Agenda 070815 issue 294

TRENDING x

o July 8, 2015

www.FloridaAgenda.com

NATIONAL

Hillary Offers Assurance to Gay Youth in Web Posting

Issue #294

PAGE 30 Huffington Post

COMMENTARY

o

Republicans, History and the LGBTQ Vote

PAGE 18

File Photo

FITNESS

o

Visualization is the Key to Perfection

PAGE 41

File Photo

DINING

o

Mind Your Manors窶認resh, Fun, and Fantastic

STORY ~ Page 15

PAGE 28 Photo courtesy of Mind Your Manors

ENTERTAINMENT

o

Magic Mike XXL and Testament of Youth

PAGE 45

SAME-SEX PARENTS TO CREATE BABIES FROM SKIN CELLS WITHIN TWO YEARS Softpedia

July 08, 2015

2 /floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

/floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

July 08, 2015

3

July 08, 2015

4 /floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

/floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

July 08, 2015

5

floridaagenda.com /floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

NATION Casey Davis Photo by wkyt.com

July 08, 2015

6

Kentucky Clerk: Let People Buy Marriage Licenses Online ADAM BEAM Associated Press FRANKFORT, KY. (AP) - A Kentucky clerk of court wants the state to issue marriage licenses online so he doesn’t have to.

Casey Davis is one of a handful of county clerks across the country that have stopped issuing marriage licenses after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last month to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide.

On Monday, he showed up at Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear’s office to ask him to call a special session of the state legislature to pass a law allowing people to purchase marriage licenses from the state on the Internet.

“We bank online. We buy groceries online. ... We buy hunting and fishing licenses online. I think that we can buy marriage licenses online,” he said. “And that relieves the 120 county clerks of this state.”

Beshear was not in Frankfort on Monday and did not meet with Davis, but the governor’s staff promised Davis that Beshear would meet with him soon. A spokesman said the governor would have to evaluate Davis’ proposal.

The problem is not the workload.

Davis said his office issued 29 marriage licenses last year. But Davis said his Christian beliefs prohibit him from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. That problem that has faced several local officials in the aftermath of the court’s historic ruling, leading some to resign and others to stop issuing marriage licenses altogether.

The clerks say they want to be treated the same as Jack Conway, the state’s Democratic attorney general.

Beshear hired private attorneys to defend the state’s same-sex marriage ban after Conway declined to appeal a federal judge’s ruling because he said the ban unfairly discriminated against gay couples.

“I see no difference,” Davis said.

“He was given an opportunity for conscience’s sake to bow out of a job he was elected to do.”

But Conway does not have to appeal every case and, unlike the county clerks, did not have a court order him to do anything. And Davis’ solution could pose problems in Kentucky.

State law does not allow anyone between the ages of 16 and 18 to get a marriage license without parental consent. It also doesn’t allow anyone under 16 to get a marriage license without a judge’s approval.

“Without seeing someone in person, that could be difficult,” said Bill May, executive director of the Kentucky County Clerk’s Association.

The American Civil Liberties

Union’s Kentucky office has already filed a lawsuit against Rowan County Clerk of Court Kim Davis, asking a judge to force her to issue marriage licenses to two gay couples and to straight couples. All of the couples were denied a license.

But Beshear seemed unconcerned about the clerks’ actions when speaking with reporters at an event earlier in the day in Lexington.

“I don’t think anyone really is being too inconvenienced now because we have so many clerks doing their jobs,” Beshear said. “I think the rest of them, it will either get worked out in court or the ballot box.”

A number of Casey County voters do not appear upset with Casey Davis’ decision. Monday morning, WLEXTV reported that hundreds showed up at the Casey County Courthouse to support Davis, some holding signs reading that Davis is “the man in support of God’s divine plan.”

And the Family Foundation of Kentucky announced Monday his group was forming a “Kentucky religious liberty defense fund” to raise money to defend the clerks and others, including pastors, from lawsuits attempting to force them to participate in same-sex marriages.

“I’m fine with the choice that (samesex couples) have made, and I actually respect the stand that they have made,” Casey Davis said. “I’m just asking them to respect the stand that I’m trying to make. ... I took an oath to do this job to the best of my ability ‘so help me God,’ and my ability cannot go beyond what my conscience allows.”

More Alabama Counties Issuing Same-Sex Marriage Licenses MONTGOMERY, AL (AP) Additional Alabama counties are issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples as some opposition to the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized gay marriage nationwide

fades away.

Several more counties in the state on Monday said they’d begun issuing marriage licenses.

The reversals come more than a week after the high court’s landmark ruling that declared same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry.

Escambia, Randolph and Coosa were among the latest to begin issuing licenses after halting for days.

Last week Henry County Probate Judge David Money said he expected to begin issuing marriage licenses to all couples on Tuesday.

Other counties including Pike, Geneva, Houston and Washington have stopped issuing marriage licenses altogether.

Kansas Opens State Worers’ Health Plan To Same-Sex Spouses TOPEKA, KS. (AP) - The health insurance plan for Kansas state government workers is allowing married gay and lesbian couples to obtain coverage for their spouses.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment spokeswoman Sara Belfry says the health plan began accepting coverage applications Tuesday.

The department’s policy change follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last month legalizing same-sex marriage across the nation. Kansas had banned gay marriage.

Gov. Sam Brownback said last week his administration was reviewing the ruling and studying its implications before extending benefits to same-sex married couples.

Belfry says the legal review led the department to open the state employees’ health plan to gay and lesbian spouses.

The state employees’ health plan covers about 104,000 people. Belfry says the state isn’t sure how many more will be added.

They have agreed on a division of property.

Hood had vigorously argued that Mississippi’s traditional marriage laws defining and recognizing marriage as the union between one man and one woman are not unconstitutional. He also argued Mississippi was not required to recognize California same-sex marriage for the purposes of granting CzekalaChatham a divorce.

In the motion filed Thursday, Hood said the recent court decisions made the debate moot and the chancery court’s decision should be reversed.

Czekala-Chatham’s attorney, Carey R. Varnado, said in a brief filed Wednesday that the case should go back to DeSoto Court “with instructions to that court to recognize jurisdiction of Appellant’s divorce action.”

Gay Couple Granted Texas Marriage License After Lawsuit

Jim Cato and Joe Stapleton Photo by dallasnews.com

could not provide it because state forms were not updated with samesex references.

Dys said Lang was concerned that altering a license could result in an accusation of tampering with a government document. Lang received an opinion from the Hood County attorney over the weekend saying she could issue the license, Dys said.

“The bottom line is somebody can walk in and get a marriage license if they’re entitled to a marriage license,” he said. “There’s no controversy here.”

Hood County Attorney Lori Kaspar declined to provide details of her opinion to Lang, but noted that Lang took her advice and the license was issued.

Public officials take an oath to follow the law, and if they’re unable to complete that oath “due to personal conviction, then you need to get someone else to do it or to step aside,” Lang said. “I think as long as people get licenses then it doesn’t particularly matter who issues them.”

7

to same-sex couples without delay, along with attorneys’ fees. The lawsuit alleges that Lang violated their right to equal protection under the law, among other charges.

Lang posted a statement on the Hood County clerk’s website saying others in her office would issue the licenses, but that “the religious doctrines to which I adhere compel me to personally refrain from issuing same-sex marriage licenses.”

Lang referred questions Monday to the Texas-based Liberty Institute, which litigates cases nationwide relating to religious liberty.

The institute’s senior counsel, Jeremy Dys, said that while the U.S. Supreme Court was split in legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide in its ruling last month, it was unanimous in recognizing legal protections for public officials and others who invoke religious objections.

“The Supreme Court did not overrule the First Amendment on that day,” Dys said.

In a statement released earlier Monday, Soifer criticized Lang for issuing the license to Cato and Stapleton days after saying her office

July 08, 2015

DALLAS (AP) - A gay couple was granted a marriage license Monday within hours of filing a federal lawsuit against a county clerk in Texas who cited religious opposition when denying them a license last week.

Jim Cato and Joe Stapleton filed the lawsuit against Hood County Clerk Katie Lang, saying they repeatedly were turned away when trying to obtain a license last week in Granbury, the county seat. The men were quickly granted a license and “are delighted” that they can get married in their home county, according to their attorney, Jan Soifer.

“It’s a shame that they needed to hire lawyers and file a lawsuit to make that happen,” Soifer said in a statement.

But the couple hasn’t withdrawn the lawsuit just yet. Soifer said they are seeking an agreement from Lang that her office will issue licenses

floridaagenda.com

JACKSON, MS (AP) - Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood has asked the state Supreme Court to allow a lesbian couple to seek a divorce.

Hood sided Thursday with a similar request filed by the attorney for Lauren Czekala-Chatham, who argued a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on June 26 requires all states to issue marriage licenses to samesex couples and to recognize samesex marriages validly performed in other states.

That was key to Chatham’s arguments as she seeks a divorce from Dana Ann Melancon. They were married in California in 2008.

“That’s awesome,” CzekalaChatham told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. “I can get my divorce? I’ve been waiting a long time for this. This means I can go on with my life.”

Czekala-Chatham said she had expected the state to fight her divorce despite the U.S. Supreme Court decision.

“The way (Hood) was talking after the same-sex marriage decision, I was expecting to have to continue the fight,” Chatham said.

Czekala-Chatham said she and her new partner can now make their wedding plans and buy a house together.

The Mississippi Supreme Court has not ruled on either motion but could do so as early as next week.

In 2013, DeSoto County Chancery Judge Mitchell Lundy Jr. ruled that the Mississippi Constitution and statutes prevented him from granting a divorce to the couple.

Czekala-Chatham and Melancon married in San Francisco in 2008 and bought a house in Mississippi before separating in 2010.

They could divorce in California, but Czekala-Chatham says they shouldn’t be treated differently than straight couples.

/floridaagenda

Same-Sex Couple In Mississippi Goes To Court To Seek Divorce

/floridaagenda

NATION

July 08, 2015

8 /floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

/floridaagenda

CLIFF NOTES

BY CLIFF DUNN

July 08, 2015 9

smartphone. Likewise, it allows you to print directly (via Bluetooth) from your smart device to one of Polaroid’s portable Zink printers, such as the Zip. While the resolution on the original Cube maxed-out at 6 megapixels, the Cube+ can capture images up to 8-megapixels, which equates to improved photo and video quality. The designers have also added support for 64GB Micro SD cards.

The sensor on the new version has been tarted-up with electronic image stabilization, something that will help when taking pictures in dark places—mind out of the gutter!—as well as capturing images on-the-fly (like when you’re whitewater rafting down Niagara Falls, or parachuting-in-tandem with that special bottom).

The Cube+ is designed similarly to the original, and features a highpowered magnet that’s attachable to most metal bases, including your motorcycle, bicycle, helmet, or car.

The battery life on the Cube+ remains the same as the original, allowing for up to 90 minutes of video recording.

With a sticker price of $150, the Polaroid Cube+ will be available in red, blue, and black versions. Polaroid has also added two new colors for the original Cube: glow-in-thedark green and hot pink.

Substance and style: Cube+ has something for everyone.

floridaagenda.com

Last year, Polaroid introduced its Cube camera, a miniature squareshaped Full HD camera which can be used to take pictures, shoot video, and mounted as a dashboard camera.

Designed by Ammunition Group—the same design team that made the wildly popular Beats By Dre headphones, speakers, and accessories—the compact unit (which is essentially a lens with a Power button) measures 1.4 inches square, which makes it uber-convenient.

For features, it sports a sensor, lens, and a shutter button: the bare essentials you need in a digital camera.

But there are some drawbacks.

Because of its size, the original Cube doesn’t contain a built-in screen to allow viewing the subjects you’re shooting/filming, and there isn’t a way to see what you’ve recorded, or to replay what you shot.

Anticipating this kind of kvetching, Polaroid has announced the release of the Cube+, which will bring the magic of Wi-Fi to the party.

Arriving in August, an app available for iOS and Android will enable you to use your mobile device as a viewfinder and control device for the diminutive camera.

In addition, the Cube+ (which remains the same size as the Cube) also lets you transfer photo images and videos, enabling you to edit, sync and capture, transfer, and share photos directly from your tablet or

/floridaagenda

Small Things Come In Good Packages: Polaroid Cube+

floridaagenda.com /floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

NATION

Arkansas Legislative Session Photo by katv.com

July 08, 2015

10

Arkansas Leaders Attempt To Diffuse War Of Words On Gay Marriage LITTLE ROCK, AR (AP) - Opposition from Arkansas legislative leaders to the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling lifting the ban on gay marriage nationwide bubbled over into a war of words late Thursday between the state’s legislative and executive branches.

Over the week since the ruling, the House and Senate Republican caucuses have said they plan to push for legislation to reinforce protections for those who disagree with the ruling on religious grounds.

But Gov. Asa Hutchinson has said county clerks who issue marriage licenses must follow the ruling. He said he believes a religious objections law passed by the Legislature earlier this year sufficiently protects the state’s pastors, religious institutions and individuals.

But wires were crossed during a flurry of statements released this week as at least one county clerk resigned over what she said were moral objections to issuing same-sex marriage licenses.

The House Republican caucus issued

a statement Tuesday calling the ruling dangerous and noting that Republican state representatives are considering their options. Senate Republicans said they are working on legislation to reinforce religious protections in the event that Hutchinson calls a special session.

Responding to the Legislature, Hutchinson said in a statement late Thursday that his position had not changed but he would consider the additional protections.

“I will continue to determine what legislative action is needed to address the myriad of legal issues that will result from the ruling and also what legislation is needed to protect the churches, pastors and religious institutions who cannot follow the dictates of the Court,” he wrote.

Sen. Jason Rapert, an outspoken opponent of gay marriage, chastised the governor for the statement, saying Hutchinson didn’t understand the separation of powers between the state’s legislative and executive branches.

The Conway Republican sent a response late Thursday as part of an email chain with Senate Republicans, saying the governor’s statement was full of arrogance. The email was leaked to several media outlets Friday and the contents of the email were confirmed to The Associated Press.

Reached by phone Friday, Rapert declined to provide a copy of the email

to The Associated Press. He said he was disappointed by the governor’s statement, but the email chain was intended to be private.

“The governor does not unilaterally decide what we do in this state when it comes to legislative remedies,” he said.

Rapert said he hopes legislation will be proposed to protect county clerks.

“Right now, courage means standing up for your beliefs and not resigning.

Right now, religious liberty is under attack in America,” he added.

Hutchinson said Friday that his statement was misinterpreted.

“No offense was certainly intended to the prerogatives of the legislative branch,” he said. “The statement was in relation to if a special session is in question, I as governor have to determine what legislation is on the call for the Legislature to consider. I certainly recognize the role of the legislative branch.”

Hutchinson previously said he doesn’t intend to call for another special session this year.

South Dakota’s AG Joins 14 Others In Religious Rights Petition PIERRE, SD (AP) - South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined 14 of his fellow chief legal officers in petitioning Congress to continue tax exemptions for religious organizations that oppose same-sex marriage.

Jackley and his fellow attorneys general sent the letter Thursday to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker John Boehner.

Jackley says the letter aims to ensure that the religious liberties of people and organizations who oppose samesex marriages are protected. He says the new rights of same-sex couples must coexist with the rights of freedom of religion and speech.

On Thursday, Jackley said public workers with religious objections to same-sex marriages could ask someone else to issue marriage licenses to a gay couple. He said a “commonsense

solution” like that will ensure no one’s rights are violated.

Decatur County Tennessee Workers Resign Over SameSex Marriage Issue JACKSON, TN (AP) - Decatur County officials say three employees in the clerk’s office have resigned because of their opposition to the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned bans on same-sex marriage.

County Commissioner David Boroughs told The Jackson Sun (http:// bit.ly/1JD8WS0) that county clerk Gwen Pope and employees Sharon Bell and Mickey Butler have resigned.

County Mayor Mike Creasy says the resignations will not be effective until July 14.

Clerks are legally allowed to refuse to perform the marriages, but must issue the licenses.

Creasy said the county has not received any requests for same-sex marriage licenses as of Thursday.

According to county staffers across the state and gay marriage advocates, all of Tennessee’s county clerks are ready to or are already issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples since the Supreme Court’s ruling last Friday.

Oregon Lawmakers Vote To Help Gay Veterans, Strippers SALEM, OR (AP) - Oregon is on track to be the first state to hire a coordinator to help lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender veterans upgrade a less-thanhonorable discharge received because of their sexual orientation.

The bill was among a flurry of legislation approved as Oregon lawmakers wrapped up the five-month legislative session on Monday.

Other last-minute bills would help strippers report workplace violations and young people expunge marijuana convic-

Clinton Offers Reassurance To Gay Youth In Web Posting

Photo by chicago.gopride.com

Over A Million Guests At Chicago Gay Pride; Largest In The World

11

CHICAGO--More than one million people flocked to celebrate at this year’s gay pride parade in Chicago, the first since marriage equality took effect in Illinois, according to NBC 5 television. That figure was more than double the number of visitors to Brazil’s Rio de Janairo, which previously held the Guinness Record for the Largest Gay Pride parade.

The 45th Annual Chicago Pride Parade began at noon on the city’s North Side and snaked through the Uptown, Lakeview, Boystown and Lincoln Park neighborhoods.

Traffic restrictions and street closures took effect around 7 a.m. Sunday as revelers began to line the streets.

Chicago police warned that no alcohol or rooftop parties would be allowed along the route and those caught drinking on the sidewalk, street or in an alley or park face a fine of $1,000.

Some parade-goers, however, reported that the crowd at times became rowdy.

Kristen Linscott posted a photo to Twitter showing crowds sitting and standing on a squad car with a broken windshield.

The Chicago Transit Authority said Red and Brown Line trains bypassed the Belmont Station near the parade for nearly two hours after “crowded conditions” and police activity prompted safety concerns.

“Over 1 million people attended today’s parade,” Chicago Police said in a statement. “Despite the large crowd, there were only a handful of issues including eight arrests, one of which was for criminal damage to a police vehicle.”

Gov. Pat Quinn was among those in attendance at the election-year parade and was celebrated for his efforts in legalizing gay marriage.

Several other politicians marched in the event including Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Lt. Gov. Shiela Simon and Rep. Greg Harris, who sponsored the gay marriage bill.

“For the first time this year, there are thousands of families who are going to be walking with us in the parade who are now legally married,” Harris said. “This year for Illinois all families are equal and it’s a really wonderful year.”

Four couples celebrated marriage equality at the parade by getting married on a float.

“What a wonderful wedding reception,” Art Johnston, co-founder of Equality Illinois, said. “How wonderful to have a million people at your wedding.”

July 08, 2015

WASHINGTON (AP) - Boosting her social media outreach to younger voters, Hillary Rodham Clinton is seeking to offer reassurance to gay youth in a posting that is drawing wide online attention.

On the Facebook page for Humans of New York, Clinton says she predicts that the future for gay youth “is going to be amazing” and that they will surprise themselves about the “incredible things” they will do.

The Democratic presidential candidate was responding to a photo of an unnamed boy with a tearful expression.

A captioned quote indicates he’s homosexual and fearful about the future.

The Clinton campaign confirmed Sunday that the posting, which is signed with an “H,” came personally from her. The posting, made Friday, has drawn more than 68,000 “likes” as of Sunday evening.

Chicago Pride Parade

floridaagenda.com

dancers who worked with the National Association of Social Workers. The dancers told lawmakers they like the work they do, but they sometimes feel like there’s nowhere to turn for non-judgmental advice when their rights are violated.

“I have a lot of faith in individuals in this industry,” said Elle Stanger, a dancer from Portland who was active in lobbying for the bill. “Most of us are very good people that work very hard to create a good working environment. It’s a case of a few bad apples are the reason that we have to be so publicly proactive.”

Another bill approved Monday would reduce the amount of time young people have to wait before expunging marijuana crimes from their criminal record. The bill allows people under 21 to wait one year instead of three before petitioning to remove a conviction for possessing or delivering marijuana from their record.

The move comes as Oregon moves to begin selling marijuana through a regulated market, eliminating state sanctions for possession of the drug in limited quantities.

/floridaagenda

tions from their records.

If Gov. Kate Brown signs off, a new LGBT coordinator at the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs would help gay veterans apply for a change in their discharge status. Advocates say some gay and lesbian service members received less than honorable discharges because of their sexual orientation, barring them from receiving certain federal and state benefits, including those of the G.I. Bill.

Supporters said LGBT veterans have a disproportionate number of discharge appeals pending.

“I have personally served with folks who were discharged because of their orientation,” said Rep. Paul Evans, a Democrat from Monmouth and retired Air Force major. “Only two things really matter: Are they serving as well as they possibly can? And are they doing everything they can while they’re there to make a better and stronger society?” he added.

Basic Rights Oregon, a nonprofit gay and transgender advocacy group based in Portland, said in submitted testimony that veterans were dismissed under the 1993 federal law Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, which allowed gays to serve as long as they kept their sexual orientation a secret.

But veterans have also been discharged because of the sexual preferences dating back to World War II, they said, and all often need help navigating the red tape to get their discharge status changed.

Those critical of the measure said it shouldn’t serve just a portion of the veteran population when all service members are in need of support. Rep. Mike McLane an Oregon Air National Guard officer and staff judge advocate, said veterans can be discharged for a whole range of reasons, stretching from smoking marijuana to adultery. There have been veterans discharged for behavior permissible in the civilian populace but not in the military, he added.

“Let’s do it for all the veterans who have been discharged based upon a code of justice that we now look back and say it’s wrong,” said McLane, a Powell Butte Republican. “By opening the door and choosing one group, we are in essence using public funding to favor one class of veterans over another class of veterans.”

Brown, a Democrat who is the nation’s first bisexual governor, does not weigh in on legislation before she signs it.

The Legislature also sent Brown a bill creating a hotline for strippers to report problems in clubs and seek work.

The bill was requested by a group of

/floridaagenda

NATION

July 08, 2015

12 /floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

/floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

July 08, 2015

13

July 08, 2015

14 /floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

BY RICHARD HACK

W

LGBT community—both in Florida and around the country. The city, which has considered but never implemented any anti-discrimination law, changed administrations on July 1, with Republican Lenny Curry now in charge.

The Jacksonville Coalition for

The former mayor of Jacksonville, Alvin Brown, shortly before he lost his reelection in 2015, instructed his Office of General Counsel to prepare a report studying federal, state and local laws that combat discrimination. For the city, it was too little, too late, for at that point nearly half of the state had antidiscrimination laws in place.

When the report was released in June, it said that there had been no negative impact on cities and counties with protections in place for the

Equality was quick with a response.

“The study released today shows Jacksonville is the most populous city in the United States that does not offer protections for sexual orientation and gender identity and expression in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations.

“The results of the study make clear that Jacksonville has fallen behind. We look forward to working with the new Mayor and the new City Council to make expanding

the existing Human Rights Ordinance a priority once their work of passing a budget is completed,” said Dan Merkan , Chair of the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality (JCE).

“Discrimination against the LGBT community is, unfortunately, a reality in Jacksonville and we look to our leaders to secure equal opportunity for all. We were heartened by Mr. Curry’s comments showing a willingness to move this issue forward.”

“Cities across the country are making incredible progress towards fairness and equality for LGBT people, but unfortunately it’s clear that Jacksonville is lagging behind,” said Marty Rouse, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) National Field Director. “As the largest city in the country without explicit non-discrimination protections for its LGBT residents and visitors, Jacksonville is becoming less and less competitive with its sister cities. It’s time for Jacksonville to take this important step forward by passing a fully inclusive non-discrimination ordinance.”

In the 2014 Municipal Quality Index, Jacksonville is in the lowest 15% of cities in the nation for discrimination relief. Many Democrats have gone on the record stating that a major reason that the former mayor lost his reelection bid was because he refused to take a stance on discrimination.

15

surprisingly, it has the largest percent of gay and lesbians as well—4.3 percent. What is surprising is that the city received nearly the lowest score in the Human Right’s Campaign Municipal Quality Index generating only 20 out of a 100. Only tiny Port St. Lucie scored worse.

July 08, 2015

ith last month’s same-sex marriage victory now firmly a matter of law, the activists who helped make it happen have already moved on to their next big fight: removing sexual orientation and gender discrimination from housing and the workplace. Transitioning into a push for full equality for the LGBT community may be a natural progression now that marriage has become inclusive, but it will hardly be easy. Our ultimate success in marriage equality took decades. Expect that full equality will take even longer.

Those of us lucky enough to live in Southern Florida have all the benefits associated with being surrounded by thousands of gays and lesbians—the clubs, the restaurants, the resorts and the shops pursing our dollars through acceptance and encouragement.

Politically, the governments of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park and Wilton Manors have provided leadership in passing anti-discrimination laws along with the counties of Broward and Miami-Dade. We’ve got the Stonewall Library & Museum, the Pride Center at Equality Park, plus the World AIDS Museum and Education Center. And we have inclusive law enforcement with Sheriff Scott Israel and Director J.D. Patterson.

Yet, Florida as a state is ripe with discrimination, particularly in areas associated with the bible belt in NoFlo. It is the home to the state’s largest city, Jacksonville, with a population of 1,345,596. Jacksonville is also the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. Not

floridaagenda.com

Is Next Big Fight: Jacksonville Is Florida’s Biggest Loser

/floridaagenda

Sex Discrimination

/floridaagenda

COVER

July 08, 2015

16 /floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

/floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

July 08, 2015

17

July 08, 2015

18 /floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

/floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

July 08, 2015

19

BY D’ANNE WITOWSKI

July 08, 2015

20

/floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

CREEPS OF THE WEEK

Photo by advocate.com

Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and John Roberts We are gathered here today to celebrate something that many of us didn’t think would happen in our lifetimes. Marriage Equality is, at long last, the law of the land. Thank you Supreme Court Justices Anthony M. Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen G. Breyer, and Elena Kagan.

Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and John Roberts, on the other hand, are pissed. Their dissenting opinions in the case make clear that they think that same-sex couples should not be allowed to get married and that they have the utmost disdain for both same-sex couples and the Justices who voted in the majority.

Chief Justice John Roberts, for example, doesn’t see same sex couples as people, exactly. More like hypothetical entities that exist solely to be the fodder of debate.

“Supporters of same-sex marriage have achieved considerable success persuading their fellow citizens — through the democratic process — to adopt their view. That ends today,” he wrote. “Five lawyers have closed the debate and enacted their own vision of marriage as a matter of constitutional law. Stealing this issue from the people will for many cast a cloud over same-sex marriage, making a dramatic social change that much more difficult to accept.”

As if those folks who think gays are going to hell and are ruining marriage for everyone would have been appeased by this ruling coming from somewhere else. Haters gonna hate.

Roberts continues, “However heartened the proponents of same-sex marriage might be on this day, it is worth acknowledging what they have lost, and lost forever: the opportunity to win the true acceptance that comes from persuading their fellow citizens of the justice of their cause. And they lose this just when the winds of change were freshening at their backs.

In other words, anti-gay folks just

needed a wee bit more convincing and I’m sure they would have been just fine with the whole thing. They just needed more time. And now the very important and not at all demeaning work of convincing everyone we come across that we, as gays and lesbians, are real people who feel real people feelings and aren’t a bunch of child-recruiting perverts has been stolen from us! This is an outrage!

Keep in mind this is not work that Roberts has never had to do in his male, white, heterosexual life. But he knows best what’s good for the gays!

Antonin Scalia was also upset that “the people” don’t get to vote on whether gays are capable of love and commitment or not.

“To allow the policy question of same-sex marriage to be considered and resolved by a select, patrician, highly unrepresentative panel of nine is to violate a principle even more fundamental than no taxation without representation: no social transformation without representation,” he wrote.

If Scalia saw gays and lesbians as actual human beings, he’d likely (but who knows, it’s Scalia) not be so quick to throw them to the wolves – er, I mean, the voting public – to sort it out.

Clarence Thomas essentially said that since gays didn’t have it as bad as slaves or people in internment camps, they had nothing to complain about in the first place and should STFU. Samuel Alito bemoaned that people who think gays are icky would be reduced to “whisper[ing] their thoughts in the recesses of their homes” lest they “risk being labeled as bigots and treated as such by governments, employers, and schools.”

Ah, nobody wants to be called a bigot these days, but they do want the freedom to be bigoted. It’s funny how that works. But it’s not funny coming from members of the Supreme Court who have made certain that they will go down in history as bigots themselves.

/floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

July 08, 2015

21

Put the power of the world multimedia network to work

floridaagenda.com /floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

Experience

COMING SOON

For more information, call N “Mumball” Lane at 954-543

July 08, 2015

22

.COM

Expose your business to our combined reac like Next.com, Guymag.net, FloridaAgenda.co LGBTQ travel guides. Add another five million exposure to LGBTQ consumers that no one els But there’s more!

This summer, Multimedia Platforms Worldw advanced social, news and business digital LG Our WiRLD will become your world.

Across North America and around the globe pages of WiRLD. From social networking, new travel – all this and more will be part of the mo community. Premium position advertising ord Put the power of Multimedia Platforms Wor We want you to be a part of our WiRLD.

The World’s Fastest Growing Publicly Traded LG

/floridaagenda floridaagenda.com

d’s fastest-growing LGBTQ k for you – in print and online.

/floridaagenda

e the Power!

ach of 1.49 million online users annually with web sites om and FunMaps.com, the most trusted brand among n plus readers of our print publications and you’ve got se can match.

wide will launch WiRLD.com, the planet’s most GBTQ network.

e, people will be able to live and share on the ws and entertainment to business connections and ost important online network ever for the LGBTQ rders now being accepted. rldwide to work for you.

National Sales Director Maura 3-5939.

July 08, 2015 23

GBTQ Media Company. Stock symbol: MMPW

floridaagenda.com

MICHAEL D. BECKER Attorney at Law

/floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

Criminal Defense Federal and State Trial and Appeals Two Decades of Experience

BECKER-LAWYER.com 201 NE 2nd St. Fort Lauderdale 33301

Healthcare Insurance Fraud, Internet, Child Porn and Sex Crimes Financial Fraud Drug Trafficking, Delivery, Possesion DUI, DUI Manslaughter Violent Crimes, Murder, Homicide Assault, Burglaries, Theft Domestic Violence Bond Hearings Probation Violations

954.727.5067 / 305.538.0520 MDBLAWYER@gmail.com

Friday night, end of the week, ahhhh Release the worries of

the week, and enter into the relaxing and rejuvenating world of Shabbat

July 08, 2015

24

Because everyone deserves to have a little peace come into their lives

Shabbat services every Friday night at 8pm

Congregation Etz Chaim

1501 NE 26th St, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Congregation Etz Chaim

954-564-9232 www.EtzChaimFlorida.org 1501 NE 26th St.,●Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Shabbat services every Friday night at 8pm– all are welcome!

954-564-9232 ● www.EtzChaimFlorida.org

/floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

July 08, 2015

25

floridaagenda.com

CAPITOL BEAT

July 08, 2015

26

/floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

BY LINDA PENTZ

I

Is Jeb Bush Really Pro-Gay Or Just Not Expressly Anti-?

don’t come to bury Jeb Bush. Yet. But I’m not here to praise him, either.

Because while the former Florida Governor does seem to have distanced himself from the GOP extremist pack when it comes to LGBT rights, he hasn’t taken a definitively pro-LGBT stand either. He is, let’s face it, playing the political evasion game.

In a 2012 appearance on the Charlie Rose television show, Bush answered with a definitive “no” when asked if he supported same-sex marriage. But then he tempered his response with: “I don’t think people need to be discriminated against because they don’t share my belief on this, and if people love their children with all their heart and soul and that’s what they do and that’s how they organize their life, that should be held up as examples for others to follow.”

In a January 6, 2015 statement, Bush went further: “We live in a democracy, and regardless of our disagreements, we have to respect the rule of law. I hope that we can also show respect for the good people on all sides of the gay and lesbian marriage issue — including couples making lifetime commitments to each other who are seeking greater legal protections and those of us who believe marriage is a sacrament and want to safeguard religious liberty.”

But on June 19, speaking at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Conference in Washington, DC, Bush said: “Conscience should also be respected for people of faith who want to take a stand for traditional marriage.

In a country like ours we should recognize the power of a man and a woman loving their children with all their heart and soul as a good thing, as something that is positive and helpful for those children to live a successful life.”

Does this mean he is privately accepting of his LGBT constituents, but just won’t risk his political career on a public

endorsement? His statements are a little reminiscent of people who say “some of my best friends are gay,” as if to reassure against any suggestion of prejudice. But tolerance is one thing. Rights are another. Bush may make friendly noises, but these ring hollow if they don’t come along with support for legislation that actually accords full LGBT civil and legal rights.

His non-committal dance may not be entirely disconnected from the fact that Florida ranks as one of four U.S. states with the highest number of LGBT residents, according to numbers from Gallup and the Williams Institute, along with California, New York and Texas. And in another recent Gallup poll, Florida’s four major metropolitan areas all ranked in the top 20 of highest percentage of LGBT populations.

So every Florida vote counts — assuming they actually count them and there isn’t another Bush-orchestrated hanging chad debacle as in 2000.

So what exactly is the definitive Jeb Bush position on LGBT rights? The best opportunity to learn the answer came on June 26 when every presidential candidate and their uncle had to comment on

the Supreme Court decision in favor of same-sex marriage.

Once more, Bush navigated through a back and forth statement, as if playing a game of tennis against himself. On the one hand, “Guided by my faith, I believe in traditional marriage.” On the other, “I also believe that we should love our neighbor and respect others, including those making lifetime commitments.” On the one hand, “good people who have opposing views should be able to live side by side,” and on the other, “It is now crucial that as a country we protect religious freedom and the right of conscience and also not discriminate.”

As far as Bush’s actual record to date goes, the Human Rights Campaign, which analyzes every candidate, is less than glowing in its assessment. The organization finds Bush opposed to marriage equality and to protecting LGBT Americans from discrimination, undeclared on conversion therapy, and sending mixed signals on LGBT adoption.

In attempting to see Bush as a “friendly,” it’s easy to point to Bush chief strategist, David Kochel, who’s on record saying the GOP must no longer loiter on “the wrong side of the marriage

debate, both morally and politically.”

Or to point out that senior advisor, Sally Bradshaw, went to bat to defend her gay pastor. Or to note that Bush campaign communications director, Tim Miller, is gay. But then comes Jordan Sekulow, a thoroughly nasty piece of work, also signing on as a “senior adviser” to the Bush campaign.

Sekulow, an attorney and evangelical Christian, has presumably been welcomed on board to reach out to the conservative right, which Bush is in danger of losing if he appears too forward thinking on LGBT issues.

But under the auspices of the American Center for Law and Justice, which he runs, Sekulow worked to maintain the criminalization of homosexuality in Zimbabwe, a country rife with human rights abuses. ACLJ claims its mission is to “defend the persecuted church,” right in line with the preposterous new right wing rhetoric that claims victimhood at the hands of the LGBT community.

But in yet another twist, Bush is on the record as being anti-anti. He told the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference that: “All too often we’re associated with being ‘anti’ everything.

Way too many people believe Republicans are anti-immigrant, anti-woman, anti-science, anti-gay, anti-worker, and the list goes on.”

In the melee of steadily massing Republican candidates, Bush has to find a way get noticed that does not involve his tax returns or his ballooning wealth.

So far, his balancing act on LGBT issues involves walking an extremely shaky tightrope. Will he craftily capture both sides of the middle by continuing to make sympathetic but non-committal statements on LGBT rights? Or will he lose both the more progressive Republicans and committed conservatives by appearing as a wishy-washy fence-sitter?

Only the coming months of campaigning, media spin and, ultimately, the voters, will decide which fate is his.

Photo: Yahoo.com

/floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

July 08, 2015

27

floridaagenda.com

Mind Your Manors: Fresh, Fun, And Fantastic

BY TIM HART

WILTON MANORS

BY PATRICK ROBERT

7/09 Neon Trees Utah-based American rock band Neon Trees received their first big break in 2008 as The Killers’ opening act. A deal with Mercury Records led to their first hit album, Habits. Hit songs “Everybody Talks” and “Animal” have become hipster staples, solidifying the band’s status as a millennial favorite.

Their newest album Pop Psychology finds the band exploring electronicainspired songs?like “Sleeping with a Friend.” Opening acts are Fictionist and Coin. 7:00 p.m. Revolution Live.

100 SW Third Ave. Fort Lauderdale.

33312.

/floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

THE WEEK

DINING

7/14 American Idol Live

July 08, 2015

28

T

his place has a Mission Statement – “To create and maintain a fresh and exciting restaurant which provides our customers with the highest quality in food and drink, outstanding service and atmosphere which encourages long-term, satisfied, repeat customers”. WOW – let’s see how they did.

It is not like there is a shortage of places to eat in Wilton Manors so Mind Your Manors has its work cut out for it to compete and thrive on the Drive. The restaurant is conveniently located on the south end of Wilton Drive.

Parking down there is NOT an issue for either lunch or dinner. There are meters in front, two lots on the south side and Hagan Park directly across the street.

This was my first visit to Mind Your Manors. This is an extremely casual establishment. A come as you are and bring your dog, kinda place. I went for lunch (same menu as dinner) with a small party (including one out-oftowner) and was not disappointed in the least. We were able to park at a meter out front with no problem at all.

This place is very cool. There is a huge full liquor bar that spans the entire restaurant with comfy bar stools – both inside and out. There is plenty of seating for dining both inside and out as well. Finally, the artwork on the walls is engaging and colorful. The entire party commented on the pleasant ambiance. From my standpoint, they get two thumbs up on “the fresh and exciting restaurant” section of the mission statement. I was anxious to get down to business.

It was open seating for lunch. We were greeted, given menus (specials were posted on the sandwich board outside), and the wait staff took our drink order. I also placed an appetizer order of fried mushrooms – Beer Battered Button Mushrooms served with horseradish dipping sauce ($7) for the table. There are other appetizers to choose from including Stuffed Mushrooms - Portobello cap stuffed with a cream cheese, sour

cream, scallion mixture, topped with melted mozzarella and chopped bacon ($8) and Potato Skins - 4 giant homemade potato wedges smothered in a Monterey/ cheddar blend topped with bacon and melted to perfection and garnished with sour cream and scallions ($8) to name a few.

For our main course, we ordered a Blackened Prime Rib Sandwich - slow roasted prime rib, blackened with home made blackening spice and served on a French roll with garlic mayo and a kale blend greens ($14), a Classic Burger - three meat custom blend burger, classic American style with melted cheddar cheese, served on a potato roll with lettuce tomato, onion and pickle ($12) and the Soft Shell Crab - two soft shelled crabs, lightly floured and fried, topped with Old Bay remoulade, lettuce, tomato, and served on ciabatta bread ($18).

For my side, I got the Tater Bombs which were very interesting. They were like long tots but were NOT crunchy – they were soft inside – really good! There were no complaints to be heard about the food. A check for “provides our customers with the highest quality in food”. While I did not sample the adult beverages, I know a good bar when I see one and the Mind Your Manors bar is stocked. The back page of the menu is devoted to the various beer and wine offerings – so a check to …”and drink.”

As to our service – it was excellent. Our waiter was attentive and pleasant - a passing grade for “outstanding service and atmosphere”. I plan on being a repeat customer. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!! Thank you Mind Your Manors for a delightful lunch.

MIND YOUR MANORS 2045 WILTON DRIVE WILTON MANORS, FL 33305 754-223-2172

The 14th consecutive national tour of American Idol Live! continues with the top five idols from season fourteen recreating their most talked about performances. Connecticut rocker Nick Fradiani won last season and is the headliner. Other performers include runner-up soulster Clark Beckham, Jax, Tyanna Jones, and Rayvon Owen. This is probably the second to last tour for the reality TV juggernaut, as American Idol will be ending its long run on Fox next year.

7:30 p.m. Parker Playhouse. 707 NE Eighth St. Fort Lauderdale. 33304.

7/15 Flashback: Broward

Cinema Paradiso is celebrating one of Florida’s most unique areas by screening a series of movies made-in-Broward. Along with such classics as Cape Fear and There’s Something About Mary, they will also screen Flashback: Broward—a cinematic look back at Broward County’s people and places, from the 1920’s to the 1980’s, captured by film and video clips from the collections of the Wolfson Archives.

The film celebrates the people and culture that have contributed to making Broward County so great.

5:15 p.m. Cinema Paradiso. 503 SE Sixth St. Fort Lauderdale. 33301.

/floridaagenda

BAR MAP

/floridaagenda floridaagenda.com

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

July 08, 2015

1) ALIBI 2266 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors

29

floridaagenda.com

THE WEEK

TAMPA/ST.PETE

/floridaagenda

BY PATRICK ROBERT

/floridaagenda

7/10 Imagine Dragons 2013’s massive rock hit “Radioactive” from sophomore album Smoke + Mirrors exploded on the international charts, helping Imagine Dragons be named “the year’s biggest breakout band”

by MTV. The Las Vegas quartet has a strong pedigree, with three members having attended Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music. The current tour features openers Halsey and Metric. 7:00 p.m. Amalie Arena. 401 Channelside Dr. Tampa. 33602.

7/11 Shark Con 2 An ocean lovers’ version of Comic Con, Shark Con brings together a wide array of experts and vendors in a mission to protect the ocean.

Speakers from Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and water sports clinics will join over eighty vendors from places like the Florida Aquarium and Mote Marine Laboratory. 9:00 a.m. Florida State Fairgrounds. 4802 U.S. 301 N. Tampa. 33610.

7/12 Rascal Flatts

The Brian Neal Fitness and Health Foundation

FF

ERE

NCE ONE

LIF

E A T

IM

K

DI

T

E

MA

A

July 08, 2015

30

G

A

IN

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

Country music superstars Rascal Flatts were originally a part of Disney Music Group’s Lyric Street Records, a partnership that produced seven certified platinum albums. From there, The Columbus, Ohio group moved on to Big Machine Records where they released their last three albums, including their most recent, Rewind. Members Gary LeVox, Gay DeMarcus, and Joe Don Rooney enjoyed their greatest success with a cover of Marcus Hummon’s “Bless the Broken Road,” which spent five weeks at No. 1. 7:30 p.m. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre. 4802 US Hwy 301 N. Tampa. 33610.

/floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

July 08, 2015

31

floridaagenda.com /floridaagenda /floridaagenda

THE WEEK

of selling out concerts across the country. For this tour they team up with 1980s alterna-rockers Violent Femmes, known for their hit single

BY PATRICK ROBERT “Blister in the Sun.” Violent Femmes are celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of their first album while the Barenaked Ladies are promoting their newest album Silverball.

6:30 p.m. Saint Augustine AmphiReggae fusion singer Shaggy theatre. 1340 A1A South St. Saint is best known for hummable hit Augustine. 32080. singles with indecipherable lyrics.

The Jamaican-American’s biggest hits include “Boombastic,” “It Wasn’t Me,” and “Angel.” His latest album Out of Many, One Music was nominated this year for a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. 6:00 “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” may p.m. Mavericks Rock N’ Honky Tonk. be a ridiculous play on words (and 2 Independent Dr. Jacksonville. possibly, ambiguously transphobic), 32202 but its massive popularity still helped Shania Twain’s third album Come on Over become the bestselling studio album of all time by a female act, selling around forty million copies. After a two year stint at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Twain is back on tour. 7:00 p.m.

It’s been more than “One Week” Jacksonville Veterans Memorial since Barenaked Ladies’ last hit Arena. 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. single, yet they are still capable Jacksonville. 32202.

JACKSONVILLE 7/09 Shaggy

July 08, 2015

32

7/15 Shania Twain

7/11 Barenaked Ladies/ Violent Femmes

/floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

July 08, 2015

33

floridaagenda.com /floridaagenda /floridaagenda

1226 NE 4TH AVE FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33304 954.761.1236

LEATHERWERKS.COM

July 08, 2015

34

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

Washington, D.C.

D.C. is veteran marriage equality territory of the U.S. since its mayor signed the Freedom to Marry Bill in December of 2009. And respectfully, gays and lesbians have been enjoying loving-unions in the district once the bill was actualized in March 2010.

What makes D.C. a great wedding destination is the historical appeal.

American history radiates at every corner of the district from the national momentums and parks to the 18th and 19th century architect of Georgetown, which just so happens to be the Gay Mecca of the district.

Imagine a picture perfect outdoor spring wedding when the Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom and the weather is magnificent. Also the abundance of wedding resources at your fingertips without the worry of rejection helps keep the mind at ease and surrounds the soul with positivity.

2

Provincetown, Mass.

decades, Provincetown offers the comfort and security that every gay traveler wants when stepping foot in an unfamiliar environment, especially if they’re planning their special day there. Can you imagine picketers at your venue or worse, Yikes!

But not only are you among friends in Provincetown, the town is also perfect for a summer sunshine beach wedding that just screams romance.

Or delight and amuse your guests with a field of dreams located in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, just two hours from Provincetown.

At the Old Sturbridge Village (1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge, MA 01566; 800-SEE-1830) the wedding party is transported back in time with horse drawn carriages, candlelit dinners and historical 18th century architecture with modern day comforts.

3

San Francisco

Out of the massive state of California, you can’t get anymore gay-friendly than San Francisco. Home to our late political champion and gay advocate Harvey Milk, San Fran offers a gay experience that is filled with history and acceptance.

The Kimpton Boutique Hotel, with its eight chain locations within San

Francisco, is an excellent choice for all your wedding needs from breathtaking venues to accommodations for your out-of-town guests. The Kimpton is prepared to handle all the details of your same-sex wedding, giving peace of mind for a picture-perfect day.

We recommend the Kimpton’s chic and swanky Sir Francis Drake (450 Powell Street San Francisco CA 94102; 415-3927755). The hotel is located in one of San Francisco most traveled destinations, Union Square, which is known as a California historical landmark. The area is booming with beauty salons, upscale boutiques stores and gift shops – everything to add to the best wedding.

4

New York

From the pastoral fields of upstate New York to vibrant Chelsea Pier Lighthouse overlooking the Hudson River, New York has it all: parks, harbors, beaches, countryside, churches and the list goes on. And its resources don’t just stop with the wedding locations.

Remember, New York offers the best-of-the-best in bakers, caterers, decorators, designers; all you need to create an opulent wedding masterpiece. If you can dream it, New York can provide it.

Hawaii

No matter what time of the year you choose, the Hawaiian Islands provide serene settings and relaxing romantic ambiance that is ideal for a tropical wedding and an exceptional honeymoon. Even before Hawaii passed Marriage Equality in 2013, the state made many accommodations to honor and respect the commitment ceremonies of its gay residents and visitors. And since it’s been legal to get married in the state, the experience and overwhelming acceptance has reached new heights with over a dozen Tag-Certified hotels that provide nondiscriminatory policies for staff and guests alike as well as LGBT wedding professionals that can be found on each island.

Lose your breath at the stunning ambiance of Lava Lava Beach Club on Kauai and the Big Island. Both wedding destinations are visually stunning, highlighting every splendor of Hawaii. At its Big Island location, they have exclusive oceanfront cottages, private beach access and onthe-sand dining. Hawaii is truly a spectacular backdrop to a dream wedding.

To learn about great gay owned and gay-friendly wedding resources nationwide visit engaygedwedding.com. There, you will find a clickable U.S. map of all 50 states that lead you to individual pages of accommodations, ceremony sites, photographers, caterers, entertainers, etc.– basically everything a couple needs to plan their nuptials.

Also check out dozens of other U.S. cities at www.FunMaps.com.

35

Home to the LGBT community for

5

July 08, 2015

The Beacon Hotel (1615 Rhode Island Ave., Northwest Washington, DC 20036; 800-821-4367) is one wedding venue in the district that is accepting, stunning and prepared to make all you wedding dreams a reality.

Let I Do Celebrate (57 West 57th Street 4th Floor New York, New York 10019; 800-6545962) help you plan your special day in NYC. I Do Celebrate offers comprehensive wedding packages that include acquiring permits for desired ceremony locations, securing an officiant, and capturing your beautiful day in photos and on video.

floridaagenda.com

1

By Jameer Baptiste

/floridaagenda

On Friday, June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that marriage is a constitutional right for all citizens of America regardless of sexual orientation. Consequentially, the term same-sex marriage was effectively replaced with simply the word “Marriage.”

That day has come and gone but will continue to be celebrated each and every time a couple in our community jumps the broom. But alongside this victory, comes countless options, 50 options to be exact, of “where should we tie the knot?” Yes, your place of residence might suffice but with marriage equality nationwide now you might want to get choosy and opt for a destination wedding.

/floridaagenda

TRAVEL

floridaagenda.com

THE WEEK

/floridaagenda

MIAMI/ MIAMI BEACH

/floridaagenda

7/10 The Eagles

The Eagles are one of the most popular bands of their era, with seven number one singles, six Grammys, five American Music Awards, six number one albums, and a recent induction into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Some of their most popular songs include “Life in the Fast Lane,” “I Can’t Tell You Why,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” and the classic “Hotel California”—a surrealistic, sprawling odyssey allegorically evoking the “high life in Los Angeles.” 8:00 p.m.

American Airlines Arena. 601 Biscayne Blvd. Miami. 33312.

MIAMI 1) CLUB AZUCAR 2301 SW 32nd Ave

6) EROS LOUNGE 8201 Biscayne Blvd

2) CLUB BOI 1060 NE 79th St

7) FLOPPY ROOSTER 7018 NW 72nd Ave

3) CLUB SPACE 34 N.E. 11th Street

8) HOUSE 1915 NW Miami CT

4) DISCOTEKKA | MEKKA MIAMI 950 NE 2nd Ave

9) JAMBOREE 7005 Biscayne Blvd

5) DUGOUT SPORTS BAR 3215 NE 2nd Ave

MIAMI BEACH

36

10) MAGNUM LOUNGE 709 NE 79th St 11) CLUB AZUCAR 2301 SW 32nd Ave

12) CAMEO 1445 Washington Ave

16) SCORE 1437 Washington Ave.

13) KILL YOUR IDOL 222 Espanola way

17) THE CABARET 233 12th St

14) MANSION NIGHTCLUB 1235 Washington Ave

18) TWIST 1057 Washington Ave

15) PALACE BAR 1200 Ocean Dr

July 08, 2015

BY PATRICK ROBERT

19) HOTEL GAYTHERING 1409 Lincoln Road

7/11 Miami Summer Music Festival: Season Opener with Deborah Voigt Miami Summer Music Festival opens its 2015 season with a special concert featuring internationally acclaimed soprano Deborah Voigt. The MSMF Symphony Orchestra will play alongside Voigt a robust orchestral concert of Wagner and Strauss, followed by Mahler’s powerful Symphony No. 5 led by artistic and executive director Michael Rossi.

7:30 p.m. Shepard and Ruth K. Broad Performing Arts Center. 11300 NE 2nd Ave. Miami Shores. 33161.

7/12 Miami Spa Month Miami and the Beaches is renowned for luxury spas that are beloved by spa connoisseurs around the world.

The seventh annual Miami Spa Month actually lasts for two months, starting July 1st and running to August 31st. Rejuvenating special treatments are discounted to prices as low as $99. Some of this year’s participating spas include Acqualina Spa by ESPA, Blue Harmony Spa, The Biltmore Spa, Emena Spa, and The Spa at Shula’s.

Various times at various locations across Miami-Dade County.

/floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

July 08, 2015

37

July 08, 2015

38 /floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

BY ANDY KRESS

floridaagenda.com

T

antibiotics, blood pressure medication, laxatives, oral contraceptives and some over-the-counter pain-killers.

If you are eating a nutritious and healthy diet, within the guidelines of the MyPlate diagram, supplementation in your diet should be very minimal. Eating a balance of fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy will give the body the perfect blend to stay at its optimal.

If you don’t always have the time to sit down to a square meal, try only supplementing a protein shake with added green vitamins. For older adults, check the grams of protein that you are consuming per drink. Your body metabolizes much less as we age, so slugging down the same drinks as those guys in their 20’s at the gym isn’t for you.

Choose a drink with 2030 grams of protein per serving, rather than those touting 50 grams of protein, or more.

Choosing a greens supplement helps keep the body’s acidity and alkalinity levels in check. If you have been skipping those vegetables on your plate lately, this

supplement is definitely for you.

Speaking of drinks, if you are a “moderate to heavy drinker,” you are no exception to taking supplements. You’re the best candidate! Alcohol’s deleterious effects on your entire body leave it stripped of its vital nutrients, even all the way down to the bone. Throw in a poor diet to boot because you are “too buzzed” to eat, and your supplemental needs start to skyrocket. On top of that, you are destroying the one organ—the liver--that helps you process every nutrient your body needs.

The liver is responsible for breaking down all substances to an absorbable form. Kill this organ from alcohol, and no amount of supplementation will reverse this damage. Once the liver starts to shut down, all other organs start to slow and shut down as well.

No matter how much information I give you, the choice will always be yours. Run some blood and urine tests, and then ask your doctor about supplements you may want to take before grabbing One a Day, and wasting your money and your health.

39

probably abusing a multitude of these in combination. Do read the label and choose to take the correct dosage, otherwise a set of these symptoms could be in your fate.

Be aware that most popular supplements can inhibit or delay absorption of other vitamins and nutrients, mainly due to the fillers and chemical additives in the products. These chemical fillers contain highly foreign material, which is much harsher to the digestive system, compared to most natural food items you could be eating. It can take days, sometimes even weeks for the body to process the chemical additives from just one pill.

Multiply that day after day and you’ll have yourself one unhappy digestive tract. Remember that there are millions more neurons in the digestive tract than in the brain, so the littlest upset can be intrusive on a major level.

Medications and supplements can go hand-and-hand, but be advised some can have adverse effects. Do consult your doctor about taking any additional supplements, especially when using

July 08, 2015

ons of Americans take dietary supplements everyday to aid in their diet - usually without consulting their local doctor first. This self-diagnosis of what you think your body needs can actually harm you more than you suspect. If you listen to all the supplement advertisements, you will quickly understand all of them will tell you the same thing. The average diet does not supply the body with adequate amount of nutrients. Supplement companies want you to swallow your nutrition in a pill form once or twice a day, while dietitians want you to acquire your nutrients through whole food sources. Neither of these ways has to be wrong, especially if you combine the two together.

The American way with supplements suggests that if a little is good for you, then a lot must be better. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Overconsumption of certain dietary supplements can create a toxic slurry that is hard for the liver and kidneys to process. This toxic slurry can turn into a condition called hypervitaminosis. Acquiring this condition can have some severe long-term effects to these vital organs.

America’s most overused supplements are of the fat-soluble kind - vitamins A, D, E, and K. Abusing these supplements can leave a wide array of symptoms.

Overconsumption of vitamin A can cause liver damage, skin problems, fatigue and other harsh symptoms. Too much vitamin D in the body creates calcium deposits on the heart and blood vessels. This is not good when one of America’s leading killers is still a heart attack. Overuse vitamin E and symptoms can include nausea, severe abdominal pain, and fatigue. If you take too much vitamin K, you put yourself at risk for jaundice and potential blood clots. Being that these are the most commonly overused supplements, most people are

/floridaagenda

What You Need To Know About Supplements

/floridaagenda

NUTRITION AFTER 40

July 08, 2015

40 /floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

FITNESS

July 08, 2015 41

During your light warm-up, block out all distractions (i.e. work, fatigue, annoying chatter, etc.). Zone out to your favorite music if you like.

Workout: For chest, you are going to do 3 or 4 major exercises. For now, focus upon rep 1 of your first set of flat bench barbell presses.

After loading the weights, recline on the flat bench, feet flat on the floor and look intently at the barbell above you. Breathe deeply in and out a few times. Grasp the bar and lift the weight into position above your chest. Breathe in as you lower it (negative or eccentric phase) slowly to the nipples and don’t drop your elbows too low. Contract your triceps and pectorals powerfully as you push the weight up explosively. Visualize your pecs as two slabs of muscle, pumping and working with each rep of each set of flat bench presses. Recall the photos in your mind. Achieve that link between mind and body that will give you the chest you’ve dreamed about.

Post Workout: Don’t be discouraged if it takes you awhile to master visualization skills. Generally, the bodybrain link is easier to achieve with the muscle groups you enjoy working.

Remember also that your body is a work of art in process. The photos in magazines are your ideal, but also remember that images are often photo shopped. Appreciate the body you have and work to make it healthy and beautiful. Training is more than just a physical endeavor. Over time, developing the mental processes along with hard work will give you the superlative results you deserve.

Tom Bonanti is a certified fitness trainer and massage therapist (MA#40288) with his own gym and studio www.pumpnincgym.com at 1271 NE 9th Avenue in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Contact Tom trainertomb@ aol.com with questions or call him (954) 557-1119 to schedule a free consultation!

floridaagenda.com

A

re you one of those guys who believes that there’s nothing more to working out than pumping iron?

Think again, especially if you want to take your training to a higher level.

For a few years now, body builders, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts have been utilizing a technique called visualization to achieve superior results.

Visualization is nothing more than having a dream and then believing that you can achieve it through your own hard work. People like Beethoven and Martin Luther King, Jr. had the courage to dream, and then achieved it in the face of adversity.

Pop icons like Madonna and Oprah dreamed big and created empires.

Visualization, which utilizes the brain to muscle connection, is a technique you can use to achieve your peak physique. Here’s the method: Target a muscle or muscle group exclusively. Consciously envision the muscle being trained.

Block out all distractions. As you perform each repetition of each set, the targeted muscle must remain under continuous tension, making sure that it is the primary mover throughout the movement. Make sure you feel each contraction. Pay attention to the stretch. Repeat the process with each repetition of each set of each exercise.

Here’s an example of how you might use visualization to improve your flat bench barbell press.

Pre-workout: Keep an inspiring array of photos available for constant edification. Save them on your phone. Post them on the fridge or bathroom mirror to remind you of your ideal physique. These images will keep you focused on the type of body you want to achieve.

When you get to the gym, know what you want to accomplish. For example, “Today, I am going to have the greatest chest workout ever!”

/floridaagenda

Dream It, Believe It, Achieve It!

/floridaagenda

By Tom Bonanti

floridaagenda.com /floridaagenda /floridaagenda

THE WEEK

ORLANDO

BY PATRICK ROBERT

7/10 Neon Trees Utah-based American rock band Neon Trees received their first big break in 2008 as The Killers’ opening act. A deal with Mercury Records led to their first hit album, Habits. Hit songs “Everybody Talks” and “Animal” have become hipster staples, solidifying the band’s status as a millennial favorite. Their newest album Pop Psychology finds the band exploring electronica-inspired songs like “Sleeping with a Friend.”

Opening acts are Fictionist and Coin. 7:00 p.m. The Beacham. 46 N. Orange Ave. Orlando. 32801.

7/15 Aida in Concert A handful of Disney cast members created Encore! Cast Performing Arts in order to give these Disney workers an outlet for creativity and expression. Tonight, the players will be performing Elton John’s Aida in concert. Nubian princess Aida becomes romantically entangled with Egyptian captain Radames. As their forbidden love grows, she must find a balance between her heart’s yearning and her responsibility to her people.

7:30 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. 32801.

July 08, 2015

42

Brit Floyd Brit Floyd’s newest production Space and Time pays homage to the entire career of Pink Floyd, from the Syd Barrett led ‘60s psychedelic pop of The Piper at the Gates of Dawn to their recent album The Endless River. The show employs projections and animations that shed light on both the history of the group and the differing egos of its members. 6:00 p.m. House of Blues. 1490 E. Lake Buena Vista Dr. Orlando. 32830.

/floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

July 08, 2015

43

July 08, 2015

44 /floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

SCREEN SAVOR

(Courtesy of softpedia.com)

F

B

(Courtesy of theguardian.com)

Edward will also be a student), but her father thinks his money is better spent on a new piano for Vera.

She strongly disagrees.

In spite of vowing to never marry (leading her father to accuse her of becoming a “bluestocking”), Vera has meanwhile caught the eye of

period. But she is strong, a testament to her youth, for sure, and her story is one you won’t soon forget. Vikander, who sounds like Scarlett Johanssen with a British accent, is marvelous and could potentially earn Oscar love for her performance.

45

ased on Vera Brittain’s memoir, Testament of Youth (Sony Pictures Classics), is one of two outstanding British period pieces featuring strong female characters (the other being Far From the Madding Crowd starring Carey Mulligan).

Testament of Youth begins on Ar-

Testament of Youth

July 08, 2015

unnier and gayer than its 2012 predecessor, Magic Mike XXL (WB) is definitely bigger, but not necessarily better. Director Gregory Jacobs is no Steven Soderbergh, a fact that is obvious right from the start. Soderbergh, to his credit, gave the risky subject matter an indie sheen that worked in its favor. Jacobs goes in the opposite direction and the results are haphazard. Remember a g-string jock should be tight-fitting and so should a movie about male strippers.

Retired “male entertainer” Mike (Channing Tatum) runs his own furniture-making biz, but still finds time to do a Flashdance-inspired routine in his workshop. A cryptic phone message from Tarzan aka Ernest (Kevin Nash) lures Mike to a motel pool party where the rest of the Kings of Tampa (minus one) have gathered before hitting the road on one last trip to Myrtle Beach to attend a male strippers convention (really!).

There are a few stops along the way in what is essentially a roadtrip movie. The first is at a drag bar in Jacksonville, Florida (involving voguing). Then it’s off to a high class Savannah, Georgia strip club for women run by Rome (Jada

floridaagenda.com

Miagic Mike XXL

two suitors, Victor (Colin Morgan) and Roland (Kit Harrington). While Roland, a poet like Vera, is the one who has won her attention, she remains undeterred in her mission to get an education. Vera’s father relents and Vera takes her Oxford entrance exams and is admitted to Somerville College where she must prove she is not just “provincial upstart.”

Just as her future as an educated woman was being rolled out in front of her, the countdown to World War I was getting off the ground with the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand. With both her brother Edward and her love Roland signing up to fight, Vera’s “original mind” (as it is described mistice Day in November 1918 and by tough-as-leather teacher Miss Pinkett Smith), a former intimate then rapidly delves into the past of Lorimer, played by Miranda Richof Mike’s. There is also a producfour years earlier. At that time, Vera ardson) is more than a little distive visit to the home of generous, but vengeful divorcee Nancy (Andie (Alicia Vikander, soon to be seen in tracted from her studies.

The Danish Girl) was landed gentry, MacDowell). Then, the ultimate Stubborn as ever, Vera leaves living with her younger brother destination – a Myrtle Beach hotel Oxford and becomes a volunteer Edward (Taron Egerton), mother where Mike and his crew, includnurse for the war effort. Without (Emily Watson) and father (Dominic giving away too much, let’s just say ing Tarzan, Ken (out actor Matt West). Headstrong Vera is deterBomer), well-hung Richie (Joe she endures more than her share of mined to get into Oxford (where Manganiello) and Tito (Adam Roheartache and hardship during this driguez) work on their routine, and butch Rome reunites with former flame Paris (Elizabeth Banks).

The dance routines in Magic Mike XXL are more graphic and suggestive than the ones in the original, but that’s not enough to make them capable of being the least bit arousing. Reid Carolin’s script will make you squirm for all the wrong reasons. Tatum, Bomer and Manganiello are capable of better and more, but they’re not given the chance to prove it here.

/floridaagenda

Youth Wasted and Well-Spent

/floridaagenda

BY GREGG SHAPIRO

July 08, 2015

46 /floridaagenda

/floridaagenda

floridaagenda.com

/floridaagenda

ACCOUNTING

AUTO Vista Motors BMW 744 N Federal Hwy Pompano Beach, FL 855-793-7093 / vistabmw.com

ATTORNEYS Michael D. Becker Attorney at Law 201 NE 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-727-5067 / becker-lawyer.com Law Offices of George Castrataro 707 NE 3rd Avenue, Suite 300 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954-573-1444 / lawgc.com Law Offices of Phillip Menditto 524 S Andrews Avenue, Suite 200 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-641-9100 / phillipmenditto.com Law Offices of Caro Kinsella 20801 Biscayne Blvd, Suite 403 Miami, FL 33180 954-304-2243 / immigrationlawyerfl.com Dean Trantalis Attorney 2255 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-566-2226 / trantalislaw.com

CHURCH / SPIRITUAL Center for Spiritual Living 1550 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-566-2868 / cslftl.com Holy Angels Catholic Community 2917 NE 6th Avenue Wilton Manors, FL 33334 954-633-2987 / holyangelsfl.org

EVENTS I DO Custom Events PO Box 2357 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-626-0131 / idocustomevents.com Source Events 605 Lincoln Road, #410 Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-672-9779 / sourceevents.com

FITNESS Pump’n Inc Tom Bonanti 1271 NE 9th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954-557-1119 / pumpnincgym.com

FINANCIAL Las Olas Financial Group 3000 NE 30th Place, Suite 206 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 844-779-7936 / lasolasfinancialgroup.com

OPTICAL Island City Eyecare 2301 Wilton Drive, Suite C1 Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-764-6906 / visionsource-ice.com

ORGANIZATIONS The Pride Center 2040 N Dixie Hwy Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-463-9005 / pridecenterflorida.com Out of the Closet 2097 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-358-5580 / outofthecloset.org

PHOTOGRAPHY Dennis Dean Images 3554 NE 12th Avenue Oakland Park, FL 33334 954-240-8307 / dennisdean.com

PROMOTIONALS

Dr. Daniel Man 851 Meadows Rd, Belle Terre Building Boca Raton, FL 33486 888-822-7543 / drman.com Take Shape Plastic Surgery, P.A. 4161 NW 5th St, Suite 100, Plantation, FL 33317 954-585-3800 / takeshape.info

SPA / MASSAGE

HEALTH / MEDICAL Genesis Health Institute 1001 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-561-3175 / ghinstitute.com Better Hearing-World of Sounds 2450 E Commercial Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 954-491-2560 betterhearingworldofsounds.com

PLASTIC SURGERY

Tom Marten, 5Points Massage 2413 NE 11th Avenue Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-295-7041 / 5pointsmassage.com

UPHOLSTERY REAL ESTATE

PHP HMO SNP 888-456-4715 positivehealthcare.net

Galleria International Realty 945 Las Olas Boulvard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-234-8759 / galleriarealtors.com

Ocean Therapy Center 2530 NE 15th Avenue Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-351-2299 oceantherapycenter.com

Joe Grano Realtor 1881 NE 26th Street, Suite 212 Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-931-0031 / joegrano.com

Gold Coast Upholstery 978 W Prospect Road Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 954-491-4937

Get listed for only $99 a month.

Contact Mark Robinson, Account Executive 954-232-6584 / markrobinson@mmplgbt.com

47

The Parish of St Francis & Clare 101 NE 3rd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-731-8173 / stsfrancisandclare.org

Wilton Manors Dental 2517 N.E. 9th Avenue Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-564-4746 / wiltonmanorsdental.com

We Insure 1975 E Sunrise Blvd, Suite 602 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304 954-903-7519 / weinsurefl.com

July 08, 2015

Etz Chaim 1501 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-564-9232 / etzchaimflorida.org

Bove Dental 2500 E Oakland Park Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 954-564-0181 / bovedentistry.com

INSURANCE

floridaagenda.com

Sterling Tax & Accounting 2435 N Dixie Hwy Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-667-9829 / sterlingandhart.com

DENTAL

/floridaagenda

Business Directory