Hotspots! April 26, 2018 by Hotspots Media Group

CREDITS

April 26, 2018

04.26 �� Publisher Peter Clark

Peter@HotspotsMedia.com

Associate Publisher Scott Holland

Scott@HotspotsMedia.com

Editor Bill Henning

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Accounting Richard Paull

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Classifieds Manager Jim Nolen

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Art Director Frank Mendez

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Graphics

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Digital Content Manager

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Hotspots.LGBT | MarksList.LGBT 5090 N.E. 12th Avenue • Oakland Park, FL 33334 Broward Office: 954-928-1862 • Miami Office: 305-775-5265 • Central Florida Office: 813-253-9107 HotspotsMediaGroup.com • Facebook.com/HotspotsMag • Twitter.com/HotspotsFL

O N T H E INSIDE

April 26, 2018

78 HOT

BODIES THREE MEALS IS NOT ENOUGH

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Feature | Latoya London is Ready to Dazzle at Diversity Honors What’s Hot | Scott Holland’s Guide to Events Happening in Sofla Deep Inside Hollywood The Hot List | Top 10 Happenings in South Florida this Week Feature | Red Hot Party Bachelor/Bachelorette Date Auction On the Scene | Stephen Lang’s Hot Pics of the Week Feature | Sandra Bernhard Still Has Her Blunt AF Opinions Outlook | Pompano Bill’s Top 5 Pics Feature | Florida Grand Opera’s Florencia en el Amazonas Feature | The Lazy Person’s Guide to Spring Cleaning Restaurants | Fort Lauderdale’s Favorite Restaurants Feature | Diversity Honors Turns Four Creep of the Week | MassResistance Feature | 5 Reasons You Should Stay Friends with Your Ex(es) Feature | Mark Your Calendars for GayDays in 2019

ALL NEW

101

DIRECTORY OF LGBT AND LGBT-FRIENDLY BUSINESSES

HOT SHOTS:

Miami Beach Gay Pride: Pride Lights • Flag Raising • Pride Fort Lauderdale Equality Florida Palm Beach Gala • Tuesdays Angels • GLLN (Gay Lesbian Lawyers Network)

12 Finn

Bálor

LONDON CALLING LaToya London, star of American Idol and The Color Purple, is ready to dazzle at this year's Diversity Honors.

By Scott Holland

aToya London irst caught our eye on Season Three of American Idol, where she was one of what viewers dubbed The Three Divas (in very good company, with Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia Barrino). But London will be the only diva Friday night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for Diversity Honors, The Pride Center's annual hot-ticket gala, OK, maybe the only diva performing on stage. Since Idol, where London's rendition of Eric Carmen's “All by Myself” earned a standing ovation from all three judges (including Donna Summer), her career has developed very nicely along two separate tracks. One is in the recording studio, of course. London released her debut album Love & Life in 2005 and continues to record as both a solo artist and a member of the hip-hop/Europop act Urban Punk. But where London has really garnered acclaim is on the stage. She received rave reviews for her turn as Nettie, the spirited and infectious sister of Celie, in Broadway's

6 | Hotspots.LGBT

irst national tour of The Color Purple. That musical has been especially kind to London, who won a 2012 Ovation Award as Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as Shug Avery. Since then, she's picked up Entertainer of the Year awards in 2013 from both the Bay Area Music Awards and the Oral Lee Brown Foundation. Before her star turn at the Hard Rock, we took a few minutes to catch up with LaToya.

Were you always a singer, even as a child? I've been singing on stage since the age of 7 and recording in professional music studios since the age of 12.

What was your irst paid professional gig? Unfortunately, I can't remember my irst paid professional gig, but I'm sure I was like, “Oh yeah, I can get used to this!”

How did you end up auditioning for American Idol? I learned through a friend that auditions were going to be held in L.A. the same weekend

I was planning to I was planning to move there to move there to enroll in enroll in Musicians Musicians Institute in Institute in Hollywood. So, I Hollywood. So, I drove ive hours drove ive hours from Oakland to from Oakland to Los Angeles. My Los Angeles. My cousin and I cousin and I camped out in camped out in sleeping bags on sleeping bags on the ground at the the ground at the Rose Bowl Rose Bowl Theater for three Theater for three days and two days and two nights. I nights. I auditioned, got auditioned, got through, and on through, and on Monday, I Monday, I enrolled in enrolled in school. But school. But eventually I had eventually I had to drop out to to drop out to compete on the compete on the show. show.

world, and world, and living 24/7 living 24/7 with your with your fellow fellow competitors — competitors — and praying and praying you're not you're not going to be going to be voted oﬀ that voted oﬀ that week! LOL. week! LOL.

Are you Are you still friendly still friendly with any of with any of the other the other Season Three Season Three contestants? contestants? Yes, some of Yes, some of us do keep in touch. us do keep in touch. And now social And now social media has made media has made that even easier. that even easier.

My life has been awesome My life has been awesome since American Idol. I'm doing since American Idol. I'm doing what I love for a living because How has your what I love for a living because How has your life been since life been since of that platform. of that platform. Idol?Idol?

My life has been My life has been awesome since How was your awesome since How was your American Idol. I'm doing what I love for a Idol experience? American Idol. I'm doing what I love for a Idol experience? living because of that platform. I've traveled Great, scary and surreal — all at the same time! Great, scary and surreal — all at the same time! living because of that platform. I've traveled to many places, both within the U.S. and It's hard to relax and take in the experience to many places, both within the U.S. and It's hard to relax and take in the experience abroad, performing, having new experiences, because you're busy learning songs and abroad, performing, having new experiences, because you're busy learning songs and and meeting new people. choreography, interviewing, singing in front of the and meeting new people. choreography, interviewing, singing in front of the

Are you excited to be performing at the Are you excited to be performing at the annual Diversity Honors gala for the Pride annual Diversity Honors gala for the Pride Center? Center? Yes, I'm so excited to be performing at this Yes, I'm so excited to be performing at this event. We're all going to have a great time event. We're all going to have a great time honoring accomplished people, all in the honoring accomplished people, all in the name of love and diversity. I'm really looking name of love and diversity. I'm really looking forward to it. forward to it.

What does the future hold for you? What does the future hold for you? I can't say exactly what the future holds for I can't say exactly what the future holds for me. But I do know I will continue to bless the me. But I do know I will continue to bless the world with the gifts I have been blessed with, world with the gifts I have been blessed with, and through this I can say: Whatever the and through this I can say: Whatever the future holds, it will be bright! future holds, it will be bright!

For more on Latoya London, go to For more on Latoya London, go to latoyalondon.com. For Diversity Honors tix latoyalondon.com. For Diversity Honors tix (from $200): diversityhonors.com . (from $200): . diversityhonors.com

Hotspots.LGBT | 7

YOU BELONG IN

PROVINCETOWN

EVERY

GAYDAY

OF THE YEAR! MARCH-APRIL-MAY

Out of Hibernation | Miss Gay USofA | Gays for Patsy | Broto Nauticon | Memorial Day JUNE

PRIDE | Cabaret Fest | ASGCC Benefit | Provincetown Film Festival JULY

4th of July | Bear Week | Secret Garden Tour | Family Week GLAD Summer Party AUGUST

Carnival: Mardi Gras by the Sea SEPTEMBER

Labor Day | Celebration of Life Concert | Swim for Life Afterglow | Gay Pilots Classic | Tennessee Williams Festival Mates Leather Weekend OCTOBER

Columbus Day Weekend | PAAM Annual Gala | Fantasia Fair Halloween NOVEMBER

Day of the Dead Performing Arts Festival | Mr. New England Leather | Lighting of the Monument & Lobster Pot Tree Festival Tis the Season for Giving (ASGCC) DECEMBER

Holly Folly | Outer Cape Chorale Concert First Light Weekend & Fireworks

You belong here! ptowntourism.com

Facebook: Provincetown Twitter: @PtownTourism YouTube: PtownTourismâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s channel Instagram: Ptowntourism, #MyPtown

The Heat: Finn Bálor

HOT TAG TEAM ACTION Finn Bálor, the WWE’s freshest “face,” hooks up with GLAAD and makes his WrestleMania debut a rainbow-hued extravaganza

>> In our Corner

Balor in the ring and sporting his new club t-shirt.

12 | Hotspots.LGBT

he LGBT-friendliness of New Orleans is legendary, but it may not always extend to the Superdome. Finn Bálor changed all that earlier this month. When the studly grappler — Ireland’s hottest export since the UFC’s Connor McGregor — made his WrestleMania debut before a crowd of more than 78,000 at the stadium on April 8, he emerged from a strobe-lit cloud of smoke and confetti to make a bold statement of LGBT equality. Wearing black trunks and boots, both emblazoned with rainbow stripes, Bálor was surrounded by dozens of local LGBT wrestling fans sporting black t-shirts with a rainbow design. Bálor had teased the tees, a new design for his Balor Club for Everyone, a week before the big night, tweeting: “WWE is proud to announce that a portion of sales from my new shirt will benefit GLAAD. Everyone deserves to be accepted & included!” Sadly, Bálor lost his match that night to Seth Rollins, a towering, bearded American pro with flowing raven locks (no slouch in the looks department, either!), but the defeat didn’t seem to dent the Irishman’s spirits. “Imagine all the people living in peace,” the Irishman (né Fergal Devitt) tweeted out after the event, followed by a rainbow of heart emojis. The Balor for Everyone t-shirts are available at the WWE’s web store, and from April 2 through June 30, the WWE will donate 20% of the $29 price to GLAAD, the hardworking LGBT media watchdog. Couldn’t you use a little Bálor on your By Bill Henning body? (shop.wwe.com)

WHAT’S HOT HOT WHAT’S

By ScottByHolland Scott Holland

What’s What’sHOT HOT

South SouthFlorida Florida

Season 3, Trixie Mattel, in her Season 3, Trixie Mattel, in her ast Tuesday, the ast Tuesday, the from another mother, Michael from another mother, Michael own show at the Amaturo GFLGLCC held their GFLGLCC held their Albetta (Broward's Sheriff Albetta (Broward's Sheriff own show at the Amaturo room at Broward Center for monthly mixer at J. monthly mixer at J. Department) and his coDepartment) and his co- room at Broward Center for the Performing Arts. As the Performing Arts. As Marks Restaurant Marks Restaurant worker Lori Aza, as well as Dr. worker Lori Aza, as well as Dr. expected this event sold out! expected this event sold out! (have I mentioned (have I mentioned Costabile (The Dental Costabile (The Dental before how much I love there before how much I love there Associates of Boca Raton) and Associates of Boca Raton) and Bang Bang Shrimp…try it you Bang Bang Shrimp…try it you his newest employee Marcos. his newest employee Marcos.

On Friday, Outshine Film On Friday, Outshine Film th th Festival presented the 20 Festival presented the 20 edition of the Miami gay and edition of the Miami gay and lesbian Film Festival. The will thank me), and seen will thank me), and seen On Wednesday, was the On Wednesday, was the lesbian Film Festival. The Opening Night was held at The Opening Night was held at The amongst the great crowd was amongst the great crowd was monthly Stonewall Gay Skate monthly Stonewall Gay Skate Scottish Rite in downtown Glen Weinzeimer from Smart Glen Weinzeimer from Smart at Xtreme Action,and the at Xtreme Action,and the Scottish Rite in downtown Miami and featured the film Ride, Rene Cantu from Ride, Rene Cantu from skaters all had a great time skaters all had a great time Miami and featured the film "My Big Gay Italian Wedding.” Equality Florida, Casey Equality Florida, Casey dancing to the music of DJ dancing to the music of DJ "My Big Gay Italian Wedding.” The opening night featured a Koslowsky from The Grand, Koslowsky from The Grand, Richie Rich. Seen there was Richie Rich. Seen there was The opening night featured a Pre-Party Soiree, awards and and the Drs. from Remedium and the Drs. from Remedium Mark Hunter (Hunters), Mark Hunter (Hunters), Pre-Party Soiree, awards and recognitions (SAVE! and Wellness. Wellness. Miami's Johnie Mejia & Miami's Johnie Mejia & recognitions (SAVE! and Pridelines), the movie Pridelines), the movie Boyfriend Omar Morales, sexy Boyfriend Omar Morales, sexy followed by a Q&A with the followed by a Q&A with the go-go boy Juan and his hubby go-go boy Juan and his hubby stars, and a Wedding Themed stars, and a Wedding Themed and many more! and many more! After Party downstairs. After Party downstairs.

On Sunday, the 30th annual On Sunday, the 30th annual AIDS Walk Miami was held at AIDS Walk Miami was held at New World Symphony Park. New World Symphony Park. Also on Tuesday, the Pride Also on Tuesday, the Pride The walk goes all along SoBe The walk goes all along SoBe center held their monthly center held their monthly and ends back up at the park and ends back up at the park Founders Circle at Rosie's. Founders Circle at Rosie's. where there were many health where there were many health This always brings out a lot of This always brings out a lot of tents and when you check in tents and when you check in On Friday, Murray and peter the donors and many others the donors and many others On Friday, Murray and peter to all of them you turned your to all of them you turned your featured the winner of featured the winner of who support the Pride Center. who support the Pride Center. card in and received a card in and received a RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Seen there was my brother Seen there was my brother RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 14 | Hotspots.LGBT

Everything Everything youyou need need to plan to plan your your week week

commemorative Care commemorative Care out for a great experience at out for a great experience at Excellence.” Craig Stevens, Excellence.” Craig Stevens, Resource/AIDS Walk Miami Resource/AIDS Walk Miami Hunters Fort Lauderdale! Hunters Fort Lauderdale! WSVN-TV anchor, David WSVN-TV anchor, David Teddy Bear. Once again, this Teddy Bear. Once again, this Richardson, Florida State Richardson, Florida State u FRIDAY APR 27 APR 27 was an amazing event and was an amazing event and u FRIDAY Representative serving Representative serving lots of money was raised for lots of money was raised for Diversity Honors, presented Diversity Honors, presented District 113 and current District 113 and current a great cause! a great cause! by Seminole Hard Rock by Seminole Hard Rock primary candidate for primary candidate for Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Congress in Florida's 27th Congress in Florida's 27th District and the Marjory District and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High Stoneman Douglas High School Gay-Straight Alliance School Gay-Straight Allianc will also be recognized for will also be recognized for their effort in promoting their effort in promoting equality and inclusiveness. equality and inclusiveness. Tickets are $200 per person, Tickets are $200 per person, plus a service fee, for the plus a service fee, for the black-tie optional event. To black-tie optional event. To u THURSDAY u THURSDAY APR 26 APR 26 has announced featured has announced featured reserve tickets or for more reserve tickets or for more special guest artists La Toya Broward House presents Broward House presents special guest artists La Toya information, please visit information, please visit and DJ Kidd London and DJ Kidd their annual Dine Out For their annual Dine Out For London DiversityHonors.com. DiversityHonors.com. Madonny as part of the Life, where if you dine at Life, where if you dine at Madonny as part of the prominent gala to benefit participating restaurants, a participating restaurants, a prominent gala to benefit Harvey Milk Foundation and Harvey Milk Foundation and percentage of your check will percentage of your check will The Pride Center at Equality The Pride Center at Equality be donated back to Broward be donated back to Broward Park at 7 p.m. at the Hard Park at 7 p.m. at the Hard Rock Event Center. The Rock Event Center. The globally renowned celebration globally renowned celebration serves as a kick-off to Harvey serves as a kick-off to Harvey Milk Day events around the Milk Day events around the world and spotlights those world and spotlights those who are transforming lives by who are transforming lives by The Pub presents Thirsty The Pub presents Thirsty living authentically and living authentically and Burlington and her incredible Burlington and her incredib advancing inclusiveness. This advancing inclusiveness. This House. The legacy House. The legacy Cher impersonation show ay Cher impersonation show a year's Diversity Honors gala, year's Diversity Honors gala, restaurants that are restaurants that are 9:30p.m. If you cannot attend 9:30p.m. If you cannot attend emceed by WSVN's Lynn tonight, you can catch Thirsty (participating 6 years) are: (participating 6 years) are: emceed by WSVN's Lynn tonight, you can catch Thirst Martinez, will celebrate Martinez, will celebrate for one more show on Sunday Rosies, The Over Easy Café Rosies, The Over Easy Café for one more show on Sunda international, regional and at 9:30p.m. and Mojo Restaurant and and Mojo Restaurant and international, regional and at 9:30p.m. local leaders who have made a local leaders who have made a Lounge. The restaurants that Lounge. The restaurants that significant impact on are giving 50% back are: are giving 50% back are: significant impact on Taste of Oakland Park takes Taste of Oakland Park takes improving the quality of life place from 6-9p.m.at Jaco Georgie's Alibi/Monkey Georgie's Alibi/Monkey improving the quality of life place from 6-9p.m.at Jaco for the LGBTQ community. for the LGBTQ community. Pastorius Park (4000 N. Dixie Bar, Wilton Creamery, Mini Bar, Wilton Creamery, Mini Pastorius Park (4000 N. Dix Dolores Huerta, will receive Pita and Pita Maria's Cantina and Maria's Cantina . . Dolores Huerta, will receive Highway). Admission tickets Highway). Admission tickets the Harvey Milk Foundation the Harvey Milk Foundation are $15 per person and For all other restaurants visit For all other restaurants visit are $15 per person and Honors Medal. Fort their website at: Broward their website at: Broward Honors Medal. Fort include food and beverage include food and beverage Lauderdale Mayor and LGBTQ Lauderdale Mayor and LGBTQ House.org. The Official after House.org. The Official after samples from all participating samples from all participatin Dean Trantalis will will Advocate Dean Trantalis Party host is Hunters, who Party host is Hunters, who Advocate vendors. FREE for children vendors. FREE for children be the recipient of the firstbe the recipient of the first-under 12. For more will be donating 100% will be donating 100% under 12. For more ever Pride Center at Equality ever Pride Center at Equality classic cocktail proceeds. Be classic cocktail proceeds. Be information, please visit: information, please visit: Park “Alan Schubert Award of Park “Alan Schubert Award of sure to stop by after you dine sure to stop by after you dine oaklandparkfl.gov. oaklandparkfl.gov. Hotspots.LGBT | 15

u SATURDAY APR 28 My favorite male ventriloquist, Jeff Dunham, returns to the BB&T Center on at 5 p.m.. Jeff has some of the most iconic puppet characters ever (Achemd, Walter, Bubba J, Peanut, Jose Jalapeno, and many more) that we can't help to laugh with and about. Tickets start at $48.50.

The Manor Complex presents, a theme party entitled “Chains Of Love,” starring DJ Joe Gauthreaux in the ballroom. Noche Latina Saturdays, inside the Ivy Dance Room and Patio, presents special guests former Miss Florida, and former Miss Continental, Danielle Hunter and current reigning Miss Noche Latina,

Estephania St Lords along with resident DJ Larry Larr and sexy Latin go-go papi's. Saturdays at the Manor feature NO COVER before midnight (FL res) and only $7 after for members and $10 for non-members (18-20 - $12 all night).

u TUESDAY MAY 01

If you have become a huge fan of the Dynamic Duo, or haven't had the chance to see them the last two Tuesday, this is your last chance before they leave town., Catch Gerianne and Eric live at 8p.m.

Something Rotten comes to the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts from today through May 6. When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves

HOT

u THIS IS

It's got a groove, it's got a meaning…and it's still a cultural phenomenon 40 years after its original release. The iconic celebration of high school life in the 1950s, Grease is the way you'll be feeling with a new 40th Anniversary Edition on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital out now from Paramount Home Media Distribution. Featuring an explosion of song and dance, as well as star-making performances from John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, Grease made an indelible impact on popular culture. 40 years later, the film remains an enduring favorite as legions of new fans discover the memorable moments, sensational soundtrack and classic love story. 16 | Hotspots.LGBT

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singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world's very first MUSICAL! But amidst the scandalous excitement of Opening Night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self … and all that jazz. Tickets start at $28.

u WEDNESDAY MAY 02

The Miami Backgammon Group has moved to Fritz and Franz Bierhaus (60 Merrick Way, Coral Gables). Play live games and tournaments with a friendly bunch of South Florida backgammon fans. Players of all levels welcome every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Tournaments start at 7p.m. No costs or membership dues, but tournaments are subject to $10

entry fee. For more information, go to: MiamiBackgammon.com

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts presents An Evening with James Comey. In his book, A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership, the former FBI director shares his neverbefore-told experiences from some of the highest-stakes situations of his career in the past two decades of American government, exploring what good, ethical leadership looks like, and how it drives sound decisions. His journey provides an unprecedented entry into the corridors of power, and a remarkable lesson in what makes an effective leader. Each $45 ticket includes a copy of his book.

Paramount worked with director Randal Kleiser to restore Grease to its original vibrancy with the highest quality sound, picture resolution and color. The original negative was scanned and received extensive clean up and color correction using previously unavailable digital restoration tools such as high dynamic range technology. In addition, the audio was enhanced from a six-track mix created for an original 70mm release, giving the music more clarity. The Grease 40th Anniversary Edition 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Combo Packs include the fully restored version of the film plus an all-new, indepth exploration of the little-known origins of what would become a Broadway play and then a feature film and worldwide phenomenon. “Grease: A Chicago Story” features new interviews with writer Jim Jacobs and original cast members of the Chicago show. In addition, the discs include the original song the title sequence was animated to and an alternate

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ending salvaged from the original black & white 16mm work print discovered by director Randal Kleiser.

uEmail WhatsHot@HotspotsMedia.com to have your items considered for What’s Hot Hotspots.LGBT | 17

deep inside hollywood

by romeo san vicente

We know Adam won’t disappoint, given his patented brand of charm and sass.”

Your Olympics Crush is Dancing with the Stars

photo: people.com No, we didn’t say which Olympics crush. That’s because the upcoming all-athletes season of Dancing with the Stars features several recent popular Olympic athletes, and one of them is America’s Queer Sweetheart, the witty and fierce figure skater Adam Rippon. The other two, though not LGBT, are just as swoon-worthy, depending on your orientation: There’s softball power pitcher Jennifer Finch Daigle to entice the lesbians, and Chris Mazdzer, the stud-muffin luger whose scruffy appeal has been clocked by virtually all gay men with internet access. They’ll be joining problematic faves like Tonya Harding and fave-faves like Kareem AbdulJabbar. In other words, the competition is poised to rival the best seasons of the beloved (and, come on, really corny) series in terms of sheer physical power. Finally, we know Adam won’t disappoint, given his patented brand of charm and sass, so that’s reason enough to watch. Catch DWTS on ABC. 20 | Hotspots.LGBT

Kate McKinnon Is Currently in Talks for a Film with No Name

“In talks” is what they call contract negotiations over salary, and while those are being hammered out, let’s all agree that whatever amount SNL superstar Kate McKinnon is being offered should, just on principle, be doubled. She’s that appealing, even in films that aren’t (and she’s had a few of those). Good news, then, that the film she’s in talks to star in is from Love, Actually creator Richard Curtis and acclaimed director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting), so the chances of it being pretty good are, well, pretty good. The project has no title, but it does have Downton Abbey’s James (and EastEnders mainstay), Himesh Patel, as well as the most vague idea of a plot that involves music of the 1960s and/or 1970s, depending on whose rumors you believe. Doesn’t matter, you had us at Kate.

It Is a Bad Idea to Mess with Gay Kid and Fat Chick

TV comedy director Amy York Rubin (Grown-ish, Fresh Off The Boat) has signed on to direct the next film from comic actor Bo Burnham (his debut feature as a writerdirector, the already-acclaimed Eighth Grade, hits theaters this summer). It’s called Gay Kid and Fat Chick, at least for now, and we don’t dislike that title at all. Not only is it instantly memorable, it takes dismissive language and uses it powerfully in a story of teenage outsiders who create costumed superhero identities in order to get revenge on bullies, kind of like a queer Kick-Ass. At the moment this one is in development — at Paramount — so there’s no cast, but hear us out when we say that J.J. Totah (Champions) is the only choice to play “Gay Kid.” That young man is practically already a queer superhero in real life. Anyway, we hope the script doesn’t involve them having to learn lessons about the futility of revenge. If you’ve seen Heathers, you know there’s no satisfaction in that.

photo: bigstock.com

Follow Kimberly Reed’s Dark Money

Transgender director Kimberly Reed’s documentary Prodigal Sons was the kind of indie success story every filmmaker hopes for: critically acclaimed, crowd pleasing, and award winning. Then her profile rose when she coproduced the moving documentary The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson. And now her latest, Dark Money, hits arthouse theaters this summer before airing on PBS. This time around, the subject matter is less queer specific and more urgently universal: the influence of untraceable corporate money and the way it influences not only American elections but also our democracy itself, thanks to the infamous Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United. It’s the kind of activist filmmaking that’s sure to depress audiences — but only in an effort to make them rise up. Here’s hoping it pushes the national conversation toward breaking the grip corporations have on American politics and life. (Cue group sing-along of “The Internationale.”)

uRomeo San Vicente doesn’t hate Mondays, just capitalism. Hotspots.LGBT | 21

g wh ha at’s n o ppe n w in

The TOP 10 Things We Love This Week

HOT LIST 1 BENEFIT GALA – DIVERSITY HONORS

The latest installment of this annual black-tie(ish) gala — a showcase for those transforming lives by living authentically and advancing inclusiveness — benefits the Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park, and will honor Fort Lauderdale’s new mayor, longtime LGBT activist Dean Trantalis, among others. The swell attendees will enjoy a cocktail reception, open bar, and a variety of delicious nibbly bits before being treated to the musical stylings of American Idol vet LaToya London (see our exclusive Q&A with her on p. 6). Be sure to stick around for the Stoli-drenched after party! Fri Apr 27, 7–11pm. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (1 Seminole Way, H’wood). Tix ($200): diversityhonors.com. CONCERT – STATIC & BEN EL

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24 | Hotspots.LGBT

Founded just two years ago, Static & Ben El immediately became the most successful band of all time in Israel, breaking every musical record throughout the country — both on radio and the internet. The vocal duo redefines Israeli sound with diverse musical influences including pop, Latin, reggaeton, Brazilian, African, and electronic. Sun Apr 29, 3pm. Parker Playhouse (707 NE 8th St, Ft Lauderdale). Tix ($52–$152): parkerplayhouse.com. MOVIE – AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR

It’s all hands on deck in the latest Marvel flick. The Avengers and their allies (including Doctor Strange, Black Panther, Okoye, Star-Lord, Gamora, Groot, and Ant-Man) must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos (Josh Brolin) before he can collect all of the Infinity Stones and — you guessed it — destroy the universe. In theaters Fri Apr 27. PG-13, 2h 29m.

BOOK TALK – AN EVENING WITH JAMES COMEY

In his new bestseller, A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership, the former FBI director recounts the never-before-told stories of some of the highest-stakes encounters of his two-decade career in government, along the way exploring what good, ethical leadership looks like, and how it drives sound decisions. Comey’s book provides both unprecedented entrée into the corridors of power and a remarkable lesson in what makes an effective leader. Your ticket gets you a free copy of the book! Wed May 2. Knight Concert Hall at the Arsht Center (1300 Biscayne Blvd, Miami). Tix ($45): arshtcenter.org. COMEDY SHOW – ROBERT KLEIN

For more than forty years, Klein has entertained audiences, and he continues to have an acclaimed career in comedy clubs, on Broadway, on television, and in film. Klein’s even been nominated twice for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album of the Year, for Child of the Fifties and Mind Over Matter. Thu–Sat Apr 26–28. Boca Black Box (8221 Glades Road #10, Boca Raton). Tix ($60–$70): bocablackbox.

FOOD FEST – TASTE OF OAKLAND PARK

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For the locals by the locals, the 2nd annual Taste of Oakland will feature light bites and dishes from dozens of neighborhood restaurants, plus beer, wine and spirits — much of it also from the ’hood (we’re looking at you, Funky Buddha Brewery!). Admission includes food and beverage samples from all the participating vendors, plus live music and children’s activities. Organizers expect a very limited number of tickets to be available at the event, so be sure to snap yours up online ahead of time. Fri Apr 27, 6–9pm. Jaco Pastorius Park (4000 N Dixie Hwy, Oakland Park). Info & tix ($15; free for kids under 12): oaklandparkfl.gov. THEATER – SOMETHING ROTTEN!

Welcome to the ’90s — the 1590s —where brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom (bet you know ’em!) are desperate to write a hit play but find themselves stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theater will involve singing, dancing and acting — all at the same time! — Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. Amidst the drama of a scandalous opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self… and all that jazz. May 1–6. The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd, WPB). Showtimes & tix (from $28): kravis.org. VENTRILOQUIST – JEFF DUNHAM

Dunham’s partners in crime — Walter, Bubba J, Peanut, Jose Jalapeno, and, especially, Achmed the Dead Terrorist — have become part of pop culture, and helped Jeff secure a place in the Ventriloquist Hall of Fame. Tickets for his latest show, Passively Aggressive, start at $49, but we bet you’ll spend a lot more because the souvenir stand at a Jeff Dunham show is fabulous! Sat Apr 28, 5pm. BB&T Center (2555 NW 136th Ave, Sunrise). Tix (from $49): thebbtcenter.com. TV SHOW – DANCING WITH THE STARS

As you may have heard, producers of the ABC reality competition are trying something a little different this season: an all-athlete cast, including Olympians Tonya Harding, Jennie Finch, Chris Mazdzer, and America’s Queer Sweetheart, Adam Rippon. Also competing are NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, MLB World Series champ Johnny Damon and Notre Dame basketball player Arike Ogunbowale. Strap yourself in for a very short season: These jocks and their dance partners will have just four weeks to snatch the mirrorball! Premieres Mon Apr 30, 8pm on ABC.

COMEDY SHOW – KEVIN NEALON

Nealon sets himself apart from other comedic performers with his unique sense of humor and dry wit, not to mention his likeable demeanor. Best known for his nine-year stint on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Nealon has also found great comedic success in his extensive film career and received critical acclaim for his role in the Showtime series, Weeds. Fri–Sat Apr 27–28. Palm Beach Improv (550 S Rosemary Ave #250, WPB). Tix (21+ only; $25, plus 2-drink min;): palmbeachimprov.com.

THE TOP 10 THINGS WE LOVE THIS WEEK Hotspots.LGBT | 25

The 6th annual Red Hot Party

Bachelor/Bachelorette Date Auction

n Thursday, May 10, Deliver the Dream will present its 6th annual Red Hot Party Bachelor/Bachelorette Date Auction at Hunters in Wilton Manors. This incredibly fun event features South Florida’s most eligible LGBTQ bachelors and bachelorettes, all placing themselves on the auction block to raise funds for Deliver the Dream’s first HIV Retreat.

Last week we introduced you to Ricky and Robby. This week meet… Arshley and Felix.

ARSHLEY is 30 and a Libra. His heritage is Dominican and Colombian, but he grew up in Hialeah and now lives in Hollywood, Florida.

FELIX is 31 and a Gemini. He hails from Venezuela but now lives in Oakland Park.

What’s your perfect date?

We would start out by the sea, on the beach. Then we’d go to a good seafood restaurant, and couple that with a good glass of wine.

Tacos would have to be involved. It would also include some sort of physical activity — biking, dancing, roller blading — and afterwards sitting somewhere where we can talk and get to know each other.

Why should someone bid on you?

Because they will definitely have fun: I am OK with acting a fool to make someone have fun, if necessary. I’m very transparent. And we will have great food!

What do you do for a living?

I’m an HR professional, a training manager at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

What do you do for fun?

I’m an only child, so I like to hang out with my friends. And I love playing sports.

What does the future hold for you?

Hopefully, a lot of success for myself and my friends — and a loving partner to push me along the way.

28 | Hotspots.LGBT

What’s your perfect date?

Why should someone bid on you?

Because I’m a fun person and will be a good date.

What do you do for a living?

I’m a bartender at Hunters Nightclub.

What do you do for fun?

I go to the beach, I kayak, I Powerboard. I go to the gym and do yoga. And I love the movies. I also love spending time with my family.

What does the future hold for you?

I have my bachelor’s in Business Administration, but I would like to go back to school for an IT degree. I’d also like to start my own business, a small bar with craft cocktails.

Miami Beach Gay Pride

Pride Lights Up the Night

Photos: Stephen R. Lang

“Think you can slow me down, HIV? Not in this lifetime.” Yuri - Miami, FL Living with HIV.

HIV

TREATMENT

WORKS

I refuse to let HIV get in the way of my busy schedule. I even have a cell phone app that reminds me to take my HIV meds. When I’m not working, I keep busy with boot camp, swimming, weight lifting, meditation, traveling and — oh yeah — karaoke. I know that the more control I have over my HIV, the less power I give to the virus. I take control by taking my HIV medication every day.

Get in care. Stay in care. Live well. cdc.gov/HIVTreatmentWorks

HOTshots of the week

Courtesy of MARKSLIST.LGBT

VOICE OF EQUALITY

u Florida State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith received the 2018 Voice of Equality Award

at the Equality Florida Palm Beach Gala.

BBQ BOYS

u Kevin & boyfriend Jose have a relaxing day at the Pride Fort Lauderdale Sponsor & Volunteer Appreciation Party in Hagan Park.

PRIDE

u The 11 11 Building was the first to light up for

Miami Beach Gay Pride’s Pride Lights Up the Night.

DYNAMIC DUO

u Singer Jennifer McClain

loves her friend Michael who helped her with a song at her show at Georgie’s Alibi/Monkey Bar.

SLAY

u Rianna Petrone gets ready to take over the dance floor at Camelot’s Sunday Tea Dance.

WILLKOMMEN!AH

u Johnson’s Cody & Matt greet guests

as they arrive with a smile.

MIAMI BEACH PROUD

u Miami Beach Detective Juan Sanchez

hangs with Joel Stedman at the pride flag raising at Miami Beach City Hall.

AH DANIEL’S LAST DANCE

u Southern Nights’ Daniel bids SoFL a fond

farewell as he goes to northern pastures.

SUCH ANGELS

u Mayor Dean Trantalis & Chuck Knowles

enjoy Tuesdays Angels last dinner at Mojo’s.

THANK YOU

u The GLLN (Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Network) Board

would like to thank everyone who attended this year’s gala.

Sandra Bernhard Still Has Her Blunt AF Opinions The fearless comedian returns to a TV classic — and doesn't mince words on Roseanne's politics or Kathy Griﬃn's activism.

By Chris Azzopardi

36 | Hotspots.LGBT

Trump shit, but I think she'll transcend that, and the show will still be amazing.”

What can we expect politically from the Roseanne reboot? I think they're gonna do a deep dive into where the working class is at right now. I mean, maybe not as deep as you would need, considering that half of the working class who don't have their industrial-ass jobs anymore are strung out on opioids. That's not very much fun; I don't think they'll go there. [Laughs.] But I think we're in a real crossroads in this country, and Roseanne has always been good at revealing that — and at the same time making it funny and moving and insightful. I'm only in the last episode, so I don't know exactly how they're approaching it. I know there will be very personal stories like there always were, as opposed to globalizing it. I think that's what makes the show special.

I imagine you've been hearing about the backlash Roseanne's politics have ignited since the reboot was announced. I was hearing about that way before they announced the reboot, and I just dropped out of the conversation because I don't want to get into that on Twitter. You can't do that; it goes

Photo : Jordan Graham

Before unloading her candid thoughts on TV co-star Roseanne Barr's alt-right politics and fellow comic Kathy Grif in's viral Trumpbeheading pic (“It just wasn't funny”), Sandra Bernhard proclaims herself, quite aptly, to be “no-nonsense.” That has been, after all, her way since the '70s, when lambasting Hollywood's who's-who irst became a calling card for the fearless comedian, actress, and musician. Then, from 1991 to 1997, she famously put a face to bisexuality not just as herself — Bernhard was out from the get-go — but also as Nancy Bartlett on ABC's hit sitcom Roseanne. Introduced in Season Four as the estranged lesbian wife of Arnie Thomas (Tom Arnold), Nancy, who later came out as bisexual, gets chummy with Roseanne Conner and Roseanne's younger sister, Jackie Harris (Laurie Metcalf). Bernhard, 62, will revisit her groundbreaking character during the show's revival. As for the controversy regarding Roseanne and her TV alter ego's support for President Trump? “Roseanne is gonna be another round of really fun and really smart television,” Bernhard tells me. “Roseanne has never turned on the gay community. Roseanne likes to stir the pot. She always has. So, I guess that's the way she's doing it now, and I don't agree with any of the

show are like, “What the f*ck?”

It's obvious that Trump didn't know anything about the working-class population; he just exploited it.

My hope is that it might bridge some severe societal gaps, perhaps open some minds, maybe even my own. But it's been very dif icult for people who didn't vote for Trump to even begin to understand or empathize with someone who supported him. I don't have any empathy for people who voted for him. Honestly, I really don't. It's obvious that he didn't know anything about the working-class population; he just exploited it, and [his supporters] were naive and unwilling to read or to know what was really going on. He played them — and to a certain extent, the few people who are still in his corner. He still plays them. So it's just kind of a bummer. A lot of people have strong opinions about the liberalminded cast returning to a show led by a Trump supporter. I'm glad they do. She should hear it. And it's better for her to hear it from the people that have supported her and watched her show than it is from me. I mean, we're friends, we're friendly, and I'll continue to do the show. But it gets underneath your skin when 20 million people who used to watch your

She seems to know how people feel about her politics. At the Golden Globes, presenting with co-star John Goodman, she said, “I'm kind of known for creating some great drama.” Of course she knows.

Well, I'm excited to have Nancy Bartlett back. You told me in 2013 that you didn't think Nancy would have a place on the show if it ever returned to television. It's not that she didn't have a place. But I didn't think they'd be able to it her story back in because of all the new characters, and the family, and reestablishing what's been going on politically. So, when they added the extra episode and wrote me in, I was thrilled.

Nancy was one of the earliest portrayals of bisexuality on TV. What surprised you most about how her sexuality was treated on the show in the '90s? I mean, she was fun, and it was a fun concept that she ran from being married to Tom Arnold into the relationship with Morgan Fairchild. It was sort of a lark at irst, and of course it evolved. They wouldn't let me kiss Morgan Fairchild under the mistletoe — we had to cut the kiss — so that's how far we've come in terms of what you see

Photo: Jordan Graham

nowhere. And everybody who makes political decisions also has to live with the fallout. That goes for famous, successful people and for people on the street. If you voted for Trump and you thought it was gonna be a lark and funny, the results are right there in front of you every day.

Hotspots.LGBT | 37

When they added the extra episode of Roseanne and wrote me in, I was thrilled.

We'll get more Nancy if there's another season of Roseanne? Oh yeah, absolutely. For sure, yeah.

Roseanne will have a gender luid grandson, Mark, played by newcomer Ames McNamara, on the show as well. Yes.

What are your thoughts on the show continuing to be inclusive? I just think there has to be a little bit of everything in all the shows now, and I don't know. I've gotta see the show before I can comment. He's in my episode, but to the extent of what they're trying to do with that character, we'll have to see.

Speaking more generally, how do you feel about representation as far as LGBTQ people go on TV? It's certainly gotten a helluva lot better than when Nancy irst came on the scene. And I think with each year that goes by, especially with the advent of Hulu and Net lix and Amazon, there's 38 | Hotspots.LGBT

been major breakthroughs.

Are you currently enjoying any shows with LGBTQ characters? I watch 9-1-1 just because I think it's a ridiculous show. Everywhere you turn there's new, interesting gay characters. But I don't go to a show for that. For me, my life has never been informed by that. I've always been comfortable with who I am sexually. I've been sexually luid, I've broken all the ground rules since I was 17 years old. So, I've never had any need for somebody to be my role model. I've been my own role model. So, it's a non-issue. But I think for the public at large it's been a great time and a revolutionary time for people to see all kinds of characters — racially, sexually, women, men — come to life in a new way.

Have you heard of the very gay-centric Schitt's Creek? Honey, I was one of the irst people to be hip to it! Oh, snap. [Laughs.] I know, yes. But yeah, of course. Love it. Dan Levy is terri ic — super funny and smart.

What can we expect from you in the future? I've got three scripted projects I'm trying to get oﬀ the ground right now, so that's a lot of my focus, and it's a lot of hard work. So, I'm chipping away at that and, of course, continuing to go up for roles as an actress and do my live performing.

Photo : Jordan Graham

sexually on TV. But yeah, she was a funny, kooky, free-spirited character who got to do things and say things that were part of the evolution of sexuality on TV. It wasn't intentional — it wasn't like we were trying to do something groundbreaking. But that is how Roseanne is and was. She just did things that felt organic and authentic. She ended up having the actual kiss with Merle Hemingway [at a gay bar that Nancy took her to]. But nonetheless, Nancy's fun, and if they picked up the show again, they'll expand her story.

Listen, if I haven't done reality TV by now, I'm certainly not gonna do it at this late date. What kind of scripts are you working on? They're all comedic. One is based on my early years in L.A., when I started oﬀ as a manicurist. One is a project with [performance artist] Justin Vivian Bond. We wrote a musical about six years ago called Arts & Crafts, and we're trying to make it into a TV series.

I remember you telling me you'd never stoop so low to do a reality show. Still out of the question? Yeah, listen, if I haven't done it by now, I'm certainly not gonna do it at this late date.

How do you feel about the way comedy has addressed the Trump era? Everybody's speaking about it and being funny and creative about it. And, obviously, people like Bill Maher and those types do it in a more political way. I think it's been really interesting.

Has your recent comedy re lected current politics? Sort of, kind of through the back door. I don't hit people over the head talking about that stuﬀ because so many people are good at doing it verbatim, so I try to keep it more global than just obvious.

Did you think Kathy Grif in went too far with the picture of her holding Trump's decapitated head? It's not about going too far — it just wasn't funny. And she's not political. Why is she suddenly jumping on the bandwagon? That's not what she does. And it wasn't smart enough or interesting enough. That was the biggest crime.

But Kathy Grif in has been politically engaged and an activist for the gay community. She's an activist? I don't know. I don't think she's an activist, frankly. I mean, that's — she certainly takes advantage of the gay population in her own way, but I don't think she's done anything earth shattering for… I mean, I don't agree.

Who would you consider an entertainer and an activist? I mean, I'm an activist for being a human being. There's bigger ish to fry, and my work is inherently political, and it's been inherently LGBTQ-informed because it's who I am; it's what I've done from the beginning. I don't call my audience “my gays.” My audience is my audience, and everybody in it forms an alliance every night. You perform for the entire crowd — it's not about singling anyone out. And if your work is very, very daring and interesting, then smart people come to it, whether they're gay, straight, black, white, men, women. I mean, you gotta be able to get underneath what's really going on culturally, and then you're always gonna have a smart audience sitting in front of you.

Who else in the comedy world can really dig into the cultural zeitgeist? I don't have a litany of people I'm sitting here thinking about. I'm sorry. It's, like, too hard to do that. Right now the people who are impressing me the most are all these kids from the school in Florida. They're activists. Went through a terrible trauma, and they've been able to transform it into total activation, and that to me is really impressive and exciting. To talk about entertainers and people — it's easy for all of us to do all that stuﬀ because we're not under duress. But when you've been practically severely injured or murdered [and you speak out about it], yeah, that's something to really applaud and stand by. As editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBTQ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed superstars from Mariah to Meryl to Beyoncé. Reach him at chris-azzopardi.com or on Twitter (@chrisazzopardi).

Hotspots.LGBT | 39

My Top 5 Pics of the Week!

Nathan and Chad - thePUB

Courtyard Cafe’s Phil.

Here’s looking at you, Matt.

44 | Hotspots.LGBT

Rosie’s Victor

Mona’s Jerry

Diva in Disguise

Inspired by the writings of Gabriel García Márquez, Amazonas is seasoned with more than a dash of magical realism.”

Photo: Matthew Staver

River spirits, a butterfly hunter, starcrossed lovers, and one incognito soprano take a slow boat to adventure in Florencia en el Amazonas.

word of warning to any opera queens who might be reading: Keep your voices down when you’re dishing a performer, because you never know who might be listening. And don’t think that just because you’re far off the beaten path it’s safe to spill! In Daniel Catán’s Florencia en el Amazonas, one of the most celebrated new operas of the past 30 years, legendary soprano Florencia Grimaldi sets off down the Amazon by boat from Colombia to Brazil, where she’s to perform at the grand reopening of an opera house in Manaus. The steamboat she’s on is, of course, filled with opera lovers en route to the concert, none of whom realize the beloved diva is in their midst — not even Rosalba, a young journalist working on a biography of Grimaldi, or Paula and Alvaro, a middle-aged couple hoping the diva’s Manaus performance will rekindle the spark of their marriage (no pressure!). Deeply unhappy with her own life, Florencia, too, is on a voyage of selfdiscovery — and pining for a past love, Cristóbal, a butterfly hunter who’s gone missing in the jungle while searching for the elusive Emerald Muse. Did I mention that our steamship is named El Dorado?

It seems everyone on this river cruise is desperately seeking something, even if it’s not the mythical South American city of gold. Will they find what they’re looking for? Or is it, like the diva they’re on a pilgrimage to see, already right there beside them? Catán was inspired by the writings of Gabriel García Márquez (One Hundred Years of Solitude), so it’s no surprise that Amazonas is seasoned with more than a dash of magical realism. The result is a heady brew — of river spirits, tempestuous card games, an actual tempest, and lovers called back from the brink of death — that pushes the operatic form to new limits of imagination. Florida Grand Opera’s production, which bows this week at the Arsht Center in Miami, has in Ana María Martínez — a Grammy winner who’s become quite a staple at The Met in New York City — a most promising Florencia. If anybody can make a ride on a slow boat to Manaus entrancing, she can. Throw in a lost Lepidopterist and a river spirit or two, and I am so on board.

Florencia en el Amazonas runs for five performances April 28 to May 5 in the Ziff Ballet Opera House at Adrienne Arsht Center (1300 Biscayne Blvd, Miami). For tix ($16–$249) and info: fgo.org.

Hotspots.LGBT | 49

THE LAZY PERSONÂ&#x2019;S GUIDE TO SPRING CLEANING

Minimal effort and big results? Yes, please! By: Erica Reitman Stomp Out the Pet Stains Now is a great time to make your way around your home and see how dirty and/or stained each of your area rugs are. For inexpensive rugs that have seen better days, it might make more sense to simply donate them

removing any pet stains with these easy Stomp 'N Go Pet Stain Lifting Pads. There's no scrubbing required; simply stomp the pads down on your rug and watch as your stains magically disappear. (Bissell, $24)

and start over. However, for pricier area rugs that you want to give a bit of extra love, try

Much like your oven, cleaning out your microwave may not exactly top your "fun" list.

A Recipe for Clean

Hotspots.LGBT | 53

But while you're motivated to do some spring cleaning, you may as well get your micro all spiﬀed up, too. Fill up a microwave-safe bowl with water, lemon slices and a few tablespoons of cleaning vinegar (which is a bit stronger than standard white vinegar). Set your microwave for approximately two minutes or until the water boils and the door looks steamy. Open the door, then simply wipe everything down. The dirt and grime will easily come oﬀ the microwave walls. Shazam! BUY IT: (Walmart, $3.44)

This Fridge Find Has No Expiration Date If you haven't cleaned out your fridge in a while, now is the time. Throw out any food or produce past its expiration date, and ditch all the crusty leftovers. Empty out your fridge and clean it up shelf by shelf. After it's all sparkly and clean, you may want to get yourself a few fridge shelf liners. The next time you tackle a fridge clean-up, you can take out all the liners and throw them in the dishwasher. You're practically done before you start. (Container Store, $4.49)

Goodbye, Dirty Dishwasher We often forget that the appliances that help us keep our home clean every day also need to be cleaned themselves. Our dishwashers are exhibit A. While you've got the cleaning bug, it's time to tackle cleaning

54 | Hotspots.LGBT

your dishwasher. But it's way easier than you think. Simply toss in a dishwasher cleaner pod. Much like the detergent pods you might already be using, this one is specially formulated to deep clean your dishwasher. Create a recurring appointment on your calendar so you get a reminder each month to keep it up. (Amazon, $6.47)

Pet Hair? Don't Care... There are lots of tricks for cleaning up pet hair around your home. One of my favorite (and easiest!) hacks is to put on a pair of rubber kitchen gloves and wipe oﬀ upholstered furniture. After you clean up your sofas and chairs, you can keep the momentum going and do a sink full of dishes. Our favorite rubber gloves are a heavy-duty pair in a bright color. (Williams Sonoma, $12.95)

Give Stuffed Animals a Bath Spring cleaning is also a great time to tackle your kids' toys. Allergens and germs love your kiddo's plush animals, so it's important to keep them clean. Get a large mesh laundry bag (which might be labeled for use with sweaters or other delicates) and ill it with smaller stuﬀed animals and toys. You can then throw the mesh bag into your washing machine (on the delicate cycle) and either air dry or put

them in your dryer on low heat. From here on in, try to wash your toys at least once a month or immediately after any kids are sick. (Amazon, $9.99)

Do You Believe in Magic?... You will as soon as you try using a Magic Eraser on your walls. Cleaning your walls is probably not something you spend a lot of You May Actually Like Cleaning Your Oven time on during the rest of the year, but they The bad news? You're going to need to give your can get pretty beat up with an active family oven a deep scrub during your spring-cleaning adventures. But the good news is that from here on running around. This handy sponge can take in, cleaning your oven is going to be a breeze. After care of scuﬀs, marks and dirt and make it all disappear in a lash. Walk around your you get all the gunk out, use oven liners to ensure house with one of these amazing little that the debris stays away for good. This reusable sponges and make your walls look gleaming nonstick liner can be placed on the lower rack of and bright again. (Walmart, $2.67) your oven to catch all the spills and splatters before they hit. Simply wipe oﬀ the liner after you're inished cooking, and you can use it again and again. (Bed, Bath & Beyond, $9.99)

Robot Vacuums FTW Stick, cordless, pet hair, no ilter – we can't keep track of how many diﬀerent types of vacuums there are. But for all the lazy cleaners out there, the only kind of vacuum Stop Stainless Steel Smudges you need is a robot vacuum. The Shark Ion We've tested a variety of stainless steel cleaners and a lot of them simply don't work. As beautiful as Robot Vacuum can actually be controlled with an app on your phone or through voice stainless steel appliances might look in your commands. Send it out in your home and let kitchen, they get dirty quick. Our favorite way to it go to work on autopilot, keeping your keep stainless steel clean is with stainless steel loors and rugs clean. Smart sensor wipes. You can use them on your fridge, oven, navigation means it does a great job of dishwasher or any other smaller stainless steel avoiding obstacles around your house, so appliances you might have. Keep them handy in you can basically sit down and relax while your kitchen so you can always grab them your whole house gets cleaned. whenever you see a new collection of smudges. (Home Depot, $349) (Target, $3.59)

Hotspots.LGBT | 55

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Miami Beach Gay Pride

Pride Flag Raising at City Hall

Photos: Stephen R. Lang

EATING OUT A SAMPLE OF FORT LAUDERDALE’S FAVORITE

RESTAURANTS ASIA BAY 1111 E. Las Olas Blvd. Fort Lauderdale asiabayrestaurants.com 954-848-9900 Elegant riverfront dining with a menu of Japanese and Thai dishes including creative sushi rolls. BEEFCAKES (at Boardwalk) 1721 N. Andrews Avenue Ft. Lauderdale BoardwalkBar.com 954-463-6969 Open daily from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. The best burgers and chicken wings in town. BONA ITALIAN RESTAURANT 2468 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors bonaitalianrestaurant.com 954-565-7222 Under new ownership! Fresh made Italian food. Signature dishes include Fazzoletti, (pasta purses with fontina cheese, cream sauce, peas/bacon), Chicken Cyriac or traditional Eggplant Parmigiana. CEVICHE BY THE SEA 2823 E. Oakland Park Blvd. Oakland Park CevicheByTheSea.com 954-999-0751 Intimate seafood and Peruvian cuisine. Recommended as

a “truly remarkable dining experience.” Reservations recommended. Open for lunch. Happy Hour M-F, 5-7 p.m. EAT 2150 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors Eatinwiltonmanors.com 954-626-0722 Menu offers everything from salmon to Chef Rosario’s meatloaf. Great $10 specialty drink menu. FLIP FLOPS DOCKSIDE EATERY 3051 NE 32nd Avenue Ft. Lauderdale FlipFlopsDocksideEatery.com 954-567-1672 Relax on the dock while sipping a specialty cocktail or eating a fresh, made-to-order item from the menu. GEORGIE’S ALIBI & MONKEY BAR 2266 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors AlibiWiltonManors.com 954-565-2526 Relaxed patio atmosphere with a full menu offering awardwinning burgers, wings, hot & cold sandwiches, sliders, flat bread, pizzas and fresh fish, shrimp and chicken entrees. Full bar. Check web site for weekend brunch entertainment schedules.

KALUZ KaluzRestaurant.com 3300 E. Commercial Blvd. Fort Lauderdale 954-772-2209 Modern American dining with spectacular waterfront views from an elegant dining room or from a more casual patio and outdoor bar. LIPS 1421 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Oakland Park Fladragshow.com 954-567-0987 A restaurant/cabaret that “dresses up” to entertain its guests! Fabulous drag and tons of fun! MIND YOUR MANORS 2045 Wilton Dr.,Wilton Manors 754-223-2172 MindYourManorsPub.com A fun, relaxing garden pub and wine bar serving comfort food and hospitality. Enjoy a wide range of creative cocktails, craft beers and a very unique wine list. NABU AMERICAN FUSION BUFFET 3485 N. Federal Hwy. Ft. Lauderdale 954-568-2208 NabuAmericanFusionBuffet.com This place offers it all: Japanese,

Continued

HOTSPOTS READERS ENJOY DINING OUT!

To advertise or be listed in this section, call 954-928-1862

EATING OUT American, Italian and Chinese. Incredible buffet. Q BAR 2362 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale qbarfl.com 954-565-2229 Live jazz & blues acts perform at this gastropub serving gourmet burgers & Creole-type dishes. ROSIE’S BAR & GRILL 2449 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors rosiesbng.com 954-563-0123 A Wilton Drive favorite, this place is known for its non-stop party every “Sunday Funday” with live DJs playing great music. Great burgers, fresh seafood and amazing Sunday Brunch10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

RUMORS BAR 2426 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors RumorsBarWiltonManors.com 954-565-8851 Full bar, restaurant and entertainment venue serving fresh, local ingredients in delicious dishes by awardwinning Cutthroat Kitchen chef Robyn Almodovar. SAGE 2378 N. Federal Highway Fort Lauderdale sagecafe.net 954-565-2229 Chic, intimate bistro delivering French country cooking in a romantic locale with patio seating. SHOOTERS WATERFRONT 3033 NE 32nd Avenue Fort Lauderdale

ShootersWaterfront.com 954-566-2855 Popular, spacious dining with a comprehensive menu and dining right on the Intracoastal. TEE JAY’S THAI SUSHI 2254 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors teejaythaisushi.com 954-537-7774 Casual locale for Thai & Japanese eats with Asian decorative touches and some traditional low tables. THAI SPICE 1514 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale thaispicefla.com 954-771-4535 Voted the “Best Thai Restaurant in South Florida 2015” by the Sun-Sentinel, this gem dishes up Thai

Continued

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EATING OUT Continued classics and specials by owner/chef Michael Tatton on a huge menu that includes Pan-Asian fare & steaks in a soothing space. Happy Hour with half-off appetizers and drinks from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. ThePUB 2283 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors ThePUBWM.com New Menu, New Chef. Stop by this center of the drive popular Bar and restaurant. Great small menu with appetizers and sandwiches, with daily menu specials.

ZUCKERELLOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ITALIAN RESTAURANT 3017 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale zuckerellos.com 954-776-4282 Familiar Italian pastas and flavorful mainstays (plus early-bird specials) are offered up in this warm, inviting restaurant.

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Pride Fort Lauderdale

Sponsor & Volunteer Appreciation Party

Photos: Stephen R. Lang

Diversity Honors Turns Four

Mayor Dean Trantalis and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas GSA to be recognized at this year’s gala.

ort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis has been racking up the honors since his election in March. This Friday, at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, he’ll be the inaugural recipient of the Pride Center at Equality Park “Alan Schubert Award of Excellence” at the fourth annual Diversity Honors. Emceed by WSVN’s Lynn Martinez, the black-tie-optional gala, which raises funds for both The Pride Center and the Harvey Milk Foundation, serves as a kick-off to Harvey Milk Day events around the world and shines a spotlight on people who are transforming lives right here in South Florida by living authentically and advancing inclusiveness. “Dean Trantalis’ recent elected victory in the City of Fort Lauderdale makes him the �irst openly gay mayor of one of the largest cities in the South,” says Robert Boo, CEO of The Pride Center. “As a passionate public servant and outspoken leader of civil rights and equality for many years, we are delighted to celebrate him as our inaugural Pride Center award recipient.” Mayor Trantalis is just one of the evening’s honorees. Dolores Huerta, a preeminent leader of the Latino, labor, and women’s civil rights movements, will receive the Harvey Milk Foundation Honors Medal. Awards will also go to WSVN-TV anchor Craig Stevens and David Richardson, the Florida State Representative serving District 113 — and current primary candidate for Congress in Florida’s 27th District! The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Gay-Straight Alliance will also be recognized for the signi�icant impact its members’ efforts have had on improving quality of life in the local LGBTQ community. Diversity Honors itself was created to honor

the memory of Harvey Milk, longtime LGBT activist and one of the �irst openly gay elected of�icials in the United States. Milk was tragically assassinated shortly after winning a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. 2018 marks 40 years since Milk’s historic election. Despite the somber anniversary, Diversity Honors is more celebration than memorial service. The evening kicks off with a cocktail reception. As attendees enjoy live entertainment, they’ll be able to vie for prizes — including more than 200 luxury items — in both an interactive balloon pop and a raf�le. Dinner will feature pop-up food stations with a variety of creative cuisine —plus an open bar. And the awards presentation itself will be followed by a decadent Stoli After Party with desserts, live entertainment and dancing (to help work off the cocktails and desserts). Helping burn those calories will be DJ Kidd Madonny. The Miami native has had his �inger on the pulse of nightlife since his teens, touring as a performer with artists such as Peter Rauhofer, Victor Calderone and Junior Vasquez. Nearly a decade into his own DJ career, Madonny is considered by many to be “the master showman” of the industry. His energetic sets are known for their crowd interaction, featuring eye-catching costume changes, laser shows, and frigid blasts of liquid nitrogen — all frequently set against a backdrop of Madonny’s own, unique décor installations. Just because an event is black-tie optional doesn’t mean you can’t get down! Diversity Honors will be held from 7–11pm on Friday, April 27 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. For info and to reserve tickets, go to diversityhonors.com.

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BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI

MASSRESISTANCE

’m writing this column on my birthday. My present? John Bolton taking office as Trump’s National Security Advisor. Bolton, who was ambassador to the United Nations under President George W. Bush, really wants to go to war with North Korea and Iran. Like, bad. And now we’ve got him whispering into the ear of our dangerously impulsive president. Which should make all of us fear that we won’t make it to our next birthday. And yet, in the face of potential annihilation, there are still people who think that men kissing men is much worse than men killing men. (Spoiler alert: It isn’t.) Such are the concerns of MassResistance. No, MassResistance isn’t when you pretend you’re sleeping and cannot hear your mom hollering that it’s time to go to church (something I spent much of my formative years doing, which must be why I’m gay). Rather, MassResistance is a group battling the so-called homosexual agenda. Because priorities. It’s all the same rhetoric, and many of the same faces, we’ve been subjected to for decades. In fact, MassResistance just welcomed notorious homophobe Peter LaBarbera to its staff. LaBarbera is president of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, an organization that does everything but tell the truth about LGBTQ people. “It goes without saying that Pete is despised and vilified by the LGBT movement,” crowed MassResistance President Brian Camenker. Which is true! Here I am, vilifying him now: Peter LaBarbera is a villain. MassResistance prides itself — not in the gay way — on being different from other antiLGBTQ groups. For one thing, they’re based in Massachusetts, a den of sin and hellfire ever since 2004, when it became the first state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage. As you might imagine, in Massachusetts there are no signs on restroom doors, and you have to get gay-married to own property or vote. Only straight people pay taxes. MassResistance brags on its webpage that the

72 | Hotspots.LGBT

MassResistance is so extreme that it managed to get banned from this year’s CPAC. organization’s been described as a “hardcore pro-family group.” They are very clear that they aren’t like those mainstream pro-family groups: “Too many pro-family groups are more interested in being viewed as ‘reasonable’ and ‘not extreme.’”. MassResistance is so extreme that it managed to get banned from this year’s Conservative Political Action Convention (CPAC) — even though CPAC is a notorious den of hateful filth — after 2015 remarks Camenker made about LGBTQ people came to light. He said it was totally fine to be “insulting and degrading” toward LGBTQ people because this was a “war” not a “church service.” So be on the lookout for MassResistance creeps as they pop up in places like public libraries in Texas to fight God’s war against LGBTQ book displays. And Jesus wept (after the earth was destroyed by nukes because Trump wanted to distract from his incompetence and corruption). D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for more than a decade. Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.

Equality Florida

Palm Beach Gala

Photos: Stephen R. Lang

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THREE MEALS IS NOT ENOUGH 5 COMMON-SENSE STEPS TO BETTER NUTRITION

by Tom Bonanti

ften the most daunting part of getting and staying in shape is managing your diet. Time and time again, clients ask me what they should eat â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and when to eat it! â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and puzzle over how they can eat to stay lean and still have energy for an active lifestyle. There's good news! Devising a sound nutritional plan is not so difficult if you keep a few basic principles in mind. Here are my five rules of performance nutrition. These apply to everyone, whether you're young or old, sedentary or active, in or out of shape.

1. EAT MORE OFTEN, BUT EAT LESS. Always eat at least four or five times a day. Instead of two or three monster meals late in the day, eat smaller meals or snacks every two or three hours. It'll stabilize your bloodsugar and insulin levels, and you'll have more energy all day long. Your muscles will

78 | Hotspots.LGBT

get a steady supply of protein to support growth, and instead of being stored, body fat will be mobilized as an energy source. 2. MEASURE CALORIES 1-2-3. As you plan daily meals, strive for a caloric ratio of one part fats, two parts protein, and three parts carbohydrates. Fats are not the enemy! Your body needs them for insulation and for

producing critical hormones. Just make sure to balance. On sedentary days, cut back on your favor unsaturated fats, such as canola and olive calories, especially carbs. Drink plenty of water, oil, and keep your consumption of saturated and stick with higher protein meals and snacks.

fats (animal fats) low. Carbs are your friends! You need these for energy. And high-quality protein from poultry and fish supports muscle growth and recovery.

3 4

On workout days, remember to eat to support your activities: Try to eat carbs early in the day and protein after workouts.

Fats are not the enemy! Carbs are your friends!

3. USE CARBS FOR FUEL. Before you sit down to eat, ask yourself, “What am I going to be doing for the next three hours?” If you're going to be taking a nap or sitting in front of the computer, eat fewer carbs (so they will not be stored as fat). If you're planning to exercise, eat more carbohydrates to fuel your body for the work ahead.

5. FOOD IS NOT ENOUGH. It's impossible to get all the nutrients you need to remain healthy and active from food alone — especially when you're on a weight-loss program or heavy training regime. That is where supplements like vitamins and protein powders can help. 4. EAT FOR THE DAY'S ACTIVITY LEVEL. To But before trying any new products, it's always lose fat, you must take in fewer calories than a good idea to do some online research and you would need to stay at that same weight. To consult your doctor. gain lean muscle, you need to take in more calories than you'd need to maintain your Tom Bonanti is a certified fitness trainer and current weight. So how do you lose fat and licensed massage therapist with his own one-ongain muscle at the same time? Clearly, you one facility (pumpnincgym.com) in Ft. need to alternate periods of positive calorie Lauderdale. Reach him at: balance with periods of negative calorie trainertomb@aol.com.

Hotspots.LGBT | 79

Tuesdays Angels

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Photos: Pompano Bill

BY YOUR SIDE WITH PRIDE Each day, everyone at Jackson Health System is committed to caring for our community with compassion and understanding. We are proud to have been part of breakthrough research and treatment for the past 100 years. Our family-centered approach to medicine and inclusive policies have also consistently earned us recognition by the Human Rights Campaign as an â&#x20AC;&#x153;LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader.â&#x20AC;? You can always count on us to be by your side and take pride in your health.

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2018 Gala

Photos: Stephen R. Lang

by Mikey Rox

I have had some relationships, y’all. None of them went super great (as you might have guessed since we’re no longer together). But I’ve managed to make friends out of all but one of those boys — four out of five ain’t bad — and I take a certain amount of pride in that. Staying pals with your ex(es) isn’t necessary — sometimes, if it’s toxic, you need to make a clean and final break — but there are benefits to ending things amicably. Here are five of the biggest.

IT’S EASIER TO REKINDLE THE FLAME. Sometimes we break up because we’re not interested in being with our partners anymore, but other times we “break up” because we need some time and space to figure out what’s best for us individually as well as for the relationship. I recently separated from my boyfriend of two years; our cohabitation situation wasn’t heading in a positive direction, so I asked him to leave. But I only wanted him to vacate my house, not my life. After a few weeks of arguing, a bit of brutal honesty, and a whole lot of heartache, we were able to come back to why we fell in love with each other in the first place. We’re not moving in together again anytime soon, but the relationship is on the mend because we put in the work to salvage it. We’re both hopeful that we’ll be a stronger couple in the future since we’ve worked through these issues — and because of our dedication to being decent human beings to one another throughout the turbulence.

86 | Hotspots.LGBT

THE KIDS, IF YOU HAVE THEM, WILL APPRECIATE IT. I don’t have kids myself — though I do share custody of my dog with my ex-husband (never an issue because we’ve remained friendly) — but many gay couples these days are parents, and it’s easy to use the kids as chips in their breakup games if they’re trying to hurt one another.

“I’ve watched children be used as pawns between parents who hated each other, and they weren’t willing to try and reach a compromise and realize that at one time this was a person they cared about, loved, planned a future with,” says Patricia Bubash, a licensed professional counselor and author of the book Successful Second Marriages. “Revisiting the reasons, the qualities that initially attracted you to your ex, is a good way of seeing them as a person versus just an ex. Keeping animosity and negative feelings toward an ex only hurts the person hanging onto those feelings. It creates inner turmoil, emotional distress — and for what? The other person either ignores it, goes on their way, or confronts it in the same angry way, leading to embattled, embittered adults.” She continues, “Children, especially young children, often feel they are in some way to blame for their parents’ breakup. The few parents I’ve worked with who choose to remain friends — and even attend weddings, showers, and social events with the ex’s new love — have a better relationship with their children. It’s win-win for everyone.”

IT’S A SIGN THAT YOU’RE A GREAT CATCH.

One could argue that if you’re not friendly with any of your exes, it might be you who’s an asshole — at least according to Amica Graber, resident relationship expert for TruthFinder, a website that specializes in providing background checking resources for online daters.

“Typically, we don’t stay on friendly terms with exes who were horrible people or treated us like garbage, and it’s a huge red flag in the dating world when all your exes hate you,” she explains. “Being on friendly terms with an ex usually means you didn’t act like a complete jerk throughout your relationship.”

Relationship expert David Bennett, co-founder of men’s lifestyle blog The Popular Man, doubles down on that sentiment.

“Keeping a good relationship with your ex shows maturity and perspective,” he says. “I would consider someone who got along well with their ex — but [was] not still secretly attracted to them! — a keeper. It shows they have the qualities necessary to be stable in a relationship.” Hotspots.LGBT | 87

THEY CAN PROVIDE HONEST FEEDBACK ON YOUR CURRENT RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS. Every relationship will hit a few snags along the way, and who better to help you work through them than an ex who knows who you are and how you approach and react to personal conflict? When my current boyfriend and I were having serious trouble, my ex-husband called to make sure I was OK, and we discussed the degradation of the relationship at length. It was helpful for me because he’s one of a few who know what it’s like to be in a relationship with me and, therefore, able to provide sometimes hard-to-swallow advice. And that’s what I needed. I didn’t want someone blowing smoke up my ass just to make me feel better. Rather, I needed a swift kick in it to wake up and accept my part in the relationship’s failure so I could start to effectively pick up the pieces and patch up the cracks.

“It’s a huge red flag in the dating world when all your exes hate you.” —Amica Graber YOU DON’T HAVE TO BREAK UP WITH MUTUAL FRIENDS AND FAVORITE PLACES.

For the most part, my partners and I have largely kept separate friends, but there are friends that we’ve met as a couple and who have an equal investment in each of us. If the relationship is so sour that you two can’t be in the same room together anymore, somebody will have to sacrifice those relationships too, which only adds insult to injury considering that your romantic relationship is already kaput. “The end of a long-term relationship usually means a custody battle, even if you don’t have any kids,” Graber says. “Turning an ex into a friend means that you can still share those mutual friends, and even go to the same sushi joint on a Friday night without all hell breaking loose.”

That’s probably not the best course of action while the wounds are still fresh, of course. But over time, like when you’ve both moved on with new partners, you can start to forge a friendship together that perhaps has hints of your old life.

Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He spends his time writing from the beach, his dog Jaxon at his side. Connect with Mikey on Twitter @mikeyrox. 88 | Hotspots.LGBT

MARK YOUR CALENDARS Expect New Dates and a Fresh Host Hotel for GayDays in 2019

he very first GayDays at Walt Disney World was really just a GayDay: On the first Saturday in June 1991, hordes of LGBT folks and friends — proudly decked out in red t-shirts for visibility — descended on The Magic Kingdom for a day of fun and celebration. This spring’s event will be the 28th GayDays! And everybody knows the now nearly weeklong extravaganza touches down in Orlando every year at the same time, the week of the first Saturday in June. But for the last few weeks, we’d been hearing rumors that both the date and host hotel for GayDays 2019 might be changing, so we went straight to Chris Manley, who owns and produces GayDays with his partner Tommy, to get the skinny. By Scott Holland

94 | Hotspots.LGBT

How did you get the idea to start GayDays? Actually, it was a grassroots effort 28 years ago by the community, and it took off the first year in the parks. It slowly grew every year. Tommy, my partner, bought the domain name, and we decided to start a full weekend. From the idea, how long did it take for you to produce the first year? That first year we did a host hotel and parties.

How long did it take for the weekend to become successful? It took a few years for the GayDays weekend to really become what it is. In my opinion, it grew so big for several reasons: our dedication to delivering a quality product, the fact that Orlando was already a popular destination, and, believe it or not, other promoters popping up to host their own events also helped — that brought more people, which only made GayDays weekend even bigger. What’s the most successful part of GayDays? The support that we give to nonprofits. Most attendees aren’t aware of us giving back, but I am definitely most proud of that because, in addition to a fun weekend, we are helping those in need.

Another thing I’m proud of is the increased exposure we’ve given Orlando as a fantastic LGBTQ vacation destination.

In addition to a fun weekend, we are helping those in need.” How did you come to the Doubletree Hotel at Universal, and how long have you been there? We were originally at the Summerville Suites. That was very small, so we moved to the Palace and then the Hotel Royal Plaza, where we were for nine years. In 2004 Hurricane Charley damaged the Royal Plaza, and it was closed for renovations, so we went to the DoubleTree in 2005, and sold it out in 3 months. It’s centrally located for all of Orlando’s attractions. After that, the management at DoubleTree got greedy, so we went back to the Royal Plaza. A couple years later, they went bankrupt, and DoubleTree wanted us back. And the rest is history. I hear you’re switching hotels next year. Why the change? Our weekend was booked right out from under us by the DoubleTree, so we had to move. We looked around the city, and we settled on the Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive, which we believe our guests will love. It’s in the heart of Orlando’s tourist area. In addition to the restaurant in the hotel, there are five or six other restaurants on the same block. Also, there’s free parking, and 2/3 of the rooms have private balconies or, on the first floor, patios. I hear the dates are also changing. Why? In 2019 we are moving to August 13–18. The traditional week for GayDays was originally one of the weakest tourism weekends of the year for Orlando, so we could always get our guests good deals from the hotels. Today, that first week in June is one of the city’s busiest, and it’s hard to find a deal. Also, over the years we’ve gotten lots of feedback from educators and students who couldn’t come that first weekend of June. So, we

thought the middle of summer would be better. The date change will open it up to more people. The later date will also allow us to market to more Floridians at St. Pete Pride and the Stonewall Street Festival — and to Californians, too, at both L.A. and San Diego Prides.

So, you believe the schedule and hotel changes will make GayDays better? We try and improve the events and increase customer satisfaction every year. I think the hotel’s location — with all the shops, restaurants and shows so close — will really take the weekend to the next level. There are so many fun things to do, just steps away. What does the future hold for GayDays? Hopefully, 28 more years! We’ll be opening reservations for GayDays 2019 on the Saturday of this June’s event. Beyond that, we are looking at a second city!

About Those New Digs: The Wyndham All of the Wyndham’s 613 smoke-free guestrooms have recently been renovated, and the design is sleek. Thoughtful touches, such as complimentary WiFi and in-room refrigerators, allow visitors to truly make the space their home base. The resort is pet friendly, so even furry members of the family — the ones who aren’t bears! — are welcome to join the fun. The Wyndham also features sparkling pools, a fitness center with sauna and steam room, and free shuttles to select nearby theme parks.

Hotspots.LGBT | 95

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Waxing, facials, trimming, shaving and body scrubs at its best. Very friendly and relaxing experience. Visit me today. For appointment please call 954-649-9905. WWW.BRAZILLIANTOUCH.COM

u APPLIANCE REPAIR APPLIANCE REPAIRS / SMALL APPLIANCE DROP OFF

From Roper to Viking we got you covered! LG, Samsung no problem. Small appliance shop rate just $39, fix it don’t throw it away. Call All Bright Repair @ 954-765-6272 it’s fixed or it’s free!

u AIR CONDITIONING AFFORDABLE AIR CONDITIONING REPAIRS

Fast repair service, A&H AC 954-392-1301. Lic. CAC057837, replacement units with financing options if needed. Over 30 years serving our community. Evenings and weekends too. 106 | Hotspots.LGBT

Mark’s List Marketplace u CLEANING SERVICES PAIN IN THE GLASS WINDOW CLEANING

Power washing, tint removal Call Scott 954-566-4415

AFFORDABLE CLEANING. CALL 954-822-7857

Quality cleaning in everything we do, better prices and better results in your cleaning experience. 1 Bed $40., 2 Bed $50., 3 Bed $60. Call for an appointment today.

***CLEAN IT RITE*** THE BEST CLEANING FOR YOUR BUCK!

1BD $60, 2BD $70, 3BD $80. Excellent rates and references. 10 years in the business. Serving Broward, North Miami and South Palm Beach. Also pet sitting and window cleaning avail. Call Manny at 954-371-8920

BRAZILIAN HOME AND OFFICE CLEANING

Let the Brazilian Man do it. Your Home or Office Cleaning. In business since 1998. 1BD/$50 and Up, 2BD/$60 and Up. Weekly, bi-weekly. Free quote available. Call or Text 954-861-7617

u COMPUTERS FLORIDA TECH SUPPORT

On-Site & Remote Support. Located in Wilton Manors. Windows (XP, Vista, 7 & 8) & Mac (OS X). Security, virus, & spyware removal, repairs & upgrades, wired & wireless networking - gay owned www.FLTechSupport.com 954-453-9574

HELPMEERIC.COM ! TECH SUPPORT

Your Personal Tech Assistant. BEST RATES in the tri-county area. Specializing in Android & iPhones. PC/Mac-Training, Installation, Clean-up & Repairs. Friendly, In-Home Srvc. Call/Txt 954-903-4383.

ADVERTISE IN MARKS LIST MARKETPLACE

Call Jim at 954-928-1862 Ext. 14 or Email Jim@HotSpotsMedia.com

u ELECTRICAL RTS ELECTRIC - 24 HOUR SERVICE

Quality work at a reasonable price. Licensed & Insured #98-CME-1807-X. Contact 954-257-9509. Also, all size generator service and installation.

HARRY’S ELECTRIC - RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

Additions, renovations, service upgrades, breaker panels, FPL undergrounds, code violations, A/C wiring, ceiling fans, recessed, security & landscaping, lighting, pools, pumps, Jacuzzis, water heaters, FREE PHONE ESTIMATES 954-522-3357 Lic & Ins. www.harryelectrician.com

‘D’ ELECTRICIAN TECHNICAL SERVICES INC.

Electrical Contractor State Lic. 13007180. All your wiring needs. Residential and office. State Lic. HI 3578. Call ‘D’ 954-726-0394 Over 30 Yrs Experience Unlimited Master Electrician everything electric & smart homes. 5% Off with is ad. www.delectrician.com

Hotspots.LGBT | 107

Mark’s List Marketplace u HANDY MAN BROWARD HANDYMAN SERVICES

Painting, Plumbing, Light Electrical, Vanities, Sinks, Faucets, Dishwashers, Disposals, General Carpentry, Mount TV & Microwave, Drywall and more. Brian 954-881-2848. “All your Residential Needs”

ONE-STOP SHOPPING AND ASSOCIATES HANDYMAN/ REMODELING AND MORE WITH OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN ALL PHASES OF... Home improvements, additions, electrical, plumbing, painting, kitchen, baths, wood flooring / trim, TV mounting, Former owner of a NY remodeling co. as well as a hands on worker, because I demand perfection in all I do. Please call Mitch for prompt honest and dependable service. Lic. CGC1514441 and insured. 954-253-4650

**SKILLED HANDYMAN HOME REPAIRS**

All bathroom, kitchen, plumbing and electric, outlets, switches, breakers. Upgrade breaker box, repair or replace sprinkler & pool motors, replace & remove hot water tanks & install tankless water heaters. All house appliances, repair and replace etc... K&J 954-260-9940

LANDSCAPING LAWN MOWING & LANDSCAPING SERVICE INTEGRITY LANDSCAPE SERVICE 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS LIC. & INS.

Full Service- Everything from Landscaping Design and Installation to Maintenance. We do it allweeding, large and small lawns. Tree trimming class B certification lic. CCB1308. Member of the Better Business Bureau. WHATEVER YOU NEED WE DO IT! Just call JOHN 954-763-3340, cell 954-812-5434.

IRRIGATION SYSTEM REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE

19 yrs. experience, excellent work, referrals upon request. Call Roberto at 954-383-8980

u PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PIANO OR VOICE LESSONS

Professional gay male musician offering lessons for all ages and levels in your home or my studio. Broadway, pop, classically trained. Lets have fun! Jonathan 646-418-4043 jcorn29@hotmail.com

u MOVING | STORAGE A LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY MOVERS HAS GUYS WITH DOLLIES READY TO MOVE YOU!

For FREE price quote Call US @954-566-1270 or visit us At WWW.WORLDSBESTMOVERS. COM Ask about our FREE wardrobe service.

RED BOX MOVING COMPANY OWNER IN TRUCK ON EVERY MOVE

Call Norbert directly. Affordable, Reliably and Careful. Insured & Licensed MV#567 www.RedBoxMoving. com (954) 305-9176 108 | Hotspots.LGBT

Markâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s List Marketplace u RETAIL

u PHOTOGRAPHY

ADVERTISE IN MARKSLIST MARKETPLACE

To Place Your Directory or Classified Ad Call Jim at 954-928-1862 Ext. 14 or Email Jim@HotspotsMedia.com

Hotspots.LGBT | 109

Markâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s List Marketplace u AUTOMOTIVE u TAX PREPARATION HAROLD J BLOTCHER, EA

Tax Preparation and Resolution for Individuals and Small Business. Help With Same Sex Marriage Issues and IRS Issues. Call 781-363-5519 or 561-429-3592 or visit our website at www.haroldjblotchertaxes.com

u PLUMBING ALL COUNTY PLUMBING CONTRACTORS INC

Licensed since 1989. Specializing in tankless/tank water heaters. Guaranteed lowest prices in Broward county. Complete plumbing service and installation. Expert bathroom and kitchen. Free estimates. 24/7 Lic# CFC039956. Call Ed @ 954-297-0595.

u TATTOO

u TREE SERVICE TREES WITH LEAVES, INC. -YOUR PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL TREE SERVICE.

Tree pruning - Palm Trimming - Tree Removal Stump Grinding - Storm Preparation and Cleanup - Serving East Broward Ft. Laud. to Boca Raton - Call George 954-444-7710 or 954-783-0395 Insured. Lic.-CCB-206

ADVERTISE IN MARKS LIST MARKETPLACE

Call Jim at 954-928-1862 Ext. 14 or Email Jim@HotSpotsMedia.com 110 | Hotspots.LGBT

ADVERTISE IN MARKSLIST MARKETPLACE To Place Your Directory or Classified Ad Call Jim at 954-928-1862 Ext. 14 or Email Jim@HotspotsMedia.com