Agenda 031716 issue 330 by Multi-Media Platforms

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Bishop opposes Notre Dame’s decision to give medal to Biden

Palm Beach wants gay tourists

Out as Surgeon General; In as deputy secretary of administrative service

New Xena will be very gay

The new production of Xena: Warrior Princess from executive producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach will feature a very gay Xena. Last year, it was announced that NBC was working on a reboot of the original series, which ran from 1995 to 2001. Following suggestions over the extent of the relationship between Xena and comrade Gabrielle (Renee O’Connor), executive producer Grillo-Marxuach has now confirmed via a Tumblr Q&A that the new series will “fully explore a relationship that could only be shown subtextually in first-run syndication.” nn

INDIANA LGBT ACTIVISTS SAY HISTORY IS ON THEIR SIDE

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana LGBT rights activists said Tuesday that history is on their side and they will continue pressing for statewide civil rights protections for gender identity and sexual orientation despite lawmakers’ unwillingness to act during the recently adjourned legislative session. nn

SUBWAY FRANCHISER FINED $50,000 IN HIV+ FIRING

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (AP) - Gay rights advocates in Oklahoma on Monday celebrated the demise of more than two dozen bills in the Oklahoma Legislature this year that they say unfairly discriminate against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. All 27 bills that were targeted as discriminatory against the constitutional rights of LGBT people failed to advance after a key deadline passed last week, said Troy Stevens, director of the gay rights group Freedom Oklahoma. nn

Ohio Supreme Court becomes gender-neutral

COLUMBUS, OH (AP) - The Ohio Supreme Court is adopting the use of gender-neutral references in family court cases in place of words such as husband and wife following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling legalizing gay marriage across the country. The updates to the Ohio high court rules and forms take effect Tuesday. nn

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The operator of five Indianapolis-area Subway restaurants has agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a federal discrimination lawsuit filed over its firing of an HIV-positive employee. The federal agency’s lawsuit alleged that the franchisee fired an employee at its Subway store in the Hamilton County town of Sheridan in January 2015 after he disclosed to a manager that he was HIV positive. nn

Gay rights advocates celebrate demise of Anti-LGBT Bills

March 17, 2016

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Just days after John Armstrong lost his job as surgeon general, Gov. Rick Scott’s administration has given him a top position in the department he had been running. That means Armstrong, who has colon cancer, will keep drawing a paycheck and keep his state government benefits, including his subsidized health insurance, as deputy secretary of administrative services.

SOUTH BEND, IN. (AP) - The bishop of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese says he disagrees with the University of Notre Dame’s decision to give its top award, the Laetare Medal, to Vice President Joe Biden given his positions on abortion and gay marriage. Bishop Kevin Rhoades questions questions the proprietary of honoring a “public official who was a major spokesman for the redefinition of marriage.” nn

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PALM BEACH, FL - While Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami get most of the attention for vacationing LGBTs from around the globe, Palm Beach County is aggressively pursuing that gay tourist dollar. According to an ad that ran in the Sunday New York Times travel section in which two men were sunning on a white sand beach, Palm Beach county is the new “inspot” for same-sex marriages and honeymoons. Well, perhaps. In a study on LGBT travel destinations, West Palm Beach ranks sixth behind Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa and the Keys. “For the gay and lesbian, LGBT travelers this is the perfect ideal destination to get married and enjoy yourselves,” said Ashley Svarney, spokesperson for Discover the Palm Beaches.

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FLORIDA

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Go to floridaagenda.com to read more about these stories.

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News Briefs

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ElEction 2016

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What Hillary Clinton will do for you Hillary Clinton: A Champion for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community BY HILLARY CLINTON

The Supreme Court’s decision on marriage equality represented our country at its best: inclusive, open and striving towards equality. It was the affirmation that LGBT Americans deserve to live their lives free from discrimination. Although America has taken tremendous strides towards equality, our fight is far from over. Too many LBGT Americans are still denied full protection under our laws. Hillary Clinton knows that the fight for LGBT rights won’t be over until every American can not only marry, but live, work, pray, learn and raise a family free from discrimination and prejudice.

nDefend and expand the Affordable Care Act. The LGBT community faces unique health disparities, including a higher prevalence of HIV, mental health issues, obesity and substance abuse. Many of these have been linked to the historical structural discrimination against LGBT Americans, which for decades has created barriers in the health care system for the community. Under the ACA, millions of LGBT individuals can now enjoy comprehensive coverage without being discriminated against based on their sexual orientation or pre-existing conditions such as HIV. Hillary will fight against Republican efforts to repeal the law and will build on the ACA to ensure lower out-of-pocket medical costs for LGBT individuals. nCreate a safer environment for LGBT Americans. A recent Association of American Universities study found that three out of four LGBT college students report

experiencing sexual harrassment while in college. This has to end. Hillary has laid out her vision to bring an end to sexual assault on America’s campuses—because every student deserves a safe environment where they can learn and thrive, not live in fear. She will also continue her lifelong record of fighting against LGBT hate crimes and all forms of violence to put an end to this injustice. nDefend marriage equality. The Supreme Court’s decision reflects the will of the vast and growing multitude of Americans who believe that LGBT couples deserve to be recognized under the law and treated equally. Hillary will fight against Republican attempts to roll back the ruling and ensure that same-sex marriage remains a constitutional right. Hillary has a lifelong record of fighting for equality for all: nAs Senator of New York, Hillary worked to defeat the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA), which would define marriage in the U.S. as the union between one man and one woman. She also championed hate crimes legislation, fought for federal nondiscrimination legisla-

tion to protect LGBT Americans in the workplace, and advocated lifting restrictions blocking LGBT couples from adopting kids. Additionally, Hillary cosponsored the Early Treatment for HIV Act that would expand expands access to vital treatment options for low-income individuals living with HIV. nAs Secretary of State, Hillary declared on the global stage, “Gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights,” reinforcing the U.S.’ commitment to advancing LGBT rights abroad. She also led efforts to pass the first- ever UN Resolution on LGBT Human Rights and launched the Global Equality Fund to assist civil society organizations that promote LGBT rights. And in an effort to enforce stronger anti-discrimination regulations within the State Department, Hillary ended State Department regulations denying same-sex couples and families equal rights and directed the Department to implement LGBTfriendly workplace policies. Moreover, Hillary updated the Department’s policy for transgender persons’ passports to reflect an individual’s new gender. nn March 17, 2016

As President, Hillary will: nSupport the Equality Act. Currently, no federal law explicitly protects LGBT Americans from all forms of discrimination. 21 percent of LGBT adults report facing workplace discrimination and the LGBT community overall is more likely to earn a lower family income on the basis of sexual orientation. This is why Hillary will fight to pass the Equality Act, a law that would guarantee full federal protection for the LGBT

community, protecting them from discrimination in education, credit, employment, housing, federal assistance, jury service and public accommodations.

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#STREETBEATAGENDA

By Jameer Baptiste

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EXIT POLLS T

he votes are in! Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump win the Florida primary election for their respective parties. But don’t you want to know more than just who won, we most certainly do. So we took to the streets to pick the minds of our Florida voters. And their responses are quite interesting. Check them out for yourself.

BREAKDOWN 32 PEOPLE SURVEYED GENDER 26 – Male 4 – Female 2 – Nonconforming RACE 14 – White 4 – Black 13 – Hispanic/Latin 1 – Asian 1 – Other

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IDENTIFY AS 26 – Gay Male 1 – Transgender 5 – Straight 1 – Queer

POLITICAL AFFILIATION Democrat – 26 Republican – 3 Independent – 3 PARTY VOTE Democrat – 29 Republican – 3 MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES 1. Multiple Concerns 2. Economy 3. Healthcare

LEAST IMPORTANT ISSUES 1. Anti-Gay Rights 2. Anti-Immigration Policies

What do you have to say?

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DO YOU SUPPORT LGBT RIGHTS? ALL 32 SAID YES DOES YOUR CANDIDATE SUPPORT LGBT RIGHTS? 9% DIDN’T KNOW IF THEIR CANDIDATE SUPPORTED LGBT RIGHTS 3% KNEW THAT THEIR CANDIDATE DIDN’T SUPPORT LGBT RIGHTS. DOES WHETHER YOUR CANDIDATE SUPPORT LGBT RIGHTS MATTER IN YOUR VOTE DECISION? 91% SAID YES 9% SAID NO!!! WHEN DID YOU FINALLY DECIDE FOR WHOM TO VOTE? 13% THE DAY OF 13% WEEKS AGO 74% OVER A MONTH AGO

81% of respondents identify as LGBT, yet 19% didn’t factor LGBT rights into their decision on whom to vote.

38% of the people said LGBT rights are the most important issue to them when it comes to the election.

91% feel that a Republican presidential victory would mean trouble for LGBT rights, yet only 38% factored LGBT rights as one of their most important issues.

81% believe that a Republican president would try to block marriage equality yet none of the respondents selected anti-LGBT politics as an important concern of theirs for this election

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!

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March 17, 2016

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[ JUST ADAM

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The week reflected back through fabulously funny eyes

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WANTING A FRENCH TREAT. Is it just me, or is anybody else in the mood for Canadian bacon? Prime Minister Justin Trudeau = hottie! DEMOCRATS VS REPUBLICANS. Politics aside (ironically), it is truly how sadly divided and angry we have gotten as a nation. NEW GIFT SHOP PROMOTIONAL ITEMS. I think I’ve turned into that proverbial, predictable white-haired cartoon woman that CANNOT talk to anyone unless she’s had her morning coffee first. Expect my face on coffee mugs and sweatshirts at your local gag gift shop. MY NEW GRINDR SEARCH. Amen... I’m so tired of jobs I find boring and I satisfying...I think I’m going full-on Anna Nicole in my search for a partner... From this point on I wholeheartedly declare that the only diapers I will be changing my life or my soon-to-be sugar daddies!

KATHY GRIFFIN LIKE A BOSS TOUR

MARCH 31 • 8 PM AU-RENE THEATER

HAVING A LEGALLY BLONDE MOMENT. the rage this year! RIP Bruiser!!

Celebrity deaths still

WHERE DID RICHARD SIMMONS GO? Oh my God! This is SO “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” Free Richard! HOUSEHOLD MISPHAPS. That was a lovely experience. My whole shower door set up just completely collapsed on me as I was showering, cutting my foot and making me holler. I felt like Janet Leigh in “psycho,” except I’m not blonde and I have a penis and I’m alive. JUST A THOUGHT TO PUT OUT THERE. The entertainment media has been all-abuzz about an upcoming Beetlejuice 2 movie with originals Tim Burton, Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder… But no mention of Geena Davis yet… Stay with me here but riddle me this… Has anyone seen both Geena Davis and Caitlyn Jenner in the same room at the. Same time? Hmmmmm... IT’S CALLED A TONGUE BATH. Ok Kathy! Don’t give me that saucy look just because my social commentator items are on Fleek (as is my stunning headshot) as always! Haters gonna hate!

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Tickets at BrowardCenter.org Ticketmaster | 954.462.0222 Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office Group Sales | 954.660.6307

PRESS AUTO REPEAT. OMG!! This earworm of a song has literally been playing in my head non-stop for 3 days on a continuous loop! Please kill me now!!! Billy Preston – Nothing From Nothing [1074].

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

ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS 77 YEARS, AN OPENLY GAY ATHLETE WILL COMPETE IN THE NCAA COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT BEGINNING THIS WEEK. SETON HALL SENIOR GUARD DERRICK GORDON.

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“AFTER TONIGHT IT IS CLEAR THAT WHILE WE ARE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THIS YEAR WE WILL NOT BE ON THE WINNING SIDE. AMERICA IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A REAL POLITICAL STORM. IT WAS NOT GOD’S PLAN THAT I BE PRESIDENT IN 2016. I ASK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DO NOT GIVE INTO THE FEAR, DO NOT GIVE INTO THE FRUSTRATION,” HE SAID.

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“I FELT FLORIDA NEEDED TO BE CHANGED, OUR COUNTRY AND OUR WORLD NEED SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO PROTECT OUR SECURITY LIKE NEVER BEFORE, AND THAT’S WHY I SUPPORT DONALD.” BONDI SAID.

RUBIO SUSPENDS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.

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PAM BONDI ENDORSES DONALD TRUMP

SALLY FIELD TALKS TO PARENTS WHO DON’T ACCEPT THEIR GAY CHILDREN .

“FIRST OF ALL, DON’T BE FRIGHTENED. AND DON’T PUT YOUR OWN PREJUDICES OR FEARS ABOUT SEXUALITY, YOUR OWN FEARS ABOUT SEXUALITY – ON YOUR CHILDREN,” SAID FIELD. “SEXUALITY IS A HUMAN GLORIOUS PART OF EXISTENCE.”

Theresa Coughlin, Fort Lauderdale resident. “Scientist has made a genetic mosquito to slow down the zika virus? Huh! Zika out of nowhere, that has been around many years and coincidental the Olympics are in Brazil this year, talk about boosting the use of condoms since it can be sexually transmitted,” Coughlin said.

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Pope Francis said Tuesday, “Mother Teresa will become a saint on Sept. 4, 2016.” Francis officially cleared Mother Teresa for sainthood on Dec. 17, 2015, recognizing her “miraculous healing” of a Brazilian man with multiple brain abscesses.

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COVER STORY

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BEACH BEAR WEEKEND ?

NOPE

BY RICHARD HACK

March 17, 2016

As those of us in the LGBT community know, Fort Lauderdale loves a good party. And one of the most colorful for the past four years has been the annual Beach Bear Weekend. Started in May of 2012 by a group headed by Bob Young, the event was designed to appeal to bears, otters, wolves and cubs. Bears, of course, are a jovial lot. Large, hairy, bellied creatures of the night who know how to have a fine time. Lest you forget, otters are bears without much of the gut and most of the hair. Wolves are muscled bears who strut around expecting appreciation of their masculinity, and typically get it—particularly from cubs, the younger set. Normally around this time of year, we’d be preparing for the annual onslaught of bears the first week of May; and indeed, if you check on BeachBearWeekend. com, the website informs us that the event is back for its fifth year. It lists a variety of captivating, if not super original, events for the party, slated to run between May 5-9 (coincidentally the same weekend as the Lauderdale Air show, Fleet Week, and Mother’s Day). According to the website, a Beach Bear Weekend Pass costs $129.99

(recently reduced from $169.00). “Beach Bear Weekend General Admission Pass - Includes General Admission Entry to Pool Parties, Beach Parties, Nightlife Events.” The deluxe Beach Bear VIP Weekend Pass is $209.00 (down from the original $269.00). This is supposed to provide “VIP Access to Pool Parties, Beach Parties, Nightlife Events, and more.” The “Co-Host hotel” is listed as the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort where a “King Studio Package” or a “Queen Studio Package” will run you $1,581.00 (discounted from the original $1,861.00). This package which includes “Free Shipping” is supposed to get you invited to “Beach Parties,” “Pool Parties, “Nightsly Events” and “After-Hours”.” Word that the event was having some credibility issues began to creep into the bear community when it was learned that some of the events listed on the schedule were actually not happening. Well, all of the events actually. Yes, there will no doubt be bears assembled on Sebastian Beach, where a “Beach Bear Weekend Beach Party” was scheduled each day from 12 pm to 4 pm. Being held on a public beach means that anyone can go—bears included—

for free. No pass needed. A similar problem surfaces with the “Registration Party” at Casablanca Café across from the Beach from 4 pm to 7 pm. Casablanca’s General Manager David Townsend confirmed that he was contacted by the new organizer, Craig Jungwirth, but there was no official arrangement solidified for a Happy Hour party. “I told this guy he would have to put down a deposit,” Townsend said, “and that was something that he was unwilling to do.” Happy Hour does go on at Casablanca Café, but once again, it’s a free event. First come, first serve. Next on the schedule is a party t Village Pub, labeled the “Official Opening Party” at which “drink specials all night with Beach Bear Weekend Tags/Passes” are supposed to be offered. Trouble is, the Village Pub owners don’t want to be involved with the organizer and have posted notices to reinforce their non-participation. Just to be clear, Village Pub has withdrawn its sponsorship of this year’s BeachBear event. Mr. Jungwirth, the owner/organizer of this event, was asked to remove our logo from the event page, but has refused. Village Pub is a proud supporter of the Bear Community

in south Florida. As always, we welcome the patronage of any of its attendees, but do not feel that it is in the best interest of Village Pub to be a sponsor of the event under its current leadership. Since Village Pub doesn’t charge a cover and no special drink discounts are planned for BeachBear Weekend passholders, this is another non-event open to the public. On Friday, May 6, there’s more Sebastian Beach and Casablanca Café non-events as well as another Village Pub non-existant Happy Hour Party for Beach Bear Tags/ Pass holders. At 9 pm to midnight, the website advertises a “Beach Rooftop Party” at the Snooze Hotel Rooftop deck. Rob, owner of the Snooze Hotel confirms that while Jungwirth had indeed placed a deposit with the hotel, that that deposit was returned to Jungwirth “after some disturbing meetings occurred” that convinced the Snooze Hotel that the event organizer was unstable and an “unreliable business partner.” The Rooftop Deck will not be open on May 6 to any bears, tags or no tags. Saturday’s events include a $49.99 brunch at the Ritz Carlton Hotel from 10 am to 2 pm. The restaurant at the Ritz Carlton is a fancy affair known as the Burlock

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Graphics By: HRC.org

have decided not to sponsor this years Beach Bear Weekend. Several weeks ago we had asked the organizer to remove any reference to Hunters Fort Lauderdale from the Beach Bear Weekend’s website. We welcome any and all event goers to Hunters Fort Lauderdale. (Come as you are. No tags or passes required.) Further complicating matters is that the “Co-Host Hotel,” the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort has no knowledge of Jungwirth or the BeachBear Weekend, has not blocked rooms in anticipation of the event, and will not honor any bookings not made through the hotel or its authorized websites. Additionally, a four-night stay at the hotel, should it be available for that weekend, would cost hundreds of dollars less than the $1,581 price being offered by Jungwirth. When the Florida Agenda attempted to reach out to Jungwirth, we discovered he had been served with an eviction notice at his studio apartment on Alahambra Street for non-payment of $1,100 in rent to his landlord James Ostryniec. Additionally, Jungwirth had a permanent injuction issued on February 2, 2016 to prevent him from getting within 500 feet of his former employer Matrix Systems Inc. Seems he was seen making threatening movements with a power drill against his former coworkers. Suffice it to say, the end of the BeachBear Weekend story has yet to be completely told. At the moment, however--BeachBear Weekend: Nope. nn

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Coast. Gorgeous restaurant, refined dining and a great ocean view. While the concept of hairy bears in tank tops having brunch at the Ritz Carlton has all the essential ingredients for a comedy series, the restaurant isn’t even open at 10 am on Saturday. Its actual brunch starts at 11:30 and is a rather pricey a la carte spread that is, in fact, incredible. Just not available for $49.99 and certainly not at 10 am. The Burlock Coast’s general manager Jimmy Choi remembers Jungwirth, who enquired about using the facility. Once again, however, he refused to put down a deposit to reserve the space, and as Jimmy Choi remembers was “disagreeable” at best. According to the official schedule, there is a event planned Saturday night at Hunters Nightclub in Wilton Manors beginning at 9 pm to 3 am with DJ Neon the GlowGo Bear. Sorry bears, otters, wolves and cubs, Ken Hunter who owns the club posted his own warning about the event. Let me clarify Hunters Fort Lauderdale’s position regarding The Beach Bear Weekend. We are not sponsoring the event. In the past, Hunters Fort Lauderdale has always sponsored and supported Beach Bear Weekend. Our commitment to the Bear Community has been long and dedicated. Hunters Nightclubs through the years has sponsored many Bear events both in Palm Springs and in Fort Lauderdale. Because of Beach Bears organizer, the late start date and lack of events offered by The Beach Bear Weekend this year we

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Publisher Maura “Mumball” Lane

2000 Oakland Park Blvd. Suite 106 | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 Phone: 954-380-8563 | www.floridaagenda.com

Art Director Kevin Broady

AS I SEE IT

A BIG NIGHT FOR HILLARY AND A MAN NAMED THE DONALD

he headline read, “Trump, Clinton Take Florida.” The time was barely 7:30 pm. The polls had been closed for just 30 minutes and already there were victory speeches everywhere on-line. By 8 p.m., Marco Rubio was conceding his loss in this home state to a raucous audience of disbelievers who found it difficult to accept Marco’s defeat, and his acknowledgement that The Donald had accomplished a “big win.” Moments later, he showed us just how big a win it actually was as Rubio announced he was dropping his run for the White House. That being said, the election results in Florida hid far more information than the winners’ tallies revealed. The Florida Agenda conducted its own non-scientific exit poll research and learned some rather unexpected information. Out of all the states that held elections last Tuesday, Florida was the only one that had a majority of Black and Latino voters making the trip to the ballot booth. Among By Democrats, Richard Black voters Hack comprised 27% of the total; while Latino voters measured 20%, Asians 2%, Among Republicans that number was lower: 1 in every four. These voters, and the white and Asians who joined them, had predetermined their candidate of choice long before voting day. In the SunMarch 17, 2016

Editor-In-Chief Richard Hack richardhack@wirld.com

shine State, only one in 10 decided on the spot for whom they were casting their vote. (In other states, polls suggested that it was one in five.) As expected, Hillary Clinton scored extremely well with women in Florida, including the lesbian vote which was heaviest in Palm Beach County. 68% of women voted for Clinton, while 61% of men cast their ballot for the former Senator from New York. White evangelicals made up a full third of the Republican voters in Florida. Ted Cruz is the prime Republican evangelical candidate, yet Cruz did not carry a single Florida county. Even Marco Rubio managed to only win a single county—MiamiDade, with an impressive 62% of the vote. Clinton, on the other hand, won in every county in Florida with the exception of a handful up north: Holmes County (Bonifly is the county seat) where Sanders scored with a total of 51.7%; Calhoun County, with Blountstown, where Sanders won 49.25%; Liberty County (Bristol) where he scored 47.1%; Suwannee County (yes, there is a Suwannee River) 44.3%; Lafayette County (Mayo), 50.9%, Gilchrist County (Trenton), 50.7%; Dixie County (Cross City), 45.1%, Baker County (McClenny).47.4%; and Union County (Lake Butler) and home to Florida’s death row, 51.6%. While that may seem like a substantial win, it is small change when compared with the 60 other counties in Florida—all won by Clinton. Hillary’s total delegate count now stands at 1606, compared with Sanders 851. Unless there is a HUGE stumble along the way, it is now

And then she launched into her atstatistically a near impossibility for tack on Trump: “When we hear a canSanders to successfully win enough didate for president call for rounding remaining delegates to surmount up 12 million immigrants, banning Clinton’s lead. all Muslims from entering the United For all his bluster and bravado, States, when he embraces torture, that Trump is in a far less enviable posidoesn’t make him strong, it makes tion. While he has locked down a him wrong,” she told the crowd. large plurality of voters on the right, Echoes of cheers from the standit is not nearly enough to convince ing-room-only crowd at the Palm his base, let along his own campaign Beach Convention Center are still committee, that he is invincible. And resonating throughout the state. his position appears to be weakening. Trump’s delegate count currently stands at 673, with his closest comRichard Hack is the award-winpetitor Ted Cruz scoring in at 411. ning author of 26 books, and the Marco Rubio’s delegate count of 169 Vice President of Content for Mulare far more likely to drift toward timedia Platforms’ publications. Cruz than Trump, moving his total closer to 580. Expect to see the LGBT community rolling out it voting machine, attacking Trump on his own platform which once gave confidence to gay voters. No longer. Trumps waffling A PUBLICLY-TRADED LGBTQ COMPANY on same-sex marriage and STOCK SYMBOL: MMPW anti-discrimination bills will corporate likely cost him dearly in the months ahead. PETER JACKSON According to the New President, COO & Group Executive Publisher York Times, in every state that voted on Tuesday except Kevin Hopper Maura “Mumball” Lane Vice President l Operations VP l Sales & Marketing for Florida, about two in five Republicans said they Richard Hack Dennis Dean would consider voting for a Vice President l Content Vice President l Creative third-party candidate over Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton Jeff Sterling Michael Turner President l Digital Media Ventures Vice President l Finance in November. It’s little wonder that Keith Chamlee Tim Hart Hillary was smiling ear-toCorporate Circulation Director Chief Financial Officer ear in West Palm Beach on Tuesday night. She called for C. Lawrence Rutstein a president that will “defend Chairman of the Board our country and not embarrass it.” ROBERT “BOBBY” BLAIR Founder & CEO

DR. DURRELL’S SPIRITUAL PRESCRIPTIONS

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to discoveries that offer hope, courage, strength, healing, dignity and joy. And, holding on to what is good means that we can also jettison what is life-diminishing, soul crushing, joy smothering, or insulting to our personhood. This is one of the many gifts gay and lesbian people have to offer the world. We were fortunate enough to have to question the negative views others held against us. We were blessed to have the opportunity to discover our sacred value. And once we did that work, we then had the skills to question other beliefs…especially beliefs that give privilege or power to one group over another (men over women, the U.S. over other countries, straight people over LBGT people, Christians over non-Christians, cisgender people over transgender people, etc.). Queer people have the ability (and perhaps the responsibility) to demonstrate the courage it takes to ask questions and to believe that our questions are more important than pre-packaged answers. And those of us who call ourselves religious must also ask the questions that will keep religion from being a tool of oppression ever again.

Durrell Watkins holds a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Episcopal Divinity School. He is the senior minister of the Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale.

What’s your opinion?

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@ mmplgbt.com. We welcome comments on our Facebook page also.

March 17, 2016

PAUL BERGE

and it wasn’t going away. Denying it only delayed my ability to experience joy in my life as the person I was. Accepting that I was innately and unchangeably gay meant that I had to reconsider all of things that I thought I knew. After studying scripture, theology, sociology, psychology, and my inner-most self, I came to believe that homosexuality is a normal part of the diversity of life; but that means that the people who had taught me the things I was meant to accept as true were mistaken about the sinfulness of homosexuality. Once I really embraced that fact, I then naturally had to ask, “What else did they get wrong?” Maybe they were wrong about God’s preference for Christians. Maybe they were wrong about men having a divine right to rule the church, the home, and the world. Maybe “God” wasn’t a boy’s name. The Apostle Paul (who is not my favorite biblical figure, but even a broken clock is right twice a day) wrote, “Test everything. Hold on to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5.21). In other words, there is real value in asking honest questions and holding on

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THE GIFT OF QUESTIONING

I grew up believing certain things. I believed them because in my rural, southern environment, such beliefs were common. What I believed included: ~ God was male. ~ God was Christian (or at least, God wanted everyone else to be Christian). ~ Heterosexual love and attractions were OK…homosexual love and attractions were not. ~ Men were to be the head of their households (and mostly, they were to be in charge of everything else). By Rev. But something hapDurrell pened early in my life. Watkins By the time I was nineteen, I had to admit to myself something that had been obvious to others since I was about 4 years old: I was gay. This wasn’t a phase; it had been with me my entire life,

[

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OPINION

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THE AGENDA INTERVIEW

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Vicky Garcia proves that hard work and determination lead to business success. Despite dropping out of high school, Garcia rose up the ranks at Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, and is now the Chief Operating Officer and co-owner. In the process, she has become one of the most respected women in the travel industry. The Cuban-American and proud lesbian has also committed herself to charity work, including LGBT causes. We recently had a chance to speak to her about her various interests.

VICKY GARCIA 2012 WOMAN OF THE YEAR - FT. LAUDERDALE 2014 SOFLA BUSINESS JOURNAL 25 MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN

March 17, 2016

1623 FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS ORGANIZATIONS VICKY SUPPORTS: PET RESCUE (MIAMI, FL) THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY KIDS IN DISTRESS KIDS WITH CANCER

BY PATRICK BERKLEY Photo: Sophy Holland

BERKLEY: Why do you have such a passion for LGBT travel? GARCIA: I believe that people should be good to one another. That is not an LGBT issue— that is a human issue. When my partner and I wanted to get married in 2013, we had to go to New York City for a legal wedding. I took my personal story and shared it in a way that brought light to the issue within the travel industry. As soon as it was legal to get married in our home state of Florida, we renewed our vows with 99 other couples, including former boy band singer Lance Bass and his husband Michael Turchin in Fort Lauderdale—it was special to take a stand and represent that ALL love is love. BERKLEY: What is different for LGBT community members traveling? GARCIA: LGBT travelers should look for destinations that are LGBT-friendly. Safety should continue to be a top priority for LGBT travelers since globally there are still some advances that need to happen in some destinations—this is where a professional travel agent, who knows the best LGBT-friendly destinations, cruise lines, resorts and tours can come in handy. BERKLEY: How did you go from dropping out of high school

to becoming such a successful businesswoman? GARCIA: I was always interested in learning but had to do it in my own way since I am not the traditional academic type. I call myself a “gadget girl” and am always teaching myself the latest in technology and am passionate about experiencing life to the fullest while traveling. Being creative, thinking outside the box, being tech curious, and always questioning the status quo has made me a successful businesswoman. BERKLEY: You have initiated a lot of charity programs, notably CP Cares. Describe the program and its effect on society. GARCIA: I am so proud of all we have done with Cruise Planners’ CP Cares program—we have positively impacted so many lives not only through the charities we support, but also through our franchise owners and our home office team. So many of us are impacted by the various types of cancer, so we passionately support The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I held The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Women of the Year title in 2012 and continue to be involved and serve as the ViceChair on the Board of Trustees. Our team has helped raise more than $1 million during the past few years.

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two grooms and broward center present

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apr 10

an interactive gay wedding comedy

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Mar 31

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March 17, 2016 17

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FREEDOM TO MARRY BIRTHS NEW BABIES

March 17, 2016

The irony for most of us in the NGO world is that we work for our own extinction. We crave obsolescence. And we do it with the certainty that our efforts will not in fact become redundant in our own lifetimes. We will not taste the victory of an end to hunger, poverty, homelessness, AIDS, animal abuse. Nuclear weapons will not be abolished. But then there’s Freedom to Marry, which closed its doors, jubilantly, in July 2015. Freedom to Marry, a nonprofit that advocated for the nationwide legalization of BY sameLINDA sex PENTZ marriage, actually won. Its staff could pronounce, with no hint of irony or Bushian BS, “mission accomplished.” And so its founder and leading light, Evan Wolfson, closed the doors. Not that the fight for marriage equality is completely over. The law of the land continues to be challenged by those on the religious right who would seek to circumvent it.

But other equality fights remain. And so a new group has emerged to take them on — Freedom For All Americans — helmed by Matt McTighe, who had led the successful ballot initiative for marriage equality in Maine. Freedom For All Americans is not a direct offshoot of Freedom to Marry but its logical progenitor, and with a single purpose: to secure comprehensive protections from discrimination. The single, rather than multi-issue, focus, explained McTighe when we talked recently, differentiates Freedom For All Americans from other national groups. The non-discrimination agenda is important, says McTighe because “only 17 states currently have full, 100 per cent protections for every issue.” Freedom For All Americans must also work across both aisles because, as McTighe points out, “in most places that we have to do this work, the legislatures are solidly Republican.” They work “state by state,” he said, in search of “incremental victories.” And he is resolutely focused on the positive. “We cannot just play defense,” he said. “We have to give people something they can be for.” That, he said, was the winning formula for Freedom to Marry. A big part of that is

training people to tell their stories as well as resourcing communities so that they can advocate for themselves. As a national group, said McTighe, they want to do more than just parachute in and out without supplying in-state activists with the necessary skills and tools for the long haul. With the current flurry of ugly bills in statehouses across the country threatening to batten down freedoms for LGBT citizens, McTighe and his team will have little if any down time. Wolfson is not staying idle either. In true activist style, he cannot retire to a deckchair in the sun with a margarita and call it a day. Or at least, not for more than a day. So Wolfson is taking his Freedom To Marry campaign across the globe, everywhere from Italy to India. Most recently, he has been in Japan where he tweeted he was “very hopeful for progress.” The trip was part of what he has dubbed his Rainbow Tours. Hopefully he won’t have to wait yet more decades for that next pot of victory gold. Linda Pentz is the Washington correspondent of the Florida Agenda. She can be contacted at lindapentz@mmplgbt.com. Follow her on Twitter @CapitolAgenda

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CAPITOL BEAT

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Freedom For All Americans Facts STATES WITH FULL LGBT NON-DISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS

In 17 states and the District of Columbia, state law protects people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations:

STATES WITH NO LGBT NON-DISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS

In 28 states, there are no explicit statewide law protecting people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations:

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March 19 • 8pm March 20 • 1pm 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

At the NEW Lauderhill Performing Arts Center Northeast Corner of Sunrise & 441

954.777.2055 • LPACFL.com

March 17, 2016

Signature Series 2016

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Donald Trump BY D’ANNE WITOWSKI

March 17, 2016

A recent episode of “This American Life” featured a gay teenager who was totally gay for Donald Trump. This kid’s parents were totally opposed to him being gay and he cited his number one issue as being marriage equality. He believed wholeheartedly that Trump supported marriage equality (he doesn’t). And even after being confronted with evidence that Trump has opinions to the contrary, the kid basically said that Trump pretends to be anti-gay to score points with conservatives, but that he doesn’t really feel that way. And maybe that’s true. But, as John Oliver pointed out about Trump’s racism, he’s either racist or pretending to be and after awhile there isn’t any difference. The same goes for whether or not Trump is hostile to gays. You can only pretend to be anti-gay for so long before you’re anti-gay. So why is there so much confusion about where Trump stands on issues of LGBT equality? Well, for one thing, the contenders for the GOP nomination are basically an antipride parade. Especially Ted Cruz, who can make anybody standing next to him look like a rainbow flag waving PFLAG member.

But there’s also the fact that Trump doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to quell the confusion. During a March 5 press conference, reporter David Martosko asked Trump to clarify his stance on marriage equality and Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court ruling legalizing marriage equality. And Trump wouldn’t do it. “Well, I’ve made it very strong. We have policy on it, and I’ve said it very, very strongly, and I think you know it,” Trump responded to Martosko. “And it’s all done and, you know, how many times do I have to say it? It’s like, as an example, what is my position on 900 different things? I’ve said it 150 times. We’re not here for discussing that. But everybody knows how I feel on it.” Well thank the lord that’s cleared up. It’s exactly his position on 900 different things. Everybody knows! The end! In all seriousness, I honestly thing that Trump’s brain kind of resets itself in the middle of his sentences, much like how a space heater automatically turns off if it gets tipped over. While this might keep his brain from catching on fire, it also prevents him from making any sense. To be clear, Trump has

never come out in support of marriage equality. In fact, Trump has very recently asserted that if he were elected, he would appoint conservative Supreme Court justices with the goal to overturn Obergefell, a point he alluded to in the same press conference. “Today I was thinking, for the first time really thinking about this. We lost a great man,” he said of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia who died on Feb. 13. “He needs to be replaced, and you can only replace him with somebody truly great.” Really? Trump had never really thought about the implications of Scalia’s replacement before? I doubt it, but if true then it’s further proof that Trump has no business being president. Also note that Trump says nothing specific about who he would like to see replace the notoriously anti-gay Scalia, except that they be “truly great.” If you think that Trump is LGBT friendly, then I have some Trump Steaks to sell you. Lesbian and gay rights have come so far (still a lot of work to do when it comes to transgender rights), so fast. We can’t risk decades of advancement on the winkand-a-nudge evasiveness of a megalomaniac. nn

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CREEP OF THE WEEK

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[

OPINION

lgbtq Statistics

31 states lack employment protections for LGBT Americans, , according to the Human Rights Campaign. There are no federal barriers to discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

19 Million

Americans (8.2%) report that they have engaged in same-sex sexual behavior.

20% percent of the population are evangelical voters and gay marriage is an issue that resonates among them.

3.5% of adults in the United States identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual and an estimated 0.3% of adults are transgender.

9 Million

LGBT Americans, a figure roughly equivalent to the population of New Jersey.

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NatioNal News poised to become an immediate force on the nation’s highest court. The president urged the Republican-led Senate not to let the particularly fierce and partisan political climate quash the nomination of a “serious man.” “This is precisely the time when we should play it straight,” Obama said. Garland was confirmed to the D.C. Circuit in 1997 with backing from a majority in both parties, including seven current Republicans senators. If confirmed, Garland would be expected to align with the more liberal members, but he is not viewed as down-the-line liberal. Particularly on criminal defense and national security cases, he’s earned a reputation as centrist, and one of the few Democraticappointed judges Republicans might have a fast-tracked to confirmation — under other circumstances. In the current climate, Garland remains a tough sell. Republicans control the Senate, which must confirm any nominee, and GOP leaders want to leave the choice to the next president, denying Obama a chance to alter the ideological balance of the court before he leaves office next January. Republicans contend that a confirmation fight in an election year would be too politicized. Obama’s choice risks deflating some of the energy among the Democratic base. Progressives and civil rights activists had pushed the president to name an African-American woman or to otherwise continue his efforts to expand the court’s diversity. Garland — a white, male jurist with an Ivy League pedigree and career spent largely in the upper echelon of Washington’s legal elite — breaks no barriers. At 63 years old, he would be the oldest Supreme Court nominee since Lewis Powell, who was 64 when he was confirmed in 1971. Presidents tend to appoint young judges with the hope they will shape the court’s direction for as long as possible. nn

Missouri Supreme Court upholds HIV-risk law JEFFERSON CITY, MO (AP) Requiring people who are HIV-positive to inform their sexual partners about their disease does not violate constitutional protections of free speech or privacy, the Missouri Supreme Court wrote in a unanimous opinion released Tuesday. The ruling arose from the case of a woman sentenced to seven years in prison for not telling a man she was HIV-positive before having sex with him. The woman appealed her conviction on the grounds that the law, which also applies to needle-sharing and blood donation, forces her to violate her own privacy through unconstitutionally compelled speech, according to court documents. But Judge Mary Russell wrote that the matter at hand - exposing someone to a disease without their knowledge or consent - is behav-

ior, not speech. Any regulation of speech is incidental to the law, she wrote, and people would not be compelled to disclose anything about themselves unless they want to do something that could endanger someone else. Russell also rejected the claim that the law intruded into a realm of private action, which was the argument used when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Texas’ sodomy laws. Unlike that case, Russell wrote, this law outlaws sexual conduct that is potentially harmful and not truly consensual, since a victim lacks the knowledge to consent to HIV exposure. In 1998, the Missouri Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the law that argued the results of an HIV test were privileged medical information and should not be admissible as evidence. nn March 17, 2016

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama nominated appeals court judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, challenging Republicans to drop their adamant refusal to even consider his choice in an election year. Obama called Garland, a long-time jurist and former prosecutor, “one of America’s sharpest legal minds” and deserving of a full hearing and Senate confirmation vote. Republican leaders, however, have said the vacant high court seat should not be filled until a new president is elected, a stance Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell emphasized immediately after the White House announcement. Garland, 63, is the chief judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a court whose influence over federal policy and national security matters has made it a proving ground for potential Supreme Court justices. He would replace conservative, Justice Antonin Scalia, who died last month, leaving behind a bitter election-year fight over the future of the court. Obama announced choice at a ceremony in the Rose Garden, with Democratic Senate leaders and allies looking on. Garland, who had been passed over before, choked back tears, calling the nomination “the greatest honor of my life.” He described his grandparents’ flight from anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe and his modest upbringing. He said he viewed a judge’s job as a mandate to set aside personal preferences to “follow the law, not make it.” Obama held up Garland as diligent public servant, highlighting his work leading the investigation into the Oklahoma City bombing and prosecutions. He quoted past praise for Garland from Chief Justice John Roberts and Sen. Orrin Hatch. And he said Garland’s talent for bringing together “odd couples” made him a consensus candidate best

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Merrick Garland gets Supreme Court vacancy nod

March 17, 2016

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SunShine State newS

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didn’t end overnight.” Raschein was the first Republican in the Florida Legislature to sponsor the bill to protect LGBT people in the workplace, a measure backed by some of the state’s largest corporations, such as Disney, Winn-Dixie, Marriott and Well Fargo through a group called Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce. Equality Florida said in a statement it’s honoring Raschein because “she is building a truly bi-partisan coalition to ban discrimination, strengthen Florida’s economy and improve Florida’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive state.” is free and open to the public, but organizers ask those attending to RSVP via www.eqfl.org. The event doubles as a fundraiser for the group. nn

Florida has new laws on Confederate statue, gay marriage

nents said the state and federal constitutions already give them. The measures were among more than two dozen bills signed. Among other news: Florida will boycott companies that boycott Israel, disabled veterans will get free parking at public airports and Floridians will be able to designate a custodian to access and manage their social media, email and online financial accounts when they die or become incapacitated. nn

PrideFest 2016 heads to the Palm Beaches

LAKE WORTH, FL - Voted Best LGBT Event of the Year in 2014 and 2015 by the readers of South Florida Gay News, Compass’ PrideFest of the Palm Beaches is expected to break record attendance this year. After achieving marriage equality nationwide in 2015, the LGBT community has more pride than ever before. The weekend long festival, emceed by local celebrities Melissa St.John and Ricky Rollick, will take place on March 19-20 in Bryant Park in Lake Worth, from noon to 6:00 pm. The Vendor Hospitality Tent, sponsored by PNC Bank, will be catered by Ken Keffer Catering. The brand new, waterfront Members Tent, sponsored by Lilly Catering, will feature food, a DJ, and drinks from Tito’s Vodka. Rocking Saturday’s stage are DJ Legato, Teri Catlin, David Bowie Tribute, The L Word’s BETTY, and Michaela Paige of The Voice! On Sunday, the South Florida Pride Marching Ban, Voices of Pride, Palm Beach Makos Cheerleaders, and Lake Worth Playhouse’s Steve Young will warm up the stage. Following the parade, DJ ARLO, Jeminii, Velvet Lenore & K-Otic Force,

and DJ Citizen Jane will keep the party going all day long. Sunday’s “Pride and Patriotism” parade will feature floats and marchers decked out in red, white, and blue, celebrating pride in the LGBT community during this election year. The “Pride and Patriotism” Parade, sponsored by Wells Fargo, kicks off at 11:30 am heading east on Lake Avenue and directly into Bryant Park. In a gesture of genuine support, the Palm Beach County School Police collaborated with Compass to invite all LGBT students, GSAs, and Equality Clubs to march together in Sunday’s Pride Parade. “Being invited to march side by side with the School Police makes us feel less invisible and more safe at school. It means a lot to know they have our backs,” explained one member of Compass’ LGBT youth group. Festival food, drinks, live music, performances, fantastic vendors, and the LGBT community will make PrideFest of the Palm Beaches bigger and better than ever. PrideFest of the Palm Beaches is hosted, planned, and produced by Compass, The LGBT Community Center of the Palm Beaches. nn March 17, 2016

TALLAHASSEE-- (AP) Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith’s time representing Florida in the U.S. Capitol is coming to an end and clergy will be able to say no to gay weddings under new Florida laws. Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill Thursday that calls for Smith’s statue in the National Statuary Hall to be replaced and another that puts into law language that clergy don’t have to marry samesex couples - a right bill oppo-

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The state’s largest gay-rights group will give its highest honor this year to state Rep. Holly Raschein (R-Key Largo) for her determination in trying to pass an antidiscrimination bill that state lawmakers recently killed yet again. Rschein will be honored at the 16th annual Equality Florida Key West Gala, beginning at 5:30 pm at the Garden Hotel, 526 Angela Street, Key West, FL 33040. The bill -- this year Raschein’s House Bill 45 and the companion Senate Bill 120 -- would have added sexual orientation and gender identity to Florida’s civil-rights law. Versions of it have languished in Tallahassee for a decade but Raschein has no plans to give up on it. “We’re talking about a major policy shift here,” she said. “The civil-rights movement in the 1960s didn’t end overnight. Slavery

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Equality Florida to honor Congresswoman Holly Raschein

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FROM OUR ARCHIEVES

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March 17, 2016

Love Jones: Who Made This Guy?

Some say he was born on a shooting star. Others swear that he descended from a midnight moon. There are those who tell stories of him arriving on a summertime snowflake. A few insist that he just popped into existence out of a cloud of glitter. But no matter how he got here, his arrival in this world was fantastic. And gay. REAL gay. Our guy in question starts his day with Whitney and Britney, to the accompaniment of hair flips and “BAMs” (wink). For breakfast, he eats little-tonothing, and he takes pride in it. Although he’s more straight-laced at work—of course—he By still gossips Justin about the cutie Jones who took over Cindy’s old cube (“Girl, did you see that ass?”). Later, he’ll be on the town for happy hour. He’ll kiss his friends when he greets them, order a passion fruit martini, and eye guys like he eyes shoes. On weekends, his attention is focused on helping his girlfriends do their shopping (and discussing their men). He helps decorate houses and entertains with stemware that costs more than his sofa. And the parties—oh, the parties! Those fabulous parties that start with dinner, and end at breakfast. They’re filled with men! Shirtless, perfect, and tan men. Men he’ll bed in excess. Men who’ll give him as much love as a few hours will allow. You know this guy. What a darling he is, this man from the Land of Rainbows and Unicorns. His style is fiery flamboyance. He’s a fairytale prince(ss) wrapped in a candy-colored, Swarovski Crystal-emblazoned, techno-centric version of Man. He is “The Stereotype,” the representation of who we as gay men

“are” in the minds of those who have no clue that this is precisely what most of us “aren’t.” What makes him so ever-present in the minds of certain people? Is he the “spokesman” they hear for “our side” when it comes time vote for or against LGBT rights? What is it exactly that turns people against him (and, incidentally, the rest of us)? And you—do you fit “his” mold? Or are you one of the masculineguys-only-crowd? Does his description resonate with you, turn you on, or make you sick? And, either way, why does it matter? On the matter of his birth, shooting stars and midnight moons played no part. His arrival instead hastened in the glistening of an evolving society’s hesitant sweat. The caricature was born from a melding of partial truths, and a sampling of the most flamboyant element of the gay masses. Traditionalists “painted” his “picture” and labeled us all, incidentally telling us that if we didn’t fit this portrayal of a gay man, we should hide our truths. If we disobeyed, we automatically became “him” in their eyes. Today, although this clownish image has waned (and “evolved”), the essential “portrait” of this cartoon-like gay man lingers. It follows older generations into voting booths, and acts as easily-accessible, graphic propaganda to harden the opposition (so to speak). Personally, I couldn’t care less. Well, no less than thinking at length about the subject, and then writing about it. For me—and for what I hope is this “evolving” society of ours—these images are images alone. They do not speak to the hardship of our teens, the contribution of our soldiers, the science of our doctors, or the creativity of our artists. The image forgets to inform that we are human beings, each with as much individuality as any of our straight counterparts, each with as much hope—and love—as anyone has ever known. nn

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BY ALEXANDER KACALA

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Pet of the Week

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Ashley: Labrador Retriever / Jack Russell Terrier / Mixed (short coat) Female (spayed) -- Young Ashley weighs approximently 30 pounds. She is a one year old, very smart, mini Lab mix. She is really sweet and loves attention. Ashley has a great personality and would make the perfect family pet.

For more information on these pets, please contact Animal Aid at 754-223-5378. Animal Aid is located at 571 NE 44th Street on the North West corner of Prospect (44th) and 6th in Oakland Park, Florida.

March 17, 2016

Tonny: Toy Poodle (long coat) -- Baby Tonny is an eight week old toy poodle puppy that was left behind after a back yard breeder went out of business.

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Ain’t That A Shane

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PUZZLE

March 17, 2016

Across

1 ‘N Sync member Lance 5 Sonar signal 9 Strip in the locker room 13 Lorca’s eight 14 Celluloid Closet narrator Tomlin 15 From the top 16 Pronoun for King James 17 Nicky, in Funny Girl 18 Like a fruit ready to be plucked 19 Australian drag queen a.k.a. Shane Jenek who sings 35-Across 22 Place of fast-growing sexual activity? 23 Zero of The Producers 27 Barometer type 30 Diff’rent Strokes actress Charlotte 31 Start of a Shakespearean title 33 Teaching deg. 34 Out-of-this-world org. 35 Official theme song of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras 2016 38 Rainbow shapes 39 Title for Derek Jacobi 40 Snakes in the grass 41 Feeling of bottoming out 42 Aging first mate, perhaps 44 Role for Agnes Moorehead 46 Dante translator John 50 Shifting between male and female identity 53 S&M session souvenir? 56 Tammy Baldwin, in brief 57 Michelangelo Signorile’s column, with The 58 Jelly not for bread 59 You might find desire under them 60 Pizarro foe 61 Oral votes 62 What you can catch in South Beach 63 With mouth wide open For the solution to this puzzle go to: floridaagenda.com/puzzle

Down

1 Mismanage 2 Sound of a sudden, involuntary discharge 3 Say “STATS!” in a chat room 4 Sucking candy 5 Witherspoon’s Legally ___ 6 Green fruit 7 Sophie B. Hawkins’ “As ___ Me Down” 8 Aida backdrop 9 Bite-size pies 10 “Not a Pretty Girl” singer Di Franco 11 Get-up-and-go 12 Meadow mama 20 Like a nervous Nellie 21 Provincetown’s Cape 24 The Sound of Music name 25 Makes more bearable 26 DeLaria of Orange Is the New Black 28 Changed the decor of 29 Ban targets 31 Ohio’s “Rubber City” 32 Like a fem’s clothing 34 Longing for Garbo, for example 36 Mead, while living in Samoa 37 Ariz. neighbor 38 Blow away 42 Rough stuff underground 43 Straddling 45 Shrek and others 47 Feeling badly about McClanahan? 48 Style of “We Are Family” 49 Where to see Tom, Dick, or Harry 51 Oscar ___ Renta 52 Frequent award for Modern Family 53 Crazy like a fox 54 Hustler’s stick 55 Org. for Evan Wolfson’s peers

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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

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ATTORNEYS

EVENTS Source Events 605 Lincoln Road, #410 Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-672-9779 / sourceevents.com

FINANCIAL

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INCOME TAX

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FURNITURE

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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 17, 2016

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PAWNBROKERS

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UPHOLSTERY

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MASSAGE

MUSIC

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ORGANIZATIONS

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REAL ESTATE

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March 17, 2016

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Spring Into These Calorie-Burning Activities to Shed Your Winter Padding

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n n n n n BY MIKEY ROX

Train for a Foot Race

Hard time keeping your hands out of the cookie jar this winter? Polish off those last few Oreos then set your sights on spring with these easy-to-integrate activities that’ll have you sweating and shedding in no time.

March 17, 2016

A few weeks ago I decided for the first time to compete in a half-marathon race. My gym was advertising the event, and on the advertisement was a URL for a 12-week, increasingly rigorous conditioning regimen that I could follow to get into race-ready shape. I’m nearly halfway through the program and I’m proud to say that I haven’t missed a goal yet. This may be an intimidating feat for some, but it’s absolutely achievable if you commit yourself to it. To help yourself stay on track, invite a friend to join the race with you; you two can work out together and provide support in times of doubt and fatigue.

Participate in an Obstacle Course

In addition to the half marathon this spring, I’ve also signed up for a challenging obstacle course called Rugged Maniac, which I expect will test my strength and endurance over its 5K course. Some of the obstacles include scaling a warped wall a la Ninja Warrior, jumping over fire, climbing ladders, hopping barricades, trudging through mud and more. If you’re not confident that you can complete a course of this intensity, there are several other traveling fitness courses during the spring and summer months including ROC Race, Insane Inflatable 5K and Mud Factor that may set up camp near you.

Take New Classes at Your Gym

If you already belong to a gym but your routine has lost its luster or you’ve just slacked off because, well, winter, get back into the swing of things by trying something new. Personally, I’m not always a self-motivator when it comes to exercise, so I benefit from the group classes that my gym offers (which at most gyms are included in the regular membership), and the same strategy may work for you. Visit your facility’s website to view the class schedule and register for one or two that appeal to you. You may be surprised at how much you enjoy it.

Sneak in squats while you’re vacuuming the steps, bang out a few pushups when you’re putting storage items under the bed, and do a few curls with your grocery bags from the car to the house. It’s easy to turn your mundane chores into mini-exercises to keep your muscles moving.

Trampoline parks are all the rage right now – seems like a new location opens every month – but they’re not just for kids. Adults can get in on the action too by joining open jumps, playing ultimate dodgeball, dunking baskets or signing up for scheduled fitness programs that will work you out to the tune of 1,000 calories an hour in some classes.

Rent Equipment to Try a New Fitness Activity

Instead of hiring a handyman or gardener to tackle items on your spring-cleaning to-do list, try your own hand at what you’d normally farm out. If you’re capable of cleaning up the yard and laying your own mulch you should be doing it yourself anyway, but at least now you’ll get a decent tan and save a couple hundreds bucks while you’re at it.

Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He splits his time between homes in New York City and the Jersey Shore with his dog Jaxon. Connect with Mikey on Twitter @mikeyrox.

Last year I bought a couple kayaks to add extra activity into my spring and summer routine, and this year one of my goals is to learn how to standup paddle board. These boards are quite expensive to purchase, so renting is a great option for me, especially since I’m not sure I’ll like it. You can rent nearly any kind of sports and fitness equipment these days, from typical bicycles to more extreme equipment like kite-boarding kites. Whatever suits your fancy – and fitness level.

Do More Manual Labor Around the House

March 17, 2016

I’ve been part of a social sports league in some capacity for at least the past 10 years – and I can’t sing the praises of these groups enough. I’ve been a member of kickball, dodgeball and cornhole teams in the past, and currently I play on a couple bowling leagues and a shuffleboard league. I’m certainly not getting buff on these leagues, but they still keep me moving (some more than others), and they’re a great way to dust yourself off, get your blood pumping and make a few new friends as the cold weather makes way for sunshine and warmth.

Pop Into a Trampoline Park

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Join a Social Sports League

Incorporate Exercises Into Your Chores

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One of the cool ways I’m ensuring that I meet certain fitness goals I’ve set for myself, like on my Fitbit fitness tracker, is to accept and extend challenges between the friends with whom I’m connected through the device. Turning the wearable into a little friendly competition is fun, and I push myself a little further every day to stay ahead.

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Accept Challenges on Your Fitness Tracker

HEAR ME OUT

Sia, Panic! at the Disco

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n n n n n BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI

Sia, This Is Acting

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Before she rebranded herself as a behind-the-scenes scribe for mainstream pop giants, Sia reveled in authenticity. Every feeling was pure – and even if it didn’t reflect her life, you believed it could. Remember “Breathe Me”? There was a big sigh, and then she broke you into a million sad, empowered pieces as she came clean one key change at a time. These days, having constructed a persona that’s distant and vague, that same Sia hides behind actual veils so as not to reveal too much of herself, generating hits for radio heavyweights like Adele and Beyoncé. So what happens when they and other pop stars pass on your songs? If you’re Sia, you record them yourself. Once again, Sia, following 1000 Forms of Fear, is larger than life. It’s a role she’s fine at playing – her distinctive warble packs a powerful punch – but it has become apparent that the same mask concealing her face is also obscuring the fact that Sia is a gifted storyteller full of things to say about herself. Her strengths lie in underdog anthems like “Bird Set Free,” where she pushes through the cage door and unleashes herself, singing, “I find myself in my melodies.” There are 11 other songs after “Bird Set Free,” none of them great, leaving you thinking: If only they, too, could find her essence again.

Panic! at the Disco, Death of a Bachelor

March 17, 2016

You know how it goes with pop bands: Eventually the frontman becomes this red-hot superstud star whose spotlight-stealing ways make everyone forget the names of the other band members... or that they exist. Just ask Adam Levine. Unlike Levine, though, Panic! at the Disco’s most delicious dish, Brendon Urie, knows it’s time to seize his solo status and move on. So with Death of a Bachelor, he has. On his own, but still under the Panic! moniker, Urie doesn’t reshape the band considerably, at least not for now, not while he establishes himself as the Brendon Urie Band. It’s clear from this solo release, though, that all his shameless pop dreams are coming true, which is to say Urie is fixated on being your power-pop god. Boisterous rock booms throughout the album’s front-end, but so much of it is empty-calorie ear candy that fans will be longing for days of yore, when Ryan Ross and the rest of the band’s pre-breakup lineup were also a part of the creative process. Still, though, Death of a Bachelor is a backwards evolution for a man still conceptualizing what it means to be on his own.

Elton John No, Elton John

hasn’t had one too many – that face of his, all blithe and framed by pieces of an erupted rainbow to further emphasize the piano man’s state of euphoria, is just his face. It’s the face of a married man. It’s the face of love. It’s the face of “I have nothing to prove.” And so on Elton’s 33rd album, Wonderful Crazy Night, he doesn’t. He’s Elton John, and, at this point, isn’t that enough? A unicorn of an album, Elton lets himself go, jetting back to his beginnings for a blissed-out, ’70sinspired rock ’n’ roll romp where he beams and bounces. From the ebullient title track to the coda’s lovey-dovey lyric “you’re an open chord I’m gonna play all day,” Elton’s shine is affected and infectious.

Lucinda Williams

Lucinda Williams is living. You can hear it in her voice, wrinkled and drunk. But death looms on the alt-icon’s latest, soused in the smoky Americana sound she’s forged for more than three decades. She’s knocking on the “Doors of Heaven,” riffing her way to the finish line with a surprisingly not-macabre Southern-rooted rollick. It’s a striking contrast to “If There’s a Heaven,” a pained elegy. Death evokes childhood nostalgia on the wistful memoir “Louisiana,” as Williams recalls growing up and experiencing both the “sweetness” and the “rough.” Now 63, Williams comes to a powerful understanding on The Ghosts of Highway 20 that you can’t have one without the other. Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service. Reach him via his website at www.chris-azzopardi.com.

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March 17, 2016

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SECRET RECIPE SERIES By Maura “Mumball” Lane

TUNA ES CRAZY

After last week’s St. Patrick’s colcannon with all the butter and potatoes, I had to get back on track so I ran to Living Green Fresh Market in Oakland Park. Living Green Fresh Market has fresh produce, prepared foods to go, juice and coffee bar, deli, and wine and beer. The philosophy at Living Green is about nourishing a healthy and spiritual mind, balance, making a better choice today than yesterday. If you’ve been looking for “good for you” foods to crave, this is the place to go. They were kind enough to share with us this yummy tuna sandwich recipe. Tuna, Quinoa, Kale, Red Cabbage, Greek Yogurt, Red Onion, celery Sliced almonds, sundried toma-

toes, raisins, mint, Kohlrabi, Whole Wheat Wrap. Quinoa: Boil quinoa to desired texture. Add finely cut sundried tomatoes, raisins, sliced almonds & some mint. Tuna: Your choice of tuna, add strained Greek yogurt, a little sliced red onion and some finely cut celery. Kale: Cut kale and add Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Quality of Olive oil is important) Mix in fresh lemon juice and slivered Kohlrabi. Cabbage: Chop red cabbage Lay Wrap on table, -Add Tuna, Quinoa, Kale, and the red cabbage on top. -fold wrap on itself and if you have a Panini grill handy, press for 3 min. Cut in half and enjoy!

March 17, 2016

LIVING GREEN FRESH MARKET 1305 EAST COMMERCIAL BLVD OAKLAND PARK, FL 954-772-9770 LIVINGGREENFRESHMARKET.COM

photo: Living Green

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PHOTOS ADRIANNA CORTEZ

EQUALITY FLORIDA MIAMI GALA

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SPOTLIGHT

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THIRSTY FOR MORE? OF COURSE YOU ARE. CHECK OUT ALL OF THE PHOTOS YOU CAN HANDLE AT FLORIDAAGENDA.COM!

n THE VIOLET HOUR: A

MODERN MEDEA

ELAYNE BOOSLER

THURSDAY 3/17 @ 8:00PM Broward Center In The Violet Hour, a retelling of Euripides’ Greek tragedy Medea, a woman deals with her husband’s affections for a young woman in devastatingly destructive ways. The new play written by Shannon Ouellette and Skye Whitcomb is set right here in South Florida. 8:00 p.m. Broward Center for the Performing Arts. 201 SW 5th Ave. Fort Lauderdale. 33312.

FRIDAY 3/18 @ 8:00PM Boca Black Box Center One of a multitude of female comics from the 1990s who helped inspire classic television character Elaine Benes from Seinfeld, Elayne Boosler is the first woman to ever have her own one-hour comedy special on cable. That feat she bankrolled herself when cable executives decided no one would watch a woman perform an hour of comedy. 8:00 p.m. Boca Black Box Center for the Arts. 8221 Glades Rd. Boca Raton. 33434.

JUDY COLLINS

March 17, 2016

FRIDAY 3/18 @ 8:00PM Coral Springs Center The “maid of constant sorrow” was a folk icon of the ‘60s, known for her classic covers, including her breakthrough piece: a version of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.” Her best-selling 1975 album Judith includes her biggest success, a cover of Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns.” 8:00 p.m. Coral Springs Center for the Arts. 2855 Coral Springs Dr. Coral Springs. 33065.

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 By Patrick Robert

nevents nnightlife ntheatre nexhibits

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T he Week entertainment calendar

SCREEN SAVOR

BY GREGG SHAPIRO

n A CHORUS LINE

SATURDAY 3/19 @ 8:00PM Area Stage Company The ultimate Broadway musical A Chorus Line mines pathos through an exploration of the lives of Broadway hopefuls. Centered around seventeen dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line, the musical shows the different personalities of the performers through songs that act as monologues. It was the longest-running Broadway musical at the time with 6,137 performances. 8:00 p.m. Area Stage Company. 1560 S. Dixie Highway. Coral Gables. 33146.

KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND

SATURDAY 3/19 @ 8:00PM Hard Rock Live The one thing K.C. knows confidently? Exactly the way he likes it, as evidenced by his wildly popular now-wedding staple “That’s the Way (I Like it).” This Florida native’s disco-era band utilized various soul styles to create their signature songs which have gone on to become culturally ubiquitous aspects of American culture. T8:00 p.m. Hard Rock Live. 5747 Seminole Way. Hollywood. 33314.

ith his Oscar-nominated screenplay for Nebraska as well as The Confirmation (Saban Films), the latest film based on one of his screenplays (and the first he has directed), Bob Nelson is becoming the white trash bard. The Confirmation, like Nebraska, involves an odyssey taken by a father and son in order to claim a treasure of sorts, giving it a mythological bent, as well. The treasure in question is a set of expensive and old tools stolen out of the back of a pick-up truck owned by Walt (Clive Owen). Walt, a down-on-his-luck carpenter doing everything within his power to remain sober, is watching his son Anthony (Jaeden Lieberher) for a couple of days while his devout ex-wife Bonnie (queer actress Maria Bello) and her second husband Kyle (Matthew Modine) attend a church-sanctioned couples’ weekend. Anthony, on the verge of his first communion and confirmation, is conflicted and has lots of questions about life and religion. As the father and son follow various leads to retrieve the stolen tools, including interactions with gun-toting dad Vaughn (Tim Blake Nelson), former meth-head Drake (Patton Oswalt) and assorted denizens of the Pacific Northwest, they begin to repair the damage done to their relationship.

STOMP

SUNDAY 3/20 @ 8:00PM Lauderhill Performing Arts Center The explosive musical sensation Stomp takes the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center by storm with its inventive, provocative, witty, and utterly unique theatrical experience. The eight-member troupe uses unconventional percussion instruments such as matchboxes, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, and hubcaps to fill the theatre with resonant rhythms. The new, updated version includes new routines involving paint cans and tractor tire inner tubes. 8:00 p.m. Lauderhill Performing Arts Center. 3800 NW 11th Pl. Lauderhill. 33313.

More than anything, The Confirmation confirms the acting skills of both Owen and Lieberher. It also shows great promise for Nelson as a filmmaker. Macbeth (The Weinstein Company Home Entertainment), now on DVD. Driven husband and soldier Macbeth (Michael Fassbender) and his equally ambitious wife Lady Macbeth (Marion Cotillard), as well as assorted royal families, and a trio of “weird sisters,” populate the latest film version of the violent Shakespeare tragedy, directed by Justin Kurzel. DVD bonus features include a “making of” featurette and Fassbender Q&A.

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March 17, 2016

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March 17, 2016

taining a multi-page precise instructional letter ilmmaker Atom Egoyan is well-known from Max, a train ticket to Cleveland and a few for making films that aren’t easy to hundred dollars in cash. After a stop at a pawn watch (see The Sweet Hereafter) and shop to purchase a gun, Zev begins his incredRemember (A24) is no exception. Osible journey by train and bus in which he meets car winners Christopher Plummer (Beginners) a series of men named Rudy and Martin Landau (Ed Kulander. Some of the men Wood) play Zev and Max, REVIEW still live with family members; respectively, two Jewish others are nearing the ends of residents of a senior houstheir lives in long-term care ing community facility. There have been a facilities. One, who was a gay lot of movies about concentration camp survivor, Zev, still observing the the Holocaust in the elicits an unexpected response mourning period following last couple of years, from Zev. his wife Ruth’s passing, some very good. But suffers from dementia. Max In his search to find Otto/ is confined to a wheelchair none have had the Rudy, Zev has an especially and on oxygen from COPD. suspenseful screenterrifying encounter in Boise, However, he still has his play of Remember. Idaho (so much for Silver wits about him and sends This movie is one Alerts, right?) with John (Dean Zev on a mission of great Norris), the anti-Semitic sheriff importance to both men. of the best efforts son of a deceased Nazi memoMax tells Zev that they are from director Atom rabilia collector. The confronthe last living survivors Egoyan since he tation results in Zev wetting of their Auschwitz prison showed such promhis pants, a reaction that could block, and Zev is the only ise with The Sweet easily occur amongst audience man who can still recognize members. Nevertheless, Zev the face of Otto Wallisch, Hereafter in the late perseveres until he comes face who goes by the alias Rudy 1990s. Perhaps the to face with the one Rudy who Kurlander, the block fuhrer secret here was his reveals an utterly shocking and who killed their families. using someone else’s surprising secret about Zev and his quest. Calling Remember, a screenplay rather Zev slips out of the senior film you will not soon forget, community and into a taxi than his own. riveting is an understatement. with only an envelope con-

entertainment calendar

T he Week nevents ntheatre

nnightlife nexhibits

n JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS

SUNDAY 3/21 @ 11:30AM Kravis Center Jackqueline Kenney Onassis’ father once taught her the importance of social presentation, advice that would come to epitomize America’s most alluring First Lady throughout her career. Today’s Lunch and Learn event includes a compelling discussion with Lee Wolf and Steven Caras about Jackie’s life. Admission includes a lunch prepared by Catering by the Breakers at the Kravis Center. 11:30 a.m. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. 701 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach. 33401.

CAPITOL STEPS

TUESDAY 3/22 @ 7:30PM Kravis Center The Capitol Steps uniquely blends political satire and song parodies based on current events, including the latest scandals from Capitol Hill. Since they began in 1981, the Capitol Steps have recorded more than thirty albums, including their latest Mock the Vote. Expect current hot button topics, such as a certain wild GOP Primary, to be brought up. 7:30 p.m. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. 701 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach. 33401.

NEW ORDER

FILM

n n n n n BY GREGG SHAPIRO

WEDNESDAY 3/23 @ 8:30PM Fillmore When Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis committed suicide, the band dissolved and reformed as New Order, which would become one of the most commercially and critically successful bands of the 1980s. The group combined their original post-punk sound with an increasing electronic dance music bent, creating one of the most unique sounds of the decade. . 8:30 p.m. Fillmore. 1700 Washington Ave. Miami Beach. 33139.

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LEATHER AND

SO MUCH MORE!

March 17, 2016

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