate fastener 29 One to ten, e.g. 30 The ___ and the Ecstasy 31 Streisand’s cross-dressing movie 33 Biblical Samuel’s mentor 34 OR workers 36 Director Van Sant 37 Acapulco article 39 When perdition freezes over 44 “That’s ___ quit!” 46 Charlotte of Facts of Life 47 Big splash 49 Washed-out 50 SNL’s Cheri 51 Slang for vagina 52 Hathaway of Brokeback Mountain 53 “Son of Frankenstein” character 54 Privy to 55 Bottomless 56 Bad penny 59 Speed limit letters 60 Place for porking? For the answers to this puzzle, go to www.floridaagend.com/puzzle

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The Week 11/6-11/12 BY PATRICK ROBERT

/floridaagenda PHOTO BY DAVID SHANKBONE

Lisa Lampanelli November 7th in Jacksonville

11/6

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Susan Boyle – Jacksonville

Lisa Lampanelli – Jacksonville

Despite her emotional, breakthrough performance of “I Dreamed a Dream,” Susan Boyle was actually not the winner of Britain’s Got Talent. It didn’t matter, though—her YouTube clip made her an overnight sensation. She has already had two Grammy nominations and five albums. A few years ago, she was overwhelmed by the pressure of her fame, yet she seems ready to tackle the world again. This is her first US tour. She recently performed in South Florida and continues up, now, into Jacksonville. 7:30 p.m. Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. 300 Water St. Jacksonville. 32202.

Known for her intense racial insensitivity, Lisa Lampanelli has been a favorite of gay culture since she started her rise to fame. Lisa Lampanelli routinely lampoons her own attraction to black men (and their most prominent sexual organ), disparages every race, and jabs at the politics of gay sex. She’s been an outspoken supporter for gay rights. In 2011, The Westboro Baptist Church planned to protest her show. Her response? She donated $1,000 to the Gay Men’s Health Crisis for each protester, totaling $50,000. Her most famous television appearance came when she worked for the almighty Donald as a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice. 8:00 p.m. Florida Theatre. 128 E Forsyth St. Jacksonville. 32205.

Florida Orchestra: The Ben Folds Experience – Tampa The multi-platinum, singersongwriter, indie-rocker front man of Ben Folds Five will join the Florida Orchestra to perform such hits as “Effington,” “Jesusland,” “Steven’s Last Night in Town,” “Narcolepsy,” “Landed,” “Rockin’ the Suburbs,” and “Brick.” He will also be the soloist in his new, well-reviewed piano concerto. For more than a decade Folds has performed with some of the world’s greatest orchestras, including record-breaking sell-out Australian symphonic shows, repeatedly sold-out shows at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C, and at the Boston Pops. 8:00 p.m. David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. 1010 N. Macinnes Place. Tampa. 33602.

To have your event listed, please email editor@floridaagenda.com

November 5, 2014

THE WEEK

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Susan Boyle, Lisa Lampanelli & The Rippingtons

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11/8

About Love.” Just last year the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, solidifying their legendary status as one of America’s greatest rock bands. All in all, they have sold over 35 million records, had twenty Top Forty singles, seven Top Ten albums, and four Grammy nominations. 7:00 p.m. Hard Rock Live. 5747 Seminole Way. Hollywood. 33314.

Picasso and Dali Exhibit – St. Petersburg The two legendary artists will be paired up for an exhibition featuring rarely loaned works from more that twenty international art museums and private collections worldwide. Over 80 works will be on display, with a focus on paintings. The exhibition attempts to show the rivalry of the two great artists and how their pieces were shaped by the currents of their time. Each artist attempted to rescue the power of art from meaningless invention, changing the way the world understood art forever. 10:00 a.m. Dali Museum. 1 Dali Blvd. St. Petersburg. 33701.

11/10

The Rippingtons – Fort Lauderdale Jazz-fusion band The Rippingtons will be presenting their music known for its great instrumental melodies and audience interaction. In the 1990s, The Rippingtons attempted to combine jazz and rock yet have since settled on the smooth jazz genre. Fronted by Russ Freeman, the band has released a series of chart-topping jazz albums, including Curves

The English Beat – Orlando British 2 Tone ska revival band The English Beat fuse elements of ska, pop, soul, reggae, and punk rock into lyrics dealing with love and sociopolitical topics. In the early 1980s, they released a string of studio albums including I Just Can’t Stop It, Wha’ppen?, and Special Beat Service. Their singles include “Mirror in the Bathroom,” “Too Nice to Talk To,” “ Can’t Get Used to Losing You,” and “All Out to Get You.” They will be releasing a new studio album next year named For Crying Out Loud. 9:00 p.m. The Plaza Live. 425 Bumby Ave. Orlando. 32803.

November 5, 2014

Heart – Fort Lauderdale Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson basically owned the 1970s female rock scene. They charted with such enduring hits as “Crazy on You,” “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” and “Straight On.” Their music continued on in the 1980s with more hits, including “Never,” “These Dreams,” “Alone,” and “What

PHOTO BY JOE HOWARD / COURTESY OF FLICKR / MADDEACON

11/9

The Rippingtons (11/10)

Ahead, Welcome to the St. James’ Club, and Black Diamond. Their newest album Fountain of Youth was released on June 10th. 7:30 p.m. Jazziz Nightlife. 201 Plaza Real. Boca Raton. 33432.

Ensemble—a complete recording of the movie’s soundtrack. They will be performing that album tonight at the Fillmore. 8:00 p.m. The Fillmore Miami Beach. 1700 Washington Ave. Miami Beach. 33139.

11/11

11/12

Primus and the Chocolate Factory – Miami

The Poetry of Hearts – Key West

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory holds a unique place in pop culture history as a lovable kid’s movie with a very dark edge to it. There’s the bizarre boat scene, the gruesome deaths, Willy Wonka’s mischievous grin, and his moralistic punishments (in retrospective, a forerunner to Jigsaw of the Saw films). All this chaos takes place in a magical candy land. Alternative rock band Primus reunited last year in order to create their newest album, Primus and the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi

Key West writer Box Bowersox’s play The Poetry of Hearts details the transitionary period in the life of an aging British poet residing in America. He decides it’s time for him to go home to Britain and hang up his pen—a decision that rocks his family. His wife, the driving force behind his career, wants none of it, and is willing to go to unthinkable lengths to prevent his leaving. The play explores when it’s time to let go and the consequences of doing so. 8:00 p.m. Red Barn Theatre. 319 Duval Street. Key West. 33040.

SCREEN SAVOR

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WHEN FLIFF MET SOPHIE

COURTESY OF FLIFF

Fellowship, Randi created his own sensation with “The Carlos Hoax,” a false channeler portrayed by his life-partner, the artist Jose Alvarez, in order to prove how easy it was to fool both the media and the public. But it’s the fooling of Randi, in a situation involving Alvarez and his true identity that is the ultimate act of sleight of hand. Without revealing too much more about it (the element of surprise is essential to magic, after all), suffice to say that this doc about “honest liar” Randi, a “con on the right side,” is enchanting. [Screening on Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. at Cinema Paradiso in Hollywood and Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. at Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale.]

alk about a labor of love! Inspired by their mutual adoration of and affection for Bette Midler, who helped to revive interest in Sophie Tucker by including her material in her act beginning in the 1970s, writers

November 5, 2014

s with the best magicians and magic tricks, Tyler Measom and Justin Weinstein’s beguiling doc An Honest Liar (Left Turn/Pure Mutt), about the mesmerizing life of gay escape artist and fraud debunker The Amazing Randi (aka James Randi), keeps us, well, amazed. When Randi says “No matter how smart or well-educated you are, you can be deceived,” little does he realize how much that applies to him as well. Once considered the heir to Houdini’s legacy, nowadays at 86, you are more likely to see The Amazing Randi giving a TED Talk than freeing himself from a straitjacket and shackles. Randi, a man who devoted his entire life to using the tools of deception to uncover real deception — ranging from psychics such as Uri Geller to faith healers such as Peter Popoff — became an unwitting victim of deception. The recipient of a MacArthur Foundation

Susan and Lloyd Ecker have produced the doc The Outrageous Sophie Tucker. Known as “the last of the red-hot mamas,” Tucker’s bawdy act, including music and comedy, launched a 60 year career, from vaudeville to (reluctantly on her part) television. A consummate professional who never took her fans for granted (she was renowned for writing letters of gratitude to her followers), Tucker performed with the Ziegfeld Follies, worked for William Morris, had countless famous friends, loved to play cards and gamble, had several failed marriages and one son, was a marketing genius with a history of endorsement deals (she made a fortune off her weight alone), always performed with her signature piece — a handkerchief, and worked with the same accompanist, Ted Shapiro, for 46 years! Like any good doc, The Outrageous Sophie Tucker has great insight into its subject and provides viewers with fascinating facts (Tucker performed in blackface early in her career and she was also good friends with Al Capone). The doc even hints at some of Tucker’s postdivorce relationships with female companions. The interview subjects, including family, friends, writers and scholars, as well as Bruce Vilanch, Michael Feinstein, Carol Channing, Shecky Green, Tony Bennett and Barbara Walters (Tucker performed in a nightclub owned by Walters’ father), all have wonderful stories to tell. It’s hard not to watch this doc and wish that someone would do a Sophie Tucker biopic. It has Lea DeLaria’s name written all over it. The only thing that would have made “The Outrageous Sophie Tucker” even better (and more complete) would have been interviews footage with Bette Midler, but that’s a minor quibble. [In theaters Nov. 7.]

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escribed as “a vacation from ordinary film,” the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLiFF), kicks off November 7 and runs through November 23, with screenings at a variety of theaters. For the complete schedule and more information, visit http:// www.fliff.com/Films_and_Events. Below are reviews of two LGBT interest films being shown during the festival, as well as a gay favorite general release. Janice Villarosa’s Shunned (Silent Voices) is a doc with dramatic affectations, including incorporating a caterpillar/cocoon/butterfly metaphor, about trans women in the Philippines. Through a variety of interviews, personal and pageant footage, and dramatic re-enactments, Shunned pulls back the curtain on the emotional, psychological and physical hardships experienced by male-to-female transsexuals and transgender people. Because there is no word in Tagalog to distinguish between being gay and being trans (a distinction about which the trans women in this doc feel strongly), many of the interview subjects are victims of homophobic violence and abuse. Shocking stories of abuse suffered at the hands family members and strangers alike are deeply disturbing. Also be warned that there are graphic images of genital surgery, showing both preand post-op results. The problem is that Shunned doesn’t really tell us anything new — especially for those of us in the LGBT community. However, mainstream audiences will probably come away from the movie with a greater awareness of some of what trans-folk experience on a daily basis. [Screening on Nov. 9 at 9 p.m. at Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale and Nov. 13 at 9 p.m. at Cinema Paradiso in Hollywood.]

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BY GREGG SHAPIRO

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TRAVEL

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SAY HI TO HAWAII —Part One

friendly and hospitable. Whether you prefer to island (or city) hop or stay in one place, Hawaii has much to offer to the GLBT traveler. Some of the island cities offer sun-baked beaches and wild nightlife, while some of the smaller islands and towns offer a chance to commune with nature and chill. Of course, there’s no reason you can’t have both. It all depends on location. In this column, we take a look at Oahu, and in the next Maui, the two islands most popular with many tourists, including GLBT travelers. In the final column, we’ll explore some of the less touristy sections of Hawaii.

OAHU Oahu means “the gathering place.” Oahu houses the state capital, Honolulu and the famous beach known as Waikiki. It is the third largest island in size and the first in population, with more than 950,000 people sharing the island’s 600 square miles of mountains and beaches. Travelers will find Oahu’s biggest city, Waikiki, to be the gay hub of the island. There is an exciting nightlife scene with

plenty of gay bars and clubs. A number of beaches (Diamond Head Lighthouse Beach, Pipeline Beach and, the most popular, the aptly named Queen’s Beach, across Kalakaua Avenue from the Honolulu Zoo and a few blocks from the popular GLBT hang-out, Hula’s Bar owned by community leaderJack Law) are the center of GLBT life.

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awaii is the baby sister of the United States, being the 50th state admitted to the union. “Admitted” is a polite way to say it; the U.S. strongarmed Hawaiians into becoming part of the country for strategic military reasons. Little did the powers that be ever realize that the sleepy little towns that dotted the islands would become one of the country’s biggest tourist attractions. Since tourism is virtually the only industry in the state (except for agriculture — Dole Fruit Company once owned one of the smaller islands), it’s no wonder the people have a reputation for being

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BY RICK KARLIN

In our next column: Maui Wowie!

Stay

Dine

Ewa Hotel (2555 Cartwright Rd., Honolulu, 808-922-1677) is far from posh, but it is also is one of the few places on Waikiki with rooms starting less than $100 a night. With 92 rooms and a location close to Hula’s Bar and Queen’s Beach, you might be willing to trade a pool (although there is a roof-top sundeck) and luxury for convenience. www. ewahotel.com

Hula Dog (2301 Kuhio Ave. #2, Honolulu, 808-924-7887) is a local delicacy you must experience. Fair warning: for some they are an acquired taste, while for others they are addictive. A Hula Dog is a Polish sausage, slathered with tropical relish (made with coconut, papaya, and banana) baked inside a bun. There’s a second branch downtown (1102 Bishop St., 808-585-8715). www. huladoghawaii.com

Hotel Renew by Aston (129 Paoakalani Ave., Honolulu, 808687-7700) is at the other end of the spectrum, both in terms of price and luxury. The minimalistchic design of its 72-rooms, a glorious pool and proximity to Queen’s Beach and Hula’s make this a popular spot. Loads of extras are included in your stay: daily cocktails, Continental breakfast, Wi-Fi, and the use of beach accessories. www.hotelrenew.com

Rainbow Drive-In (3308 Kanaina Ave., Honolulu, 808-737-0177) is another budget-friendly dining option popular with locals; doling out short-order Hawaiian classics such as saimin noodles, loco moco (a burger, eggs, and gravy over rice) and, of course, Spam. The plate lunch is a great deal, consisting of a main dish (fried chicken, ahi katsu, etc.), two scoops of rice, and either slaw or macaroni salad. www.rainbowdrivein.com

Drink

Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand (in the Waikiki Grand Hotel, 134 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu, 808-923-0669) is the best known and most established GLBT bar in Hawaii. It remains so not only because of its proximity to Queen’s Beach, but also due to its friendly, fun, and smart staff. Two years ago, it revamped its food menu, and now serves delicious Asian and Hawaiian inspired tapas in addition to its popular weekend brunch. Make certain to buy tickets for the popular Saturday-afternoon gay catamaran cruise. www.hulas.com Bacchus (408 Lewers St., Honolulu, 808926-416) tucked away in a second-floor space just off of Kuhio Avenue; this cozy spot offers a well-chosen, sensibly priced list of wines and whiskeys by the glass as well as classic cocktails. Happy hour runs from noon to 8 p.m. daily. The second Sunday of every month Aloha Bears gather here before heading off for a catamaran trip. The gay-owned spot also features a restaurant, but the real draw is the to-die-for ocean view from the patio. www.bacchus-waikiki.com Fusion Waikiki (2260 Kuhio Ave., 808924-2422) is a late night dance club with strippers and drag shows drawing large crowds on weekends. www.fusionwaikiki. com It’s right next door to LoJax (2256 Kuhio Ave., Honolulu, 808-922-1422), a GLBT sports bar and customers tend to flow back and forth. www.lojaxwaikiki.com/

Waikiki Beach

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JEFF WHYTE

Max’s Gym (438 Hobron La., Honolulu, 808-951-82320) isn’t a bar, but it’s not really much of a gym either. Located on the fourth floor of the Eaton Square shopping center, it’s more of a bathhouse/pick-up spot, especially after the bars close. www.maxsgym.net

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BY PETER JACKSON, CPT

ASK THE FITNESS MAN

HIV, Prep, and the Age of Being “Undetectable” This is the second in a series of interviews with medical and health professionals in Fort Lauderdale about issues of interest to the LGBTQ community. Dr. Patrick Kenney is a specialist in Infectious Diseases at Midland Medical Center on East Oakland Park Blvd., and specializes in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. Dr. Kenney completed his Infectious Disease fellowship at the University of South Dr. Patrick Kinney Florida Morsani College of Medicine. We interviewed him on a range of topics related to HIV in South Florida including the area’s alarming infection rate, advances in treatment and the precise significance of being HIV positive but “undetectable.”

JACKSON: If statistics are to be believed, the HIV infection rate among MSM (men having sex with men) is dropping nationally but increasing in South Florida. Can you offer a medical perspective on that trend? DR. KINNEY: South Florida is a very popular destination among the MSM population, bringing travelers from all over the globe to come and enjoy our community. Unlike South Florida, other regions may not have the HIV awareness or have testing facilities readily available. Therefore, men who visit the area may not know their status and to their knowledge they are “negative.” There are many theories, but as a practitioner in the community, I can see that most transmission is occurring via anonymous unprotected intercourse.

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JACKSON: The effectiveness of HIV medications has increased dramatically in the last decade. How much easier is it to manage HIV infection today on a longterm basis? DR. KINNEY: HIV has become easier to manage than diabetes, honestly. I must stress, however, that the success of the treatment lies heavily in the compliance of the patient. The new medications are much better tolerated and do not possess nearly the

amount of side effects as the older medications. That being said, it is imperative for patients to communicate with their health care provider so they can come up with a treatment regimen that works for that particular patient. JACKSON: This year a new record was reached as more than half of individuals living with HIV in the United States were aged 50 or older. What are we learning about aging with HIV? What are the challenges, if any? DR. KINNEY: We are very fortunate that HIV-infected individuals have the capacity to live a healthy life. But like any chronic illness, HIV can affect several body systems, especially the cardiovascular system. Also, our aging community was faced with having to take some of the earlier HIV medications which did have severe side effects including anemia, lipodystrophy (fat redistribution), and atherosclerotic disease. However, studies have shown that, with viral suppression from the HIV medications, we are able to decrease the amount of inflammation the virus causes on the vascular system. We still have a great deal to learn from our aging patients, but we are so happy that the majority of them are doing well despite the grim

prognosis they may have been faced with 30 years ago. JACKSON: The new buzzword in our community is being positive but “undetectable.” In medical terms, what does undetectable mean and how does it affect potential transmission of the virus to a sex partner who is HIV-? DR. KINNEY: I hear this question quite a bit. Yes, if a person is HIV positive and is on medications that suppress the virus making the virus undetectable in the blood, the risk of transmission to an HIV negative partner is very slim. In serodiscordant couples (where one partner is HIV positive and the other is negative), viral suppression from the medications have allowed these couples to have unprotected intercourse with a decreased fear of transmission. In those patients who are HIV positive and having sex with multiple partners, there can be exposure to other strains of HIV which can lead to what is called “transmitted resistance.” This means that one person can acquire resistance to HIV medications from another person’s HIV status. However, use of antiretroviral medications and barrier methods with condoms reduce transmission substantially and is still the recommended practice. JACKSON: Today we are experiencing an unprecedented popularity in barebacking – that is, having unprotected sex – among gay men, and a belief that an HIV negative top having anal sex with an HIV positive bottom faces little, if any, risk. What’s your response to that belief? DR. KINNEY: Statistically, the

receptive partner is at a higher risk for HIV transmission. However, in my practice, I have seen HIV transmission occur from HIV positive bottom to HIV negative top because, like all statistics, there is no guarantee that being a HIV negative top [means one] is absolutely safe from HIV transmission. JACKSON: Biomedical advances have just given us pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP respectively) which, when taken as prescribed, are close to 100% effective in eliminating the transmission of HIV. Are your patients requesting PrEP and are you recommending it? DR. KINNEY: Yes, I have several patients that are on PrEP. I believe PrEP has a huge potential for limiting the transmission of HIV in our community. We live in a high endemic area of HIV infection and we are fortunate to have several resources here in South Florida that give patients an access to HIV medications. I also firmly believe that if a person is interested in PrEP, they need to speak to a health care provider that is knowledgeable of it and what the potential risks and benefits PrEP has. I recommend PrEP for patients who are engaging in high risk sexual behavior with a known HIV positive partner or with multiple partners. I also recommend that PrEP be used in conjunction with condoms as PrEP will only protect from HIV but not from other sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis. STI screening should be done every three months as all of these infections have tremendously high prevalence in our community.

Peter Jackson is a fitness and nutrition expert and the owner of Push Fitness, Club One CrossFit and Inner G Yoga in Oakland Park, Fl. E-mail him your questions and concerns at Peter@PushFitnessFTL.com or visit him online at www.PushFitnessFTL.com

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