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DECEMBER 29, 2011 H ISSUE #110 H FLORIDAAGENDA.COM A MULTIMEDIA PLATFORMS COMPANY
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INSIDE: FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE RESOLVING FOR THE NEW YEAR! SPREAD: PAGE 8
HUMAN RIGHTS FOR EVERYONE
SNOW BIZ: PAGE 14
H Florida’s Largest LGBT Newspaper and Entertainment Source H
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FORT LAUDERDALE
WHY ARE THEY KNOCKING DOWN OUR GAY CHURCH? MCC Church Gets An Extreme MakeOver Becomes Social Services Building
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HEALTH
MRSA STAPH INFECTIONS ON THE RISE What You Need To Know About The Most Unpleasant Bacteria That May Be Setting Up Camp On Your Skin
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ENTERTAINMENT
A Year In Cartoons Kevin Miller’s Satire Has Been Entertaining Us All Year Long. See A Few Of His Best.
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TRAVEL
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Royal Scotsman Travelling the Scottish Countryside by rail. Explore the highlands with Paul Rubio
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Orlando Partner Registry has no Shortage of Applicants, Floridians and Otherwise By RORY BARBAROSSA The Orlando Sentinel reported last week that LGBT rights activists are anticipating a rush of same-sex couples at Orlando City Hall when the Central Florida city's new domestic-partnership registry launches in January. Officials say that not all of those couples will be from Orlando, nor will all of them be gay. City officials have already begun to accept appointments for couples to register once the service commences on January 12. "I think there's going to be incredible interest. We're going to see a big surge in the beginning," Equality Florida field director Joe Saunders told the newspaper. Although the Sentinel story noted that the registry doesn't carry the legal privileges of marriage or civil unions, it does bestow certain rights: couples who register their relationships are entered in a government database which bestows visitation privileges in hospitals and city
jails. They are also empowered to make health-care decisions for an incapacitated partner, and to plan a partner's funeral. The article reported that Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan pushed for the registry, noting that same-sex couples are often barred from seeing their partners during medical emergencies since state-law doesn't recognize them as family members in such cases. Sheehan and her partner, Jocelynn White, are scheduled to be the first couple to sign the city's registry. "It's not as many rights as marriage, but it helps," Sheehan told the Orlando Sentinel. Because unmarried heterosexual couples often encounter the same hurdles, the registry is also open to them, and straight couples are among those who have scheduled appointments to register. And those who reside outside Orlando are also invited to register. Part of the rationale behind this allowance is
the large number of tourists who visit Central Florida. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer told the Sentinel that he anticipates nonresidents registering because anyone in Central Florida might need treatment at the region's hospitals. Signing up for the registry means these facilities would be required to treat registered partners as family members. The registry may also prompt visitors from other states to sign up while on vacation in Orlando. As the Orlando Sentinel reported, those states that have legalized same-sex marriage, such as New York and Vermont, have seen an influx of out-ofstate LGBT visitors who come specifically to be married there. These include former Broward County Mayor Ken Keechl, who married his longtime domestic partner, Fort Lauderdale realtor Ted Adcock, in New York City on December 23.
Half of New Officers Oppose Gays in Military By CLIFF DUNN
The Washington Whispers blog at U.S. News & World Report noted pessimistically on December 27 that fully half of the military's youngest officers oppose gays serving in the military. The blog reported that, according to a new survey from West Point scholars, conservative male military academy cadets are especially hostile to the year-old repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT). The survey, published in the journal Armed Forces & Society, reports "the findings show being a cadet is associated with stronger agreement for barring homosexuals from military service." The data is part of an ongoing study of students who attend U.S. military service academies, as well as those in civilian schools, and individuals who are enrolled as ROTC cadets. The survey uncovered a large disparity among college students’ attitudes toward gays serving in the
armed forces: 41% of ROTC students and 53% of those at military academy cadets oppose gays serving, while those students who do not intend to serve in the military generally support repeal of DADT, with only 13% opposing gays in the military. The study data does not distinguish between gays serving openly or under the restrictions of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Those restrictions have been in place since 1993. The differences in student opinions reflect wider societal divisions: during the policy debate over the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the senior commanders in the Joint Chiefs of Staff opposed Obama’s decision, citing concerns about service morale. But the highest ranking Pentagon officials, among them the Secretary of Defense and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, supported the president's plan.
Politics and gender also apparently factored into survey responses, with 70% of those described as "male Republican cadets" supporting DADT, and 44% of "female Republican cadets" also in opposition to gays serving in the military. Only 4.5% of those describing themselves as "female Democrat civilians" oppose gay military service. As U.S. News & World Report noted, the opposition of service academy and ROTC cadets to gays in the military is “significant,” since “the bulk of military officers come from” these institutions. But, the report concluded, “the study authors found that attitudes change over time. For example, male and female cadets interviewed back in 2002 were more opposed than those surveyed in 2007 by a margin of 9%: 59% [in 2002] compared to 50% [in 2007.]”
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NEWS
The Walls Come Tumblin’ Down Original Location of the Sunshine Cathedral to Be Social Service Facility By BOB KECSKEMETY Another piece of South Florida’s LGBT history ended last week with the demolition of the original location for the local Metropolitan Community Church, now known as the Sunshine Cathedral/MCC. The building was 50 years old and was located near the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, south of State Road 84. Over recent years, the church building had been used as the Christian Romany Church. Despite protests by the local community to save the historic structure, the building had been demolished to make room for a social service facility that will house a drug rehabilitation program and sexual assault treatment clinic. County Commissioner John Rodstrom joined with the neighbors protesting the demolition saying that it was pointless to tear the building down. The debate over the sale and use of the property has waged for the last seven years. The Christian Romany Church had been paid $2.2-million by the county in 2007 for the purchase of the property but remained located there paying monthly rent to the county. In addition to church services, the old Metropolitan Community Church, founded by Reverend Grant Ford, was used as a LGBT community center before there was the Gay
Photos: Cal Deal
and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida or Pride Center. Many local organizations were founded and had meetings in the various meeting rooms located on the property. One such organization was the Stonewall Museum and Archives which was a mere cardboard box located in the corner of an upstairs meeting room. Other organizations that were founded there or used the facility on a regular basis were Gays United Against Repression and Discrimination (GUARD), Americans for Equality, GLB Vets Group and Sunshine Athletic Association. Many of our community’s early leaders for equality also met together at the MCC to help plot the course of the progress we enjoy in our community today. Some of those early community leaders include Dennis Delia, Karl Clark, David Stack and Robin Bodiford. In addition to religious services held by the Metropolitan Community Church being held on the property, Dignity (Gay) Catholics also used the church for their services. The old MCC is the second former historic LGBT property to be demolished recently. Two months ago, the former location of the Sea Monster bar on the Middle River immediately west of S.E. 3rd Avenue, was the target of the wrecking ball to make way for a new development.
FLORIDAAGENDA.COM
Advocates Condemn Utah Middle School For Outing Student To Parents By CLIFF DUNN LGBT activists are condemning the decision of a Utah middle school to out a gay student to his parents. The incident at Willowcreek Middle School in Lehi, Utah – a town in the heart of the most politically-conservative county in one of America’s “reddest” states - has drawn angry phone calls, emails, and social media postings directed towards officials of the Alpine School District. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the situation started last week when the 14-year-old student’s class was given an assignment to create an advertisement about themselves to hang on their classroom wall. The boy’s ad included the fact that he is gay. The assigning teacher asked him if he felt comfortable about publicly sharing that information, and was told that he did. In the aftermath, several students reportedly criticized the eighth-grader for his orientation and these were in turn reprimanded by the school’s assistant principal. The assistant principal then reportedly talked with the gay student, who confirmed his sexual orientation but that he hadn’t told his parents. The assistant principal spoke with the student about talking with his parents. "[The student] was nervous about [it],” Alpine School District spokeswoman Rhonda Bromley said. He initially said, ‘No, that can’t happen.’ [The assistant principal] talked to him. He finally agreed reluctantly." Bromley says the student consented to his parents being told about his sexual orientation, but at the boy’s request, he was not present when his parents were informed. Bromley defended the actions of the school and the administrator, citing safety and bullying concerns. "We do include parents any time there’s a potential safety issue with a student," Bromley said. Activists say the administrator’s actions, no matter how well-meaning, are troubling. The director of the Utah Pride Center, Valerie Larabee, said she found the reports "disturb[ing].” Bromley told The Tribune that a lot of the criticism of the school and officials was unwarranted coming as it did in response to false statements made on Facebook. These included rumors that the boy was suspended from school for being gay. Bromley says that the parents were
notified that their son is gay in an effort to be "proactive" and preempt any bullying. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the eighth-grader was not disciplined by the school, but that his parents, who are being “very supportive” of their son, have decided to keep him home until after the school’s winter break. The Utah Pride Center’s Larabee says the school’s actions compounded one bad situation by piling another on top of it. "It’s important to me that school officials deal with bullying issues and don’t cause another problem for the child by outing him to his parents," she said. "That conversation can be really devastating to young people when their family rejects them. Once you’ve uttered the words, ‘I’m gay,’ your home life can change forever." The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) last week issued a statement decrying the practice of schools outing students without their consent. "Outing a student not only violates their right to privacy, but also could compromise their safety. Parents can be notified of their child being bullied at school, but without disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity," wrote GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard. "Taking away the choice for an LGBT student to come out on their own terms opens the door to significant risks including harassment at school and family rejection. Schools should be able to provide LGBT students with support and resources in order to make an informed decision if and when they decide to come out to their school community and family," her statement added. As noted in The Salt Lake Tribune, a recent study published in the medical journal Pediatrics notes that LGBT youths experiencing high levels of family rejection are eight times more likely to attempt suicide. In addition, they are six times as likely to experience depression, and three times more likely to use illegal drugs than those who don’t experience similar rejection. Reiterating safety issues, Bromley remained cautiously unapologetic. “The administrator did exactly the right thing,” she said. “We are not going to back down. We take bullying very, very seriously.”
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WORLD NEWS
DECEMBER 29, 2011
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WORLDNEWSNEWSNEWS Calling gay marriage a “desecration of Torah values,” more than 100 Orthodox Jewish rabbis have signed a statement condemning same-sex unions. The statement, released this month, was a response to the November 10, 2011 same-sex commitment ritual at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue in Washington, D.C., between two men. The ceremony was officiated by the Orthodox-ordained rabbi and gay rights activist Steven Greenberg. The statement reads: “We, as rabbis from a broad spectrum of the Orthodox community around the world, wish to correct the false impression that an Orthodoxapproved same-gender wedding took place.” It adds that “By definition, a union that is not sanctioned by Torah law is not an Orthodox wedding, and by definition a person who conducts such a ceremony is not an Orthodox rabbi.” The rabbis’ reaffirmation of traditional Jewish views of marriage was issued more than a year following the release of the “Statement of Principles,” a historic document declaring that gay persons in the Orthodox community should be treated with dignity and respect.
Photo: Brynna Fish for Keshet
While the “Statement of Principles” affirmed heterosexual marriage as the “sole legitimate outlet for human sexual expression,” it admonished that “embarrassing, harassing, or demeaning someone with a homosexual orientation or same-sex attraction is a violation of Torah prohibitions that embody the deepest values of Judaism.” The document was signed by nearly 200 Orthodox rabbis, along with leaders in the Orthodox community. Greenberg, who performed the same-sex commitment ceremony, is often described as the first openly gay Orthodox Jewish rabbi. Those credentials are disputed by some Orthodox Jews since he first disclosed his sexual orientation publicly in 1999 in an article in the Israeli newspaper Maariv. In 2001, Greenberg, 55, took part in the film “Trembling Before G-d,” a documentary about gay men and women raised in the Orthodox culture. While many aspects of Greenberg’s ceremony were taken from traditional Jewish kiddushin (that is, the religious consecration of a bride and groom), Greenberg later stated that his “position was and still is that kiddushin is not appropriate for same-sex couples.”
LGBT’s Protesting Russian “Gay Propaganda” Fines
Photo: Peter Gray
Orthodox Rabbis: Gay Marriage is “Desecration” of Torah
Kostroma, Russia has followed suit with a small number of other cities, regions and nations in proposing fines that would be imposed anyone who might “promote” an LGBT lifestyle or political agenda. The move is similar to bills attempted, shelved and rarely passed into law in some Eastern European nations. The law would allow authorities to impose fines of up to 50,000 rubles
($1,600) for "public activities promoting homosexuality (sodomy and lesbianism), bisexualism and transgender identity" as well as pedophilia among minors. The promotion of "religious sects" would also be punishable by fines. Some gay rights advocates in Moscow and St. Petersburg like Igor Kochetkov of the national group “Coming Out” believe that the government is deliberately trying to divert attention away from more pressing issues regarding the economy and social ills. Others believe that these laws could pass and severely limit the civil rights of LGBT’s in Russia. Russians like Yelena Kostyuchenko who writes for the newspaper Novaya Gazeta, are concerned about the language of the proposed legislation, namely the association of sexual orientation with choice. It is a “biological quality”, she says, and therefore “cannot be promoted”.
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NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
FLORIDAAGENDA.COM
Krishan Manners
Karl Grace
CEO - Wilton Manors Main Street, Inc. “I resolve to continue working with the businesses and community groups of Wilton Manors to make this city even better. And, just in case, to live 2012 as if that whole Mayan prophecy is true...”
Grace Insurance
“To get off my fat ass and get to the gym.”
Gary Yamnitz
Michael Clouston
Server at Matty’s on Wilton Drive
Branch Manager, City/County Credit Union
“To make some time for myself.”
“Good health and lots of fun.”
Michael Clouston
Server at Matty’s on Wilton Drive
“To make some time for myself.”
Nicki Rose
Owner - Java Boys
“To do the best I can to create a positive and happy environment for my family, my friends and the community that we serve.”
Dale Madison
Fundraising Coordinator - Poverello
“To get my finances in order.”
Richard Safaty
Bobby Blair Publisher, Florida Agenda/Mark Magazine
“To play more tennis and to continue publishing magazines and newspapers because it’s the most fun I’ve ever had.”
Marcus Rowe Chic Optique
“To take a nice vacation on a quiet island, relaxing in a hammock and sipping a pina colada.”
Brian Neal
Brian Neal Fitness and Health Foundation
“To help as many people as possible living with HIV/AIDS through my nonprofit and to run two marathons.”
Ellen Friedman
Owner, Freedom Travel
“Swiss Navy Lube Lady”
“To have a year full of health, happiness and safe journeys.”
“To try to limit the number of people I piss off.”
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“It Gets Better” Campaign Wants Tim Tebow’s Help An online petition urging Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow to join the 'It Gets Better' campaign has gathered close to 5,000 signatures. The petition at Change.org was launched by Broncos fan Andy Szekeres. It asks the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner to join the campaign which encourages bullied gay teens to hang in there because their lives will eventually get better. Tebow, a devout Christian, credits his faith for his profession success. Last year, Tebow and his mother appeared in an ad for Focus on the Family promoting an antiabortion message which aired during the Super Bowl. Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family has long opposed gay rights. Tebow has not publicly disclosed his views on the subject. “The campaign is reaching people and changing lives. Within the gay community and with a lot of straight allies, it's making a difference and raising critical issues,” Szekeres, 28, told USA Today. “It's the good Christian thing to do,” the Denver-based political fundraiser noted, adding: “It would really be an amazing thing for Tebow and the Broncos to do. To really say, 'We may have differences on abortion and gay marriage, but stopping kids from killing themselves is an issue we can all get behind.’”
NATIONAL NEWS
DECEMBER 29, 2011
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Editorial
FLORIDAAGENDA.COM
2012
FOUNDER MULTIMEDIA PLATFORMS
What Kind of Year Will You Make It?
BOBBY BLAIR – CEO / MANAGING PARTNER
PUBLISHER BOBBY BLAIR
“Begin with the end in mind.” - Stephen Covey “Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.” - Benjamin Franklin “New Year's Day is every man's birthday.” - Charles Lamb “Never tell your resolution beforehand, or it's twice as onerous a duty.” - John Selden “Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” - Hal Borland “The Old Year has gone. Let the dead past bury its own dead. The New Year has taken possession of the clock of time. All hail the duties and possibilities of the coming twelve months!” - Edward Payson Powell “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” - Oprah Winfrey
“For last year's words belong to last year's language And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.” - T.S. Elliot
CLIFF DUNN
EDITORIAL News Writer • BOB KECSKEMETY
“Every man regards his own life as the New Year's Eve of time.” - Jean Paul Richter “All that we are is the result of what we have thought.” - Buddha
Contributors: KEVIN MILLER, TOM BONANTI, SAM KNEW, TIM SLIVINSKI, PAUL RUBIO, JAMES MICHAELS, ERIC CHRISTIAN, WARREN DAY, JEAN DOHERTY, CHRISTIAN ALEXANDER, AJ CROSS, NICHOLAS SNOW, ANDY KRESS, and RAJINDRA NARINESINGH.. Photographer • STEPHEN R. LANG Photographer • MARK PARCHMENT
PRODUCTION
“Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Creative Director • JARRETT TERRILL Production Manager JASON OTERO
ADMINISTRATIVE Administrator CHRIS HAMEL
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain “It wouldn't be New Year's if I didn't have regrets.” - William Thomas
“Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.” - Alfred, Lord Tennyson “… on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past.” - Henry Ward Beecher
EDITOR
Happy 2012, Cliff Dunn
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ALL MATERIAL in the Florida Agenda is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the Florida Agenda. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred or implied. The appearance of names or pictorial representation does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that person or persons. Although this paper is supported by many fine advertisers, the Agenda cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. EDITORIAL POSITIONS of the Florida Agenda are expressed in editorials and in editors’ notes as determined by the paper’s editors. Other opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Florida Agenda or its staff. TO SUBMIT A LETTER OR COMMENTARY: Letters should be fewer than 400 words; commentaries should be fewer than 750 words. Submissions may be edited for content and length, and must include a name, address and phone number for verification. Send submissions by e-mail to Editor@floridaagenda.com by fax to 954-566-7900 or by regular mail to the Agenda office, attn: Letters/Commentary.
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A Year In Cartoons
DECEMBER 29, 2011
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Chaz Bono and Fiancé Call it Quits HOLLYWOOD, CA – Chaz Bono has announced that he has called off his engagement to girlfriend Jennifer Elia. The couple had been together for over 6 years. According to a representative of Bono’s, the two are no longer a couple but leave the relationship with great love, respect and affection for each other. He then asked the public to respect the couple’s privacy. Bono’s proposal to Elia was featured on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network which chronicled the lives of the couple since Bono’s sexual reassignment surgery. At that time, Bono had said the couple would be married within a year.
AHF to Honor Elizabeth Taylor with Parade Float PASADENA, CA – The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) announced that their entry in the 123rd annual Tournament of Roses Parade will honor Elizabeth Taylor and her championing the advocacy on behalf of people with HIV/AIDS. The parade will be held on January 2 and is the first float in the parade to have focused on HIV/AIDS. The video announcement of the float was made by actor Leslie Jordan. According to Jordan: “The float will take the form of an oversized red ribbon, the international symbol of AIDS, with a circling world globe. There will be photographs of Taylor from various stages in her life and career: from “National Velvet,” her breakthrough film as a child; from the film, “Cleopatra;” and an iconic photo from her later years when she was devoting much of her life to advocacy on AIDS. The photos will be largely rendered in black and white, using seeds and grains to capture the effects of a black and white photo. At least one of the photos will have spot color, also rendered in seeds, grains and flowers: for her world famous eyes, and to color a small red AIDS ribbon pinned to her blouse.” In South Florida, AHF sponsors the annual Florida AIDS Walk and operates the non-profit AHF Pharmacy and several Out of the Closet thrift stores.
NYPD Closes Teen Suicide Case NEW YORK CITY, NY – Advocate.com reports that the NYPD has closed the case of gay teenager Jamey Rodemeyer, who killed himself as a result of bullying. Rodemeyer, 14, committed suicide in September after posting online about the tortures of bullying that felt he "could never escape." Officials say evidence failed to implicate any single student.
Domestic Partner Benefits Banned in Michigan LANSING, MI – Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation which will ban domestic partners of many state employees from receiving health care benefits. According to the Detroit Free Press, the measure applies to municipal and school employees, and to homosexual and heterosexual couples alike. It was primarily aimed at ending the practice of providing benefits to same-sex couples, which was adopted by a handful of cities, schools and most of the state's public universities after the adoption of the state's one-man, one-woman marriage amendment in 2004. Snyder had been under pressure for LGBT rights groups to veto the legislation. A spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, called the statute “mean-spirited and cruel.” A lawsuit on behalf of “‘families’ who will lose their health protections” will be forthcoming.
Kansas LGBT Activists Want Repeal of State Sodomy Law TOPEKA, KS - The Lawrence [Kansas] Journal-World reports that the Kansas Equality Coalition is calling for the repeal of a state law criminalizing "unnatural" sexual activities--including same-sex relations. Although the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Lawrence v. Texas (see: “Passages, Page**) nullified the Kansas law (which likewise criminalizes oral and anal sex), it remains in the statute books. Coalition Chairman Thomas Witt told the newspaper, "We believe that the current statute, while ultimately unenforceable, is an affront to thousands of law-abiding gay and lesbian Kansans."
Gay “Activist” Judge Elected In Vermont MONTPELIER, VT – The state of Vermont has elevated its first openlygay justice to its highest court. Supreme Court Justice Beth Robinson replaces retiring Justice Denise Johnson. Robinson,46, a former marriageequality activist said, "I'm humbled by the confidence that Governor [Peter] Shumlin has placed in me, and deeply grateful both for the opportunity I've had to serve his administration these past 10 months, and for the chance to serve Vermont's judiciary in the years to come."
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NEWS
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Mother Says Son Expelled Because of Anti-Gay Views
CNNMoney: Same-Sex Families Pay Thousands More in Taxes
A Michigan woman has brought suit in federal court against her son’s school district along with the high school teacher she claims expelled the boy from class because his religious beliefs are inconsistent with accepting homosexuality. Last week, the Thomas More Law Center filed the lawsuit on behalf of the mother, Sandra Glowacki, who charges the Howell, Michigan Public School District and an economics teacher, Johnson McDowell with violating her son’s constitutional rights, specifically his First Amendment right to free expression of his religion. Glowacki and her son, Daniel are Roman Catholic. The suit says the teacher expelled Daniel Glowacki, 16, from class on October 20, 2010, while the students in the school district were observing antibullying commemorations and Spirit Day. On that day, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) encourages Americans to wear purple in support of LGBT youth who may feel bullied or threatened because of their sexual orientation. The lawsuit states that the school district encouraged teachers to sell “Tyler’s Army” shirts in support of Tyler Clementi, the Rutgers University freshman who killed himself in 2010 after his roommate streamed an Internet video that showed Clementi
CNNMoney reported this week that same-sex spouses pay as much as $6,000 a year in extra taxes than their straight counterparts, in large measure because Uncle Same doesn't recognize gay marriage. According to an analysis conducted by tax specialists at CNNMoney, same-sex families don't receive the same benefits because they are prohibited from filing their federal returns jointly. As CNNMoney reported on December 26, “the imbalance persists despite increasing acceptance of gay marriage as a legal right. More than 12 states now grant full or partial marriage rights to same-sex couples, and a recent Gallup poll showed--for the first time-that a majority of Americans favor gay marriage.” The federal government, by contrast, is restricted from doing likewise by the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). “Even as more same-sex couples are able to file jointly at the state level, they are still forced to file as single when submitting federal returns to the IRS,” the report noted. This means they can't combine their income and deductions to take advantage of lower tax rates. It's also harder
kissing another male student. The teacher, McDowell, devoted his classes to promoting homosexuality, and wore one of the purple T-shirts around students all day, according to the suit. It further claims that McDowell told another student to take off a Confederate flag belt buckle that he found offensive. The lawsuit claims that when Daniel Glowacki asked the teacher why he thought it was allowable to display a rainbow flag, McDowell asked the student if he supported gays. Glowacki told him that his Catholic religion wouldn’t permit him, at which time the suit says that Glowacki and another, similarly-minded student were told to leave class. Although officials suspended McDowell for one day without pay for violating school district policy, they later erased the penalties in order to settle a grievance he had filed. The Ann Arbor-based Thomas More Law Center represents, mostly through litigation, issues which are most usually in line with modern American social conservative positions: they oppose same-sex marriage; support pro-life positions and initiatives; and oppose, among other things, the removal of the Ten Commandments and other religious monuments from municipal and school buildings.
for them to qualify for certain tax breaks because the credits phase out sooner for single filers. Ken Weissenberg, a partner at the accounting firm of Eisner Amper and himself in a same-sex marriage, told CNN: "It's costing these families thousands of dollars a year, as well as the emotional pain and suffering.” The single light in the tunnel for same-sex spouses is the so-called marriage penalty. As CNNMoney reported, for same-sex spouses in higher tax brackets who work and have no children, filing tax returns using the "single" status makes their liability a little lower than that of heterosexual married couples. And CNN points out that even samesex families, who live in states where gay marriage is legal, typically have to file four separate returns -- including mock federal returns -- to cover both state and federal tax burdens. "But it shouldn't stop anyone from getting married," Weissenberg insisted to CNNMoney. Although he says he pays $5,000 more in taxes per year, he notes, "If I had to pay twice as much in taxes to be married to my husband, I would."
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Human Rights For Everyone, Everywhere By NICHOLAS SNOW
As we embrace a New Year, I am honored to report about the very important work of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), a champion for us all. You may have read the news that in recent years “the full United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) voted in favor of a US-led resolution to grant the IGLHRC consultative status. IGLHRC is only the tenth organization working primarily for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights to gain such status at the United Nations.” About this magnificent achievement, President Barrack Obama expressed, “I welcome this important step forward for human rights, as the International Lesbian and Gay Human Rights Commission (ILGHRC) will take its rightful seat at the table of the United Nations. The UN was founded on the premise that only through mutual respect, diversity, and dialogue can the international community effectively pursue justice and equality. Today, with the more full inclusion of the International Lesbian and Gay Human Rights Commission, the United Nations is closer to the ideals on which it was founded, and to values of inclusion and equality to which the United States is deeply committed.”
SNOWBIZ
According to members of the IGLHRC team, “Our work requires the development of strong human rights movements globally, which is why building advocacy partnerships is at the heart of what we do. As partners, we work hand-in-hand with local activists to strengthen their capacity to confront human rights violations at home. We also connect our partners to the broader human rights arena—including the United Nations system and NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) at the regional and global level. Together with our partners we create visibility for human rights violations by monitoring and documenting abuses and by responding to human rights emergencies. We stand firm with those who seek to change discriminatory laws and policies affecting our communities.” At their web site is a section that allows visitors to see what communities in countries around the world are facing, a great resource also for LGBTI tourists planning their journeys. For example, if you look up Indonesia you will find a link to a document headlined, “Police Allow Fundamentalists to Disrupt Another LGBT Event.” The story begins, “Twenty-four hours after they issued a permit to do so, police in Yogyakarta, Indonesia denied lesbians, gay men, waria (third gender), women'srights activists, interfaith-youth activists, and other human-rights activists the right to hold a cultural performance to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).” The above is in stark contrast that in August of 2009 the President of Indonesia officially opened and welcomed the 9th International Conference on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, held in the ostensibly gayfriendly Bali, which has gay clothing optional resorts, a popular gay beach and gay nightclubs. “Four critical goals shape our work,” they continued. “We advocate for the elimination of discriminatory
laws, policies and practices, such as sodomy laws which empower police and other authorities to abuse, harass, extort, imprison and execute us. We support the enactment and implementation of anti-discrimination laws, policies and practices to help build a world that is more equitable and fair. We strive to reduce family, community and state-sanctioned violence, publicly condemning all forms of violence against individuals because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. And we actively promote economic, social and cultural rights such as those related to employment, housing, education and health.” They further explained, “Our work is critically needed. More than 80 countries still criminalize consensual same-sex intimacy. And every day in countries around the world, from Brazil to Botswana, Bulgaria to Bangladesh, those who challenge sexual or gender norms are arrested, forced into psychiatric ‘treatment’ or marriage, denied basic job protections, healthcare, and parental rights, brutally attacked, tortured, and even murdered.” In conclusion, the team expressed, “We work for a day when people with diverse sexualities can flourish. We work for the day when all human beings are valued, and treated with dignity and respect. We work for the day when justice becomes a reality, everywhere.” Find IGLHRC on Facebook by searching their full name, and be sure to visit their official web site at www.IGLHRC.org. Follow Nicholas at Facebook.com/SnowbizNow, Twitter.com/SnowbizNow, and at SnowbizNow.com, where you may download for free the MP3 for “The Power To Be Strong” HIV Testing/Safer Sex Awareness Anthem. Be sure to join NotesFromPalmSprings.com as well.
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PASSAGES
John Lawrence Dies at 68 John G. Lawrence, 68, whose last name became synonymous with one of the LGBT right’s movements most important legal victories--the Supreme Court's 2003 ruling in Lawrence v. Texas--died November 20 from complications of a heart ailment. The high court’s decision struck down a Texas law that made it a crime to engage in consensual homosexual sex. The ruling likewise invalidated similar laws in a dozen other states, among them the court’s own 1986 decision in Bowers v. Hardwick, in which justices had ruled 5-4 that nothing in the Constitution prevented states from criminalizing consensual sex between gay men, even in their own homes. That changed with the Lawrence decision, in which Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, writing for five justices, opined: "The petitioners are entitled to respect for their private lives." "The state," he wrote in the 6-3 Lawrence opinion, "cannot demean their existence or control their destiny by making their private sexual conduct a crime." Kennedy was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. On September 17, 1998, Harris County, Texas police responded to a false report of a "weapons disturbance" at Lawrence's apartment. The deputy entered the unlocked apartment on the outskirts of Houston and said he witnessed Lawrence and Tyron Garner having sex. The two men were arrested for violating a Texas law that prohibited "deviate sexual intercourse with another individual of the same sex." Lawrence and Garner were held overnight by police, and charged with violating Texas's antisodomy "Homosexual Conduct" law. State courts rejected their constitutional challenges to the Texas law, relying on the earlier Supreme Court ruling in Bowers. Mitchell Katine, a Houston lawyer who represented Lawrence, told the New York Times that his client "was upset about how he was treated, physically and personally, that night,” adding that, “when he was vindicated in the Supreme Court, he felt he got justice." Lawrence died at his Houston home. His death came to light when Katine, his lawyer in the case, tried to located Lawrence with an invitation to an event commemorating the landmark ruling.
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MRSA Staph Infections On The Rise By JARRETT TERRILL
MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylo-coccus aureus) is a staph infection that is not easily treated with antibiotics. However, it is relatively easy to acquire and spreads under the skin at an alarming rate. Local emergency rooms are seeing a rise in the number of MRSA cases that they treat. Last week, the Sun-Sentinel noted that “infections from a relatively mild variety of drug-resistant staph have been on the rise in South Florida in recent months,” seemingly downplaying the phenomenon by calling it a “weak strain,” and reporting that “no one is calling the jump in cases a serious danger.” This could be misleading, as the treatments required to treat the bacteria often involve surgery, intravenous medication, lengthy hospital stays, and sometimes even amputation. Those treatments are no guarantee that the infection will not reoccur. The LGBT community in South Florida has certainly been affected by the recent spike in MRSA cases. What is not clear at this point is whether or not our community has been affected to a greater degree than others. It is known, however, that persons with HIV, children, and the elderly are at greater risk for opportunistic infections, like staph. Historically, MRSA was thought to
HEALTH & FITNESS
be transmitted primarily in prisons and hospitals, or by sharing intravenous drugs. That is seemingly no longer the case. One person in four is now known to be an asymptomatic carrier of staph bacteria, and one in 50 have a strain that is specifically classified as MRSA. MRSA can be spread by skin-toskin contact. Not all patients are sure how they acquired it. Like all bacterial infections, humidity and a general lack of cleanliness may be contributing factors. It is suggested by medical professionals that regular hand-washing and early detection will decrease the likelihood and severity of the disease. MRSA may initially appear to be something harmless, such as an ingrown hair, cat scratch, or acne. The condition is made worse by attempts to puncture or rupture the site of infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “The biggest risk factor for MRSA infection is open or broken skin (such as a wound or surgical site); however, MRSA infections can occur even on areas of the skin where there is no obvious wound or break in the skin.” Experts say that keeping a clean, well-ventilated home will reduce the chance of infection. Erin Carr-Jordon, a health activist in Arizona, was recently banned from McDonald’s restaurants in that state after she swab-tested their playground equipment and discovered traces of MRSA. “Contaminated items and surfaces” are also cited by the CDC as sources of MRSA infection.
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Wilton Manors: Banana Republic? By CLIFF DUNN
Responding to a question about whether the city of Wilton Manors was actively discouraging the entry of new business in the form a national chain store, Heidi Shafran, Community Development Services Director responded ruefully. “If it wasn’t so tragic, it would be funny.” “The real story,” offered Krishan Manners, President and CEO of Wilton Manors Main Street, Inc., “is why anyone would suggest something so ridiculous, and who stands to gain if something so ludicrous was actually believed?” Shafran and Manners are doing their best to quantify a negative, as it is difficult to respond to a charge concerning something that hasn’t actually happened. That “something” is a recent
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local report that the national clothing retail chain “Banana Republic” contacted city officials as a preamble to potentially opening a location in the Island City. “Apparently,” recounted Main Street’s Manners, “they [Banana Republic] were rebuffed by the
city, which allegedly wants nothing to do with a national chain locating in the city limits, bringing jobs, commerce, and other benefits. It’s ridiculous,” he laughed contemptuously. “Of course,” added Shafran, “this whole scenario flies in the face of the already-existing relation-
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ship we enjoy with national chains like Starbucks and CVS.” “I guess Dunkin Donuts and Publix don’t qualify as chain stores either,” agreed Manners. “We love the idea of a hot, ‘jumping’ retail center in Wilton Manors,” Shafran said. “Why on earth would we be resistant to that?” Manners said he heard the Banana Republic canard from a local business owner. “There wasn’t any malicious intent as it was recounted to me,” Manners insisted. “But I am disappointed by the suggestion that someone might give credence to a rumor like this.” Manners says there’s a better alternative to the rumor mill as it concerns the city’s future growth. “People who want the right answers should go directly to Heidi Shafran,” he suggested. “Or if she isn’t available, for heaven’s sake, give me a call.”
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THE STYLE VOICE OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY
cinema | dining | travel | recipe | Fitness | Out in Florida
What’s inside? n this week’s End of ’11 Style & Entertainment: “Steampunk” meets high-spirited Brit laddishness in Guy Ritchie’s latest installment of Robert Downey, Jr. as the saucy Victorian in “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” and Warren Day provides his Tea Time take, in Cinema. The luxury of mid-20th Century rail travel is alive and well - and it has a Scottish accent. Paul Rubio takes you to the ancestral home of golf, and Sean Connery, in Travel. Sea Level Ocean Restaurant is destination dining on Fort Lauderdale Beach, and Tim Slivinski has booked your table for two, this issue on Dining. And speaking of dining, Chef Jean from Le Patio gives you some foodfor-more-than-thought with the Recipe for traditional Irish potato cakes. (Best served, one wonders, with a side dish from County Mayo?)
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sherlOck hOlmes retUrns Is the sequel more brawn, or brains?
Cinema PAGE 32
Have a Happy 2012! – CD
a tasty irish treat
travel tO the past
Simple and delicious
Experiencing Scotland’s Old Countryside by Rail
Travel PAGE 33
Recipe PAGE 35
a stylish cUlinary treasUre
OUtrUnning the hOliday pOUnds
Dining PAGE 32
Fitness PAGE 37
Hidden within a Popular Ft. Lauderdale Beach Landmark
with Healthy Holiday Habits
Photos courtesy, analoghype.com, collider.com, Paul Rubio, Tim Slivinski, Jean Doherty
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The Most Prolific Character In Movie History Is? By WARREN DAY
What character, fictional or real, has appeared in more movies, either in a small or big role, than any other figure? What would be your guess? If you were to say Jesus, you would be wrong. Also if you suggested Robin Hood, Abe Lincoln, Cleopatra, James Bond, or Queen Elizabeth I you’d be far off. But if you guessed Tarzan or Dracula you would be getting very close (yes there is a dearth of female characters on this list). According to the Guinness Book of Records, the character who’s appeared in the most motion pictures is elementary my dear Watson, because it’s Sherlock Holmes. Starting in 1887 Arthur Conan Doyle, an unsuccessful doctor, wrote 56 short stories and four novels featuring the Great Detective and his colleague Dr. Watson. Almost instantly Holmes entered into the mythic realm, one of literature’s great iconic fig-
ures. And beginning in 1900, Holmes has appeared in over 230 films and still counting, not to mention hundreds of TV episodes. He’s also proved to be one of the most flexible and adaptable of characters, and since Sherlock Holmes has entered the public domain, fertile and futile minds have been free to put whatever spin their imagination can conjure or their marketing research infers. We’ve had Holmes as melodrama, drama, comedy, satire and even a musical. He’s been a spyhunter in World War II, a figure in the holodeck of Star Trek, a teenager at a boarding school, a young man in modern London, a drug addict under the care of Sigmund Freud, and even a couple of times a gay man cavorting with Dr. Watson (to quote “The Boys in the Band,” no straight man has a male roommate past 30). He’s truly the “flubber” of movie characters, able to stretch into whatever form writers or stu-
dio heads might want. In 2009, the director Guy Ritchie, ex-husband of Madonna, turned him into a fastpaced, unshaven action hero, a kind of Indiana Jones of the Victorian Era, with enough comedy between him and Watson to almost be the Abbott and Costello of Baker Street. For those of us who love Sherlock Holmes, it seemed like a blasphemous idea, but the result was fun and more than a little clever, showing the old boy in a new light and in a style more in keeping with modern movie audiences. It was a gigantic hit, so naturally there had to be a sequel, and you’ll find that sequel right now in a theater near you, “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.” Once again Robert Downey, Jr. gives his tongue-in-both-cheeks interpretation of the Great Detective, even if his British accent sounds at times more like a nightclub comedian’s imitation than anything you’d hear around Regent’s Park. Jude Law is more restrained as Watson, and therefore wears better over the 129 minutes. Noomi Rapace, the original “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” from the Swedish version has just a tagalong role, but she handles herself well in her first English-speaking part. Jared Harris gives the most subtle performance as Holmes number one nemesis, Professor Moriarity, the original super-villain who’s the model for most of the James Bond archenemies. What plot there is revolves around Moriarity’s attempt to get into the arms selling business by creating a war that will create a demand for his ware-
Sexy and Stylish Seaside Dining roar of the ocean’s waves was at once calming and soothing, despite its power. We were greeted by Brittany, our smiling server and ordered cocktails. Intrigued by something called crab salsa ($16.00), we decided to start our relaxing dinner with an order. When it arrived, it was a traditional salsa that was topped by lump crab meat, sprinkled with Old Bay seasoning. It looked delicious and seemed appropriate for our dining environment. Our first tastes did not disappoint. The coolness of the crab was a great foil to the spicy zest of the salsa. The sprinkling of Old Bay seasoning also helped to give this appetizer a bit of a kick. It was a bit messy to eat on the strips of tortilla that accompanied it, but that was part of the fun of the dish. As we melted further into our chairs and looked out over the ocean, we pondered our main courses. Sea Level offers several cuts of steak with accompanying add-ons and sauces as well as a nice array of sandwiches and burgers. We, however, were craving seafood.
Send your comments and questions to AgendaReviews@aol.com Every email will be answered.
Sea Level Restaurant Marriott Harbor Beach 3030 Holiday Drive Fort Lauderdale, FL 954-765-3041
By TIM SLIVINSKI Many of us are familiar with the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort’s signature restaurant called 3030 Ocean. However, we may not even be aware that this fine hotel on the beach offers another dining option. Sea Level is a restaurant that is, quite literally, on the sand. In order to find it, you have to walk through the resort’s main floor and then wind your way past the gorgeous pool area with its plethora of lounge chairs, all lined up just so. Once you find it, it is a treat to look at the gorgeous water with its swelling waves, to feel the beach breeze, and to hear the power of the water. Tables are “beachy” looking, many of them dressed in sea green and ocean blue with chairs looking equally seaside in wicker and cushions. There are high-tops, dinner tables, and padded wicker sofas for lounging. An outdoor bar offers cocktails, and it is quite acceptable to come directly off the beach for lunch or dinner. My partner and I stopped in on a warm, breezy Sunday evening when a dinner in a noisy crowded restaurant just did not seem appealing. As we sat down at our table, the
houses of lethal products. Guy Ritchie seems to feel that everyone is suffering from ADD, so the movie is a true potboiler, overcooking every scene, allowing nothing to simmer. The forward rush in his first Sherlock Holmes movie worked, but here it comes across as more frantic, manufactured, and a little desperate, not unlike what Madonna’s stage shows became. One doesn’t go to a James Bond or Indiana Jones movie expecting credibility, but if the implausibility is piled on too much, it does break your involvement in the story, i.e. Shia LaBeouf swinging through a CGI jungle like a monkey on speed in the last Jones movie. There are several moments like that in this film. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle did make Holmes an excellent boxer, but Ritchie turns him into Bruce Lee on the Thames, and he gives Watson some medical skills that wouldn’t be developed until years later. The logical deductions of Holmes in the stories and most of the previous films are turned more into wild guesses, coincidences, the stupidly of your adversaries, and the fact that Downey has read the script and knows what the other characters are going to do. tIt’s either Ritchie’s strength or pandering weakness that he realizes the majority of today’s movie audience doesn’t want to think, but to be titillated, that when it comes to box office, bombast is more important than brains.
Fresh fish options and preparations change regularly, so be sure to ask your server what is being offered. They are also printed on a large chalkboard inside the small area at Sea Level that offers indoor dining. From the choices, I selected scallops ($36.00) while my partner chose halibut ($35.00). When our entrees arrived, they were plated with an eye toward color, making them look appetizingly beautiful. My scallops were quite large, but they were perfectly pan seared on the outside, giving them that little bit of crunchy glazing that makes scallops so delicious. They were moist and slightly sweet on the interior, not in the least bit overdone, a sure way to ruin a scallop dish. Boniato mash, a root vegetable that is akin to potatoes, accompanied my scallops. They have a slight sweetness which is pleasant, though not quite as sweet as a yam or sweet potato. Grilled vegetables finished the plate. The b/f’s halibut was a sizable filet that was grilled and served
atop a slaw. He pronounced his fish expertly grilled, as it flaked beautifully but was not at all dry. The herb used to season the halibut gave it an earthy, sort of smoky-woodsy quality that he found interesting and flavorful. Realizing that both our entrees had been quite large, we did not have room for dessert, but opted to linger with after dinner coffee as we enjoyed our ocean view and breeze just a little longer. Sea Level is open for both lunch and dinner seven days a week. It would make a great spot for after beach cocktails and munchies, and they offer special pricing on their appetizers between 5PM and 7PM. Sea Level offers its diners a place that is very much about the beach, and yet gives them a touch of class and elegance. It would be a perfect spot for lunch with out of town guests. Delicious food and a great view—it sums up Sea Level simply and well.
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The Royal Scotsman Timeless elegance and irresistible opulence fuel this epic train journey through the Scottish highlands By PAUL RUBIO oughly experience the best of stately Scotland. The popular four-night “Classic Journey,” for example, begins and ends in Edinburgh, venturing north towards Keith, then west towards Inverness and Kyle of Locash,
Reinstituting the glory and grandeur of train travel circa early-to-mid-20th century, the Royal Scotsman pays homage to a bygone era of luxurious peregrinations through Europe’s most roman-
tic landscapes. A series of delicately restored vintage Pullman cars, the Royal Scotsman journeys along the tracks less traveled of Scotland’s remote countryside, passing through sleepy fishing villages, pastoral backdrops of sorrowful beauty, and palatial estates frequented by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Every April, the Royal Scotsman begins its annual 6month pilgrimage along, between, by and within Scotland’s stunning east and rugged west with a full gamut of two to seven day journeys available to thor-
returning by way of boat to Garten and Pitlochry. Onboard, the Royal Scotsman delivers the intrigue and excellence that matches a period when train travel was indeed epic. The varnished wood interiors complement the kaleidoscope of Scottish plaid flooring and regal accessories, a
fitting backdrop for formal dining among the who’s who of the train’s 36 guests. Channeling the age of vintage glamour, come nightfall guests peruse the train in haute couture and dazzling diamonds, fostering a James Bond-esque scene of elegance and mystery (but without the imminent danger). The train’s “Observatory Lounge” surfaces as a point of congregation for aperitifs, after dinner drinks and entertainment, and hours of sheer day dreaming, mesmerized by the contrasts of dull, olive and bright greens through the Scottish highlands. Traversing this sparsely populated, mysterious land of glens, lochs, and picturesque mountain ranges, the train stops frequently – often twice per day – allowing guests to get up close and personal with the robust personalities, cultural her-
itage, and fascinating living history of Scotland’s lesser-known regions. Distillery tours, wildlife cruises, bespoke estate tours, castle hopping, clay pigeon shooting, fly fishing, and visiting farms with “highland coo” are part of the greater Royal Scotsman experience. The daily activities are idyllic for working off the day’s three decadent farm-to-table meals, which showcase the best of Scottish gastronomy from local Haggis (or the revolutionary vegetarian Haggis) to globally renowned smoked salmon to sweet seafood from the Herbrides. For the train journey of a lifetime, visit: www.royalscotsman.com or call 1.800.524.2420.
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Irish Potato Cakes This is an easy way to make a savory and delicious dish with the leftover ham after Christmas. By JEAN DOHERTY
4 medium russet potatoes, peeled, and chopped into small pieces
large bowl. Roughly mash and add ham, egg, green onions, parsley and mustard 1 cup chopped ham to the mash. Season with salt and pepper and taste. Using 1 egg, lightly beaten 1/4 cup mixture at a time, 4 green onions, thinly shape into twelve inch-thick sliced patties. Place breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Lightly 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped coat patties with the breadcrumbs. 1 1/2 teaspoons hot English Heat the olive oil in a large, mustard non-stick frying pan until 1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs hot. Cook the cakes, in batches, for 5 minutes each side or Extra virgin olive oil until golden and warmed Salad greens through. Serve with salad greens and a light vinaiPlace the spuds in a large grette. Sprinkle with a little saucepan. Cover with cold blue cheese if liked‌ You water. Bring to the boil over are a chef ! high heat. Reduce heat to medium. Cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain. Transfer to a
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By TOM BONANTI
FITNESS
Don’t Let the Holidays Put a Humbug on Your Training Routine!
Ahh! The holidays are upon us! Before you make your list and check it twice, prior to indulging in your first holiday party, do me one favor. Make a resolution not to let your fitness goals suffer by becoming lax with your training. Of course you can’t turn down every invitation just to keep your bodybuilding regime. But you do need to be aware of your potential to slide, and plan for those situations. Have some fun over the holidays, but don’t overdue it. Remember, it’s not uncommon for most guys to pack on a whopping 5 to 10 pounds during this season of yuletide cheer! Use moderation when drinking and by all means avoid the costly and even deadly mistake of drinking and driving. Make healthy choices at the buffet table. Don’t let holiday stress or lack of time keep you from training. Here are some pointers to help you stay strong, fit and in control in spite of the holiday havoc ahead. 1. Exercise first! Worried that you won’t have time to squeeze in your workout? Consider shifting your training. Evenings and weekends are too busy with obligations? Try weights and cardio first thing in the morning. You may have to get up earlier, but you have the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve jumpstarted your metabolism and burned off some serious calories. 2. Consolidate your workouts. Train two body parts with a continuous superset technique. For instance, you can train your tris and bis with alternating sets. Pair dumbbell curls with dumbbell triceps extensions for three to four sets. Work at one station with the same weight if you can, so as not to waste time changing weights. 3. Kick some ass! You may not have a full hour to train because of errands and obligations, but you can have a kick-ass workout in 20-30 minutes. The key here is to use less weight and perform more reps and sets in rapid succession. Move from station to station quickly and avoid distractions. 4. Recuperate. Take the holiday season off. Many pro bodybuilders follow a tough five months-on, one month-off routine. One of the best ways to build muscles is to give them a chance to rest, recover and grow; but remember, stay active and eat wisely. 5. Train on the road. One of the biggest problems during the holidays and even
at other times of the year, when you are traveling, is a lack of access to a gym. Consider joining a gym for a day. Training for a day or two in another gym can be inspiring! 6. Simplify Workouts. If you’re on the road and you can’t get to the gym, you can still do crunches, lunges and leg lifts for the abs and butt. Try using your own body weight to do push ups and chair dips for chest and tris. Use the stairs when traveling or sightseeing.
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FORT LAUDERDALE/WILTON MANORS ALIBI 2266 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors Gayborhood tradition since 1997. Comfortable, inviting atmosphere with indoor video bars, outdoor drinking and dining. Drink specials all week, with mammoth 22-ounce Long Island Iced Teas for $3 on Thursdays ATOMIC/BOOM 2232 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors The bar with two names features a dance club and Gayborhood bar. Drag Bingo on Mondays, karaoke Mondays and Tuesdays, dance music Fridays and Saturdays, and (indoor) Sunday T-Dance. BILL’S FILLING STATION 2209 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors Videos, pool tables, dart boards, dance floor, happy hour, live shows, Tuesday and Thursday karaoke – and great burgers, to boot. Fun and friendly truck-stop-themed bar. BOARDWALK 1721 N Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale Over 100 of the sexiest men from all over the world. Go-go dancers, cages, billiards, 2-4-1 Happy Hours. Drag emcees and did we mention the Boys? CORNER PUB 1915 N Andrews Ave., Wilton Manors Friendly atmosphere, unpretentious clientele and staff. Next to Island City Pizza (so you can get your drink AND your slice on). CUBBY HOLE 823 N Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale Butch bar and grill with a rockin’ daytime crowd (and a fun nighttime one, too). Fifty cent pool, 2-for-1 drinks all day every day, video games, hot movies on HDTV and DirecTV. Thursdays it’s Bare Bear Chest Night, and every Friday and Saturday the fur flies with Hot Bears on Poles (where their Grizzlies Grind)! DEPOT CABANA BAR AND GRILL 2935 N Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale Adjacent to the America’s Best Inn and Suites. Pool open daily – No Cover or Day Pass. Great food, daily happy hour, Sunday afternoon T-Dance Poolside. Karaoke and live music. Open daily at 11:30 a.m. DUDES 3270 NE 33rd St., Fort Lauderdale Men dancing for men. Hot go-go boys in an upscale atmosphere, piano lounge for more quiet interludes. Steamy shower shows. JOHNNY’S 1116 W Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale Club, bar, lounge. Male dancers and the men who love (to ogle) them. Sunday amateur strip contest (and karaoke!). LIPS 1421 E Oakland Park Blvd., Oakland Park The Ultimate in Drag Dining. Dinner and shows six nights a week. Sunday Gospel Brunch with the Sisters of Sequins. LIVING ROOM 300 SW 1st Ave., Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale Arts & Entertainment District meets South Beach. Friday nights they’re here, they’re queer, and they drink free from 10:30(ish) to Midnight. Only House Music club in town with its own Classical (and classicallychiseled) violinist. THE MANOR 2345 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors WeHo vibe (think: LA’s The Abbey) in the heart of the Gayborhood. Dine, drink, dance, play, mingle. Theme rooms (salsa and merengue every weekend in the Latin Quarter!). Live dancing and dining.
FLORIDA BAR GUIDE
PJ’S CORNER POCKET 924 N Flagler Dr., Fort Lauderdale Friendly neighborhood interracial bar with drinks specials every night of the week including, “In the Biz Mondays” at 9 p.m. with 2-4-1 drinks and $3 Cosmos and Apple Martinis, “Splash Friday’s” wet underwear contest, and Sunday’s pool tournament, both with a $50 cash prize! RAMROD 1508 NE 4th Ave., Fort Lauderdale Voted World’s Favorite Leather Bar. Pig Dance first Saturday of the month – South Florida’s Busiest, Craziest Monthly Party (with caged hunks at Midnight on Saturdays – is there a downside to this?). ROSIE’S BAR & GRILL 2449 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors Nexus of the A-Gay List. Be Seen in the Scene (without making one). Food, folks, libations, and a killer Sunday Funday. SCANDALS SALOON 3073 NE 6th Ave., Wilton Manors A line-dancin’, tight blue jeans-wearin’ good time. Country and western music, two-steppin’, three-steppin’, pool tables, and themed events year ‘round. Cowboys and Indians was never this much fun, Pilgrim. SIDELINES 2031 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors Where Sports come first. Nationally known destination sports bar with TVs streaming NFL, MLB, NBA and college games. Pool tables, dart boards and large indoor (and now smoke-free) facility. Outdoor patio features area for smokers. Mixed crowd of gay men and women (who would have thought?). Featured in Bloomberg Businessweek and recommended by LOGO. STABLE 205 E Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale Levis-and-leather neighborhood bar, where the bears line dance and the cowboys are VERY friendly. SMARTY PANTS 2400 E Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale Cozy neighborhood bar with daily happy hour, and regular patrons. Show night Thursdays at 9 p.m. Karaoke Friday and Saturday nights, and with matinee on Sunday afternoon.
SCORE 727 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach Dance, drink, party all night on Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road. Tons of events throughout the year, including fundraisers for Winter Party, White Party, and Miami Beach Gay Pride. SPACE 34 NE 11th St., Miami Mingle and mix with gays and str8s in the heart of Downtown Miami. Indoor dance floors and outdoor rooftop bar, spectacular light show. TWIST 1057 Washington Ave., Miami Beach Great music, friendly staff, hot tourists and locals. Never a cover, always a groove. Bungalow Bar = Hot Men. In SoBe’s Art Deco District. JOHNNY’S MIAMI 62 NE 14th Street, Downtown Miami Club, bar and lounge. Johnny’s Miami boasts the best sound system in town! Plenty of safe, secured parking. Open 5pm to 5am daily. Hot male dancers and daily drink specials.
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA HANKS 5026 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL Friendly local bar with a cruisy attitude. One of Orlando’s oldest and friendliest Gay bars. Beer and Wine. Pool Tables, Video Games and a Large Patio area. HAMBURGER MARY’S BAR & GRILL 110 W Church St., Orlando, FL Eat, Drink & Be Mary! Tuesday BINGO with Miss Sammy & Carol Lee, Wednesday Trivia with Doug Bouser and Leigh Shannon’s Cabaret Dinner Show is every Saturday, 7:30 p.m. PARLIAMENT HOUSE 410 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL All gay entertainment complex with 130 newly-remodeled hotel rooms. Cruisy Hotel, Nightclub, Pool Bar, Bear/Leather Bar.
TORPEDO 2829 W Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale Dance, shoot pool, drink til 4 a.m., 7 nights a week. Doors open at Midnight; dance til Dawn.
NEW PHOENIX 7124 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, FL Winter Park’s ONLY Gay & Lesbian Bar. Been There Forever! Karaoke every Tuesday and Friday at 9 p.m. Drag shows every Saturday night. Home of the $1 Jello shots.
VOODOO LOUNGE 111 SW 2nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale Gay and mixed every Sunday, with afternoon T-Dance and drink specials, then the popular Life’s a Drag show with gobs of female impersonators, hot dudes and the chicks who want to change them.
PULSE 1912 S Orange Ave., Orlando, FL Orlando’s Premier Gay Bar & Nightclub with Ultra Lounge, Jewel Box Dance Floor, and Adonis Dancers. Twisted Tuesdays with $10 All-U-Can Drink, College Wednesdays (18+) and 2-4-1 every Friday for Happy Hour.
WHISKEY BLUE 401 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale In the W Hotel on Fort Lauderdale Beach, downstairs it’s the elegant Whiskey Blue, upstairs the luxe Living Room: hot dance and social settings in a distinctive atmosphere with signature cocktails and upscale patrons. Indoor and outdoor lounges.
SAVOY ORLANDO 1913 N Orange Ave., Orlando, FL “The hottest” gay bar and nightclub in Orlando. The MEN OF SAVOY Dancers from 6 p.m. til 2 a.m. every night in the main bar! Video Bar, Pool Tables.
MIAMI/MIAMI BEACH BAR 721 721 N Lincoln Lane, Miami Beach Plush, lush and flush, a luxe, sexy décor that includes soft carpeting, comfy couches and a Grown Up Playroom equipped with a flat screen TV for video games, pool table, ceiling-mounted speakers. Enjoy 5 to 10 p.m. happy hours including $6 premium drinks.
MATTY’S ON THE DRIVE 2426 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors Drink specials, billiards, and a chill gayborhood vibe. 75 Cent drinks on Wednesdays. No Drama, No Smoking.
CLUB BOI 777 NE 79 St., Miami With an urban vibe on the weekends, a diverse crowd and a diverse musical format, including Hip Hop, R&B, House, Reggae, Soca, Latin and Old School. Go-go bois and drink specials.
MONKEY BUSINESS 2740 N Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale Cozy neighborhood bar. Karaoke, drag shows, Patio Bar – and open at 9 a.m. daily.
CLUB SUGAR 2301 SW 32nd Ave., Miami Gay Latin scene, with Salsa, Merengue, Reggaeton, Hip Hop and House music always playing.
MONA’S 502 E Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale Cocktail Lounge in the heart of Searstown. Fun customers, fun bartenders and fun proprietor (the Legendary Jerry). Outside patio. Wednesday karaoke, Thursday Speedball Tournament.
DISCOTEKKA 950 NE 2nd Ave., Miami Hot music, hot scene, hot bartenders, and hot patrons in the hot heart of Downtown Miami.
NAKED GRAPE 2163 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors Relaxing, friendly, hip, unique – the alternative gathering place on Wilton Drive. Wine tastings and events. Tuesday and Wednesday Late Night In the Biz.
PALACE BAR 1200 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach This bar and restaurant in the heart of South Beach’s Art Deco District. Mouth-watering burgers, boys (and girls!). Weekend cabaret shows Thursday through Sunday.
MOVA LOUNGE 1625 Michigan Ave., Miami Beach On Miami Beach’s famed Lincoln Road, never a cover. Drink specials all week long, live DJs, high energy music and a fun crowd getting their dance on til late.
WYLDE'S 3557 S Orange Ave., Orlando, FL Neighborhood bar South of Downtown Orlando. Jukebox, Video Games, Pool Tables and Dancers. PARADISE ORLANDO 1300 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL Orlando’s casual Gay & Lesbian bar and nightclub. Patio, Tiki Bar and Pool Tables. Happy Hour 4 til 9 p.m. and drink specials every day til 9 p.m. BAR CODES (Formerly Bear Bar) 4453 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL Friendly Bar, Real Men and Bears... Oh My! Beer and Wine. Tends to attract the after work Happy Hour crowd.
TAMPA BAY 2606 2606 N Armenia Ave., Tampa, FL Tampa's favorite Levi/leather bar has two floors (dimly lit), with the upstairs being the more cruisy. There's Hog House shop on-premises, and the 2606 is home to the Tampa Leather Club. Monday is Underwear Night, Tuesdays are $1 drinks and on Wednesdays, Longnecks are just $1.50. AZALEA LOUNGE 1502 N Florida Ave., Tampa, FL Exposed brick, cold beverages and friendly staff are the mainstays of the recently bloomed Florida Avenue flower! Neighborhood bar, pool tables. BAXTER'S LOUNGE 1519 S Dale Mabry, Tampa, FL Tampa Happy Hour Tradition. Serving up some of the hottest dancers Wednesday thru Saturday nights at 10PM.
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FLIRT NIGHTCLUB & SHOWBAR 1909 N 15th St., Tampa, FL (Ybor City) Get that hometown feeling. Amazing lazer shows, big headliners and has been around for 6 years. CITY SIDE 3703 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, FL Tampa Bay’s “Best Happy Hour” til Midnight every night of the week. GBAR 1401 E 7th Ave., Tampa (Ybor City), FL Dance Club & Video Bar. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 4 p.m. til 3 a.m. No cover before 10 p.m., $5 after with ID. VALENTINES NIGHTCLUB 7522 N Armenia Ave., Tampa, FL Voted #1 Nightclub in Tampa. Open 7 days a week 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. Monday, Latin Night, Tuesdays are Boys Night Out, Wednesdays are Karaoke Night, Thursdays, No Cover Dance Party, Fridays feature Hot Go-Go Girls, Saturdays are Latino Night “Uncut” and Sundays are Hip Hop Night. Ki Ki Ki III 1908 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL One of The Oldest Bars (beer and wine). A plain bar without pretention with its share of young regulars. RAINBOW ROOM 421 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, FL A mix between a neighborhood bar and a community center. Main bar with pool, darts, jukebox. Outdoor Tiki patio has a full volleyball court and live bands. Beer & Wine.
ST. PETERSBURG GEORGIES ALIBI 3100 3rd Ave. North, St. Petersburg, FL One of the most popular gay bars in St. Pete. It’s always busy! Great VJ’s play Top 40 music. Mondays are Drag BINGO and Talent contest, Pool tourney Wednesdays, and the legendary Long Island Iced Tea nights on Thursdays. Ages 21 and over, never a cover! FLAMINGO RESORT 4601 34th St. South, St. Petersburg, FL Florida’s “largest, luxury all gay resort.” Non-stop entertainment, great menu, and drinks served poolside at the Cabana. Weekly events and 2-4-1 Happy Hour daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday Happy Hour ($1 off) 11 a.m to 9 p.m. GEMINI LOUNGE 2315 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL Gemini Lounge aims to serve a variety of tastes; music, karaoke, Internet access, poetry readings and sports on TV. OAR HOUSE BAR & LIQUOR STORE 4807 22nd Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL Fun, friendly, laid-back atmosphere where you can get great drinks at cheap prices! Drama free! Happy Hour daily from 2 p.m. til 9 p.m. HAYMARKET PUB 8308 4th St. North, St. Petersburg, FL More of a Men’s bar. Showing hot videos, beer specials, Saturday Underwear Night, and different events each week. HIDEAWAY 8302 4th St. North, St. Petersburg, FL The oldest Womyn’s bar in the country. Where music is always the main entree! Coldest selection of beer in town. DETOUR 2612 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL The hottest club in St. Pete. Daily specials, karaoke nights and gogo boys from Rico's Men. Noted for it’s Saturday Drag shows and Karaoke nights. Full liquor bar.
MELBOURNE/COCOA COLD KEG NIGHTCLUB 4060 W New Haven Ave., Melbourne, FL Largest Gay Club in Melbourne Florida and the Premier Gay Bar & Nightclub in Brevard County. ULTRA LOUNGE 407 Brevard Ave., Cocoa, FL Nestled in Cocoa Village, this bar has a full coffee bar, serving espresso, lattes, cappuccinos as well as draft beers & wine.
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THE METRO 2929 Plum St., Jacksonville, FL The Metro Entertainment Complex has been serving the GLBT community for 17 years. Features a total of 7 different venues under one roof to choose from. Lesbo-A-Go-Go, monthly Tea Dances, special quest performers, female impersonators and live musicians. BOOT RACK SALOON 4751 Lenox Ave., Jacksonville, FL Your Neighborhood Gay Bar - the place for men. Cold beer, music and a warm and cozy atmosphere. Hot men and cheap beer... We all know where that leads! AJ'S BAR & GRILL 10244 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, FL Annie and Janie invite you to stop by and see some old friends and meet some new ones! Great food, awesome service, delicious mixed drinks and live entertainment. PARK PLACE LOUNGE 931 King St., Jacksonville, FL A fun and comfortable gay bar that’s accommodating to both gays and non-gays. A great place to watch your favorite game, or enjoy playing Wii while the liquor flows! THE NORM 2952 Roosevelt Blvd., Jacksonville, FL A neighborhood bar. Everyone is welcome, but remember it is a girls bar! Beer and Wine only. 616 BAR 616 Park St., Jacksonville, FL A warm and friendly atmosphere with a Patio bar. Karaoke on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Thursdays the Jax Bears are here for happy hour. Fridays and Saturdays enjoy the "Beer Blast." THREE LAYERS CAFE 1602 Walnut St., Jacksonville, FL The name Three Layers comes from their large variety of delicious three layer cakes. An inviting loft style cafe located in Springfield. Enjoy a bistro style lunch or just stop in for your morning coffee. BO'S CORAL REEF 201 5th Ave. North, Jacksonville Beach, FL There are great shows Thursday through Sunday with the best of female impersonators. Pool tables, video games, and a large outdoor patio. The only gay bar on the beach!
INCAHOOTS 711 Edison Ave., Jacksonville, FL This club offers good crowds every night. Recently remodeled with three bars and a friendly staff. Everyday is a different special. A fun place anytime. Full Liquor bar. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays except for special events. KICKBACKS GASTROPUB 910 King St., Jacksonville, FL This is a top class venue serving over 600 different bottled beers, 84 beers on tap, breakfast, lunch and dinner 20hrs a day 7 days a week!
KWEST 705 Duval St., Key West, FL Daily Happy Hour from 3 to 8 p.m., and a piano sing-a-long every Wednesday night. Men dancing for men after 10 p.m. Weekly drink specials and "Wet Jockey" contests on Fridays. SALOON ONE 801 Duval St., Key West, FL (Behind 801 Bar) This is the only gay leather bar in Key West. Conveniently located behind 801 Bourbon Bar.
PENSACOLA
LA TE DA 1125 Duval St., Key West, FL An upscale hotel complex with 3 bars, cabaret and restaurant.
THE ROUNDUP 560 E Heinberg St, Pensacola, FL A neighborhood gay men’s bar... Pensacola’s Cowboy Bar. Open 2 p.m. til 3 p.m. daily.
PEARL’S PATIO BAR FOR WOMEN 525 United St., Key West, FL Tropical themed women's bar for gay women and gayfriendly women alike. Patio bar with a full bar featuring drinks like "Cosmopearlitans" and "Pearl's Passion".
CABARET 101 S Jefferson St. #E, Pensacola, FL Not strictly a gay bar, the charming and friendly Cabaret is very much a fixture in Pensacola's GLBT community, drawing a mixed bunch each evening for happy hour, karaoke, videos, comedy shows, live music, and all-around hobnobbing and socializing.
KEY WEST BOURBON STREET PUB 724 Duval St., Key West, FL Opened in October of 1995 and has continued to grow ever since, it is now part of the larger collection of gay action in The Bourbon St. Pub Complex. Hot Go-Go boy dancers and a busy crowd. “Where the boys are!” 801 BOURBON BAR 801 Duval St., Key West, FL Cabaret shows upstairs with nightly performances by famed performers Sushi, Kylie, RV Beaumont, Margo, and others. This legendary establishment has been around for over 30 years, and host Happy Hour specials daily from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. AQUA NIGHTCLUB 711 Duval St., Key West, FL Aqua features the "Reality is a Drag" show six days a week, followed by dancing. Monday is karaoke night and don't miss the great happy hour specials from 3 to 8 p.m. daily.
BOBBY’S MONKEY BAR 900 Simonton St., Key West, FL The gay Cheers style neighborhood bar of Key West. Happy Hour from Noon to 7pm, Karaoke on Sunday nights, pool tournaments on Tuesday nights at 7pm. Free Wi-Fi access. GARDEN OF EDEN 224 Duval St., Key West, FL A Rooftop Bar with the BEST VIEWS in the city & “BEST Long Island Ice Teas made by Melinda!” Gay, straight, fat, or skinny... Doesn’t matter! Clothing optional - gay friendly!
WEST PALM BEACH H G ROOSTERS 823 Belvedere Rd., West Palm Beach, FL Dark bar that attracts a fun party crowd. Camp is in at H.G.'s, where drag shows and bingo nights pack in crowds looking for laughs and fun. THE LOUNGE 517 Clematis St., West Palm Beach, FL Sushi, tropical views and tasty cocktails are accompanied by acclaimed resident DJ Daisy DeadPetals. FORT DIX BAR & CLUB 6205 Georgia Ave., West Palm Beach, FL Mostly local crowd looking to mingle and relax. The bar is a bit on the dark and dingy side, but who knows--that could be a plus.
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OFFICE PUB 3704 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, FL Oldest gay bar in South West Florida with a festive attitude. This bear-friendly Office likes to have fun with underwear parties, drag shows, Wii bowling! Check out their country and western music night on Saturdays.
TUBBY'S 4350 Fowler St., Fort Myers, FL Where men come to compete (in tournaments). "Never a cover... always a smile" Tubby's is a no-frills video bar with a total of 10 TVs and two projection screens available for patrons to use as they wish. Add a six-hour 2-4-1 Happy Hour during the Wii tournaments on the big screen! THE BOTTOM LINE 3090 Evans Ave., Fort Myers, FL This gay entertainment complex is one of the longest running clubs in southwest Florida at over 20 years, The Bottom Line features 7 bars, pool tables, drag shows and occasional guest appearances by porno stars.
VENICE
TOTI: TAVERN ON THE ISLAND IN VENICE 127 Tampa Ave. East, Venice, FL This South Beach inspired gay bar, boasts a dance floor and a game room with pool tables and dart boards. It's clean, the music is mixed and the staff are friendly. A mixed crowd can be found most nights... younger, older (duh, this is Venice), gay and straight. Did you know that in the Caribbean, TOTI is slang for a beloved male appendage? How apropos.
GAINESVILLE
SPIKES 4130 NW 6th St., Gainesville, FL It is a laid-back kind of place, with friendly bar staff. The crowds vary depending on the night. The bar has a nice open air patio area that is rarely used, but would be nice if it was. UNIVERSITY CLUB 18 E University Ave., Gainesville, FL This is a fairly average small college town gay bar. It is usually busy and crowded on Thursday nights.
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ACCOMMODATIONS
EMPLOYMENT JOHNNY's MIAMI LOOKING FOR DANCE MANAGER MINIMUM 2 YEARS EXPERIENCE. GREAT PERSONALITY A MUST. If you have experience in nightclub personnel management… Join our growing team! Send your resume to JohnnysBarMia@gmail.com
DENTAL
COMPUTER SERVICES **OPTIMA** COMPUTER REPAIR - COMPLETE IN HOME SERVICE. Get the best performance, protection & value from your computer investment, *A+ Hardware & OS CERTIFIED. *Friendly, professional, RELIABLE service. Reasonable rates. Call Mike (954) 817-3883
HOME IMPROVEMENT Derek’s 24 HR HANDYMAN SERVICE. Introducing our new cabinet shop! For all your custom made cabinetry countertops laminates. YOU MUST SEE OUR WORK, just ask our clients. All electrical to code; ANY & ALL plumbing work, Drywall finish work / repair. Crown / baseboard pro-install, interior / exterior painting, demo work, Pressure washing, Decor tile install, Complete home up-dates. For large jobs, 4-man crew available. WE CAN HANDLE IT ALL! Instant call back, direct service response. No job is ever too small. Excellent references. Derek (954) 825-5598 PLACE TO PALACE - Home improvement and handyman services. Best rates, and smart solutions. Drywall, Painting, Tile, Doors, Wood Decks, Masonry, Purgolas, and Ceiling Fans. Turn windows into doors! Truck available for yard clean-up or apartment maintenance and moves. FREE estimates! Lic. & Ins. CC#11-FC-16297-X Cert. Ctrl#11-18694 Ben (954)565-9674
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A MIND AT PEACE/ THERAPEUTIC SERVICES/ RON "DOC" CHAMBERS, MSW (954) 627-0103 1975 East Sunrise Blvd., Suite 629 Fort Lauderdale. HIV Related Issues /Anxiety /Depression /Schizophrenia /Relationship Problems /Anger Management Problems /Same-Sex Battering /Domestic Violence. Most Insurance Accepted /Credit Cards Accepted.
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE COMMERCIAL SPACE ON FEDERAL HWY - 4400-5400 SQ FT between Oakland Park Blvd and Commercial Blvd. Can be used for medical or retail! Plenty of parking. $11/SQ FT!!! available now. Call Robert MacKilligan, your life partner in real estate. Galleria Intl Realty (954)234-8759 or rgmsell@aol.com
EMPLOYMENT HAIR STYLIST WANTED!! Be your own boss. Rent a chair at a reasonable price in a cozy salon in Delray Beach on US1. Call (561)909-9055 PT / FT ADVERTISING ASSOCIATE NEEDED - We are a streaming / internet LGBT radio station, south florida based. This a commissioned sales position. For more info do contact us via email; Info.MyGayRadio@gmail.com SALES ASSOCIATES - The Florida Agenda, Mark Magazine, the Hopper, Mark’s List and MyGayRadio.com are looking for dynamic salespeople to join our team. Are you energetic, proactive, and passionate about sales? Then this could be the “Star Role” for you! Seeking true “go-getters” with a great work ethic. Previous sales experience helpful, but not mandatory. Existing accounts available for immediate income. Contact Bobby Blair, Publisher, at 954-336-0436 or email Bobby@bobbyblair.com JOHNNY's MIAMI HUNTING FOR BEARS - GREAT $$$ South Florida's Favorite Male Strip Club is seeking BEAR DANCERS for new Special Event. Great Pay + Tips. Send photo and contact info to JohnnysBarMia@gmail.com
MOVING
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LICENSED MASSAGE
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RENTALS / FTL RIVERLAND-CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN - Efficiency, 1BD, and 2 BD large house w/ pool, new CAC, new kitchen, large family room, dining room & living room, laundry available, large screened porch & private backyard. Call Ed (954)632-6639 WILTON MANORS - EFFICIENCY on quiet cul-de-sac! Great location at 7th and Wilton Drive by the Shoppes of Wilton Manors! Tile floors, A/C, Screened Pool, Laundry on premise, off-street parking, ceiling fans! $625/mo. F/S UTILITIES INCLUDED! Call (954)563-4442 WILTON MANORS WATER VIEW APT. - Nicely Finished 2/1 apartment with private patio, water view, tile floors throughout, newer appliances and W/D in unit. Don't miss out!! Asking $1000. Call Alex, Re/Max Preferred (954)683-4880 FANTASTIC 3/2 - FT LAUDERDALE - features renovated kitchen and baths, den, wood floors, new roof and CAC. Laundry room with W/D. Call today! Asking $1600. Call Alex, Re/Max Preferred (954)683-4880. OAKLAND PARK/LLOYD ESTATES - Water Front Bungalow & pool; Large 1950's style 2/1,terrazzo floors, large kitchen with microwave, icemaker, dishwasher, range, CAC, ceiling fans. Very gay area and pet friendly. It's located on 300' of wide middle river. $1000/mo-F/S and 1/3 of the util. ($175 avg) high speed internet, electric, preferred cable package, free laundry, ample parking, private entrance. (954)249-2009 LAKERIDGE - Cozy Apartment w/ sleeping loft. Full bath & kitchen. Tile floors, ceiling fan, tropical secluded pool & patio area. 1 mile to beach & Wilton Dr. Within Hopper transportation to Wilton Dr. Onsite laundry available. Private off-street parking. Unfurnished. No smoking/pet negotiable. For one quiet person only/no drama. Electric, WiFi, Direct TV, water included. $750/mo. Reduced rent considered in exchange for light yardwork (954)636-9298 SOUTH MIDDLE RIVER - EFFICIENCY - This lovely garden apartment is coming available and ready for occupancy Dec 15th. It features a pool, laundry facilities, parking area and is part of a gay compound with roaming peacocks and friendly neighbors. Your rent includes internet, water and electricity. This apt is for a clean, responsible, working person. 12 mo. lease, $595/mo. (954) 200-0166.
FURNISHED / RENTALS / FTL LICENSED MASSAGE RECESSION RELIEF -$40/90 MINS! Out calls higher. Swedish, Deep Tissue, Specialty Back and Lower Body & Feet. Couples discounts, seniors welcome. Delray Beach, 16 yrs experience. MA 18563. Dennis (561) 502-2628.
PET SITTING
PERFECT RELOCATION RENTALS FROM $295/WEEK With 4 Week Minimum through December. Beautiful Studio, 1 & 2 BR Apts. Turn-key, fully furnished & equipped, clothing optional pool, laundry, parking. Close to Gay & Nude Beaches. Pets Welcome. Incl. utilities, cable, tel., Wi-Fi Internet. 954-927-0090 or visit www.LibertySuites.com
ROOMMATES WILTON MANORS - Looking for someone to share a 2/3 townhouse on the water with fantastic amenities at a reasonable rate. Call (954)873-3889
SPIRITUALITY THE PARISH OF STS. FRANCIS & CLARE 101 NE 3rd Street - just North of Broward Blvd. and E of Andrews Ave. Mass Times: Sat @ 5 PM; Sun @ 10:30 AM; Wed @ 7 PM. Where we welcome and appreciate diversity - a progressive community in the Catholic tradition. (954)731-8173; www.stsfrancisandclare.org DIGNITY FT LAUDERDALE - Roman Catholic Mass every Sunday 7 PM at Holy Angels CC 2917 NE 6th Ave, Wilton Manors. Monthly socials and more. There is always room at our table. Dignityftl@bellsouth.net. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU‌ DIVINE MERCY CHAPEL - The American New Catholic Church 2749 N.E. 10th Ave., Wilton Manors, FL, 33334 (954)567-1930 Sunday Mass 10:30AM, Friday Holy Hour 7:00PM www.newdivinemercy.org CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRITSONG Welcomes you to come and worship with us every Sunday at 10 am and every Wednesday night at 8 pm. We meet at the SpiritSong Worship Center at 2040B North Dixie Highway Suite 3 in Wilton Manors (Building B on Equality Park Campus, behind the Pride Center). God loves you just the way He made you. Come discover His purpose for you. For more info: (954) 418-8372, info@cohss.com, www.cohss.org.
RENTALS / FTL
UPHOLSTERY
ROYAL PARK - Near Wilton Manors 1BR/1.5BA, $825-$900/mo. 2BR/2BA, $950 - $1100/mo. Gated Security, Clubhouse, Pools, Gym, Sauna and Steam room. Pets OK. Cable/Water/Trash included. Call Naim Naqi, Broker/ SFG, Realtors (954)565.2025
GOLD COAST UPHOLSTERY - Re-upholstering, Cushions, Throw pillows, Large selection of fabric to choose from or bring in your own fabric. Broward / Dade. Palm Beach. Call Edgar (954) 491-4937
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