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JUST ADAM The week reflected back through fabulously funny eyes AND FOR THIS I THANK YOU. So today I interviewed a candidate who actually was a former Miss Rhode Island… So when we finish the interview and I walked her out… I turned to her and asked her “So Miss Rhode Island, what is the perfect date?” And without flinching she said “April 25th because it’s not too hot and not too cold. All you need is a light jacket.” Bam! A ROB KARDASHIAN ROMANCE NOVEL. What is a “Blac China” and why is this all over the news??? SOUTH FLORIDA GAS WELL. God, I love Fiber One fruit strusels. Downside...one farts like a racehorse on meth!! STICKY SWEET. This day is moving slower than a roach in honey!! MY NECK HURTS. I’m watching two of my snarkiest coworkers having a bit of an argument back-and-forth. It’s like watching the Wimbledon of douchebaggery. ROAD RAGE. Heavy stop and go traffic just frosts my cookies. DUMB AND DUMBER 3. Sarah Palin and Donald Trump – It’s like the teacher picked the two dumbest kids in the classroom to give a speech or presentation!! HAIR STYLIST WANTED. John Travolta just needs to stop with these toupees…..I mean the hairline is just like what you would see on a cabbage patch kid!! MAKES MY EARS BLEED. I am still convinced that “Welcome to Our World of Toys” that you hear at FAO Schwartz was sung by the spirits of dead Chinese children who had died in tragic child exploitation-related factory accidents. CELL BLOCK TANGO. Always remember that Martha Stewart is a convicted felon. She will shank a b***h and then make you a homemade potato salad from scratch!! PLAID READY TO WEAR. These Florida queens and the cold weather!! I just saw more flannel out there than Rosie O’Donnell’s secret weekend clothing closet circa 1996!
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RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT. Little known fact: I boycotted the Oscars when “BAPS” didn’t receive any nominations. Halle Berry and her cubby sidekick were robbed that year! PLANNED PARENTHOOD. I’m dying to know who the Duggar family is voting for, because I always look for political guidance from a woman whose lady parts has the elasticity of a 95 off ramp. Adam Cohen is South Florida’s favorite and most fabulous social commentator. He’s also single. Find him on Facbook to keep up with his hilarious take on the week’s headlines.
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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...
Random thoughts from social media and beyond this week
CHER via Twitter
Activist MATTHEW SHURKA discussing enduring conversion therapy.
“I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THE REQUIREMENT FOR AMYL NITRATE TO RELAX THE SPHINCTER MUSCLE AND LUBE TO ACCOMMODATE ENTRY WAS GODʼS WAY OF TELLING YOU THAT WHAT YOUʼRE ABOUT TO DO IS UNNATURAL AND PERVERSE. OR YOUR BODYʼS WAY OF TELLING YOU – YOUR CALL. SO EEEEUW.”
British journalist ROB LIDDLE responding to Crispin Blunt’s admission that he loves poppers.
CHEERS
“If you are doing something that has to be kept a secret, you probably shouldn’t be doing it.“ -Graham Norton responding to a letter penned by young gay boy in The Telegraph.
JEERS
“It’s a joy to be chosen, to make a stand and to defend my God’s word, the infallible word of God.” -Kim Davis in an interview
JAZZ JENNINGS in an interview with TIME discussing her memoir, Being Jazz: My Life As a (Transgender) Teen.
on American Family Radio.
“IʼM LIKE A WITCH, AND YOU CANʼT KILL ME! I KEEP COMING BACK EVERY YEAR, AND EVERY YEAR, I GET BETTER.” Figure skater ADAM RIPPON discussing his secret to earning numerous consecutive sporting awards.
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“I WAS 21 AND ALTHOUGH THE THERAPY TAUGHT THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH THING AS LOVE BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE OF THE SAME SEX, I HAD FALLEN IN LOVE WITH ANOTHER BOY. WHEN I SAID THIS, I WAS TOLD I WAS SUFFERING FROM OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER.”
ELLEN DEGENERES discussing Lady Gaga’s via Twitter. DeGeneres celebrated her 58th Birthday Tuesday January 26.
“THIS BOOK REVEALS MANY RARELY SHARED MEMORIES FROM MY PAST THAT HAVE MOLDED ME INTO THE TEENAGER I AM TODAY. I HOPE THAT MY CHALLENGES AND TRIUMPHS WILL RESONATE WITH READERS OF ALL AGES, WHETHER THEY ARE TRANSGENDER OR NOT.”
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“TRUMP NOT DOING FOX DEBATE ʻCAUSE OF MEGAN KELLY? SOME1 GET HIM TOE SHOES, FKNG PRIMA DONNA. HOW CAN HE FACE ISIS? HE CANT FACE A CHICK ON TV.“
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“The neighbors saw me in my birthday suit this morning. Lots of applause.”
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EXCLUSIVERES By Richard Hack
Steel Gym closes local branch in sneaky retreat
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COVER STORY
Photo: file
FORT LAUDERDALE--Steel Gym, the fitness club that labeled itself the “Only Real Gym in Fort Lauderdale,” is no more. Under a full moon last Monday evening, owner Ken Hunt closed up the local branch of his three-outlet gym in Searstown on Federal Highway, as equipment was moved into a waiting moving truck and departed quietly into night. It was not Hunt’s only experience with a clandestine gym closure. Last May, he exited his previous location in the Shoppes of Wilton Manors, leaving members to read about the move via a notice posted on the door. At the time, Hunt suggested that a landlord dispute was to blame. “I had an opportunity to move the club and I jumped at the chance to upgrade the business, both for us and the members,” he said at the time. “I did this because we needed better parking, and a better building that wasn’t falling apart. I have waited years for the simplest things to get done. Now we’re now going to have better parking, a building in perfect condition, and it’s a winwin for the members. For the inconvenience, I am giving away a free month of membership to everyone who is currently a member. It’s only fair.” This time, gym members were not so fortunate. Notes taped to the empty store front that previously held a PetSupermarket read: “Steel Gym Closed, Effective Immediately. Dear Members, We have reached the difficult decision to close our Fort Lauderdale location. After several months, it became clear to us that the market could not sustain a (sic) independent gym vs. the other larger chains in the general area. We thank you for you (sic) patronage and look forward to seeing you at our other locations. Sincerely, Steel Gym.”
It was not what members wanted to hear. “This is the third time I’ve been ripped off by this club,” Gym Rat vented on social media. “Karma has a way of catching up.” “I guess old dogs don’t learn new tricks,” Skip VandeLinde wrote of Facebook. “They did it to everyone before, and they are doing it again. SO MUCH FOR GIVING MEMBERS NOTICE.” It wasn’t always this way, of course. In Steel Gym’s original Wilton Manors location, which they took over from Island City Fitness, Ken Hunt made every effort to include his members as decisions were made about the remodeling of the gym and its locker rooms and aerobics floor. As a local provider for Silver Sneakers members, Steel also provided a home base for the Brian Neal Fitness & Health Foundation, donating free memberships for HIV patients, and providing space for the Foundation’s free exercise classes. Prior to Island City occupying the corner spot behind Georgie’s Alibi Graphics By: HRC.org in the Shoppes of Wilton Manors, Better Bodies gym owned by Florida investor Bob DeBenedictis tried to make the space work. The difficulty in the facility was the lack of active participation on the part of absentee landlord Rivercrest Realty Investors, headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Inoperative air conditioning units as well as leaking roofs and lack of customer parking were common complaints following Rivercrest’s purchase of the shopping plaza in 2007 from builder Terry Stiles. By the time Steel Gym leased the property in 2013, the maintainance of the shopping center was already deteriorating. “I didn’t realize the magnitude of the issues with the physical structure of the building. We’ve had a leaking roof that has caused damage
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Photo: provided by local reader, name disclosed
within Searstown. Unfortunately, few previous members of the club made the transition to the new location which lacked shower facilities and locker rooms. On a recent visit to the gym, it was evident that Hunt had spent considerable money updating the space, including adding a new aerobic space and offices. It was just as evident that the gym was empty—with only two other members using the facility. Attempts to contact Ken Hunt were not successful at press time.
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Graphics By: HRC.org
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Photo: richard hack
within the gym, including warping the hardwood workout floor in the aerobics room. There are ceiling tiles that are in the men’s locker room that need to be replaced but we cannot touch them,” Hunt said, saying that his hands are tied given the unresponsiveness of the landlord. Ditto the bike rack in front of the gym that is neither owned nor maintained by Steel Gym, but utilized by its membership. Steel left the space in Wilton Manors in an overnight exodus, not unlike its current clandestine move from its final incarnation
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THE AGENDA INTERVIEW
COLLABORATOR AND INNOVATOR: DAVE KOZ BY GREGG SHAPIRO
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mooth jazz’s gay sax man Dave Koz commemorates the first quarter century of his prolific recording career with the compilation Collaborations: 25th Anniversary Collection (Concord), comprised of both new and previously released material. The set includes some of the usual smooth jazz suspects including Boney James, Kenny Lattimore, Rick Braun, Jeff Lorber, David Benoit and Brian Culbertson. Where the set really excels is in delightful collaborations with Stevie Nicks (“Let Me Count The Ways”), Herb Alpert (“This Guy’s In Love With You”), Luther Vandross (“Can’t Let You Go”) and even Barry Manilow (“Apartment 2G: I Hear Her Playing Music”). I spoke with Koz, who is currently on tour with Manilow, about the disc and more. [Dave Koz performs at BB&T Center in Sunrise on Feb. 5.]
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GREGG SHAPIRO: You have a long history of collaborating with other musicians and you included “Apartment 2G: I Hear Her Playing Music,” the collaboration you did with Barry Manilow, on your 2015 disc Collaborations: 25th Anniversary Collection. What does that song mean to you?
Photo: concordmusicgroup.com
DAVE KOZ: It was the first time that we had met, so I’ll never forget it. I remember coming in to the studio and meeting him. I was kind of star-struck. He said, “I want to play you this song.” We get to the end of the song and I hear him actually sing my name as part of the lyric. I had to pick my jaw up from the floor! That’s why that song is on the 25th anniversary collection. It was the first moment we met, our first collaboration, and I think it cemented, at least for me, a lifelong friendship. It was very special for me. We’ve had many collaborations since then and all have been equally rewarding and musical. I’ve learned so much from him. I like being a student around him; observing him in his environment. This is a guy who’s
had a tremendous longevity that few have had in the music business. I’m in awe of what he does. SHAPIRO: What do you think it is that makes you such a good collaborator? KOZ: I find that if left to my own devices, if it was just me in the room or just me putting together my shows or whatever, I’d probably end up doing the same thing over and over. We’re creatures of habit. We know what we know. With collaboration…and I’m not just talking about music, I’m talking about in life – if you’re a good listener and you have your ears open, and to be a good collaborator you have to be able to listen, you can learn something from somebody else. You can move off of the spot you’re on and find a new spot. I feel like collaboration in music has allowed me to grow musically beyond my wildest dreams. I credit my collaborators for allowing me to do that. Without them I wouldn’t have that opportunity.
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SHAPIRO: Without naming names, have you ever arranged to collaborate with someone only to discover that it would be like trying to mix oil and water?
SHAPIRO: You close the Collaborations disc with your rendition of “Let It Go” from Frozen. Do you have ambitions to write the score for a movie, animated or otherwise? KOZ: I think it would be an awesome experience to do something like that. I’m not actively going after that, but I’m a fan. Alan Menken, for example, is one of my heroes for all of the music he’s written for Disney. Some of my best friends have written Broadway shows. Allee Willis and Brenda Russell wrote The Color Purple which has been recently revived on Broadway. That to me is such a different hat that you have to wear, but music is music. A Broadway show is something I would love to have the opportunity to do. SHAPIRO: Have you started working on your next album? KOZ: I have not yet. I’m just coming off of the Christmas tour from last year. But it’s starting to percolate right now. SHAPIRO: In April 2015, Barry (Manilow) married his long-time manager Garry Kieff. Is there a marriage in your future?
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KOZ: [Laughs] My sister would like that [laughs] probably more than I would. I would never say no to that. It hasn’t been my path up to this point. I think it would be nice to look forward to that. Meeting somebody of that caliber of “Yes, I want to spend my life with you.” Of course, why not. I love the fact that that is legal in every state.
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KOZ: I think that there have been times, especially with writing songs, where you sit in a room with somebody, and they could be a very well-respected songwriter, but for whatever reason, the chemistry is just not right. [Laughs] you try and you get to the end of the day and you say, “Well, we had lunch, we had a nice conversation, we tried writing music and it didn’t happen [laughs]. That’s the funny thing. It could have just been that day. You have to be willing to get back on that horse and try it again if the mood strikes. That was one of the great pieces of wisdom that I got early on in my career in terms of being blocked. If you get to a
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KOZ: The list is huge, very long. It goes from people like Elton John, for whom I have an unbelievable amount of respect, to Snoop Dogg, whom I also respect a great deal. Talk about two people on the opposite ends of the spectrum! For me, it’s always been about creating these opportunities with people who come from different perspectives. That’s the beautiful thing about the saxophone. It can peacefully coexist with just about anything – whether it’s hip-hop, rap, rock music, pop, R&B or jazz, there’s a place for the saxophone in all of those styles. I love a lot of the young, new artists who are coming up, including Adele. I suppose anybody would freak out to work with her. To be able to play a saxophone solo on one of her songs would be the most ultimate thing ever. Norah Jones, Frank Ocean, there are so many, I could go on and on.
creative roadblock, you can sit there and rack your brain. Or you could say, “Let’s go to the movies” or “Let’s go for a walk on the beach” or something like that. Just get out of your head. Where I learned that was from crossword puzzles.
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SHAPIRO: Do you have a collaboration wish list, and if so, who would you like to work with that you haven’t had a chance to do so yet?
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EXCLUSIVERE
CUBA
PHOTO CREDIT: MICHAEL DAVIS
T he first look in over 50 years!
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Architecture
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PEOPLE
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Culture
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HOT “CHA-CHA” ENERGY
LIVE STREET ENTERTAINMENT
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2000 Oakland Park Blvd. Suite 106 | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 Phone: 954-380-8563 | www.floridaagenda.com
Editor-In-Chief Richard Hack richardhack@wirld.com
Art Director Kevin Broady
AS I SEE IT
TRAVELING TO CUBA--PART DOS
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Publisher Maura “Mumball” Lane
Last week, the Agenda began a series of articles on the opening up of Cuban borders to American travelers. Here, we continue our coverage with a step-by-step profile on the various ways that are currently available to gain access to this Caribbean island that once was an American territory and has been off-limits to U.S. travelers for five decades.
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he first thing you need to be aware of is that the embargo for travel to Cuba has not been lifted, and until it is (no sooner than 2017 or beyond), the only way that an average traveler can apply for admission is through the People-to-People program. (Certain groups like doctors, research scientists and journalists are the exception to the boycott, and can come and go as they please after paperwork is completed.) My first two visits to Cuba were accomplished as a journalist. My trip to the island country last week was done through the People-toPeople program which has some strict regulations imposed primarily by the Cuban government. The first step in getting your feet unto Cuban soil begins with By your choice Richard of carrier. I sailed aboard Hack the Celestyal Crystal cruise ship which is part of CubaCruise company. The 1,000 passenger ship offers weekly cruises from Montego Bay, Jamaica lasting seven days. At a price from $799 per person up to $1,500 a person, the Celestyal Crystal has been operating since last December. Al Ferguson, of Al & Chuck Travel in Sarasota, Florida,
booked a block of cabins on three different cruises—the just completed one in January, plus additional cruises in February and April. These are gay group tours of about 150 or so. More information is available at alandchuck.travel. To book with CubaCruises directly, go to yourcubacruise.com. The cruise company is responsible to obtain a Cuban travel visa on your behalf and you will be given the document aboard the ship. The cruises will stop for this season on April 11. In the future, you will be able to book a cruise directly out of Port Miami on Carnival Cruise lines aboard the 700 passenger Adonia, sailing under its Fathom brand. “Fathom is proud to be among the first cruise ship companies to be granted U.S. approval for round-trip travel between the U.S. and multiple destinations in Cuba, including Havana, Cienfuegos, and Santiago de Cuba, according to Tara Russell, president of Fathom division. “Our intention is to create the kind of true cultural immersion experience that will give you and your fellow travelers the rare chance to learn more about the lives and aspirations of the Cuban people. “Fathom cruise itineraries to Cuba are authorized under current peopleto-people guidelines as set forth by the U.S. government, which allow travel to Cuba for the purpose of engaging in activities that support the Cuban people,” she said. “As a Fathom traveler, you’ll have the
opportunity to interact, one on one, with the artists, musicians, smallbusiness owners, students, health workers and others who make up the fabric of Cuban society.” Meanwhile, American Airlines has applied for several non-stop flights a day from Miami International to Havana. Howard Kass, the airline’s vice president of regulatory affairs, says that even though commercial service will be allowed, Americans are still barred from traveling to Cuba purely as tourists under U.S. law. All of which brings us back to the People-to-People program. After selecting how you’ll get to Cuba, your next step is to apply on-line with the People-to-People program. The charge is $95 per person and requires answers to a one-sheet questionnaire. For more information, go to the website for the Fund for Reconciliation and Development (FFRD) at www.ffrd.org. Kass said he expects the U.S. government will
allow airlines to apply for 20 daily flights to Havana and then 10 daily flights at each of the other Cuban international airports. He said passenger traffic will likely initially come from U.S. citizens wanting to travel to Cuba. “But as ties normalize and economic relations grow, I’m sure there will be traffic in both directions,” Kass said. Richard Hack is the award-winning author of 26 books, and the Vice President of Content for Multimedia Platforms’ publications.
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OPINION ALL THINGS CONSIDERED
Yes, dear Rev. Franklin Graham and others who support his beliefs feel what I would call their “backhanded complements” are coming back out of the woodwork (even more), now that a major election year is upon us. Many will (or have continued) to tell us that we cannot be Gay and Christian. Honestly, I find that to be furthest from the truth; a bold face LIE. I, like many, are both. Some Gays may consider themselves religious, some spiritual. Some a combination of both. As I do from time to time, I will refer to one of my favorite dictionaries, Merriam-Webster, and see how they define religion and spirituality: Religious: 1: relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity <a religious person> <religious attitudes> 2: of, relating to, or devoted to religious beliefs or observances <joined a religious order> 3a : scrupulously and conscientiously faithful, b :
PAUL BERGE
(like many others) am gay, I am Christian and I am ordained to do God’s work. Other Gays and Lesbians are not ordained, but are good Christians who do wonderful things in and out of our own communities. And what of the recent headline of Anglican Communion suspending and punishing the Episcopal Church, following years of heated debate with the American church over homosexuality, same-sex marriage and the role of women? Do you really think any person with a true calling to do God’s work is going to let this stop them? No. Rev. Franklin Graham, and the rest of you, you are well out of your league. We have God/Jesus on our side. There is nothing you can do or say that will stop any of us from doing what we do, or be there for others. We are no less God’s created children than you. You don’t get to pick and choose what you feel is who we are to be and we won’t be bullied because of your sticks and stones. We will continue to do what we do, and I would bet anything, with more love, passion, spirit and far less animosity. That’s the straight truth! Gay vs. Religion? Rev. Franklin Gram and your followers, my gloves are on. I’ll meet you in the ring any time. I leave you with this quote (ironically) from Franklin’s father, the Rev. Billy Graham: “I think that the Bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin, but the Bible also teaches that pride is a sin, jealousy is a sin, and hate is a sin, evil thoughts are a sin. So I don’t think that homosexuality should be chosen as the overwhelming sin that we are doing today.”
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Rev. Joel S. Slotnick is an ordained Interfaith minister and full time digital court reporter for the state of Florida.
January 28, 2016
fervent, zealous. Spiritual: 1: of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit : incorporeal <spiritual needs> 2a : of or relating to sacred matters <spiritual songs> b : ecclesiastical rather than lay or temporal <spiritual authority> <lords spiritual> 3: concerned with religious values 4: related or joined in spirit <our spiritual home> <his spiritual heir> 5a : of or relating to supernatural beings or phenomena b : of, relating to, or involving spiritualism : spiritualistic Now I realize I am no longer a youngster. My eyesight isn’t what it used to be and I wear glasses to read and do computer work, but did I miss in either of these definitions where it says “Only if you are heterosexual”? The same with the bible. I will be the very first to say I AM NOT a bible scholar. I have said from the first day of my ministry journey, it is not who I am, nor will it be. I cannot quote scripture off the top of my head. That’s not the area where my call to ministry is. Mine is ministering directly to the people. But back to my comment “The same with the bible.” In any scripture I have searched or read, where the “words in red” (are supposed to) represent the words of Jesus did I find where Jesus said if you are gay or lesbian you cannot follow him or are one of his children. Nowhere. But, you have these holier than thou extremists telling their misguided, uneducated flock of sheep or any other person they can brainwash, that we are evil, pedophiles (yes, it still comes up), recruiters, etcetera, etcetera., etcetera. Well extremists, I have a news flash for you: I
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“Church attendance is falling.” “I can’t stand organized religion.” “I was kicked out of my church.” “You’re an abomination.” “Love the sinner, hate the sin.” These are just a few of the quotes I have personally heard. Some over many and some in the last few years. It By Rev. seems ugly is Joel rearing itself Slotnick once again. And don’t get me started on the Rev. Franklin Graham, the son of evangelical Christian evangelist Billy Graham. Despite his antigay rhetoric, Rev. Graham insists he loves gay people and feels he needs to tell them that “you cannot stay gay and call yourself a Christian.”
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Gay vs. Religion
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PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY
CHRIS RUDISILL
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ailing from Tampa Bay, Chris Rudisill has a proven track record of success working in the non-profit world. He is bringing his expertise and experience to the local community as the newly appointed Executive Director of Stonewall National Museum and Archives. We had the opportunity to chat with Rudisill about his experience, how he got involved with Stonewall, and his big plans for the organization in 2011. BY ALEXANDER KACALA
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KACALA: What did you did before you moved here? RUDISILL: I have been here about a month now. I moved from Tampa Bay. Previously I was the Director of LGBT Community Center Services for Metro Wellness and Community Centers there. I oversaw the LGBT community center and all the LGBT programs and services through Metro. They have locations in St. Petersburg, Tampa and New Port Richey. KACALA: How did you get involved with Stonewall? RUDISILL: I actually had heard about the role through a couple of colleagues and it just felt like the perfect culmination of my career path and the just the right place to be. My initial work in the nonprofit field was in museum work. I worked for the Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte, North Carolina right out of college. I wrote a column for a couple of years called “a gay in the life” for a small paper part of the McClatchy newspaper system. I then ran St. Pete Pride for three years all before going to Metro. It just felt that this role was the perfect culmination of my career path. I was excited to get back into working in the culture field and working in museum work as well. It is a great time to be part of documenting LGBT history. There is so much going on.
Just looking at the past decade, so much has happened with regards to LGBT rights and equality. It is important that we ensure that we are documenting this history and that we are securing this history and that we are also sharing this history. KACALA: Tell me about some of the work Stonewall does. RUDISILL: One of the big important things we do each year is the Stonewall National Education Project. That is a national symposium in May. It teaches school administrators, faculty, school board members all across the country not only how to make their schools safe for LGBT students but also how to incorporate LGBT history into the curriculum. Also, where does our history meet with the arch of American history? It is important to recognize our contributions there as well. KACALA: What are some big things happening that our readers can look forward the next few months? RUDISILL: The big thing we have is on Saturday, February 13th. It’s our largest annual fundraiser of the year. It is a performance with Lea DeLaria at the Parker Playhouse hosted by Varla Jean Merman, the popular drag artist and performer in the community. We are really excited about the show. It is a really unique opportunity. We have a limit
Photo: File
of 200 tickets and they are $200 each. It is a very exclusive event limited to 200 people specifically. Guests will have an opportunity to come onto the stage prior to the show and we host a reception on the stage with food, drinks and a silent auction. It is a lot of fun and very unique. This is all prior to the show. During the show they get the best seats in the house. Following the show we will have a champagne reception with Lea and Varla. It is important to note that to be part of the event, guests have to purchase tickets through us. KACALA: What are some challenges you have had to overcome on this journey? RUDISILL: The biggest thing that happens in non-profits is securing funding. It’s a constant challenge. Stonewall has a great foundation which is fantastic to come into but it’s a challenge for any nonprofit. That’s the important thing. Make sure we are funded, make sure we keep going, and make sure we keep growing. It’s such an exciting time for LGBT history but with that it is a busy time. We have to make sure we stay relevant for the future - making sure we are recognizing those items today that will be our history tomorrow. For more information on Stonewall National Museum and Archives, visit stonewall-museum.
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DEEPER DIVE: IVAN CANO
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n 2017, thousands of participants, spectators and leaders from around the globe will travel to Miami for World OutGames IV. This ten-day event will bring to life more than 450 events across three areas: sports, culture and human rights. World OutGames Miami promises to ‘challenge attendees physically, stimulate them intellectually and enliven them emotionally.’ Leading the charge in bringing this largerthan-life event to South Florida is long-time community advocate Ivan Cano. As chief executive officer of the World OutGames, Cano was instrumental in fighting for it to be hosted in Miami. One of our ‘Movers and Shakers’ profiled in last year’s inaugural round up of Florida’s 100 brightest LGBT community members, we had the opportunity dive deeper with Cano. We discussed the path to where he is today, the fight he fought to bring the OutGames to Miami, and his true opinion all things body and soul. In his late teens, Cano started working for the Gay Games in 1994. Beginning as a volunteer, he soon became a staff member and worked there for about a year. “That experi-
ence really set me off on this path to be an activist,” he told us. “Seeing the absolute pure joy of people being out and open to be themselves in the mid-90s and bringing their best to the table. Obviously at that time we didn’t have social media or internet that branched me to Europeans or Asians or South Americans. Here, it was a global event where all these people came out of the woodwork and got to meet and create relationships and friendships during those times. That really cemented all of the feelings and passions to bring me to nonprofit work.” The next important event in Canos’s development as an activist and community leader was attending the 1994 National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change. The National LGBTQ Task Force organizes the annual conference, a skills-building event for community and allies with over 2,000 attendees each year. From the Boston to New York AIDS Ride to Gavin Newsom’s mayoral campaign in San Francisco, Cano spent the next years of his career focusing on non-profit and activism work for the LGBT community across the nation.
At one point, he faced a crossroad, whether to pursue politics or stay in the non-profit sector while working in hospitality. He chose the latter. “I felt like there was a missing link in my heart as I was getting a little older. I realized what are my next steps after accomplishing so much in New York, San Francisco, and London? I realized that I should be doing more for my culture. I decided to move to Miami. It was warm, it was Latin, and it was right up my alley! But once I moved, little did I know that I was starting from scratch.” After acclimating to his new community, he quickly became involved in many different initiatives and local organizations including Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade and Festival. While chairing at the Miami Beach LGBT Business Enhancement Committee, Cano raised an important question when he saw something was missing from the local LGBT community in Miami. “I always had a question in the back of my mind; why aren’t we doing anything with sports here? I spoke with some key leaders and they said that it was possible but it would take
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Ivan Cano: Chief Executive Officer of the World OutGames
COMING TO MIAMI IN 2017
January 28, 2016 19
For more information on the World OutGames Miami 2017, please visit www.outgames.org.
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a lot of time and money. Money is the key factor and energy. After I landed here in Miami, I always asked the question: what if? What if? Why can’t we? Why can’t we? I like to push the button and I kept trying to push it but no one listened to me so I dropped it.” However, the desire to bring something sports related for the LGBT community in Miami was still in the back of his mind. Then a meeting at the Convention Center changed all of that. “One thing led to another and within two hours we brought up that same question, what if we could bring the WorldOut games here? Because the bidding was still in the cycle and we could apply. After that conversation with Bruce Townsend and Jerry Torres, that ‘what if’ became a two month race to build a board, create a bid, get people to buy into it and the rest is history.” Licensed by the Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association, the World OutGames Miami 2017 will be held throughout Miami – Dade County. Half of it if not more will be in Miami Beach, where the games main village will be located. Other venues being used or looked at are the Convention Center, Flamenco Park, FIU, Downtown Miami, and Tamiami Park. The OutGames not only welcomes all levels of athletes to participate, but also members from outside the LGBT community as well. “First and foremost, the games are open to anyone. Gay, straight, transgender, lesbian, bisexual, intersex, anybody under the sun. Everyone is welcome to come because we aren’t gonna ask that question first and foremost. If are going to talk about a global event and diversity and unity, we have to stop drawing the lines and invite everyone with a true sportsmanship spirit. Bring your best and be your best.” Cano cites the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority and Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau helping and supporting the important endeavor to bring more LGBT people to the community – not only for the OutGames but all year long. Cano wants the games to transform people’s perspective on sports, taking the possible negative experiences from childhood and develop them into positive experiences and life long relationship. “Some of us have had a very negative experience with sports back grammar school or high school. Being the person who was picked last because your body was funny or you looked funny or you were awkward or you were just different. Here, it is about turning something negative into a positive.” I related my recent experience of trying to transform my body, but Cano quickly reminds me that we are much more than that. “It’s so interesting you mention physical body. At the end of the day, your mind and soul is really what makes you the person you are. Not your body. That is just an after affect. Being in a positive space where you are going to bring your best and have fun is what we are trying to do here. It’s competitive but it’s a bonding experience. It fills your bucket of friendships. That is one of the beauties of sports. It’s another avenue to be your best.”
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No country for younger men as O’Malley struggles to be heard
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Photo: gq.com
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CAPITOL BEAT
Another Democratic debate ends and Martin O’Malley is once again standing alone out in left field. Not literally, of course. But for months now the progressive former Governor of Maryland has been playing the thankless role of largely ignored gooseberry in the middle of the Clinton-Sanders media love-fest. A role that could reach its curtain call next month in Iowa and New Hampshire.
aving just turned 53, O’Malley is by far the youngest of the three Democratic presidential candidates — almost 16 years younger than Hillary Clinton and a little over 21 years younger than Bernie Sanders. He’s clearly more progressive than Sanders on gun control and more progressive than Clinton on the environment, yet he appears not have those demographic voting blocks behind him in any significant numbers. Equally on LGBT rights, O’Malley has been on board from the start of his political career. He has BY had no need LINDA to evolve. As PENTZ Mayor of Baltimore, he signed the state of Maryland’s first transgender anti-discrimination bill. As Governor of Maryland, he expanded the state’s longstanding protections against discrimination, so that no one could be fired, denied housing, or denied public or private services for being gay or transgender. Under the O’Malley administration, Maryland became the first state in the Union, an hour ahead of Maine, to defend and pass marriage equality in a statewide referendum. He was the first presidential candidate to endorse the Equality Act. And O’Malley’s was the only campaign to respond — in the affirmative — to a Boston Herald Radio question about whether the Democratic candidates would consider an openly gay running mate. O’Malley campaign spokesman, Matt Corridoni, told the hosts that “considering someone from the LGBT community is a very easy ask” for the O’Malley campaign. “He has been fighting for inclusion since he was Maryland governor.” In the televised Democratic
candidates debates, O’Malley has dispatched himself with poise and eloquence. Unlike Jim Webb, who fell at the first debate fence, O’Malley hasn’t whined about the disproportionate airtime given to Clinton and Sanders. He has stayed the course even though his poll numbers dwell at a lowly 2.3%. About the only office he can now aspire to is Interruptor In Chief. So why couldn’t O’Malley catch a break — or a fly ball in the lonely outfield where he has continued to struggle for attention and momentum? After all, he appears to be a stellar candidate for not just the LGBT community, but for minorities, environmentalists, women’s reproductive rights, unions and on and on. Former O’Malley strategist, Craig Varoga damned O’Malley’s run with scarcely any faint praise when he assessed the campaign’s shortcomings back in October in an interview with the Washington Times. “He had a good record as [Baltimore] mayor and governor, but didn’t lay the groundwork for a serious campaign, announced too late, has never found an issue that voters care about or that sets him apart from either Clinton or Sanders, has never raised much money outside of Maryland and is now grasping at straws and gimmicks to get 60 seconds of passing attention on cable shows.” But just maybe the odds were stacked against him from the start. O’Malley called out what he perceives as a “rigged” system early on in a scathing speech last August. A critic of Democratic National Committee chair, Debbie WassermanSchultz’s decision to drastically cut back on the number of televised Democratic debates, O’Malley railed: “This sort of rigged process has never been attempted before. Whose decree is it exactly? Where did it come from? To what end? For what purpose? What national or party interest does this decree serve? How does this help us tell the story of the last eight years of Democratic progress?”
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More recently, on MSNBC’s Morn- plan of any Democratic candidate, ing Joe, O’Malley said “I believe that stealing turf from Sanders who most prides himself on his record supportpeople understand that just as their ing veterans’ rights. economy is rigged, so too sometimes O’Malley gave his support to legcan be their politics.” And he plowed islation that would provide honorable on, even though by the January 17 discharges for the estimated 100,000 debate in South Carolina, he was gay and lesbian military personnel fighting for his own inclusion. Nevertheless, O’Malley worked the dismissed under “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and earlier. debate opportunity despite its limitaHillary Clinton has also called for tions, earning respectable reviews honorable discharges, but equally had whenever the national media was to scramble to justify DOMA which not busy almost completely ignoring was established by her husband Bill him. “The media, national media in Clinton during his particular has a way presidency. of focusing on just O’Malley could a couple of candilegitimately argue dates and there’s that he is the most many instances progressive candiwhere they did I plan to clearly date on LGBT issues that in the past,” as well. During his O’Malley told Jesse prohibit Iowa Spirit speech he Gavin somewhat discrimination outlined bold plans philosophically on that included enda recent Iowa radio in public ing discrimination in interview. schools on the adoption and foster The mainstream care; reauthorizing media blocked him basis of gender and strengthening the out again when Runaway and Homehe spoke to an identity and less Youth Act; banLGBT audience sexual ning deceptive and last October at the harmful so-called Iowa Spirit Awards. orientation “conversion theraCoverage was under our pies;” ending the mainly limited to practice of immigrant the local and LGBT laws.” detention, especially media. The nation--- O’Malley said for LGBTQ people; al press ignored it and pushing states even though he laid to repeal laws that out a platform that criminalize people included discussion with HIV. of the usually popular media topic of But all this, it seems, was for bullying, It is a subject O’Malley is closely familiar with through his wife nought. During my one personal encounter with Martin O’Malley while Katie’s work on the issue during her governor, wearing my “daytime” hat time as Maryland’s First Lady. of environmentalist, I berated him If elected president, O’Malley said for supporting nuclear power — a then, “I intend to use every power at my disposal to require that all schools real frustration given his outstanding commitment to addressing climate and districts implement anti-bullying change. Afterwards, I felt a bit sorry and anti-harassment policies that are for taking him so stridently to task. crafted specifically to prevent and prohibit bullying of LGBTQ students. But not as sorry as I feel now that he will likely soon be gone from the “I plan to clearly prohibit discrimipresidential race. nation in public schools on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation under our laws. I plan to launch a new federal grant program to help schools and colleges put anti-bullying policies in place, learn from one Linda Pentz is the Washington correspondent another.” of the Florida Agenda. She can be contacted On veterans’ benefits O’Malley at lindapentz@mmplgbt.com. Follow her on early on laid out the most detailed Twitter @CapitolAgenda
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CREEP OF THE WEEK
OPINION
By D’Anne Witowski
Liberty Ridge Farm
W
hile I’ve never been there in person, Liberty Ridge Farm looks like a beautiful place according to the photos on their website. Lush green grass, handsome horses and goats, a rainbow of various flowers, hearty corn stalks taller than your head. It’s the kind of place a couple looking to get married might want to hold their event. And Liberty Ridge Farm offers that experience. “Panoramic views, beautiful barns, and acres of picturesque countryside makes Liberty Ridge Farm an ideal location for those bridal couples looking for country rustic charm,” their website reads. To be clear, though, you can’t get married there. Your vows have to happen somewhere else. But you can reception there all you want. That’s because in 2012 a lesbian couple, Jennifer and Melisa McCarthy (not to be confused with Jenny “anti-vaccine lunatic” and Melissa “hilarious actress” McCarthy, who are cousins, not spouses. At least not to each other) wanted to have their wedding at Liberty Ridge. And Liberty Ridge said, “Uh, no thanks. That’s gross. Because God.” So the McCarthys sued. And the law was on their side. It took a couple of years, but they won. According to the ACLU, “(A)s the New York State Division of Human Rights ruled in 2014, under New York’s Human Rights Law, public businesses cannot discriminate on the basis of race, sexual orientation, national origin or other protected classes.” Not satisfied with that ruling, the owners of Liberty Ridge Farms, Robert and Cynthia Gifford, appealed, saying they weren’t discriminating based on sexual orientation, they were just making a decision “based solely upon the Giffords’ religious beliefs regarding same-sex marriage,” according to ThinkProgress. See the difference? “Hey judge, it isn’t about their sexual orientation, it’s
about our religious belief about marriage. Granted, our belief just happens to hinge on the sexual orientation of the people getting married, but that’s a minor technicality, right?” Wrong. They lost again. On Jan. 15 the appeals court ruled that the Giffords were in the wrong and that their argument was bullshit. That doesn’t mean it’s over, of course. According to their lawyer, Caleb Dalton of the virulently anti-gay Alliance Defending Freedom, “The government went after both this couple’s freedom and their ability to make a living simply for adhering to their faith on their own property. The court should have rejected this unwarranted and unconstitutional government intrusion, so we will consult with our client regarding appeal.” The headline on the ADF’s press release is very revealing: “NY court: Farmers can’t obey their faith in their own backyard.” According to ADF, when the McCarthy’s first called about using Liberty Ridge Farm for their wedding, “Cynthia politely told McCarthy that she and her husband don’t host and coordinate same-sex ceremonies but left open an invitation to visit the farm to consider it as a potential reception site. Instead, McCarthy and her partner filed a complaint with the Division of Human Rights.” What? They filed a complaint about discrimination? But Cynthia Gifford was polite! How dare they! Make no mistake that this case will ramp up efforts across the country to pass so-called “religious freedom” laws. The anti-gay right has gotten quite used to discriminating for any reason with impunity. Now that LGBT people are winning more civil rights, the anti-gay wing is doubling down on legislation that declared discrimination against LGBT people a “religious freedom.” About half of the states have some kind of legislation in place. Stay tuned.
The Giffords
Photo: nypost.com
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January 28, 2016
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ELECTION SPECIAL FEATURE
BILLIONAIRE DONORS helped Cruz rise in GOP presidential bid
January 28, 2016
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BY JULIE BYKOWICZ Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Four of America’s wealthiest businessmen laid the foundation for Ted Cruz’s now-surging Republican presidential campaign and have redefined the role of political donors. With just over a week until voters get their first say, the 45-year-old Texas senator known as a conservative warrior has been ascendant. The $36 million committed last year by these donor families is now going toward television, radio and online advertisements, along with direct mailings and get-out-the-vote efforts in early primary states. The donors’ super political action committees sponsored two weekend rallies in Iowa featuring Cruz and conservative personality Glenn Beck. The state holds the leadoff caucuses on Feb. 1. The long-believing benefactors are New York hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer, Texas natural gas billionaires Farris and Dan Wilks, and private-equity partner Toby Neugebauer. They honed their plan to help Cruz before he began his steady rise in polls - even before he announced his presidential bid in March. “No one wants to lose,” Neugebauer told The Associated Press when asked why he and others bet big on Cruz. “We didn’t miss that an outsider would win. I think we’ve nailed it.” Voters will soon start determining whether he is right. The groundwork laid by Neugebauer and other
major donors began roughly two years ago, first in a casual conversation with Cruz at a donor’s home in Palm Beach, Florida, and then in a more formal way over the 2014 Labor Day weekend at Neugebauer’s ranch in East Texas. That October, big-data firm Cambridge Analytica - in which Mercer is an investor - began working to identify potential Cruz voters and develop messages that would motivate them. Alexander Nix, the company’s chief executive officer, said the importance of this early work cannot be overstated. He credits Cruz for understanding this. “Money never buys you time,” Nix said, drawing from his experiences with campaigns worldwide. “Too often clients will come to you just before an election and expect you to work miracles. But you cannot roll back the clock.” Key donors soon came up with a novel arrangement: Each family would control its own super PAC, but the groups would work together as a single entity called Keep the Promise. They keep in touch through weekly strategy phone calls. That’s not how super PACs usually work. More typically, multiple donors turn over their money and leave the political decisions to professional strategists. For example, Jeb Bush’s super PAC counts more than two dozen milliondollar donors. For Cruz, the pool of really big donors is far
more concentrated: Mercer gave $11 million, Neugebauer gave $10 million, and the Wilks brothers and their wives together gave $15 million. That level of support has opened Cruz to criticism that donors are influencing his policies, whether on abortion, energy or the gold standard. Ethanol advocates point to his oil and gas donors as the reason he wants to discontinue that government subsidy for the corn-based fuel. Cruz and the donors have dismissed that as nonsense. His campaign cites as evidence Cruz’s desire to end handouts to all parts of the energy industry.
A GOLDMAN SACHS INTRODUCTION Neugebauer said his belief in the candidate is both personal and pragmatic. “My heart and my mind told me he’s the one,” he said. Mercer and the Wilks brothers declined to be interviewed. Neugebauer, 45, said he met Cruz years ago through Cruz’s wife Heidi, then a manager at Goldman Sachs. He said he wants nothing in return if Cruz wins the presidency. “I don’t need. Bob Mercer doesn’t need. The Wilkses don’t need,” he said. “That’s not what this is about. We do not want our children and grandchildren to grow up in a bankrupt country.” Neugebauer co-founded Quantum Energy Partners, a private equity firm based in Houston.
Toby Neugebauer, And Lion He Killed Photo: oliverwillis.com
THE MONEY FLOW
The Mercer family: Rebekah, Robert & Diana Photo: bloomberg.com
THE BROTHERS
Texas billionaires Farris and Dan Wilks Photo: forbes.com
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Although these donors set aside their millions for Cruz 10 months ago, it’s only now that the money is flowing into the 2016 race in a major way. Since mid-December, the Keep the Promise super PACs have documented about $4 million in independent expenditures to help Cruz or attack other candidates - most often Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, federal election records show. The super PACs have been identifying and connecting with Cruz voters through digital ads and door-knocking, and recently began a multimillion-dollar TV ad campaign. A Keep the Promise van tailed the Cruz campaign bus as it made its way through Iowa last week. Super PAC workers handed out thousands of “Choose Cruz” yard signs. For the megadonors, it’s no surprise that Cruz seems to be well-positioned heading into the primaries. In mid-July, Keep the Promise posted on its website a slide-show presentation called “Can He Win?” The document predicted it would be “very difficult for Establishment to destroy the conservative challenger.”
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The Wilkses met and became fond of Cruz after his election to the Senate, and Neugebauer persuaded them over barbecue in the first months of 2015 to participate in the Keep the Promise plan. Farris and Dan Wilks made their fortune in fracking, producing drilling equipment when few were in that business. They sold their company in 2011 and have since become the country’s 15th biggest land owners, according to The
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The Mercer family has followed Cruz’s rise in politics for years. Fundraising records show that Mercer’s daughter, Rebekah Mercer, took an early interest in Cruz’s 2012 underdog campaign for the Senate. Her money arrived as Cruz was preparing to take on the state’s lieutenant governor and well-funded Republican Party favorite, David Dewhurst, in the May primary. The elder Mercer, 69, is a former computer programmer and coCEO of Renaissance Technologies, one of the country’s largest hedge funds. Mercer, who lives on New York’s Long Island, is intensely private. A review of his political investments provides some clues as to his policy interests. He is a major donor to Republican groups, according to fundraising records, including entities run by the billionaire Koch brothers and Club for Growth, a Washington conservative economic group that backed Cruz’s 2012 campaign. Mercer has attended conferences promoting a return to the gold standard in monetary policy, which Cruz advocates.
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FATHER AND DAUGHTER
Land Report magazine. Farris Wilks is a pastor at a small church called Assembly of Yahweh, 7th Day, where his parents were founding members. Both brothers are fervently against abortion rights and gay marriage and say the country needs to embrace Christianity. Cruz has pledged “outlaw” abortion and said the Supreme Court erred last year in making gay marriage the law of the land. The candidate and hundreds of religious leaders gathered last month at Farris Wilks’ central Texas ranch, an event hosted by Keep the Promise. Farris Wilks has said his investment in the Cruz super PAC is helping “educate” voters. “He’s not afraid to stand against some of his own party even and say things that need to be said,” he said in a November interview with KTXS, a television station near their tiny hometown of Cisco, Texas.
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It invested heavily in shale development, which became lucrative with the advent of hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking. His father, Randy, is a Republican congressman from Texas. In 2014, the younger Neugebauer moved his legal residency to Puerto Rico, saying he had done so primarily to expose his children to Spanish and become more worldly. The U.S. territory also provides key tax breaks that the mainland does not.
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Engagement - Wedding - Anniversary Announcements
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Italians protest to urge Govt to grant gay civil unions
Photo: mashable.com
that the total level of male testosterone in the athlete’s blood has been below 10 nanomols per liter for at least a year prior to competing. The previous rule stated that, in addition to reassignment surgery, the athlete required a minimum of two years of hormone treatment. How long it will take the athlete to reach the new cutoff limit will depend on individual cases, Ljungqvist said. “If you change sex, you will have to have a hormone level below 10 for 12 months,” he said. “That does not mean a 1-year guarantee. You don’t go below 10 from day one. It takes quite some time. It can take more than one year or two years.” The transgender issue gained extra prominence after former Olympic decathlon champion Bruce Jenner announced last year that he had transitioned to a woman, Caitlyn Jenner. But the Court of Arbitration for Sport suspended the rule last year, saying the IAAF had failed to prove that women with naturally high levels of testosterone had a competitive edge. Chand was cleared to compete, and the court gave the IAAF until July 2017 to present new scientific evidence. “To avoid discrimination, if not eligible for female competition, the athlete should be eligible to compete in male competition,” the IOC said.
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be inconsistent with developing legislation and notions of human rights,” it added. The guidelines, first reported by Outsports.com, were approved after a meeting in November in Lausanne, Switzerland, of Olympic officials and medical experts. Budgett said there were no plans for the guidelines to be sent for approval by the IOC executive board. “This is a scientific consensus paper, not a rule or regulation,” he said. “It is the advice of the medical and scientific commission and what we consider the best advice.” Former IOC medical commission chairman Arne Ljungqvist, who was among the experts involved in drafting the new guidelines, said the consensus was driven by social and political changes. “It has become much more of a social issue than in the past,” he told the AP. “We had to review and look into this from a new angle. We needed to adapt to the modern legislation around the world. We felt we cannot impose a surgery if that is no longer a legal requirement.” “Those cases are very few, but we had to answer the question,” he added. “It is an adaptation to a human rights issue. This is an important matter. It’s a trend of being more flexible and more liberal.” Under the new rules, a man transitioning to a woman must undergo hormone therapy and demonstrate
January 28, 2016
ROME (AP) - Tens of thousands of people are demonstrating in nearly 100 cities across Italy to urge the government to grant gay and lesbian couples civil unions and recognize their families. Mirco Pierro, 39, rallied Saturday in Rome with his partner and twin infants, saying he wanted “to defend the rights of our children, not just our rights.” Pierro and his partner were married in Los Angeles but their union is not recognized in Italy and only he has parental rights. The government has pledged to pass legislation on civil unions for homosexual couples, along with measures allowing both parents, not just the biological parent, custody in a homosexual union. Italy lags behind many of its European neighbors in conferring such rights due to strong opposition in this predominantly Roman Catholic nation.
LONDON (AP) - Transgender athletes should be allowed to compete in the Olympics and other international events without underdoing sex reassignment surgery, according to new guidelines adopted by the IOC. International Olympic Committee medical officials told The Associated Press on Sunday they changed the policy to adapt to current scientific, social and legal attitudes on transgender issues. The guidelines are designed as recommendations - not rules or regulations - for international sports federations and other bodies to follow and should apply for this year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. “I don’t think many federations have rules on defining eligibility of transgender individuals,” IOC medical director Dr. Richard Budgett said in a telephone interview. “This should give them the confidence and stimulus to put these rules in place.” Under the previous IOC guidelines, approved in 2003, athletes who transitioned from male to female or vice versa were required to have reassignment surgery followed by at least two years of hormone therapy in order to be eligible to compete. Now, surgery will no longer be required, with female-to-male transgender athletes eligible to take part in men’s competitions “without restriction.” Meanwhile, male-to-female transgender athletes will need to demonstrate that their testosterone level has been below a certain cutoff point for at least one year before their first competition. “It is necessary to ensure insofar as possible that trans athletes are not excluded from the opportunity to participate in sporting competition,” the IOC said in a document posted on its website that outlines the guidelines. “The overriding sporting objective is and remains the guarantee of fair competition.” “To require surgical anatomical changes as a precondition to participation is not necessary to preserve fair competition and may
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MANILA (AP) - Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach returned home to the Philippines for the first time since her crowning - and that awkward moment when host Steve Harvey mistakenly crowned Miss Colombia instead of her. She says she’s using the intense attention she got after that controversy to focus on her causes like fighting HIV and AIDS. She told a news conference Sunday that she plans to be tested for HIV publicly in New York to encourage other people to be tested. Asked about her plans after her reign, Wurtzbach replied: “I might be the next Bond girl, who knows? ... That’s the next dream.”
IOC relaxes guidelines on transgender athletes
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Miss Universe winner to fight for increased HIV research and testing
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
January 28, 2016
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business voices advocating for statewide protections for anyone fired from a job, denied service or evicted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In the group’s surveys, Indianapolis tourism officials asked the conventions why they chose to locate in other states, without specifically mentioning the controversial law. All 12 cited the law - and the backlash it provoked - as one reason for choosing another city, said Chris Gahl, vice president of marketing and communications for Visit Indy. “We’d say, ‘Why didn’t you select Indy?’ and they proactively cited (the law) as a reason they did not select Indianapolis,” Gahl said when asked about the document.
“That is not news you want to hear when you are in the business of marketing a city.” In an emailed statement Monday, Pence spokeswoman Kara Brooks said Indiana was a “welcoming” state with a strong economy. She noted multiple organizations that have expanded their role or recommitted to hosting conventions and events in the state, including the NFL scouting combine and the Future Farmers of America. Gahl declined to name the 12 conventions or detail their individual financial impacts. Visit Indy typically considerers hotel room rentals, meal purchases, entertainment expenditures and shopping figures, as well as state and local taxes, when
ATLANTA (AP) - Lawmakers around the country are proposing laws that would give businesses and some public employees the right to refuse service for gay couples based on their religious beliefs. The measures follow this summer’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that effectively legalized gay marriage. The bills are largely proposed by Republicans but aren’t universally supported in the party or by top employers worried they could harm tourism. The ACLU found lawmakers in at least 22 states will consider some form of exemption for people who object to the marriages. Some would symbolically declare religious leaders do not have to perform ceremonies. Others would allow clerks to remove their names from marriage licenses or protect bakers and florists refusing to provide services for gay marriages. Odds of the bills passing vary dramatically by state.
SALEM, OR (AP) - A state judicial panel has recommended the removal of a Marion County judge who refused to perform same-sex marriages and who was investigated on other counts as well. The Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability said Monday it had found that Marion County Judge Vance Day had lied under oath, that in some instances he had acted for personal gain, and that he had impugned his honesty and integrity. The panel examined Day’s judicial behavior in a number of areas. Those included his refusal to perform same-sex marriages, soliciting money from lawyers appearing before him, and allowing a convicted felon to handle a gun. The Oregon Supreme Court will decide whether Day will be removed. A spokesman for Day was not immediately available to provide comment.
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Panel recommends removal of controversial judge
January 28, 2016
GOP Lawmakers want exemptions for gay marriage opponents
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Photo: chicagotribune.com
calculating those figures. The Indiana Senate is expected to debate two bills Wednesday. One would offer statewide protections for anyone fired from a job, denied service or evicted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The other would do the same but exclude transgender people. Both offer exemptions for clergy, small businesses and religious organizations. Passage is far from certain. The governor said during his recent State of the State speech that he would prioritize religious freedom over LGBT rights, and not everyone believes that the state’s business climate has been harmed. “There are states with (religious objections) laws on the books right now that are doing quite well with regard to business,” said Pastor Kevin Baird of the Indiana Pastors Alliance. He said arguments made by the business community about the impact of the law and the need for LGBT protections were a “false narrative.” Still, Visit Indy estimates that the actual amount of money lost could be greater than $60 million because fewer convention prospects are currently in the pipeline when compared to years past. “We work with a sense of urgency to make sure that Indianapolis tourism and the region’s tourism is healthy,” Gahl said. “Hopefully something will be done at the Statehouse.”
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IINDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana may have lost as much as $60 million in hotel profits, tax revenue and other economic benefits when a dozen groups decided against hosting conventions in Indianapolis last year due at least in part to the controversy surrounding the state’s religious objections law. A document prepared by the tourism group Visit Indy shows that the 12 out-of-state groups were surveyed and all said that the state’s controversial law played a role in their decision to hold their events elsewhere. The document was obtained by The Associated Press ahead of its formal release Thursday. The Republican-backed law garnered quick and largely negative national backlash after it was signed by Gov. Mike Pence in March, with critics saying it sanctioned discrimination against gay people on religious grounds. Lawmakers hastily made changes days later, after the NCAA, the gamer convention GenCon and other business interests raised the possibility of moving events, but critics said the law still doesn’t go far enough to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from discrimination. The findings by Visit Indy are among the first quantifying the law’s financial effect, an impact that social conservatives have skeptically downplayed. Visit Indy also is among several prominent Indiana
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NATIONAL NEWS Survey: Religious objections law cost millions
January 28, 2016
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Groups push for protections for same-sex marriage opponents
harm on actual transgender kids, but it would create a legal mess,” she said. The South Dakota High School Activities Association has a policy allowing transgender student athletes to request playing on the team of their choice. Opposing lawmakers’ attempts to void that policy last session failed. Deutsch said his plan has “nothing to do” with the activities association.
Gay rights advocates criticize two dozen Oklahoma bills ana and Arkansas. A bill by state Rep. Mark McCullough, R-Sapulpa, would seek a public vote on whether to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to ensure such protections. McCullough said he isn’t anti-gay and that his bill would not infringe on a gay couple’s right to marry. But he said he felt obligated to propose an amendment to protect a narrowly defined class of people from being forced to actively recognize or participate in a gay marriage if it violates their religious beliefs. “I wish I didn’t even have to file the bill,” McCullough said. “I understand the unwanted attention it will draw. I do not in any way savor that.” Rep. Sally Kern, an Oklahoma City Republican who made headlines in 2008 when she said homosexuals pose a greater threat to the country than terrorism, is the primary author of several measures targeted by the state’s gay rights groups. Among them is a bill to prohibit school counselors from providing students with information on human sexuality without first notifying the student’s parents. “The primary motivation is who’s responsible for these children - the schools or the parent? That’s the primary purpose of this bill. If that flusters the homosexuals, I’m sorry,” Kern said. “The issue is not discrimination, but who’s in charge of those kids.
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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gay rights advocates in Oklahoma called Tuesday for Republican leaders to repudiate more than two dozen bills they say unfairly target members of the LGBT community for discrimination. Eighteen such bills remain active from last year, while another nine were filed ahead of the 2016 session that Troy Stevenson, director of gay rights group Freedom Oklahoma, says discriminate against the constitutional rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Stevenson said there tend to be a handful of Oklahoma legislators each year who push anti-gay bills rather than focus on more pressing state problems. “They would rather talk about how to harm a community, how to tell us that members of our community are not allowed to use a public restroom, or to tell us ... that business owners should be allowed to exclude us from their businesses,” Stevenson said. Among the new bills Stevenson highlighted is one by Sen. Josh Brecheen, R-Coalgate, that would cut off state funding to schools that allow students of one gender to use restrooms or changing rooms designated for the opposite gender. Others dubbed “religious freedom” measures would protect people from discriminating against gay people if one had a “sincerely held religious belief,” similar to those passed last year in Indi-
January 28, 2016
RICHMOND, VA (AP) - The Virginia Catholic Conference and other groups are calling on lawmakers to support legislation they say would protect businesses and individuals that oppose same-sex marriage on religious grounds. The bills introduced by Republican Sen. Bill Carrico and Del. Todd Gilbert face long odds in the General Assembly, where Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe has already vowed to veto them. The legislation aims to prevent government entities from denying things like grants, contracts, and licenses to individuals and businesses that oppose same-sex marriage. Jeff Caruso, executive director of the Virginia Catholic Conference, says the state must ensure that groups can put their beliefs into practice, without being punished for them. The ACLU of Virginia has said the measure would give such individuals and businesses a “license to discriminate” against LGBT residents.
prohibited under Title IX anti-discrimination law. “This is obviously not an easy social issue to discuss or to try to provide solutions to,” Deutsch said. “My bill is my best attempt doing my best due diligence to provide a solution that maintains our Photo: ktiv.com values as a state and provides common sense.” Libby Skarin, policy director at the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota, said the measure could create “a messy conflict” between state and federal law that would leave schools vulnerable to legal proceedings and the potential loss of federal funds for education. “This bill would not only place significant
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PIERRE, SD (AP) - Students in South Dakota public schools would be required to use the bathrooms and locker rooms that match their biological sex under a measure a state legislative panel approved Monday. The House State Affairs committee sent the plan to the full chamber. If passed, it would then head to the Senate. The bill also requires schools to provide “reasonable accommodations” for transgender students’ bathroom, showering and changing needs upon request, said Republican Rep. Fred Deutsch, who is sponsoring the measure. Accommodations in the legislation include a single-occupancy bathroom or the “controlled use” of a staff-designated restroom, locker room or shower room. Deutsch said the plan is a response the Obama administration’s overreach in interpretation of federal anti-discrimination law related to education. He said the bill is meant to protect the privacy of students “in the most private places in our schools.” Federal officials have said that barring students from restrooms that match their gender identity is
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House panel approves bill governing student bathroom use
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NATIONAL NEWS
January 28, 2016
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SUNSHINE STATE recently released a blueprint strategy to end AIDS in the state of New York. In Florida, we’ve done away with any kind of blueprint, and we’ve seen an increase in new cases of the disease as the governor’s office and the surgeon general refused to allow health departments to apply directly for funds to the CDC to gain access to moneys that were guaranteed to come here. Those funds amount to $10 million for HIV prevention,” Rajner said. “It’s a crisis that is growing in counties like Broward and Miami Dade. Their silence on the state’s HIV/AIDS crisis is reminiscent of President Reagan’s refusal to utter the word ‘AIDS.’ “Neither Florida Gov. Rick Scott, nor Dr. John Armstrong, his surgeon general, have ever been heard entering a dialogue with the HIV/AIDS community. Armstrong is even reported to have most recently fired Dr. Sterling Whisenhunt, the bureau chief of communicable diseases, Michael Rajner for criticizing the Florida Department of Health’s own abstiFloridians struggling to access nence to exercise the political will care, treatment and supportive to act responsibly to reduce new services. Often these individuals HIV infections. express feeling lost or complete“As a person living with HIV/ ly forgotten, and it’s a tragAIDS, I often hear from other edy when the best solution our
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TALLAHASSEE--Social worker and HIV patient Michael Rajner traveled to Tallahassee on Tuesday to attend the confirm hearing for Florida Surgeon General John Armstrong. Rajner, who has been living with HIV/ AIDS for the past 20 years, was prepared to testify against Dr. Armstrong’s appointment. After driving all the way across the state from Broward County, Rajner learned that the hearing had been postponed. Because he had traveled such a long distance, he was allowed to speak and presented a compelling cases against Florida’s current plan to treat HIV/AIDS patients. Speaking against the nomination of Surgeon General John Armstrong, Rajner said that Armstrong “had cloaked the Sunshine State in darkness, as Florida shamefully leads the nation in HIV infection rate. I am personally outraged by Dr. Armstrong and Gov. Scott’s silence and void leadership to place a higher priority on the state’s HIV crisis,” Rayner said. “At the time we are at the beginning of an era of a functional cure, it is unconscionable for our surgeon general and governor to bury their heads in the sand. In states like New York, they
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Rajner lambasts surgeon general on AIDS care
Photo: file
government can come up with is a patchwork of safety-net programs full of holes, and it fails to expand access to Medicaid as a way to link people to lifesaving health care.”
Engagement - Wedding - Anniversary Announcements
January 28, 2016
On February 4, the Agenda will be publishing its first SPECIAL LGBT WEDDING ISSUE. Wedding and engagement announcements as well as anniversary declarations will be included and become a continuing feature of our weekly edition. Send your wedding news and photo to richardhack@wirld.com.
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SUNSHINE STATE
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TALLAHASSEE-- Religious rights advocates got the first suggestion of approval while LGBT rights advocates were put off on a vote on anti-discrimination protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. In the first hearing for the Pastor Protection Act (SB 110), the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the legislation by a 7-3 vote after an hour of debate. The bill would provide protection for clergy and churches from any prosecution and lawsuits should gays be denied marriage services. Bill sponsor Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, said that pastors were concerned that they might be sued, dispite the fact that religious services are already protected by other bills in the state. Opponents argued that the Pastor Protection Act is redundant because of the U.S. Constitution’s protection of religious rights. They worry that the bill could be the first step in eroding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights, according to the Miami Herald. Many LGBT rights activists came to Tallahassee for the first hearing of the Competitive Workforce Act (SB 120), which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the state’s existing civil rights laws. Lawmakers did not vote on the bill before the Judiciary Committee’s meeting was required to end. All attempts by Sen. Darren Soto, D-Orlando, to force a vote were rejected by Republicans on the Judiciary Committee. But chairman Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami, promised the Competitive Workforce Act will get a full hearing at the panel’s next meeting.
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Florida says yes to religious rights; not yet to LGBT anti-discrimination
Medical marijuana to be on ballot in November TALLAHASSEE--The Florida Division of Elections has confirmed that there are enough validated petitions in enough districts to give voters a second chance to approve the private use of medical marijuana in Florida on the November ballot. A proposed constitutional amendment that would have legalized it nearly passed in 2014, when 58 percent of voters supported the amendment, just two points shy of the 60 percent threshold. Ben Pollara, the campaign manager for
the group pushing for the amendment announced that 683,149 signatures had been verified, enough to get the legislation on the ballot. While low voter turnout limited the ability of the campaign to get the 60% vote needed for passage, this is an election year, and voter turnout is supposed to be high. “Attitudes on this are changing,” he told New Times. “We had 58 percent last time when we had low voter turnout and a huge opposition campaign. This time, I’m pretty sure we’ll get 60.”
Letter to the Editor
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Editor’s note: Thank you for your interest in our exclusive article on gay travel to Cuba. Our coverage of the trip and the country, rules, regulations, and issues is a three-part piece. The cover story you referenced actually had complete information about accessing the internet sites which would provide you an opportunity to explore future cruises heading to the region. This week’s As I See It column continues the dialogue for those curious about heading to Cuba as an individual. The following week, we’ll be featuring a review of the actual CubaCruise vessel, the M/S Celestyal Crystal. Hope this helps. R
January 28, 2016
Dear Editor: Hello. First, a compliment: I enjoy reading the Agenda, and appreciate that you cover a wide range of topics, frequently with well-written and interesting articles. I was excited to see the cover of your most recent issue, proclaiming an exclusive article on the first gay cruise to Cuba. Since I am interested in going there soon, I was curious to read the article. The article started off well enough, but after the first couple of paragraphs, it quickly devolved into some generalities that shed no light on what the rest of the trip entailed--with this exception: we learned the price of all items on the sex menu at Cabaret Las Vegas, and that haggling is expected. Really? The most explicit description of anything from the entire trip is a listing of prices for sex at one of the clubs? That’s the best you could come up with in this “exclusive” on Cuba? Very disappointing. Rest of the issue was great, as usual--but this article, not so much. Glen Sterling Fort Lauderdale
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POSITIVE THOUGHTS
KATE BURTON
builds on the AIDS legacy of stepmother Elizabeth Taylor
January 28, 2016
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M
any know Kate Burton as an actress, most recently portraying the right-wing Vice President Sally Langston in the hit TV show Scandal, and in Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Ellis Grey, the former surgeon and mother of lead character Dr. Meredith Grey, who dies of Alzheimer’s. But what some people may not realize is that Burton, daughter of actor Richard Burton, also serves as an ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF), which her stepmother founded. “People know, and people knew, my stepmom as a famous movie actress,” said Burton in a 2014 interview, “but at her fundamental core, she was a caring, compassionate person who advocated for the neediest of the needy.” Burton, in an email to Positively Aware magazine, says she’s been involved in raising awareness about HIV since her dear friends Meghan Robinson and Michael O’Gorman died from AIDS. “From that time on, I knew that it would be a fight I would devote myself to. It was thrilling to me that Elizabeth became such a passionate advocate for AIDS awareness. As we all know, she and Dr. (Mathilde) Krim put this fight on the map.”
Elizabeth Taylor founded ETAF in 1991 to support organizations delivering direct care and services to people living with HIV and AIDS, often to the most marginalized populations, according to their website. Today, Taylor’s friends and family work together as ETAF ambassadors to help keep the issue of HIV/AIDS “top-of-mind” for the public. Taylor’s trust covers the operating costs of ETAF, ensuring that 100 percent of donations go directly to people affected by HIV/AIDS. “My work as an ETAF ambassador entails many things,” says Burton, “but primarily I serve as a spokesperson or a message deliverer when called upon, although the hard ‘on-theground’ work is delivered by (ETAF Managing Director) Joel Goldman and his wonderful staff.” Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, NO/AIDS Task Force, the largest HIV provider in New Orleans, had no offices and its patients nowhere to turn. Taylor wanted to help, and through her foundation was able to provide a mobile treatment unit so that clients were able to continue to access their medications and other lifesaving services, uninterrupted. Taylor, understanding how successful the model was and that it didn’t need to be limited
Photo: youtube.com
to a natural disaster, began to replicate it in other locales. She knew that chronic lack of access to healthcare was the biggest barrier in the battle against HIV and AIDS, according to a recent ETAF statement, and said, “If people cannot get to healthcare, why can’t we bring healthcare to people?” Since 2008, seven Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance/Elizabeth Taylor Mobile Health Clinics have been delivering care to the people of Mulanje and Phalombe districts in Malawi. Recently, in collaboration with the Elizabeth Taylor Trust and The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, Getty Images Gallery in London produced “Grit and Glamour” to mark 30 years since Taylor first began her leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Taylor’s son Christopher Wilding’s “major new photographic exhibition offered Elizabeth Taylor fans the chance to view previously unseen images of the Hollywood icon in a celebration of the British actress’ 30-year campaign to raise awareness on HIV and AIDS,” according to the Daily Mail. In her day job, Burton has garnered two Emmy nominations for her portrayals of strong characters developed by Shonda Rhimes, the creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal. “Shonda Rhimes has been incredibly impor-
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is doing today. ETAF is thrilled to tant to me in my life as an actress,” be the presenting sponsor for the says Burton. “She chose me to play second time and to see the impact Ellis Grey in Grey’s Anatomy 12 of this exciting years ago, which event continue changed my proto grow.” fessional life but As for Burmore importantly, ton, she says put advocacy for her advocacy Alzheimer’s refor AIDS research front and search and the center on network search for a television and cure will conin the national tinue throughconversation. out her life. Seven years later Along with her she chose me to work at ETAF play the largershe also serves than-life, devout on the board and conservative of Broadway Vice President Cares/Equity Sally Langston Fights AIDS. in Scandal. I In September initially thought of last year that this character at the 2015 was not based United States on reality...until Photo: listal.com Conference on I saw the current AIDS (USCA), crop of RepubliBurton presentcan candidates! ed the ElizaSally would fit beth Taylor right in amongst Legacy Award them, alas!” I knew that it to House In February Leader Nancy hundreds of HIV would be a fight Pelosi for her advocates from I would devote tireless work across the counin the fight try will descend myself to. It was against HIV. upon Washington thrilling to me “Presenting the D.C. for AIDETAF award to SWatch 2016, the that Elizabeth Leader Pelosi largest constiton behalf of uent-based HIV became such a my stepmother advocacy event passionate was one of in the U.S., to educate Congress advocate for AIDS the greatest honors I have about the policies ever had,” says and resources awareness.” Burton. “I will needed to end the says Burton always cherish HIV epidemic. the memory.” ETAF is the lead sponsor. “The work Jeff Berry is the editor of Posithat AIDSWatch does to elevate tively Aware magazine. A verthe voices of people living with and affected by HIV is crucial, and sion of this article appeared in the January/February issue of very much aligned with Elizabeth Positively Aware (positivelyaware. Taylor’s passionate approach,” com). For more information on the says Joel Goldman of ETAF. “She Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation used her enormous platform to advocate for those whose voices were and AIDSWatch 2016, go to etaf. org and aidsunited.org. being ignored, just as AIDSWatch
“
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It has been statically documented that 45 percent of Americans usually make a New Year’s resolution. But only eight percent of them successfully fulfill their promise. As the first month of 2016 comes to a close, we here at Florida Agenda hit the streets to see who was keeping to their promise and who has thrown in the towel.
JONATHAN ORIOLE
“My New Year’s resolution was to eventually, by the end of the year, become a vegetarian. Deciding to become a vegetarian, I knew I would encounter different issues like my nutritional needs and what I’ll need on a day-today basis to sustain my life as I have thus far,” said Ryan Vancol, a Miami math Teacher. “For my entire life since I was a kid I’ve been an omnivore. But as of right now, I’m a pescatarian. My biggest hurdle right now is deciding what I’m going to eat each day so I plan out my meals. And that has been going well. Eventually, I’ll become a total vegetarian.”
What’s your opinion?
JOY YOUNG
MARVIN ALEXANDER
The resolutions I made for this year, 2016, are to get out and be more adventurous,” said Joy Young, an inventor and arts and entertainment director at JoyOYoung. “The fact that we even met means I am adhering to my resolutions. And painting this manikin I’ve been working on to bring to Love Burn, Miami’s local Burning Man event, is a part of me being adventurous. Just going to the Love Burn event in and of itself is a form of me being adventurous too.”
“My New Year’s resolution is to continue being a productive member of society and to focus on my career and my personal life. I feel like I am doing pretty good thus far,” said makeup artist Marvin Alexander. “I love establishing new connections with people in my industry. I believe that interpersonal relationships are the key to a tight knit community and I’m sure it will lead me to more success in my field. It certainly has its challenges but the rewards are worth the work. My personal life, I’ve been on a much more spiritual path. But I’m human so I fall short sometimes.”
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The Florida Agenda welcomes signed Letters to the Editor, up to 400 words in length, on topics of general interest to our readers. You may e-mail submissions to Editor@floridaagenda.com. We welcome comments on our Facebook page also.
January 28, 2016
“Well, I don’t believe in resolution per say because I don’t particularly like the word resolution. It sounds so formal and curved in stone. And people have so many hang ups and tend not to live up to them,” says Project Manager Jonathan Oriole. “Long time ago I gave up on making resolutions. But I do tend to look back on the year passing and think of things that I would like to work on or things that I would like to change. And make goals and aspirations for the coming year. So what are those, close to the top is getting in better shape and not so much to look in shape but really to feel better.”
RYAN VANCOL
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Have you been keeping up with your New Year’s resolution?
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Q:
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STREET BEAT
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January 28, 2016
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Market Place /floridaagenda
CONTACT NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR, MAURA “MUMBALL” LANE AT 954-543-5947 OR MAURA@WIRLD.COM TO GET ON THE LIST.
ACCOUNTING
Sterling Tax & Accounting 2435 N Dixie Hwy Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-667-9829 / sterlingandhart.com
ATTORNEYS Dean Trantalis Attorney 2255 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-566-2226 / trantalislaw.com Law Offices of George Castrataro 707 NE 3rd Avenue, Suite 300 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954-573-1444 / lawgc.com
AUTO Vista Motors BMW 744 N Federal Hwy Pompano Beach, FL 855-793-7093 / vistabmw.com
BARBERSHOP
CHURCH / SPIRITUAL Center for Spiritual Living 1550 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-566-2868 / cslftl.com Holy Angels Catholic Community 2917 NE 6th Avenue Wilton Manors, FL 33334 954-633-2987 / holyangelsfl.org Etz Chaim 1501 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-564-9232 / etzchaimflorida.org
DENTAL Bove Dental 2500 E Oakland Park Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 954-564-0181 / bovedentistry.com Magnolia Dental 12014 E. Colonial Drive, Ste 130 Orlando, FL 32826 407-205-9585/ MagnoliaDentalFL.com
EVENTS I DO Custom Events PO Box 2357 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-626-0131 / idocustomevents.com
FINANCIAL
HEALTH
Las Olas Financial Group 3000 NE 30th Place, Suite 206 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 844-779-7936 / lasolasfinancialgroup.com
FITNESS Pump’n Inc Tom Bonanti 1271 NE 9th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954-557-1119 / pumpnincgym.com
FOOD / GROCERY Diana’s 12001 Avalon Lake Drive Orlando, FL 32828 407-207-0205 /dianasbakeryandcafe.com
FOR RENT For Rent 2 Bedrooms, 1 bath and kitchen, living room, frbicc@aol.com. 954-801-8283
FURNITURE
Genesis Health Institute 1001 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-561-3175 / ghinstitute.com Ocean Therapy Center 2530 NE 15th Avenue Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-351-2299 oceantherapycenter.com
Source Events 605 Lincoln Road, #410 Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-672-9779 / sourceevents.com
CHURCH / SPIRITUAL
FINANCIAL
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INCOME TAX
HEALTH Better Hearing-World of Sounds 2450 E Commercial Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 954-491-2560 betterhearingworldofsounds.com
Best Books and Taxes 2201 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-565-1041
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We Insure 1975 E Sunrise Blvd, Suite 602 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304 954-903-7519 / weinsurefl.com Marvel Quevedo Insurance Agency 5062 South Conway Road Orlando, FL 32812 407-737-7778
OPTICAL
REAL ESTATE
Island City Eyecare 2301 Wilton Drive, Suite C1 Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-764-6906 / visionsource-ice.com
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INSURANCE
ORGANIZATIONS The Pride Center 2040 N Dixie Hwy Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-463-9005 / pridecenterflorida.com Out of the Closet 2097 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-358-5580 / outofthecloset.org
PAWNBROKERS Sunrise Pawnbrokers 3043 N Federal Hwy Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 954-563-3147 / SunrisePawn.com
UPHOLSTERY
MASSAGE SPA 11 Lic#MA75718 2000 E Oakland Park Blvd, Suite 103 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 954-945-5133 / spa11massage.com
MUSIC
PHOTOGRAPHY Dennis Dean Images 3554 NE 12th Avenue Oakland Park, FL 33334 954-240-8307 / dennisdean.com
REAL ESTATE
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Joe Grano Realtor 1881 NE 26th Street, Suite 212 Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-931-0031 / joegrano.com
January 28, 2016
Galleria International Realty 945 Las Olas Boulvard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-234-8759 / galleriarealtors.com
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FITNESS
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You need Weight Training in your life
O
ne question I often get is, “Which is more important, doing cardio or lifting weights?” Well, a wise trainer once said, “Weights make it hard; cardio burns off the lard!” Seriously, you really need a combination of both in order to reach peak condition. Aerobic or cardiovascular activities like running, swimming, and biking keep your heart and lungs healthy as you burn fat and excess calories. But don’t underestimate the powerful effects of weight training in your life. Only a few of these benefits include: improved strength, improved metabolism, greater flexibility and increased bone density. More on these subjects later! There are a few common misconceptions about weight training that routinely put some people off.
I DON’T NEED TO LIFT; I’M NOT A BODY BUILDER.
BY TOM BONANTI
Weight training is not the same as body-building. Weight training is all about improving your health by increasing muscle strength and tone. Body-building is a competitive sport which stresses almost super- human muscle gains.
LIFTING WEIGHTS WILL MAKE ME “TOO BULKY” OR HUGE. Average cost for a home gym set $125.00 &up
For males who have naturally higher levels of testosterone, weight training usually means a proportionate increase in muscle size, referred to as hypertrophy. Muscles will look somewhat larger, more defined and symmetrical, but typically not bulky or ungainly.
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I’M A FEMALE. I DON’T WANT BIG MUSCLES. Simply put, women aren’t “wired” the same way as men, so this cannot happen. Women tend to increase muscle tone and grow stronger using weights. Females will never acquire the size that men are capable of achieving with weight training. Here’s a list of some of the great things weight training can do for you at any age, no matter whether you are male or female, a novice to the gym or a seasoned veteran of working out:
e Weight training can increase your lean muscle mass. When you increase muscle mass you will be stronger to engage in sports and carry on daily routine activities like climbing stairs and doing yard work, etc. safely. Also, you will burn more fat and calories all the time, even at rest, when you are carrying more lean muscle. e Weight training improves your posture. With better posture comes improved balance and flexibility. e Weight training can help increase bone density. Building stronger bones and muscles may prevent the onset of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. e Weight training is an effective “fountain of youth”. Working out makes you stronger, but it can also help to shape and sculpt problem areas that age and sag over time – butt, arms, pectorals, etc. Lifting weights regularly counteracts the loss of muscle mass that naturally occurs with aging. e Weight training can improve your quality of life. With stronger muscles, better balance and improved flexibility, everyday activities like climbing stairs, moving furniture, and doing yard work, become a “walk in the park”. You’ll also be more likely to try a new sport or hobby with that strong, fit body and inexhaustible energy level! If you’ve been lifting weights for a while you are familiar with the benefits that come from time in the gym. Keep up the good work! If you’re still considering lifting weights or don’t know where to begin, I’ll be providing some pointers over the next few weeks about types of resistance training programs. You’ll benefit from weight training in your life!
Tom Bonanti is a certified personal trainer and licensed massage therapist with his own gym and studio, Pump’n Inc. www.pumpnincgym.com at 1271 NE 9th Avenue in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 33304. Contact Tom TrainerTomB@aol.com with questions or set up a free consultation by calling (954) 557-1119.
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Major Tom
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PUZZLE
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Across
1 Historic Stonewall event 5 Reformer Anthony 10 Top 14 Word used in dating 15 In flames 16 Lake traveled by Ohio ferries 17 Romeo or Juliet 18 Puccini opera 19 Neighbor of Mass. 20 Androgynous alter ego of David Bowie 23 Egypt and Syr., once 24 Ford flub 25 Puts in a position? 28 “Diamonds ___ a Girl’s Best Friend” 29 Airport fleet 33 Childcare writer LeShan 34 Tiny balls 35 Stritch of Broadway 36 David Bowie song with the lyric “Look up here, I’m in heaven” 39 David Bowie hit of 1972 40 Use them to play Johnny Mathis records 41 Cocks and bulls 42 Chicago trains 43 A bit, informally 44 Half of a Greta Garbo monogram 45 What gay partners can walk in every state 47 List-maker Schindler 49 Curry of The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50 David Bowie role in The Last Temptation of Christ 55 Cry of Dorothy 56 Neighbor of Sudan (var.) 57 Marilyn Monroe’s sexy pair 59 Hold, as an opinion 60 If ___ Walls Could Talk 61 Salt’s saint 62 Doesn’t rent 63 Toys that do tricks 64 Hayes of Will & Grace
Down
1 Sarah Schulman novel ___ Bohemia 2 Don Juan’s mom 3 R.E.M.’s “The ___ Love” 4 Source of oral pleasure 5 Lusty deity of antiquity 6 Sky sightings 7 Women who don’t have sex with men 8 Where a pinball wizard might lurk 9 Moves toward 10 Queer 11 Love of Lesbos 12 “It ___ Necessarily So” 13 Doll that “came out” in 1993 21 “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” to Mick Jagger 22 Actress Reese 25 Aids 26 My Own Private ___ 27 Stropped item 28 Muscle Mary’s pride 30 They don’t use their mouths for talking 31 ___ fours (doggy-style) 32 Gaydar, e.g. 34 Mass transit vehicle 35 Saucer pilots 37 Straight and gay 38 Friar’s affair 39 Get a load of 41 Town for fudge packers? 44 Evita’s cowboy 45 Be confined to the bed, perhaps 46 They may be spitting 48 Litter critter 49 Streisand’s Prince of ___ 50 “That was close!” 51 Serious sign 52 Part of UTEP 53 Maupin story 54 Thompson of Angels in America 55 Rene Auberjonois role 58 Chaz to Cher For the solution to this puzzle, go to www.floridaagenda.com/puzzle
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THE WEEK: FORT LAUDERDALE .
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01/29 Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons
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After humble beginnings in New Jersey, Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons rose to national superstardom with doo-wop classics “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Candy Girl,” and “Rag Doll.” Their enduring, distinct sound is one of the most recognizable in all of pop music with Frankie Valli’s powerful falsetto voice its defining trait. 8:00 p.m. Hard Rock Live. 5747 Seminole Way. Hollywood. 33314. photo: mtvcom
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01/29 Def Leppard
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Hit songs such as “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Let’s Get Rocked” made Def Leppard one of the biggest bands during their 1980s heyday. The arena rockers relish the stage show, putting on elaborate, pyro-technic infused performances while still indulging in their hard rock roots. Opening are Tesla and Styx. 7:00 p.m. BB&T Center. 2555 NW 136th Ave. Sunrise. 33323.
January 28, 2016
By Patrick Robert
photo: wikipedia.com
photo: miamionthecheap.com
01/30 Bruce Vlanch & Jessica Kirson “I’ll take Bruce Vlanch for the block” was heard over and over during the early naughties’ version of Hollywood Squares. Along with his minor popularity from his “square” residency, LGBT-icon Bruce Vlanch is also one of the most sought after comedic writers in Hollywood, having written material for Oscar hosts Billy Crystal, good friend Whoopi Goldberg Alex Baldwin, Steve Martin and many others. He’ll be performing tonight with YouTube star Jessica Kirson. 7:00 p.m. Coral Springs Center for the Arts. 2855 Coral Springs Dr. Coral Springs. 33065.
01/31 It’ Only a Play
photo: pbs.org
Openly gay American playwright Terrence McNally’s It’s Only a Play had a long history before premiering on Broadway in 2014. It started Off-Off Broadway in 1982 before moving to Off-Broadway in 1986 to its later well-received Broadway version in August of 2014. The story revolves around an opening night party first-time Broadway producer Julia Budder throws for the show The Golden Egg. 8:00 p.m. GableStage. 1200 Anastasia Ave. Coral Gables. 33134.
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photo: miaminewtimes.com
Based on Berry Gordy’s 1994 autobiography To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown, this Broadway jukebox musical tells the story of the founding and running of the Motown record label. The 2013 musical received four Tony Award nominations, including Best Orchestrations and Best Sound Design and features Motown classics like “ABC,” “All Night Long,” and “Baby I Need Your Loving.” 8:00 p.m. Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. 1300 Biscayne Blvd. Miami. 33132.
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02/03 Motown the Musical
01/28 Placido Domingo
As one of the famed “Three Tenors,” Placido Domingo’s versatile voice a thing of beauty, known to perform in languages as diverse as English, French, and Russian. His crossover success is highlighted by his fourteen different Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards. Tonight’s performance will include classics like “Besame Mucho” and “Granada.” 8:00 p.m. American Airlines Arena. 601 Biscayne Blvd. Miami. 33132.
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THE WEEK: MIAMI
photo: theregistry.com
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THE WEEK: PALM BEACH .
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02/01 The Art of Dr. Seuss
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Dr. Seuss’ iconic children’s books have not only brought joy to millions of children, they have also sold millions of copies—over 600 million to be exact. Dr. Seuss wasn’t just a children’s writer, though, he was also a brilliant artist. The newest exhibit at The Gardens Mall, presented by the Ann Jackson Gallery, showcases the man’s whimsical artistic abilities. 10:00 a.m. The Gardens Mall. 3101 PGA Blvd. Palm Beach Gardens. 33410.Military Trail. Boca Raton. 33486. photo: laughspin.com
01/30 Ralphie May This 300-plus comedian was runner-up on the first season of Last Comic Standing, a career boost that led to a successful stand-up career including being the only white comedian to perform on The Big Black Comedy Show. His Comedy Central specials include Girth of a Nation, Prime Cut, Austin-tatious, and Too Big To Ignore. 8:00 p.m. Palm Beach Improv. 550 S. Rosemary Ave. West Palm Beach. 33401.
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Cruising January 28, 2016
By Patrick Robert
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photo: youtube.com
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02/02 Shatner’s World At 84, William Shatner isn’t done entertaining audiences with his droll humor and biting social critique. The Star Trek icon has not only enchanted audiences with his classically trained acting ability, but he has also ironically created humorous works poking fun at his own iconography. He has starred in shows like Boston Legal, movies like Miss Congeniality, and has even created three well-received spoken word albums with exaggerated recitations of popular music.. 8:00 p.m. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. 701 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach. 33401.
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THE WEEK: TAMPA / ST. PETE 01/30 Dancing With the Stars Live!
01/30 Joshua Bell
ABC’s juggernaut reality TV show features popular celebrities learning dance routines with a host of professional dancers. The show has turned into a monstrous hit, spawning countless imitations. The Dancing With the Stars: Live! tour brings some of these popular dance instructors together for a one-of-a-kind 90-minute show. 5:00 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall. 1111 N. McMullen-Booth Rd. Clearwater. 33759.
The teen prodigy made his Carnegie Hall debut at the tender age of seventeen, playing with the St. Louis Symphony. His career has included playing with some of the best orchestras and conductors in the world. He has won a Grammy and was also the performer of the solo part for the acclaimed score of The Red Violin. 8:00 p.m. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. 777 N. Tamiami Trail. Sarasota. 34236.
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photo: bet.com
01/30 Naughty By Nature
photo:offbeat.com
Treach, Vin Rock, and the DJ Kay Gee are better known as 1990s hip-hop group Naughty By Nature. They fired up the Top 40 with songs “O.P.P.,” “Hip Hop Hooray,” and “Everything’s Gonna Be All Right.” This concert celebrates their 25th anniversary ad is free for 21 and older attendants. 8:00 p.m. Jannus Live. 200 First Ave. St. Petersburg. 33701.
photo: joshuabell.com
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THE WEEK: JACKSONVILLE .
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01/28 Patti LaBelle
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Patti LaBelle’s historic career has included a slew of classic songs, including “Lady Marmalade,” “You Are My Friend,” and “New Attitude.” Her singing career has translated into notable appearances on shows like A Different World and American Horror Story: Freak Show. Tonight’s performance showcases the seventyyear-old songbird’s eternal voice. 7:30 p.m. Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. 300 Water St. Jacksonville. 32202. photo: broadwayworld.com
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Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot, based upon the King Arthur legend as adapted from T.H. White’s The Once and Future King, tells the lushly romantic story of the love triangle between Arthur, Lancelot, and Guenevere. The musical boosts one of the most popular scores of all time—the original cast recording album was a top selling LP for sixty weeks. 7:30 p.m. Amelia Musical Playhouse. 1955 Island Walkway. Fernandina Beach. 32034.
photo: ticketcruader.com
01/30 Carrie Underwood
01/28 Camelot
January 28, 2016
By Patrick Robert
photo: commdiginews.com
American Idol season four winner Carrie Underwood has become one of country music’s biggest singers. Songs “Jesus, Take the Week” and “Before He Cheats” helped her first album Some Hearts become the fastest selling debut county album in history. The Storyteller Tour features Underwood singing “in the round,” with the fans circling around her. 7:00 p.m. Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. 300 A. Philip Randolph Bld. Jacksonville. 32202.
01/29 Michael Feinstein
01/30 Cats
Named the “Ambassador of the Great American Songbook,” Michael Feinstein is one of the best known cabaret singers in the country. He beautiful renditions of Gershwin classics made him a household name in the 1980s. A friend to some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Feinstein married his longtime partner Terrence Flannery in 2008 in a star-studded ceremony officiated by Judge Judy. 8:00 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. 445 S. Magnolia Ave. Orlando. 32801.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical takes T.S. Eliot’s poetry and turns it into a heartwarming musical about a series of different feline personalities all attempting to ascend to the Heaviside Layer. The landmark song “Memory” has become a musical staple. 7:30 p.m. Cocoa Village Playhouse. 300 Brevard Ave. Cocoa. 32922.
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THE WEEK: ORLANDO
photo: flatheatre.org
01/30 Norman, Is That You?
photo: vanwezel.org
One of the first plays to openly deal with homosexuality, Norman, Is That You? finds drycleaner Ben Chambers struggling with both his son Norman’s sexuality and his wife Beatrice’s abandonment. After attempting to change Norman by hiring a prostitute, Ben finds common ground with Norman’s lover Garson. 8:00 p.m. Melon Patch Playhouse. 311 N. 13th St. Leesburg. 34748.
photo: greekreporter.com
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DEEPBY ROMEO INSIDESANHOLLYWOOD VICENTE
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Romeo San Vicente never realized you wrote such bloody awful poetry. He can be reached in care of this publication.
Gaycation, all I ever wanted
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It was only a matter of time before VICE made its next big leap, from the Internet to actual television. Enter the Viceland Channel (possibly not the name they’re going to keep), which launches very, very soon, with a variety of programming for people who barely sit in front of TV screens at all. But here’s a good reason to park it on the couch: Gaycation, Ellen Page’s travel show. That’s right, Ellen Page is getting her own Taradise, only this one will take its host around the world to see what LGBT life is like in other countries. We’re hoping it includes the footage of Page confronting homophobic Republican Presidential candidate (yes, we know, redundant) Ted Cruz at that state fair, because that was amazing. Perhaps even slightly more amazing than watching Tara Reid jump up and down blowing a whistle at a party in Ibiza. OK, actually, the same amount of amazing. Will watch. Sometime in late February, we hear.
Cynthia Nixon as Emily Dickinson
Repeat this news aloud to yourself and get very excited: Cynthia Nixon is going to be in another movie that is not at all related to Sex and the City. That’s the first bit of glad tidings. The next is that she will play reclusive American poet Emily Dickinson. And finally, she will be doing it for the incredible British director Terence Davies (The Deep Blue Sea, Distant Voices Still Lives, The House of Mirth). A Quiet Passion, which we assume is about the poet’s later, primarily housebound years (Nixon is 48, Dickinson died at age 55, and quiet melancholy is a Davies trademark), co-stars Jennifer Ehle and Keith Carradine, and will have its world premiere at next month’s Berlinale. You’d think that by this point in her acclaimed career Nixon would have already been allowed to sink her teeth into a good period biopic of an important woman, but you’d be wrong. Well, now is that time. Introverts and literary enthusiasts, this is your Star Wars. Begin counting down to its American release.
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Todd Haynes joins a ’70s rock cult
For over 25 years, queer filmmaker Todd Haynes has created meticulously detailed worlds that often intersect with fantasies about rock ’n’ roll (Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story, Velvet Goldmine, I’m Not There) and the painful realities of women’s lives (Mildred Pierce, Carol, Safe and, well, Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story). This makes his next project feel like the perfect fit: a TV series based on the story of the early 1970s grooviest free-love-rock-and-roll-health-food cult, The Source Family. Led by the charismatic Father Yod, the Los Angeles-based Source Family had a band, a restaurant, astoundingly shiny outfits, and, as is often the case, internal dissension. Haynes’ TV project is in its infancy, so don’t expect anything anytime soon, but this news is, as they once said, “far out.” In the meantime, your homework assignment is waiting for you on Netflix, the documentary feature The Source Family. You need this.
Cast for Mapplethorpe movie
Which Mapplethorpe movie, you ask? Answer: Exactly. Can you keep track of all the people who want to make a movie about Robert Mapplethorpe and/or Patti Smith’s memoir Just Kids, which is about her and Robert Mapplethorpe? Would you believe us when we tell you that one of these projects is actually moving forward and has two lead actors? Maybe? OK, then here it is: Matt Smith, who is nerd-famous for playing Doctor Who in the BBC series Doctor Who, is taking the title role in Mapplethorpe, alongside Girls star Zosia Mamet as Patti Smith, for writer-director Ondi Timoner. Timoner is the acclaimed filmmaker behind 2004’s Dig and 2015’s Brand: A Second Coming, the somewhat controversial Russell Brand documentary (he participated in it and now dislikes it). Next questions: Will it really happen? Will someone else beat this one to the punch? Will Mariah Carey suddenly just decide to direct her own quickie version for Lifetime? We’ll be waiting. Impatiently.
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