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RAY BOLTZ PERFORMS AT STONEWALL, SUNDAY
LOVE YOUR DADDY! GIFTS FOR FATHER’S DAY STYLE: PAGE 42
INTERVIEW: PAGE 51
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STONEWALL PARADE & FESTIVAL
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Sunday, June 19th, from 4pm until 9pm will be the 2011 Gay Pride Celebration on Wilton Drive. The parade will be led by Thomas Roberts. PAGE 20 n
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RUGBY STAR BEN COHEN Takes his antibullying campaign, StandUp, to the seas for Sauce Events Tenth Anniversary Gay Cruise from Rome to Venice. PAGE 2
Stonewall Street Festival and Parade Gay Pride Lives On In Wilton Manors By JAMES MICHAELS For the first time, the City of Wilton Manors is sponsoring the Stonewall Street Festival and Parade which will be held this Sunday, June 19th. This move followed the collapse of Pride of Greater Fort Lauderdale, which organized the annual festival and parade for the previous 11 years. Up until 1998, Pride South Florida held their annual PrideFest in June; however, that year, citing cooler temperatures and dryer weather plus the possibility of taking advantage of the annual South Florida tourist season, Pride South Florida decided to move the annual PrideFest to the month of February. Upon Pride South Florida’s announcement, a group of people got together for lunch at Georgie’s Alibi and decided to form a second gay pride organization, Pride of Greater Fort Lauderdale, and to hold their own gay pride festival and parade in
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I “HEART” THE 80’S Saturday, June 18th at the Parliament House; 3 DJs, 2 Shows and 1 Huge Dance Party! Be there, or be square! PAGE 48
By ALEX VAUGHN
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SOUND GARDEN T-DANCE Saturday, June 18th, with Hosts Conundrum and New York sensation Frankie Presley performing LIVE. PAGE 41 Courtesy, Zimbio
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Daniel Hay Lewis is HIV Negative
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the month of June. They also decided that, instead of holding their festival in the convention center or a park, they would hold the festival on Wilton Drive with the parade itself going through the festival. Finally, in order to better honor the Stonewall Riots, they decided to name their event the Stonewall Street Festival and Parade. Several other people joined the group, and soon John Boteler, Rocky Bowell, Karl Clark, Terry DeCarlo, Joel Geary, Gretchen Hasselkoff, Bill Huelsman, Bob Kecskemety, Dale Madison, Terry Norman and Tony Ramos started to plan the first Stonewall Street Festival and Parade, scheduled for Sunday, June 25, 2000, hoping to attract 5,000 participants. Planning for the first festival did not go off without a hitch. For one thing, none of the people involved had any experience in holding an
Photo courtesy, BSO
BROWARD COUNTY, FL – Daniel Hay Lewis, charged by the Broward Sheriff ’s Office with criminal transmission of HIV despite the fact that he does not have the virus, is no longer in jail. Michael Rajner — legislative director for the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus and a member of Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti’s Council for Diversity and Equal Opportunity — wrote to The Florida Independent: Sheriff Lamberti called me late [Tuesday] afternoon to advise that tomorrow his office will be requesting the Broward County State Attorney’s Office to drop the charge relating to criminal transmission of HIV. He confirmed the Mr. Lewis’s HIV-test came back negative. Sheriff Lamberti again committed to
review and develop steps to better educate the Broward County law enforcement community on the harmful and stigmatizing impact of HIV-criminalization. The Sheriff ’s Office has yet to respond to allegations that deputies who arrested Lewis lied or details of the sheriff ’s plans to better educate local law enforcement personnel on how HIV is transmitted, especially when criminal transmission of HIV charges are involved. The case of Daniel Hay Lewis, charged with criminal transmission is not unusual. In fact, according to Catherine Hanssens, executive director of the Center for HIV Law and Policy, the United States “prosecutes more people on the basis of their HIV status than any ‘DANIEL HAY LEWIS’ continues on Page 10
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Java Boys Works to Keep Prices In Line WILTON MANORS, FL – Despite the large increases in coffee prices over the last few years, Nicky and Steve Rose, owners of Java Boys located in the Shoppes of Wilton Manors, have vowed not to raise their prices to their customers. Whether you call it global warming or climate change, the weather in Colombia has been hitting coffee aficionados in their wallet, whether it be on the shelves of the grocery store or in coffee shops. Weather has been unusual for the last few years in South America, but particularly in Colombia, the number two exporter of coffee beans to the United States. The mountain climate has been warmer and wetter than usual, retarding growth and enhancing conditions for coffee rust, a fungus that attacks coffee plants. The type of coffee bean grown in Colombia and Brazil, Arabica, is particularly valued for its rich-yetmild flavor and lower caffeine. Yields from Colombia have dropped from 1.58 billion pounds in 2006 to 1.14 billion in 2008, 1.07 billion in 2009 and 1.2 billion in 2010. According to the International Coffee Organization, world stocks are now at their lowest levels in years. “The economy hasn’t picked up that much yet,” said Nicky Rose. “We are doing everything we can to keep from raising our prices to our customers for as long as we can. All our customers are feeling the economy also, so raising our prices wouldn’t be fair to them.” H
“The Shoppes” to Hold Entire Pride Weekend WILTON MANORS, FL – The Shoppes of Wilton Manors on Wilton Drive will be holding a two-day gay pride celebration in their parking lot on both Saturday and Sunday, June 18 and 19. The annual Stonewall Street Festival and Parade will take place on Wilton Drive on Sunday, June 19. This is the first year the popular shopping center, which is home to Georgie’s Alibi, Boom, GayMart, Ball, Humpy’s Pizza, Java Boys, Chic Optique, City/County Credit Union, Tee Jay’s Thai Restaurant and Island City Health and Fitness, will be holding an entire weekend pride celebration. The two day event will include a “Pride Under the Stars” party, with an outdoor large screen television showing music and other videos plus other surprises. For over two years, the businesses in the shopping center have gotten together to throw their own events in the large parking lot. Their monthly Market Bazaar have become a huge success. Last year they held their first outdoor Halloween party and New Year’s Eve party, both of which were highly successful. The business owners are planning to put together a fourth annual
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Instructors Needed for Pride University WILTON MANORS, FL – Pride University, a program at The Pride Center at Equality Park, offers interesting and fun classes. This educational opportunity is designed for people that are life-long learners. The Pride Center is looking specifically for instructors for either the summer (July 11 September 17) or fall (October 3 - Dec 10) quarters that can teach: a beginning computer course, Spanish (all levels), how to reenter the workforce and drawing. If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact Linda Jain at ljain@pridecenterflorida.org. H
“Want to See Our Weiner?” MIRAMAR, FL – Cashing in on the recent news concerning U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner from New York, Spirit Airline is holding a “Weiner Sale”. In their recent email advertisement, they use the subject line “Want to See Our Weiner?” and promoted their $9 fairs which they say are “too hard to resist”. There is also a photograph of a hot dog in the ad. At no time do they actually mention the name of Rep. Weiner in the ad, but the implications are there. H
World Cup Rugby Hero Ben Cohen Cruises for a Cause MIAMI, FL – Retired British Rugby star Ben Cohen is taking his StandUp Foundation’s anti-bullying campaign and Acceptance Tour out to sea this fall on Source Event’s Gay Rome to Venice Cruise aboard the world’s largest sailing yacht, MSY Wind Surf. “I am passionate about standing up against homophobia and feel compelled to take action,” says Ben Cohen, “It is time we stand up for what is right and support young people who are being harmed. Every person on this planet has a right to be true to themselves to love, and be loved, and be happy. I encourage others to stand up with me and make a difference. Stand up for equality, stand up against bullying.” “We’re excited that Ben is joining us on our cruise and to be supporting the work of Cohen’s StandUp Foundation, which is taking a stand against bullying in our LGBT community”, says Craig Smith, Founder of Source Events. Joining Ben as a featured guest speaker on the cruise is world-renowned novelist Armistead Maupin, “Ben is heroic in every in every sense of the word, and I plan to tell him personally when we cruise from Rome to Venice,” says Maupin. Source Events, the Miami-based travel company producing the cruise, speContinues on NEWS on Page 3
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cializes in creating luxury adventurous travel for the gay community and friends. The Rome to Venice Cruise is Source Events’ 10th Anniversary Cruise, and is a private charter of the world’s largest sailing yacht, msy Wind Surf, sailing from Rome to Venice, with ports of call that include: Capri, Taormina (Sicily), Kotor (Montenegro), Dubrovnik and Hvar (Croatia). For more information or to make a reservation for Source Events 10th Anniversary Cruise - Rome to Venice, go to www.SourceEvents.com. Or, call Source Events at 1-888-SOURCE8 (888768-7238) or 305-672-9779 to speak with one of their travel professionals. Current availability is limited. H
Flag Toss ST. PETERSBURG, FL – The Utility Project, a new non-profit that helps people with HIV/AIDS and cancer to pay their utility bills when they are too sick to work, is holding their first major fundraiser at next weekend’s St. Pete Pride. During the pride parade, they will be carrying a 25-foot long Rainbow Flag and they will be asking the spectators to toss their donations onto the flag. This flag was sewn by local craftswoman Joan Bergeron, who they call their own Betsy Ross. The Utility Project plans to hold additional fundraisers in the future. The Utility Project is as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. All contributions are tax deductible. Your donation will be used toward non-medical expenses. One of the
most heart-warming aspects of this foundation is that many of those in need are referred from nurses, other patients, and friends. For more information on The Utility Project, visit them online at www.theutilityproject.org. H
Mona’s Bar Raises Over $7,000 for Veteran Bartender FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Over $7,000.00 was raised Saturday at the retirement party for John Lyons held at Mona’s bar in Fort Lauderdale. Hundreds of friends of the popular mixologist turned out to send John into retirement after over 25 years of bartending at various hot spots; due to poor health, John had to retire after 12 year of tending bar at Mona’s. Mona’s owner Jerry Schultz said of the event, “It was a true love fest for John, as so many members of our community turned out to wish him well.” H
Tracy Morgan
Photo courtesy, Necole Bitchie
Apologizes for Anti-Gay Rant HOLLYWOOD, CA – 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan apologized for a homophobic rant he made in a Nashville con-
cert on June 3. According to Us Weekly, Morgan said: “I want to apologize to my fans and the gay and lesbian community for my choice of words at my recent stand-up act in Nashville. I'm not a hateful person and don't condone any kind of violence against others.” The alleged remarks included that if his son were gay he “better talk to me like a man and not in a gay voice or I’ll pull out a knife and stab that little n****r to death.” It is also reported that he said, “Gays need to quit being pussies and not be whining about something as insignificant as bullying.” He then allegedly said “Gay is something that kids learn from the media and programming.” In response, the Human Rights Campaign said, “Tracy Morgan exercised extremely poor judgment and he did the right thing by apologizing. But that’s just not enough. He’s a role model and Morgan now has a responsibility to make amends for his horribly hurtful and dangerous ‘comedy’ routine. He also needs to go further than his apology and correct the record: no one should feel ashamed because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and they should definitely not become a victim of violence,” said Fred Sainz, HRC vice president for communications. “Words have consequences and Morgan should be held to a higher standard. Until he does something meaningful, his brand will remain tarnished.” Tina Fey, co-star and creator of “30
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Rock” said of her co-star in USA Today: “Stand-up comics may have the right to ‘work out’ their material in its ugliest and rawest form in front of an audience, but the violent imagery of Tracy's rant was disturbing to me ...” She continued, “It also doesn’t line up with the Tracy Morgan I know, who is not a hateful man and is generally much too sleepy and self-centered to ever hurt another person.” H
Virginia Board Votes to Protect Gay Youth RICHMOND, VA – Despite the objection of the Virginia Attorney General’s office, the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice board voted to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation at its facilities. The Virginia Attorney General’s Office said that the board did not have the authority to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation because the AG’s office had not done so. Previously, several attempts to write in the protection have failed. H
Chris Colfer Gets Book Deal H O L L Y WOOD, CA – Glee star, Chris Colfer, who plays Kurt Hummel in Continues on NEWS on Page 7
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t h e popular show, has received a two-book contract. Colfer has already written the first book, called “The Land of Stories,” which is loosely based on fairy tales. Colfer told Entertainment Weekly, “When I was 10 years old, I promised myself that if I ever had the opportunity to write this book, I would jump at the chance. This book has been at the core of my imagination for a long time and I’m excited and nervous to share it.” H
Police Warned Not to Participate in Gay Pride Parade INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The right wing Indiana Family Institute were upset when they found out that, for the first time, the Indiana police force will march in the city’s gay pride parade. According to television station WXIN FOX-59, Ryan McCann of The Indiana Family Institute warned: “The majority of Hoosiers and probably the majority of folks in Indianapolis if they actually went to the gay pride parade and see the activities that goes on there would be shocked to see our taxpayer dollars going to have our men and women in uniform through the police and fire department march in that kind of a parade.” IMPD spokesperson Linda Jackson says the department doesn't think having officers march in the parade is controversial. “I don't think it’s an issue of the politics or an issue of anything like that. This is a parade that we would participate in.” H
Stockholders Hit Target CEO with Questions About Political Donations PITTSBURGH, PA – Stockholders hammered Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel with questions about its political donations to right-wing, antigay political organization MN Forward and its support of an amendment banning same-sex marriage in Minnesota at the company’s annual stockholder’s meeting in Pittsburgh. One stockholder, who holds about $50million in Target shares, said he is “deeply concerned” when he sees his pension investments used unwisely. Other stockholders asked about the donation. Steinhafel stated that Target has changed its process for donations; but some shareholders would like to see a more explicit apology and a broader change from the company. Steinhafel kept trying to change the subject, but stockholders kept coming back to the donations, which led to a national LGBT boycott of the huge retail chain. H
Queer Beer Flies Off Store Shelves WINNIPEG, CANADA – LGBT residents of Winnipeg snapped up bottles of Queer Beer the moment the brew hit the shelves of the local stores.
Half Pints Brewing Co. produced the beer to celebrate the upcoming Pride Winnipeg festival, but the beer’s launch at two city liquor stores Thursday proved so popular that the festival’s entire bottled supply was gone within hours. Speaking to the Winnipeg Sun, “We went through what we had earmarked for the entire festival in about two hours,” said Nicole Rudge, CEO of Half Pints. “We’re working like mad to get additional beer bottled and labeled.” Half Pints put most of its supply into kegs that were set aside for festival events, and those remain. However, it’s the accompanying bottled supply that the brewery is now scrambling to restock. Rudge said the response won’t prompt the brewery to change its mind about keeping Queer Beer a temporary, specialty product. “We’re a small, local, craft brewery. We don’t do mass distribution,” she said. “We have plans on coming back to this next year, but we’re known for doing seasonal beers.” H
Presidential Candidate Declares
Photo courtesy, Next President ‘12
“Homosexuality is a Sin and a Choice”
NEW YORK, NY – Former Godfather’s Pizza CEO and Republican presidential candidate, Herman Caine, has declared that homosexuality is a choice. Cain said, “I believe homosexuality is a sin because I'm a Bible-believing Christian. I believe it’s a sin. But I know that some people make that choice. That's their choice.”H
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a letter to Pope Benedict asking him to put an end to homophobia. The letter was sent the day before the big EuroPride parade took place in Rome. A portion of the letter said: “We appeal to Your Holiness to reconsider the Church’s position on same-sex and transgender relationships and support these relationships being accepted and blessed in the Church. We appeal to Your Holiness to cease to urge Catholics to vote against the law authorizing same-sex relationships. Same-sex and transgender relationships are not dangerous for traditional family existence but in fact support and enhance marriage and family values. LGBT people constitute a small percentage of each population, and their number remains constant.” H
Half of U.S. Forces Have Received Post-DADT Training WASHINGTON, D.C. – Military officials say that over one million members of the U.S. armed forces have completed training on the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” This means that more than half the troops have completed their training. So far, there has been none of the turmoil or consequences predicted by the opponents of the repeal of DADT. During the debate over repealing DADT, opponents said that dropping the ban of gays and lesbians serving in the military would cause resistance, cause enlisted members to quit the military early and a drop in recruiting. One army general has referred to the training as having been a “non-event” and that the military is doing everything they can do to head off problems in training. H
AFA Launches Old Navy Boycott GROVE CITY, OH – The American
Catholic School Bans Rainbows MISSASSAUGA, ONTARIO – The St. Joseph Catholic School in Missassauga told the school’s unofficial Gay-Straight Alliance they couldn’t display any rainbows at their June 3rd anti-homophobia event. The students had already brought the posters and signs with rainbows when they were told they could not put them up. They were told by school officials that rainbows are associated with gay pride. Since rainbows couldn’t be displayed, the students baked rainbows into cupcakes by dying the batter in rainbow colors. The cupcakes sold for 50 cents each and raised almost $200 for charity. H
Christian Gay Group Asks Pope to Stop Homophobia ROME, ITALY – The European Forum for Christian Homosexuals has presented
Photo courtesy, Old Navy Stores
Old Navy is selling Gay Pride T-shirts too. Supply is limited. Check your local Old Navy store for availability. Family Association has called for a boycott against Old Navy clothing stores because the store is planning to sell shirts to benefit the anti-suicide, anti-bullying “It Gets Better” campaign. Buster Wilson, the managing director of AFA’s American Family Radio, said that “this is very irresponsible for Christians to go to Old Navy” because “when you support them you are supporting what God calls an abomination to Him.” The AFA’s most recent boycott against
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Home Depot failed. The organization was against the Atlanta, Georgia-based company’s sponsorship of gay pride parades. H
AARP Launches Website for LGBT Seniors WASHINGTON, D.C. – The AARP announced the launch of a new online Web portal (www.aarp.org/pride) dedicated to serving older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. The organization’s first online home base for the LGBT community reinforces the fact that pride comes in all ages for LGBT members, friends and loved ones. The site features articles on news, personal finance, relationships, travel and other topics of concern to older gay Americans and their family and friends, as well, as a community forum. “We are proud to provide diverse, expert voices on topics that are important to all Americans 50+, including members of the LGBT community,” said Hugh Delehanty, SVP & Editor-In-Chief of AARP’s media properties. “AARP understands that while all Americans 50+ share the same goals of aging with dignity and peace of mind, each of the communities in our lives offers its own challenges, opportunities and contributions towards helping us get there. We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate national Pride month than to launch this portal, which we hope will help members of the LGBT community and their loved ones get access to important information and relevant insights from experts and each other.” H
Wells Fargo Declares Their Busiest LGBT Pride Season Ever SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Wells Fargo & Company (known as Wachovia in South Florida) is gearing up for its busiest LGBT pride season to date. The bank will participate in 40 LGBT pride parades and festivals in 2011, stretching from March through November, with more than 20 in June alone. Wells Fargo sponsored its first LGBT Pride event in San Francisco in 1992. Since that time, the company has continued to broaden its participation, culminating with a presence this year in pride festivals and parades coast to coast, in locales both familiar and surprising. In addition to some of the country’s largest pride festivities taking place in New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., Wells Fargo is also excited to announce support of 2011 LGBT Pride events in Boise, Idaho and Birmingham, Alabama. The iconic Wells Fargo Stagecoach will appear in 22 of these celebrations, making LGBT Pride one of the company’s busiest seasons for stagecoach appearances. Wachovia/Wells Fargo is also a major sponsor of The Pride Center at Equality Park in Wilton Manors. H
Rally at Space Needle to Support Gay Pride SEATTLE, WA – Two drag queens ral-
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event the size and scope of a gay pride parade and festival. Second, all the paperwork required to create a non-profit organization had yet to be approved, so the first festival operated under the cooperation of the Poverello Center. Also, there was some resistance from the Wilton Manors City Commission about holding a gay pride event on Wilton Drive, which was, itself, under construction with widening, repaving and putting in center median strips and the State of Florida’s Department of Transportation had to give their final approval for totally opening Wilton Drive for both the festival and regular car traffic. Tensions ran high, but the state ultimately gave their approval the week before the festival. Finally, there was some community resistance and some organizations that had normally participated in gay pride events rejected the idea of a second gay pride event being held in the area and refused to participate. Making fun of South Florida’s notorious afternoon rain storms and heat, Pride of Greater Fort Lauderdale provided “rain insurance” to participants in the form of rainbow-painted umbrellas which were for sale. The parade ran from Fort Lauderdale High School north to Dixie Highway. The festival, which had a carnival theme, ran only from NE 6th Avenue to NE 9th Avenue. The Wilton Manors Police Department estimated that 7,500 people attended the first Stonewall and the afternoon June rains held out until right after the festival ended. The second year (2001), the festival expanded from NE 21st Court to NE 9th Avenue. Police estimated 10,000 people attended that year despite the rain which started about 1 hour before the scheduled end of the festival. Each year, attendance in the festival grew and the crowds got used to – and even expected – the afternoon rains and the high temperatures. In 2002, the festival was all but totally rained out and in 2009 the temperature in the parking lot at the Shoppes of Wilton Manors was recorded at 104 degrees. Last year, 2010, an estimated 20,000 people attended Stonewall. Though the attendance was the largest ever, the festival lost $30,000. The Stonewall organizers faced last minute expenses and an early morning lightning storm kept the tent company from setting up the festival in time. The overnight weather delay meant that the street bars and ticket booths weren’t completed – only two of the eight bars were complete before the festival and parade started. (The bars are the single largest income producer for the festival.) Pride of Greater Fort Lauderdale attempted to pay the entire debt they owed, but were only able to garner another $10,000 to pay their creditors. Pride of Greater Fort Lauderdale officially closed their doors on October 31, 2010, being one of four gay pride organizations in the U.S. to shut down last year. The City of Wilton Manors was determined to keep the Stonewall Street Festival and Parade alive. In late 2010, the city put out a notice to private promoters to take over the festival. The contract was awarded to Miamibased Wedner & Friends Special Events Management and Marketing, which has an extensive track record in producing GLBT festivals and parties. The combination festival and parade, which has free admission, takes place this Sunday, June 19th, from 4 to 9 p.m. H
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other country in the world.” According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, in 2008 Florida had the largest number of inmates with HIV/AIDS in custody of state or federal prison authorities (more than 3,600). The data shows that while 3.6 percent of Florida’s inmates were HIV positive, the U.S. average was 1.5 percent. On Tuesday, a Broward County court granted a motion filed by public defender Jason Blank agreeing to release Lewis to the services of Pre-Trial Release. The motion said: Defendant’s bonds were increased due to the nature of the charges which Defendant has information to show were falsely alleged. The increase of his bonds goes to show nothing more than a discriminatory practice against those allegedly infected by HIV. Blank told the Independent last week that “it is clear that the officer’s sworn allegations of Daniel’s infection with HIV is not only a lie and highly illegal, but is being used to cover-up the excessive use of force during his arrest.” Hay Lewis, a Hallandale Beach resident was charged with criminal transmission of HIV after allegedly trying to bite a police officer while being arrested for shoplifting. After allegedly trying to steal $12,000 worth of garden products from a Home Depot on May 30, he admitted to stealing the stuff, police say, but didn't exactly want to get arrested.
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According to the police report, Lewis attempted to bite the cop "while knowing he was HIV positive," but it was never explained how they knew that he was HIV-positive. Responding the charges against Lewis, Michael Rajner, legislative director of the Florida GBLT Democratic Caucus, wrote to The Florida Independent: While I do not know Mr. Lewis, nor am I serving as an advocate on his behalf … I’m extremely concerned with the Broward County Sheriff ’s deputy having charged the Mr. Lewis with criminal transmission of HIV. Rajner — a social worker who lives with AIDS — added: I called Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti and an assistant state attorney at the Broward County State Attorney’s Office to discuss the particular statute in question, Florida Statute 775.0877 “Criminal Transmission of HIV; Procedures; Penalties”. Sheriff Lamberti shared my concern that this charge, based on the information provided, did not appear to be appropriate. As often with these kinds of cases, prosecutors employ fear and not science when prosecuting these kind of cases. In my conversation with Sheriff Lamberti, he agreed to develop an initiative to educate his deputies properly on how HIV in transmitted, especially when Florida Statute relating to criminal transmission of HIV. The Sheriff further added that he would also like to approach the police chiefs’ association to ensure local
police departments were better educated. I’m hoping Broward County State Attorney Michael Satz will agree to a similar effort with his assistant state attorneys. Stephen Fallon — president of Skills4, a health care consulting firm — told the Independent that there is extensive research that shows that a bite cannot transmit HIV. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention FAQ explains that “only specific fluids (blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk) from an HIV-infected person can transmit HIV,” and that HIV transmission through a bite is “very rare” In an email, Fallon wrote: As I understand it, the man jailed is being charged with 775.0877 because he bit a police officer. That sort of action would certainly be subject to prosecution as assault on an officer, whether the person biting was HIV+ or HIV-. The language in the statute, though, is vague enough to seem to allow an extra charge because of some presumed threat of HIV transmission. From what I see in the language, the statute is very outdated, as it does not reflect likely transmission risk. (That is, the statute does not delineate between risky types of bodily fluids and fluids that are not risky. Presumably, someone HIV+ could be charged for sweating on another person, or intending to do so, under this statute.) If I were an attorney, I would say that the extra charge against Lewis amounts to prosecutorial hysteria. H
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Take Pride in Your Appearance! One of my favorite lines in a movie is from Miss Congeniality 2, ‘Remember, people only care about people who care about themselves’. It was a clear reference to personal appearance. As the summer draws up upon us, it’s getting hotter and muggier and getting dressed is more of an effort than ever, particular for someone who is not used to the incredible and constant airless heat that IS the Sunshine State. South Florida has pockets, like Miami and Palm Beach, where people are delighted to suffer the heat for the cause of fashion, make a real effort when they go out and are groomed to the hilt. I can fall into those most of the time but, believe it or not, there are many times (like, as I write this sweltering in the heat at 10:25 am) that I would love nothing more than shorts and a tank top – but I wouldn’t though. Fort Lauderdale is not one of these style pockets, with an official uniform of t-shirts or the extremely unflattering tank, flip flops and shorts come day or night, this is one of the most causal places I have ever been. I can’t believe people wear sandals to bars, given the danger of having glass on the floor, the filth that lies on the floors and the fact that it is not night time attire! It is incredibly freeing for the first five minutes, but after that it becomes slobbish and boring. I realize it is hot … BELIEVE ME I DO, but a linen shirt or some slick loafers will bring you up in the style stakes considerably. Now, I am not talking about going to the pool in a full outfit (though if you do, well done!) but seriously, come on guys, if you are having a meeting put a shirt on! Maybe slacks – sure it’s hot, get over it. If you don’t take pride in your appearance, how can you expect people to take you seriously? A first impression – like virginity – is not something you can get back once it’s been made, so you better make sure it was a good one. The irony is it really isn’t difficult to be well presented; it doesn’t involve expensive clothes, spa days or heaps of jewellery. It is much more simple: a clean shirt or t-shirt
Alex Vaughn that actually fits, shorts that don’t look like they are older than the boy you are trying to woo and put it together with at least a vague sense of color co-ordination. I mean, honestly, red and green check shorts and a blue tshirt? We all know the symbol of Pride is a Rainbow, but must you create such sartorial sins as clashing colors all in the name of being ‘casual and comfortable’? Please would someone explain when comfort translated directly to an apparent lack of care? As someone who doesn’t feel comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt, (chicken legs and round necks, which is all there seems to be around make my face look round!) I am much more comfortable sweltering privately in my linen. I believe that’s the way to go. I accept my way of thinking is not the norm here, but please don’t tell me occasionally you like to see a man who paid a passing attention to what he put on and doesn’t look like someone threw it at him! Aside from the clothing situation, there is the case of basic grooming. Now, some go for it, others don’t, but some minor tweaks here and there will show people that you do care about your appearance and, by that token, take pride in yourself. Get a manicure – men’s nails indicate hygiene and are a basic. If you live in flip-flops, which I am sure 90%
Letters to the Editor In response to the Editorial by Alex Vaughn, “Cheater Cheater”, in the Florida Agenda, June 9th. DEAR EDITOR, I read with interest your latest article on the effects of cheating. Enjoyed it very much. I had a loving faithful relationship of 16 years to a guy who understood that monogamy wasn't a type of wood that Ethan Allen uses in its furniture line (lol). From the very first day we met, it was "please" and "thank-you". Each night before we went to bed, one of us would turn to the other and say "thank you for being in my life today." And, yes Alex, I know that our relationship was rare and beautiful. When I casually mention of my extraordinary relationship to guys, they look at me in disbelief. No matter. And, just before he died, Joe said to me ... you are a wonderful loving giving man. I want you to meet someone again if you so choose and make them as happy as you've made me. BUT when I die, I take your heart with me; no one will ever get that. And, in 11 years, I have only had one
of you reading this do, get a pedicure once a month, it’s not expensive and will get those foot fetishists all hot and bothered to match the obscene temperatures! If you look more like Brooke Shields, Bert from Sesame Street or Frida Khalo, get your eyebrows done! You don’t have to have that over sculpted look or the drag queen arch, but seriously they are called eyebrows … there should be two of them! Then, there is your hair. If you have some, then you need to take a little extra care. As the weather heats up, it becomes increasingly difficult to remain groomed. I noticed this last week when my hair had taken on the texture of the scarecrow; dry, over processed (I blame myself for that one!) and matted. Not a good look, nor one I intended to keep. So, I took myself down to Miami to the amazing 1160 Salon in Bay Harbour for a day of R&R – Repair and Relaxation. Chris, my stylist, saw the tragedy my hair had become and got started straight away. After having my highlights lightened, I was treated to a Keratin treatment – it made my hair manageable and it looked like ‘I was worth it,’ rather than a street person! A manicure and a tidy up in general, and I was ready to go. People notice, trust me. Do the same: Get prepared for the ever-present frizz brought on by the festive humidity we are facing. It’s an investment, but will make your hair manageable and, with good hair, you really will always look groomed, so much so that you could even be forgiven the kaleidoscope of Abercrombie and Hollister you insist on wearing! Pride weekend is upon us and it will be HOT, so sure wear shorts and t-shirts, you can even be festive, get all the colors of the rainbow out of your system! But, remember: A bit of grooming and a touch of style will make you stand out in a good way, because you should not only show you are proud of your sexuality, but of yourself and no one can fail to be turned on by that!
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Alex Vaughn is the Editor-in-Chief of the Florida Agenda. He can be reached at editor@FloridaAgenda.com
Please send all your comments and letters to Editor@FloridaAgenda.com
two-year relationship with a guy who couldn't commit much less make me the priority. His priorities were (1) himself, (2) tennis (3) his Downs-Syndrome younger brother (4) me. And that led me to coin the phrase ... Never make anyone your priority when all they can do is make you their option! ROBB
DEAR EDITOR, In Florida each year, over 9,000 youth are placed into foster care because they experience neglect, abuse, or abandonment. Their families are in crisis and their parents are in need of assistance in order to get their lives back on track. The youth are in need of a temporary place that they can call home. Through my work with these young people, I know how resilient they can be. Foster youth have an extraordinary capacity to overcome many challenges, but only if they have the support of a caring adult in their lives. What sets foster parents apart is their amazing ability to love a foster youth like one
of their own, regardless of whether the youth lives with them for a month or for more than a year. Foster parents are a vital resource for these youth as they wait in limbo, between a painful past and an uncertain future. The National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) trains, licenses and manages foster parents and homes for youth who are involved in the child welfare system in Broward County. Although there are many wonderful foster parents in Broward, there is a tremendous need for more. If you have ever thought about becoming a foster parent or would just like to talk to us to learn more about the benefits and rewards of fostering, we would love to talk to you. You have the power to do something positive that will change the life of a young person in foster care. Please give us a call at (877) 692-7226 or locally at (954) 596-5284 or visit www.nyap.org. SINCERELY, WILLIAM A. GRIER
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EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief ALEX VAUGHN News Editor BOB KESCKEMETY Proof Editor BOB YOUNG Contributers: KEVIN MILLER, TOM BONANTI, SAM KNEW, MICHAEL FRENCH, TIM SLIVINSKI, PAUL RUBIO, JAMES MICHAELS, ERIC CHRISTIAN, WARREN DAY, AJ CROSS, THE OBSERVATIONIST, SHANE PHOENIX, & CLIFF DUNN Photographer STEPHEN R. LANG
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DISPLAY AD DEADLINES: Placement by Mondays, 5 p.m. Camera Ready Artwork by Mondays, Noon CLASSIFIED AD DEADLINES: Placement by Mondays, 5 p.m. Artwork by Mondays, Noon 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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The Observationist
Wham, Bam, Thank You Ma’am! Okay, before I even start this column, I want to make sure that I'm clear with everyone on something: I am not a whore. Sure, just like any other good natured gay guy, I've had my share of one night stands and 7-way gangbangs, but I don't feel like that qualifies as me as a “Grade-A Skank”. Here's my rule of thumb: If my sexual forays don't shock my Great Aunt Chloe, then it can't be that bad. Thankfully, my Great Aunt Chloe is a fairly open-minded individual, but considering that she used to run a brothel between the years of 1942 and 1957, I guess it shouldn't be that surprising. With that said, I think we can all recognize that sometimes we go out, drink a few too many Tom Collins cocktails and make decisions that lead us to waking up next to a total stranger. It's okay! There's no need to be ashamed. Everyone has been there, and if someone says they haven't, well, I would point my finger in their face and call them either a dirty, little liar or Representative Anthony Weiner. The point being, I would totally dismiss them for telling me the truth. So, now that we've all admitted that we've made mistakes in the past, I think it's important to realize that unless we stop drinking booze (HA! Yeah right!), we're probably going to repeat these mistakes again at some point in our lives. But what is one to do when they wake up next to that
stranger in bed? How do you make a situation that is totally awkward become not awkward? Well, if you take heed and listen to my advice, I might just be able to help you out in those very touchy situations. Situation #1 - You wake up in a (not so hot) stranger's bed: Okay, this is actually the best situation you can be in. Let's pretend that you wake up next to someone that you mistake for being physically deformed. While during the night before you thought you were going to hook up with Hugh Jackman's doppelganger, it is probably quite a bummer to wake up and realize that you may have had relations with Hugh Jackman's one-chromosomemissing twin. For the time being, refrain from embracing that feeling of ickiness and realize that you just need to get the F out of there and fast! My excuse? I always just tell the person that I have a pet at home that will probably die of starvation unless I get back soon. If the funny looking fellow tries to insist on you staying for just a little longer, you can always tell them that you've already had some run-ins with the Humane Society and you really don't need another mishap. Most likely they'll understand and let you leave. When you get home, shower immediately. If necessary, you can use your tears as body wash. Situation #2 - A (not so hot) stranger wakes up next to you in your bed: This sit-
uation is way worse than situation #1. Rather than being able to give some lame excuse to get out, you now have to think of some lame excuse to make the person want to leave. In these situations, I usually try to think of ways that I can disgust the person into thinking they need to go. Some things that have worked well include saying that you have to get them out before your boyfriend comes home, feigning explosive diarrhea, or telling the stranger that they might want to see a doctor sometime soon. All these stories make you appear to be offputting (and kinda gross), which is just the right thing to do in order to make them want to leave. Situation #3 - A hot stranger wakes up next to you in your bed: This is awesome. You may not really know what happened last night but, by golly, you did something right. Maybe it was the extra spray of Cool Water cologne or that dead-on impression of Little Edie from Grey Gardens that you did but, regardless of the catalyst, you somehow managed to pull some sweet ass. Assuming you don't want the angel to leave so quickly, you need to think of a way to try to ensnare the person into your web of love. While tying them up with bungee cords may seem like a good idea at the time, let me tell you that executing such an idea will only end up getting you accused of a Class B felony. Instead, maybe offer to
make breakfast for your guest, and if you have zero culinary skills, then suggest going to brunch. If you do the latter, try to take your date to a brunch with mimosas. Who knows? Maybe a few cocktails can help you get a repeat of last night by midafternoon! Situation #4 - You wake up in a hot stranger's bed: Default into lesbian mode and try to move in before they have a chance to object. If necessary, start crying and tell them that you're pretty sure that the both of you were destined to be soul mates. This won't be weird at all. There you have it! You now have a solution for all the possible awkward situations that you can find yourself in. Now, if for some reason you find yourself in a unique situation where none of the above four scenarios fit your case, then I suggest always keeping an emergency kit on you. This emergency kit means you have a cell phone, a local cab company's number and money for the fare. No matter what, the combined power of these things can always help to either get you the hell back home or send your date on their merry way. Just make sure to always be safe in all your adventures! H
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The Observationist is the community at all times to provide you with a unique point of view. To contact him, email Editor@FloridaAgenda.com
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OPINION
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Condos or Single Family Homes: Which One is For You? By RICK GIBSON
“Some people choose to live by complaining. Other people choose to live.” – Dr. Shad Helmstetter The pros and cons of each – condos and single family homes – remind me a bit of people who prefer dogs over cats or the other way around. The difference, of course, is that we do not live in our pets, but our pets live with us. I think people who think they do not like cats or dogs have just not been exposed to the right ones could change their minds quickly. Similarly, there are strong preferences by some people toward single family homes over condos that make asking this question interesting, considering we really are not supposed to know exactly what we want, but rather that is what “shopping” for homes is about. If you are a person that, for whatever reason, prefers condos over single family or vice versa then it’s simple … it’s your home, after all. If there was one difference that comes to mind when I meet a client who is unsure, especially when they are buying a second home, it would be the “relative privacy”. In my opinion, there is significantly more “privacy” in single family home living than in condos and you can create as much independence there as you desire with landscaping, fences and more. Condos, by definition, are part of an “association” and so are part of a “group” of units that share common areas, land (usually), and walls and floors. If you are a person that simply does not want to have “rules and regulations,” then you may want to stick to single family. However, if it is only the “hallways” and “feeling” of being in a complex that bothers you, then there are complexes that have catwalks or open walkways that could overcome this particular concern. If you like some parts and not others of the condo lifestyle, then townhomes could be a perfect compromise. Independence is an interesting benefit to both single family homes and condos, but in different ways. For some people who travel a lot, condos may not “be” independent, but allow them as owners to live with independence, and not enslaved by thoughts of their pool maintenance, landscaping or any type of upkeep or personnel. These people might rather pay for maintenance and not think about their yards or pool. Of course, if you are unsure you can have it both ways … you can have a single
family home and hire people to maintain your pool, lawn or a property management company to cover every possible concern. The benefit to independence of single family is that you will not generally have any “rules and regulations”. So, if you have disdain when neighbors park in their yards, or have living room furniture on their front porches, you need to study the neighborhood you buy in or accept that rules and regulations can be very “good” things, and not the perceived negatives the words imply. Rules, if they protect a common interest, serve us all very well and improve your quality of life. Those are a few of the broad concepts and benefits to condos and single family homes. Next, there are some very specific ones that may be “deal-killers” for you. Please do not spend your time looking at condos until you first decide if you must have a washer/dryer in your unit, as opposed to common laundry; if you want the freedom to lease out your property the first year you purchase; or if you have pets. If pets are a big part of your lives, then start there. If your pet weighs 26 pounds and you need to be under 25 pounds, then that could be one big pound when it comes to making a decision. Regardless of which one you choose, use a Realtor® that does not only show you want you “think” you want, but opens your mind to obstacles you may learn later and points out benefits of options you may not have considered. Your home is your retreat and “safe place,” so please don’t compromise on what is most important to you as an individual, couple or family. H
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Rick Gibson is a Realtor®, Re/Max Preferred and Managing Member, Gibson Group Property Management, LLC. He can be reached via email at rickginfla@aol.com
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Wilton Manors Stonewall Festival Congratulations to COPYthis! WILTON MANORS, FL – Sunday, June 19th 4pm - 9pm on Wilton Drive from Five Points to NE 20th Street Entrances at North and South end of the festival only-side streets closed to entry RAIN OR SHINE (pray for shine, please!) Hosts include: Doria Biddle, producer and co-host, has written for MTV, the popular animated series Rugrats and Recess, and offered her slyly funny commentary on various talkinghead programs. She also served as an editor at Teen Magazine, where she learned all about boys and makeup. Frank DeCaro, writer/performer and host of The Frank DeCaro Show every weekday on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. He is best known for his six-and-a-half-year stint as the flamboyant film critic on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and his pioneering gay memoir, “A Boy Named Phyllis.” Comic Keith Price is now the first out African-American personality on satellite radio. As co-host and associate producer of the internationally popular Morning Jolt with Larry Flick on SIRIUS XM Satellite’s OUT Q station, Keith gets to share his viewpoints and brand of humor on current events with the world, while also interviewing some of the most iconic and news making figures of pop culture and entertainment.
Parade & Entertainment The Twilight Parade is at 6:30PM with Grand Marshall Thomas Roberts, Award winning journalist and NBC Anchor. There will be events from 4PM at the Manor/New
Moon Stage including DJ Shane Phoenix and The Black Cat Fashion show The entertainment at the Here Media Stage also begins at 4PM and includes Richard Cortez, DJ Sous and Nikki Adams.The Sidelines Stage Schedule kicks off with DJ Maximus 3000 and also includes Dame Edna and Ray Boltz! Stonewall Street Festival & Parade and the City of Wilton Manors thank all the performers and DJ’s who are taking part with Pride in this community event. All performances are subject to change. The full parade and entertainment schedule is available at www.stonewallwiltonmanors.com.
Luminary Couples A truly exciting addition to this year’s Pride festivities... the innovation of Luminary couples! Years ago, ago it was hard to lead an open life as a same-sex couple. In order to honor those couples who had to keep their relationships closeted and secret, Stonewall National Museum and Archives is hosting an exhibition of a selection of these long-term couples who have lit the way for future generations, something for which the GLBT community is truly grateful. Visit the Stonewall National Museum & Archives exhibit, sponsored by Gables Wilton Park and Creative Arts Enterprises, at 2190 Wilton Drive in The Gables, from June 9th to the 19th, to see the Luminary Couples, Stonewall Museum & Archives and Names Project Exhibits. H
Celebrating Four Years on the Drive Bruce Bogan has much to celebrate this Pride Sunday. It marks the four year anniversary of his very successful printing company, COPYthis, on Wilton Drive. He says, “I grew up with this, my grandfather and father were printers. I took over my father’s business in New York. I’ve been printing for 40 years. I did design work before computers came and before fax machines. My first fax machine was $1200 and I had one of the first computers – an IBM system 30 – in the 1990’s.” When asked why he decided to move to Fort Lauderdale, he jokes saying, “Wilton Manors needed me!” He then gets serious and explains, “9/11 killed New York. My father wanted me to move here and I wanted to move here. I wanted it all, the house, picket fence and someone to share it with.” So he took the move and, in time for Pride, he found his store and signed the lease and got the keys on the same day. Initially, it was slow, so he continued to print for WPLS, the largest Afro-American radio station in NYC and a client list that has names that would blow you away (Harry Winston, McDonalds, Donna Karan even Martha Stewart). Day after day, he kept working for his clients in New York. Then, little by little, he got introduced to people. He says with a smile that on his opening “George [Georgie’s Alibi] sent me a plant over to welcome me to the neighborhood. He started giving me work and it snowballed.”
How has he been successful in such a difficult economic climate? Simple. he says. “I know what I do and how to do it. MY reputation precedes me, you could say. The best advertising is word of mouth and I love what I do. I love to work – I could live here in my store!” So is he excited for Sunday? “Yes! It is all because of my father. I want him to come on Sunday. It’s my four year anniversary. I’m still here even in this economy!” He says for the future in a perfect world, “I would like there to be another COPYthis – my dream would be to have them all over the country.” H
www.JumpOnMarksList.com • Nearly a Decade of Stability and Results
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OPINION
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Cross-Eyed
NOTIFICATION By AJ CROSS The smell of bacon and eggs crept into my bedroom. I looked over at my alarm clock and exhaled, realizing that it was 5:10am and I had chickens, cows and horses to tend to. As I put on my sandals, bathrobe and glasses, I started walking down the old creaky wooden stairs that led right into my kitchen. As I neared the bottom of the steps, I could see my mother at the refrigerator pulling out the orange juice. She turned around with a smile and said “good morning sweetie”. It was still too early for me to use my vocal chords, so I simply nodded and smiled back at her and took my seat at the table. As I began to dig in to the amazing smelling pancakes and eggs on my plate, she slapped my hand lightly and told me to wait for dad and prayer. Though my personal beliefs often excluded the need for such rituals, I wouldn’t dare disobey or disrespect my mother, so I put down my fork and waited for about five minutes until my dad made his way inside the house and to the kitchen table. He had already been at work for an hour before I woke up, handling other farm chores he would not yet entrust to me. He washed his hands at the sink and sat down across from me, not saying any-
thing other than asking my mom to sit down so we could say grace. As my mother sat, we all grabbed hands and my father said “Lord thank you for giving us working hands to be able to provide this food; thank you for giving us working eyes to see the beauty of your creations and thank you for giving us working hearts to feel and share your love”. We let go of one another’s hands and finally started to eat. My mother, as usual, had very little to say while my father started questioning when I was going to take after my older brother Logan and join the Army and get some “discipline”. It was not enough that I woke up every day before the crack of dawn and completed two hours of chores before going to school and then heading to my job at the Save Smart Shopping Store until 9pm. My father believed that “real men” fought for their country. His speech was interrupted by the sound of knocking at the front door. I quickly got up and went to the door before my mom or dad had a chance to react. I opened the door and standing in front of me was a man and a woman in green military uniforms. The woman asked for my father by name. I asked what they wanted and the woman simply replied
Photo courtesy, AJ Cross
that she could only speak to my father. I called to my father, who came to the door pushing me aside. He said “I’m Joe Miller”. The woman took off her cap placed it under her left arm and said, ”Mr. Miller; on behalf of the Secretary of the Army, we want to extend our sincerest condolences for the loss of your son Staff Sergeant Logan Miller, who was killed during a tank explosion at approximately 3:30am”. My father stood at the door as if he had not heard what she just said. My stomach began to turn and I actually began to lose my balance and had to hold onto the door. My father asked her name and she replied “Sgt. Green”. He then asked her to repeat herself and, before she could even reply, my father moved me away from the door and closed it in her face. I tried to grab him, but he just pulled away
from me and went back to the kitchen. Seconds later, I heard my mother scream and I ran into the kitchen and watched as my father held my mother in his arms trying to keep her from collapsing on the kitchen floor. Since that morning when I was told I would never see my brother Logan again, I have had the same question in my mind: If one day the President, while sitting in the Oval Office, received a visit from two Military Officers who gave him notification that his baby was dead, would that finally bring an end to our leaders so willingly sending our children into senseless battles? How tragic that we live in a world where the military has positions where the only mission is to notify a mother, father, wife, husband or, in my case, a brother that they will never see their loved one again. H
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THE STYLE VOICE OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY
Home | Dining | Profile | Style | Travel | Recipe | Fitness | Out In Florida | Film | Bar Guide | The Scoop | Nightlife
WHAT’S INSIDE?
Ray Boltz
n this week's packed issue of Style & Entertainment we have a great Profile on a few of those chosen to be “Luminary Couples” for this years’ Stonewall Festival, we also try out some great bar food in Dining, get ready for Father’s day with the top Gifts for Dad in Style.
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New Life, New Career, New Hope Interview PAGE 51
Shane Phoenix talks truth with Ray Boltz and his upcoming performance at Stonewall in our Interview this week. We take action for Pride in Home and Pride in ourselves in Fitness. We also have a complete statewide Bar Guide covering all of Florida from Jacksonville to Key West! In addition to a movie review of the upcoming new release “The Beginners” in Film we have your favorites, Recipe, The Scoop and Travel. And finally, to commemorate this Sunday’s upcoming Stonewall Festival & Parade, we have a letter from the Mayor of Wilton Manors and a piece on the Stonewall riots in our special Stonewall feature. Enjoy! H – AV
Bar Dining The Hottest New Area to Eat
Dining PAGE 45 Son Straight, Father Gay The Film of 2011
Film PAGE 46
Sauce Marchand de Vin Stylish Gifts For Daddy
Style PAGE 42
Recipe PAGE 45
Light of Love Luminary Couples
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PROFILE
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Luminary Couples A Shining Example of Ever Lasting Love 30 Years
them for hope, the prognosis was gloomy. tionship. For us, there were a number of jewelry business. During our years They refused to consider the possibility factors, including each of us having lov- together, we were fortunate to do some Laurie Whittaker & Jennifer Morales of failure in both health and ing, supportive, and non-judgmental traveling to Europe with friends and in business, so off they went families, We also had careers that both of family. Through the years, we have given to open what is now one of the us enjoyed which allowed us to live and time to our LGBT community by particimost popular gay sports bar continue to enjoy a wonderful and stimu- pating in HIV/AIDS education and in Wilton Manors, FL – lating lifestyle. In addition, we have World AIDS Day events. always embraced a comfortSidelines Sports Bar. Jennifer and Laurie’s hap- able balance of both straight piness is insurmountable as and gay friends across many recently they renewed their age groups. Our younger vows with a fabulous event at friends keep us in the Pier 66. “When Jennifer got moment and on our toes. We have actively been sick, I made her promise me Laurie Whittaker & Jennifer Morales, Then & Now three things. Fight the good involved in supporting local fight. Never give up, and give gay charities that have been The affection and dedication that Laurie and Jennifer express for each me all the sex I want.” In business and in additionally helpful in keepother while telling their story is infec- love, these wise women will win you over ing us connected to our community and in turn to each tious and certainly a prime reason for as they have each other. Carol Lambert & Patty Harris, Then & Now other. the success of their 30 year relationship. Life was wonderfully simple until 2001 In a more personal vein, we think We met on October 18, 1980 through some of the reasons we have remained a when, just after retiring from teaching, mutual friends at a party. We did the les- Brian McNaught and Ray Struble happy and contented couple Carol suffered a nearly fatal brain bian U-Haul thing and moved in together for these many years are aneurysm. Carol was airlifted to another within a week. Whether Jennifer or because of our mutual city and endured several weeks in intenLaurie said this is unimportant, they are respect for each other, having sive care and was finally moved to an two happy voices of one beautifully many common interests such inpatient rehabilitation facility near our fused woman. Theirs is the only long as gardening, traveling, and home. After three months, Carol was term relationship either has ever had. the arts. Most of all, we enjoy back home and we began our efforts Their union has not been without its having the pleasure of our together to continue Carol’s rehabilitatrials. When their parents found out friends joining us for leisure- tion. With Carol’s courage and our dediabout the relationship that Christmas, ly luncheons or dinner in cation to each other, life is becoming Laurie’s Irish Catholic family shunned some of our favorite restau- wonderfully her, and Jennifer’s family reacted with simple once again. It was more than a rants in Ft. Lauderdale. denial. The couple proceeded to solemBrian McNaught & Ray Struble, Then & Now Throughout these many years little bump in the road and our life was nize their relationship in 1981 at the Ray Struble and I met in Boston on I guess we could say that part of our suc- dramatically altered, but we are so MCC church in Tallahassee. Their famiMay 4, 1976 through Dignity, the gay cess together is due to our trust, respect, thankful that we have been given the gift lies have long since discarded their misgivings, preferring to love and accept Catholic organization. This month, we a sense of humor, and even sometimes, of more time to share our wonderful life celebrated our 35th anniversary. We forgiveness. Our love and devotion for – a life that is filled with laughter, friendthem completely. Along the way, Jennifer acquired a divide our year between Ft. Lauderdale, each other has helped us maintain a ship and commitment. The “then” photo is Thanksgiving, degree in music. Here, Laurie jumps in where I’m an active member of the board happy and enduring relationship. 1985, when my father first to say “Jennifer had a hell of a voice. of directors of the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, and Provincetown, accepted our relationship and That’s how the woman got to me, she where I do a television program entitled personally invited Carol to sang like a songbird.” join the family for holiday In 1989, the couple moved to Fort “Stonewall Portraits: Profiles in Pride.” I’ve been an educator on gay, lesbian, dinner. I believe this photo Lauderdale. Jennifer began a career in captures how truly happy we the tourism industry and Laurie entered bisexual, and transgender issues since I was fired for being gay 37 years ago. I were to enjoy Thanksgiving law school, eventually joining her with a loving and accepting father’s practice. About her work as a have six books, six DVDs, a web guide for corporate managers, and a blog that family. lawyer, Laurie says “In criminal law you The “now” photo is a recent see bad people on their best behavior. In appears in three newspapers and two cruise we enjoyed with family law, you see good people on their web sites. My latest blog on Ray’s and my relationship is attached. friends. This photo captures worst behavior.” Dr. Robert Collier & Charles Hunziker, Then & Now Ray was one of the first openly gay the fun, love and happiness When her father died in 1999, Laurie For young adults already involved in a we continue to share today. began to desire a serious career change. people on Wall Street. He was a managWe look forward to celebrating each It had always been their dream to own ing director at Lehman Brothers. We’re committed relationship, it does take both from families of seven Irish more than simply “romantic ideas of and every day together and would love the kind of friendly and inclusive bar that Sidelines has become. They brought Catholic kids, he in Kansas and me in love” and “great sex” to sustain a long- someday to marry and have our devotion Michigan. term commitment. If each partner to each other recognized in the eyes of to the new venture some experience. We had a civil union in Vermont on strives to become a better person, the the law. H Jennifer had been a head bartender and Laurie had been a waitress at a bar our 25th anniversary, and were married rest will fall into place. Remember too, it in Orlando, called Southern Nights (now in Canada in 2003. We’ve always been is quite wonderful to have someone who Visit Stonewall National Museum & Revolution). They were determined to open about our relationship. I write will always be there for you. Is it worth about it in length in my most recent the effort? Absolutely . “Go for it”! Archives exhibit sponsored by Gables make their own bar comfortable and one Wilton Park and Creative Arts with no room for standing, posing or giv- book, Are You Guys Brothers?
35 Years
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ing attitude. Their plans were complicated by a serious illness that beset Jennifer. She developed pulmonary hypertension and a progressive neurological condition called ataxia that impacts balance and movement and has left her in need of a walker. Doctors have told her to expect her mobility to deteriorate, and as often as Laurie looked to
48 Years
Dr. Robert Collier & Charles Hunziker Well, here we are, 48 years later, living happily together in Fort Lauderdale! We’ve had 14 lovely homes during our past 48 years together and loved them all. We have often been asked is there a secret to having a long-term happy rela-
26 Years
Carol Lambert and Patty Harris We first met in 1980 and began sharing a beautiful life together in 1985. We are proud and happy to say that we just celebrated our 26th anniversary on May 25th, 2011. In the beginning of our relationship, Carol enjoyed her teaching career, while Patty worked in her family
Enterprises at 2190 Wilton Drive in The Gables between June 9-19 to see more shining Luminary Couples, Stonewall Museum & Archives and Names Project Exhibits. Photos courtesy, Stonewall National Museum & Archives
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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 North Andrews Avenue, 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 (in case things go really well during Sunday and Wednesday karaoke). Friendly vibe, poolside. DUDES 3270 N.E. 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 S.W. 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 meringue every weekend in the Latin Quarter!). Live dancing and dining. 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. MONKEY BUSINESS 2740 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale Cozy neighborhood bar. Karaoke, drag shows, Patio Bar – and open at 9 a.m. daily. 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. NAKED GRAPE 2039 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.
FLORIDA BAR GUIDE
PJ’S CORNER POCKET 924 N. Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale Interracial Private Social Club. Bottle club memberships. Get your groove back on Wednesday nights with $2 drinks. RAMROD 1508 N.E. 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?).
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.
ROSIE’S BAR & GRILL 2829 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale Nexus of the A-Gay List. Be Seen in the Scene (without making one). Food, folks, libations, and a killer Sunday Funday.
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.
SCANDALS SALOON 3073 NE 6th Avenue, 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.
VLADA LOUNGE 3215 NE 2nd Ave.,Miami Urban, sophisticated and chic in Midtown Miami with a bar that ices over. New York pedigree meets Miami attitude. Nightly DJs, never a cover.
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. 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. VOODOO LOUNGE 111 S.W. 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. 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.
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. 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. CLUB SUGAR 2301 S.W. 32nd Ave., Miami Gay Latin scene, with Salsa, Merengue, Reggaeton, Hip Hop and House music always playing. DISCOTEKKA 950 NE 2nd Ave., Miami Hot music, hot scene, hot bartenders, and hot patrons in the hot heart of Downtown Miami. 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. 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.
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 West Church Street, 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, 7:30PM. 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. New Phoenix 7124 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, FL Winter Park’s ONLY Gay & Lesbian Bar. Been There Forever! Karaoke every Tuesday and Friday at 9pm. Drag shows every Saturday night. Home of the $1 Jello shots. 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. Savoy Orlando 1913 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL “The hottest” gay bar and nightclub in Orlando. The MEN OF SAVOY Dancers from 6PM til 2AM every night in the main bar! Video Bar, Pool Tables. 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 9PM and drink specials every day til 9PM. Bar Codes (formerly Bear Bar) 4453 Edgewater Drive, 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.
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City Side 3703 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, FL Tampa Bay’s “Best Happy Hour” til Midnight every night of the week. Metro Station 900 North Dale Mabry, Tampa, FL Happy Hours at Metro Station start at 3PM weekdays and Saturdays, Sundays starts at 1PM. Thirsty Tuesdays, Flavored Martini’s on Wednesdays and turn up the heat on Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday with Hot Dancers. Midtown Tavern 9002 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, FL Neighborhood Bar / Lounge. Known for having the best amateur strip contest in Tampa. GBar 1401 E 7th Ave, Tampa (Ybor City), FL Dance Club & Video Bar. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 4PM til 3AM. No cover before 10PM, $5 after with ID. Valentines Nightclub 7522 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa, FL Voted #1 Nightclub in Tampa. Open 7 days a week 3PM to 3AM. 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. Keith's Bar 14906 Nebraska Ave., Tampa, FL Your friendly neighborhood gay bar. Offers pool, darts, and friendly gay country boy conversation. Key West Style patio. Happy hour every day opening till 8 on well and call with $2 longnecks. Never a cover charge. Ki Ki Ki III 1908 West Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL One of The Oldest Bars (beer and wine). A plain bar without pretention with it’s share of young regulars. Rainbow Room 421 S. MacDill Avenue, 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 Avenue 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 11AM to 9PM. Saturday Happy Hour ($1 off) 11AM to 9PM. Gemini Lounge 2315 Central Avenue, 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 Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL Fun, friendly, laid-back atmosphere where you can get great drinks at cheap prices! Drama free! Happy Hour daily from 2PM til 9PM. Haymarket Pub 8308 4th Street 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 Street 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 Avenue, 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
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.
Cold Keg NightClub 4060 West New Haven Avenue, Melbourne, FL Largest Gay Club in Melbourne Florida and the Premier Gay Bar & Nightclub in Brevard County.
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.
Ultra Lounge 407 Brevard Avenue, 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 Street, 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 Avenue, 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! A J's Bar & Grill 10244 Atlantic Boulevard, 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 Street, 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 Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL A neighborhood bar. Everyone is welcome, but remember it is a girls bar! Beer and Wine only. 616 Bar 616 Park Street, 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 Street, 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 Avenue 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 Avenue, Jacksonville, FL This club offers good crowds every night. Recently remodeled with 3 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 Street, 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 3-8pm, and a piano sing-a-long every Wednesday night. Men dancing for men after 10PM. Weekly drink specials and "Wet Jockey" contests on Fridays. Saloon One 801 Duval Street, Key West, FL (Behind 801 Bar) This is the only gay leather bar in Key West. Conveniently located in the Bourbon Street Pub Complex.
PENSACOLA
La Te Da 1125 Duval Street, Key West, FL An upscale hotel complex with 3 bars, cabaret and restaurant.
The Roundup 560 East Heinberg St, Pensacola, FL A neighborhood gay men’s bar... Pensacola’s Cowboy Bar. Open 2PM til 3AM 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 11AM - 8PM. 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 3-8pm 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 Street, 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 Road, 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 Street, West Palm Beach, FL Sushi, tropical views and tasty cocktails are accompanied by acclaimed resident DJ Daisy DeadPetals. Fort Dix Bar & Club Inc 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 Street , 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 Northwest 6th Street, 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 East University Avenue, 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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OUT FOR LAUGHS Jessica Kirson: Out for Laughs on Friday, June 17, at 8 p.m. at The Manor Entertainment Complex, 2345 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. For more information; www.pandoraevents.com or call (954) 288-8691.H
METAMORPHOSIS The Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida presents Metamorphosis on Friday and Saturday, June 17 & 18, at 8 p.m. at the Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 SW 9th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, 33315. For more information, visit www.gaymenschorusofsouthflorida.org.H
FORT LAUDERDALE BEAR PRIDE POOL PARTY Saturday, June 18, from 1 to 7 p.m. at The Depot, 2935 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. This is a special no cover event on Saturday afternoon during pride weekend. So, if you have not checked out this new very cool space yet, this will be the time to do it. This party will be sponsored by Gold’s Gym, Pride Factory and Swiss Navy Lube. Gold’s will give out a free week’s pass and a personal training session to everyone who attends. Pride Factory will be giving away gift bags to the first 100 people who show up and Swiss Navy will sponsor a hospitality suite at the hotel. There will also be a $12 beer bust with other drink specials. D.J. Daddy O will be on hand to make sure the groove is just right.H
SUMMER SERENADE II South Florida Symphony, String Quartet, Summer Serenade II, June 21, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Josephine S. Leiser Opera Center, 221 Southwest 3rd Avenue, in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit www.southfloridasymphony.org.H
LIVING OUT LOUD Fort Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus: Living Out Loud, Saturday, June 25, at both 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW 5 Avenue, in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit browardcenter.org.H
RELATIONSHIFTS Presented by OUTlet. Saturday, June 25. A conference for and by young women ages 15+. RelationSHIFTS is Outlet’s sister conference organized by OUTlet’s young women’s leadership conference devoted to four topics YOU desire to know more about: healthy relationships, healthy sexual intimacy, eating for wellness and healthy bodies and relationship violence. Free to attend, no walk-ins. Register online today at www.Outlet4YoungWomen.com.H
DYNAMIC WOMEN Dynamic Women: Gathering our Resources Together to Make a Difference on Tuesday, June 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. Join Brenda Hartley and the Staff at Bank United, 2723 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors. Please RSVP to (954) 630-3126.H
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Miami AN EVENING OUT WITH JACQUES RENAULT Friday, June 17, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. at Bardot, 3456 North Miami Avenue in Miami. Love disco? Come out and enjoy some of the best music on the planet as Nightdrive Miami and Bardot host an evening featuring Jacques Renault. Producer and deejay Renault was a post-punk Washington DC native who moved to Chicago in 1997 to continue his studies of viola, but in turn got a serious education in dance music. Recently voted as Best NYC D.J. for Paper's Night Life Awards, Jacques has held residencies at New York's famed venues Happy Ending and Tribeca Grand while currently hosting a 205 Club party showcasing an impressive line-up of weekly guest deejays. Along with friends at DFA Records, Jacques is pushing the disco conscious sweep into the new dance-punk scene. With his edits, original tracks and collaborative project RUNAWAY, he has released music on internationally acclaimed New York labels Italians Do It Better, Editions Disco, and Wurst Edits, while having EP's slated for Brennan Green's Chinatown, Cosmo Vitelli's I'm A Clich, Radio Slave's Rekids and the new internet only label RCRD LBL. As well as getting coveted spots on the Glimmers' Eskimo mix and the Lindstrom and Prins Thomas BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix, Mr. Renault appears regularly on Beats In Space, EVR and contributes a weekly show, Runaway Disco, to VIVA Radio.H
“LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS” The Miami Gay Men’s Choir presents “Let’s Hear it for the Boys” on June 17 & 18 at 8 p.m. at the Colony Theater, 1040 Lincoln Road, on Miami Beach. Boys and boy bands have kept us singing and dancing since the 1050’s – Paul Simon, The Beatles, Elton John, Ricky Martin, The Village People, Elvis Presley and more. Premium seats $35, regular $30, balcony $25. For more information, visit www.miamigaychorus.org.H
URGE WITH D.J. ABEL Sunday, July 3, from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Dream, 1532 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach. The biggest party of Miami Beach Pride returns for the July 4th long weekend. While Dream is one of the most sought after venues on the beach, with superb sound and lighting, they are severely limited in the number of people they can accommodate. Therefore, only 500 advance tickets are being made available, with the first 100 priced at only $20. Prices will increase on a tiered scale, so the sooner you buy tickets, the more you will save. 21 and over. Get tickets exclusively with ShowClix, http://getik.it/52098?f H
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Central Florida
“PROTECT YOUR MONSTER” PARTY
ORLANDO GAY PARENTS GROUP
Friday, June 17, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Chelsea Nightclub, 1502 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa. Join the Sister Bonnie Sattva for her Novice Project along with the other Sisters for a night of fun and frivolity as they present Harry Monster and WooWoo. Enjoy some Jello shots. Partake in the costume contest with a $25 prize for best outfit. So, bust out your feathers, fur and assorted monster wear. 50/50 raffles and a special safer sex basket will be auctioned off full of all kinds of goodies. H
Social group for children of gay parents. Monthly outing to parks, zoos, puppet shows. Geared toward children under 10 years old. For more information, call (407) 420-9955 to receive newsletters and invitations to events.H
DIXIE LONGATE’S TUPPERWARE PARTY Friday, June 17, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. It's not your grandmother's Tupperware party in conjunction with Florida LEGAL's Annual Retreat. Be prepared to have great time, drink, laugh ‘til your sides hurt or pee in your pants. Dixie is amazingly funny and will again be donating all the proceeds to Florida LEGAL, Inc. Advanced ticket sales $15 via PayPal on the fla-legal.com website. Make sure to mark your donation payment for Dixie Longate and bring a copy for entrance to the event. Tickets at the door are $20. All donations to FLA-LEGAL, Inc., are Tax Deductable under §501(3)(c). The Flamingo Resort (4601 34th St. S in St. Petersburg) will be providing a full cash bar, menu and table service during the event for your drinking and snacking pleasure. Donations are going to help with the cost of hosting the 2012 International Conference of LGBT Law Enforcement Professionals Conference, to be held in Orlando, FL the last week of May into June, 2012. For more information, go to www.dixiestupperwareparty.com. H
SOUND GARDEN T-DANCE Saturday, June 18, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Chelsea Nightclub, 1502 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa. Power Infiniti and Chhoy Sutimek Productions present “Sound Garden” with hosts Conun Drum and New York singing sensation, Frankie Presley performing live and doing a meet and greet. 3 to 4 p.m. open bar, after 5 p.m. $3 cover. Fire and Ice raffle items, hot music, cool vibe. Frankie was in the former pop group Wow. While with his former group, Frankie, he had the privilege to open for Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez and Sean Kingston. Frankie joined Jason Derulo, Ludacris, Lyaz, T-Pain and many other artists at the Chicago B96s Summer Bash concert in 2010. Frankie can also be seen in multiple issues of Popstar! Magazine, Maximo TV and various interviews on YouTube, on Red Carpet and Charity Events. H
GOLDEN RETRIEVER RESCUE OF MID-FLORIDA Rescue can take many forms, from a single individual trying to make a difference by saving one dog to a group of people working together for the common goal of saving many animals. GRRMF concentrates on Golden Retrievers because they are passionately devoted to this breed. All across America, local Golden Retriever clubs are working to save Goldens that show up wandering the streets or in shelters. GRRMF is comprised solely of volunteers and is self-supporting, relying on fund raising and donations to support all rescue efforts including veterinary care. 100% of all donations are used for the rescue effort. GRRMF, Inc. is recognized by and affiliated with The Golden Retriever Club of America, Inc. GRCA is highly supportive of the rescue efforts of all of its member clubs. For more information, contact the Intake Coordinator at 407-332-2840.H
BACK DOOR BUMBY Revolution Nightclub (375 S. Bumby Ave (408) in Downtown Orlando) along with GRINDR (iPhone App) and MyFlexRadio presents: “Back Door Bumby: Enter Through the Back” every 3rd Thursday of the month. This is Orlando's premier college night as you've never seen it before. No cover when you show your GRINDR or MyFlexRadio App. No cover ‘til 11pm for those 21+ (18+ welcome) and no cover ‘til 12 midnight with college or theme park ID. Free drinks 11 to 11:30 p.m. Drinks specials throughout the night. Performances by: Shantell D’Marco and Macaviti. D.J. Joanie on the decks in the disco area and V.J. J.B. Burgos in the Hydrate Video Bar.H
ORLANDO PRIDE October 7 through 10. Nationally recognized celebrities and entertainment, respected speakers, scores of vendors, and the longest parade in the history of Orlando Pride all have contributed to this special event that continues to break records for Orlando LGBT festivals in which attendance has doubled or tripled each year. The Come Out with Pride committee is comprised of volunteers who are dedicated to bringing a free, world-class event to Central Florida. For more information, visit www.comeoutwithpride.com. H
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Love Your Daddy This Season’s Perfect Gifts Ideas for The Perfect Father By ERIC CHRISTIAN & ALEX VAUGHN This month is all about the deserving fathers around the world, as Father’s Day is just around the corner. Whether it’s a shirt, a pair of sunglasses, or even his favorite fragrance, buying gifts for men can sometimes be a very diffi cult task. When Father’s Day comes around, there are many people scrambling, trying to decide the perfect gift for their “special” father or loved one to show their appreciation and how much they care. Here are some of this season’s fashionable gift ideas that may inspire you and your father:
This is a great tie for fathers who want to be “stylish.” There are many ties to be found, but this tie is quite unique. The color is bold and perfect for the season; it can be worn to add some “pizzazz” to any suit or outfit. Great accessory for a preppy, warm weather spring/summer look.
Rayban Aviators $139 www.solsticesunglasses.com Most men can appreciate a stylish pair of sunglasses! It’s like a universal gift. These sunglasses can be worn with just about anything on any occasion. Every father should invest in a stylish pair of shades. Perfect for the beach, driving around town or just to look “cool.”
Bottega Veneta Nero Intrecciato VN wallet $430 www.bottegaveneta.com Bottega Veneta is considered one of the highest quality leather goods brands from Italy. This wallet is elegant and functional all-in-one. Many men do not like wallets that are too large. This wallet is the perfect size with dimensions of 3.7”W x 4.1”H x 0.6”D. This wallet is a great Father’s Day gift investment.
Ralph Lauren Black Label crochet knit silk tie $135 www.mrporter.com
David Yurman Chevron money clip $450 www.davidyurman.com Most businessmen and executives enjoy having money clips. This sterling silver and aluminum money clip will sure make a few fathers smile. Lab Series Age-Less face cream $65 www.sephora.com Fathers shouldn’t forget about the appearance! It’s very important to look rested and maintain youthful skin. This is a daily moisturizer for men and helps erase signs of aging. Sometimes you have to think outside the box, and this is one of those instances. So, what will you be getting your father this Father’s Day? H
Eric Christian is a style consultant @ and can be reached at eric@styleconciergemiami.com
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FREEquent Flyer Miles of Loyalty By PAUL RUBIO Since the birth of the “frequent flyer” in 1981, skepticism has clouded the longevity of airline loyalty programs. Nevertheless, not economic turmoil, terrorism, oil spikes nor bankruptcies have crushed these rewards juggernauts. Frequent flyer programs and their mileage offspring are here to stay. The terms and conditions of earning and using miles, however, are here to change. According to mileage guru and frequent flyer extraordinaire Gary Steiger of www.freefrequentflyermiles.com, collecting and spending frequent flyer miles has become a skillful economic game, but it’s still not difficult to maximize your rewards within the binding constraints of the small print.
Rack ‘em Up! Inflated credit card bonuses. Rising from the depths of the recession – and swimming in government handouts – banks and airlines have teamed up to offer the most generous credit card signup bonuses in history. A 100,000 British Airways bonus mile promotion from Chase, and Citibank’s similar enticement of 75,000 American Airlines Aadvantage miles, have set a precedent for more outrageous offers to come in late 2011. Search Google to find these
amazing credit card offers. Elite status multipliers. Loyalty to an airline eventually equates to a mileage multiplier – and usually a handful of free upgrades. For example, those who reach Gold status on Continental or Platinum on American Airlines (50,000 miles flown in one year) earn a 100% mileage bonus on all miles flown on the respective airline. Promotion Registration. Airlines often tantalize consumers with bonuses on new and specific routes, the use of hotel, car rental and shopping partners, or the completion of a suite of activities during mileage marathons; most of these bonuses require registration. Browse the “bonus offers” section of your chosen airline before booking your flights to find possible extras, or sign up to receive e-mails from mileage gurus like Gary through Websites like www.freefrequentflyermiles.com.
Spend and Save Off-peak reward discounts. A major perk for traveling during an airline’s offpeak calendar is more value for your miles. US Airways lowers the mileage between the US and Europe from 60,000 to 35,000 round-trip in January and February, while American Airlines lowers it to 40,000 between October 15 and
May 15; Free Spirit Mastercard holders can fly to any destination less than 1249 miles away for 5,000 miles round-trip during certain times of the year (Sept., Nov., Dec. and May). Use and abuse partners. Take a closer look at your favorite US-based airline partner reward chart and look for the bargains. While earning miles directly on foreign airlines is diffi cult, partner availability is often high on foreign airlines. One World Alliance airlines charge only 10,000 miles for internal oneway flights within Japan, Peru and Argentina, which normally cost $200-$400 each. Continental Airlines charges only 30,000 miles for a business class round trip ticket between North and South Asia on partners Asiana, Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines. “I just returned from a wonderful hiking trip in Bavaria and Switzerland, flying San Francisco to Munich on Lufthansa and returning from Zurich on Swiss Air in
business class, using U.S. Airways miles, though I have never even flown on a U.S. Airways flight,” explains Gary.
Avoid taxes and fees. It doesn’t really feel like a free ticket when taxes and fees amount to nearly $400.00 per person. British Airways Executive Club and Virgin Flying Club are notorious for charging outlandish taxes and fees with reward tickets. Miles from these two programs are better used with their US-based partners. Avoid miles hording. Miles do not earn interest. They even expire in short timeframes. The inception of the tiered rewards system, like the one used by Delta Airlines, now “makes tickets more expensive in terms of miles, thus devaluing the miles already earned,“ says Gary. Future changes are not likely to work in the consumer’s favor, so spend your miles now! H
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Eating at the Bar The Restaurant Bar Has Come Into It’s Own By TIM SLIVINSKI In years past, the bar in a restaurant was often a place merely to hang out while waiting for your chance at a table. It was sort of akin to a “waiting room”. Restaurant bars often lacked identity or ambience, and frequently seemed to be mere holding rooms for hungry, anxious restaurant patrons. In recent years, however, all that has changed. The bar has become an integral part of a restaurant’s marketing and customer base. Current restaurant design puts as much thought into the ambience at the bar as the ambience in the dining room. Some restaurants clearly put a separation between the bar and the main dining area, while others attempt a seamless flow from bar to dining room, without a clear cut distinction between one and the other. Simply put, the restaurant bar has definitely come into its own. Reasons for choosing to eat at the bar are as varied as the customers who patronize any particular establishment. Undoubtedly, some choose a seat at the bar because it’s available right away rather than waiting for a table, but that seems to be a clear minority option now. When dining alone, some feel more comfortable eating at the bar rather than taking up an entire table. In addition, bar
jean’s kitchen
patrons are often likely to strike up a bit of banter, so if you feel like conversation, the bar is a great option. If nothing else, a customer can always engage the bartender in a bit of schmoozing. Others may like the higher energy of the bar area; the bar is generally a bit louder, noisier, and many thrive on that energy level. Some restaurants even offer special “bar menus,” often called “bar bites,” with food choices that are not available in the dining room. If you find a favorite “bar bite” bistro, then you might definitely opt for bar dining. Of course, there are those who enjoy watching a bartender do his or her thing. It’s fun to watch a talented bartender in action – after all, mixing cocktails is an art, and some in the profession do it very well. Some bartenders even have their own unofficial “fan clubs,” patrons who come in regularly to chat and watch them perform their magic with an array of spirits. It should be noted as well that most restaurants that offer bars are happy to let you order dinner entrees from the dining room menu while seated at the bar. Many of the restaurants we have spotlighted in recent months have fun,
Sauce Marchand de vin
Marchand de Vin (French for "wine merchant") Sauce is a classic red wine reduction sauce. It's made by reducing red wine and chopped shallots and then simmering in a basic demi-glace. Marchand de Vin sauce is delicious served with roasts and steaks. • 1 quart demi-glace • 1 cup red wine • ¼ cup chopped shallots • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste In a fat-assed saucepan, combine the wine and the shallots. Heats until the
liquid boils then lower the heat a little and continue simmering until the liquid has reduced by three-fourths. Add the demi-glace, then lower heat to a simmer and reduce for about 5 minutes. Most chefs will then strain through a mesh strainer, but I love shallots, so I just leave the sauce “as is” … You are the chef. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Serve right away. H
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Jean Doherty is the Chef and Owner of Le Patio Restaurant in Wilton Manors (954) 530-4641
unique, energetic bar scenes that are worth checking out. Michele’s Dining Lounge, for example, has a beautifully appointed bar that offers delicious bar bites, with special Happy Hour pricing everyday. J. Marks, of course, has to be one of the hottest bar scenes in Fort Lauderdale; it draws a diverse mix of professionals who enjoy its high energy vibe. Worth noting is that fact that the bar at J. Marks serves a late night menu with selected appetizers and entrees at special pricing. Similarly, Mojo offers a special bar menu with amazing specials to accompany their delicious cocktails. (Try Mussels Monday for delicious mussels in a choice of broth to accompany your cocktail of choice. You’ll need extra bread for the sauce!) Market 17 on the 17th Street Causeway has a beautifully curved bar with a menu of signature cocktails to accompany their bar snacks. Worth noting here as well is the amazing wine list that features several unique, more limited production varietals. At Johnny V, the smooth marble bar is an integral part of the dining room. Order appetizers from the main menu or select an array of cheeses from their cheese menu to nibble on as you sip your
SUMMER BABY SPINACH SALAD Bushbaby green beans, hearts of palm, sweet and spicy pickled starfruit, saffronorange vinaigrette salad from Market 17 favorite libation or glass of wine. Dining at the bar can be a fun option. I have often found myself in interesting, lively conversations with people after just one sip of my cocktail. Some have even gone on to become friends. A word of caution, however: While dining at the bar can be fun when dining alone or with a friend or partner, it is often awkward in larger groups. The linear design of most bars can make conversation with three or more people a bit challenging. Next time you walk into a restaurant and take note of its lively, beautiful, vibrant bar area, take a chance — if you have not already done so — and eat the bar. You never know, I just might be sitting next to you! H
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Son Straight, Father Gay The Vice-Versa Film of 2011 By WARREN DAY One thing you can look forward to after Gay Pride and Father’s Day is a film that’s an almost perfect entertainment for those two neighboring celebrations. Opening July 1st in Florida, Beginners is a true story that reverses a moment found in countless gay-themed movies. Rather than the son coming out to his father, it’s the father, Christopher Plummer, who comes out to his straight son, Ewan McGregor. And what follows is not the usual anguish and incrimination, but a touching and revealing account of how self-acceptance is the first step for everyone when it comes to falling in love. Ewan McGregor plays Oliver, a graphic designer who seems to be going through a mid-life crisis several years before he’s supposed to have one. He’s adrift both personally and professionally when his life is turned topsy-turvy after his mother dies and his father, Hal, announces he’s gay, has always been gay, and is now going to live the rest of his life with a flamboyant enthusiasm. “I don’t want to be theoretically gay,” Hal explains to his startled son. Oliver has had a series of short and not-so-happy relationships, something he blames on the lifeless marriage of his parents, but then he sees his father at age 75 blossom and fall in love for the first time in his life with a 39 year-old named Andy. And with that positive example before him, Oliver finds himself increasingly involved with a French actress with an equally fickle history. Anna is played by the beautiful Mélanie Laurent, who starred in Inglorious Bastards. The repressive Oliver often ends up expressing his true feelings to his father’s dog, a Jack Russell terrier, who
comments back to the audience in succinct subtitles, thus proving what canine lovers have long suspected – dogs understand the foibles of human beings better than we do ourselves. The central situation actually happened to the writer-director Mike Mills, and Beginners has the rhythm and resonance of something that’s been lived and not just imagined. And it also has the weakness of many an autobiographical-based movie in that it’s more moving in moments than it is as a whole. Memory is, by its nature, episodic, so the story goes back and forth in time as Oliver works his way toward a new understanding of his father and of himself. All the performances are masterful, including that Jack Russell, and one can hope that this role might earn Christopher Plummer the Oscar that has eluded him so far. One critic complained that it wasn’t feasible for a man of 39 to fall in love with a man of 75 years, thus revealing that critic’s narrow views and narrow acquaintances. The verities and varieties of the human heart are far more mysterious and extensive than our puny categories can encompass. And unlike the usual soap-opera that dominates so many gay-themed stories, Beginners is filled with hilarity and hopefulness as people struggle to find that precarious balance between head and heart. The simple and sweet message of this delightful film is that when it comes to love and relationships, all of us, regardless of age or orientation, are – and always will be – beginners. H
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Photo courtesy, Beginners
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The Scoop
By BRAD “SCOOP” CASEY
Java Boys Celebrates 3 Years Java Boys is celebrating its Third anniversary under the ownership of Steve & Nicki Rose. Seldom has a heterosexual couple been so embraced by the gay community as this dynamic duo, who have been in the forefront in helping to promote causes close to the hearts of the gay community. Located in the Shoppes of Wilton Manors, Java Boys is an oasis for many who like a clean, comfortable, folksy place where the owners banter with the customers and vice versa, unlike the larger chain coffee houses that want you in and out.
Steve & Nicki Rose, Owners of Java Boys
and a lot of good conversation.” I believe that Joel and Marcus have described Java Boys to a T. We wish Steve and Nicki continued success with OUR little coffee shop!
Stonewall Street Festival It’s going to be interesting to see the outcome of this year’s Stonewall Street Festival this Sunday in Wilton Manors. Hours of the event have been changed to 4PM to 9PM with a twilight parade, with the new hours bypassing the real heat of the day. This year’s event is being produced by the PR firm of Wedner & Friends of Miami, and they are adding some new twists to this year’s festival. Some big sponsors are involved with this year’s Stonewall, such as Delta Airlines, Coca Cola, Wachovia Bank to name just a few. We wish Wedner & Friends only success with this year’s Stonewall.
Stonewall Notes
Nicki is affectionately known as the Unofficial Mayor of the Drive. She fields questions from customers and visitors concerning local government, local events and consoles grieving customers who have had a spat with their partner or lost a loved one. Steve opens the store at 7AM and immediately takes orders for the breakfast special that he created, the Java Scrambler; scrambled egg and Canadian bacon with cheese on a bagel, croissant, or English muffin ($3.95 – includes coffee). “We serve at least 100 Java Scramblers a week,” says Steve and chuckles when he says, “We’re giving McDonald’s a run for their money.” Java Boys is a busy place and popular with the laptop boys and business people who drop in with their notebooks, iPads, etc., to internet cruise, finish business reports and proposals, or put the finishing touch on a job resume over a tasty Latte. Java Boys offers free Wi-Fi and connects with cable news to keep customers up to date on the news of the day. They have also added sandwiches for the lunch crowd. While all of the major coffee houses have had dramatic increases in prices, Java Boys is holding the line on its prices. Major outlets such as Starbucks have dramatically increased coffee prices. Steve and Nicki are struggling to hold down prices despite hefty increases in wholesale coffee. “We cater to a local clientele and we understand the state of the economy and we are doing our best not to pass on the price increases to our customers.” says Steve. Reviews on Java Boys are extremely favorable. Writes Joel from Texas, “It’s just a grass roots kinda community coffee shop with a friendly Wilton Manor flair.” And Marcus of Wilton Manors says, “Great coffee and some nice little pastries, desserts
Former Ft. Lauderdale entertainer Ricki Lee performs at Matty’s Pride weekend. The Shoppes of Wilton Manors are throwing a two day block party beginning on Saturday and running through Sunday.
A Taste of NYC at Living Room Our very own Mark Lowe of the Living Room is the subject of a reality cable show pilot that has been taping at the trendy Living Room nightclub. The program will center on the hectic life of a club owner/designer. Bravo is reportedly interested in taking on the project. This Friday night, famed New York spin master Jaliz Z will tantalize the LR with a bit of the New York City sound.
Gelato Martini Closes We were saddened to learn of the closing of Gelato Martini on Wilton Drive. Owner Gee was involved in an accident recently that left him physically unable to continue with the business. We wish Gee a speedy recovery and success in future endeavors.
Thank You To everyone who turned out for John ‘Mary’ Lyons “retirement” party at Mona’s Saturday. It was heartwarming to see the love and respect given to John, who has spent most of his adult life serving up drink concoctions at many of our watering holes. And a BIG hug to Mona’s owner Jerry Schultz, who continues to amaze us with his generosity. Thanks for picking us up this week and remember: “To have a friend, you must first be a friend.”H
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If you have a “scoop” for Brad Casey, please e-mail your information to BradC@jumponmarkslist.com
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Show Pride With Action
June: the International Pride month for the GLBT community. Pride parties, galas, theme park events and parades abound. And Florida’s no exception. People are inclined to believe Ft. Lauderdale and South Florida is THE place to call home for GLBT residents. While South Florida is home to the largest GLBT community in Florida, central Florida (Tampa/St Petersburg and Orlando) has the highest concentration of GLBT residents in the state! Actually, the largest Gay Pride parade in Florida is in St. Petersburg. Surprised? Florida is second only to California, with almost 2 million GLBT residents! That being said, it nevertheless seems the voice, the Pride of Florida’s huge GLBT community, outside of its plethora of glitzy clubs, bars and gay resorts, seems muffled at best. Illinois just passed a civil union bill! I wonder what
has the GLBT community in Illinois did that its brothers and sisters in Florida are unable to do – or won’t do – to find the unity, support and momentum to achieve the same equality for GLBT Floridians? The State of Florida’s population is a mosaic of people from every state and, practically, every nation. She seems to be “unity challenged”. Florida is a paradox: Home to powerful ultra-right wing conservatives, religious zealots and “bleeding heart liberals”, whatever that really means. Florida also has some of the wealthiest and poorest citizens in the nation. She is home to well-respected universities, but her funding of education per capita ranks in the very bottom. Further supporting the paradoxical social climate here is the fact Florida, though home to the second largest GLBT community in the entire nation, has an abysmally poor record of equal rights for us. Why does true equal rights status for the GLBT community in Florida continue to be so elusive? Blind partisanship is totally counterproductive, myopic and, at the very least, immature. In general, politicians’ platforms are duplicitous with more holes than a colander. Too many of them use the Bible and the flag as “beards,” manipulating the public with fear, shouting from every stage and pulpit, “No Big Government!” Yet, they never cease their demagogic
rhetoric preventing tax paying, voting GLBT citizens from marrying the person they choose with laws denying us the same rights heterosexual people take for granted, or believe they are entitled to because they are “normal.” There is no federal law protecting GLBT citizens from discrimination in the workplace. In many locales throughout the United States, it would be perfectly legal to not hire or even fire someone just for being Gay! Yes, that action might cause a firestorm, but none the less it is legal! The United States, OUR country, self-proclaimed leader of the “Free World” and beacon of democracy receives a poor grade in its treatment of GLBT citizens. Isn’t it totally bizarre that in Iowa, Gay Americans can be legally married, but Gay Americans in Florida are denied the same by their government? Where is the outrage, Floridians? Where is our pride? This June, take real action and show pride not by being in parades, parties, etc., but by getting involved. Join organizations that strive to win equal rights for all Americans. Write your representative at the local, state and federal level. Search the net for names, addresses, etc. Demand officials to fight for your rights. Say where your vote will be cast. Politicians know each letter represents 600 like-minded constituents. In our democratic society, we have the responsibility to be ever vigilant. In life,
FLORIDAAGENDA.COM
By MICHAEL FRENCH
more often than not, we get what we think we deserve. If we don’t take the initiative to demand full equal rights, we will never have them. Show Americans outside the GLBT community how more similar you are to them instead of broadcasting your differences. Pass up the parades, parties etc., and do some volunteer work at an animal shelter or assisted living home. Adopt a highway! Clean a beach! Paint the home of an aged, disabled or financially troubled neighbor. There’s never a shortage of volunteer opportunities. Give of yourself to the present – and future – generations! Pride is more evident in what we do than what we say. H
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Michael French, is Agenda’s Home from Home columnist. Contact Michael at mf7954fla@gmail.com
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Take Pride In Yourself! Stay Healthy and Youthful Forever! By TOM BONANTI Your busy lifestyle can take its toll on you. The regular physical demands placed on your body at work, home and in the gym can leave you with tired muscles and sore joints. Add to that the emotional stresses of family, relationships and other personal issues and your poor body can age big time – and in no time at all! Don’t despair, because you don’t have to give in to Father Time if you understand a few things about your body and how it ages. Studies indicate that the root cause of much physical and biological aging is due to free radical damage. Free radicals are toxic substances created in the body from stress that destroys DNA, valuable proteins and collagen cells. Free radicals are caused by pollution in your air and food, stress, poor eating habits, lack of sleep, exercise and the prolonged exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. These evil bitches can literally cause you to deteriorate from the inside out. The wrinkles, bags and circles you see in the mirror are nothing compared to what’s going on inside of you when free radicals move in and set up house. There is good news! You can help your body to scavenge and destroy free radicals before they wreck you. By far, pre-
vention is the most important course of action against the ravages of free radicals. Some preventative measures include: 1) abstaining from smoking; 2) strict adherence to a carefully constructed and integrated training program (weight training, cardio, diet, and stretching); and 3) avoidance of pollutants and other toxic substances (excessive alcohol, party drugs, etc.) that are known to cause free radical formation. Yet, no matter how hard you try to stay healthy and “radical free,” you just can’t avoid all stress at work and at home, pollutants in the air you breathe and the preservatives and other toxins pumped into your food. In this case, there are several natural “super nutrients” that can keep you young, increase your body’s resistance to free radical damage and help you retain your vim and vigor. The most commonly understood free radical scavenger, or anti-oxidant, is Vitamin C. Always a friend to the immune system, this vitamin fortifi es you against virus infections, strengthens blood vessels, reduces cardio-vascular abnormalities, inhibits fat storage and lowers bad cholesterol levels. It also reduces many kinds of pain, helps detox-
ify you and slows down the aging process in your skin. Do you need Vitamin C? Hell, yeah! Vitamin E is another great anti-oxidant, important for cellular respiration, good circulation, protection for the lungs against air pollutants and prevention of blood clots. For those who worship the sun, Vitamin E has also been an option for protecting and repairing sun exposed skin. Carotenoids are a large family of over a hundred compounds that have been studied extensively. Vitamin A is the most commonly known of these and has shown signifi cant scavenging activity, along with improved recovery from sun exposure damage, air pollutants, etc. The safest and most effective source of Vitamin A is deep green leafy vegetables like artichokes, brussel sprouts, spinach and broccoli. Another family of carotenoids even more effective than Vitamin A is the xanthophylls found in red and yellow fruits and vegetables. The best sources for these healthy, tangy babies are red berries, red and yellow bell peppers and squash.
A wonderful antioxidant that is enjoying popularity these days is green tea. This warm or cold elixir has been clinically shown to reduce: 1) bacterial and viral activity; 2) risk of lung cancer due to smoking; 3) risk of skin damage and skin cancer due to the sun’s radiation; 4) a host of other age related maladies. Certainly before you start to pop the vitamin pills, you should consult your doctor about the correct dosage for you. But there is no time like the present to start eating more fresh fruits and veggies and other clean foods like yogurt and whole grains. Take pride in yourself ! Eat healthy. Get to the gym. Take care of your skin. Get some good sleep. Your health is a gift to be guarded lovingly. H
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Tom Bonanti, is a certified personal trainer and owner of Pump’n Inc gym at 1271 NE 9th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, Facebook: TrainerTomB. www.pumpnincgym.com
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The Stonewall Inn, New York City, 1969 The sign in the window reads, “We homosexuals plead with our people to please help maintain peaceful and quiet conduct on the streets of the Village.” The Stonewall rebellion was a defining moment in the history of the gay rights movement. That uprising awakened gay men and lesbians to the idea that they were being attacked as a group. That, in turn, awakened them to the idea that they needed to organize as a group. Advocacy and lobbying groups mushroomed after Stonewall, and now include everything from nonprofit groups mounting anti-discrimination advertising campaigns to political action committees to housing and health-related initiatives.
Photo courtesy, Stage & Cinema
It was on the night of June 27, 1969, that a routine police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a Christopher Street hangout for gays, run by the Mafia, prompted not cowed obedience from the customers but uncharacteristic fury and outrage. It was not unusual for the police to raid gay bars, and they did so regularly, to arrest transvestites and harass the customers. What made the raid of the Stonewall Inn unusual is that the gay and lesbian patrons spontaneously fought back, tossing beer cans, bricks and anything else in reach at the police officers, who responded by beating many of the protesters and arresting dozens of others. Just why Stonewall’s patrons fought back is anybody’s guess now. Some say it was the heat of the night. Others say it had something to do with the death of Judy Garland five days before in London. Whatever the reason, patience had run out. More protests followed in the days after the raid, marking a cultural shift at a time when few people were willing to be publicly identified as homosexual. In the aftermath of the melee, gays and lesbians left closets, never to return. At the end of the decade that had witnessed marches on Washington on behalf of civil rights for blacks and protests against the war in Vietnam, gay pride was born. Its time had arrived. Since 1970, the Stonewall uprising has been celebrated with an annual gay pride march down Fifth Avenue and across Christopher Street. The Stonewall Bar at 53 Christopher Street, the site of the Stonewall Inn uprising of June 27-29, was designated a national historic landmark in June 1999. *From The New York Times: April 10, 2009
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INTERVIEW
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“True” to Himself Ray Boltz; New Life, New Career, New Hope By SHANE PHOENIX Winner of the Out Music Awards for “Album of the Year”, “Songwriter of the Year” and “Spiritual Song of the Year” for his brand new album, "True," International Recording Artist Ray Boltz has sold 4.5 million records worldwide. Once adored by millions of Christian Fans around the world, in 2008 he came out to the world. Now Ray faces a new life, a new career and new hope! His new CD, “True,” tells us his story, a story millions of LGBT people share with him. He took time to sit with Shane Phoenix, a music review writer and reporter for multiple music and entertainment magazines.
International Recording Artist Ray Boltz will be appearing at this year’s Stonewall Street Festival on Sunday, June 19th.
I was overwhelmed at the response, not only to the Album, but at the outpouring of good wishes and the wonderful responses to it. I have been nominated for awards before, and have won 3 Dove awards, but The Out Music Award wins are like an acceptance into the community. Like they are saying, not only do we love your music, but we appreciate your efforts, as well. I am so very thankful to all my fans and family.
After millions loved you, after hundreds of thousands sent you hate mail, where did you find the strength, courage and self-esteem to write new songs? And was this the inspiration for "True”?
You are going to appear at The Stonewall Street Festival and Parade on June 19th, 2011. Will it be any different now that you are an Award winner?
SP:
RB:
What was the feeling like the very moment you uttered those words out loud for the very first time?
SP:
It was overwhelming, but surreal; there was no super joy, or excitement or pride in it. It was the truth and sometimes being that honest with those you love and who love you so very much can be hurtful. I am very thankful my family and I are so close.
RB:
How did your family react?
SP: RB:
We knew things would change, we knew tough times were ahead, not only for my career but for us as a family. We also knew that the one thing that wouldn’t change was our love and commitment to our family. My wife Carol and I would end up separating and obtain a divorce, but now she is part of Soul Force, a nonprofit organization that helps families like ours and others from oppression of anti-homosexual religious peers (read more at www.soulforce.org). My kids and I remain very close, and now my grandchildren, as well. You were selling millions of albums each year, about 4.5 mil-
SP:
How does it feel to be the most nominated and then win The Out Music Awards?
SP:
RB:
SP:
When I was married and singing Christian music, I was struggling, it was a tough time. In 2004, I was sitting at the kitchen table with my kids and my wife at the time, Carol. My family has always been keen to my emotional state, we are very close. My son looked at me and asked, "Dad, what going on with you, what’s wrong"? So, I have been struggling with what was in my heart: Knowing I was gay. I tried to not be gay; try to be what I wasn’t; I tried to pray that I wasn’t gay; I confessed in hope that I could not be gay; all these things that they tell you to do, I tried to do for 30 plus years. So when my son asked me that question, I decided to be honest, to be authentic. I could die and my own family wouldn't even know who I was. I thought to myself, ‘if I cannot be honest and authentic with my own family, the ones who I love the most, then who could I be honest and authentic with?’ So I told them, "I'm Gay". And that’s where I think "True" was born
Yes there is a song called "American Queen" on the cd. It talks about a guy walking past Five Points and Georgie’s Alibi and talks about all the great things I love about Wilton Manors.
RB:
No it will be an authentic and "True" show just as before.
Photo courtesy, Howard Zucker
RB: SP:
If equal marriage was allowed, would you and Franco be mar-
ried?
lion copies. How badly was your career hurt by your coming out? At the time I came out publicly in 2008, I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal. I was kind of wrong there. I received a lot of hate mail, lots of youtube videos were put up against me and me coming out. I was told that I was going to burn in hell – all sorts of negative things were said. At the same time, a lot of great things were being said from other people and friends.
RB:
Was this when you started writing songs again?
SP: RB:
When my wife and I separated and we were all going through this very tough time, I decided to do what I always did. I picked up my pen and paper, tuned the guitar and started to put down how I was feeling. That’s where all my songs come from, deep within me. We know you have sold millions as a Christian singer, now that "True" is out and nowhere near that number, how do you look at that?
SP:
Well I did not do this album for money, it was about being authentic, about being true, not only to myself but to my fans. We have sold a bunch of records for "True," but for me it’s not about the sales, it’s about the letters I am getting from so many who say, "Yea that’s exactly how I feel right now", "Thank you Ray for saying what I needed to hear", "Finally someone who knows how I feel". That’s what "True" is about; it’s about those who listen to it and understand that living an authentic and "True" life may not always be easy, but is better than living a lie.
RB:
Your partner Franco and you have been together almost 5 years, where did you meet and has he
SP:
been a part of the album? Franco and I met through a friend at the MCCC Church Softball league. Yes, there is a song on the album called "You Came To Me". It was written for him, he is like a big teddy bear. He cry's every time I play it on stage.
RB:
Franco, so what is it like being with a celebrity of Ray's stature?
SP: FS:
Well I didn’t even know who Ray Boltz was. I met him as just a regular guy, not until later did I find out about his singing. Ray is just Ray to me. He doesn't act like a celebrity or anything like that, he is just Ray, so I know him and love him for who he is, just Ray – a very caring and loving nice man. Not for Ray the celebrity. Franco, what was it like the first time he sang "You Came to Me" on stage in front of you?
SP:
I cried. It is such a beautiful song. Ray and I talked about it being on the CD, and it almost didn't get to be on it, but I know what the song means and know what it can mean to so many others.
FS:
What artist do you like to listen to?
SP: RB:
I like Adam Lambert, Lady GAGA, Rufus Wainwright, but I haven’t listened too much lately. Since you live here in the Ft. Lauderdale, where is your favorite place to hang out at?
SP:
(laughing) There are a lot of places, but I find I go to Scandals a lot. I like the Lady Fancy show they have, and the atmosphere there as well.
RB:
The softball field (laughing) every Sunday – that’s my church.
FS: SP:
Wilton Manors has an influence on the new CD as well, doesn't it?
I think that would be up to us. I think we should have that choice already. Not IF we should have that choice.
RB:
I don't think it’s anyone’s business. If Ray and I want to get married it should already be our choice and not something we should have to ask anyone’s permission to do!
FS:
Anything you want to say to our readers here at the Florida Agenda?
SP:
I would like to thank each one of them if I could. I love the fact that there is a publication out there that reaches so many and has some really great content.
RB:
Thank you, Ray Boltz, for your time, compassion and music.
SP: RB:
It's been a pleasure, Shane. Thanks so much for having me
here.
You can reach Ray Boltz for comment or questions, or to listen to his MultiAward Winning Album online at www.rayboltz.com. H
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Shane Phoenix is an independent music review writer and international talk show host of “South Off with Shane Phoenix” and contributes regularly to Billboard Magazine and several Music Blogs around the world. He can be reached at Shane@prideshows.com
KEY SP: Shane Phoenix RB: Ray Boltz FS: Frank Sperduti (Ray’s Partner)
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DENTAL
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY 4COP license for sale. License only! License has just been renewed . This License can be used at any location in Broward County to serve & sell all Beer, wine, spirits. This license can be used for a bar, restaurant, package store anywhere in Broward County. Please email ksn1094@gmail.com with questions and terms.
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RENTALS / FTL WILTON MANORS 2/1 - Walking distance to the Drive! Huge living room and closets, terrazzo floors, CAC, patio, parking. $1100/mo. F&S (954)566-8049 WILTON MANORS 2/1 DUPLEX - CAC, tile floors, fenced yard, plenty of parking! Pets OK! $895/mo. F/S (954)608-8305 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
FURNISHED / RENTALS / FTL PERFECT RELOCATION RENTALS – 3-6 MONTHS From $295/week & $1100/month Beautiful Studio, 1 & 2 BR Apts. Turn key, fully furnished & equipped, clothing optional pool, laundry, parking. Close to Gay & Nude Beaches. Pets Welcome. Includes utilities, cable, telephone, Wi-Fi Internet. 954-927-0090 or visit www.LibertySuites.com
ROOMMATES ROOMMATE TO SHARE OAKLAND PARK POOL HOME Large 4BD/3BA ranch style house w/ screened pool. Bedroom has walk-in closet and private bath. All utilities, internet, and DirecTV incl. Share with two guys and a cat. No smoking, drugs or additional pets. Please be responsible and employed. $600/mo, available now. Michael (954)540-3543 PARTNERED GAY COUPLE LOOKING FOR ROOMMATE TO SHARE 3-BEDROOM DUPLEX, private room with adjoining bath, large closet with additional walk in closet, washer/dryer, adjoining patio area. No smokers or cologne wearers. Full use of house and kitchen. We have 3 cats. $650/month includes utilities - no deposit/security needed. Richard: 954-296-5633 or sedlaki1@comcast.net.
ROOMMATES ROOM FOR RENT - Semi-furnished with Cable TV, all utilities included. Close to Wilton Manors, must be pet-friendly, have your own car. $650/mo. Call (954)522-8228
SPIRITUALITY 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. 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.
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Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Gayborhood: Cause for Caution; Opting for Optimism By CLIFF DUNN There has been a great deal of ink devoted elsewhere recently to the doom and gloom related to the long and dark shadow said to be cast over the future of Wilton Manors, with reports of the closure of 17 businesses in the Island City over the past 18 months, as well as the projections that as many as 10 more businesses may follow suit. Despite these forecasts, Open for Business has seen an internal city governmental memo which would seem to indicate that reports of the patient already being on life-support may be premature. With a Subject Line that reads “May 2011 New Business Update,” and addressed to Wilton Manors City Manager Joe Gallegos, the memorandum from Heidi Shafran, the city’s new Director of Community Services reads: “During the month of May, twelve (12) Business Tax Licenses were issued for new businesses within the City of Wilton Manors. The licenses are for the following types of businesses: Financial Institute; Restaurant; Real Estate Broker; Spiritual Healing; Recycling Franchise; Church; Bondsman; Massage/Spa; Retail Store; Psychiatrist; Attorney (two).” The memo continues: “Additionally, I personally met with potential business owners or their representatives for the following types of new business: Gas Station/Convenience Store (Oakland Park Boulevard); Rehabilitation of Buildings for Two New restaurant Spaces (Wilton Drive); Yoga Studio/Coffee House (Dixie Highway); Community Theater Company; Dog Daycare (Dixie Highway); Gourmet Food Cart (Wilton Drive).” Says Krishan Manners, the President and CEO of Wilton Manors Main Street, “I think these numbers tell a part of the story that hasn’t been accurately or fairly portrayed. Wilton Manors is like many other small and medium-sized cities across the country, which are experiencing the normal contractions of an economy that’s still very much in flux.”
I’m Not Your Babe, Alejandro While spearheading the Commercial Property and Casualty division at Fort Lauderdale’s Dunham Insurance Services, Alejandro Kalaf III – who is known to friends, co-workers and the occasional romantic interest as “Chachi” – has also managed to build a dance card that is brimming with the names of service organizations and activities that benefit South Florida’s LGBT community. In addition to volunteering for the Florida AIDS Walk, the Smart Ride and Tuesday’s Angels, he also contributes time to the Pride Center at Equality Park while simultaneously building business contacts through Business Networking International and the Gay and Lesbian Business XChange
(GLBX). His boss, Dunham Insurance Services President and CEO Chris Dunham, says Kalaf ’s efforts are a tribute to his character and person, and represent his own philosophy of protecting the lifestyle to which his clients have grown accustomed. “Chachi is precisely the face of what business should be about: someone who takes his work as seriously as his extra-curricular activities, with both building a stronger and better community.”
By the Numbers
(“We’re Here, We’re Queer” Edition) According to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation’s (GLAAD) online Advertising Media Program, “it is always difficult to determine sexual minorities through surveys because of the complexities of self-identification, definitions, survey methodologies and stigmas.” The group’s site cites that “it is estimated by Harris Interactive that in the U.S. only 2% of self-identified lesbians and gays will respond to telephone surveys (compared to 3% of general population), but between 6% and 7% will do so on Internet surveys. Confirming this finding, a Yahoo survey of its users found 7.1% of adults over age 18 identified as GLBT, totaling 18 million in the U.S.” Reports GLAAD: “Various studies have estimated that between 4% and 10% of populations are homosexual, meaning between 12 million and 30 million in the United States alone.” Furthermore, a 2002 study, ”Sexual Behavior and Selected Health Measures,” of 12,571 Americans aged 15-44 (by computer interviews conducted by the University of Michigan) for the National Center for Health Statistics found 6% of men and 11% of women had same-sex sexual experiences by age 44. Among men 18 to 44, 2% identified as bisexual and 4% as "something else" than heterosexual or bisexual. When looking at younger women, aged 18 to 29, 14% reported a sexual experience with a woman at least once.” GLAAD says that “lesbians are estimated at over 6 million in the U.S.; data from Voter News Service and Zogby International consistently measure 4% to 5% of the American voting population as self-identified gay or lesbian. H
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