TRENDING x July 29, 2015
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Issue #297
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䘀吀⸀ 䰀䄀唀䐀䔀刀䐀䄀䰀䔀 ⴀ 䨀䄀䌀䬀匀伀一嘀䤀䰀䰀䔀 ⴀ 䬀䔀夀 圀䔀匀吀
NEWSWATCH
File Photo
Exclusive interview with Rev. Benjamin Hutchison
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INTERVIEW
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Terry DeCarlo leads Central Florida’s LGBTQ community to a new era
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19 SAME-SEX PARENTS TO CREATE BABIES FROM SKIN CELLS WITHIN TWO YEARS o
Photo by Dennis Dean
ENTERTAINMENT
Courtesy of Parliament House
Orlando Magic: Parliament House Turns 40
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“Donald Trump’s ego is so inflated, he might as well be the Hindenburg! In dictionary next to “Obnoxious Asshole” see photo of The Donald.”
Cher
CHER, on Donald Trump’s presidential bid.
BIGSTOCK PHOTO
STRAIGHT... OR STRAIGHT TO BED?
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I just did a rather overtly sexual and seductive number on stage. Several of the straight dudes in the audience were clearly uncomfortable. Poor fools don’t realize that only gives us the fuel to be even bolder! Ain’t my fault you’re sporting wood from my gorgeousness. And now I'm really
gonna confuse them by doing a gospel number and take those bitches to church! God I love f---ing with the heteros! CHARLIZE ANGEL, female impersonator extraordinaire at 801 Bourbon Bar, Key West
BIGSTOCK PHOTO
Let’s get serious... “We’re creating a culture that is not conducive to good policy or good politics. The American people deserve better. Certainly, presidential debates deserve better. In 18 months, I’m turning over the keys — I want to make sure I’m turning over the keys to somebody who is serious about the serious problems the country faces and the world faces. And that requires on both sides, Democrat and Republican, a sense of seriousness and decorum and honesty. And I think that’s what the voters expect, as well.”
I absolutely love the art of negotiation, and I love haggling for a good deal. However, certain people take haggling so far it actually becomes offensive. [My partner] and I sold box loads of shoes and clothing to a woman today, and after adding up nearly 100 items (worth at least $1000 retail), I discounted her total from a yard sale $140 down to $100. “Give me $10 back,” she says, handing me her $100 bill. “I’ll give you zero back -- or I’ll put my things back on the racks,” I replied. “Give me $10 back,” she persisted, “I need $10 for gas.” “Then I suppose you need to not shop so far from home, do you?” I said. I’d rather give it to charity. --Unattributed
NO CHARGE: I manage to kill all my phone charging cords in a few days flat. Incredible. I'm essentially the ISIS of charger cords. NO WAY: I'm standing in line at Walgreens and I'm a little shocked and disturbed that no tabloid magazine has any update whatsoever on Bristol Palin's single pregnant vagina! Give the people the news they want! NO BITE: Leave it to that evil troll Rachel Ray to ensure that even the name of her dog food line is annoying: Nutrish! Almost as super-gay as "EVOO! NO BREAK: Do you member the time Nell Carter accidentally vacuumed the fish tank in the opening credits of "Gimme a Break?" Yeah, man, the 80s were great! NO LAY: Lay’s government cheese flavored potato chips. Leaves powdered poverty on your fingers and only to be enjoyed with your cankles up, relaxing in your trailer. Adam Cohen is a social commentator who lives in Wilton Manors, Fla.
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4 Tag Florida Agenda in your next witty post and your comments could end up on this page!
NO CHANCE: Poor thing. With those two as parents, she never stood a chance. I hope she's finally in a place of peace. (Commenting on the death of Bobbi Christina, 22, daughter of the late Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown.)
July 29, 2015
President BARACK OBAMA at a press conference, asserting the Republican Party was incapable of discussing serious issues.
THE ART OF THE DEAL
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By Adam Cohen
Cher sticks a pin in The Donald
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JUST ADAM...
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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING... Random thoughts and quotes on Facebook this week
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NEWSWATCH | SPECIAL REPORT
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n southwest Michigan, on the edge of Diamond Lake, lies a village called Cassopolis. About 2,000 people live there, a great many of whom faithfully worshipped every Sunday at Rev. Benjamin Hutchison’s Cassopolis United Methodist Church.
Ousted gay United Methodist Church leader Rev. Benjamin Hutchison (right) married his partner, Monty, to the applause of his congregation in an outside ceremony days after being forced to step down. PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA AGENDA
By PETER JACKSON
with Rev. Benjamin Hutchison Page 6
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July 29, 2015
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
In fact, the congregation of the church had almost quadrupled in recent times, all because of the remarkable young pastor. He was charismatic, he was passionate – and, as it happens, he was gay. The latter became a problem for church leadership two weeks ago when they confronted the pastor about his homosexuality and forced him to resign. The congregation was crushed. They rallied around their pastor. A few days later, they attended his wedding to Monty, the love of his life and a man who had been visible in the pastor’s life the whole time.
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NEWSWATCH SPECIAL REPORT | RELIGION
IN AMERICA
A time to love
EXCLUSIVE
CONTINUED from page 5 /floridaagenda
A dozen or more United Methodist preachers also attended to show their love and support for Rev. Hutchison and participate in the ceremony. But United Methodist Church doctrine is specific in its clear-cut unacceptance of homosexuality. The pastor had to go. And the pastors who participated in his wedding all face disciplinary action.
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he Rev. Benjamin Hutchison isn’t the only gay preacher in this country and the United Methodist Church isn’t alone in its questioning of a core belief. Yet another positive repercussion of the Supreme Court’s June 26th ruling of marriage equality is that our churches must now deal openly, for the first time, with their teachings and positions on same-sex marriages and acceptance of LGBTQ members. It’s a watershed moment for many religions. Will love, passion and acceptance override rejection, denial and judgment? “God does not ask us to choose between compassion and faith in the Bible,” argues the NALT Christian Project (www.NotAllLikeThat.org), a web site for Christians proclaiming their belief in full LGBT equality that illuminates the issue with objective fact and subjective opinion. “Reconciling the Bible with unqualified acceptance and equality for LGBT people does not necessitate discounting, recasting, or deconstructing the Bible,” argue NALT members. “All it takes is reading those passages of the Bible wherein homosexuality is mentioned with the same care that we would any other passage of the book. If there is no clearly stated directive in the Bible to marginalize and ostracize gay people, then it is morally indefensible for Christians to continue to do so. “What cannot be denied,” argues the group, “is that Christians have caused a great deal of pain and suffering to gay persons by:
4Banning their participation in the sacrament of marriage, thus depriving them of the comforts and spiritual fruits of marriage. 4Damaging the bonds between gays and their straight family members, thus weakening the comforts and spiritual fruits of family life for both gays and their families. 4Using their position within society as spokespersons for God to proclaim that all homosexual relations are disdained by God, thus knowingly contributing to the cruel persecution of a minority population.”
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hese are strong arguments that our churches must answer. The LGBTQ community must insist that they do. But there’s another segment of the population that is influencing change in our churches with regard to LGBTQ acceptance and equality: today’s twenty- and thirty somethings – gay and straight – who are unable to reconcile traditional interpretation of ancient scriptures with the reality of a modern, technologically-driven world. One thing is certain: change is constant. Life is evolving. Our religious leaders will have to realize that, and new thought and understanding given to church doctrine. In much the same way, hate-mongering Bible-thumpers will have to accept the Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality and the Republicans will have to wake up to the influence and importance of LGBTQ voters.
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4Banning their participation in the church, thus depriving them of the comforts and spiritual fruits of the church.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION Learn more about the NALT Christian Project by visiting www.NotAllLikeThat.org.
PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA AGENDA
United Methodist ministers who participated in the ceremony now face disciplinary action.
‘THE CHURCH MUST CHANGE’ Rev. Benjamin Hutchison, the ousted gay pastor at Cassapolis United Methodist Church, spoke exclusively to the Florida Agenda this week in a candid interview. Here is what he told us:
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Q: Tell us about the timing. You had been the beloved leader of the church for two years. You built it financially and grew the congregation. You changed your last name to match your partner’s soon after you started in 2013 – and now, suddenly, you are confronted with the issue of being a gay man with a partner in the background… A: The difficult part of the confrontation from the church leader was previously he had asked for my help with another UMC in the area. I was not upset about the consequences, as I knew that I had God and Monty on my side. My biological family had attempted to proposition me with choosing them or Monty. And if it is not evident by now, I will always choose Monty, because I strongly believe that God created Monty to love me, to be my partner, and now my husband.
Q: You are not the only gay man who is a pastor or religious leader of a church whose doctrine is unaccepting of homosexuality. Does your story mean we are going to start seeing more of these cases and force major religions to re-examine their core beliefs? A: I pray that this ‘story’ helps people, church leaders, and religious organizations understand the psychological damage that they are doing through their doctrines. I pray that good comes from this ‘story’, my struggle and pain. The thesis of my third master’s degree is entitled, “Your theology is killing our children: A psychological perspective on how the religious terrorism of antigay theology contributes to the suicide epidemic among queer youth.” Children are killing themselves because of what the church is teaching or their disciplines in-
cline them to implement. It is not only a theological/biblical issue, but a psychological, emotional, and spiritual one as well. Therefore, for the sake of the next generation we must change immediately. Q: Nine fellow United Methodist pastors who showed their support by participating in your marriage ceremony and pronouncing you “Man and Man” now face discipline from the church. Are you thinking, “Enough is enough!” What do you feel is going to come out of all of this? A: The nine clergy will all face repercussions from the bishop’s office. But beyond that I hope it shows the bishop and conference that the church is changing. Clergy are blatantly opposing the book of discipline in order to Love God, Live like Jesus, and Serve Others. They are attempting to be the hands and feet of Christ on this earth. It also shows their support of me, as an ordained minister, and my effectiveness within the local church and conference. Q: Let’s go back in time. At what point did the struggle begin for you between accepting yourself as a gay man and deciding to enter the ministry? A: I never struggled being a gay man. I struggled with people’s bigoted, oppressive, abuse actions and words towards me as a gay man. The older I got, the more education I received, and as I studied human sexuality and theology through my graduate school career, I became more and more grounded in my understanding of who I am and who God created me to be. I have never felt the calling per se. Being able to preach and being ordained in some ways just happened — apparently God needs me to help change peo-
ple’s hearts, minds, and hopefully the world. I have a master’s degree in social work and long to be back in the clinical field working in an inner city hospital, preferable Detroit, MI. Q: Your congregation has been very vocal in its support for you. Would you return to the church if asked to do so? A: This is a question that Monty and I are grappling with. I would never return in the capacity at which I was before, but I can say that I feel as though I would return to the church. They need help healing from the harm that the denomination has caused them. They feel as though the rug has been torn out from underneath them, they feel as though they are adrift in an ocean, and they need someone who is a rock that they can lean on. I am unsure of what returning to the church would look like, but the congregation would be worth it. Returning would also show the bishop’s office the strong desire the local church has for me to be their pastor and that I am fit for the ministry. Q: What’s next for you? A: My next step is to be able to sleep through the night and to be able to have a regular eating schedule again. Eating has been the biggest struggle, but I am conquering it. From there I hope to find a job and look for a house with Monty so that we can move in together. Lord willing, I hope to use my MSW, as I long to be a professor and to work on a PhD in clinical psychology, researching mental health issues caused by religious oppression. I know that whatever the next step is that God has got me firmly planted as a tree by water and that I am holding Monty’s hand and we are walking together, hand in hand.
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Q: And what prompted you to marry Monty, your partner and now your husband, amidst all of this confusion? A: After the resignation, that
evening Monty sent me his information so that I could apply for the marriage license in Cass County. He knew it was important to me to ask Monica Kennedy, County Clerk and friend, for the license. He also knew that there were many friends in Cassopolis that I wanted present at our wedding. My nerves were shot as the news followed me into Monica’s office and she assisted me through the application process. She stated it would be ready on Friday. I asked what time she would be there, as I wanted to get it directly from her. She stated 12:30, and from there it was all God. I ran with the 12:30 thing. I texted Monty and said ‘I need you here Friday at 12:30 for our wedding” ... I strongly believe that the Friday at 12:30 was, and is, a God moment. I was directed by the Spirit just to do it and I did. And I believe that the outcome was one for the bettering of God’s kingdom.
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Q: In a period of a week, you were forced to resign as head pastor of the Cassopolis United Methodist Church, found yourself thrust into the national spotlight and married your partner to the loud applause of most of your congregation. What was that like? A: The forced resignation and then wedding has been an emotional roller coaster. Within hours I have been in the lowest valley and on the highest mountain. I constantly remind myself that as the Psalmist says, “I am like a tree that is planted by the water, and I shall NOT be moved.” No one and no organization can shake me from my faith and God’s love for me as a beloved child.
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I pray that this ‘story’ helps people, church leaders, and religious organizations understand the psychological damage that they are doing through their doctrines.
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SPECIAL REPORT | RELIGION
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4 OPTIONS FOR GAY BELIEVERS
growing the congregation fourfold n 2004, The United Methodist Church stated in its Book of Disci- and making it financially solvent. The congregation is understandably livid pline that “homosexuals are of no they beloved pastor is gone and some less sacred worth have threatened to leave the church. than heterosexuTo keep the issue from turning into als.” In every upa huge stain, Rev. Hutchison resigned date and revision and was wed. Several Methodist minsince, though, the isters presided over his vows, and church has upheld they also will face a Methodist jury its 1974 decree for blessing a same-sex union as will that homosexualmany other Methodist ministers for ity is “incompatiBy presiding over same-sex weddings in ble with Christian where it was legal before the teaching” and that ANDREW states SCOTUS ruling. it does not conSAUS II Some churches, such as the Episcodone (and won’t palians, have overcome the issue of bless) same-sex gays in houses of worship. In 2003 unions, nor will it they elected Gene Robinson the first allow gays the openly gay man to the position of right to hold positions of authority in bishop. A close friend of mine atthe church unless they remain celitended a coffee house session a few bate. years back where one such church inThey displayed their seriousness vited Dove award-winning (contemabout these rules when in between porary Christian music’s Grammy) 1987 and 2013 when, in separate artist Jennifer Knapp (now openly cases, two lesbians were defrocked for being openly gay and, in a third, a gay) to talk about the controversy she faced after comminister was deing out. Many frocked for prepeople asked her siding over his questions about son’s marriage I came out to the youth being ostracized to another man. pastor who promptly for being both It should come as no surinformed me that I would Christian and gay until one prise that Rev. no longer be allowed to older lady rose Benjamin spend time with the and asked, “Is Hutchison finds youth group members this really that himself in the big of an issue? I spotlight in what unsupervised because don’t see this just may be the scientific studies show kind of treatment tipping point for that all gays are of gay people in evangelical my church. Does Christianity’s pedophiles...” this happen in acceptance of its other churches?” LGBT adherents Bewildered, she sank into the pew in much the same way the SCOTUS and began to weep. marriage equality ruling was last My friend nodded that yes, yes it month for the nation. does happen. Rev. Hutchison was forced to reAs a holder of a bachelor’s degree sign from his position after being threatened with dismissal by his supe- in Biblical studies, I was putting in riors in Cassopolis UMC in Michigan my time, working with the youth of my non-denominational church about for defying the church’s rules by being in a same-sex relationship. And this was despite his record of literally Please turn to OPTIONS, page 15 saving the church from closure by
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IN AMERICA
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COVER STORY
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hildren. The word alone is enough to evoke any range of emotions, from terror and anxiety to laughter and excitement. The road to parenthood for Fort Lauderdale couple Mark and Rob Angle is far from the cautionary tale most would anticipate from a same-sex couple. We’ve all heard our share of horror stories of birth mothers changing their minds at the last minute, the seemingly endless waitlists, By and the imminent, albeit unDIEGO founded, threat WYATT of some form of blackmail-driven reciprocity. As such, it should come as no surprise that adoption was not the first choice for the two. “We investigated in vitro and went so far as to have a close friend offer to donate her eggs,” admits Mark, the director of community relations for AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “We met with some in vitro specialists, but it was going to cost us over $100,000. We didn’t want to bring a child into the world where his/her parents were saddled with that kind of debt. We had been in that process for over a year and we just couldn’t bring ourselves to say out loud, ‘we’re not going to do it.’” More couples than ever are relying on in vitro fertilization to help them conceive; however, the number of variables that affect success rates and the amount of money incurred with each attempt have led a number of couples, like Mark, 43, and Rob, 51, to consider alternative options like adoption. One Saturday morning, a friend who had seen Mark and Rob’s IVF struggles vented out into the world in the form of Facebook posts months prior called and asked the couple how they felt about adoption. The two were lying in bed still deciding what they wanted to do with their day. The friend went on to disclose that he had a friend who had a friend who is an attorney and recently became acquainted with a young mother-to-be seeking adoptive parents for her newborn. “Rob and I discussed it for about…five seconds,” Mark laughs. “In 20 minutes or less the phone was ringing from this attorney and we were introducing ourselves and telling our story,” adds Rob, the Director of Nursing for Emergency Services at Memorial Hospital Pembroke. “Within 30 minutes we sent 10
Like so many LGBT families, Mark and Rob Angle are discovering the joy of parenting
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ince 2000, the number of children living in same-sex households has doubled, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections reports that four percent of adopted children and three percent of foster children in the U.S. live with samesex parents, as of 2010. These figures go to show one thing: The days of the Beaver Cleaver standard-issue nuclear family (add a pair of heterosexuals, some kids, and stir) are over. May 16, 2015, Mark and Rob welcomed their daughter Melanie into the world. Both were in the birthing suite for her delivery and Rob cut the umbilical cord as part of the mother’s birth plan. Since Melanie’s birth, the lives of Mark and Rob have changed drastically. Gone for now are the extended nights out and carefree vacations. Here to stay are days that revolve around three-hour feeding spans, diapers, and mad dashes to get ready each morning. One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the couple’s foundation. “In our 12 years, we’ve gone through lots of little life milestones: moving, remodeling, death, and now birth,” says Mark. “We’ve had our moments, but we’ve learned to trust and rely on each other. Having Melanie has reinforced that for us.” Both Mark and Rob realize that their experience is unique, especially when there are couples still waiting to become adoptive parents. More importantly, however, they understand the gravity that comes along with adopting a child. Photography by DENNIS DEAN | FLORIDA AGENDA “After looking through surrogacy, we’ve gone through the adoption photos of ourselves to the attorney and mother.” process and have seen how it affects the birth mother Soon after, the Angles learned that the mother and the child that would otherwise be homeless,” wanted to meet them. That following Thursday, the says Rob tearfully. “Adoption was the right thing.” pair took a trip to St. Augustine where they met the It may be difficult to imagine now, but in the blink expecting mother and father in a quaint restaurant. of an eye little Melanie will be all grown up with her This series of fortunate events allowed them to get own dreams, aspirations, and accompanying obstato know the birth mother and leave a lasting imprescles to overcome. But one thing that both of her sion of their own. proud papas want her to know is how much they “We fell in love with the kids that were having our love her. kid,” remembers Rob. “You will never know how much you are loved,” Things seemed to be moving along perfectly, but reveals Mark in a post-dated message to an 18-yearthat didn’t keep certain doubts from popping into the old Melanie between tearful glances at Rob. “Having heads of the couple. her in my arms and between us is the realization of “I kept thinking this is so great, but what’s comeverything in the world that I wanted even before I ing?” admits Mark. “We didn’t paint the nursery. We knew that was what it was that I wanted. She’s didn’t buy a crib. We just wanted to be sure.” everything.”
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COVER STORY II
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THE EQUALITY ACT OF 2015 By RICHARD HACK
WASHINGTON—It is the most sweeping equality bill ever to hit the floor of the Senate and House of Representatives. It is bold and it is long overdue. Hoping to benefit from the positive LGBT momentum gained after last month’s Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage, the Equality Act of 2015 takes aim at preventing discrimination in public accommodations, public education, employment, housing, federal funding, jury service, legal protections, and credit. The bill would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity among the other protected classes. It was introduced to both houses last week in a moving ceremony in the Lyndon B. Johnson Room in the US Senate, with a view of the Supreme Court building in the distance. (See this week’s Capitol Beat column.) While most Americans when questioned have a belief that gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals are protected under the law, according to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), 31 states do not have laws that explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. “This is completely wrong: Americans do not support discrimination,” said House sponsor Rep. David Cicilline (DRI). “Fairness and equality are core American values.” Most Americans agree. The larger problem is that they think such basic protections are already in place. In a June 2014 Huffington Post/
YouGov poll, 62 percent of respondents said they thought it was “currently illegal under federal law to fire someone for being gay or lesbian.” In a more far-reaching survey released last week of likely voters in the 2016 Presidential election, four out of five respondents believe that non-discrimination is a basic civil right. Furthermore, these same respondents reported that they were likely to vote against candidates for public office who oppose granting these same basic civil rights. Seventy-eight percent of likely voters support employment protections for LGBT persons, compared with 16 percent who do not. Fifty-nine percent of voters said they would be less likely to support a presidential candidate who opposes nondiscrimination employment policies. Still, when last week’s press conference ended with 163 co-sponsors in the House and 40 in the Senate, not a single Republican had indicated support. And as shocking as the bi-partisan divide is on the bill, and as obvious is its need, the road to passage will not be easy. In every Congress since 1994, there has been an effort made to pass the much more narrowly focused Employment Non-Discrimination Act, only to have it fail under the theory that such a bill would violate a person’s religious liberty. Ryan Anderson, a fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank, and this week’s Creep of the Week, refuted the legitimacy of the Equality Act on that basis. “The ‘Equality Act’ is a misnomer,” Anderson wrote in The Daily Signal.
EXCLUSIVE
David Cicilline (D-RI)
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This is completely wrong: Americans do not support discrimination,” said House sponsor Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI). “Fairness and equality are core American values.”
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OFFICIAL PORTRAIT
“The bill does not protect equality before the law, but unnecessarily and unjustly violates freedom by creating special privileges based on sexual orientation and gender identity.” In that regard, the bill includes a clarification that states the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) cannot be used to discriminate against LGBT people. And while both Cicilline and Senate sponsor Sen. Jeff Merkely (D-OR) admit the road to passage will be a tough one, the timeliness of its introduction just a month after the ruling on same-sex marriage by the Supreme Court works decidedly in its favor. So too does the upcoming Presidential election. For any Presidential candidate to win next year’s election, they would need not only to carry the LGBT vote, they were also need the support of the Millennials at the voting booth. Millennials are those voters born between 1980 and 1997, and have traditionally leaned Republican in 2010, 2012 and 2014. Yet, according to the HRC survey, 86 percent of them support equality in the workplace, and 65 percent were less likely to vote for a candidate who did not support non-discrimination. Despite their current bombasted rhetoric, Republicans are well aware of these numbers, as are the sponsors of the Equality Act of 2015 bill. “We stand here with our arms open to those who oppose this, to the leadership who will block this,” said Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), the first openly gay man to represent New York in Congress. “Were you standing in the doorway, or were you opening the door?” he asks.
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Civil Rights 101: How this proposed legislation could change your life
Leading Central Florida’s LGBTQ community to a new era
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WITH PETER JACKSON
Terry DeCarlo
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THE AGENDA INTERVIEW |
Terry DeCarlo, executive director of the GLBT Center of Central Florida, grew up in New York City. After graduating from Bethpage High School in 1980, he entered the United States Air Force where he was an Intelligence Operations Officer for the Strategic Air Command. His degrees are in marketing and communications. DeCarlo moved to South Florida in the mid-90s where he worked for several organizations including The LGBT Center of South Florida, Equality Florida, Care Resource and Broward House. He has been fighting in the HIV arena for over 25 years and has helped put on major fundraising events such as White Party Miami, Red Party and One Magical Weekend during Gay Days at Disney. He has created other events such as The Red Ball, The World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil and Rally, Broward Bares It!, The Amazing Race South Florida, Santa’s 5K Run Wilton Manors and many others. Over the years he estimates he has raised close to $6.6 million dollars for HIV/AIDS.
Q: Amazing things are happening for the LGBTQ community in Central Florida which includes a whole new Community Center thanks, in large part, to your leadership. What are your biggest accomplishments? A: Well, I hate to use the words “my accomplishments”. I have one hell of a team here at The Center that I could not do without, from my HIV coordinator, support staff, HIV testers, to all our volunteers we could not do what we do every day without them. My management style is hands off, my staff knows what needs to be done and what I expect of them and when they have questions or need help they know they can always come to me and together we will work it out. My military training as an Intelligence Operations Officer in the US Air Force makes me very structured and although my staff and the board sometimes look at me with a weird look when I do or say something they know there is a ‘method to my madness’! Q: Tell us about the new facility. Where is it, how many square feet is it and what will it comprise? A: The new facility is going to be amazing. We have a twostory, 8,000 sq. foot building that is completely being overhauled from top to bottom — thanks to a Community Development Block Grant from the City of Orlando. Since we are one of the largest HIV testers in the State of Florida, we are widening that area to hold four different areas: three will house testing and the fourth will act as a waiting room. In the main hall, we are adding a sliding panel that will cut the room in half, giving us the abil-
ity to host more than one group at one time, and the other two board/meeting rooms will be utilized for other community groups/events. Another great addition is our new 10 station cyber-center which will be open to the public. And for those looking to create resumes and/or look for jobs, we will also be hosting GED and computer classes in this area. The second floor will house our executive offices. One of the fun things we have added are LED spotlights on the outside second floor that will, at night, wash the second floor with the colors of the pride flag on the façade of the building. Q: You have expanded your LGBTQ community outreach and programs dramatically in just the last year. What services does the Center offer now? A: The Center now offers 7days-a-week HIV and HEP C Testing and within the next two weeks will be adding full STI (sexually-transmitted infections) testing. We have also added and are getting a massive response to our new senior program called OWL (Older Wiser Learning). We are also adding new support and community groups each day. Right now we offer AA, NA, Co-dependency, Lunch & Learns, Coming Out and HIV support and about 30 others. It is my idea that as a “community” center we must also be there to help and support the other great organizations in town. As Gloria Arroyo said, “The power of one, if fearless and focused, is formidable, but the power of many working together is better.” Q: Your HIV testing outreach is particularly important to you. Tell us why. A: I have been working in HIV
for over 25 years; it is something that is very near and dear to me. It disheartens me to learn that we in Orlando have had a 47% increase in new HIV infections and we really need to step up our prevention message. Yes, HIV has become a manageable disease, but the word that really hits my gut is disease….why would anyone want a disease, manageable or not? Back in the late 80s early 90s we had a voice. We yelled. We screamed. And people knew that they needed to protect themselves. As radical as I am, I almost feel like we need to go back to yelling and screaming to wake people up… it’s a piece of rubber for god’s sake, and now we have PREP and PEP added to our arsenal. Play, but play safe! Q: What do you believe has prompted this sudden increase in Central Florida’s new HIV infection rate? A: One simple word: complacency. The younger generation was not around when Bill and I, amongst others, were burying their friends sometimes one or two a week. They don’t remember seeing nurses wearing hazmat suits to go into a friend’s hospital room, or some actually refusing to go in at all. Yes, we have come a hell of a long way from those days. Yes, we have drugs out there which help people. Yes, people are living longer. But as I said before, why do you want a disease? This is partially our fault as our prevention message has been faltering in Central Florida. Well, that is about to change! The Center has applied for grant money which would give us the ability to purchase billboards and put together an “in your face” ad campaign. We really need to do our jobs
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Q: Tell us about the LGBTQ community in Central Florida. It’s exploding! A: It is! The Orlando area LGBT community is growing at a very rapid pace and we are trying to keep up with it. Orlando is a very accepting place, from our politicians to our major businesses. They open their arms to the LGBT community and help make it a great place to live, and I believe that is why you are seeing such an uptick in those moving to our area. One thing I do need to say though: when most people think of Orlando, they think of the major theme park areas, but there is so much more to Orlando. People, when they come for a visit, need to venture to our downtown areas. There is so much to do, so many LGBT and LGBT-friendly businesses and organizations, and another fun and vibrant area that most don’t realize is actually here. Q: What makes you happy driving to work every day? A: Knowing that I am making a difference for the better in people’s lives, even just a tiny one! That’s what keeps me happy and lets my lay my head on my pillow at night.
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better in the prevention area — and we are about to. Q: So many LGBTQ issues are in the national headlines today – everything from backlash to the Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality to Caitlyn Jenner transgender headlines and a popular young gay pastor being forced to resign a United Methodist church in Michigan for being gay. How do you make sense of all of this, Terry? A: The LGBT community has become a very powerful force and there have been many great people and organizations working in the forefront over the years to make this happen. We still have a lot of fights ahead of us, but we have come a hell of a long way. Millennials are growing up in a world where LGBT is a part of society, which is why acceptance of the LGBT community is much more prevalent on TV, and in everyday life. There will always be those that base their thoughts and ideas on a twisted interpretation of a twenty five hundred year old dogma, some of whom might never ever change their thoughts and perceptions, but we work and fight every day to help change this.
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THE AGENDA INTERVIEW
July 29, 2015 13
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Jim Obergefell:
From Cincinnati IT consultant to international stage
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N THE RUSH to celebrate last month’s same-sex marriage ruling by the US Supreme Court, one name repeatedly surfaces in news reports—Jim Obergefell. He’s even been called the “Face of Same-Sex Marriage.” Pretty heady stuff for an IT consultant and real estate agent from Cincinnati. Dig down for more details and you may learn that Obergefell’s home state Ohio, where he was born and still resides, refused to By recognize his RICHARD marriage to his HACK partner of 21 years, John Arthur. What at first was a minor irritation grew to a major indignity after Arthur died in 2013 however. When the coroner initially declared Arthur as “married” on his death certificate, Ohio sued to have the classification changed to “single.” Obergefell, 48, fought back. And fought back hard. For it wasn’t just that Ohio was openly picking on him in a David and Goliath battle, Obergefell not only knew he was legally married, he had already suffered pain and tragedy to achieve the honor. It had been officially illegal for same-sex couples to marry in the Buckeye State since 2004 which voters passed a Constitutional amendment in defense of marriage—the heterosexual kind. By that point, Jim and John had been together 12 years, having first met in a Cincinnati gay bar a couple of times when John visited the city from Bowling Green. On date number three, they knew it was love, but “til death us do part” wasn’t in the picture until the
day that another Supreme Court decision, the one that brought down the Defense of Marriage Act, was announced. “We were sitting on the sofa, and I reached over and patted John’s hand and said, ‘Let’s get married.’” It was no small suggestion. Not only was same-sex marriage still illegal in Ohio, but also John was ill—terminally ill with ALS. Originally diagnosed in June of 2011, by this point in 2013, he was completely bedridden. “We were so not gay activists,” Obergefell told Outlook Ohio Magazine. Like many couples, they once decided they didn’t need government sanction for their relationship, but marriage suddenly carried more meaning after the ruling. Having endured the disrespect of their home state, they decided to travel to Maryland, the closest state that sanctioned gay marriage. John, of course could not withstand the 8-½ hour trip via car on Interstate 68, and commercial flights would not accept them aboard because of John’s illness. The only feasible choice to make their marriage a reality was to fly aboard a medical transport plane. Unable to afford the private flight’s $12,700 cost, Obergefell reluctantly went on FaceBook to ask friends for suggestions. What he received instead were donations to cover the cost of the trip—a trip that they made on July 11, 2013, two weeks after the Supreme Court decision on Defense of Marriage. The marriage was performed aboard the plane by John’s aunt. They were in Baltimore for just 56 minutes, before returning to Cincinnati, happily married, and began living every moment as if it were their last. “We were living for the day because the future meant John’s death and we didn’t want to think about that,”
Obergefell said. John died three months later, at age 48, in his husband’s arms. Ohio was not yet done with its indignities for it refused to allow Obergefell to be listed as John’s spouse on his death certificate. And the state was prepared, and did, go to court repeatedly to prevent it. “They had already accepted what was happening, and they were prepared,” Cincinnati attorney Al Gerhardstein said of Arthur’s terminal illness. But they were not about to let Ohio wipe out the record of their marriage’s existence. Because of that injustice, Obergefell pressed the case all the way to the Supreme Court, and the rest, as they
say, is history. After John’s death, a jeweler fused their two wedding rings together, carving out a channel to carry some of John’s ashes. Obergefell Obergefell wore the ring during the Supreme Court’s ruling, not wanting to deny his husband the honor of being by his side until the case was won. “It’s reassuring to learn that what I was told as a child is true,” Obergefell said. “One person — or two people, in our case — really can change the world.”
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
What will it take to make Wilton Drive safe for pedestrians? Dear Editor: Greg Fuchi, who was one of the people that would sing with Tony & Gloria [and] other entertainers at Tropics, and a member of the South Florida Gay Men’s Chorus, was hit and killed by a car [allegedly] going 50 mph at 11:45 p.m. last week in front of the restaurant on Wilton Drive. He was walking back to his apartment at Manor Grove. Greg was a good friend of my husband and me. I am outraged that our city cannot successfully regulate speed and put crosswalks in at the major corners, like every other city does. I am sure you know that their excuse is that they cannot because the State of Florida won’t allow them to do it. I am sick and tired of paying taxes and having the town council sit in their offices offering excuses that don’t seem to happen in any other city that I know of. Seems like a large price to pay with people’s lives, when we probably have the funding to do something pro active from parking meters, etc., other than putting up blinking signs to obey the pedestrian laws. My hope is that the press outright demands or sponsors some type of signature gathering to force the issue, even on a ballot if necessary, that this situation be corrected. You guys are the ones that have the clout, we little people alone do not.
The last meeting on this subject less than 2 months ago at city hall was a sham, and basically handled like a no-issue. A Blankenship Editor’s note: The Agenda’s editors attended a community meeting held last Wednesday at Hagen Park attended by Leigh Ann Henderson, Assistant City Manager, Wilton Manors; Howard Webb, District Design Engineer, FDOT; Steve Braun, Planning & Environmental Management Engineer, FDOT; Maria Anaya de Yeats, Bicycle/Pedestrian Specialist Coordinator, FDOT; Peter Gies, Regional Transportation Planner, Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO); Ricardo Guitierrez, MPO; Karen Mendrala, City of Fort Lauderdale; and Michael von der Meulen, Corridor Study Specialist of the Florida Civil Engineering Firm of Keith and Associates, Inc. While no decisions were offered at that meeting, its real purpose was to make the executives listed above available to the Wilton Manors population to hear their grievances. The ball now moves back to the city to produce results. The Agenda will continue to advocate for your position and keep you advised of any progress on the matter.
KEVIN MILLER
heirs with Christ — if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him (Rom. 8:15b-17).” In these verses, Paul is attempting to teach us that any person baptized in the Church is by virtue of that baptism a full and worthy member of the Body of Christ. It seems that the 21st Century Church is playing catch up with Saint Paul as the Church struggles to understand who God is calling to be good and faithful servants to and for the many members of the body. As the Church weathers a transitional period that will come with both pain and joy, the prayer that we can offer is that the Spirit continues to intercede with sighs too deep for words, and that the Church, in her wisdom, will come to recognize our LGBT sisters and brothers not only as worthy of baptism but also worthy of the priestly ministry exemplified by Christ. The Rev. Hunter Ruffin, a former resident of Wilton Manors where he worked for the Red Cross and was active in community athletic events, was recently ordained as an Episcopal Church.
4 OPTIONS FOR GAY BELIEVERS OPTIONS, from page 8
seven years ago. Having struggled with reconciling my sexuality with my spirituality for the preceding decade, I came out to the youth pastor who promptly informed me that I would no longer be allowed to spend time with the youth group members unsupervised because scientific studies show that all gays are pedophiles, don’t ya know? Yes, yes, this does happen in other churches. The only options that seem left for a gay-believer at this point are:
Christian and say that the Bible was mistranslated. The problem is, most gay people in gay churches have dealt with coming to terms with these issues and it runs the risk of getting stale, even eventually for newcomers. Start your own church (Read as Bible Study Group): Call me biased, call me jaded... my mood has soured on mainstream, organized religion. I truly think the path for gay believers who have run the gamut is to just get a group of like-minded friends together and just have a good old-fashioned Bible study. You respect each other, you talk to each other, you learn from each other. Just safe-guard yourself from any cult-like tendencies that may arise. Go it alone: Jesus did it, he started alone, he ended alone and people carried on the work. Self Bible-study guides are available at most major bookstores and online. There are also many churches that stream services online and podcast their sermons. I strongly encourage fellow gay-believers to keep the faith. The road is long, but we may yet see the church reverse its positions on the LGBT community as they did in decades past when they stopped fighting civil rights as well as interracial marriage. Until then, “work out your own salvation” (Ph. 2:12) for “since we have been justified by faith we have peace with God” (Rom. 5:1 July 29, 2015
Andrew Saus II is a Fort Lauderdale-based writer with a degree in Biblical Studies. 15
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Church: Like the now defunct military policy, you can just not tell members of the congregation that you’re gay, let the minister rail against LGBT rights from the pulpit, attend church without your partner or with them as a “friend”. This is essentially going back in the closet, and you can be sure that few partners will go along with this. (Note: non-denominational churches have no governing body but themselves and little can be done to effect change. Protestant churches tend to listen to their flock and change with the times. It just takes longer. Open-Door/Gay-Affirming Church: There are some which offer good oldfashioned religion without the fire and brimstone and side of condemnation (Sometimes these can be mainstream churches, like Episcopalians). There are others that spend less time preaching from the Bible about practical issues, and instead preach ad nauseam about how it’s okay to be gay and
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The past few weeks and months have presented a changing reality for the LGBT community in relation to marriage equality. As the community celebrated marriage equalit also witnessed the By Rev. ity, events surrounding Rev. HUNTER Benjamin Hutchison who forced to resign from RUFFIN was his pastorate in Michigan for being a gay man. Many members of the LGBT community may be seeking to understand the varied landscape within the broader Christian tradition and may be wondering precisely who is welcomed into the Church as full members of what the Church calls the Body of Christ. To that end, we may find our answer in Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans in which he writes, “When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’, it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint
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21st Century Church is playing catch up
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OPINION
July 29, 2015
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Friday night, end of the week, ahhhh Release the worries of
the week, and enter into the relaxing and rejuvenating world of Shabbat
Because everyone deserves to have a little peace come into their lives
Shabbat services every Friday night at 8pm
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1501 NE 26th St, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Congregation Etz Chaim
July 29, 2015
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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
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Orlando Magic: Parliament House Turns 40 By Cliff Dunn
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the rest of Orlando’s hospitality industry. As a performing venue, Parliament House hosted the top entertainers of each era, including Eartha Kitt, Chaka Khan, Andy Bell of singing duo Erasure, Leslie Jordan, Leann Rimes, and Lil’ Kim. The Orlando boom—and a more open and tolerant attitude that accompanied it—would prove a doubleedged sword. Although the “Mouse” brought welcomed economic expansion to Central Florida, there were other changes—social ones—which impacted the area’s LGBT community and its preferred hangouts. The Parliament House was no exception. With the Clinton Era, many LGBT Americans perceived and experienced a new societal openness,
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There are always going to be challenges, but that can’t stand in the way of your dreams.”
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which translated to spending less time—and dollars— in exclusively gay and gay-owned businesses. When P-House owner Hodge died in 1992, the property was inherited by his family members, who had little expertise in managing and marketing a resort that catered to gays. The property began to show its age, as well as the neglect of its more-or-less absentee caretakers. The venerable institution floundered until 1999, when husband-and-wife Granatstein and Unger purchased the property. Toronto natives, Granatstein and Unger lived in Las Vegas, where, among other business ventures, they had partnered with entertainment legend Debbie Reynolds in her planned Debbie Reynolds’ Hollywood Hotel near the Las Vegas Strip. “Debbie has a huge gay following,” Granatstein notes, “so we have a lot of friends and business relationships in the community.” He recalls: “Susan and I were staying at our time-
share in Orlando when the opportunity to purchase Parliament House presented itself. Susan said, ‘I want a gay hotel.’ It was a great opportunity, and since we loved working with the gay community in Las Vegas, we were excited about the prospects of creating something special in Central Florida.” He credits Unger with providing much of the guiding vision. “Susan does everything. She’s the contractor, the decorator, the creative process,” he explains. “I’m the business side.” While retrieving his luggage at LaGuardia’s baggage carousels, Granatstein mused about the recent pace of social changes with regards to LGBT rights. “Sixteen years ago, when Susan and I purchased the resort, there was still an undercurrent of hostility,” he recollects. “We had people picketing outside the hotel, protests, and bomb threats.” He juxtaposes that uncertain time with more recent events, including the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage. “We weren’t fighting for ‘marriage equality’— we were fighting for equality,” Granatstein stresses with conviction. “That’s the real victory.” He acknowledges the challenges that he and Unger have faced, and the ones still to come. Last year, Parliament House filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing $15.5 million in debt. According to records, the complex defaulted on loans during the 2009 recession, and has struggled with foreclosure and refinancing issues. That hasn’t ebbed the tide of Granatstein’s enthusiasm, both for his and Unger’s resort and for their future plans. “There are always going to be challenges, but that can’t stand in the way of your dreams.” Looking to the future, Granatstein says there’s a lot on his and Unger’s plate to keep them busy, and in those plans, the Parliament House features prominently. “As I said, the future is looking very bright. We have plans to open the world’s first gay country club, and we are very actively looking at property to open up a new hotel in Fort Lauderdale, and one in Key West. And, you now, I AM in New York for a reason.”
July 29, 2015
“Simply put: Equality is good for business,” says Don Granatstein, without irony. We are discussing the Supreme Court same-sex marriage decision as Granatstein arrives at New York’s LaGuardia International Airport. With his wife, Susan Unger, Granatstein has owned the iconic Parliament House Orlando since 1999. The venerable Central Florida resort and nightclub— which includes a 120-room hotel, swimming pool, a 10,000 square foot entertainment complex, dance floor, and outdoor stage—turns 40 this summer, but Granatstein and Unger have no plans to let the “old girl” show her age. “We are in a very exciting transition,” Granatstein explains, referring to both the resort and the geographic area that surrounds it. “University of Central Florida is building a new campus for 13,000 media arts students just two blocks from Parliament House, and we are in talks with a major hotel chain—which wants to accommodate the gay community—about the property we own next door, and building a 125-all-suites hotel there. “The future is looking very bright,” he adds. The landmark resort and around-the-clock nightspot began its life in the 1960s as a motor lodge called the Abbey, which was situated along a highly traveled section of US Highway 441 (known in Orlando as Orange Blossom Trail). But business began to suffer later that decade when Interstate 4 opened for traffic, becoming the preferred route for Central Florida travelers, and diverting potential customers. The Cold War era resort was forced to close while new owners for the property were sought. The Parliament House Motor Inn opened its doors as a gay resort and watering hole on June 10, 1975, the brainchild of life-and-business-partners Bill Miller and Mike Hodge, who had owned a number of Orlando-area businesses since the late 60s. The intervening years saw many changes for both Central Florida and the resort (which dropped the words “Motor Inn” from its name as the term lost popularity in the late 70s). Walt Disney World officially opened four years before the “gaying” ofParliament House, and construction on Disney’s many-themed areas would be a boon to business for both P-House and
July 29, 2015
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NATION
1 3 2 Gay Marriage Fight Could Cost Taxpayers Nearly $2 Million
DETROIT (AP) - Lawyers who won a historic legal battle to strike down Michigan’s ban on gay marriage are seeking nearly $2 million from the state. Under federal law, there seems to be no dispute that lawyers for April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse are entitled to payment from taxpayers. Attorney General Bill Schuette vigorously opposed their challenge to Michigan’s 2004 ban on gay marriage, which was declared unconstitutional by the U.S.
Detroit Michigan Supreme Court. It’s up to Detroit federal Judge Bernard Friedman to determine what’s reasonable for the legal team. Schuette will have an opportunity to respond. In a court filing Saturday, attorneys for the Detroit-area nurses say the case was “novel, complex and difficult.” It lasted three years and included a trial in Detroit. The main lawyers were Carole Stanyar, Dana Nessel, Ken Mogill and Mary Bonauto. Photo: File
Groups Urge Alabama Supreme Court To Resist Marriage Ruling
July 29, 2015
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Texas Court Sidelines Houston’s Nondiscrimination Ordinance
HOUSTON (AP) - Houston must repeal a newly adopted equal rights ordinance or let voters decide if they want to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the Texas Supreme Court ordered Friday. The ruling was not about the merits of the ordinance, which is similar to what other big Texas cities have adopted, and aim to protect gay and transgender people against discrimination in employment and public places. The all-Republican court instead decided that conservative activists should have succeeded in a petition drive to put the issue on a ballot. “The legislative power reserved to the people of Houston is not being honored,” the court wrote. Houston Mayor Annise Parker,
who is gay, helped push for the ordinance passed by the City Council last year. Opponents have fought the measure ever since, and say they got the roughly 18,000 signatures required to force a voter referendum. But council members said too many signatures were invalid, even though the city secretary certified the petition. A lawsuit was filed by the former chairman of the Harris County Republican Party, and justices on Texas’ highest civil court ruled that the petition should have held up. The court ordered the city to repeal the ordinance by Aug. 24 or put the ordnance on the November ballot for voters. The city did not immediately respond to the ruling.
Alabama Supreme Court Building
MONTGOMERY, All (AP) - Two groups are urging the Alabama Supreme Court to resist the U.S Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The Alabama Policy Institute and the Alabama Citizens Action Program in court filings earlier this month urged the court to resist the ruling the same way some state’s resisted pro-slavery laws. At a minimum, they urged the justices
Photo: File
to protect probate judges who don’t want to issue the licenses on religious grounds. The Alabama justices asked for input on what to do next on same-sex marriage. The court in March directed probate judges to refuse the licenses. Some probate judges said the issue was ended with the federal decision overturning state bans on same-sex marriage.
Boy Scout Board Approves End To Blanket Ban On Gay Adults denied a staff position on the basis of sexual orientation. -Gay leaders who were previously removed from Scouting because of the ban would have the opportunity to reapply for volunteer positions. -If otherwise qualified, a gay adult would be eligible to serve as a Scoutmaster or unit leader. Gates, who became the BSA’s president in May 2014, said at the time that he personally would have favored ending the ban on gay adults, but he opposed any further debate after the Scouts’ policymaking body upheld the ban. In May, however, he said that recent events “have confronted us with urgent challenges I did not foresee and which we cannot ignore.” He cited an announcement by the BSA’s New York City chapter in early April that it had hired Pascal Tessier, the nation’s first openly gay Eagle Scout, as a summer camp leader. Gates also cited broader gay-rights developments and warned that rigidly maintaining the ban “will be the end of us as a national movement.” After the 2013 decision to admit gay youth, some conservatives split from the BSA to form a new group, Trail Life USA, which has created its own ranks, badges and uniforms. The group claims a membership of more than 25,000 youths and adults.
HARRISONBURG, VA. (AP) Eastern Mennonite University says it will no longer discriminate against job prospects who are in same-sex marriages. Previously, the private liberal arts university in Harrisonburg, Virginia, said that people in same-sex relationships violated the faith-based principles of the university. The Daily News Record newspaper reports that the school announced Monday that its decision followed a “listening process” that began in the 2013-14 academic year. The process included students, faculty, staff, alumni and donors. The new policy was approved last week by a majority vote of the university’s board trustees. It states that Eastern Mennonite does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or any legally protected status. Board chairwoman Kay Brenneman Nussbaum said in a statement that Eastern Mennonite’s education “is grounded in Mennonite/Anabaptist values, and we believe people in same-sex covenanted relationships are valued members of our learning community with equal rights to standard benefits.”
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that several Scout councils have already adopted in defiance of the official national policy. In 2013, after heated internal debate, the BSA decided to allow openly gay youth as scouts, but not gay adults as leaders. Several denominations that collectively sponsor close to half of all Scout units - including the Roman Catholic church, the Mormon church and the Southern Baptist Convention have been apprehensive about ending the ban on gay adults. The BSA’s top leaders have pledged to defend the right of any church-sponsored units to continue excluding gays as adult volunteers. But that assurance has not satisfied some conservative church leaders. “It’s hard for me to believe, in the long term, that the Boy Scouts will allow religious groups to have the freedom to choose their own leaders,” said the Rev. Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. “In recent years I have seen a definite cooling on the part of Baptist churches toward the Scouts,” Moore said. “This will probably bring that cooling to a freeze.” Under the BSA’s new policy: -Prospective employees of the national organization could no longer be
Virginia Faith-Based School Drops Same-Sex Marriage Hiring Ban
July 29, 2015
DAVID CRARY AP National Writer NEW YORK (AP) - The Boy Scouts of America on Monday ended its blanket ban on gay adult leaders while allowing church-sponsored Scout units to maintain the exclusion for religious reasons. The new policy, aimed at easing a controversy that has embroiled the Boy Scouts for years, takes effect immediately. It was approved by the BSA’s National Executive Board on a 45-12 vote during a closed-to-themedia teleconference. “For far too long this issue has divided and distracted us,” said the BSA’s president, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates. “Now it’s time to unite behind our shared belief in the extraordinary power of Scouting to be a force for good.” The stage had been set for Monday’s action on May 21, when Gates told the Scouts’ national meeting that the long-standing ban on participation by openly gay adults was no longer sustainable. He said the ban was likely to be the target of lawsuits that the Scouts likely would lose. Two weeks ago, the new policy was approved unanimously by the BSA’s 17-member National Executive Committee. It would allow local Scout units to select adult leaders without regard to sexual orientation - a stance
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Boy Scouts
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July 29, 2015
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SUNSHINE STATE Voice of Equality Award for Jim Obergefell
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Baseball Coach David Solomon
Photo:local10.com
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Baseball Coach Arrested for Sexual Assault on a Minor COOPER CITY—A volunteer baseball coach with the Cooper City’s Optimist League was arrested July 23, according to a police report obtained by the Agenda. David Solomon, 47, faces two sexual assault on minor charges. His alleged victim is 11 years old. As early as April 9, 2015, Solomon subjected a child under his supervision to sexual acts under the guise of playing a game. On multiple occasions, Solomon put his hands on the victim’s private parts when he was alone with the child driving the victim home or while at Solomon’s home for a sleepover. It is alleged that Solomon assaulted his victim a half dozen times, before the 11-year-old told his mother about the incidents last May. A second victim has come forward and Solomon may face additional charges. Broward Sheriff’s SVU detectives believe that there may yet be additional victims. It is hardly surprising. According to public records, Solomon had been arrested by police in MiamiDade and charged in connection with alleged molestations back in
2000. Both charges were dropped. Florida Department of Law Enforcement records show that in May 2000, he was charged by Miami-Dade police with lewd and lascivious behavior with a child under 16. And in November of the same year, he was charged with fondling a child. The family of one of those boys later sued Solomon; Miami Shores, where Solomon was a recreational league coach; and the Archdiocese of Miami, his employer. The suit, filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, asked for at least $15,000 in damages. The lawsuit claimed that the archdiocese and Miami Shores were negligent. That case was ultimately dismissed. Solomon was last employed at Stern Bloom Media, a Hallandale Beach-based print publishing and product photography studio, according to the arrest report, as director of sales. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Ian Kuechler at 954-3214246 or report anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers of Broward County at (954) 493-TIPS (8477) or online at www.browardcrimestoppers.org.
FORT LAUDERDALE--Equality Florida will be awarding its annual Voice of Equality Award to Jim Obergefell, the named plantiff in the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The award is the highest honor the organization bestows all year. “Thousands of people contributed to achieving marriage equality in our state and our nation, and Jim Obergefell’s name and story will forever be linked to this historic victory,” said Stratton Pollitzer, deputy director of LGBT-rights group Equality Florida. “It is an honor to accept this award and I feel humbled to be at the forefront of this important decision furthering equality for the LGBT community,” said Mr. Obergefell from his home in Cincinnati. “While this decision was an important one, we still have a long way to go. This historic
Jim Obergefell
Photo: lgbtweekly.com
decision should fuel our efforts to ensure global equality for our entire community, and I invite you to join me as we continue this journey for positive change.” EqualityFlorida will be presenting the award on November 15, at it annual Broward Reception. This year it will be held at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six in Fort Lauderdale.
Transgender Black Woman Found Murdered in Tampa India Clark
Photo: dallasvoice.com
TAMPA—The transgender death of India Clarke, 35, has left Hillsborough County detectives baffled as to the motive behind the murder. The woman was found near the basketball courts at the University Area Community Center early this week, dead from blunt force trauma. India Clarke is the tenth transgender person, the ninth of color, to be murdered this year in the U.S. While it is heartbreaking for family and friends, it’s also a tough loss for organizations like Metro Wellness in St. Pete, that are fighting toward better education and equality for all who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
They only hope Clarke’s death will continue their efforts toward acceptance, saying no one should die for who they are. “It’s a very difficult day for those who are trans advocates and the LGBT community in Tampa Bay and really across the nation,” said Nathan Bruemmer, member of the TransAction Florida Advisory Board. Bruemmer is transgender and knows how easy it is to feel unsafe. “Even if it isn’t the atrocity of someone losing their life, we have folks that are victims of violence on a daily basis everywhere in this country for just being trans…and that’s not acceptable,” said Bruemmer.
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Demonstrators Demand Action After Another Death on the Drive
Photo by Coco Alarcon
WILTON MANORS--A crowd estimated at just over a hundred rallied in front of Wilton Manors City Hall to call for the town to take long-overdue measures to improve traffic lights, crosswalks and police monitoring following the death of Greg Futchi, a dedicated member of the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida. Protesters held signs demanding “No More Blood on Wilton Drive,” “City Officials Do Your Job,” “Enforce Speed Limits Now!” “Wilton Manors Shame on You,” “Stop the Deaths Now,” and “Wilton Manors Take Ownership of the Drive Now.”
Saturday, August 15, At The Historic Biltmore Hotel
The Pridelines’ Masquerade Ball is produced by Jim Tyrrell, Jay Richard DiBiaso and Roger Thomson. Proceeds from Masquerade benefit Pridelines Youth Services, South Florida’s oldest service agency dedicated to the LGBTQ community and their straight allies. Pridelines provides nightly programs, Youth Enrichment Activities, HIV testing and support groups, meals and snacks, a David Bohnett Cybercenter, and the only drop-in center in Miami-Dade County for the LGBTQ community.
Most importantly, Pridelines provides referral services for youth who are at-risk of or dealing with issues such as suicidal ideation, substance abuse, physical abuse, as well as emotional abuse at home, in school or on the streets. Tickets are $175 or $1,750 for a table of 10. Tickets are available at www.pridelinesmasquerade.com. Table host and sponsorship opportunities are also available on the website or by contacting DiazHerman at victor@pridelines.org or 305-571-9601 ext. 3.
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dancing and a few special surprises that will keep our guests talking until next year.” This year’s event will feature live performances and will end with an after-party presented by OCULTO, a newly launched golden lager infused with blue agave - the same plant used to make tequila. “Guests are encouraged to wear elaborately decorated masks in keeping with the Masquerade theme,” Diaz-Herman added. “Italian-based event partner Carta Alta is providing a 25% discount on their hand-crafted masks with the code: ‘masquerade2015’ at www.cartaalta.com.”
July 29, 2015
MIAMI SHORES--Pridelines Youth Services, South Florida’s oldest LGBTQ service agency, hosts its 10th annual fundraiser to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning community. The Pridelines’ Masquerade Ball takes place on Saturday, August 15, at 6:30 pm at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. “Last year’s event was amazing! Guests still rave about how much fun they had,” said Victor Diaz-Herman, executive director of Pridelines. “This year’s Masquerade will feature our silent auction, cocktail reception and a formal dining experience along with
Photo: Pridelinesmasquerade.com
Pridelines Youth Services Sets Annual Masquerade Ball
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CAPITOL BEAT
A Star-Studded Opening Act For Equality Photo credit: Loree Lewis/TRNS
July 29, 2015
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Members of Congress introduce the Equality Act.
It was high noon on the Hill and the small room was packed to the rafters, although Members of Congress, their aides and allies far outnumbered reporters. A sense of history filled the air, and not only because we were shortly to be treated to the impassioned oratory of Representative John Lewis (D-GA.) We were crowded into in the Lyndon Baines Johnson Room, named for the 36th President of the United States who signed the Civil Rights Act in 1964. And here we were in 2015, learning of a new effort to amend that very Act in order to include the currently excluded lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender members of our society. A society, as many of the speakers pointed out, that still fails to provide liberty and justice for all. It was the day that Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative David Cicilline (D-RI) introduced the Equality Act. As Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) pointed out, “This legislation that we are introducing is something that resonates with the best of who we are as a nation. But the need for this legislation reflects the worst of who we are. This great country cannot celebrate ideals of liberty and freedom and equality if that is not the truth for every American citizen.” The level of Democratic endorsement, both in the House and Senate, was reflected in the high-calibre lineup of speakers who were there on July 23 to announce and lend their support to the Equality Act. House Democratic Leader, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) spoke of the collective decision taken by openly gay Congressmen Cicilline and Jared Polis (D-CO), along with other House colleagues, that “there is no place for discrimination in America – not in employment, not in housing, not in transportation, not in health care, not in any subject that you can name.” There was Senator Tammy Baldwin
(D-WI), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), support for the Employment Non-Disand openly gay Congressmen Sean Pat- crimination Act as precedent-setting rick Maloney (D-NY), Mark Takano and an indicator that the Equality Act (D-CA) and Mark Pocan (D-WI), and may indeed also garner bi-partisan countless other politicians and NGO votes if it reaches the floor. “We will leaders. And there were personal sto- continue in the same fashion,” he reries, from gay couple, Krista and Jami plied. “This is the starting point on the Contreras, with their baby daughter journey for a comprehensive vision to in their arms, whose pediatrician had end discrimination for the LGBT comabruptly declined to munity in America.” treat their child. There There was plenty of rewas Carter Brown, petitive rhetoric about gay fired when outed as a couples getting married transgender man, and one day, posting Facebook Luke Peterson, a gay pictures the next, then man who lost three showing up to work and separate jobs due to getting shown the door inhis sexual orientation. stead. And there was some Cicilline and Polis amusing stumbling over secured in rapid time references to announcing an impressive 155 LGBT legislation in the House co-sponsors LBJ room. But in end, before the Equalthe afternoon belonged to By Linda ity Act was even anLewis, as his voice alterPentz nounced (now at 158 nately crescendoed, then and counting.) Merkdropped to a whisper. ley tallied the Senate “This legislation is score at 40 so far. But all are Demo- what justice requires, this legislation in crats. I asked Merkley and Cicilline what justice demands,” boomed Lewis, whether they thought that, in light of the “and like the recent Supreme Court deseven Republican senators who voted cision, it is long...over...due,” he said, for the Democratic led Student Non- his voice dropping low as he stretched Discrimination Act (that fell eight votes out the emphatic last three syllables.” short of the necessary 60 to pass,) they It was lost on no one that Lewis, who might see similarly welcome defections marched with Martin Luther King in for the Equality Act? (The Act will Selma, was an important historical likely first go to several committees, bridge in the long civil rights struggle. including Judiciary in both House and “We believe then as we do now that Senate.) we are a society committed to the con“In the House for sure,” Cicilline cept of equal justice under the law,” said. “We’ve been working very hard Lewis said. “I’ve said it in the past and to continue to educate our colleagues I’ll say it again, we fought too hard and to get the remainder of the Democrats too long against discrimination based and Republicans on this bill. At the on race and color not to stand up against core of this is the question about equal- discrimination based on sexual orientaity, about being against discrimina- tion and gender identity.” tion, and I think those are deeply-held The room erupted in applause, but American values.” Lewis wasn’t done. “I believe in my Senator Merkley saw Republican heart of hearts that we must come to-
gether and truly create one nation, one people, one family, one house, the American house, the people’s house,” Lewis continued. “A country that is free of hate, free of fear, and committed to love, understanding and respecting the dignity and worth of every human being. It is our calling, it is our mission. Let’s pass legislation and do the right thing.” In the GOP Congress, passing the Equality Act remains a real long-shot. “There is no question that we have made great progress in advancing the rights for LGBT communities,” avowed Merkley. “But as long as people are afraid to put their spouse’s photo on their desk at work; as long as they are worried about being evicted from their apartment if they don’t pretend to be just roommates, we’ve got a lot of work to do.” Cicilline agreed. ”Discrimination and intolerance should have no place in the United States of America in 2015 and it’s time for Congress to stand up and prohibit discrimination against someone because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender,” Cicilline said. Then he quoted LBJ who said, a year before signing the Civil Rights Act: “We have talked long enough in this country about equal rights, we have talked for more than a hundred years. It is time now to write the next chapter and to write it into the books of law.” It was a natural segue. “My friends,” said Cicilline, “the time has come for us to stop talking about full equality for LGBT people and start writing the next chapter into the books of law.”
@
Linda Pentz is the Washington correspondent of the Florida Agenda. She can be contacted at lindapentz@mmplgbt.com. Follow her on Twitter @CapitolAgenda
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e
n n n n n
CREEP OF THE WEEK
By D’Anne Witowski
Ryan Anderson Now that the rainbow dust is starting to settle after all the big gay parades celebrating the Supreme Court decision, we can finally get down to the real business of marriage equality: aborting babies. The two things social conservatives detest most in the world are abortion and same-sex couples getting married. On the surface, the two are not linked in any clear way. It takes a special kind of twisted logic to connect the two. Thankfully Ryan T. Anderson, a senior research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, has the kind of skills one needs to blame the gays for abortion. In a July 20 column on TownHall.com, your source for right-wing quackery, Anderson claims that “the breakdown of the family” is what drives abortion, and since the Supreme Court redefined parenthood by legalizing same-sex marriages, children are now at greater risk than ever before. “The best protectors of unborn children are a strong marriage culture and people who take the virtue of chastity seriously,” writes Anderson. And, Anderson warns, “Without a culture of chastity, we will never have a prolife culture.” In a “culture of chastity” people would only have sex after they were married and that sex-having would only go on in order to make babies. Anderson argues that since samesex couples can’t make babies, they not only shouldn’t be allowed to get married, but they obviously should not have sex and should not be allowed to pursue reproductive technology in order to have kids. “The more children that are conceived for same-sex couples through assisted reproductive technology, the more children that will be conceived explicitly and intentionally outside of a relationship with both their mother and father,” Anderson laments. Never mind the fact that all credible research has found that two dads or two moms are just as good, if not in some cases better, than a mom and
Ryan T. Anderson
photo: tibco.com
a dad. And that children conceived via assisted reproduction to these couples are never an “oops.” These are wanted, carefully planned for children. Of course, then Anderson reveals why he really hates reproductive technology: unused embryos, which each count as an abortion in his book. No surprise, he is against stem-cell research or using these embryos for anything other than makin’ babies. He’s against birth control, too, by the way. A “culture of chastity” has no need for it, obviously. So there you have it. Since gays can get married now, straights are going to just start extra-maritally humping up a storm, creating a bunch of babies to abort while the gays “manufacture” (Anderson’s word, because the children of gays aren’t human apparently) kids and de-facto embryo abortions: hence marriage equality “puts unborn children at risk.” Airtight logic. Everybody can go home now. Ryan Anderson has won this round of Insane Arguments. Stay tuned for Anderson’s next column about how the global warming “hoax” is perpetuated by hipster beard length
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Reach Your Peak Physique This Summer
CLIFF NOTES
Protecting Your Junk: Simple Ways to Secure Yourself Online
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I have lived long enough to remember when the first alarms sounded about protecting your online data, sensitive personal information, and other poachable things which—to my mind at the time—didn’t actually “exist,” at least not on any three-dimensional plane of existence. No big deal, right? Did I mention I’ve lived long enough to read—practically on a weekly basis—about security breaches at some of the world’s hardest cyber-nuts to crack? (Let’s not forget that “t Gonzales,” a South Florida hacker, launched one of the biggest fraud cases in history in 2009, stealing tens of millions of card numbers from over 250 financial institutions.) Isaac Newton referred to his theories as “standing on the shoulders of giants” (a neat turn of phrase which meant ‘to steal the ideas of dead scientists’ and claim them as his own). In similar fashion, we have the efforts of the staff of Google to thank for a recently outlined overview of how they keep their own systems secure, which is useful as a guide to doing the same. Among the top suggestions of survey respondents, including 230 web security experts:
July 29, 2015
By Cliff Dunn
sPromptly Install Software Updates. By alerting the developer to problems in software, designers can engineer fixes to prevent hackers from “backdooring” your system. About
a third of the experts said installing updates was one of their top three security practices.
sEmploy Unique Passwords Employ Unique Passwords via a Password Manager. It’s true that coming up with a slew of individual passwords for each email address, bank account, and porn site can be time consuming and soul-crushing. But consider the damage that can be unleashed when a hacker gets access to your Multi-Purpose-UnifiedTheory-of-All-Password, leaving the rest of your online existence exposed like a virgin otter at Bear Night. One in four experts employ unique passwords as one of their top three online safety routines. (Password managers are web tools used to store encrypted versions of your passwords. This makes it easier to keep track of multiple passwords, which are truly as necessary to modern e-living as a lock on your front door.)
sUtilize“Two-Factor Authentiction.” This additional degree of cyber protection works by employing an added step, usually a code that’s texted to your phone, which you use to verify your logins. Most of the larger online services offer it, and nearly nine-in-ten of the experts surveyed use two factor authentication on at least one account.
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Top-sy Turvy
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PUZZLE
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Across
61 Shared coin 62 On an Olivia cruise 63 Like Baldwin in Paris 64 Amsterdam transport 65 Two-master 66 Penetrate 67 It may get pussy
Down
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1 Rita’s second name 2 ___ mater 3 Alien’s anal insert? 4 Bound, at a gay rodeo 5 Hit the road 6 Melissa Etheridge’s “Don’t Look ___” 7 Place for your first mate 8 Nintendo rival 9 Mild oath 10 Thespians may chew it 11 Penetrating tool 12 Green beginner? 13 ___ Moines, Iowa 21 Like Emma Donoghue 22 Traffic noise 25 Self-description from one’s knees? 26 Book after Jonah 27 Racer Andretti 28 Hang loose 29 Triangular treat 31 Vowels of Sappho 32 Jack of old oaters 38 That’s Rich! 39 John Q. Public 42 Morally upright 44 Inspector’s gizmos in a Rupert Everett flick
46 Copland capability 47 AP rival 50 Noncommittal words 51 Gemini org. 52 Barrymore of Boys on the Side 53 Shakespeare’s “anon” updated 54 Boob, to a Brit 55 Way to have one’s meat 56 Kiss of the Spider Woman’s William 57 Carhop’s carrier 58 ___ Like it Hot
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1 Sitcom with a cross-dressing corporal 5 Wonder Woman weapon 10 Moved one’s ass 14 Food on the floor, maybe 15 Waters of the sound? 16 Where pirates moor 17 Web info source 18 Friend of Ricky Martin 19 Fleecy females 20 Where do you find a gay man who is an ___ 23 Wilde country 24 Go-getter 25 Philip Johnson contemporary 27 Doubtfire’s title 30 Do-___ (desperate) 33 Chicken hawk and falcon 34 Old nuclear power org. 35 Alpine Austrian region 36 The Name of the Rose writer 37 ___ Ghost (Mailer novel) 40 It changes a señor’s gender 41 Kaplan of Kotter fame 43 “Candle in the Wind” subject 44 David Bowie genre 45 ... who wants to seduce desperate ___? 48 Yokohama yes 49 Mail order abbr. 50 Answer to the riddle 59 Fashion designer Jacobs 60 “In your dreams!”
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HEALTH
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Testosterone is the male hormone and we think of estrogen as the female hormone. However men need both to maintain good health. There are general misconceptions about estrogen in men. Often estrogen is thought to be bad for men -- this isn’t always the case. Estrogen actually plays a few vital roles in men THE TWO LARGEST OF THESE ARE:
sMaintaining the cardiovascular system and keeping blood vessels pliable sHelping maintain a healthy libido Men who choose to “block” estrogen with too much of the drugs which are known as estrogenblockers can do harm to themselves by increasing their risk for cardiovascular issues and also cause diminished libido. So -- every man is different in his need to block estrogen when taking testosterone. Typically men who are over weight or men who tend to have insulin resistance (and resulting higher glucose levels) are likely to be candidates to block estrogen. Sometimes in men when the levels of testosterone are optimal, we will see some excess estrogen symptoms. I like to make men aware of the following excess estrogen symptoms:
Men who replace testosterone to the optimal and youthful level MAY need to just improve their lifestyles and other habits to prevent excess estrogen. Simple additions can help: • • • •
Vitamin C Flavinoids (found in fruits) EGCG -- in Green Tea Flaxseeds
To improve estrogen metabolism and to lessen any risk of prostatic issues, I usually recommned a supplement which I take called DIM (di-indole methane) along with I-3C or Indole 3 Carbinol). These chemicals are essentially the healthy components of cruciferous vegetables which have a very beneficial effect on men’s estrogen metabolism.
CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES Arugula • Bok choy • Broccoli Brussels sprouts • Cabbage Cauliflower • Collard greens Horseradish • Kale • Radishes Rutabaga • Turnips • Watercress • Wasabi
Nipple sensitivity Breast tissue enlargement Prostatic symptoms - excessive urination at night/ difficulty with urine stream or flow
We’ve all been in the gym and witnessed people doing crazy things in the pursuit of fitness. Whether it’s a woman wearing pumps on the treadmill, or a dude pressing his buddies on the leg press machine, craziness is craziness pure and simple. Here are some fitness tips that you need to forget – forever! Foremost at the top of my list is the adage, “No pain, no gain!” Your workouts need to be challenging and when you exercise, you should go for the burn! But when you experience pain in muscles or joints during repetitions of a set, or when you feel sudden dizziness, nausea, or light-headedness, you need to halt! Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. When you feel any of these things, you need to take a break, get water and regroup. Chances are that everything will be OK. Secondly, “If you want to lose weight, do cardio and skip the weights.” Doing cardio is an important factor in weight loss and the best way to achieve overall cardiovascular health. Weight training preserves and builds muscle. Resistance training is also essential for any successful weight loss program. If you want to lose weight, you need both weight training and cardiovascular training. Third, “It’s OK to work out on an empty stomach.” Truth be told, when you exercise first thing in the morning without breakfast, or when you go to the gym after a long day without eating, your body is already in a catabolic state. When you deny yourself proper nutrition, your body starts to break down and “feed” on itself, Sure, you’ll lose fat, but you’ll also lose some of the lean muscle you’ve worked so hard to build. “You need to take supplements.” It’s true that in order to see and feel the results of all your hard work in the gym, you need to eat right. There is no substitute for eating clean, nutrient dense foods. Try to obtain all of your macronutrients by eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. You may need supplementation for a variety of reasons, but don’t just go out and buy everything you can afford. Do your research and always check with your physician, first.
Tom Bonanti @ trainertomb@aol.com
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Dr. Don Fisher, D.O., is a leader in the practice of Age Management Medicine and medical director of The Best Program in Fort Lauderdale. His Healthwatch column will appear biweekly.
By Tom Bonanti
July 29, 2015
These excess estrogen symptoms can be confirmed with a simple blood test and then can be treated with estrogen-blocking meds such as Arimidex (Anastrazole), Nolvadex or Tamoxifen. Testosterone produces too much estrogen in certain cases including: • Excess adipose tissue (overweight) • Alcohol use • Zinc Deficiency • Stress • Inflammation • Licorice use
Favorite Fitness Fallacies Exposed!
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By Dr. Don Fisher
Estrogen Is a Male Hormone Too
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Law Offices of Caro Kinsella 20801 Biscayne Blvd, Suite 403 Miami, FL 33180 954-304-2243 / immigrationlawyerfl.com
FINANCIAL q
Las Olas Financial Group 3000 NE 30th Place, Suite 206 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 844-779-7936 / lasolasfinancialgroup.com
Dean Trantalis Attorney 2255 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-566-2226 / trantalislaw.com
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Center for Spiritual Living 1550 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-566-2868 / cslftl.com
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Holy Angels Catholic Community 2917 NE 6th Avenue Wilton Manors, FL 33334 954-633-2987 / holyangelsfl.org Etz Chaim 1501 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-564-9232 / etzchaimflorida.org The Parish of St Francis & Clare 101 NE 3rd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-731-8173 / stsfrancisandclare.org
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Genesis Health Institute 1001 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-561-3175 / ghinstitute.com
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Better Hearing-World of Sounds 2450 E Commercial Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 954-491-2560 betterhearingworldofsounds.com PHP HMO SNP 888-456-4715 positivehealthcare.net Ocean Therapy Center 2530 NE 15th Avenue Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-351-2299 oceantherapycenter.com
INSURANCE q
We Insure 1975 E Sunrise Blvd, Suite 602 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304 954-903-7519 / weinsurefl.com
OPTICAL q
Island City Eyecare 2301 Wilton Drive, Suite C1 Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-764-6906 / visionsource-ice.com
ORGANIZATIONS
REAL ESTATE q
Galleria International Realty 945 Las Olas Boulvard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-234-8759 / galleriarealtors.com Joe Grano Realtor 1881 NE 26th Street, Suite 212 Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-931-0031 / joegrano.com
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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
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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
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July 29, 2015
Do You Have What it Takes to Succeed? If the Answer is Yes, We’d Like to Hear from You!
Dennis Dean Images 3554 NE 12th Avenue Oakland Park, FL 33334 954-240-8307 / dennisdean.com
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By Patrick Robert
Jacksonville
Orlando
7/31
7/31
The veteran heavy metal hair band began after David Coverdale left his blues rock band Deep Purple. In honor of these roots, Whitesnake released The Purple Album—a cover album of re-recorded Deep Purple songs— this year. The group found their greatest success in the 1980s when it enjoyed worldwide commercial appeal for their self-titled album and its two major hits “Here I Go Again” and “Is This Love.” 8:00 p.m. Florida Theatre. 128 E. Forsyth St. Jacksonville. 32205.
Created in the second season of the X Factor USA, American girl group Fifth Harmony achieved success this year with their debut studio album Reflection. The singles “BO$$,” “Sledgehammer,” and “Worth It” have all been certified platinum, each selling over one million digital downloads. “Worth It,” in particular, has become a major hit, peaking at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. 7:00 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. 445 S. Magnolia Ave. Orlando. 32801.
Whitesnake
8/01
8/02
This little-known musical about a young girl in a fight over her dog’s reckless behavior will be performed at the Wilson Center for the Arts. A strange second act dream sequence involves socialist munchkins, narcissistic wizards, and a heartless yet well-built tin man. 7:30 p.m. Wilson Center for the Arts. 11901 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville. 32246.
Jane and Michael Banks are out of control and in need of the right kind of discipline. Only a mysterious young woman, who flies with an umbrella, can change their naughty ways. Based upon the classic Disney film, the musical version of Mary Poppins was performed 2,619 times on Broadway for six years. 2:00 p.m. Orlando Repertory Theatre. 1001 E. Princeton St. Orlando. 32803.
The Wizard of Oz
8/02
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The Color Purple
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Fifth Harmony
As part of Florida Theatre’s Summer Movie Classics Series, the classic Steven Spielberg film The Color Purple will be screened in honor of its thirtieth anniversary. The Whoopi Goldberg movie details the soap operatic lives of poor African-American women in the South during the 1930s. A star-making turn by Oprah Winfrey is among the film’s highlights. 2:00 p.m. Florida Theatre. 128 E. Forsyth St. Jacksonville. 32205.
Mary Poppins
8/05
Clybourne Park Bruce Norris’ 2010 play Clybourne Park is a spin-off to the classic play A Raisin in the Sun and involves events set before and after Sun’s story. The play begins in 1959 as a black family moves into a white neighborhood and ends in 2009 as gentrification reverses the roles. The play was awarded the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2012 Tony Award for Best Play. 7:30 p.m. Mad Cow Theatre. 54 W. Church St. Orlando. 32801.
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7/31
8/01
Everyone’s favorite collegefriendly is one of the biggest bands in America. Having sold over 30 million records, the band reached a milestone in 2012 when Away from the World debuted number one on Billboard, making them the only band to have six albums debut as number one. Classic late nineties, early 2000s songs like “Crash Into Me” and “So Much to Say” are still heavily played on radio rotation. 7 p.m. Coral Sky Amphitheatre. 601-7 Sanburys Way. West Palm Beach. 33411.
Green Bench Brewing Co. hosts a water party full of session beers and summer fun. Two pools, a dunk tank, a twenty-foot inflatable water slide, squirt guns, and water balloons make this party a day of soaking and sloshing. Green Bench is St. Petersburg’s first production microbrewery with an on-site tasting room and beer garden. 12:00 p.m. Green Bench Brewing Co. 1133 Firs Ave. N. St. Petersburg. 33705.
Dave Matthews Band
8/01
Big Bang XIX Sean’s Dance Factory presents this explosion of dance choreographed by artistic director Sean Green. The world of hip hop dance is explored through innovative routines that vary in style and expression. This is South Florida based Sean’s Dance Factory’s nineteenth production. 7:00 p.m. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. 701 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach. 33401.
8/02 Toby Keith.
8/02
Comedy Marathon More than sixty local comics have signed up for Improv Comedy Theater’s first all-day comedy event. Along with the stand-up, the day features live podcasts, a screening of the documentary Improv: 50 Years Behind the Brick Wall, and the Comics and Comedy Swag Swap, a comics and comedy collectibles exchange. 2:30 p.m. Improv Comedy Theater. 1600 E. Eighth Ave. Tampa. 33605.
8/05
Varekai: Cirque Du Soleil In this Cirque Du Soleil incarnation the untold story of Icarus unfolds through graceful acrobatics. After disastrously flying too close to the sun, Icarus falls from the sky into an exotic world full of mysterious creatures. He eventually is led to Varekai, a word that means “wherever” in the Romany language. 7:30 p.m. Amalie Arena. 401 Channelside Dr. Tampa. 33602.
July 29, 2015
Toby Keith’s debut single “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” owned the country airwaves in the 1990s, topping the charts while becoming the decade’s most played country song. His hits continued with “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “Beer for My Horses,” and “As Good as I Once Was.” His newest album 35 MPH Town will drop this fall. 7:00 p.m. Coral Sky Amphitheatre. 601-7 Sansburys Way. West Palm Beach. 33411.
Get Low Fest
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Tampa / St. Pete
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Palm Beach
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WEEK
By Patrick Robert
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8/01
7/30
The Pride Center at Equality Park opens its doors to all Black gay and bisexual men who want to learn about the latest studies, preventions, treatments and medical assistance programs for those with HIV. Given Broward County’s high rate of new HIV infections among AfricanAmericans, it could be a life-saver. The free symposium is sponsored by the NAACP, FAMU Center for Health Equality, National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition, EqualityFlorida, Black AIDS Institute, BTAN Melbourne, and BTAN Broward County. 12-5 pm, Pride Center at Equality Park, 2040 N Dixie Hgwy, Wilton Manors FL 33305.
Who can forget the ubiquitous 1990’s smash hit “Mr. Jones?” That song thrust both The Counting Crows and their album “August and Everything After” into superstardom. Follow-up hits included a cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Hangin Around.” Their acclaimed alternative music mix rock and R&B with provocative lyrics. Also performing is singer/ songwriter Citizen Cope. Hollis Brown opens. 7:00 p.m. Bayfront Park Amphitheater. 301 N. Biscayne Blvd. Miami. 33132.
Black HIV/AID Symposium
8/01
Waist Watchers With 24 songs in over 90 minutes, Waist Watchers the Musical certainly packs a lot of music into its relatively brief running time. The show directed and choreographed by Dan Kelley revolves around four yo-yo dieters who complain about their battles with dieting, weight, exercise, aging, and men. 8:00 p.m. Broward Stage Door Theatre. 8036 W. Sample Rd. Margate. 33065.
Counting Crows
7/31
Reefer Madness: The Musical Reefer Madness: The Musical originally opened Off Broadway on September 15, 2001, four days after the twin towers attack. New York City wasn’t exactly in the mood for Kevin Murphy’s satire of the schlocky 1936 cautionary film about the “deadly” effects of marijuana so it closed shortly after. Since then, though, the musical has found a cult following. 8:00 p.m. Main Street Playhouse. 6766 Main St. Miami. 33014.
8/04
8/03
The Southern California punk band Face to Face found success in the 1990s when their album Big Choice was released. The hit single “Disconnected” was not only on heavy radio rotation but it was also featured in the films Tank Girl and National Lampoon’s Senior Trip. The band split up in 2004 yet reunited in 2008. 7:00 p.m. Culture Room. 3045 N. Federal Highway. Fort Lauderdale. 33306.
Louisville quintet My Morning Jacket is a music critic favorite, having received acclaim for singles like “One Big Holiday” and “Gideon.” Their psychedelic rock combined with country and indie pop has made them a music festival staple. Their latest album The Waterfall has received their usual critical kudos. 8:30 p.m. The Fillmore Miami Beach. 1700 Washington Ave. Miami Beach. 33139.
Face to Face
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Miami
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My Morning Jacket
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