/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
March 10, 2016
1
March 10, 2016
2 /floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
March 10, 2016
3
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
NatioNal News
nnnnnnnnnnnnn
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission files two gay discrimination suits
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says for the first time it has sued challenging sexual orientation discrimination, alleging two companies’ employees were harassed because they’re gay. The EEOC Philadelphia office says in its lawsuit against Scott Medical Health Center a gay employee quit after his manager used gay slurs. It says in a separate lawsuit in Baltimore a lesbian employee of IFCO Systems NA was fired after complaining her supervisor made comments regarding her sexual orientation and appearance. EEOC General Counsel David Lopez says the agency is committed to ensuring people aren’t discriminated against in workplaces because of their sexual orientations. No one from Scott Medical Health Center was available to comment Tuesday. A message left seeking comment from IFCO Systems hasn’t been returned. Scott Medical has several western Pennsylvania locations. IFCO is a global company. nn
Four Broadway stars set for largest LGBT convention
March 10, 2016
4
NEW YORK-- Constantine Maroulis, Kara Lindsay, Lauren Molina and N’Kenge will perform at the Original LGBT Expo, the largest and longest-running LGBT convention in the world, which is being held March 12 and 13 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. Lindsay and N’Kenge will perform March 12, while Maroulis and Molina are scheduled to sing March 13. The actors’ performances will support the non-for-profit charity Broadway Sings for Pride. The Original LGBT Expo features more than 300 exhibiting companies, many of which are LGBT owned and operated, as well as a seminar series, live entertainment, LGBT film series and more. Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is located at 655 W. 34th St in Manhattan. nn
Same-sex marriage? Not in Puerto Rico!
SAN JUAN, PR (AP) - An unexpected ruling from a federal judge in Puerto Rico is raising doubts and creating confusion about the future of same-sex couples seeking to get married on the island. Judge Juan Perez-Gimenez ruled that a U.S. Supreme Court decision that allows gay couples to marry anywhere in the United States does not apply on the island because it is a U.S. territory and not a state. The ruling also rejects a motion filed by Lambda Legal and Puerto Rico’s government to stop enforcement of the island’s ban on same-sex marriage. Lambda Legal attorney Omar Gonzalez said Wednesday the group is seeking to have the ruling vacated as soon as possible. “We believe this order is erroneous,” Gonzalez said in a phone interview. “It’s something that we cannot let stand.” It is unclear if Puerto Rico’s government will stop issuing marriage licenses because of Tuesday’s ruling by the U.S. District Court in Puerto Rico. The island’s Justice Department referred all questions to the governor’s office, and a spokeswoman for Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Garcia authorized gay marriage through an executive order shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in June 2015. However, legislators did not amend Puerto Rico’s civil code to allow for same-sex marriages, and activists on Wednesday called on them to do so. “It was a shame that same-sex marriage was imposed by the U.S. Supreme Court and not authorized by Puerto Rico’s legislature,” said rights activist Pedro Julio Serrano. It is unclear if legislators will take up that petition. A spokeswoman for Senate President Eduardo Bhatia did not return a message seeking comment. Bhatia had earlier condemned the ruling. “It is unbelievable that the federal court itself ignores that rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution apply in Puerto Rico,” he said. Gonzalez said the ruling does not invalidate the dozens of samesex marriages that have taken place on the island. The U.S. territory recently extended other rights to same-sex couples, in December ruling that they can adopt children. nn
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
March 10, 2016
5
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
InternatIonal news /floridaagenda
nnnnnnn
WiRLD Digital City Guide Launched
n
March 10, 2016
6
FORT LAUDERDALE-Multimedia Platforms, Inc., the only publicly traded LGBT media company, announced that it has launched WiRLD Digital City Guide, with over 22,000 businesses included throughout North America. The WiRLD Digital City Guide also allows LGBTQfriendly businesses to self register online for free, with the option of enhancing their listing with a Premier Page. Visitors and WiRLD members can now go to the site and view business listings that are responsive to their location. Businesses that are LGBTQ-friendly can also start to self-register their establishment(s) at WiRLD.com/ CityGuide effective March 7, 2016. WiRLD features a global newsstand, LGBTQ-friendly business directory, a community network, a first-of-its-kind rewards program, and an online digital streaming network—to be launched during the second quar-
ter of 2016—that will feature a variety of drama series, documentaries, comedy shows and live simulcast events. WiRLD.com is currently in beta mode, attracting LGBTQ members worldwide to read stories, watch videos and share stories with other WiRLD members. In doing so, members earn reward tokens redeemable for a variety of gifts, goods, services, experiences and travel. Bobby Blair, Chief Executive Officer of Multimedia Platforms, comments, “Our mission is to be the world’s largest LGBTQ media brand, bringing together the best in membership experience, to create and distribute the highest quality news, travel, lifestyle, entertainment and video content. A media hub with the scale of WiRLD provides unprecedented and unique opportunities for our members and advertisers. Today’s launch of WiRLD Digital City Guide is another major
milestone that we have promised to the investment community to create the best LGBTQ online destination with our audience. WiRLD Digital City Guide now allows all our business advertising partners to have a direct relationship with our visitors and members, with the common theme of having a unified community of inclusion, whether in the workplace or aligning with consumers.” We are all part of this WiRLD, and we love sharing our recommendations and interests with one another. Over the past 25 years, MMPW has been a leader in North America with the FunMaps brand, now being re-branded as WiRLD City Guide, a trusted source in the LGBTQ community for where to go in various cities, and making it easy to find what you’re looking for when traveling locally or across the United States and Canada. WiRLD City Guide
is the evolution of FunMaps and our online site Gayosphere.com. We want to become the LGBTQ go-to comprehensive resource. We also know that everyone wants to enhance their spending value, so our WiRLD Rewards program is integrated to easily help members find those places that are providing exclusive offers. Members can earn daily reward tokens by reading articles and watching videos. The WiRLD City Guide is a business directory source with over 22,000 LGBTQ-friendly businesses, accessible to visitors and members on-the-go. WiRLD City Guide is the trusted LGBT navigator for restaurants, specialty shops, bars, clubs and professional services like lawyers, CPAs, realtors, dentists and doctors. Most of all it hosts an extensive travel directory of hotels, bed & breakfast spots and resorts. nn
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
March 10, 2016
7
March 10, 2016
8 /floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
Hundreds turned out for LGBT wedding expo in Utah
Actor Robert Gant honored by ADL
MIAMI--Queer as Folk costar Robert Gant, was honored by the Anti-Defamation League Florida last Saturday for his “tremendous courage, compassion, and determination in confronting hate and intolerance.” “Among these various honorees, they were recognizing my work in the LGBT community in relation to aging,” Gant, 47, and originally of Tampa, told the Miami Herald. “Because LGBT elderly didn’t for the most part create families, the incidence of being old and alone — there’s a much higher likelihood of it.”
Three Floridians chosen as National Women’s History Month 2016 Honorees
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Hundreds of people turned out on Sunday at a wedding expo in Salt Lake City aimed at connecting same-sex couples with businesses who won’t refuse to work on gay weddings. A denial is a common occurrence in a state where florists, bakers and photographers have a legal right to refuse to serve a gay couple. nn
TRANSGENDER BILLS RAISE AWARENESS
Olympic diver Greg Louganis to get Point Legend Award
NEW YORK--Point Foundation will present five-time Olympic medalist Greg Louganis with the Point Legend Award, which recognizes an individual who has achieved greatness in their professional career and unapologetically supported the LGBTQ community. The award will be presented to Louganis at the landmark New York Public Library April 11. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. nn MISSOURI DEMS BLOCK RELIGIOUS PROTECTION AMENDMENT JEFFERSON CITY, MO (AP) - Missouri Democrats are blocking a proposed constitutional amendment that would grant greater religious protections to some businesses that decline to provide goods or services for same-sex weddings. Senate Democrats stalled a vote on the measure during a filibuster that ran from Monday night into Tuesday morning. nn
Supreme Court rules that Alabama court overstepped with lesbian adoption
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court ruled Monday that Alabama’s top court went too far when it tried to upend a lesbian mother’s adoption of her partner’s children. The justices threw out a ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court in a dispute between two women whose long-term relationship ended bitterly. nn
9
GAY INVENTOR OF EMAIL DIES LINCOLN, MA--Raymond Tomlinson, the gay inventor of modern email and a technological leader, has died. He was 74. Reports suggest that he died of a massive heart attack on Saturday, March 5. He lived in Lincoln, Massachusetts, where he raised miniature sheep with his partner. Attempts to contact his family were unsuccessful. nn
SIOUX FALLS, SD (AP) - Transgender-rights advocates say a legislative session spent successfully fending off several bills that targeted transgender people in South Dakota forged a more-visible community better prepared for future clashes at the Capitol. A bill vetoed this week that thrust South Dakota into the national spotlight would have required transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match sex at birth. The House failed Thursday to override the veto, though the measure’s sponsor suggested supporters come back with a “better, stronger bill.” nn
March 10, 2016
TALLAHASSEE--March is National Women’s History Month and the 2016 theme is Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government. This year’s Honorees were chosen for their influence in public service and government leadership. Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, has long been a advocate for protection of LGBT rights. Sonia Pressman Fuentes is a co-founder of NOW and was the first woman attorney in the Office of the General Counsel at the EEOC, a government agency dedicated to enforcing federal employment discrimination laws. And the late Betty Mae Tiger Jumper was the first woman to be elected Chief of a federally recognized American Indian tribe.
floridaagenda.com
FLORIDA
nnnnnnnn
/floridaagenda
Go to floridaagenda.com to read more about these stories.
/floridaagenda
News Briefs
floridaagenda.com /floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
two grooms and broward center present
Mar 31
an interactive gay wedding comedy
10
Tickets at BrowardCenter.org Ticketmaster | 954.462.0222 Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office Group Sales | 954.660.6307
March 10, 2016
apr 10
/floridaagenda
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...
Random thoughts from social media and beyond this week
floridaagenda.com
“I take great responsibility and professionalism in my career every day,” Sharapova said. “I made a huge mistake. I let my fans down. I let my sport down.” NIKE AND SWISS WATCH BRAND TAG HEUER suspened their relationship with Sharapova on Monday.
American Crime’s, Joey Pollari, on playing a teen closeted basketball payer.
/floridaagenda
MARIA SHARAPOVA FLUNKED DRUG TEST AT AUSSIE OPEN...
ERIC, HIS CHARACTER HAS “TWO PERSONAS HE’S DESPERATELY TRYING TO JUGGLE. HE’S GOT HIS PERSONA ON THE TEAM, WHERE YOU SEE HIM IN THE LOCKER ROOM SCENE PASSING AROUND PICTURES OF GIRLS AND HIS GAY SIDE WHERE HE HOOKS UP WITH OLDER MEN, SEARCHING FOR MASCULINITY THAT IS JUST SO DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO OBTAIN.”
HIT THE FLOOR, CHARACTER ZERO, PLAYED BY ADAM SENN, DECIDED TO RIDE HIS NEWLY OUT STARDOM FOR ALL IT’S WORTH. “OUR KISS COST ME A SPONSOR, BUT IT SNAGGED ME TWO MORE. RAINBOW CREDIT CARDS, SOME KIND OF GAY AFTERSHAVE, AND I SIGNED A BOOK DEAL FOR A MILLION BUCKS. DID YOU KNOW THERE WAS A GAY DOLLAR? I’M ROLLING IN IT, AND IT’S AWESOME!”
BETTE MIDLER TWEETED:
KIM KARDASHIAN TWEETED A NUDE SELFIE TODAY. IF KIM WANTS US TO SEE A PART OF HER WE’VE NEVER SEEN, SHE’S GONNA HAVE TO SWALLOW THE CAMERA. ACCORDING TO FATHER TIME
“DON’T FORGET TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD 0NE HOUR ON SUNDAY 3-13 AT 2AM.”
a
11
“I’m normalizing TV. I am making TV look like the world looks. Women, people of color, LGBTQ people, equal way more than 50 percent of the population. Which means it ain’t out of the ordinary.”
March 10, 2016
Viola Davis talks about her bisexual role on, How To Get Away With Murder.
March 10, 2016
12
My Two Dads
BY RICHARD HACK PHOTOS BY MICHAEL DAVIS
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
/floridaagenda
COVER STORY
/floridaagenda
instantly,” Michael interjects as if talking as one. “At our wedding reception that took place in May in Minneapolis where my family is located, I actually announced that the sperm and egg where being implanted that very day. Totally circumstantially. “We used Dr. Minna Ruth Selub at First I.V.F. (a division of Florida Institute for Reproductive Sciences and Technologies). (http://www.firstivf.net) for the In Vitro Fertilzation part. We were very lucky in that four embryos were implanted, but only one ‘took.’” The surrogate’s pregnancy went without incident, helped no doubt in part from her career as a nurse. The pregnancy and birth went so smoothly in fact that she offered to surrogate for the Russell and Michael should they care to add a sibling into Lauren’s world. (Note: While at the time she was a single mom, the surrogate has since gotten married and is now pregnant with her own baby. Happy endings all around.) “I’d love for Lauren to have a sibling,” Russell said. “As older parents, we’re not going to be around forever, so we would like for her to have someone after we’re gone.” During the entire surrogacy saga, the couple’s only negative interaction came from friends who thought they were too old to start a family. “I think it was more a judgment on their lives rather then our own,” Michael said, who admits that life changes completely with the birth of a child. “When I held her on my stomach after Lauren was born, there is a remarkable thing that happened. It’s really impossible to explain. But it feels as if we exchanged souls, and became one. We are truly, truly blessed.” Lauren agrees.
March 10, 2016
Graphics By: HRC.org
13
Dr. Russell Sassani’s Take Shape Plastic Surgery practice is located in Plantation at 4161 NW 5th St #100, Plantation, FL 33317. 954-585-3800. http://www.takeshape.info/ nn
floridaagenda.com
n
FORT LAUDERDALE-On the surface, it looks like Lauren Michael Sassani has a blessed life. The $2 million house, the closets full of gowns, the perfectly decorated bedroom, the selected private pre-school, and the ever-so-proper nanny that fussed over her launch into the world. Lauren, you see, has just celebrated her first birthday, and one senses that she would be happy to tell you ALL about it, if only she talked. At the moment, however, she’s absorbed in walking and waving and giggling with a teasing smile that in a dozen plus years will surely drive all the teenage boys crazy. Currently, however, it’s Lauren’s two dads that are quick to tell you that THEY are the ones who are truly blessed. Dr. Russell Sassani of Take Shape plastic surgery fame, and his husband Michael Schneider planned the arrival of Lauren a year ago through surrogacy—a journey that had its own surprises and rewards. “I had like an apparition,” Michael said, “in which this little child appeared and said, ‘You have to have me now.’” “We had tried years earlier, at the start of our 16-year relationship, to have a baby, and things didn’t work out,” Russell adds. “And then I opened my practice and then Michael joined the business, and we got very, very busy there for a while. And then we had our first two babies--our dachshunds, Else and Reinhart.” “Whether you believe in that or not, that apparition spurred me to action, and we began to actively look at surrogacy again,” Michael says. “The first step was to get married, because surrogacy is easier for a married couple than it is for bachelors, so we got married in San Francisco, because it wasn’t yet legal in Florida,” Russell adds. “We interviewed a friend of ours who ran a surrogacy agency in February of 2014, and got married in April, 2014. We had our choice of two surrogates in Florida, and eventually selected one in Tampa— who was a nurse and with whom we formed a personal connection
n n n n n
March 10, 2016
14 /floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
March 10, 2016
15
floridaagenda.com
Lesbians have a considerably easier process to examine when contemplating having a family if one or both of the partners is fertile. Getting started is easy. The first step is to check with your insurance carrier to determine whether you need a referral from your primary care practitioner to seek treatment from a reproductive endocrinologist.
/floridaagenda
TreaTmenT OpTiOns
/floridaagenda
FOR LESBIANS:
March 10, 2016
16
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
There are three routes to pregnancy for women: artificial insemination, IVF using their eggs and uterus, or IVF using their partner’s eggs and their uterus. Success rates vary based on individual circumstances. Overall, success rates remain very high for women under the age of 40. However, age is a significant factor for determining your success. A boardcertified Reproductive Endocrinologist will help assure you that your pathway to pregnancy is successful, safe and time-efficient.
Prepared through the cooperation of and facts provided by the Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION:
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Artificial insemination (AI) is a process that is used to place sperm into a woman’s reproductive tract using means other than sexual intercourse. The procedure involves concentrating semen into a small volume and placing it into the uterus (intrauterine insemination, or IUI) or the cervix (intracervical insemination, or ICI). In order to begin artificial insemination, you need to see your primary care physician. Be sure to be up-to-date on all health care maintenance, including Pap smear, and mammogram if recommended. It is important to track your cycle each month as you must also have a regular menstrual cycle to complete a natural cycle insemination with success. This cycle tracking is how insemination is timed.
RECIPROCAL IVF: nnnnnnnnnnnnn
With reciprocal in vitro fertilization, one woman donates her eggs to her partner, and her partner carries the pregnancy. For female couples this is a way that both can participate in the process of bringing a child into their home. One woman donates the egg and goes through super ovulation with fertility medicines, producing multiple eggs for retrieval. After egg retrieval, eggs are combined with the designated donor sperm in the IVF laboratory. Her partner, who is choosing to become pregnant, goes on medication to prepare her uterus. Then when the timing is optimal, 1-2 embryos are transferred into her uterus. The embryo transfer should occur on a set day under a controlled condition, with very little discomfort. Success rates with reciprocal IVF vary with the age of the women.
SPERM DONORS:
nnnnnnnnnnnnn
For many women, the use of sperm from a donor is an option that can make pregnancy possible. As with egg donation, in some cases women can use a male friend as a sperm donor, or they can use the services of a sperm bank. Once the sperm is available, based on the woman’s health and other factors pregnancy is usually achieved using intracervical, intrauterine or intravaginal insemination. Donor sperm can also be used in an IVF procedure to create an embryo that is then implanted into the woman’s uterus. With IVF women can also have the option of using a donor egg to achieve a pregnancy. Anonymous sperm donation is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Anonymous sperm donors are required to be tested for certain infections and may also need to meet other screening criteria. While these same regulations may not apply when a friend serves as a sperm donor, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommends that all sperm donors including known donors undergo the same initial and periodic screening and testing process used in anonymous donation.
IVR WITH ONE PERSON’S EGG AND UTERUS:
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
In-vitro fertilization (IVF) is a process that involves stimulating ovaries to develop multiple eggs. This is achieved with injectable medications. To move forward with IVF, you should see a board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist. The doctor will complete a panel of prepregnancy tests for screening, genetics and infectious diseases. The goal of IVF is to produce a large number of growing follicles, then to retrieve the eggs from inside the follicles through a short surgical procedure performed in the office. The eggs are then inseminated with designated donor sperm in the laboratory to create embryos that can then be transferred to the endometrial cavity (the uterus) of the recipient. To complete IVF using one person’s egg and uterus, the same screening listed above is required to continue with the process. Over 5 million children have been born from in vitro fertilization. IVF is considered safe for women, and one of the most successful fertility treatment options available. IVF stimulation requires injectable medication, and also a procedure known as an egg retrieval under sedation.
/floridaagenda
GAY PARENTS CHOOSE COOLER NAMES
/floridaagenda
Girls: Vivienne Charlotte Billie Noa Harper Emma Ava Mia Madison Aurora
floridaagenda.com
When Neil Patrick Harris and his partner, David Burtka, named their twins, they chose edgier names rather than the average Joe? Yes, if the survey by the folks at Goodkin is right. They discovered that gay parents are more likely to choose names like Milo, Dashiel or Lucien, than vanilla-America favorites like Jacob, Daniel or Jayden. Gay parents in general have an edgier naming style. Because the federal bureaus do not track data about same-sex families, the Goodkin survey is not scientific. (It was made by “cross-referencing hundreds of names of gay people they knew or heard about who had kids.”) Still, it’s suggestive of a different naming style among gay parents.
Top 10 Names
Whatever name you chose, we’re sure that the name will be personal, edgy, maybe traditional but having a happy and healthy baby is more important.
Matchboxes, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters and more fill the stage with energizing beats at STOMP, the inventive and invigorating stage show that's dance, music and theatrical performance blended together in one electrifying rhythm.
''A SURE-FIRE CROWD-PLEASER.'' The New York Times
Signature Series 2016
At the NEW Lauderhill Performing Arts Center Northeast Corner of Sunrise & 441
17
954.777.2055 • LPACFL.com
March 10, 2016
Boys: Noah Lucien Atticus Milo Dashiel Liam Juian Mason Charlie Ethan
March 19 • 8pm March 20 • 1pm
THE DEEPER DIVE
y
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
n n n n n BY PATRICK BERKLEY
Elizabeth Schwartz
March 10, 2016
18
Much of the progress in LGBT rights in the past decade has come from the tireless efforts of lawyers like Elizabeth Schwartz. She is one of Florida’s most well-known legal advocates for the LGBT community, having participated in a number of important cases helping same-sex couples with adoption, divorce, and surrogacy. Schwartz was spotlighted in our round-up of Florida’s 100 brightest LGBT community members last year, and we recently had the opportunity to discuss her career achievements and her outlook on the current issues facing the LGBT community.
BERKLEY: With marriage equality a done deal, what do you feel is currently the most pressing concern for the future of LGBT equality? SCHWARTZ: Marriage was a giant leap forward but certainly is no cure-all. It’s not like a switch was flipped and suddenly all is good for everyone; many in our community are still very much vulnerable. I’m particularly concerned about those on our outer margins whether because of socioeconomic status or for some other reason. do not feel embraced by the mainstream gay community --like our trans family, people of color, queer youth and older adults. We have a lot to do to broaden the umbrella to provide protections for all.
fight in honor of each one of their memories.
BERKLEY: Are there any interesting LGBT-related cases you are working on now? SCHWARTZ: I’m working with NCLR on a lawsuit (Chin v Armstrong) to compel the State of Florida to issue birth certificates to LGBT married parents in the same way that they do for heterosexual couples.
BERKLEY: What made you interested in helping LGBT couples with surrogacy and what advice do you offer couples seeking such an avenue? SCHWARTZ: When I started doing family formation for LGBT couples in the late 90s, we had a ban on gay people adopting so the main way gay men could become parents in Florida was to do surrogacy. I’ve worked to increase protections and smooth the legal process for gay dads in Florida, and it’s much easier now than it had been. My three bits of advice for couples wanting to do surrogacy are: save up because it’s not cheap, do gestational surrogacy not traditional surrogacy, and use an agency— don’t try DIY!
BERKLEY: What brought you into the LGBT equality arena? SCHWARTZ: Well, as a queer woman, I guess I could call it self-interest! I want to make the world safer for us all. But the other truth is that I came up and out in a community of fierce and fabulous gay men, so watching the devastation of the AIDS pandemic pissed me off and has energized me to
BERKLEY: You represented the first LGBT divorce in Florida; do you think there are differences in an LGBT divorce compared to a straight couple’s divorce? Do you have any general advice for newly engaged or married LGBT couples? SCHWARTZ: LGBT divorces can be more difficult because very often we have been together for years before we could actually marry, and some of the rights associated with marriage at divorce—like how things get divided and what support is paid—are based on the length of the marriage. A well-drafted pre-nup can actually make a fairer result on divorce.
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
y
floridaagenda.com
March 10, 2016
19
floridaagenda.com
2000 Oakland Park Blvd. Suite 106 | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 Phone: 954-380-8563 | www.floridaagenda.com
AS I SEE IT
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
Publisher Maura “Mumball” Lane
B
20 March 10, 2016
Art Director Kevin Broady
CALLING ALL HEDONISTS. BEACH HOUSE WANTS YOU!
y all accounts, we should be writing about the upcoming primary election next Tuesday, March 15. You would expect us to be encouraging everyone to get out and vote, if you haven’t already cast your ballot early in voting spots across South Florida.
For the LGBT community at large, it is a matter of stepping up to the plate and casting your vote for what you believe. Certainly, among Florida Democrats, Hillary Clinton is the obvious leader, with Bernie Sanders a distant second in all the early polls. On the Republican side, those same pollsters who apparently get their divining rod straight from the Almighty, DonBy ald Trump Richard is the runaway Hack favorite, rolling right over the local junior Senator from Florida, Marco Rubio. We’ll learn soon enough if their projections are accurate. In the meantime, the gays who are normally my source for all things Florida aren’t even mentioning the upcoming primary.
Editor-In-Chief Richard Hack richardhack@wirld.com
It’s not that they are being cavalier about things. Far from it. They will, most assuredly get out and vote,--or forever risk hearing about it from me. That being said, the street is all aflutter about THE news of the week which involves a new reality series called Beach House that’s set to begin shooting for fall, 2016. In case you’ve moved your ear from the ground, this is the story and you’ve got every right to be excited. As we all know, the most gorgeous guys in Miami/Fort Lauderdale and haunts in between, are gay. And young. And outgoing. As it happens, those are the exact qualities that the folks at Doran Ofir Casting are seeking for its owners, Popular Productions, Inc. who have joined forces with 495 Productions to produce the new series. You’ll remember 495 Productions from its previous hits Jersey Shore and Party Down South. 495 is the brainchild of SallyAnn Salsano, who named her LA-based company after the
to hear from you. freeway that runs through her Those who are mid-20s to Long Island hometown. Accordmid-30s, and smoking hot, go ing to SallyAnn, who knows to https://beachhousecasting. these things, Beach House is popular.productions and fill out about to “ignite television again the application. It’s the first step and turn it way up.” She says she toward stardom. is not only raising the bar, she’s And then, after all that’s done, “stocking it too.” get out and vote, March 15. The “We’re looking for a handpolls open at 7 a.m. and remain ful of true hedonists to be the open to 7 p.m. The time is now, exclusive guests at the next great and the choice is yours. house-based television series.” Think Real World, only tanner Richard Hack is the awardwith the sheen of Coppertone. winning author of 26 books, and “We are searching Florida the Vice President of Content for statewide for the spiciest, hotMultimedia Platforms’ publicatest, wildest, sexiest, ripped tions. bodies and beautiful faces to live together, love together and prove you’re from the hottest state on earth, brazen and bare for the world to envy.” Enough said. Well, according to SallyAnn, A PUBLICLY-TRADED LGBTQ COMPANY not quite. “We are castSTOCK SYMBOL: MMPW ing Floridians because corporate they embody diversity (yeah!) and an internaPETER JACKSON tional spirit of abandonPresident, COO & Group Executive Publisher ment, which draws revelers to its shores for the Kevin Hopper Maura “Mumball” Lane Vice President l Operations VP l Sales & Marketing freedom, music, clubs, and the best beaches on Richard Hack Dennis Dean earth, making it a world Vice President l Content Vice President l Creative party destination. Your life is a unique story Jeff Sterling Michael Turner waiting to be told. It’s President l Digital Media Ventures Vice President l Finance explosive, exotic, sexy, Keith Chamlee Tim Hart undeniable, and we Corporate Circulation Director Chief Financial Officer want to hear all about it,” she says, and means C. Lawrence Rutstein it. “If you’re old enough Chairman of the Board to know better, and young enough to not ROBERT “BOBBY” BLAIR care,” SallyAnn wants Founder & CEO
ALL THINGS CONSIDERED
I will try to do that now. These last few weeks have been quite the go around not only for the presidential candidates, but for religious and everyday life. A few of my previous articles have been about By Rev. voting, and in light of the Joel ever growing “anti” views Slotnick and opinions out there, my column this week will touch on it again. Just a little over a week ago, Indio California’s Shadow Hills High permitted students to wear anti-gay stickers on their school badges.
In an article reported February 29th, 2016 from the Associated Press, the administration of the school stated: “We all have a right to freedom of speech, but students also have a right to be educated without fear. This has always been our policy, and we will continue to enforce it ...” On March 2nd and 3rd, many news sources reported about the Florida Legislature passing a bill (82-37) where churches don’t have to wed gays. This portion was reported March 2nd on WSVN online: “Democrats said the U.S. Constitution already protects churches and that they can refuse to marry any couple, whether they are gay or not, based on their religious beliefs. But Rep. Scott Plakon said the bill simply gives pastors added protection. He said he hopes it is never needed. The vote was largely along party lines, with most Republicans in favor and most Democrats opposed.” Excuse me for being repetitious in my next comment. I have officiated many marriages since July of 1976 when I became a notary, and many as an ordained clergyperson in near five years. Never once have I been, nor have I heard of any other clergyperson or religious entity being, FORCED to preside over a marriage I/they didn’t want to. However there is clergy that
n
The Dolphin Democrats, Broward County’s oldest (1982) and largest LGBTA political organization, has endorsed a set of municipal candidates for the March 15 Elections. The endorsements followed a vote of the Dolphins membership at the club’s February 10 meeting and were based on the candidates’ stand on issues of great concern to the LGBTA community. In some elections there is no endorsed candidate since none of the choices fit the Dolphins’ standards. Dolphin Democrats Endorse For Davie Town Council District 3 For Oakland Park City Commission For Pembroke Pines City Commission District 2 For Pembroke Pines City Commission District 3
Marlon Luis Scott Herman Jack McCluskey Iris A. Siple
has refused to join a couple if they have been divorced. Nobody has said word one against that for decades. In Florida, it has been over a year since same gender marriage has been legal, almost 13 years since it became legal in Massachusetts (2003), and almost a year that the Supreme Court ruled in favor nationwide. Ever since, it has been a battle, be it under the mask of religious freedom, the “anti du jour” or just plain hatred toward others one may choose not to accept. I am tired of being called various and sundry names, being told I am less than someone who isn’t like another person. Tired of being told I can’t be a Christian, but minister and be gay. I am truly over it. However, I can’t do the battle by myself. Yes, there are groups and organizations who stand up for many LGBT causes, but it isn’t enough. Early voting has started this past Saturday, March 5th and is available through Saturday March 13th. For those who don’t early vote, Tuesday March 15th is your day to vote. Yes, I am pushing voting again. It is one way to speak out. YOU ARE OBLIGATED to VOTE. Other ways to speak out about things that involve your life; Facebook, Twitter, sending an e-mail to a specific official, candidate or any other person who makes decisions that can impact your life as an LGBT person and an ever day citizen. If some of you spent even 1/8 the time that you do on social media, in the gym, a club or any other basic everyday thing in your life and used that time to contact your elected officials to speak up and out, we just may have a chance to fight back. If you choose not to, there is nobody else to blame but everyone who sits on the sidelines. STOP BEING A SILENT OBSERVER and STOP LEAVING IT UP TO SOMEONE ELSE to fight for what should naturally be yours. Stop thinking “it will never happen”, because tomorrow is a whole new day and none of us know what it will bring. Remember, staying silent is harmful. I leave you with this thought: “Never take anything for granted because sooner or later the wheel turns.” - Unknown nn March 10, 2016
Rev. Joel S. Slotnick is an ordained Interfaith minister and full time digital court reporter for the state of Florida. He can be found on Facebook and followed on Twitter. 21
In addition, Dolphin Democrats recommend a vote against Jay Schwartz, who is running for reelection to the Pembroke Pines City Commission in District 2. “The upcoming elections have special importance to LGBT people and allies, as the backlash to our recently-won rights are under considerable attacks,” says Rabbi Noah Kitty, President of Dolphin Democrats. “Please consider voting for the candidates we have endorsed, as they have all demonstrated an interest in preserving those rights, and will work until all people have achieved full equality under the law.” nn
floridaagenda.com
n
For many years, my thoughts and opinions have been known to be those of a person who will cross a line that some won’t. It is my belief that one can get their message out and still (try to) be respectful of opinions and views unlike your own, whether they be from friends or strangers. It’s not always an easy thing to do, especially if you’re passionate about the subject at hand.
/floridaagenda
WHEN SILENCE IS HARMFUL
[
/floridaagenda
OPINION
floridaagenda.com
CAPITOL BEAT
l l 34%
Approval Ratings for Donald Trump
25%
Approval Ratings for Ted Cruz
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
n n n n n
VILE OVER SUBSTANCE n
March 10, 2016
22
The choice of this headline wasn’t a shoe-in. There was also Bile Over Substance. But in the end, it is not the ugly rhetoric that is most disturbing. It is the environment of fomented hatred and the lingering foreboding it has left us with. Donald Trump or Ted Cruz will hopefully never lead this country, but what kind of legacy will their campaigns leave? When this is all over (and that moment can’t come soon enough), will the lower life forms who cheer their every despicable sylBY lable crawl back LINDA into the swamps PENTZ from which they emerged? Or will they, persecuted white people that they are, with their alleged Christianity “under siege,” become a genuine movement of dangerous and likely armed vengeance? On Super Tuesday, Trump indeed called his following a movement, crediting his gormless Sancho Panza, Chris Christie, for pointing this out. That movement, though, is led by a man who would need to do research to establish whether or not the Ku Klux Klan is indeed a
hate group (sorry, the earpiece is not the defective one here.) Even the dulcet-toned Garrison Keillor, during his final broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion, called Trump “a bloated megalomaniac whose platform consists of hostility, paranoia and fantasy.” Yes we could still laugh at The Producers parody on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in which Nathan Lane describes a scheme to find “the worst candidate in history...a real trainwreck. A schmuck, a putz, a grade-A, world-class, gold-plated nincompoop.” That would be Trump. But after Super Tuesday our laughter comes with a sick feeling in the stomach, too. Is this what our country has sunk to? Republican House Speaker, Paul Ryan would like us to think otherwise with his desperate-sounding intonation that “this is the party of Lincoln.” But it hasn’t been for a very long time. Having white supremacist homophobes running for the highest office in the land is the natural outcome of the do-nothing, block everything, malign everyone Congress that the Republicans control. If you really want vile, check out a KKK website to see what they think of the LGBT community. When I visited one, I immediately
“
The worst candidate in history...a real trainwreck. A schmuck, a putz, a grade-A, worldclass, gold-plated nincompoop.”
got a message on my screen warning me that “your Mac may have become infected.” Darn right. During his Super Tuesday victory speech when asked why he had not distanced himself from the KKK, Trump whined “I disavow, I disavow, how many times must I disavow?” But he never mentioned the Klan by name. Cruz, meanwhile, just addressed the Proclaim 16, National Religious Broadcasters’ Convention that also featured three anti-LGBT hate groups and multiple notoriously anti-gay extremist speakers, according to Media Matters. Trump claims he has never heard of KKK Grand Wizard, David Duke, which is considerably less frightening, and less believable, than the fact that he has never heard of the nuclear Triad. That
If you really want vile, check out a KKK website to see what they think of the LGBT community. he will never own The Football is small compensation for the noxious fumes of hostility he has unleashed amongst us. Maybe his ascendancy shouldn’t surprise us. After all, his amoebic followers have been here from the beginning. Ask any Native American.
Linda Pentz is the Washington correspondent of the Florida Agenda. She can be contacted at lindapentz@mmplgbt.com. Follow her on Twitter @CapitolAgenda
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
March 10, 2016
23
/floridaagenda
Pat McCrory BY D’ANNE WITOWSKI
March 10, 2016
24
I’m tired of talking about toilets, everybody. I don’t love using public restrooms, mostly because of the ick factor and lack of total privacy. But I sure am glad that public restrooms exist. And if you, too, are a Peeing American, then you likely share my appreciation for the public restroom. Unfortunately, the public restroom is under attack. What was once a place of personal relief has now become a place for evil-doers to lurk. A place that was once a mostly private necessity has become a public symbol of doom. And those evil-doers are, duh and obviously, Republicans. Did you think I was going to say transgender people? Because Republicans think it’s transgender people. And boy are they obsessed with where transgender people go to the bathroom. Case in point: the city of Charlotte, North Carolina just passed an anti-discrimination ordinance that includes protections for LGBT people. I’d say thank you, but I really think “it’s about time” is more appropriate. Not surprisingly, the anti-gay right is aghast at Charlotte’s new homo-lovers status, and this includes North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory. According to the Charlotte
Observer, in an email to two Republican City Council members, McCrory wrote, “It is not only the citizens of Charlotte that will be impacted by changing basic restroom and locker room norms but also citizens from across our state and nation who visit and work in Charlotte.” In other words, if you let trannies into restrooms and locker rooms, ain’t nobody safe no how. Also, the tourists! Won’t someone think of the tourists? I should point out that support for anti-discrimination ordinances like the one Charlotte just adopted are pretty high and more and more common across the country. So I guess tourists who are concerned about running into LGBT people in Charlotte bathrooms could take shelter in McCrory’s office in Raleigh about 170 miles away. Warning that the ordinance would put “citizens in possible danger from deviant actions by individuals taking improper advantage of a bad policy,” McCrory’s email continued, “Also, this action of allowing a person with male anatomy, for example, to use a female restroom or locker room will most likely cause immediate state legislative intervention which I
would support as governor.” Okay, so if someone with a penis uses a ladies’ room anywhere in the state, then the Legislature and governor will spring to action. Total state response necessary here, folks. Bring out the National Guard! We must inspect the genitals of all public restroom users for the safety of the state! Also women will be required to wear long sleeve tent dresses that hit just above the knees so that they match the symbol on the restroom door because women wearing pants is just too confusing. Most likely the “state legislative intervention” that McCrory is promising is one of those “religious freedom” laws that make it safe to discriminate against people if Jesus tells you so. Then again, perhaps the Legislature is planning a bill that would designate McCrory’s office a safe space for hate. What a tourist attraction that would be! The symbol on the ladies’ room could be just like the common “no smoking” symbol, only using a penis instead of a cigarette. North Carolina’s state motto, by the way, is, “Esse quam videri,” which means, “To be, rather than to seem.” It sounds like McCrory is taking that quite literally.
CREEP OF THE WEEK
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
[
OPINION
lgbtq Statistics
70% of trans people have reported being denied entrance, assaulted or harassed while trying to use a restroom.
0 incidents of a transgender person harassing a non-transgender person in a public restroom.
18 states have laws protecting people from discrimination based on either their sexual orientation or gender identity; three more states cover just sexual orientation. The Florida’s bill is called the Florida Competitive Workforce Act.
70% of Floridians favor laws that would protect Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people from discrimination in jobs, public accommodations and housing.
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
March 10, 2016
25
March 10, 2016
26 /floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
/floridaagenda
Tropical Plant Sale By Maura “Mumball” Lane
/floridaagenda
offers a selection of many beautiful trees, flowering shrubs, heliconias and gingers, rare palms and other unique selections. All plants on display will be available for sale. Master Gardeners of Broward County will also be on hand with landscaping, insect control, fertilizer and irrigation information. There will be food trucks on hand to keep you nourished, hourly raffles, a treasure hunt, a pet rescue/ adoption and Florida Native Plant Societies. QUEENS RULE.
floridaagenda.com
n
WILTON MANORS-“Careful not to confuse your tillandsias with your cycads.” “Don’t underestimate a bromilead.” “There is nothing more stunning than a dendrobium!” “ When you have enough room for a Queen, picking a Royal is an easy choice.” This lively discussion is something you might overhear at Equality Park Tropical Plant Fair. This two-day horticultural extravaganza will be sure to bring out your green thumb! The event is Saturday, March 26 at 8 am – 4 pm and Sunday, March 27 9 am – 3 pm. Over 30 plant vendors from around the state will be showcasing outstanding plants and related accessories. The sub tropical climate of South Florida enables residents to be exotic in their landscaping choices. Equality Park Tropical Plant Fair
FOR VENDOR/MORE INFORMATION, CALL 954-257-2317. EQUALITY PARK TROPICAL PLANT FAIR 2040 N DIXIE HWY FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33305
Photo: youtube.com
y
March 10, 2016 27
floridaagenda.com
You’ve Got the Wong Man
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
PUZZLE
March 10, 2016
28
Across
1 “Look but don’t touch” type 6 Debussy contemporary Satie 10 Broadway opening for a lot? 14 Drag queen Joey 15 Man-to-man offense, in Leviticus 16 Vegetarian’s staple 17 Countries where people drive? 19 Larry Kramer and peers 20 B.D. Wong movie set on an island 22 African queen 25 Halloween mo. 26 Black to Bonheur 27 Dwarf tree in the land of the samurai 29 Watch a NY Liberty game here 30 With 37- and 43-Across, start of a B.D. movie set in Asia 31 Use your tongue 33 Neighbor of Kan. 36 Heather Has ___ Mommies 37 See 30-Across 40 Charlottesville sch. 41 “Oy” follower 42 Alison Bechdel cartoon character 43 See 30-Across 45 Barenaked Ladies’ “Am ___ Only One” 47 Bathtub Madonna, e.g. 48 Sri ___ 50 Harry of the Mattachine Society 52 “Nuts!” 53 B.D. Wong TV show about fighting crime 56 Slangy suffix 57 Time long ago 61 Queer spelling of a word for ice house 62 Tops a cupcake 63 Vanilla, in the sack 64 Ending with Pride 65 Triangle ratio 66 Peter the Great, and more
Down
1 Tic ___ (sometimes fruit candy) 2 Bill written by Alice Paul 3 Football center? 4 City in a Dionne Warwick hit 5 Victim of Jacob’s tricks 6 Seminal computer 7 Layer’s lair 8 Chelsea Pines and others 9 Being There novelist Jerzy 10 Come between parties, perhaps 11 Kind of bear 12 Like a flaming queen? 13 It’s sent from animals 18 Star Trek counselor Deanna 21 Persona for one of the Village People 22 I Love Lucy venue 23 My Fair Lady composer 24 Diplomatic agent 28 E. Lynn Harris’ ___ Way the Wind Blows 29 Showboat’s “Nobody ___ But Me” 31 “The Black Clark Gable” Diggs 32 Indiana Jones’s quest 33 Homeland of Princess Aida 34 Circuit party, for example 35 Motel name in an A&E series 38 Oscar nominee for The Hours 39 Ordinal for John Nash 44 Bursts in 45 1997 Kevin Kline flick 46 Boxing ref’s end to a butt-whipping 47 Part of DOS (abbr.) 48 Inevitable online claim 49 Soldiers that get off 50 Macho dudes 51 End of a Stein quote 53 Son of Eric the Red 54 Prefix meaning “tenth” 55 One of three pieces 58 Org. that comes when you break down 59 Title for Ian McKellen For the solution to this puzzle go to: 60 Scores by David Kopay floridaagenda.com/puzzle
/floridaagenda floridaagenda.com
BOOK NOW
/floridaagenda
ALL-GAY ALL-INCLUSIVE ALL OVER THE WORLD
AND SAVE $200* *Save $100 per person on any new booking.
RATES STARTING AT $2,599!
UPCOMING CRUISES Burgundy & Provence River Cruise (July 1-9, 2016) Prague & Danube River Cruise (August 19-28, 2016) Royal Clipper Sailing Adventure (September 3-10, 2016)
2186 Wilton Drive | Wilton Manors, FL | rich@bookfreedomtravel.com
29
PROMO CODE: FT1602
March 10, 2016
FREEDOM TRAVEL at 954.565.2345
floridaagenda.com /floridaagenda /floridaagenda
30 March 10, 2016
ADVERTORIAL Does Back Pain have you Frustrated….. Are You Worried You Will Have to Take Pain Pills For The Rest of Your Life?…….. If this is you or someone you love, keep reading to learn about an amazing free report helping back pain sufferers!
Wilton Manors, FL Are you one of the 100 million Americans who are suffering from chronic back pain? Is your back pain stopping you from doing the things you enjoy? Are you using pain pills regularly just to get through the day? Are you afraid this may eventually lead to surgery? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we can help. We have put together a free report filled with tips to help you avoid the most common mistakes made by back pain sufferers. Back pain is not something you have to learn to live with. There are solutions, and we can help you find them. Claim your copy of “Erasing Back Pain: How to Avoid the 9 Most
Painful Mistakes and What You Should Be Doing Instead” today to take charge of your pain and get back to doing the things you love! In this report you’ll find The 3 things you can do to avoid back surgery that will cost you nothing. How to save yourself time and money by making the right choices for your back pain today. How to avoid the biggest mistake made by back pain sufferers. Call (954)-351-2299 now for your FREE report or request it online at www.oceantherapycenter.com/ back.php
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
March 10, 2016
31
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
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
EVENTS Source Events 605 Lincoln Road, #410 Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-672-9779 / sourceevents.com
FINANCIAL
FOOD / GROCERY
HEALTH
Diana’s 12001 Avalon Lake Drive Orlando, FL 32828 407-207-0205 /dianasbakeryandcafe.com
HEALTH
Dean Trantalis Attorney 2255 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-566-2226 / trantalislaw.com
INCOME TAX
BARBERSHOP
Best Books and Taxes 2201 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-565-1041 / bestbooksandtaxes.com
INSURANCE Dunham Fort Lauderdale 2601 E Oakland Park Blvd, Suite 303 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 954-564-7772 / dunhamins.com
CHURCH / SPIRITUAL
We Insure 1975 E Sunrise Blvd, Suite 602 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954-903-7519 / weinsurefl.com
FITNESS Pump’n Inc Tom Bonanti 1271 NE 9th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954-557-1119 / pumpnincgym.com
FURNITURE
Center for Spiritual Living 1550 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-566-2868 / cslftl.com
LANDSCAPING
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
March 10, 2016
32
Holy Angels Catholic Community 2917 NE 6th Avenue Wilton Manors, FL 33334 954-633-2987 / holyangelsfl.org
Better Hearing-World of Sounds 2450 E Commercial Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 954-491-2560 betterhearingworldofsounds.com
Etz Chaim 1501 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-564-9232 / etzchaimflorida.org
mm
/floridaagenda
Market Place /floridaagenda
PAWNBROKERS
SPA 11 Lic#MA75718 2000 E Oakland Park Blvd, Suite 103 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 954-945-5133 / spa11massage.com
UPHOLSTERY
floridaagenda.com
MASSAGE
MUSIC
PHOTOGRAPHY Dennis Dean Images 3554 NE 12th Avenue Oakland Park, FL 33334 954-240-8307 / dennisdean.com
REAL ESTATE OPTICAL Island City Eyecare 2301 Wilton Drive, Suite C1 Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-764-6906 / visionsource-ice.com
ORGANIZATIONS
Robert Geary MacKilligan on Las Olas Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-234-8759 / rgmsell@aol.com Joe Grano Realtor 1881 NE 26th Street, Suite 212 Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-931-0031 / joegrano.com
REAL ESTATE
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
Sunrise Pawnbrokers 3043 N Federal Hwy Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 954-563-3147 / SunrisePawn.com
March 10, 2016
PAWNBROKERS
33
/floridaagenda
What’s the lesson?
n
March 10, 2016
34
Life happens. Our perception in a situation determines how we react. Have you ever noticed that the mood you are in usually determines how you react to an event? If you are feeling frustrated, your reaction will be frustrated. If you are in a playful mood, you will react in a playful manner. Did you realize you can respond in a proactive way instead of a reactive way? The simple definition of living a reactive life is feeling and expressing your thoughts and emotions without checks and balances. Meaning, if you don’t create an internal buffer By to analyze what you are James experiencMiller ing just before you respond, you will react - allowing people and circumstances to push your buttons. When you can internally focus on what you are thinking and feeling just before you respond, you will realize that there is a great opportunity to learn a life lesson. The key is simply asking yourself, “What am I learning about myself right now?” It’s a simple question, but one that is quite powerful. When you focus on what you are learning about yourself in the moment, it takes the focus off of the exter-
nal event and helps you focus on what is happening internally. For example, if I am driving my car down the highway and a driver cuts me off, a natural inclination could be to become angry or annoyed. However, in that moment if I ask myself, “James, what are you learning about yourself right now?” I may find that I am lacking patience. When I identify the reactive emotion that I feel in that moment, I look for its opposite. Feelings of frustration in me often mean I am lacking patience. When I realize this situation has the opportunity to teach me patience, I then have a choice: do I stay frustrated at the reckless driver or do I choose to focus on my lack of patience and use my energy to practice this attribute? When I realize I have a choice in how I respond, I have to take responsibility for my actions whether I want to or not. A rule of thumb is this: if you find that your reaction is slightly disproportionate to the event, or rather you are overreacting, then it’s probably a perfect opportunity to learn a valuable lesson. Sometimes we may not realize there was a lesson until after the fact;
however, it’s good information to file away for future events which will teach us the same thing. This can also be used in the reciprocal. There are times after a situation when I look back and can give myself an internal high-five because I am proud of the way I handled it. I can reflect on a previous time when I realized what the lesson was, practiced it at that time, and later was able to display it again. The more you practice the lesson or display the healthy attribute, the easier it is to draw on that lesson the next time you are faced with a similar situation. Life’s events are going to happen. People are going to do and say things that are hurtful or simply foolish. You always have a choice. Why not take each moment and use it as an opportunity to learn. You will be at the top of your class when you take the time to simply ask yourself, “What am I learning about myself right now?” nn
James Miller is a licensed psychotherapist who is known for his weekly iTunes podcasts, YouTube channel, and his Academy where he teaches virtual classes for successful people to simplify and transform their lives. For consultation or for more information visit: www.JamesMillerLifeology.com.
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
YOUR LIFE: AN OWNER’S MANUAL
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
n n n n n
WHERE DO YOU RATE YOURSELF?
54%
Percent who said stress has caused them to fight with people close to them.
48%
Percent who say stress has a negative impact on their personal and professional life.
73%
Regularly experience psychological symptoms caused by stress
48%
Feel their stress has increased over the past five years.
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
March 10, 2016
35
floridaagenda.com /floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
n n n n n
#STREETBEATAGENDA
By Jameer Baptiste
Q: NIKKI STAR
March 10, 2016
36
“I’m the Mom and the Dad and I want what I want,” said the fabulous entertainer Nikki Star. “Are we interfering with gods work, f*&# that. He interfered with us. He has been the almighty powerful guiding the ship. Well now, we are steering the ship.”
How do you feel about pre-assigning a baby’s gender through modern day scientific medical advances? With the advancement of modern medicine we are now able to pre-assign a baby’s gender and other humanly features like eye color. But some people take reservation with the new science. On February 24, pregnant model and wife of John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, took to twitter to defend her decision to pre-assign her baby’s gender against the naysayers.
MONICA ANASTASIADIS “What I would want to know first is whether it causes the fetus to be deformed in anyway or any mortality issue,” a concerned pet and house sitter Monica Anastasiadis inquired. “If I learned it was totally safe and didn’t cause any pain or harm to the embryo, then why not.”
HANS SMITH
DAVID CLIFT
JAMES WILKERSON
“I am all for people assigning the gender of their baby before it’s born,” commented a social worker Hans Smith. “As long as you can afford it, why not? No restricts or guidelines, just as long as the individual themselves pay for it and not the government.”
“I don’t agree with it. I believe everyone should have a naturally born baby in regards to changing their gender,” remarked David Clift who is idle at the moment. “Everything should be natural, eye color and all. It should be the kid’s decision later on when they can make the decision for themselves.”
“I just don’t agree with it at all. Why do people keep trying to change stuff,” pondered model and actor James Wilkerson. “We shouldn’t tamper with fate. If anything, we should leave the decision to the child. They should be the one to decide and make the decision.”
What do you have to say?
We want to hear from you. Search #StreetBeatAgenda on Facebook to share your opinion on the above topic. Florida Agenda also welcomes Letters to the Editor, up to 400 words. E-mail your submissions to: Editor@floridaagenda.com. Your opinion matters!
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
March 10, 2016
37
floridaagenda.com
PHOTOS MICHAEL DAVIS
BEACH PARTY AT THE WINTER FESTIVAL IN MIAMI
March 10, 2016
38
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
SPOTLIGHT
THIRSTY FOR MORE? OF COURSE YOU ARE. CHECK OUT ALL OF THE PHOTOS YOU CAN HANDLE AT FLORIDAAGENDA.COM!
y
/floridaagenda
BY ALEXANDER KACALA
/floridaagenda
y
Pet of the Week
floridaagenda.com
Ruby is a 9 month old American Bulldog that was hit by a car and taken to a kill shelter. We were able to take her on her last day. We had to amputate her leg due to the injuries. She has had a full recovery and loves attention.
39
For more information on these pets, please contact Animal Aid at 754-2235378. Animal Aid is located at 571 NE 44th Street on the North West corner of Prospect (44th) and 6th in Oakland Park, Florida.
March 10, 2016
Nina is a 6 year old Silky Terrier. Nina was taken to a kill shelter after her owner found out she had bladder stones. We were able to save her and provide the surgery she needed. Nina has made a full recovery and is looking for her new forever home.
floridaagenda.com /floridaagenda /floridaagenda
y
SECRET RECIPE SERIES By Maura “Mumball” Lane
COLCANNON
Irish on all four sides I was told. I know Lane doesn’t sound Irish but my Mother’s maiden name was Kelly and I am one of 7 children. The name Maura is gaelic for Mary, the daintier version is Maureen. I celebrate St. Pat’s and comfort friends with colcannon. Boiled potatoes, boiled cabbage and boiled corn beef are what you might expect from an Irish cook but colcannon, once tried, will have you talking like a leprechaun because it’s magically delicious! Colcannon is the mac and cheese of the emerald isles. Here is my secret recipe! 3 lbs. russet potatoes 8 cups of shredded green cabbage 1 large onion (sweet onion) diced 1 cup milk 1/2 cup half and half 6 tbsp. salted butter Salt and Pepper
March 10, 2016
40
Preheat oven to 450: Butter a large rectangular glass baking dish (13 x 9 x 2) Peel the potatoes and slice into quarters. Place in a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook for 15 minutes until fork tender. Drain, then mash potatoes and set aside. Return saucepan to heat, add cabbage, onion, milk, half and half, 4 tablespoons of butter plus salt and pepper to taste. Cook 15 minutes until onion and cabbage is soft. Stir in mashed potatoes and transfer to baking dish. Slice remaining butter into pats and top mixture. Bake at 450° until top is browned. (8-10 minutes)
photo: Community Table
PHOTOS MICHAEL DAVIS
/floridaagenda
POOL PARTY AT THE WINTER FESTIVAL IN MIAMI
/floridaagenda
SPOTLIGHT
floridaagenda.com
March 10, 2016 41
THIRSTY FOR MORE? OF COURSE YOU ARE. CHECK OUT ALL OF THE PHOTOS YOU CAN HANDLE AT FLORIDAAGENDA.COM!
nevents nnightlife ntheatre nexhibits
JEWEL
THURSDAY 3/10 @ 8:00PM Parker Playhouse 1990s folk music goddess Jewel once famously lived in her car while traveling the country as a street performer. This was before she hit it big with the 1995 release Piece of You, which featured popular singles “Who Will Save Your Soul,” “You Were Meant for Me,” and “Foolish Games.” 8:00 p.m. Parker Playhouse. 707 NE Eighth St. Fort Lauderdale. 33011.
n KINKY BOOTS
FRIDAY 3/11 @ 8:00PM Broward Center Cyndi Lauper’s first Broadway musical Kinky Boots earned her a Tony Award for Best Score. The popular show, as well, earned the Best Musical Tony and became a phenomenon. Based on the 2005 film, Kinky Boots tells the story of Charlie Price as he takes over a shoe store, aligns himself with charismatic drag queen Lola, produces a line of high-heeled boots, and discovers himself in the process. His success in designing shoes leads him from his small-time gentleman’s shoe factory to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. 8:00 p.m. Broward Center for the Performing Arts. 201 SW Fifth Ave. Fort Lauderdale. 33312.
n
FOREIGNER
March 10, 2016
42
FRIDAY 3/11 @ 8:00PM Casino At Dania Beach With over eighty million album sales, BritishAmerican hard rock band Foreigner is considered one of the world’s best-selling bands of all time. Their heyday arrived in 1997 when their self-titled debut album became a worldwide sensation with such top-selling hits as “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold as Ice,” and “Long, Long Way from Home.” 8:00 p.m. Casino at Dania Beach. 301 E. Dania Beach Blvd. Dania Beach. 33004.
n
By Patrick Robert
floridaagenda.com /floridaagenda /floridaagenda
n
n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
T he Week entertainment calendar
THE SECOND CITY
SATURDAY 3/12 @ 8:00PM World Performing Arts Center Some of the most talented comedians began in America’s premier improv and sketch comedy troupe, The Second City. Based out of Chicago, the company is known for its classic scenes, songs, and improvisation. Saturday Night Live heavily recruits from the troupe for their show, making the group one of the most competitive, highly sought out gigs for prospective comedians. 7:30 p.m. World Performing Arts Center at Lynn University. 3601 N. Military Trail. Boca Raton. 33431.
n
BY GREGG SHAPIRO
ADAM LAMBERT
SATURDAY 3/12 @ 8:00PM Hard Rock Live Glam-rock music maven Adam Lambert rose to American popularity when he finished runner-up on the eighth season of American Idol and became an immediate rock star. His debut album For Your Entertainment debuted at number three on the U.S. Billboard 200 and produced the hit “Whataya Want from Me.” In 2012 Lambert became the first openly gay singer to have a number one album when he released his sophomore disc Trespassing. Expect Lambert’s usual sexual charisma and a slew of raving fans (dubbed glamberts) tonight when he takes the stage at the Hard Rock. 8:00 p.m. Hard Rock Live. 5747 Seminole Way. Hollywood. 33314.
n
SCREEN SAVOR
DUDU FISHER
SUNDAY 3/13 @ 8:00PM Kravis Center As an observant Jew, Broadway life was rather difficult for Dudu Fisher. His one-man off-Broadway show Never on Friday explored the complications arising from these two lifestyles converging. Tonight he honors both the stage and his Israeli roots with tributes to traditional Yiddish folk songs and the musicals Yentl and Fiddler on the Roof. 8:00 p.m. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. 701 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach. 33401.
Y
ou know the story. Country bumpkin bunny dreams of leaving the farm behind and moving to the big city to make it a better place and almost destroys it (and her) in the process. In Zootopia (Disney), idealistic and petite young rabbit Judy (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin), bullied as a kid by a fox, heads to the urban paradise of Zootopia after graduating at the top of her class from the police academy. Eager to do her part to keep the city and its denizens safe, she’s disappointed when Chief Bogo (voiced by Idris Elba), a muscular yak, assigns her to parking meter enforcement. It doesn’t take long for Judy’s naiveté to get her into trouble. She’s scammed by a sly fox named Nick (Jason Bateman) and then wreaks havoc while apprehending Duke (Alan Tudyk), a weasel of a thief. Given 48 hours to prove her worth to her superior officer, Judy teams up with Nick to uncover a sinister plot to return some of the citizens (including otters and jaguars) to their more savage nature thereby creating a predatorsversus-prey scenario that could bring society to its knees. Zootopia touches on hot button topics relevant to folks of all ages. Acceptance and prejudice are at the top of the list, followed by crooked politicians, and the challenges and rewards of city living. The sequences involving the DMV run by sloths and a naturalist yoga retreat, as well as clever Frozen, Godfather and Breaking Bad references provides adults with more than enough to enjoy.
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
March 10, 2016
43
March 10, 2016
44 /floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
/floridaagenda /floridaagenda floridaagenda.com
LEATHER AND
SO MUCH MORE!
March 10, 2016
WWW.LEATHERWERKS.COM
Copyright © 2016 The Werks Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Werks, LeatherWerks, PaddleWerks, Lifestyle Club, BootWerks and “Where Leather is a Lifestyle” are Registered Trademarks of The Werks Company, LLC
45
March 10, 2016
46 /floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
/floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com
March 10, 2016
47
March 10, 2016
48 /floridaagenda
/floridaagenda
floridaagenda.com