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NATION Cuomo Details NY Plan To End AIDS Epidemic By 2020 ALBANY (AP) - New York’s governor says the state’s plan to end the AIDS epidemic by 2020 will put the virus on the same list as polio, smallpox and other largely vanquished killers. Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s comments came on Wednesday, the day a panel created by the governor to recommend ways to combat the virus submitted its final report. The plan focuses on expanded HIV testing, treatment and the use of preexposure drugs that can prevent new infections in high-risk groups. The goal is to drop the number of new HIV infections to 750 per year by 2020, compared to the 3,200 cases identified in 2013 and down sharply from the 15,000 new cases reported in 1992. Cuomo says 153,000 New Yorkers lost their lives to AIDS in the last 35 years.
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S. Carolina LGBT Leaders Happy Even With Anti-Discrimination Bill Failing
COLUMBIA (AP) - Advocates of gay rights say no matter what happens to an anti-discrimination bill that Democrats managed to get to the House floor, this has been a surprisingly quiet legislative session for gay issues. Many feared a number of measures to roll back gay rights would pass or at least get plenty of attention after a federal judge legalized same-sex marriage in South Carolina last fall. But all five bills against gay rights tracked by advocacy group South Carolina Equality have been stuck in committee without a hearing, said the chairman of the group’s board Jeff Ayers. “We should be all be proud South Carolina has a chance to stand alone as one of the only states in the Deep South to be able to make that
claim,” Ayers said. Ayers and others who support gay rights were at the Statehouse on Tuesday because the anti-discrimination bill was on the House calendar for debate. Usually, those bills also get stuck in committee, but House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford managed to get it out last week without a vote. It was promptly returned to committee on a 79-34 vote on May 5 with no debate. Supporters said the bill was necessary for people like the police chief in Latta. The mayor in the small Dillon County town of about 1,100 people fired Crystal Moore because of her sexual orientation. “Across the state, people said you can’t do that. That is against the law. That doesn’t reflect who we are as South Carolinians,” said Rep. James Smith, D-Columbia. “Well, the sad
fact is you can, and it needs to stop.” After Moore was fired, the town became angry, and the mayor was stripped of his power and she was hired back. Ayers and other advocates say they are surprised and pleased that the judiciary committees in both the House and Senate have not taken up any of the bill they track as being antigay. One bill would have called for a convention to take up an amendment to the U.S. Constitution saying marriage is just between one man and one woman. Others would have allowed a clerk of court to refuse to issue marriage licenses to gay couples without penalty if issuing it would violate religious beliefs. Ayers said he thinks it is just a pause in the fight instead of a big shift in attitudes in South Carolina. “We’re going to see a bombardment of more bills - if the (U.S.) Supreme
Court rules in favor of marriage equality in June, you’re going to see the backlash even more in January 2016 in this building,” Ayers said.
Conservative Pastors Slam Indiana Lawmakers Over Religion Law Fix
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Republican Gov. Mike Pence and legislative leaders failed to protect religious liberties by approving a change to Indiana’s religious objections law, conservative religious leaders said on April 27. Members of the Indiana Pastors Alliance gathered at the statehouse to protest the fix to the initial law, which drew boycotts and widespread criticism amid fears that it would allow discrimination against gays, lesbians and others.
“I think they misunderstand what happened and have been misinformed on the law,” Long said. “That’s unfortunate. They have the right to their own opinion, but they don’t have the right to revise the truth.” Bosma didn’t express any second thoughts about the impact of the clarification bill. “I concentrated on doing what I felt was best for the state of Indiana as a whole,” he said. “My faith tells me to turn the other cheek and will continue to do so.” Messages seeking comment were left for Indiana Equality, which promotes equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
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New Miley Cyrus Foundation Targets LGBT Youth
wants to use her fame for good, calling Bruce Jenner “my hero” for shining light on transgender issues. “When you have all eyes on you, what are you saying? And that’s what I had to ask myself a lot,” she said. “It’s like, I know you’re going to look at me more if my (breasts) are out, so look at me. And then I’m going to tell you about my foundation for an hour and totally hustle you.” Cyrus is passionate about a lot of issues, from climate change to animal welfare, but said she chose to focus on youth homelessness because it’s specific and tangible. “It’s something that everyone sees,” she said. “It’s like the birds chirping. We’re consciously ignoring it at all times, but it’s always happening right in front of us.” She plans to remain focused on increasing acceptance for LBGT youth and improving homeless kids’ lives for at least five years before broadening her scope. “It’s not going to be an overnight process,” she said. “You’ve got to get
into a lot of people’s brains and you’ve got to really make this a topic.” Funds raised by Happy Hippie will create digital support groups for LGBT youth and their families. The foundation is also aiding My Friend’s Place, a center for homeless youth in Hollywood. To launch the Happy Hippie Foundation and raise money and awareness for its programs, she’s unveiling a collection of music video collaborations with artists such as Joan Jett and Ariana Grande. The Backyard Sessions will be available on the foundation’s Facebook page beginning Tuesday. Cyrus is also writing songs about loving one another and being true to one’s self. Which comes back to why she dyed her armpit hair pink. “The pink pits are saying, ‘Don’t tell me what to do,’” she said. “It’s back to what I’m preaching in a way, you know, telling these kids. I’m not just saying you be yourself and I’m going to go be Miley Cyrus. I’m saying I’m going to be my (expletive) self, too.”
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LOS ANGELES (AP) - When Miley Cyrus wears pasties or posts photos of her pink armpits, it’s not to be a provocateur. The 22-year-old says she’s just being herself, and she wants all young people to have that same opportunity. That’s why she’s launching the Happy Hippie Foundation to help homeless and LGBT youth, adding that not all her past relationships were “straight, heterosexual” ones. Cyrus didn’t elaborate. “The position I’m in, I feel like I’ve got a lot of power,” she said in a May 5 phone interview with The Associated Press. “But so many kids don’t feel that way. They’re under their parents’ rule.” Cyrus, who famously asked a homeless man to accept her Video of the Year trophy at the 2014 Video Music Awards, said she was inspired by the attention generated by that gesture. And she was further moved by the suicide of transgender teen Leelah Alcorn in December. More than 1.6 million young people are homeless in the United States, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless. Cyrus said 40 percent identify themselves as LGBT. An entertainer since age 14, she
May 06, 2015
Rev. Ron Johnson, executive director of the Indiana Pastors Alliance, accused Republican leaders of caving to what he called the “gay mafia” intimidation campaign from a community that is “anything but tolerant.” “For Christians, sexual sin can never be redefined and treated as a civil right,” he said. The alliance is a network of more than 500 conservative churches, clergy, and Christian organizations that, according to its website, works “to advance and defend the cause of faith, family and freedom” across Indiana. Johnson, who was standing behind Pence on the day he first signed the law, also issued an open letter to the governor, and Republican leaders House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President Pro Tem David Long. In the letter, Johnson said Christian business owners have been threatened, attacked and fined for refusing to participate in homosexual weddings. He also said Republican leaders “have sold out the religious liberties of Christians to momentarily quell the cries of special interest groups and alleviate the financial fears of big business.” Two supporters of gay rights attended the April 27 protest. One held a sign that read “Indiana welcomes all.” The other, wearing a rainbow flag, interrupted Johnson’s speech to give him a hug. “Nothing we’re doing today is about hating people who are struggling with sexual issues,” Johnson said after the embrace. “We love you.” Long said the legislative revision was only aimed at preventing the law from being used to discriminate against anyone.
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After businesses canceled conventions and some state governments banned travel to the state, Pence approved changes earlier this month prohibiting merchants and groups from using it as a legal defense for refusing to provide services, goods, facilities or accommodations. It also bars discrimination based on factors such as race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or military service.
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En Vogue
WILTON MANORS—En Vogue, the iconic R&B girl group, has been signed as the main stage artists for Wilton Manors Stonewall 2015. Administrated by the Island City Foundation, a division of Wilton Manors Entertainment Group, the daylong Festival will take place on June 20. Wilton Drive will be closed from Five Points to NE 20th Street for both events. En Vogue has sold more than 20 million records worldwide. Billboard magazine ranks the group as one of the greatest musical ensembles of all time, as well as the 18th most successful artist/band of the 2000s. The group, which has gone through several evolutions since its inception in 1989, is now composed of original members Cindy HerronBraggs and Terry Ellis, plus Rhona Bennett, who joined the group in 2003. En Vogue’s classic hits include “ My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” and “Giving Him Something He Can Feel,” from their second album, Funky Divas.
Court: European Bans On Blood From Gay Donors Is OK -Sometimes
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PARIS (AP) - The European Court of Justice ruled Wednesday that EU governments may ban gay men from ever donating blood, but only under strict conditions.Wednesday’s ruling was closely watched by activists and by governments that have lifetime bans on homosexual male blood donors, including the United States. Most such bans were imposed early in the AIDS crisis, because sexually active gay men are more likely than other groups to contract HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. But activists and some medical groups say a lifetime ban is no longer justified, given advances in HIV testing. Frenchman Geoffrey Leger had protested France’s ban, and his complaint reached the Luxembourgbased EU court. The court found that France’s law is “liable to discriminate against male homosexuals on the basis of sexual orientation,” which is against EU policy. But it said lifetime bans may be justified if a donor presents a high risk of acquiring severe infectious diseases and there is no other method to protect blood recipients. It returned the case to the original French court that handled Leger’s case for further study. Ahead of the ruling, France’s government had already started moving toward relaxing the ban. French Health Minister Marisol Touraine said after Wednesday’s ruling that discriminating against donors based on their sexual orientation is “unacceptable.” French officials are considering a rule that limits the ban to anyone who has had risky sexual activity in the past year, instead of a lifetime ban. In the United States, federal health officials recently recommended an end to the lifetime ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men, and replacing it with a policy barring donations from men who have had sex with other men in the previous 12 months.
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BELGRADE (AP) - In macho Serbia, he came across as macho as they come: an army major in a military culture that glorifies masculine strength. He was a perfect husband and father in a society that preaches family values. But for nearly his entire life, the major felt he was living a lie: Deep down, he was a woman. Last year, he came out, telling his family and superiors that he was Helena - and starting therapy to become a woman. She did not remain Serbia’s first transgender major for long: The army asked for her resignation, saying she “posed a threat to the reputation of the army.” In April, Helena scored an important victory: A Serbian human rights body ruled that the army had discriminated against her by saying she was a potential stain on its honor. Today, Helena appears in public in women’s clothes and sporting bleached blond hair. The 43-year-old declined to provide her first or last name during her life as a man in order to protect a divorced wife and four children - but is not shy about being photographed or filmed in her new identity. By speaking out, Helena has become a rare voice representing Serbia’s transgender community, which lives under constant fear of hate crimes on the margins of the society. Tolerance for the
LGBT community across the Balkans is low, and several gay pride events in Serbia have been canceled because of extremist violence. “I am fighting for the rights of all humiliated people,” Helena told The Associated Press in an interview. “This is a struggle for all those who can’t enjoy their basic human right to be equal with everybody else.” Helena spoke to the AP in a friend’s flat in downtown Belgrade, meticulously made up and dressed in tight black jeans and a sweater. Smiling gently as she sipped coffee, she spoke calmly about her decision to undergo a sex change program that will culminate in an operation. The decision came at a high cost - causing a split from her family and ending her career but Helena said it felt “amazing.” “It’s like stepping out of a cage,” she said. Helena’s inner struggle began in early childhood, growing up in a military household in a small Serbian town. As a young boy, Helena made her hair grow out so she could curl it. When nobody was around, she would put on her mother’s clothes and sneak onto the terrace to let out that girl inside - if only for a moment. But this was impossible in a town where any hint of femininity in a man was seen as a weakness. She was confused. She thought there was something wrong with her. So she sought to quash the woman inside. “And what better place to kill that woman than the army?” Helena said. She finished military school and married young, another form of “self-
her as a man. As time goes by, she has been gaining confidence, and is no longer afraid to walk the streets or use public transport.
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Transgender Army Major Wins Victory In Conservative Serbia
healing.” For the next 22 years, Helena served in the military and led the life of a family man. At the same time, she gradually built a parallel life, getting in touch with fellow members of the transgender community. In 2001, Helena was detained by police wearing a skirt and suspended by a military disciplinary court. She appealed and was reinstated after seven months. But life in the army was not the same again. She recalled “everybody going silent every time I entered the room.” Finally last year, Helena came out. Though she did not resist army pressure to drive her into early retirement, she was horrified when this was cast as a way to protect its reputation. With the help of a human rights group, Helena took her case to Serbia’s anti-discrimination office. In a landmark for Serbia, the Commissioner for Protection of Equality agreed. Nevena Petrusic - whose office was created to help Serbia qualify for EU membership - told the AP that she recommended that the army give Helena a written apology. The army has yet to issue one, and did not respond to AP requests for an interview. Petrusic’s recommendations are not binding, but they are closely watched by international officials monitoring Serbia’s pro-EU reforms. Petrusic lamented the fact that Serbia has no rules on the status of people undergoing sex change - such as defining gender on official documents. She cited a case in which a Serbian university refused to grant a diploma to a person who underwent a sex-change operation after finishing university. The state, Petrusic said, “ignores the fact that these people live among us, and that is inadmissible.” Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic apologized to Helena publicly in January, but not in writing. He has denied any form of discrimination within the armed forces, where women serve alongside men. Helena said the ruling was important because now “I won’t be labeled as a sick person.” And also because it will serve as encouragement to other LGBT Serbs. The rights group Egal, which helped Helena build her case, said the ruling would resonate across the socially conservative Balkans. Helena said the decision to fully embrace her womanhood has brought her inner peace and freedom, although her ID still lists
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SUNSHINE STATE Controversial LGBT-Related Bills Die With 2015 Legislative Session TALLAHASSEE--When the 2015 Florida legislative session came to end earlier than expected this year, two controversial bills affecting the LGBT community died with it. • HB 583, or the so-called transgender bathroom bill, sought to ban transgender Floridians from single-sex restrooms and facilities not corresponding to their assigned sex at birth; and • HB 7111, an Indiana-style conscience bill would have permitted taxpayer-funded adoption agencies to assert religious or personal objections to deny prospective LGBT parents.A third bill, HB 7013, includes an amendment spearheaded by Rep. David Richardson (D-Miami Beach) that officially repeals from state law the ban on adoptions by wouldbe LGBT parents. The bill is currently on Gov. Rick Scott’s desk and awaiting his signature..
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Lesbian Couple Seeking Divorce Caught Between High, Lower Court Rulings TAMPA-- Lawyers for Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi have asked an appeals court to postpone a decision on a lesbian couple’s request for a divorce until after the U.S. high court issues its ruling on same-sex marriage this summer. State Solicitor General Allen Winsor filed a motion asking the 2nd District Court of Appeals in Lakeland to postpone hearing arguments on the case until after the U.S. Supreme Court finishes reviewing the constitutionality of gay marriage bans from four other states. The court’s decision is expected by July. Winsor made a personal appearance
on April 27 before a three-judge panel, telling the court he had nothing to say other than to answer questions from the court. Winsor spoke for less than two minutes. The issue “at the heart of this case is before the United States Supreme Court,” Winsor said. “That’s where the answer will come.” The solicitor general, appointed by the attorney general, oversees the state’s civil appeals and serves as a policy advisor to the attorney general. Keiba Lynn Shaw and Mariama Changamire Shaw of Tampa wed in Massachusetts and denied a divorce in Hillsborough County. The judge in Hillsborough County said she was bound by state law and a voter-approved state constitutional amendment that bar recognition of same-sex marriages. In asking courts to recognize their mutually agreed divorce terms, the Shaws have had to navigate a swirling, messy legal landscape with various precedents being set on a regular basis, causing the law to remain in a state of continual flux. Winsor’s court appearance on April 27 came three days after the same appeals court (but different judges than those who heard the Shaw case) granted a divorce hearing to another lesbian couple from Lee County. In that case, the court ordered that
a divorce be considered for Danielle and Krista Brandon-Thomas, who is contesting the divorce. The appeals court found that a provision in the U.S. Constitution that requires states to respect each other’s judgements, the “full faith and credit clause,” requires that Florida recognize the Brandon-Thomas’ marriage, which was performed in Massachusetts. The court found that the state cannot enforce its own constitutional amendment barring recognition on same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Elaine Silvestrini of The Tampa Tribune contributed to this report..”
LGBT Commissioner Beckner, County Clerk Frank Divide Hillsborough Democrats TAMPA — Hillsborough County Commissioner and LGBT leader Kevin Beckner spoke into a microphone at Joe Chillura Courthouse Square Park on a recent spring morning and called 85-year-old Pat Frank one of “the most influential women (who) have played a big part in forming who I am today.” The surprise on Frank’s face was noticeable.
Beckner and County Clerk Frank, a former state legislator and former county commissioner, are not exactly on speaking terms. Beckner filed to run for Frank’s job as clerk of the circuit court on April 2. That was before she had a chance to announce whether she would run for another term. And now Frank is adamant that she is. The Democratic primary is quickly shaping up to be one of the most interesting local races in 2016. But it’s also creating chasms in the party heading into an election year in which Democrats are hopeful the national presidential contest will increase turnout and their odds. How Beckner, the county’s first openly gay commissioner and a rising Democratic star at age 44, came to challenge a local party icon is a point of contention between the two. Beckner insists that Frank approached him about running last summer. At the time, he said, he had not considered the clerk’s office as the next step for his political career. Term limits push him out of office after 2016. “She explicitly said that she was retiring,” said Beckner, adding that in the months following the two continued to meet. Frank, Beckner said, even introduced him to her staff at the clerk’s office holiday party. But Beckner said Frank changed her tune completely around February. “She said she wasn’t retiring and wasn’t going to make decision until next spring,” Beckner said. “And I told her that wasn’t enough time to put together a campaign, and I would be very soon putting together paperwork. She said I have to do what I have to do.” Beckner officially kicked off his campaign on April 29 with a fundraising event. Part of the impetus for announcing so early — as Beckner has done in each of his bids for office — was to start raising the money needed for a countywide campaign. For her part, Frank said that she never approached Beckner about running for office, and at the initial meeting, “I told him I had not made up my mind, and it was too early.” Frank said she indicated to Beckner her choice successor would be Tampa City Council member Harry Cohen, who works in the clerk’s office. Beckner
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show promoting the city. Visit Orlando spokesman Brian Martin said the region’s tourism association purchased radio spots with Bass as part of a marketing campaign directed toward the LGBT community. Bass, who is gay, was provided scripts with information about Orlando and the region’s attractions. Martin said Bass will read from those scripts but will also talk about his personal experiences in Central Florida. Bass is no stranger to promoting Florida travel. He and his husband attended a recent mass wedding at the W Hotel Fort Lauderdale that was partly sponsored by Broward County. Similar radio spots have been purchased in the Northeast, targeting the general consumer. “This is another market we’re working,” he said. “Dirty Pop with Lance Bass” airs on Sirius’ OutQ Channel 106 daily from 6:00-8:00 pm and rebroadcasts from 11:00 pm to 1:00 am. Caitlin Dineen contributed to this report.
May 06, 2015
ORLANDO--Lance Bass, whose boy band ‘N SYNC formed in Orlando in 1995, will spend part of his daily Sirius/XM Satellite radio
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Visit Orlando Buys Radio Time From Lance Bass
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said Cohen told him he was not planning to run. Cohen was attending to a death in the family last week and could not be reached for comment. At a second meeting, Frank told him she was going to run but would not file until she feels it was right. “I said, ‘Do whatever you have to do. This is a democracy,’ “ Frank said. “He filed very shortly after.” Some longtime local Democrats were surprised Beckner took that step. Not because of his qualifications, but if there was any doubt Frank would run, it was eliminated the moment Beckner announced. “He obviously doesn’t know Pat Frank very well,” said former Tampa mayor Sandy Freedman, a Democrat and friend of Frank. “The way he’s done it has really made Pat dig in even further. She’s more determined than ever to continue her job.” Others believe Beckner was within his right to jump in. “It won’t be the first time there’s a primary, so what’s new?” said former County Commissioner Jan Platt. “If you think you’re the one for the job you run regardless of the who the opposition is.” What remains to be seen is how Beckner separates himself from Frank in the 16 months leading up to the primary. The office’s duties are not readily apparent to many voters, and unless there’s corruption or incompetence, the county clerk typically stays behind the scenes. The most glaring exception to that rule, however, came in January when the state’s same-sex marriage ban was tossed out. Frank ceremoniously conducted dozens of gay and lesbian weddings. As it is, Frank is wellregarded among LGBT voters, a key voting block for Beckner. Steve Contorno of the Tampa Bay Times contributed to this report.
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COVER
Outrage Over Homophobic Digital Game “Kill the Fagg*t”
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May 06, 2015
BY RICHARD HACK
team, the nation’s leading Internet based digital game distributor, hit raw nerves on Tuesday, with the release of a digital video game titled “Kill the Fagg*t” on its Greenlight platform. The objective of the game was touted as murdering as many “gay fag homos” and “transgender freaks” as possible while avoiding doing the same to “innocent straights.” While the homophobic game was eventually pulled by the company off its Greenlight platform later in the day, it was not soon enough to keep the horror of its contents from going viral, triggering an FBI investigation into the intent of its designer. Before the game was removed from the website, commenters were calling for more aggressive censorship to monitor community uploads. Greenlight charges a fee of $100 to users to upload a game in an effort to keep spam at a minimum. Steam has 125 million active users and is purportedly responsible for 75% of all digitally downloaded game sales giving enormous legitimacy to the launch. Even though the game is no longer available for play on-line, its originator Skaldic Games, headquartered in Redondo Beach, California, is unrepentant about its release. “The reason behind this particular game is because of how tired I am of
people being overly sensitive and how easily offended people are by every little thing, especially with LGBT issues,” said creator Randall Herman, who is alleged to be a “failed Christian shoe promoter.” “I didn’t make this game to attack LGBT people personally, and no I don’t hate gays and think they should be treated farily (sic). But I made this game just to piss off those people that are way too overly sensitive, which includes straight people. These people that think if you are even remotely homophobic, you are ‘hateful’ and a ‘bigot,’ and do everything they can to destroy you in every vicious way possible,” Herman said. “So I decided to go down a path that most developers are afraid to go down: to piss these people off by making the most overly offensive game possible to these idiots to prove a point... “Lots of people are sending very vicious and disgusting emails as well, and it just proves that my mission was accomplished in pissing off these people, and how many of these sick people in the gaming world there are that would wish all kinds of physical harm on me…. Keep sending all the threats and hate mail though, its (sic) a fun read, and proves you have no time on your hands. “Send me all the hate mail you want, but stop sending out vicious hate mail
to our actors and licensed bands. They have nothing to do this this minigame, and are not featured in it. That just proves my point that the majority of the LGBT community are truly the hateful ones, sending threats and horrible messages to everyone they think is involved with this project. “As for an apology. Ain’t gonna happen. To everyone that got overly offended. Good, thats (sic) what we were going for. Just wait for our next game we are working on. Its gonna be way more offensive as this one.” Steam uses its Steam Greenlight site to permit developers an uncensored forum that allows users to vote on games to approve them for the platform without any vetting. Greenlight’s terms of service ban any “threats of violence or harassment, even as a joke,” and “inappropriate or offensive content.” The game’s descriptive hype read: “Hate gays? Want to unleash your frustration with the ‘LGBT’ community? Well now is your chance. Murder gays and transgenders, while avoiding killing straight people. Get as many points before time runs out!” Among the games more offensive elements: killing a transgender gets the player more points than killing a gay or lesbian. As targets are hit, the voiceover reports: “AIDS carrier killed” and “Fag down.” Video game critic Jim Sterling
reporting on the game said, “It’s pretty disgusting. “That is currently on Steam’s Greenlight page, awaiting your votes, and demonstrating once again that perhaps having absolutely zero vetting process on Steam isn’t the best idea.” Keith Fay, a member of Cruachan, an Irish folk metal band whose voiceovers were heard on the game, has denounced the project on Facebook, and asked to be disassociated from it. “It’s just been brought to my attention that a game featuring my voice as well as my girlfriend Rachel Lally (also music by Cruachan) is involved in sending messages of hate towards the LGBT community,” Fay wrote. “The company is called Skaldic Games and they have released a game called ‘Kill the Fagg*t.’ A disgusting game where you get points for killing gay people and penalized for killing straight people. We did not know anything about this when we agreed to appear. A statement was released by the games company that tried to explain their intention. The statement was juvenile and bizarre, basically saying if you are offended by the game, you are an idiot. Well I am offended, and I am not an idiot. We cannot condone this game and hereby disassociate ourselves with it and Skaldic games. We are all for free speech etc. but not when it’s spreading hatred towards a demographic.”
BY RICHARD HACK
May 06, 2015 • ISSUE 285
shop. After all, fair is fair. Now pizza is considered a gourmet food in Walkerton as proven by the fact that there are no less than four Pizza parlors in town—one for every 500 people. Most are out on the main drag, State Road 23, where Hot Stone Pizza and Country Roads Bar and Pizza rule supreme. Memories Pizza shares Roosevelt Blvd. with the Corner Cup Cafe, Subway, McDonalds, several gas stations, and the Walkerton Bible Baptist Church, which is right next door. As for Memories, it proudly displays a sign that reads, “Every day before we open the store, we gather and pray together. If there is something that
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May 06, 2015 21
nelle Stutzman, the 70-year-old Washington florist who was fined $1,000 plus $1 in court fees for refusing to supply the flowers at the same-sex wedding of Robert Ingersoll and Curt Freed who married in 2013. Stutzman, who owns Arlene’s Flowers and Gift Shop in Richland, WA, was in violation of Washington state’s non-discrimination act, yet refused to settle in advance of the trial. “I certainly don’t relish the idea of losing my business, my home, and everything else that your lawsuit threatens to take from my family,” Stutzman wrote to State Attorney General Bob Ferguson in a letter. “But my freedom to honor God in doing what I do best is more important.” Making the case even more extraordinary, Ingersoll and Freed knew Stutzman and were loyal customers of Arlene’s Flower Shop for a decade before deciding to get married over Photo by eatery.com two years ago after same-sex you would like us to pray for, just write marriage became legal in Washington it down and drop it in the box, and in December 2012. we will pray for you also.” Apparently, “It really hurt because it was somesomeone prayed for money. body I knew,” Ingersoll told the TriMemories was force to close for City Herald of Stutzman’s decision. eight days because of threats and hate “We laid awake all night Saturday. mail after their declaration of faith, It was eating at our souls. There was but recently reopened with the promnever a question she’d be the one to do ise of $842,000 that was raised on our flowers.” a GoFundMe account started by Meanwhile, Stutzman raised supporters. While the O’Connors $100,000 on GoFundMe to pay haven’t actually received the cash yet her court costs before her account (which after GoFundMe takes its cut. was shut down. Her net profit was will amount to over $750,000), when $98,999 and a sudden increase in they do they say that they will donate business from the negative publicity it to disabled children, an unnamed from the Christian right. women’s help group, fire fighters, police Just another new profit point in the trusts, Christian churches and BarroAmerican dream…Until next week….
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or some fifty years, there was a sign at a restaurant called Barney’s Beanery in West Hollywood, California, that proudly read “Fagots—Stay Out.” The restaurant’s owner was so proud of his misspelled sign that he even was photographed in front of it for a 1964 article in Life magazine called “Homosexuality in America.” While the sign was eventually ripped down when West Hollywood became its own city, the attitude remains to this day, as it does in many towns across the country. Case in point: Memories Pizza and Arlene’s Flowers and Gifts. You probably would never have heard about Walkerton, Indiana, if it weren’t for Memories Pizza on Route 6 in this town of 2,200. Walkerton is so small you can cover the entire town on foot in halfan-hour. Memories gained instant notoriety last April when the daughter of owner Kevin O’Connor said that, if asked, she would refuse to cater a same-sex wedding because of her religious beliefs. Never mind that no gay would ever dream of serving pizza at a wedding-even one in Indiana. The question was asked by a reporter from ABC affiliate WBND from neighboring South Bend for a hypothetical response to the thenrecently enacted Religious Freedom Restoration Act which got the Hoosier State into hot water with accusations of discrimination. Kevin’s daughter, Crystal, a fashion faux pas in lime green and electric blue, said that while her religious beliefs would not allow her to deliver Memory Pizza to a same-sex wedding reception, she would serve a slice to a homosexual customer in the
BOBBY BLAIR – CEO / MANAGING PARTNER
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Businesses Flourish At Gays’ Expense
FOUNDER MULTIMEDIA PLATFORMS
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AS I SEE IT
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24 May 06, 2015
CAPITOL BEAT BY LINDA PENTZ
Love Conquers Hate Outside U.S. Supreme Court
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midst the celebratory the Bible while preaching intolerance, atmosphere of the April the response from same-sex support28 rally outside the ers was peaceful. Undeterred by threats U.S. Supreme Court, of eternal damnation, most simply held on the day the justices heard arguments their signs higher. There were boisterous for and against marriage equality for chants of “love conquers hate!” same-sex couples, bold predictions of A group of Reform rabbis sang about the outcome were somewhat less outra- togetherness in a joyful crescendo, geous than the signs waved aloft by drowning out a row of chanting orthohate-mongering opponents. dox rabbis behind them. “Any kind “Roberts knows it’s his court,” said of orthodoxy is myopic,” said Rabbi Darren Nimnicht of New York, who Elaine Zecher from Boston’s Temple was there with his partner of 39 years, Israel which has long advocated for Tom Cicero. While attorneys argued LGBT rights. A tall man holding an Obergefell v. Hodges inside the courtACLU placard quietly moved in front house, Nimnicht and Cicero, among of a horn-blowing bearded character in the hundreds who gathered that day, sackcloth with a sign condemning gays, were more bullish than most only in their mathematical calculation. The consensus among supporters of same sex-marriage -- who greatly outnumbered opponents outside the court -- was that while getting Roberts’ vote might be overly optimistic, the likely June decision would go 5-4 in their favor, with Justice Anthony Kennedy the swing vote. “Anthony Kennedy is my spirit animal,” said one handmade sign, accordingly. “On the right side of history,” was the catchphrase of the day. The scene was a sea of signs Photo by washingtonpost.com and color, representing diverse constituents from across the country. Scattered among the strong turnout obliterating him from any photo ops. from national groups were couples loftDueling lecterns and microphones ing posters that announced the longevity for speakers from both sides added to of their unions. The Gay Men’s Chorus the general hubbub but the opposition’s was out in force, singing the national poster boys -- Tony Perkins and Ryan anthem and their own, “Make Them Anderson -- were roundly booed. Some, Hear You,” throughout the morning. including this reporter, endeavored to Even a man holding a sign reading “A engage opponents in rational dialogue, child needs a mother and a father” found avoiding the more lunatic fringe, which himself singing The Star Spangled Banner was no easy task. Peter LaBarbera, along with them. from Americans for Truth About Homo“We’ll be back here in June in the same sexuality, made the familiar allegation spot,” said chorus member Jayson Scirralt. that homosexuality is “behavior that “Music changes lives and hearts.” can be changed. There are ex-gays and Despite the presence of Westboro ex-straights,” he said. Same-sex marriage Baptist Church members brandishwas “gay over-reach. It’s clear in the ing their “God hates fags” signs and a Bible that homosexuality is a sin.” handful of others literally thumping Hmmm. Time to move on.
“God loves you,” reassured Reverend David North of the Holy Redeemer Metropolitan Community Church in nearby College Park, founded in the 1960s to provide a safe -- and often the only -- haven for gay and lesbian worshippers. “The hate-mongers don’t speak for and don’t represent Christianity,” North said. Among those waiting to get a “threeminute pass” for a glimpse of the action inside the court were lesbian couple Michelle Franke and Michelle Chappell with their 12-year old daughter Rose who is Chappell’s birth child. The family, who now live in Texas, were plaintiffs in the Illinois marriage lawsuit.
who had brought his pupils to DC for a constitutional debate competition over the weekend, never hesitated for a second in extending the trip so that his students could see “living history. It’s pretty spectacular for 17- to 18-year olds to see this first hand,” he said. A group of 6th graders from the private Georgetown Day School, which just wrapped up its own Pride Week, flocked around their teachers, soaking in the atmosphere. Floating above the crowd, but anchored by willing hands, was a giant rainbow flag, brought to Washington by the Florida group Love is Love Key West. With them was a contingent from Safeguarding American Values for Everyone (SAVE), the largest and oldest LGBT rights organization in Florida, who were plaintiffs in the federal case that ultimately brought marriage equality to the state. Tony Lima, SAVE’s Executive Director, shared the general mood of optimism. “It’s the beginning to an end hopefully, and the beginning of the freedom to marry, the end to discrimination,” he said. One of the Florida plaintiffs, widow Arlene Goldberg, stood smiling by his side. Goldberg had sued “We would like to get married. We’ve the state of Florida to recognize her 2011 been together 24 years,” said Franke. New York marriage to Carol Goldwasser “When Rose was born we had to go to who died the following year. court so I could be legally her parent even “Arlene’s hardship was that she could though I had been involved from day one. not claim [Goldwasser’s] social secuWe chose to have a child and yet we had rity benefits to take care of herself and to fight very hard to make sure she was her late wife’s parents,” explained Lima. protected in case anything happened to “The rights piece of this is really imporus.” Added Chappell: “Wherever we go tant and really the backbone of it all.” we want to be able to say we are married Lima and Goldberg are confident the tide and that it’s accepted wherever we are.” is turning. “Marriage equality has reached a Rose has struggled to educate her peers tipping point,” said Lima. “We are very confiwho are confused by the concept of two dent that by June we will have marriage equalMoms. “If the law is passed, I think they ity across the country.” will know more,” she said. Goldberg summed up the mood of Also in line were a group of students the day. “With 71 per cent of the popufrom Milford High School in New lation being there for us, we have to Hampshire. Their teacher, David Alcox, win,” she said. “We just have to.”
BY DANIEL HICKS
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said Hoch, explaining that West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio and Commissioner Keith James were able to win reelection but that backing their challengers was the final straw that broke the camel’s back for Hoch. “I guess she (the mayor) didn’t send in her cereal box tops,” said Hoch, referring to speculation as to why Equality Florida decided to back different candidates in their voter election guide. “There’s no reason for Equality Florida to get involved. We have it under control here. They don’t add anything. They only subtract. We actually meet local candidates and work with them. There are 66 other counties, some with no infrastructure. Focus there. Stay out of Palm Beach County. Keep out of our elections. I could live with that.” Relations between Hoch and Equality Florida were not always acrimonious. In fact, Hoch has received recognition from Equality Florida and at one time was one of the group’s major donors. Reportedly, things began to change, however, in 2004 and then again in 2006, when Equality Florida
began endorsing candidates in Palm Beach County and more specifically, did not back local Democratic Rep. Mark Pafford. Differences boiled over further around 2008 when Hoch and Equality Florida couldn’t agree on tactics for including new language on gender identity and expression on bicameral legislation meant to amend the Florida Civil Rights Act and Florida’s Fair Housing Act. But now is the time to bury the hatchet if at all possible. Hoch and Equality Florida have more in common than they think, given what’s happened -- or what almost happened -- this year in Tallahassee. The diverse LGBT community in Florida will never speak with one voice. That’s a given. But other states and organizations might offer possible solutions to help ease the tension. Colorado, New England, Lambda Legal and Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders come to mind. Even Hoch admits “their hearts are in the right place. They just need to keep that place out of Palm Beach County.”
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and another religious rights bill that would have enabled private adoption agencies to turn away wouldbe LGBT parents. Thankfully, both bills died when the legislative session ended prematurely this year. But what is most disturbing is that these bills were actually introduced in the first place, came up for discussion before key committees and actually got voted on and or passed by one or both chambers. As a result, it’s pretty obvious that Tallahassee remains far removed from where polls show most Floridians stand on the proper treatment of its highly productive LGBT residents, despite the fact that a third bill that would remove a ban on gay adoption from state law is waiting for the governor’s signature. So what exactly does Hoch have to complain about? For him, the problem revolves around a loss of control of his own borders so to speak. He points to last February when Equality Florida endorsed a different set of West Palm Beach candidates than the ones his council endorsed. “We don’t appreciate outsiders getting involved in our races,”
May 06, 2015
n May 9, The Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park are presenting the first annual Diversity Honors gala at the Seminole Hardrock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. One of the honorees will be Rand Hoch, founder of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council and Florida’s first openly gay judge. Since 1988, Hoch has been instrumental in getting dozens of different laws and policies passed having to do with extending legal benefits and protections to LGBT Floridians, both in and outside of his own county. He also makes it a point to stand up for career public servants, such as former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nan Rich and Hillsborough County’s circuit court clerk Pat Frank, who’s currently facing a challenge by LGBT Commissioner Kevin Beckner, despite Frank’s record of supporting LGBT rights for more than 28 years. She received the council’s first political endorsement, Hoch said. He credits her for standing up for LGBT rights at a time when other politicians like Sen. Bill Nelson (who has since come around) would not. Recently, Hoch has been critical of what many consider to be one of, if not, the most powerful LGBT rights organization in the state, Equality Florida. As an outsider, you would be hard pressed to find another statewide group that’s been more active in bringing local, state and national attention to issues impacting LGBT lives. Equality Florida founders Nadine Smith and Stratton Pollitzer are giants within the community and have been since at least 1997. In fact, Equality Florida led the charge against two measures that made headlines across the country when they were introduced during the last legislative session, a so-called transgender bathroom bill
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Why It’s More Important Than Ever That We All Just Get Along
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LEFT COAST
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26 May 06, 2015
THE WEEK
TRENDING
WILTON MANORS
Dapur
5/08 Bette Midler
Does Sunday Brunch BY RICHARD HACK
Edi Mulyanto knows a good thing when he sees it. The creative owner of Dapur Asian Tapas and Lounge was recently in New York where Dim Sum and Bloody Mary bars are all the rage. Seeing an opportunity to refine the concept, Edi transplanted the essence of a do-it-yourself Bloody Mary bar and showcased it at this brand new Sunday Brunch running weekly from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm. Edi, of course, is no stranger to successful restaurants with Dapur his latest triumph. Since it first cast open its doors, Dapur has enchanted with its delicate dumplings and extravagant dragon rolls, as well as all things Asian. With a fresh herb and vegetable garden in the rear of the restaurant, it’s easy to see what things taste so fresh. Dapur’s new Sunday brunch is centered around its Omelette and Sushi station. There, the restaurant’s Master Chefs prepare custom made concoctions that are as subtle as they are addicting, tempting you to try exotic as well as tradition recipes. From the same spot at the rear of the eatery, you will also find Dapur’s amazingly fresh Green Papaya Salad along with the established Rujak (which Edi spells Rudjak) Salad—a wonderful blend of fruits and vegetables that is commonly sold by street vendors in Malaysia and Indonesia. Healthy and nutritious. Heading across the room to the steam tables, prepare to delight in Crispy Chicken with Thai Chili Sauce, sliced thin to remind you that there is more food ahead—like piles of Tom Kha Mussels, which presents Prince Edward Mussels in a soup of coconut milk and Thai spices. Dapur is well liked for its famous Pad Thai Noodles, offered here in bulk, and mixing rice noodles, vegetables, scallions, bean sprouts, peanuts, and tamarind sauce. You’ll be tempted to fill your plate, but remember there’s still Chicken Fried Rice to taste, along with Congee—a jasmine rice porridge, with ginger, scallion, and chicken. Yum. There are also Roasted Baby Potatoes that Edi shields in a sprinkle of tantalizing Thai spices and Smoked Salmon, far more delicate than traditional Lox, and a whole lot more flavorful.
To accompany the feast, there is an array of Breads, Danishes, Croissants and Muffins. While not made in house, these are the kind of tasty carbs that demand seconds (and even thirds). Fortunately, Edi has sized them in nibble mode, to make sampling so much easier. The biggest surprise of all is saved for when you return with filled plates to the elegant dining room seating. Just as you think you’ve seen all this brunch has to offer, dim sum trolleys begin to circulate the room. Each of the dim sum comes packaged in their own bamboo steam basket, delivered with flare tableside. There is an unending assortment of Dumplings (shrimp, chicken or vegetable), Shrimp Sui Mai (folded into tiny purses), Chicken Meatballs, Short Ribs, Chicken and Red Bean, Chinese Cake (made with eggs), Steamed Tofu, and Sesame Balls (jian dui), a fried Chinese pastry with assorted fillings. The cost of all this irresistible gluttony is $22.95. Unlimited trips to the Bloody Mary bar (along with bottomless Mimosas and Sangria) is $14 additional. A bargain for quality food in an elegant setting. And the public agrees. Sunday brunch at Dapur sells out to a packed house each week. What appears to be spontaneous, however, took months of steady development. The dim sum trolley alone took preplanning. “I went to China Town in New York to find the manufacturer. Each trolley takes a week to make,” Edi says. “It a process. So I ordered five. And the fresh herbs and fruit? “We’re preparing for the summer season now, planting our garden out back and tilling the soil. I’m out there every Sunday morning.” As if his schedule isn’t packed enough, Edi is always looking to the future. “Sunday brunch has been such an incredible success that I’m planning on opening on Saturday for brunch soon.” Will he ever slow down? Edi flashes his cubic zirconia smile, as he rushes to greet an arriving guest. “No problem. I’ve got a twin brother,” Edi kids before disappearing into the crowd.
BY PATRICK ROBERT
The indomitable Bette Midler will be delivering another one of her electric performances at the Hard Rock Live. The musical diva known for both her voice and her bawdy performances began her career singing at gay bathhouses before breaking through and becoming the institution that she is today. The Beaches star has had a series of successful songs, including “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “From a Distance.” Her performance of “One for the Road” during one of Johnny Carson’s last Tonight Show appearances remains a beloved television moment. 8:00 p.m. Hard Rock Live. 5747 Seminole Way. Hollywood. 33314.
5/09 Diversity Honors
The inaugural Diversity Honors celebrates the contribution of LGBT activists to our community. Co-presented by the Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park, the night will pay tribute to Judy and Dennis Shepard— co-founders of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Entertainment will include performances by stage artist and cabaret singer Joey Arias, a performance by Cirque Dreams, and music from Casandra Ortiz. Other honorees include Deborah Cox, Rand Hoch, Jazz Jennings, Elaine Lancaster, Lillian Tamayo, Judge William Thomas, and Dean Trantalis. 7:00 p.m. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. 1 Seminole Way. Hollywood. 33314.
5/12 Anything Goes
This recent revival of Cole Porter’s famous musical earned Sutton Foster her second Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. The oft-revived musical concerns the happenings aboard an ocean liner bound from New York to London. Stowaway Billy Crocker falls in love with wealthy Hope Harcourt. He employs the services of nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and gangster Moonface Martin to help win her love. Famous songs from the musical include the title track, “You’re the Top,” and “I Get a Kick out of You.” 8:00 p.m. Broward Center for the Performing Arts. 201 SW Fifth Ave. Fort Lauderdale. 33312.
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BAR MAP
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6) DAPUR 1620 N Federal Hwy Fort Lauderdale
11) LE PATIO 2401 NE 11th Ave Wilton Manors
2) B BAR AND GRILLE 2209 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors
7) HUNTERS NIGHTCLUIB 2232 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors
12) LIPS 1421 E Oakland Park Blvd Oakland Park
8) INFINITY LOUNGE 2184 WIlton Drive Wilton Manors
13) THE MANOR 2345 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors
4) CORNER PUB 1915 N Andrews Ave Wilton Manors
9) JMARK’S 1245 N Federal Hwy Fort Lauderdale
14) MONA’S 502 E Sunrise Blvd Fort Lauderdale
5) CUBBY HOLE 823 N Federal Hwy Fort Lauderdale
10) LE BOY 1243 NE 11th Ave Fort Lauderdale
3) BOARDWALK/ BEEFCAKE’S 1721 N Andrews Ave Fort Lauderdale
15) MONKEY BUSINESS 2740 N Andrews Ave Fort Lauderdale 16) NAKED GRAPE 2163 Wilton Drive Wilton manors 17) NEW YORK GRILLED CHEESE 2207 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors 18) PJ’S CORNER POCKET 2340 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors
19) PROGRESS 2440 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors 20) RAMROD 1508 NE 4th Ave Fort Lauderdale 21) ROSIE’S BAR & GRILL 2449 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors 22) RUMORS BAR & GRILL 2426 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors
23) SCANDALS SALOON 3073 NE 6th Ave Wilton Manors 24) SCARFONE’S 2150 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors 25) SIDELINES 2031 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors 26) SMARTY PANTS 2400 E Oakland Park Blvd Fort Lauderdale
27) THE STABLE 205 E Oakland Park Blvd Fort Lauderdale 28) 13 I EVEN 2037 Wilton Dr Wilton Manors 29) TROPICS 2000 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors 30) VILLAGE PUB 2283 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors
May 06, 2015
1) ALIBI 2266 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors
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THE WEEK
TAMPA/ST.PETE
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BY PATRICK ROBERT
5/07 ZZ Top and Jeff Beck
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Since the 1970s ZZ Top has used their blues rock pedigree to become a highly successful rock band. Legendary singles (and videos) such as “Legs” and “Sharp Dressed Man” defined the early 1980s (and the MTV generation). A new album entitled La Futura finds the band back in fine form, crafting blues-rock with bluecollar titles such as “I Gotsta Get Paid” and “Consumption.” Jeff Beck was the legendary lead guitarist for the band Yardbirds and has worked with Rod Steward, Brian Wilson, and Mick Jagger. 7:00 p.m. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre. 4802 U.S. 301 N. Tampa. 33610.
5/08 Big Guava Music Festival Tampa’s premiere two-day music festival has a dream hipster line-up, with headliners The Strokes and Pixies. Located at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Big Guava Music Festival has more than just music: the Monster Midway offers unlimited rides while a series of food trucks will feed customers. The four stages situated around the grounds include other popular artists like Hozier, Passion Pit, Ryan Adams, James Blake, and Awolnation. 3:00 p.m. Florida State Fairgrounds. 4802 U.S. 301 N. Tampa. 33610.
5/11 Bette Midler The Brian Neal Fitness and Health Foundation
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May 06, 2015
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provides complimentary Health and Wellness services to financially challenged people living with HIV/AIDS and offers a global LGBT athletic mentoring program for amateur and professional athletes ranging from grade school to the professional ranks.
A 501(c)3 organization providing services to financially challenged people living with HIV/AIDS in Fort Lauderdale
2435 North Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305
BRIANNEALFITNESS.ORG
The musical diva known for both her voice and her bawdy performances began her career singing at gay bathhouses before breaking through and becoming the institution that she is today. The Beaches star has had a series of successful songs, including “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “From a Distance.” Her performance of “One for the Road” during Johnny Carson’s penultimate Tonight Show appearance remains a beloved television moment. 7:00 p.m. Amalie Arena. 401 Channelside Dr. Tampa. 33602.
SCREEN SAVOR
Hustler White
(Courtesy of cinearcoiris.com)
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severs the foot of) a fellow working stiff. Choosing to hit and run rather than stick around to help, Monti spends much of the first half of the movie peering over his shoulder. Jürgen, who fell in love with Monti at first sight, spends most of his time in pursuit of the hustler. That is when he’s not making disparaging remarks about L.A. and Hollywood.
May 06, 2015
relation to Kenneth, who is in L.A. to research a project about hustlers. Monti, a “two-bit hustler with a couple of porn credits,” only has sex with men for money so that he can support his young son (the mother abandoned them). Wherever Monti goes, trouble seems to follow. After stealing a car from a trick, Monti runs over (and
In addition to the budding Jürgen and Monti romance at the center of the movie, Hustler White also combines travelogue and history with kink, including scenes involving sex with an amputee, skin burned by cigarettes and slashed with razors, a modern primitive mortician with a drag fetish, a porno shoot, and finally, murder. If you can overlook the terrible sound and the camera’s occasional lack of focus, Hustler White does a good job of capturing a time and place. Blu-ray bonus features include video commentary and footage of LaBruce at a film fest in Toronto. It’s been almost four years since the Penn State sex abuse scandal, involving assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, made headlines. However, it’s still fresh in people’s minds, especially in State College, Pennsylvania. Amir Bar-Lev’s doc Happy Valley (Music Box Films), filmed during the year after Sandusky’s arrest, is a portrait of the domino effect that occurred and the lives that were irreparably damage. Beginning in June 2012, at the time that the jury in the Sandusky case reached its verdict, Happy Valley features interviews with family members, including Paterno’s widow Sue and his sons Jay and Scott, attorney Andrew Shubin, and Paterno’s biographer Joe Posnanski, among others. But easily the most damning interview is the one with Sandusky’s adopted son Matt, who initially covered for the adopted father he considered to be his savior, until he stepped forward as one of the abuse victims. Happy Valley also goes deeper, not only investigating the kind of university culture that would allow such horrific crimes to occur, but also the way reputations are destroyed, what survives, where responsibility lies, the polarization of a community and the resilience of people who are ready to begin again. DVD bonus features include a PRX interview with Bar-Lev.
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The latest cinematic adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s Far From The Madding Crowd (Fox Searchlight) stars Oscar-nominated actress Carey Mulligan as independent Victorian era heroine Bathsheba Everdene. Orphaned at an early age, Bathsheba lives with an aunt and works hard on the farm. Self-sufficient as she is, it doesn’t stop a series of men from sniffing around, especially after she inherits a farm of her own from an uncle. There’s Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), a handsome farmer who experienced a reversal of fortune. Oak’s the first one Bathsheba turns down. However, seeing a kindred spirit in him, she offers him a job, making Oak Bathsheba’s most enduring relationship. Other suitors include the wellintentioned, but slightly off Mr. Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a few years Bathsheba’s senior, whose history of being jilted (although he insists otherwise) have given him an unbalanced quality. Finally, and almost fatally, there’s hot but unhinged soldier Troy (Tom Sturridge). Left waiting at the altar by his one true love, the flaky Fanny (Juno Temple), sweeps Bathsheba off her feet and marries her. In spite of her sovereign nature, Bathsheba is watched over by all three men. This is a good thing too, because there is hardship and potential disaster awaiting her at almost every turn. But that’s what you want from a period piece, right? Costumes and catastrophe. Bruce LaBruce and Rick Castro’s “queer cinema classic” Hustler White (Strand) has been restored in HD and is now available on Blu-ray. Opening with a familiar Sunset Boulevard homage, that of a body floating face-down in a pool (or in this case, a Jacuzzi), the low-budget black comedy stars Madonna’s former boytoy Tony Ward as rentboy Montgomery (Monti to friends) Ward. Monti becomes the object of desire of Jürgen Anger (LaBruce), no
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Hardy, Happy Hustler
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BY GREGG SHAPIRO
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Distribution Locations FORT LAUDERDALE/ WILTON MANORS
May 06, 2015
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Critters with A K Crunch CTR Spiritual Living Cubby Hole CVS Dapur DaVinci Real Estate Decades Furniture Deep Tissue Therapy Dennis J’s Barber Shop Double Dippers Dunkin Donuts Ed Lugo resort Elysium Resort Fetish Factory Flip Flops Floridian Fredrick Fine Art FTL Pizza Fusion Galanga’s Gateway Cinema Gay Mart Genesis Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar Grand Resort Green Jade Spa Hidden Treasure Holiday Park Library Humpy’s Pizza Hunters I.C.E Infinity Inn Leather Inn On the Drive Intense Fitness Island Sands Inn J. Miles Java Boys Jenkins Law Jet’s Pizza Joe’s Barber Shop Juice Blendz Karl Grace Ins Latino Salud
Le Patio Restaurant Leatherwerks LeBoy Lemon Grass Lips Lotus Chinese Manor Manor Inn Mattress Expert Mind your Manors Mix Clothing Mojo Barber MoJo Restaurant Mona’s Monkey Business Naked Grape North Point Medical Nuts About Yogurt Office Out of the Closet… Wilton dr Out of the Closet… Sunrise Out of the Oven PJ’s Palm Plaza Peter Pan Pharos Hair Oasis Pineapple Point Pink Submarine Plush Royale Resort Ponciana Car Wash The Pride Center Pride Factory Pride Pharmacy Progress Bar Pump N Inc Rainbow Laundromat Ramrod ReMax Realty Rendez-vous Bakery Richard’s Hair Rock Hard Ron’s Barber Shop Rosie’s Bar & Grill Rowan Tree Medical
Royal Palms Rumors Sarfones Scandals Scissorium Secret Moments Siam Cuisine Sidelines Slammer South Smarty Pants Smoke this Too SoBe Tanning Starbuck’s Steel Gym Sterling Stonewall Storks Suan Thai & Sushi Sun Serve Sunshine Cathedral Tee Jay The Athletic Man The Cabanas The Club FTL The Gables The Stable To The Moon Toni’s Cleaners Trantalis Tropics Restaurant Tropixxx Video Unity Church USA Auto Care Village Pub Walgreen’s Specialty Wilton Creamery Wilton Manors Dental Wilton Manors Library Wilton Tower Windamar Beach Resort Wings & Things Winners Pizza World’s Gym Worthington Guesthouse
MIAMI
11th St Diner Beatnix Betsy Hotel Care Resource Ctr Century SoBe Chesterfield Hotel Clevelander Creative Male Discotekka is now Front Porch Gathering Hotel Gay & Lesbian Visitor Ctr Island House Hotel Magnum Mercury SoBe MEKKA Nasseau Suites News V Cafe Out of the closet... Alton Rd Out of the Closet... Biscayne Blvd Palace Food Bar Rufskin Clothing Score Shelly Hotel Studio W Tokyo Valentino Adult Store Twist World Erotic Art Museum
ORLANDO
Barcodes Orlando Club Orlando Gay & Lesbian Center Hamburger Mary’s Orlando Hanks Bar Joy MCC Parliament House Pulse Bar Ritzy Rags Orlando Savoy
Southern Nights St Matthews Tavern Stonewall
TAMPA
Baxter’s Bradley’s on 7th City Side Lounge G Bar Hamburger Mary’s Liquid Tampa MC Film Metro Wellness Center Ybor Resort & Spa
ST. PETE
Enigma St. Petersburg Flamingo Resort Georgie’s Alibi LGBT Welcome Ctr Metro Wellness Center Mr. Sun Liquors Pepperz The Oar House The Queen’s Head
CAPE CORAL
Tubby’s City Hangout
FORT MYERS
Office Pub Rascals The Bottom Line
LAKELAND Pulse Bar
JACKSONVILLE The Metro
KEY WEST
Bourbon St Pub Equator Resort
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THE WEEK
JACKSONVILLE BY PATRICK ROBERT
5/07 Menopause the Musical
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Riding off the success of The Vagina Monologues in the late 1990s, Menopause the Musical is another probing look at women’s issues people are embarrassed to talk about. This time, instead of a certain anatomical region, it’s an exploration of a life-changing and difficult time in an aging woman’s life. Menopause the Musical is about four women who reminisce about their dilemma while shopping for lingerie at a Bloomingdale’s sale. 7:30 p.m. Times-Union Center. 300 Water St. Jacksonville. 32202.
drama about Southern women, diabetes, and hair may be a great night of theater for you. Steel Magnolias revolves around the friendship of a group of Southern belles as they negotiate love, family, and the pain of grief. A Sally Field, Julia Roberts, and Dolly Parton film adaptation has become a gay culture favorite. 6:00 p.m. Stage Aurora Performance Hall. 5188 Norwood Ave. Jacksonville. 32206..
5/10 Phantom of the Opera
Andrew Lloyd Weber’s smash Broadway musical tells the complicated tale of an ingénue who must contend with a mischievous, sadistic phantom while she begins her rise to theatrical superstardom. This rock opera contains some of the most popular contemporary Broadway songs, including the title track, “Angel of Music,” “Music of the Night,” and “Think of Me.” The original production launched the careers of icons Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. 8:00 p.m. The Arena Jax. If “laughter through tears” is your favor- 7830 Normandy Blvd. Jacksonville. ite emotion, then Robert Harling’s comic 32221.
5/09 Steel Magnolias
FITNESS
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failure. Exercise should improve your life, not kill you! No more excuses, get the facts, and do something about it. Whether it’s a slow metabolism, too much time at the office or you’re too tired, you are a master at making excuses. Go online or have a trainer chart your Body Mass Index (BMI) and Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) so that you know what your weight should be and how many calories you need daily. Change your outlook, believe you can shed those extra pounds and set your priorities accordingly. Think before you eat! Mindless eating can ruin your figure. You grab a few Hershey’s Kisses from your colleagues candy jar because you’re bored. You go to the drive through and chow down on burgers and fries because you’re in a hurry. Unfortunately, such mindless indulgences add up to weighty matters in ieting seems to be and watch the stunning results when you’re at rest. the end. a global obsession. to come in the weeks ahead! Don’t try to do too much Drinking makes you fat. Surefire supplements, In order to lose weight, all at once. It’s unhealthy to People who drink soda confad diets and fitness you’ve got to have a strategy lose more than 3 pounds per sume more calories. Booze isn’t gurus everywhere promise sen- that includes cardio, weights, week unless you are under a much better. Furthermore, it’s sational, if not unrealistic reand nutritional planning. doctor’s care. You’ve got to cut very common to eat more and sults in mere weeks, days, and Instead of thinking “diet” calories when you’re reducing, make poor food choices after even minutes. Yet according with its negative connotations, but starving yourself to lose 5 you’ve had a few. Cut out the to some recent statistics, we’re come up with an overall apto 10 pounds in one week can soda. Reign in the boozing and fatter than ever. Why? Most of proach that includes sticking result in a catastrophe. Losbinging. us are a bit delusional when it to sound nutritional principles. ing weight drastically like this This spring, take off your comes to how much we actuKeep a food journal and plan can cause your metabolism to clothes with pride and be ready ally shove into our mouths. your meals. Doing regular plummet and you’ll lose lean to enjoy a healthier outlook in If you have put on weight, cardio and weight training will muscle as well as fat. As your general. Take control and shed face the facts. Hop on that help burn calories and get your metabolism wanes so will your those extra pounds now! scale. Take a good look in the heart pumping. Get to the gym stamina for exercise as well as For more fat fighting stratemirror. You’ve picked up extra and ride the recumbent bike or all other daily activities. Your gies, contact TrainerTomB@aol. pounds during the winter dol- do the Precor twice a week for body will rebel by storing fat drums and those love handles 20 minutes or so for starters. more easily. You’ll also damage com. Call Tom (954) 557-1119 and set up a free consultation simply have to go! Stop makLifting even light weights 3 your heart with this type of at his one on one gym www. ing excuses and for the sake of times per week will help build radical yo-yo dieting. The same pumpnincgym.com.. your own health and wellbemore lean muscle which burns is true with overdoing it in the ing, follow these simple tips more calories all the time even gym. Work out to fatigue, not
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A Healthy Fat Burning Strategy
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By Tom Bonanti
D
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NEW!!
SIGNATURE LINE HARNESSES
1226 NE 4TH AVE FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33304 954.761.1236
LEATHERWERKS.COM
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Copyright © 2015 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
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THE WEEK
MIAMI/ MIAMI BEACH BY PATRICK ROBERT
5/07 Ryan Adams Ryan Adams, the ex-member of alternative country band Whiskeytown, has had a prolific and successful solo career. His first albums Heartbreaker and Gold were critical smashes, the latter producing the hit single “New York, New York.” This summer finds Adams not only on tour for himself but also on the festival circuit, performing at Big Guava Music Festival in Tampa, Sasquatch Festival in Washington, and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. 8:00 p.m. The Fillmore Miami Beach. 1700 Washington Ave. Miami Beach. 33139.
5/09 Kevin Hart One of today’s top stand-up comedians, Kevin Hart consistently sells out venues and has smashed comedy tour records. Roles in films Soul Plane, The 40-YearOld Virgin, and the Scary Movie franchise helped solidify a reputation that has grown each year. Recently, he hosted the much-publicized Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber. 7:00 p.m. American Airlines Arena. 601 Biscayne Blvd. Miami. 33132.
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5/12 The Consul The 1950 production of Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Consul is a forgotten Broadway gem, having won the Pulitzer Prize for Music and having enjoyed 269 performances. In an unnamed country, Magda Sorel is desperate to obtain a visa that will allow her family to escape persecution. Constant waiting destroys her hope until a shocking deed concludes her saga. Florida Grand Opera presents the show which will include subtitles in both Spanish and English. 7:00 p.m. Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. 1300 Biscayne Blvd. Miami. 33132.
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Gay Actors in Straight Roles
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PU Z Z L E
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Across
1 Sounds of stallions on streets 6 Low man in the loft 10 *Guillermo of Weeds 14 Like a room by Thom Filicia 15 “It ___ Necessarily So” 16 Prime the poker pot 17 It arouses you in bed 18 Unappetizing fare 19 Creator of Sal Mineo’s Exodus character 20 *Jim of The Big Bang Theory 22 *Jonathan of Mean Girls 24 Pinch opening? 25 Small fry 26 Marble named for a pussy part 30 Inning to stretch in 34 State of gay Paree 35 Look from Snidely 37 Type of straits for straights in a gay bar? 38 Divided terr. 39 Drops on the grass 40 Made a mark in Hollywood Squares 41 Position at sea 43 “Air Music” composer Ned 45 The sound of Patti LaBelle? 46 Bury again 48 Thaw with Nureyev’s land 50 LP successors 51 Edvard Grieg’s land (abbr.)
52 *Sarah of American Horror Story 56 *Alan of The Good Wife 60 Food on the floor 61 Go lickety-split 63 Soap star Susan 64 Vows for many gays these days 65 1982 Disney flick 66 Rupert Everett’s An ___ Husband 67 *Nathan of The Good Wife 68 Dundee denizen 69 ___ T. Lardbottom of Kudzu
Down
1 E.M. Forster’s fellow 2 Song with the line “girls will be boys and boys will be girls” 3 *Nicky, in Funny Girl 4 Hang tough 5 *Raven of The Cosby Show 6 Bases for Glenn Burke 7 Feel badly 8 Stuffed shirt 9 Member of the apostles? 10 Overcome 11 Start of an Evan Wolfson memo 12 Keep ___ (persevere) 13 Quality of Feniger’s cooking 21 Thumbs-down votes 23 Mo. to elect pro-gay pols 26 Wood that doesn’t need
moth balls 27 ___ of Two Cities 28 *George of Star Trek 29 *Moon in Return of the Jedi 30 Clinched, with “up” 31 *Cynthia of Sex and the City 32 Staffordshire river 33 Hem and haw 36 Always, to Byron 42 Wall off 43 P-town and Fire Island 44 Cafeteria list 45 Islands in the Atlantic 47 Scores by David Kopay 49 *Lily of Nashville 52 Beach toy 53 Alan of The Object of My Affection 54 Second word of fairy tales 55 Drug cop 56 Relief of Lincoln 57 Tops cakes 58 Mar. Madness source 59 Quark founder Tim 62 Loving murmur
For the solution to this puzzle, go to www.floridaagend.com/puzzle
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TRAVEL BY JAMEER BAPTISTE
Escape To Key West For A Mini Weekend Getaway Don’t we South Floridians have it made to be able to call Key West part of our home. The gorgeous paradise island is part of South Florida’s Monroe County, which is a convenient four-hour drive south from Wilton Manors. And what’s more comforting to know is that the tropical oasis is just as gay friendly (if not more) as parts of its sister counties, Miami-Dade, Broward and West Palm. In fact, Key West is one of Florida’s first well-known gay travel destinations. And although the gay establishments in the laidback town have dwindled since its flamboyant heydays in the 1980s and 1990s, the gay allure still exists. But before you check into your gay resort and immerse yourself in the relaxing vibe of the Key West’s atmosphere, enjoy your scenic drive with a few treasured stops along the way. Get in your car and start heading down at a fairly descent time on Saturday morning, lets say around 10 am, and you’ll be able to take advantage of some interesting pit stops and make it to your hotel right on time for check-in. Begin your road trip exploration with a stop at Alabama Jacks (58000 Card Sound Rd. Key Largo FL 33037; 305-248-8741) for a bite to eat and a refreshing drink right before you leave the tip of the peninsula. The seafood rustic-shack restaurant in the middle of nowhere captivates with live music and renowned dishes like their conch fritters and grilled dolphin. You’ll adore the waterside dining exposure and you’ll definitely be tempted to leave with an Alabama Jack shirt or shot glass as a souvenir. But mind your manners, because although there hasn’t been any recorded aggression against gays, it is a restaurant frequented by motorcycle groups and truckers. Next stop on your journey is the Old Road Gallery (88888 Overseas Hwy. Tavernier FL 33070; 305-852-8935), formerly the Rain Barrel Sculpture Gallery two miles up the road. This art lovers’ paradise is filled with magnificent one-of-a-kind designs made from wood, glass, metals and ceramic. Tour their walk through sculpture garden and take
Island House Key West (1129 Fleming St. Key West FL 33040; 800-8906284) where there’s an all-male staff and 24-hour café. Or, check-in to the only gay hotel in the center of it all on Duval Street in Old Town Key West, the New Orleans House (724 Duval St. Key West FL; 305-293-9800), a mega complex that boost a hotel, nightclub and two restaurants. Now that you’re settled in and well rested, it’s time to energize your body with a bite to eat. The New Orleans House has two restaurants onsite for your convenience, Joe’s Chicken Shack and Pizza Joe’s. But if you want to venture out on the town, try a delicious meal on the porch of Nine One Five (915 Duval Street Key West FL 33040; 305-296-0669). Circle-back to the New Orleans House and step into their party sanctuary, the Bourbon Street Pub. The club features five bars, the Men of Bourbon (Go-Go Dancers), live performances, and a men’s only clothing-optional garden bar with a pool and Jacuzzi. Or stop by the icon drag house 801 Bourbon Street, a cherished nightclub for over 30 years, for a fabulous cabaret show. On Sunday take it easy and just relax. Start your day with a hearty home an affordable piece that you just a bucket of fish will run you $3. Just breakfast at gay owned Azur Restaucan’t leave behind. remember to bring change for taxes. rant (425 Grinnell St. Key West FL Back in your car, head approximately Now that you’re fed and had some 33040; 305-292-2987) where you can 6 miles down the road to experience excitement, get out your camera to snap indulge in a Mediterranean specialty or something you’ve probably never done several shots as you coast over the vast order a traditional egg and bacon dish. before,--feeding Tarpons. Tarpons are turquoise waters on the Seven Mile If you’re interested in browsing some big fish that shimmer as the sun’s rays hit Bridge. Known to be one of the longest fun knickknacks, hit up The Little their silver and green scales. At Robbie’s bridges in the U.S., the Seven Mile Red (901 Caroline St. Key West FL of Islamorada (77522 Overseas Hwy. Bridge that connects Knight’s Key to 33040; 305-396-7582) for all sort of Islamorada FL 33036; 877-664-8498), Little Duck Key is beyond impressive cool novelty items like I love Key West you get the chance to see them spring and is a true feat in manmade construc- T-shirts. from the water as they catch bait from tion of the 20th century. To relax and bask in the sun feeling your hand. As your road trip winds down and you comfortable and safe, make your way What’s even more fascinating then make your way into Key West, there are to Higgs Beach (Atlantic Blvd. Key the thrill and pure adrenaline rush you three major gay resorts to take a quick West FL 33040). Remember your beach experience when that beast from the catnap before you’re out for dinner and essentials, a towel and beach chair. And water comes leaping for your hand is the perhaps some partying. Pick between the before you head back north to complete remarkable story that led to the school two clothing-optional gay guesthouses your trip, stop into Salute! On The of Tarpon frequenting the Robbie’s dock on Fleming Street, the newly renovated Beach (1000 Atlantic Blvd. Key West – make sure to inquire while you’re Equator Resort (818 Fleming St. Key FL 33040; 305-292-1117), for a late there. Admission price is just $1 and West FL 33040; 305-294-7775) or Italian-Caribbean lunch.
ORLANDO
BY PATRICK ROBERT
Tom Scholz’s classic rock band produced a number of gigantic hits in both the 1970s and 1980s. Having sold over 31 million albums through six studio albums, the band has created such classic works as “More Than a Feeling,” “Peace of Mind,” “Rock and Roll Band,” and “Amanda.” The famed Boston guitar-shaped spaceship lands in Orlando at the Hard Rock tonight. 8:00 p.m. Hard Rock Live. 6050 Universal Blvd. Orlando. 32819.
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Boston
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5/07
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THE WEEK
5/09 Lisa Loeb Despite her relationship destroying habit of only hearing what she wants to, Lisa Loeb is a musical icon for the Reality Bites generation. Her career defining number one single “Stay (I Missed You)” includes a one-take music video directed by Ethan Hawke. The album Tails contains that song along with other moderate top 20 hit “Do You Sleep?” Since that time in the spotlight, Loeb has remained busy with a reality show, a few published books, and continuous touring. 8:00 p.m. The Plaza Live Theatre Orlando. 425 N. Bumby Ave. Orlando. 32803.
5/10 Orlando Cabaret Festival – Mother’s Day Brunch
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Mad Cow Theatre presents one of downtown Orlando’s signature events—The 13th Annual Orlando Cabaret Festival. The Mother’s Day Sunday Brunch is the premiere event for this two-week long festival. Taking place at Ceviche Tapas Bar, the event includes music from Michelle Mailhot with Barry Smith on drums, Chris Rotmayer on piano, and Chuch Archard on bass. 12:30 p.m. Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant. 125 W. Church St. Orlando. 32801.
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