Agenda 102915 issue 310 by Multi-Media Platforms

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

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GENERAL

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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...

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Random thoughts and quotes on Facebook this week

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THE SHADE OF IT ALL

Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton endured the marathon Benghazi Hearing last week. Here are some of our favorite sound bites: “I can do more than one thing at a time, Congressman. Thanks.” “That is only a political statement which you well understand, and I don’t understand why that has anything to do with what we are talking about today.” “I’m sorry that it doesn’t ﬁt your narrative, Congressman. I can only tell you what the facts were and the facts, as the Democratic members have pointed out in their most recent collection of them, support this process that was going on.” “You know, Mr. Chairman, if you don’t have any friends who say unkind things privately, I congratulate you. But from my perspective, I don’t know what this line of questioning does to help us get to the bottom of four deaths of Americans.”

Photo: AP

YOUNG FORMER GAY ATHLETE TALKS DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE

Photo: Facebook

MARC JACOBS SAYS GOODBYE TO GRINDR. SELF-IMPORTANCE ENSUES.

Photo: Instagram

“It was fun for ‘group’ get togethers, but, what really excites me is my work!ll like, “Kermit who?” #trump Did I miss anything?”

HARRISON WILKINSON in a ﬁrst-person narrative written for OutSports.com describing life as a young, gay, football player in North Carolina

MARC JACOBS via Instagram following Page Six allegations that he hosted an orgy over the weekend

LOVE IN BLOOM: Hot new couple alert--Jerry Hall and Rupert Murdoch! I can almost smell the sweaty dripping skin, the pungent odor of Ben Gay, and Peaches and Herb playing in the background. OPULENCE: Trying to serve you Monday morning Marilyn Monroe glamour on a Mamie van Doren budget. POWER LESBIANS: Kudos to grub hub. Now I never have to leave my house to eat again..I can be such an outcast of Society and go live with wolves…...and then return years later as a butch-fem creature of the forest named Nell, To whom I bear a striking resemblance to American power lesbian actress Jodie Foster. HOLY HALLOWEEN: I know it’s the holiest day of the gay calendar, but every year I really dread Halloween. Its just a pain in the ass to think about it and I kind of think it jumped the shark at around 10th grade. D.O.A: That moment when IT is remotely installing something for work on your personal laptop and they hit the Google bar and BAM there are a few adult websites that you had visited last time, and ya kinda wanna crawl under your desk and die, but you don’t. Adam Cohen is South Florida’s favorite and most fabulous social commentator. He’s also single.

BERNIE SANDERS SOUNDS OFF VIA SOCIAL MEDIA: @BernieSanders: This campaign is sending a message to the billionaire class: you can’t get huge tax breaks while children in this country go hungry.”

CHRIS CHRISTIE REALNESS: I can just picture Chris Christie with a strawberry milkshake yelling into his phone on a quiet Amtrak car...”BLAH BLAH BLAH....I’m important! Get me a T-Bone steak! Block the Lincoln Tunnel!”

October 29, 2015

“Unknown to anyone at the time, I struggled daily with anxiety and severe depression. I wrestled privately with suicidal thoughts for months.”

JUST ADAM

Musings by Adam Cohen

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COVER STORY A TRIBUTE TO RYAN:

South Florida loses another promising son The star that burns twice as bright, burns half as long-- Lao Tzu

October 29, 2015

Ryan K. Hughes died Saturday, October 24, from an apparent suicide. He was found unresponsive in his home in Hollywood, Florida, and later died after being removed from life support at the hospital. In his last entry on his Facebook page, he thanked his best friend Pete Stevenson. Stevenson, in turn, now shares his memories of his amazing friend exclusively for the Florida Agenda. By Pete Stevenson

his is true of Ryan K. Hughes, a creative, loving star whose light has gone out, but remains within our heavens. In life, there are those people who consume. They take from every person, relationship, conversation or situation. Then there are those who create. Ryan was a creator. He created inspirational design, loving relationships, and a whole lot of laughter. Ryan was rare in many ways. He was an actual native of South Florida, born 36 years ago in Fort Lauderdale. Soon after his family moved to rural Okeechobee, Florida. He loved many aspects of the rural life. However, growing up gay, in any place rural during the 1980s was a struggle for many youths. “I grew up in a town and a time that was very small and very small minded. And I spent a very, very long time listening to people tell me that I am less than what I am. It was such a struggle and such a ﬁght every single day,” Ryan said recently in a video interview. He went on to say, “It took me years to build the layers of self-esteem to think more of myself than what they told me I was. Now I know that is not a unique story and that many gay youths go through similar situations, but you should only have

to go through it once.” Shawnee Rose Fowler said, “I grew up with Ryan and I saw him ﬁght through daily harassment at school and overcome it every time.” Ryan returned to his spiritual home of Fort Lauderdale to attend the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale where he studied Visual Communication and Design. In design, Ryan found his true calling and was validated by his rapid rise within the print publication industry. He started as a Graphics Coordinator for several newspapers, then became Art Director for Hotspots! magazine. Soon mainstream Fort Lauderdale publications took notice of Ryan and his innovative and original design work. He went on to become Creative Director of GoRiverwalk magazine, Art Director of Fort Lauderdale magazine and then Associate Publisher of THINK magazine. Today these magazines’ designs carry on with the DNA of Ryan Hughes imagination. Ryan embraced the quote “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” He even took it a step further when was asked to join the founding of Impulse South Florida. Impulse Group and its chapters worldwide strive to change the face of the way the gay community views HIV, by reaching out to members of the

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“Great men are meteors designed to burn so that earth may be lighted.” -- Napoleon Bonaparte

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Ryan K. Hughes was a meteor, blazing and brilliant and beautiful in all the ways a person can be. He was unapologetic, and personified what it meant to live your life with no filter. He gave people hope when they needed it, and loved with his whole heart with no judgment. When he laughed he shone so brightly. He was a brother, a mentor, a confidant and the type of person the world is not blessed to see very often....beautiful inside as well as out. He will be so missed by so many. Ryan was an extraordinary man....Whose missing shine will forever leave a space that will be remembered and filled with memories by those who truly knew him and truly loved him. Rest in Peace....We will never forget you. There will never be a next Supreme. -Jaime Rodriguez

I can’t believe another beautiful, young person in my life was taken too soon. Ryan, you made my best friend the HAPPIEST he’s ever been in the 10+ years I’ve known him. You showed him tons joy & years of laughter, but most of all, you showed him TRUE LOVE. For that, I thank you. I wish I could thank you in person, but I know you are reading this right now, smiling with my sister in Heaven - Kyle Poﬀ

RIP Ryan. You were an inspiration to so many and I am shocked to hear this news. I worked with you in so many diﬀerent organizations, most notably impulse and it goes by saying the good die young.... The graphic design world lost a mentor and leader! Your vision will live on! I’m heart broken... Many a nights we were going back and forth accomplishing the unachievable! I can’t believe this, proof positive that we have to look out for one another and live life to the fullest! It was a pleasure meeting you, working with you, and calling you a friend! Missing you already! My heart goes out to his family, friends and loved ones! - Victor Flores

Ryan, no words can express the sadness I feel in losing you. I loved you with all of my heart, and held you till your last breath. You will always and forever remain in my heart, as a part of my heart is eternally with you. You were my everything. Rest in peace my love. I will always love my bae! - Adrian Vargas

I remember the ﬁrst time Ryan and I met.. It felt like we had known each other our entire lives. I will miss his larger than life personality and that warm smile which lit up any room he walked into. Ryan, I will always keep you close to my heart and am honored to have known you. Until we meet again my friend, may your memory be eternal. -Lindsey Bowdouris

out cake is really just a meeting.” Many of our most creative and brightest stars struggle with inner demons and burn out too soon. We feel sad and cheated. But we need to look at this from the other side. People need to appreciate and feel blessed for the 36 years of Ryan K. Hughes. We love you. We miss you. Ryan is survived by his mother Susan, father David, sister Kim, brother Frank, his partner Adrian Vargas, and Briggs & Stratton his two loving Boston Terriers.

of a brand that is now visible across the globe. Ryan’s many talents were not limited to just graphic design. He was also an amazing cook. He was the type of individual who could read a recipe once and have the dish come out tasting and looking better than the magazine from which it was torn. A nod to the lucky few friends who tried and survived an evening of his famous Key Lime Mojitos. But his love cooking and life can be summoned up with his favorite quote from Julia Child: “A party with-

I’m deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Ryan. I still remember the very ﬁrst day I met him and was moved by his energetic spirit and amazing sense of humor. He was an incredible person who will be remembered forever. - Chris Caputo

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community with modern approaches to awareness, prevention, and care. At Impulse, he could put his creative talents to use and at the same time advocate against much of the stigma he had to battle while growing up. Even though Ryan was part of the local South Florida Chapter, his style and designs quickly spread across all chapters as they realized they had a gifted individual, whose designs spoke to the young people they were trying to reach. Ultimately, he was the creator

I’m very sad to hear of Ryan’s passing. Ryan was a wonderful guy with a big heart. He was funny and used to make me laugh all the time when we worked together at Hotspots. He was one of the areas best graphic designers, a true artist. You will be missed by a lot of people Ryan. My heart goes out to your friends and family. Peace be with you. - Mike Trottier

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THE AGENDA INTERVIEW

Making sense of depression, suicide

4LGBTQ individuals are 3 times more likely to experience a mental health condition 4LGBTQ youth are 4 times more likely to commit suicide, experience suicidal thoughts

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Psychotherapist Dr. Gary Forrest Dr. Gary M. Forrest, LMFT,SAP, is a Fort Lauderdale, Fl., licensed psychotherapist whose practice includes LGBTQ counseling and helping clients deal with such issues as anxiety, depression, anger and grief. Among his exhaustive list of credentials and qualifications, Dr. Forrest is a member of the World Professional Association of Transgender Health. Substance abuse, relationship issues and alternative lifestyle issues are among his areas of expertise.

By Peter Jackson

JACKSON: The tragic loss this week of Ryan Hughes, a popular South Florida son, has again underscored the high rate of depression and suicide among LGBTQ individuals. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has reported LGBTQ individuals are almost three times more likely to experience a mental health condition such as major depression or generalized anxiety disorder. Can you shed some insight on this? DR. FORREST: The experiences of disenfranchisement, alienation, and “othering” are central to so many backstories of LGBTQ community members. The high rates of depression and anxiety that I see in so many of my psychotherapy clients make perfect sense when seen as attempts to adapt emotionally to the forces that marginalize in our society. We humans — even when anxious or depressed — are socially oriented creatures. We fundamentally know more about ourselves through our relationships with others. If our relationships are not strong, supportive, or continuous, we become fretful or

even despondent. Major depression and generalized anxiety disorders often indicate unfortunate disruptions in our crucial relationships. In his 2014 YouTube video for Impulse Group of South Florida, Ryan Hughes eloquently described his transformation at overcoming the small-mindedness found in his hometown and his struggle to build the confidence and self-esteem necessary for him to move forward: “It was such a struggle, and it was such a fight every single day.” Ryan Hughes accomplished his goals, but, as he reminds us in the same video, the foundation upon which the hard-won self-esteem is built can be painfully fragile: “It pains me to no end to see young men rise up out of that and get hit with something like a positive diagnosis, and they tailspin all the way back down into that person that they were. That battered, unloved, little thought of individual.” Q: Transgender issues have come to the forefront this year with the very public transitioning of former Olympian Bruce Jenner to Caitlyn Jenner. Among the

issues that have emerged is the high suicide rate, with 38-65% of trans individuals experiencing suicidal ideation. How do you explain this? A: In the transgender community, we have this phenomenon of the person trying to make sense of their emotionally fraught experience within the context of a larger society, which frequently does little to support any effective sense-making regarding the transgender experience. The result is that the individual frequently feels little or no relational support, which, in turn, leads to further feelings of alienation and disenfranchisement. Proverbially speaking, we human beings do best when we can develop and maintain a secure and safe concept of where home is. Without a way home, many of us can easily become disoriented, fearful, etc. Q: The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that LGBTQ youth are four times more likely, and questioning youth are three times more likely, to attempt suicide, experience suicidal thoughts or engage

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Problems of depression, suicide, and substance abuse in the LGBTQ community are frequently related to individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stories of shame, isolation, and disenfranchisement. As the larger society becomes more genuinely accepting and inclusive of its LGBTQ members, we can expect to see major reductions in these types of issues. - Dr. Gary M. Forrest, LMFT, SAP

in self-harm than straight people. What can be done to stem this tragic loss of life by our gay and questioning youth? A: To develop any hope for a better future, people experiencing suicidal thoughts or engaging in self-harm must first make sense of their current situation. In psychotherapy, this sense-making happens as a collaboration between the individual and the therapist. Mental health institutions and practitioners need to do more to help normalize the experience for LGBTQ youth as a key first step to encourage the youth that they are not alone, they are understood, and there is hope for a better future.

Q: Along with alarming rates of depression and suicide in the LGBTQ community, we also recognize a high incidence of substance abuse. By one estimate, 20-30% of LGBTQ people abuse substances, compared to 9% of the general population. How do you explain this? A: Reseach indicates strong positive correlations between depression and substance abuse. Furthermore, we know that substance abuse is often an affliction that flourishes when individuals feel isolated and alone; substance abuse sometimes becomes the proxy for close relationships we no longer have. Sadly,

suicide sometimes can present as a valid solution for those who are feeling most alone and isolated. Q: You are an expert in gay relationships. Following the June 26th Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality and the rush of weddings from coast to coast that have followed, do you predict growing acceptance of the LGBTQ community will eventually alleviate issues like depression, suicides and drug abuse? A: Yes. Problems of depression, suicide, and substance abuse in the LGBTQ community are frequently related to individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stories of shame, isolation, and disenfranchisement. As the larger society becomes more genuinely accepting and inclusive of its LGBTQ members, we can expect to see major reductions in these types of issues. It will certainly indicate that the larger society has become stronger and healthful as a result.

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Q: Campaigns to stop bullying of LGBTQ youth in our schools have been widespread and have helped, to some degree, to create tolerance and understanding. Do we need to do more as a community to inspire our youth? A: There is no question

that more community initiatives are needed regarding anti-bullying of LGBTQ youth. These initiatives are still relatively new societally. The universal principles of tolerance and understanding need to be continually reinforced and reaffirmed for there to be lasting change.

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AS I SEE IT

TRUMP OR CARSON: WHAT A MESS

he latest polls show that everyone’s favorite curmudgeon Donald Trump has fallen in the polls for the Republican Presidential candidate of choice. The good news is that the man who called Mexicans “rapists and drug lords” and said that the Japanese send their cars over here “by the millions,” without taking any of ours in return, now only has 22 percent of Republicans supporting him for the nomination.

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The bad news is that the name who has soared past Trump for the ﬁrst time (and is now generating 26 percent of Republican support) is pseudo surgeon Dr. Ben Carson. This should give us all cause for concern. For even though By Trump has Richard been a bigmouthed idiot Hack for much of his life, at least he is a smart businessman who knows how to streamline operations and cut to the chase without a lot of nicey nicey, kissy, kissy. Dr. Carson on the other hand—

well, we’ll let you be the judge. This is the man who said same-sex marriage is a Marxist plot conceived by the New World Order to promote communism. Now, he didn’t just mumble this randomly in someone’s living room over a poker game. He said this nonsense while speaking at the National Organization for Marriage’s gala that followed the campaign’s failed March for Marriage event. Then he said that Muslims are unable to be President of the United States because they are homophobic. Would someone please send the doctor a mirror to look at himself—hopefully in disbelief. But wait. This is also the man who said prisoners prove being gay “is a choice.” Oh yes. “A lot of people who go into prison, go into prison straight; and when they come out, they’re gay.

So, did something happen while they were in there? Ask yourself that question.” (Carson later apologized, saying his comments were taken out of context.) And then Carson said the fight for marriage equality was not the same as fighting for racial equality because a person cannot choose their race but could ‘choose’ to be gay. Really? This from a medical doctor and surgeon. And still there’s more. “I was a little bit irritated that they were equating the whole issue with the Civil Rights movement. Because, quite frankly, I didn’t remember any times when there were signs up that says, you know, ‘everybody else here and gay people have to drink at this fountain.” And who among us can forget the interview that Carson was giving on Fox News with anchor Sean Hannity speaking about marriage being between a man and a woman. “It’s a well-established, fundamental pillar of society and no group, be they gays, be the NAMBLA (North American Man/Boy Love Association), be they people who believe in bestiality–it doesn’t matter what they are–they don’t get to change the definition.”

In all fairness, after much of the country came down on his back for the gay, bestiality and paedophilia reference, Carson apologized (again). “Although I do believe marriage is between a man and a woman, there are much less offensive ways to make that point. I hope all will look at a lifetime of service over some poorly chosen words.” Yet, as President of the United States, your words are your power. As such, they have to be carefully selected. A big part of that monumental job is dealing with all cultures and races and languages and genders and, yes, sexual orientations. For Republicans, this presents an interesting dilemma, for from the look of things now, one of these two men is going to be representing the party next year in the race for President. Donald Trump lifted his hands in despair and said, “I don’t get it.” Neither do we.

Richard Hack is the award-winning author of 26 books, and the Vice President of Content for Multimedia Platforms’ publications.

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For Republicans, this presents an interesting dilemma, for from the look of things now, one of these two men is going to be representing the party next year in the race for President.

Keeping the hallow in Halloween and renewal of spring would follow the dark, cold winter. Samhain (pronounced “Sow-en”) was also a time when the barrier between this world and whatever might lie beyond this life was porous, so spirits could cross from the other world into ours (or so suggested the legends). Since disembodied spirits could slip through the barrier between worlds on Samhain, people would have feasts and invite the spirits to attend (buttering them up perhaps so they wouldn’t be too mischievous), costumes became part of the celebrations as well (to hide one’s true identity from the spirits in order to prevent future haunting). It was a time of preparing for the harshness of winter, remembering that the abundant life of spring would follow, building community, celebrating life, and even remembering the dearly departed. It was a special, even sacred time. There are spiritual communities today that still think of Samhain/Halloween as a sacred, hallowed night.

Of course, from a secular viewpoint, Halloween is a time to play, to wear costumes and give candy to children, to enjoy block parties and “haunted houses” and scary movies. It’s become a time of revelry and imagination. But for me, there is one more reason that Halloween is a special time, an empowering time, a hallowed occasion. Halloween is for many an LBGT Holy Day! Halloween for Queer folk is a time of theatrically, performance, genderbending, political expression, overt sexuality, and community revelry. From Dallas to San Francisco to New York to Wilton Manors, I’ve seen some of the most joyous, creative, and life-afﬁrming demonstrations imaginable on Halloween. Halloween has for decades now brought LBGT people “out” to show the world our flair, our energy, our zest for life. Before National Coming Out Day and LBGT History Month and Gay Pride celebrations in cities of every size, Halloween provided

LBGT people an opportunity to laugh, to gather, to create something over the top and utterly fabulous, and to invite the world to watch us celebrate the sacred energy we release into the world. There is something magical about Halloween. It isn’t that mysterious really, or even scary in my view; it is an opportunity to celebrate life, to express appreciation for gifts of creativity and joy, and even to remember those who no longer occupy physical space but who are very much alive in our blessed memories. Halloween is hallowed indeed, not only because it helps us face darkness and uncertainty with ﬂair and glee, but because it reminds us that in this moment we are very much alive and that is something worth celebrating indeed.

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“hallow” is an archaic noun for someone or something considered holy. So, Halloween (a shortened version of All Hallows Eve) is the night before the celebration of All Saints (“All Hallows”) Day in the western Christian By Rev. tradition. Of course, Durrell the evening Watkins before All Saints Day is hallowed in its own right. In Celtic traditions, Samhain (October 31st) is about the midpoint between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. It marks the end of the harvest season as people prepare for the upcoming winter. Festivals would include bon ﬁres as a reminder that the warmth

DR. DURRELL’S SPIRITUAL PRESCRIPTIONS

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OPINION

Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins is the Senior Minister of Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale.

PAUL BERGE

What’s your opinion? The Agenda wants to know...

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The Florida Agenda welcomes signed Letters to the Editor, up to 400 words in length, on topics of general interest to our readers. You may e-mail submissions to Editor@mmplgbt. com. We welcome comments on our Facebook page also.

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CAPITOL BEAT

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October 29, 2015

Time for gaunt Gowdy to eat crow.... and his freedom fries If Trey Gowdy, who looks uncannily like a cross between Draco Malfoy and Voldemort, is the poster child of the House Freedom Caucus, there is reason to be hopeful.

is leadership of the Benghazi hearings gave Hillary Clinton what journalist Dan Zak described as an “11-hour campaign commercial” for free. Gowdy’s brief candidacy for the Speaker of the House position has evaporated. The Speaker circus continues to entertain, especially after the laughable allegations made by right wing activist, Eugene Delgaudio, that the now declared BY candidate, Paul LINDA Ryan, is “the PENTZ homosexual lobby’s Trojan Horse.” But I digress. The Freedom Caucus is problematic in more than name only, but its redefining of the word “freedom” to mean anything but — is a disturbing trend. Words like “freedom,” “family” and “traditional” are being steadily purloined by conservatives to represent something quite different and far more narrow. It’s a tactic that has been going on for some time, of course. Remember the “Moral Majority?” “Family values” sounds like something we could all support if we don’t read the fine print. But look carefully and we see that the phrase has become code for bigotry, a platform from which to launch an agenda that vilifies and endeavors to eliminate the rights of LGBT people, women, people of color, immigrants, anyone whose professed religion is not orthodox Christianity, and on and on. Countless conservative groups have spliced “family” into their name, utterly perverting the meaning of a word that should have warm and welcoming connotations. Seized upon by the right, and largely the Christian right, “family” on their terms means only one kind of family — a married man and woman with heterosexual children. At least in theory. The values crowd is of course perfectly

content to turn a blind eye when it comes to people like Kim Davis, with multiple divorces and illegitimate children. In that context, hating gays is good enough to keep you part of their “family.” Thus, the gay-bashing conference underway this week in Utah, inevitably takes place under the mantle of the “World Congress of Families.” Its website has the audacity to say it welcomes “people of goodwill,” the very last sentiment it is communicating to the LGBT community. The Human Rights Campaign identiﬁed a few of those “people of goodwill” slated to address the congress, including “Senator Ted Cruz’s father, a Putin advisor, and a Nigerian activist who compared gays to Boko Haram.” Rafael Cruz, who makes son Ted look almost reasonable by comparison (well, not really), has equated same-sex marriage with a socialist plot designed to destroy the family (but only that man-woman version with the heterosexual kids of course.) He recently was quoted lambasting the city of Houston’s openly gay mayor, saying: “It’s appalling that in a city like Houston, right in the middle of the Bible Belt, we have a homosexual mayor.” The World Congress of Families is so notorious, that in June the Human Rights Campaign published a 24-page investigative report on their activities around the world. The WCF has been particularly damaging in Africa where, the report found, the group’s presence “has corresponded with a disturbing rise of harsh penalties for LGBT Africans in countries like Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria, where about 90 percent of citizens believe homosexuality is morally unacceptable.” The group’s ties to Russia, where it was conceived, include “the Russian Orthodox Church and the Putin regime,” the report noted. The World Congress of Families has plenty of company. The Southern Poverty Law Center has quite the list of anti-LGBT hate groups that use the word “family” in their name, among them the American Family Association; Family Research Council; Family Research Institute; and

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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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anywhere, with or without their distorted family values rhetoric? Or are they just woefully out of date, clinging onto the 1980s sound bites that worked for Ronald Reagan but don’t fool today’s far more media savvy — and especially social media savvy — audiences? When Clinton announced her candidacy for president, US News & World Report, not a bastion of progressive opinions, trumpeted that she and other liberals “are reclaiming the rhetoric of family.” What changed? “Attitudes toward marriage equality, for one,” said the US News article. While the right continued to proclaim its opposition to same-sex marriage, American views were shifting. Consequently, “as Americans began to view same-sex marriage not as a threat to families but as a safeguard for them, the conservative position increasingly sounded anti-family,” the article said. Some on the right have already thrown in the rhetorical towel. Most memorable is the coiner of the term “Freedom Fries,” Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC), who eventually recanted, regretting not only the glib terminology but the reason behind it — the U.S. decision to go to war in Iraq. Jones was the ﬁrst to retreat but soon there may be others, given the fallout from the backﬁring Benghazi interrogations which came to bury Clinton but instead elevated her campaign to new heights. First to go should be the gaunt Gowdy, who certainly looks like he could use a few portions of Freedom Fries. Especially after telling all those whoppers during the Benghazi hearings. I’m lovin’ it.

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the Illinois Family Institute. Then there’s “traditional,” a word that can mean quite wonderful things in, say, indigenous cultures, but which has been appropriated in the U.S. to deﬁne anti-LGBT agendas. Leading the charge is the Traditional Values Coalition, described by the SPLC not merely as a “hate group” but as an “extremist group.” The Traditional Values Coalition is top of the class when it comes to bullying and bigotry toward LGBT youth. The group is currently waging a campaign in Virginia to replace the largely progressive Fairfax County School Board with hatemongers masquerading as Bibleloving church ladies (and men.) The intent is to undo the school board’s current discrimination protections for transgender students and staff. Recognizing that knowledge breeds dangerous concepts like tolerance and acceptance, they also oppose the move to expand the sex education curriculum to include homosexuality and gender identity. This is the same faction that scare mongers about their kids falling prey to predatory transgender children in the school bathrooms, which is beyond ridiculous, not to mention unkind. Their claims are not only given the lie by the facts, they are ﬂat out reversed. According to GLESN’s 2013 school survey, more than half of all LGBT kids feel unsafe in school. (A 2015 edition is due out soon.) TVC’s efforts are unlikely to succeed given the makeup of the Fairfax County School Board which is, traditionally (let’s seize that word back for a moment), on the progressive end of the Democratic spectrum. The Fairfax Country Democratic Committee chair, Sue Langley, told the Washington Post last week that TVC’s tactics were “deplorable” and that “this kind of politics of bullying and discrimination has no place in Fairfax County.” Will any of these hate groups get

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First to go should be the gaunt Gowdy, who certainly looks like he could use a few portions of Freedom Fries.

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By Alex Kacala

ing and greatly affect a person. The social pressure to always be happy and look really good in the process takes a toll on the spirit, and one of the consequences can be depression and/or suicide. I was one of the young gay men consumed by the pressure to project a false image of myself, when in reality I struggled with alcoholism. The day I projected my reality onto Facebook to make others aware of my problem was life-changing. It was frightening putting myself out there in a space where so much judgment can be passed; however, it’s important to demonstrate that vulnerability, honesty and authenticity should be celebrated in all areas of life. I still find myself jealous of that friend’s trip to Vegas I only know about because of Facebook. And I swear my Instagram feed cluttered with beautiful boys has given me body issues. What we all need to do is put the phones down, turn them off and tap into our reality. Let’s stop counting the “likes” and start experiencing life. In real time. This is only one possible solution to a very complicated question. I recently read another question that can be altered to challenge us to think differently about our lives: Who would you be and what would you post on social media if you weren’t afraid? And even after the synod ends, Francis may have more surprises up his cassock sleeve. On Dec. 8, he launches his yearlong “Jubilee of Mercy,” during which he has already given ordinary priests rather than just bishops the ability to absolve women of the sin of abortion. “We have to understand that we are living an ecclesial process of huge dimensions,” the Jesuit Spadaro told Vatican Radio. “So we shouldn’t be surprised that there are moments of fatigue, of blockage, difficulty and tensions. There’s also the joy that we are creating history together.”

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ith the recent suicides of Ryan Hughes and Jake Bailey, those left behind after these tragedies always ask why. It’s a complex question difficult to answer, but we can try to take a step back and figure out what is hurting our community. Hopefully it will help others in the complicated process of answering the question: Why did these young gay men take their lives? Social media has the incredible power to connect us. We are regularly looking at our feeds on Instagram. We check in to see what others are doing on Facebook. We pop on and off Grindr to meet a fling. But with this constant contact comes consequence. We see selfies of the boys out to brunch, houses newly bought, fabulous trips to far off places being taken and so many freaking weddings. What’s missing from our feeds are the struggles—the day-today hardships of existence that are not shared virally. In today’s age of social media, people are constantly projecting a false image of their lives. I used to believe perception is reality, but I am not so sure anymore. Reality is that breakup with the man of your dreams, the tough day at work where you felt like your boss didn’t care for anything you did, a guilty Sunday morning after a night at the club when you blacked out. Those moments are rarely shared on Facebook, if at all. Numerous studies have been conducted linking social networking to depression, social isolation, eliciting feelings of envy, insecurity and poor self-esteem. Because of the comparison game we play, we then try to turn failures into wins. Sometimes, you just lose. But we never see that online. These feelings are only felt offline and that can be overwhelming. While scrolling through a feed of wins, moments of losses can be depress-

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“WHY?”

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ASKING THE QUESTION

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OPEN FOR DISCUSSION

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CREEP OF THE WEEK By D’Anne Witowski

b Pat Robertson

Thanksgiving is a particularly problematic holiday. I mean, not only do people try to cram the whole extended family into Grandma’s 900 square foot house, but the holiday promotes the story that the Indians and the Pilgrims used to party together and everything was cool (not so much IRL). But as long as you can ignore that part (and most people do), Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time of, well, being thankful. And for some reason we celebrate thankfulness by buying and cooking and eating and then throwing away a sh*t ton of food. Sadly for a lot of LGBT folks, Thanksgiving can also be a holiday of exclusion. If you want to send a strong message of “we don’t want you” to an LGBT family member, just tell them that they are welcome to come to dinner, so long as they don’t bring their significant other. On the Oct. 16 episode of The 700 Club, a viewer named “Jim” submitted a question regarding Pat Robertson whether or not he should allow his gay grandson to bring his boyfriend to Thanksgiving dinner. “We have made it clear in the past that we love him and he will always be welcome to be a part of our lives, but we will not be a part of the lifestyle he has chosen,” the viewer writes. “I have told him before that the presence of his sex partners would not be welcome in our house.” First of all, I would like to point out the wording of Jim’s question. He says that the grandson “will always be welcome to be a part of” Jim’s life, but Jim makes it really clear that he does not want to be a part of his grandson’s life. He dismisses it as a “lifestyle” and makes a point to use “sex partners” even though Jim indicates that the grandson wants to bring one particular person.

Robertson’s response? Right on, Jim. “I just believe that you’re taking the right stand,” says Robertson. “Otherwise you become an enabler and you’re condoning that.” And God forbid a grandpa “condone” his grandson trying to find love in his life. “There’s a real good chance that he might come out of that so-called lifestyle, but if you’re going along with it, he says, ‘Well, mom likes it, so it’s OK,’” Robertson continues, apparently unaware that moms don’t usually refer to their kids as “grandson.” And, no, there isn’t “a real good chance” that the grandson will one day un-gay if only his family continues to reject him. “He’s trying to force you to do something,” Robertson adds. “I mean what if your son is dating a stripper and he wants to bring her home for Thanksgiving dinner and the family says, ‘No! We don’t want her in our house.” The real answer is, of course, more complicated. Relaphoto: wpxi.com tionships of all kinds, whether they’re with your grandfather, your mom or your boyfriend, are messy and difficult. And in this situation Robertson is the enabler, telling “Jim” and all of the people like him that they’re exempt from doing the hard work of being a part of a family. Robertson is basically saying, “Reject someone you love rather than question the belief that God or anyone would demand such a thing of you.” Robertson believes that “religious freedom” trumps all, even reality. But Jim can pray all he wants and his grandson is still going to be gay. And chances are his grandson isn’t going to spend his life begging Grandpa to be treated as an equal. What Jim needs to decide is if he wants his grandson to think of him as a grandfather or remember him as a ghost.

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October 29, 2015

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October 29, 2015

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While the first two debates were ratings blockbusters—tallying 24 million and 23 million viewers each, debate number three was in direct conflict with Game 2 of the World Series between the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals.

Associated Press

DONALD TRUMP

KEY FEATURES: Billionaire real estate developer, author and reality TV star with the catchphrase, “You’re fired!” A QUICK SKETCH: Son of wealthy builder in the New York City borough of Queens. Prospered in family business while studying economics at the University of Pennsylvania. ”The Donald” gained fame as splashy Manhattan developer of hotels, skyscrapers and golf courses around the world. Considered Reform Party presidential run in 2000; flirted with GOP bid in 2012. Starred in reality TV shows “The Apprentice” and “Celebrity Apprentice.” ALSO OF NOTE: The front-runner is rich enough to pay for his own campaign - and brags about that but 74,000 donors showered him with nearly $4 million in smalldollar contributions, July through September. Might Trump be for you? Perhaps yes, if you want a president who says what he thinks even if people take offense. Perhaps no, if you want a president with experience as an elected official. DISTINGUISHING ISSUES: Build a wall along the Mexican border to stop illegal immigration. Deport all immigrants in the U.S. illegally; allow what he calls ‘the good ones’ to return legally. Impose high tariffs on imports from China and Mexico to demand better treatment of the U.S.

KEY FEATURES: Famed pediatric neurosurgeon whose life story was made into a TV movie. A QUICK SKETCH: Raised in Detroit by a divorced, impoverished mother. 29 years as director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, now retired. First surgeon to successfully separate twins joined at the head. Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom. Enhanced his conservative cred with political remarks at 2013 National Prayer Breakfast. ALSO OF NOTE: Carson has said that the scientific theory of evolution is based on “incredible fairy tales.” He’s a creationist who espouses beliefs based on his Seventh-day Adventist faith. The strikingly soft-spoken Carson says he was a hot-tempered teen who tried to stab a friend but woke up to his volatility and changed. Might Carson be for you? Perhaps yes, if you want a doctor to fix the nation’s health care policy. Perhaps no, if you’re looking for someone with political experience and seasoned rhetoric. Carson once compared President Barack Obama’s health care law to slavery. DISTINGUISHING ISSUES: Impose the same flat income tax on everyone. Ban abortion even in cases of rape or incest. Add a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. IN A NUTSHELL: Christian conservative. Doctor. Only AfricanAmerican contender. .

IN A NUTSHELL: Political outsider. Celebrity. Billionaire.

BEN CARSON

October 29, 2015

By CONNIE CASS

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With the GOP debate number three now history, the candidates’ positions are as disconnected as their personalities are varied. As Connie Cass of the Associate Press explains, the stage at the Coors Event Center at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado, saw an angry young man who matured into an eternally mellow surgeon and politician, a Hispanic firebrand who is most at home in English, an Anglo who speaks fluent Spanish at home, and a given-topreening reality show guy.

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A guide to the Republican 2016 candidates

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ELECTION 2016

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ELECTION 2016

MARCO RUBIO

KEY FEATURES: Florida senator who teamed with Democrats on an immigration overhaul that would have given immigrants in the U.S. illegally a way to become citizens; now says fixing border security comes first. A QUICK SKETCH: His Cuban immigrant parents worked as a bartender and a maid. Won a college football scholarship; University of Miami law degree. Elected to Florida House in 2000, rose to speaker. Beat a popular governor to win his U.S. Senate seat. Speaks fluent Spanish, as does his Colombian-American wife.

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ALSO OF NOTE: Rubio got famous on the Internet in 2013 when he paused several times in his televised response to the State of the Union address to make an awkward reach for bottled water while staring into the camera, like a Poland Spring-swilling deer in the headlights. Might Rubio be for you? Perhaps yes, if you think it’s time for a younger generation (Generation X in this case) to lead. Perhaps no, if you believe human actions cause global warming.

JEB BUSH

CARLY FIORINA

A QUICK SKETCH: Born in Texas as John Ellis Bush, shortened to the nickname Jeb. Met his future wife Columba, a native of Mexico, and speaks Spanish comfortably. Worked for father George H.W. Bush’s 1980 and 1988 presidential campaigns. Was governor in 2000 when Florida recount gave his brother George W. Bush the presidency. Made a name among religious conservatives by opposing removal of life support in the Terri Schiavo case.

A QUICK SKETCH: Daughter of a law professor turned federal appeals judge. Trailblazing female executive at AT&T, Lucent and Hewlett-Packard. In over ﬁve years of running HP: led major merger, laid off 30,000 workers, ousted by board. Made a name in politics as adviser to John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. Ran for U.S. Senate seat from California, and lost. while being treated for breast cancer in 2010

KEY FEATURES: Son of a president, little brother of a president, and he’s a former Florida governor.

ALSO OF NOTE: Bush would be the ﬁrst brother of a president ever elected. He says he’s not his father or his brother, however: “I am my own man, and my views are shaped by my own thinking and experience.” Might Bush be for you? Perhaps yes, if you want an immigration overhaul that gives people in the U.S. illegally a path to legal status. Perhaps no, if you think post-Sept. 11 surveillance programs violated civil liberties.

DISTINGUISHING ISSUES: Reverse President Barack Obama’s diplomatic outreach to Cuba. Stop taxing investment income, give parents a bigger tax break. Freeze federal spending except on the military.

DISTINGUISHING ISSUES: Wants states to adopt higher education standards. Assert U.S. military might in Iraq and to counter Russian moves in Europe. Block tax increases, although he won’t sign a no-tax-increase pledge

IN A NUTSHELL: Tea party roots. Hispanic. Youthful.

IN A NUTSHELL: Bush dynasty. Speaks Spanish. Establishment favorite.

KEY FEATURES: She’s a businesswoman - a former CEO of Hewlett-Packard who’s run for Senate but never held public ofﬁce.

ALSO OF NOTE: She described secretly recorded footage in Planned Parenthood videos that does not exist and refused to acknowledge the mistake. Might Fiorina be for you? Perhaps yes, if you agree with her that a woman could best take on Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton. Perhaps no, if you want a president with experience serving in government. DISTINGUISHING ISSUES: Impose “zero-based budgeting” that evaluates each federal program’s spending annually. Shrink the government work force and base federal workers’ pay on performance, not seniority. Use innovation, not regulation, to address global warming. IN A NUTSHELL: Fiscal conservative. Political newcomer. GOP’s only female contender. .

TED CRUZ

KEY FEATURES: He’s a Republican senator who pushed a government shutdown to fight “Obamacare.” A QUICK SKETCH: Father is a Cuban immigrant who became a pastor. Winning debater at Princeton and Harvard Law. Argued nine cases before the Supreme Court. Won Senate seat in 2012 upset, his first elected office. A Texan partial to ostrich-leather boots. ALSO OF NOTE: Cruz was born in Canada. His father was born in Cuba. But his mother was born in Nebraska, giving him U.S. citizenship. He’s formally renounced his dual Canadian citizenship. Cruz is the first Hispanic senator from Texas, where many residents are native Spanish speakers. He’s not fluent in the language, however, and nixed a proposal for a debate in Spanish in his 2012 Senate campaign. Might Cruz be for you? Perhaps yes, if you want to stop President Barack Obama’s health care law at all costs. Perhaps no, if you’re looking for bipartisan compromise on immigration. DISTINGUISHING ISSUES: Amend the Constitution so that voters could oust Supreme Court justices. Amend the Constitution to allow states to ban gay marriage. Abolish the IRS, switch to a flat tax IN A NUTSHELL: Tea party. Christian conservative. Hispanic. .

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ELECTION 2016

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MIKE HUCKABEE

KEY FEATURES: Former Arkansas governor whose 2008 bid for the Republican presidential nomination focused on social issues. A QUICK SKETCH: Son of a ﬁreﬁghter, he was born in President Bill Clinton’s hometown of Hope, Arkansas. Pastor of Baptist churches in Arkansas for 12 years; president of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Governor of Arkansas, 1996-2007. Hosted his own political talk show on Fox News. A bass guitarist who occasionally plays with his classic rock cover band Capitol Offense. ALSO OF NOTE: Huckabee’s numerous books include a diet guide called “Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork,” published in 2006 after he shed more than 100 pounds. He still struggles with his weight. Might Huckabee be for you? Perhaps yes, if you want a president to sign executive orders protecting the religious liberty of people and entities that oppose gay marriage. Perhaps no, if you’re a fan of Beyonce and Jay Z. Huckabee has criticized their sexualized lyrics and writes that Jay Z is arguably crossing the line from husband to pimp in exploiting his wife as a sex object.

A QUICK SKETCH: Newark-born, ancestors from Ireland and Sicily. U.S. attorney who won dozens of public corruption cases in New Jersey. Defeated incumbent Democratic governor in 2009. YouTubefamous for his readiness to call complaining citizens “idiots” or tell them to “shut up.” Lost some presidential momentum when allies were charged in “Bridgegate” case. One has pleaded guilty and two others are awaiting trial. ALSO OF NOTE: Christie isn’t shy about sharing the personal stuff. Things he’s talked about: His mother’s last words to him. The lap band surgery that helped him lose weight. His use of birth control, and the rhythm method, even though he’s Roman Catholic. Might Christie be for you? Perhaps yes, if you like letting students in struggling districts attend other public schools or charter schools. Perhaps no, if you oppose raising the age when future retirees can qualify for Social Security and Medicare. DISTINGUISHING ISSUES: Toughen anti-terrorism and surveillance laws to help intelligence services. Lower the corporate tax rate, reduce the top tax rate for individuals. For each new federal regulation added, remove a regulation of equal cost. IN A NUTSHELL: Centrist appeal. Combative. Sitting governor.

JOHN KASICH

KEY FEATURES: Former congressman now in his second term as Ohio governor. A QUICK SKETCH: Son of a Pennsylvania mailman. Graduated from Ohio State and became, at 26, the youngest person ever elected to Ohio’s Senate. Found his Anglican faith in his 30s after his parents were killed by a drunk driver. Served 18 years in Congress, working with lawmakers of both parties to cut spending, balance budget. Ran for president in 2000 but dropped out early; elected governor in 2010. ALSO OF NOTE: Kasich opposes President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, yet he accepted federal money under the law to expand Ohio’s Medicaid program. That angered many of his fellow Republicans. Kasich says “real ﬂesh and blood, and real improvements in people’s lives” are more important than ideology. Might Kasich be for you? Perhaps yes, if you want to protect the social safety net for the poor. Perhaps no, if you don’t want U.S. ground troops sent to battle Islamic State militants. DISTINGUISHING ISSUES: Allow some immigrants in the U.S. illegally for years to stay if they pay a ﬁne. Address the climate change problem without doing economic damage. Use the Common Core standards to raise the bar in education. IN A NUTSHELL: Fiscal conservative. Sitting governor. Second time around..

RAND PAUL

KEY FEATURES: He’s NOT Ron Paul. That’s his father, the former congressman who ran for president three times, once as a Libertarian. A QUICK SKETCH: Helped in his father’s campaigns from age 11. Raised in Texas, settled in his wife’s home state of Kentucky.Ophthalmologist known for free eye clinics for the poor. Won Senate seat in 2010 tea party wave, his first elected office. Took over Senate floor for hours at a time to question U.S. drone policy and oppose collection of Americans’ phone records. ALSO OF NOTE: Rumors aside, he wasn’t named for “Atlas Shrugged” author Ayn Rand. His given name is Randal, and his wife dubbed him ‘Rand.’ But he is a fan. Might Paul be for you? Perhaps yes, if you’re upset about the National Security Agency snooping into citizens’ private communications. Perhaps no, if you want to see more aggressive use of U.S. military power in the world. DISTINGUISHING ISSUES: Give Congress more power over the Federal Reserve. End the right to abortion, protecting life from conception. Reduce penalties for many drug crimes, let nonviolent felons vote. IN A NUTSHELL: Libertarian-ish. Tea party. Young voter strategy.

IN A NUTSHELL: Christian conservative. Folksy appeal. Second time around.

KEY FEATURES: The blunt governor of New Jersey saw his reputation damaged when aides were accused of purposely tying up trafﬁc on a busy bridge for political payback.

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DISTINGUISHING ISSUES: Replace income tax with a national sales tax. Amend the Constitution to outlaw abortion. Import lowerpriced medicines from Canada.

CHRIS CHRISTIE

October 29, 2015

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NATIONAL NEWS UPDATE

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Freestyle Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy comes out EDDIE PELLS AP Sports Writer

friend at the bottom of my run would’ve been, in addition to me coming out, a silent f--- you to the anti-gay legislature in place in Russia,” he said. Instead, his post-victory tour involved him being portrayed as the pet-loving heartthrob who brought Olympic glory to his home country. Typical of winning athletes who go on their post-Olympic interview tours, he faced questions about much more than just skiing. Who is your celebrity crush? Miley Cyrus, Kenworthy lied. How do you feel about saving all those dogs? He couldn’t tell the real story and so he lied again: Couldn’t be happier. Truth was, he was nothing more than a casual fan of Cyrus, and the person who did most of the hard work with the dogs - including staying behind in Russia for more than a month to get them back to the United States - was his boyfriend at the time. “He got zero credit and I was getting asked about it on every show and in every interview,” Kenworthy said. Much as the label “Dog Guy” stuck with him long after Sochi, Kenworthy is aware he could be cast, too simply, as the “Gay Skier.” But in the 20 months since his trip to Russia, where debate raged over gay rights and the govern-

ment’s law against gay “propaganda,” Kenworthy has become more assured about who he is, both on and off the slopes. He has won a title on the Dew Tour, more World Cup podiums and had a legitimate chance at the overall championship last season until a leg and knee injury ended things early. Relegated to the gym for months of rehab, he ﬁnally had the time to crystalize his feelings about whether he was ready to tell the world who he really is. He said he likes the idea of coming out while he’s at the top of his game, while people in his sport - especially kids - are paying attention. “We admire Gus for having the strength to tell the world who he is as a person, and paving the way for others to do the same,” said Tiger Shaw, the CEO of U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association. While the locker-room atmosphere of football or basketball doesn’t exist in freestyle skiing, it is still a sport built on a certain brand of devil-may-care machismo. How will a gay skier be received among this cadre of daredevils? For a man who makes a living catapulting off of 70-foot-high ramps, this is a very different sort of leap. “I don’t know what the future has in store,” Kenworthy said, “but I’m kind of looking forward to it.”

Los Angeles Galaxy soccer player Robbie Rogers, to come out. “I felt like I was already being so courageous with my body and my actions and the things I was doing in order to try to win and be the best,” Kenworthy said at his home in Denver. “Then, I was being such a coward in this other way, where I wouldn’t let anyone know. So they were battling each other. I’m excited where those two things can go hand in hand.” As young as age 5, Kenworthy felt he was different. Growing up in a mountain town with about 2,000 residents and only 50 kids in the school gives a boy who knows he’s gay few places to hide. He threw himself into skiing to show he was every bit as tough and brave as anyone else. But there was no denying he felt conﬂicted. He spoke of severe depression, thoughts of suicide, the internal battle of how to “live authentically and not feel like I need to hide anymore.” Heading into the biggest ski contest of his life, he wasn’t all the way there. He hadn’t told his parents, or his brothers. And though he had let himself get caught up in the idea of a celebratory kiss with his boyfriend at the bottom of the hill, and the many messages it would send, he knew it couldn’t happen. “The idea of kissing my boy-

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DENVER, CO (AP) - When Gus Kenworthy would let his mind wander into how his perfect Olympics might play out, he pictured a certain scene. He’d land his best tricks on his final run, win a medal and then the capper - jump into the stands, ski boots and all, to share a big hug and kiss with the man who meant so much to him. “That would’ve been an amazing way to come out,” said Kenworthy, the freestyle skier who won the silver medal in Sochi. But the timing, to say nothing of the country, wasn’t quite right to tell the world he was gay. And so Kenworthy left Russia in February 2014 known best as the compassionate daredevil who adopted several stray dogs he came across in the mountains - and as the man who was part of an historic U.S. sweep of the first Olympic ski slopestyle contest. Because he wasn’t ready, the journey to Sochi was far less perfect than it could’ve been for the 24-year-old from Telluride, Colorado, who on Thursday, in interviews with The Associated Press and ESPN The Magazine, revealed to the public that he is gay. He joined other high-profile athletes, including football player Michael Sam, recently retired NBA player Jason Collins and

October 29, 2015

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NATION

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Transgender student holds tough; asks for new judge yet ruled on Grimm’s claim that the policy violates the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection clause. The Gloucester High School junior, who was born female but identifies as male, filed the lawsuit after the school board adopted a policy requiring him to use either the girls’ restrooms or one of several single-stall unisex restrooms available to all students. He claims the policy is stigmatizing and discriminatory. Grimm’s attorneys wrote in their brief that the transcript of a motions hearing conducted by Doumar “indicates that the court has preexisting views about medical science in general - and medical science regarding gender and sexuality in particular - that the court may have substantial difficulty putting aside.” Grimm has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a condition characterized by stress stemming from conflict between one’s gender identity and their physical sex at birth. His lawyers said Doumar, while expressing his own views on medical science, refused

LGBT opponents Louisiana Gov has think sneak attack his panties in a in Indiana is planned twist over lawsuit

Photo: abcnews.com

to consider expert testimony about gender dysphoria. Attorneys for the school officials named as defendants in the lawsuit have until Nov. 23 to file a response.

NFL owner reneges on $10K donation against gay rights AUSTIN, TX (AP) - Houston Texans owner Bob McNair is rescinding a $10,000 donation to opponents of a city nondiscrimination ordinance protects gay rights because he says the campaign made “unauthorized statements” about his beliefs. McNair on Friday asked the Campaign for Houston to return his money before the Nov. 3 vote. He is a major Republican donor whose benefactors include top conservatives hoping to repeal the 2014 measure. The ordnance extends nondiscrimination protections to gay and transgender residents. In a statement, McNair said he had “great dismay” over comments the group made about his opposition but did not elaborate. McNair says he doesn’t tolerate discrimination. A Campaign for Houston spokesman says he doesn’t know what the NFL owner is referencing but says the donation would be returned.

Court sides with transgender widow in fight over estate WHARTON, TX (AP) - A state appeals court has reaffirmed its earlier decision to validate the marriage of a transgender widow seeking the estate of her firefighter husband who died battling a blaze. The ruling Friday by the 13th Texas Court of Appeals sent the case of Nikki Araguz Loyd back to a Wharton County judge who originally voided the marriage because Texas did not recognize same-sex marriage. Kent Rutter, an attorney for Loyd, said Monday that ruling meant Loyd was not entitled to Thomas Araguz’s estate. Rutter says the appeals court had ruled early last year in Loyd’s favor - determining she was a woman at the time of her marriage - but had to issue another ruling this month after an appeal sent to the Texas Supreme Court was not heard. The U.S. Supreme Court has since legalized gay marriages.

BATON ROUGE, LA (AP) Gov. Bobby Jindal is asking a state district judge to throw out a lawsuit that challenges Jindal’s executive order offering protections to people who oppose same-sex marriage. Judge Todd Hernandez heard arguments Monday about Jindal’s request but did not immediately rule. The executive order prohibits state agencies under Jindal’s control from denying licenses, beneﬁts, contracts or tax deductions in response to actions taken because of someone’s religious belief against same-sex marriage. The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Louisiana, the Forum for Equality Foundation and six New Orleans residents are seeking to have Jindal’s order declared unconstitutional. Jindal’s lawyer says the gay rights advocates haven’t shown they face harm from the order.

Gavin Grimm

October 29, 2015

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (AP) - A religious opponent of gay rights is trying to raise worries among supporters that Indiana lawmakers may try to stealthily enshrine LGBT rights into state law next month. Advance America founder Eric Miller warns in a YouTube video that lawmakers when they gather Nov. 17 for Organization Day and powerful business interests may try a “sneak attack” to pass a lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender rights bill. The video offered no credible evidence such a move was planned. Republicans who control the Legislature forcefully denied Thursday that any such plan exists. House Speaker Brian Bosma took to Twitter, stating: “Let me be perfectly clear. There is no ‘sneak attack’ planned.” Organization Day typically is reserved for speeches and administrative functions before the legislative session begins in January.

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RICHMOND, VA (AP) - A judge who repeatedly referred to a transgender student’s “mental disorder” should be removed from presiding over the teenager’s lawsuit challenging a policy that bars him from using the boys’ restrooms at his high school, his attorneys said in court papers Wednesday. Attorneys for 16-year-old Gavin Grimm also said U.S. District Judge Robert Doumar of Norfolk has made statements indicating he may be suspicious of modern medical science regarding gender identity and that he objected to lawyers publicizing their client’s transgender status. Grimm’s lawyers asked for a new judge in a 58-page brief asking the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse two key rulings in the case. Doumar refused to grant a preliminary injunction that would have allowed Grimm to use the boys’ bathrooms when the new school year started in September, and he threw out a claim that the policy violates federal sex discrimination law. He has not

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NATION

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Lawsuit seeks “other gender” sex category on passports

Transgender surgery covered in Nevada by insurance

applied for a passport. Zzyym sought one after being invited to participate in the group’s meeting in Mexico City in October 2014 but was unable to go. “I defended the rights of this country. I believe I should be able to use a few of them,” said the self-described Air Force brat who was born in Michigan.

NY gov. adds anti-discriminastion rules to safeguard transgender people als, and they are one of the most abused, harassed groups in society today.” Gay, lesbian and transgender advocates have long pushed to include gender identity in the state’s anti-discrimination law, but while the measure passed the Assembly multiple times it remains stalled in the Republican-controlled senate. Republicans didn’t immediately respond to Cuomo’s order. Cuomo’s administration says the new regulation provides essentially the same protections as that bill, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, or GENDA, but requires no legislative approval. Ofﬁcials say the regulation makes New York the ﬁrst state to take executive action to add transgender protections under law. The regulation, which applies to public and private entities, will be enforced by the state’s Human

Rights Commission and the state attorney general’s ofﬁce. It is expected to take effect in December. The state already prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, disability and sexual orientation. A 2002 measure, the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act, protects people who are discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation but did not apply to transgender people, the governor said. “That was not right, that was not fair and that was not legal,” he said. “Transgender individuals deserve the same civil rights.” Cuomo’s action drew praise from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and state lawmakers. “Let’s be clear,” he said in a statement, “no one should face discrimination or fear for their safety because of their gender identity.”

NEW YORK, NY (AP) - Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo used his executive power Thursday to expand the state’s anti-discrimination rules to safeguard transgender people, creating a protection advocates had been ﬁghting for years to try to receive. Cuomo, speaking to about 700 people at the Empire State Pride Agenda’s annual dinner, said the current law didn’t go far enough to protect the rights of all state residents. He directed the state’s Division of Human Rights to issue a regulation that would interpret the anti-discrimination law to prohibit discrimination against transgender people. His move prohibits discrimination against a transgender person when it comes to jobs, loans, schools and public accommodations. “It is long overdue,” he said. “It is intolerable to allow discrimination of transgender individu-

October 29, 2015

SPARKS, NV (AP) - Transgender city employees in Sparks will now be able to undergo gender reassignment surgery under the city’s insurance plan. Sparks City Council voted Monday to approve insurance coverage for the surgery for city employees. The issue was combined with an agenda item that detailed changes and savings under the city’s new insurance plan, which goes into effect Jan. 1. The city ﬁrst considered including the surgery in their health plan when legal secretary Kristen Aaquist went before the city’s Group Healthcare Committee to request insurance coverage in summer of 2014. Aaquist has been a Sparks employee for 14 years and began her transition two years ago. Gender reassignment surgery can be costly, with male-to-female reassignment surgery costing between $21,000 and $50,000, and female-to-male surgery costing up to $100,000.

gested that federal officials also allow an “x’’ option on its passport applications. It’s not clear how many people would want to take advantage of the “x’’ option. Castillo said an estimated 1.7 percent of the population is intersex - making them about as common as people with red hair - but some identify as men or women, unlike Zzyym. Lambda Legal previously joined other groups in pressing the State Department to change its passport policy for transgender people. Since 2010, people who undergo gender reassignment surgery have been able to change the gender on their passport with certification from a doctor. Temporary passports also are granted to people who are going through a gender transition. Castillo said there is no gender listed on Zzyym’s birth certificate. Zzyym’s parents raised their child as a boy. Zzyym served in the U.S. Navy as a man before identifying as intersex while working and studying at Colorado State University. Zzyym grew more aware of gender identity and activism working with the Organisation Intersex International and later unsuccessfully

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DENVER, CO (AP) - A Colorado resident denied a passport for refusing to identify as either male or female on the application form has sued the federal government to try to force the United States to join a handful of other countries that allow people to get travel documents without picking a gender. Lambda Legal announced the lawsuit Monday on behalf of Dana Zzyym (pronounced Zimm) of Fort Collins, Colorado, who was born with ambiguous sex characteristics - referred to as intersex. It names Secretary of State John Kerry as a defendant and claims that requiring people to check a box marked either “M’’ or “F’’ is discriminatory and asks people like Zzyym to lie. Countries including Australia, New Zealand and Nepal allow people to have their gender marked as “X’’ or “other” rather than male or female on passports. Australia requires people using that option to provide conﬁrmation from a doctor or psychologist. One of Zzyym’s lawyers, Paul Castillo, said people with such foreign travel documents are permitted to enter the United States, and he sug-

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WILTON MANORS Wicked Manors means crowds, costumes and contest$ By Michael Davis

t’s Halloween weekend in WilAlibi/Monkey Bar ton Manors. And for the third Lions, Tigers and Bears year, the Pride Center has orga10 pm nized Wicked Manors, its own $1,000 in cash prizes goulish interpretation of crowds, costumes and contests galore. This year’s theme is Once Upon a Drive, The Boardwalk which, in the creative minds of the Horror Nights LGBT community, could mean 1 am Ryan Uhler from Facebook post Photo: advocate.com anything. And no doubt will. Best Cher, Scariest Costume, There will be ten bars along the & Sexiest Costume Drive, with the proceeds from alcohol sales going directly to benefit the Pride Center, its campus, Hunters Nightclub services, and programs. Once Upon a Drive 1 am “Lots” of prizes ON THE MAIN STAGE STAGE

ON THE DRIVE

October 29, 2015

Misty Eyez will be joined by HITS 97.3 djs Miss Bryan and Nikki Ramirez. Always the place to see and be seen, the main stage will feature contests. 7:15 pm - Kids Costumes. 7:45 pm - Pet Costumes are judged. 8:30 pm - Dead Celebrities take the spotlight. 9:15 pm - Best Sex Appeal 10:00 pm - The hotly contested Best Drag/Crossdressing category. 10:30 pm - The Most Unique and Outrageous Costumes will be on display. 11:00 pm - Is saved for the Best Group Costume. The Grand Prize for Best “Once Upon a Drive” Costume will be awarded. 11:30 pm - When we’ll all turn into pumpkins. Bars up and down the Drive will be serving up their own private contests. Pick and choice where you go.

The Manor

Horrorween Manor 2 am $2,500 in cash and prizes

Mona’s Lounge The Island Party Midnight

Ramrod Bar

Halloween Night 1 am Best Costume and Butchest Costume

Rumors

Daisy Deadpetals Presents 12:30 am $500 in cash and prizes

Village Pub

Enchanted Forest Midnight $800 in cash and prizes

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SUNSHINE STATE

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WILTON MANORS, FL—The gay flag has found a permanent home in Wilton Manors. After two and a half hours of discussion in last Tuesday night’s meeting of the city’s commissioners, the vote was unanimous. What began as a suggestion on October 13 from Wilton Manors’ resident Tim Evans to re-raise the Pride flag at City Hall, ended with the commissioners instructing the City Manager to find a permanent place on city property to house the flag and its pole. There was some opposition from several heterosexual residents who suggested that showcasing the rainbow flag representing the LGBT community would be viewed as a bias against the straight homeowners. “Our straight residents increasingly perceive a bias on the part of our gaycentric city,” according to Paul Kuta, who opposed the movement. “If you want to represent a special interest group, run for Congress,” said resident Ben Little.

Neither speaker felt the need to remind the commissioners that before the LGBT community made Wilton Manors the gay mecca it has grown to become, it was a declining neighborhood heavily populated by drug dealers, and shuttered storefronts. Evans, speaking again in support of his motion, said that gays and lesbians had a positive impact on the local economy. It was a point reinforced by Jeff Sterling, president of the Wilton Manors Development Alliance. Commissioner Justin Flippen was adamant that there was no LGBT bias or any reflection no straight residents. “No one would argue that a Martin Luther King Memorial is anti-white.” “It just supports who we are as a community,” said commissioner Tom Green. After hearing back from the City Manager, a final vote on the flag issue will most likely to taken next month.

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Gay ﬂag ﬁnds home in Wilton Manors

Photo: sun-sential.com

Miami Beach pride soirée set

the event’s popularity and participation have grown exponentially in seven short years, so have the expenses to produce it. We’re committed to keeping Pride a free event for the community and fundraisers throughout the year like Soirée will help us continue to live up to that commitment.” Celebrity hosts for Soirée include Lea Black, Roxanne Vargas, Craig Stevens, Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Grieco, and Christine Klingspor. Community hosts are Edison Farrow, Cindy Brown, Billy Kemp, Luis Morera, Liebe and Seth Gadinsky, Scott Hauser, Tony Ferro, Tom Donall, Michael Gongora, Jim Tyrrell, Jason DiBiaso and Roger Thomson. Tickets for the event are $100 with 100% of the proceeds beneﬁtting Miami Beach Gay Pride. To purchase tickets, visit miamibeachgaypride.brownpapertickets.com.

October 29, 2015

MIAMI BEACH--Miami Beach Gay Pride’s “Soirée,” the third annual VIP cocktail reception to raise funds for the 2016 Pride parade and festival will take place on Saturday, November 14 from 8 pm to 11 pm . The event will feature live jazz, premium open bar cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and take place at the recently reopened Miami Beach Women’s Club at 2401 Pinetree Drive. In addition, “Soirée” will feature live painting by local Miami artists with the artwork to be auctioned off by the end of the event. Soirée will also be the ofﬁcial “coming out” party for Pride’s new Executive Director Dave Cook as well as the debut announcement of Pride’s new “give back to the community initiative.” “The essence of Miami Beach Gay Pride is that it’s a celebration of the LGBTQ community, for the LGBTQ community and our allies,” said Mark Fernandes, Pride’s Board Chair. “As

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yyy SPOTLIGHT yyy

PHOTOS ADRIANNA CORTEZ /floridaagenda

PRIDE CENTER PLAYGROUND OPENING

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Join Us Every Friday Night

Campus of the Pride Center

H A

Shabbat Services 8pm

October 29, 2015

At our New Home on the

Congregation Etz Chaim 2038 N. Dixie Hwy Wilton Manors, FL 33305 www.EtzChaimFlorida.org 954-564-9232

M !

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October 29, 2015

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PUZZLE Mr. Renovator

October 29, 2015

Across

1 A strong one may be found in a gym 5 Poet Angelina ___ Grimke 9 Eat beaver-style 13 Arrears 14 Say it’s so 15 Became erect 16 Start of a quote from 26-Across 18 Bob Marley, e.g. 19 Composer Rorem 20 Porn director Francis 21 Put six feet under 22 Chip features 24 Queer 26 With 27-Across, YouTube star who just came out (anagram of “Mr. Renovator”) 27 See 26-Across 28 Tickle pink 29 Revolting activity for pirates 32 Hrs. in California 33 More of the quote 35 “Peel ___ grape” 38 Wesley of To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar 39 Road imperfection 40 More of the quote 42 End of the quote 44 Tufts of hair near openings 46 Medicine show product 47 No longer lying with one’s partner 48 Novelist Puzo 50 When repeated, a 1953 Cole Porter musical 52 Mae West, notably 53 Song by 26-Across 55 Infraction fees 56 Hand job, for one? 57 Margaret Mead ___ Me Gay 58 Mireille of Big Love 59 Bette Davis feature of song 60 Judy Garland’s “Meet Me ___ Louis”

Down

1 Norse war god 2 Langston Hughes’ Dream ___ 3 Like a Boy Scout to his master? 4 U.S.P.S. employee’s beat 5 Singer-pianist Fats 6 They escaped from Pandora’s box 7 The Avengers villain 8 Weenie 9 Corn hole? 10 “Our” in a crime name 11 In the rear, of a seaman 12 “___ Family” 15 Dr. Robbins of Grey’s Anatomy 17 Linking toy 23 Disc from Netflix 25 Words said while holding a pair of queens 26 Meas. for Stephen Pyles 29 AAA handout 30 Milk, so to speak 31 Contraction in a carol about gay apparel 33 Butt plugs, e.g. 34 Like three men that visited Mary 35 Neil Tennant enthusiast, e.g. 36 Green stones 37 Quick on the uptake 38 Poems of Samuel Butler, e.g. 39 Engage men in shorts 40 Goose of the Baseball Hall of Fame 41 Male member, at LLEGO 42 Sounds at a toast 43 The ___ in Winter 44 Social blunder 45 Lay low 46 Use a rubber 49 “Off with you!” 51 Nureyev’s refusal 54 Quebec compadre For the solution to this puzzle, go to www.floridaagenda.com/puzzle

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October 29, 2015

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Market Place /floridaagenda

CONTACT NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR, MAURA “MUMBALL” LANE AT 954-543-5947 OR MAURALANE@MMPLGBT.COM TO GET ON THE LIST.

ACCOUNTING

CHURCH / SPIRITUAL

DENTAL

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

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

FITNESS

ATTORNEYS

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

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

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

CHURCH / SPIRITUAL

FOOD / GROCERY Diana’s 12001 Avalon Lake Drive Orlando, FL 32828 407-207-0205 /dianasbakeryandcafe.com

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

COUNSELING Shoshana Paris House Call Counselor shoshana.paris@gmail.com 954-985-5362 / 305-951-1279

DENTAL

October 29, 2015

FINANCIAL

Bove Dental 2500 E Oakland Park Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 954-564-0181 / bovedentistry.com Magnolia Dental 12014 E. Colonial Drive, Ste 130 Orlando, FL 32826 407-205-9585/ MagnoliaDentalFL.com

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

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

FINANCIAL

FURNITURE

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MUSIC

PAWNBROKERS

REAL ESTATE

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HEALTH

Tommy Strickland Realtor R

Cell: 954.612.7111

TStrickland@wolferealestategroup.com

Genesis Health Institute 1001 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-561-3175 / ghinstitute.com Better Hearing-World of Sounds 2450 E Commercial Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 954-491-2560 betterhearingworldofsounds.com Ocean Therapy Center 2530 NE 15th Avenue Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-351-2299 oceantherapycenter.com

HELP WANTED

INSURANCE We Insure 1975 E Sunrise Blvd, Suite 602 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304 954-903-7519 / weinsureﬂ.com Marvel Quevedo Insurance Agency 5062 South Conway Road Orlando, FL 32812 407-737-7778

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

PHOTOGRAPHY

UPHOLSTERY

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

REAL ESTATE 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

ORGANIZATIONS The Pride Center 2040 N Dixie Hwy Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-463-9005 / pridecenterﬂorida.com 350 S Federal Hwy, Deerﬁeld Beach, FL 33441

954-421-2395

BRING THIS COUPON AND RECEIVE

15% OFF ON YOUR NEXT PURCHASE. Mon-Sat

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PAWNBROKERS

Sunrise Pawnbrokers 3043 N Federal Hwy Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 954-563-3147 / SunrisePawn.com

October 29, 2015

aconsignmentgallery@gmail.com

Out of the Closet 2097 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-358-5580 / outofthecloset.org

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HEALTHWISE Is intravenous nutrition right for you?

ntravenous Nutrition is a wonderful therapy for individuals who have Malabsorption Syndromes associated with celiac, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, those with fibromyalgia and nutritional deficiencies, as well as gastric bypass patients This issue is more common than you think -- the CDC estimates that 1 in 4 adults have some form of malabsorption, meaning the body does not absorb all the nutrients from food.

By Dr. Ferdinard Cabrera

How does intravenous nutrition work? oAll patients are evaluated through blood and urine tests to assess their nutritional and metabolic status and therapies are prescribed accordingly. These therapies involve the intravenous intake of vitamins and minerals. For example, vitamin C can help increase collagen production. This along with a wide range of supplements including vitamin B, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, cobalt, and manganese will aid in reversing the effects of malabsorption. This therapy can be administered several times a week or as little as once a month as a preventative measure. oNutrients are administered intravenously in the office by a nurse under a doctor’s supervision. Therapy can

intake of pills. Those who fear needles may be reading this and cringing-- but you needn’t worry -- the catheter we use is extremely tiny and causes little to no discomfort. The degree of disease response and improvement reported by patients who have experienced Intravenous Therapy is well documented in clinical studies. For more information, call us at 954-561-3175 to make an appointment.

take the form of a brief “IV push” lasting from 10 to 30 minutes, or a larger volume of nutrients delivered in several minutes to several hours, depending on how much time and the amount of nutrients needed to complete the treatment. The patient typically reclines in a comfortable lounge and are allowed to eat and drink during the process. They can also keep themselves entertained during the IV through reading, using a portable music or DVD player or even take a nap. The treatment generally involves very minimal discomfort and the patient is free to resume all normal activities immediately afterwards.

Dr. Cabrera has 33 years of experience as a General Internist. He trained at the VA hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His personal approach to functional medicine frees his patient’s from prescription dependency and negative side effects.

oIntravenous delivery of vitamins is far more effective than oral supplements therapy, as it produces an absorption level of 100% as opposed to the 40% achieved through the

The Brian Neal Fitness and Health Foundation

ERE

NCE ONE LIF E

October 29, 2015

provides complimentary Health and Wellness services to financially challenged people living with HIV/AIDS and offers a global LGBT athletic mentoring program for amateur and professional athletes ranging from grade school to the professional ranks.

A 501(c)3 organization providing services to financially challenged people living with HIV/AIDS in Fort Lauderdale

2435 North Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305

BRIANNEALFITNESS.ORG

By Diego Wyatt with cooperation from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

25%

of the LGBT community abuses alcohol, compared to 5-10% of the general population

10-24. THE AGE RANGE IN WHICH SUICIDE IS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH FOR THE LGBT

QUESTIONING YOUTH ARE THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE SUICIDAL THOUGHTS.

LGBTQ YOUTH ARE FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN SELF-HARM THAN THEIR STRAIGHT COUNTERPARTS.

EIGHT

The number of times more likely rejected LGBTmQ-identified individuals are to have attempted suicide than someone who was accepted by their family after revealing

twenty to thirty

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The number of times more likely LGBTQ-identified individuals are to experience a mental health condition than others

38 to 65

THE PERCENTAGE OF TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS WHO EXPERIENCE SUICIDAL IDEATION

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three

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LGBT MENTAL HEALTH BY NUMBERS

An estimate of the percentage of individuals within the LGBTQ community that struggle with substance abuse, compared to 9% of the general population. Major factors that cause this disparity, include: discrimination and lack of peer suport.

866-488-7386. The suicide hotline number for the Trevor Project. There are a number of resources available to help teens and young adults cope with mental health struggles, including the It Gets Better Campaign and Switchboard.

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THE WEEK: FORT LAUDERDALE .

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11/02 10th Annual Taste of the Island

photo: wiltonlist.com

10/31 Once Upon a Drive

Wilton Manor’s annual Halloween block party tends to impress even more so than the Pride Parade. With Wilton Drive closed to trafﬁc, the famed street becomes a haunt of goblins, ghouls, scantily clad gladiators, and Adams and Steves. This year promises to be no different with a costume contest, emcees Miss Misty Eyes, Miss Bryan, and Nikki Ramirez, and various special events at every bar. 7:00 p.m. Wilton Drive. Wilton Manors. 33305.

October 29, 2015

By Patrick Robert

Over thirty area restaurants will be on hand to serve their most delectable dishes at the 10th Annual Wilton Manors Taste of the Island. This food and libation event hosts over 700 attendees at beautiful Richardson Historic Park. Some of the restaurants featured this year include Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, Southport Raw Bar, Aruba Beach Café, Big Dog Station, Bravo Ristorante, Brew Urban Café, Gold Coast Coffee, Kelly’s Landing, and many more. 6:00 p.m. Richardson Historic Park. 1937 Wilton Dr. Wilton Manors. 33305.

photo: tasteoftheisland.org

photo:nceventpromters.com

11/03 Sesame Street Live The classic, generation deﬁning children’s program Sesame Street brings its live production to the Parker Playhouse. Favorite characters Elmo, Grover, Abby Cadabby, and more welcome Grover’s friend from India, Chamki, to the famed street. Together, the cast explores the similarities and differences of various cultures, the deliciousness of cookies, and the importance of friendship. 10:30 a.m. Parker Playhouse. 707 NE Eighth St. Fort Lauderdale. 33304.

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THE WEEK: MIAMI

photo: grcmc.org

photo: sf.funcheap.com

10/30 Margaret Cho The star of the cancelled and notoriously difﬁcult to produce TV series All American Girl has grown into a rebel and an LGBT icon. The hot-button comic is known for pushing the envelope while promoting liberal causes. Openly bisexual, Cho explicitly discusses her own sexuality on stage while throwing shade at the homophobes in America. Some of her most famous one-woman shows include I’m the One That I Want, Revolution, and The Notorious C.H.O. 8:00 p.m. Fillmore. 1700 Washington Ave. Miami Beach. 33139.

The newest exhibit from Deering Estate at Cutler explores the macabre and mysterious nature of the Northwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast locales and lore. As a complement to the 14th annual Wine on Harvest Moon event, the exhibit infuses wines with art and literature. Exhibiting artists include Tom Virgin, Kari Snyder, Kathleen Hudspeth, Brian Reedy, and Barbara Rivera. 10:00 a.m. Deering Estate at Cutler. 16701 SW 72nd Ave. Miami. 33157.

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The singer-songwriter earned fame by fronting the late 90s alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. When not creating music with the newly reunited group, Folds collaborates with other musicians such as William Shatner, Regina Spektor, and “Weird Al” Yankovic. Tonight’s presentation ﬁnds Folds performing along with the University of Miami Frost School of Music’s Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra as part of Festival Miami. 8:00 p.m. Gusman Concert Hall. 1314 Miller Dr. Coral Gables. 33146.

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11/04 Spells, Spirits, and American Lore

10/30 Ben Folds

photo: miaminewtimes.com

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THE WEEK: JACKSONVILLE .

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11/01 Anything Goes

photo: eastendlocal.com

October 29, 2015

By Patrick Robert

The oft-revived musical concerns the happenings aboard an ocean liner bound from New York to London. Stowaway Billy Crocker falls in love with wealthy Hope Harcourt. He employs the services of nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and gangster Moonface Martin to help win her love. Famous songs from the musical include the title track, “You’re the Top,” and “I Get a Kick out of You.” 8:00 p.m. Alhambra Dinner Theatre. 12000 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville. 32246.

photo:nrp.org

10/31 Soul Asylum with Meat Puppets

11/04 Boz Scaggs

Soul Asylum deﬁnes the Clinton era, at least the Bill Clinton era—they performed at his inauguration way back in 1993. Their tripleplatinum album Grave Dancers Union made them overnight sensations. The album featured the Grammy Award-winning and still popular single “Runaway Train.” Some of their other hits include “Misery,” “Black Gold,” and “Just Like Anyone.” Opening is Meat Puppets. 8:00 p.m. Freebird Live. 200 N 1st St. Jacksonville. 32250.

Boz Scaggs gained fame as the guitarist and sometime lead singer for the Steve Miller Band. A solo career in the 1970s followed with a few hits, including “Lowdown” and “Lido Shufﬂe.” The album Silk Degrees is a critical darling, infusing pop with sophisticated R&B sounds. Recent release Memphis includes covers of his favorite singles. 7:30 p.m. Thrasher-Home Center for the Arts. 283 College Dr. Orange Park. 32065.

photo: limelightmagazine.com

1970s American rock band Kansas sold over one million copies of the single “Dust in the Wind,” a song that continues to receive heavy radio airplay. “Carry On Wayward Son” is almost just as popular—one of the most played tracks on classic radio stations. The group has had eight gold albums and three sextupleplatinum albums. 8:00 p.m. Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts. 3865 N. Wickham Rd. Melbourne. 32935.

The summer television staple America’s Got Talent has had years of interesting dancers, singers, comedians, and magicians—all vying for the coveted top prize of a Vegas residency. Some of the most popular contestants are touring the country and performing their unique talents. This year’s tour feature Blue Journey, Kristef Brothers, Taylor Williamson, Recycled Percussion, Smoothini, and Emily West. 8:00 p.m. Hard Rock Live. 6050 Universal Blvd. Orlando. 32819.

photo: kpsu.org

11/01 Metric

photo: wikipedia.org

Canadian rock band Metric found critical and commercial success with their 2006 Polaris Prize and Juno Awards nominated album Live It Out. Later releases Fantasies and Synthetica also received widespread acclaim, both winning Juno Awards. Their music uses heavy synthesizers and is known to be a combination of rock, new wave, and synthpop. Their latest release is titled Pagans in Vegas. 6:30 p.m. House of Blues Orlando. 1490 E. Buena Vista Dr. Orlando. 32830.

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11/03 America’s Got Talent Live Tour

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10/30 Kansas

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THE WEEK: ORLANDO

photo: counton2.com

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THE WEEK: PALM BEACH .

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10/31 Fright Nights

photo: hauntworld.com

10/29 Enigma Haunt

South Florida’s premier haunted attraction includes two different fear areas: the Abyss and Realms of Terror. Enigma Haunt explores the deep legends of South Florida that have been passed down from generation to generation and tribe to tribe. Horrifying curses and terror brought upon unsuspecting explorers are unearthed, exposed for all those who venture to Boca Raton’s famed annual event. 7:00 p.m. Enigma Haunt. 21069 S. Military Trail. Boca Raton. 33486.

October 29, 2015

By Patrick Robert

The thrilling Fright Nights at the South Florida Fairgrounds features a monster midway with rides, games, food, and entertainment along with four haunts. At Memento Mori two murderous sisters move to New Orleans to dabble in voodoo. Animal Farm puts guests in the place of livestock, surrounded by humanoids, freaks, and half-beasts. Beyond the Gates dissolves the veil between the other side and our world while Meadow Lakes attempts to combat a global crisis brought by an unknown virus. 6:00 p.m. South Florida Fairgrounds. 9067 Southern Blvd. West Palm Beach. 33411.

photo: bocamag.com

photo: goldstar.com

11/01 Mark Viera “Latin Prince” Mark Viera uses family-friendly humor as a means to pay the bills. The Bronxborn Nuyorican’s sets usually revolve around his beloved grandparents, the absurdities of life, and dead-on celebrity impressions. He’s been featured on such classic comedy shows as Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand-Up, 30 Rock, and Top Dogs of Comedy. 8:00 p.m. Palm Beach Improv. 550 S. Rosemary Ave. West Palm Beach. 33401.

THE WEEK: TAMPA / ST. PETE .

From being swindled by an egotistical Kanye West to becoming the face of lovelorn millennials to becoming the world dominator that she is today, Taylor Swift has grown up quickly before America’s eyes. The pop star began her career as a country singer before eventually crossing over into the mainstream. Her recent pop release 1989 not only became hugely successful, but it also spawned Ryan Adams’ critically acclaimed track-by-track cover album. 7:00 p.m. Raymond James Stadium. 4201 N. Dale Mabry Highway. Tampa. 33607.

11/04 The Psychedelic Furs

Hilda Spellman has had a tumultuous career of hits and misses. The stand-up comedian, actress, and model found fame on the standup circuit before breaking through on both Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and as a regular on Hollywood Squares. From there, she’s had stints as a talk show host (The Caroline Rhea Show), a reality TV show host (The Biggest Loser), and a reality show contestant (Celebrity Poker Showdown). 8:00 p.m. Side Splitters Comedy Club. 12938 N. Dale Mabry Highway. Tampa. 33618.

photo: theguardian.com

English rock post-punk, new-wave band The Psychedelic Furs may be best known for John Hughes’ ingenious use of its hit song in the same-named ﬁlm Pretty in Pink. They have had many more hits than just that cultural staple, though, including “All That Money Wants” and “The Ghost in You.” After breaking up in the early 1990s, the band regrouped in 2001 and has been touring ever since. 4:00 p.m. Palladium Theater. 235 5th Ave. N. St. Petersburg. 33701.

photo: theday.com

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11/04 Caroline Rhea

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10/31 Taylor Swift

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photo: coparoomtickets.com

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October 29, 2015