Volume 4, Issue 6 May 2020
Tom Pietrogallo Poverello
Tribute to BSO Deputy
Better Business Bureau
Shannon Bennett
Helping Our Small Business Community
Care Resource
Stacy Ritter
A Commitment to LGBTQ+ Healthcare
Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB
Call (855) 894-MEDS or download the AHF Pharmacy app for free delivery of your prescriptions
TABLE OF CONTENTS Volume 4, Issue 6 | May 2020
Cover Story 44
TOM PIETROGALLO POVERELLO
Photo by Andrew Armano | www.AndyArmano.com
7 Travel 11 Realtors & Brokers 22 Professional Services 50 Churches & Synagogues 53 Health, Wellness & Fitness
Steven O. Evans, PhD
Publisher and Editor in Chief OutClique@gmail.com
Arthur Wood III
Associate Editor Arthur.OutClique@gmail.com
Sach AD Group
Director of Graphic Design
Mike Ritzi
Executive Director of Sales
Cindy Curtis Irv Scott
Sales Managers
Connie Evans
Chief Copyeditor and Mother of the Publisher
Tom (Tomcat) Pence Distribution Manager
Rivendell Media
National Advertising
Gregg Shapiro
Senior Entertainment Writer
Denny Patterson
Senior Lifestyle Writer
Contributing Writers
Andrew Armano, Rod Davis, Dr. Stephen Fallon, John M. Hayden, Marty Kiar, Dr. Chris Nelson, Kip Reynolds, Stacy Ritter, Patrick Rogers, Eric Noel Roman, Dr. David Webb
Distribution
Robby Wagenseil & Luis Eduardo, Miami-Dade
A publication of OutClique, LLC (954) 998-6429 www.OutClique.com www.Facebook.com/OutClique OutClique@gmail.com OutClique, LLC is not responsible for statements or opinions expressed in advertisements or articles.
Change. Connect. Love. By Steven O. Evans, PhD
C
Photo by Michael Murphy Photographic
hange. That’s one of the scariest words in the English language. But right now, we are all wanting just that, change. A change back to normal. But what is normal? What will normal be? Who would have thought that an airborne virus would have attacked our country and our world so quickly, putting everyone in the physical lockdown. The economic and emotional impact that this has created has been unprecedented.
Unlike other pandemics in the past, our digital world has created connections that we have been almost forced to use. We are video conferencing each other. FaceTime™, Zoom™, Facebook Live™, HouseParty™, and so many others. Our digital world has exploded like we never expected. This is now our key to staying connected and to our source of information. I know many (all?) of us are frustrated, unsure, lonely, and maybe even angry. Our expectations of our government, relationships, religious beliefs, medical providers, careers, and maybe even ourselves, are all shaken to the core. I know I have taken much time to reflect on life and what is most important. I do know this. We were built for relationships. At the end of this “mess,” we as people were made for relationships. The current strain on our economy is only exacerbated by our continual and uncertain disconnect from those that mean the most to us. But this will end. Whatever the “new normal” will bring, our relationships can and will sustain us. If I have (re-)learned anything through this personally, it is this, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.“ So, let happiness abound. Peace to each of you. Steven O. Evans, PhD Publisher & Editor in Chief
OutClique.com | 5
WE TRULY ARE GREATER TOGETHER Photo Courtesy of Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau
T
ourism is the main economic driver in Greater Fort Lauderdale. More than 13 million people visit every year and spend over $8 billion during their visits. Those dollars ripple throughout the community, supporting as many as 180,000 local jobs. Visit Lauderdale, a.k.a. the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau (GFLCVB), develops and manages the marketing and promotion of our area as a visitor and meetings destination. We were off to a great start for 2020 with our hotels reporting close to 90% occupancy in February, and then the spread of the COVID-19 became a global pandemic. The impact on the travel industry and the U.S. economy is already enormous, but we know that our tourism industry, and our community, is resilient.
We are working behind the scenes to connect first responders and other travelers categorized as essential lodgers with hotels that remain open throughout the pandemic. On our website and @VisitLauderdale social media, you’ll find our “Eat Local” campaign with lists of restaurants offering takeout, drive-thru, curbside, and delivery services. To stay engaged with future visitors, we’re also promoting the many virtual experiences offered by our area attractions and museums.
This challenge will not define us. Until it is safe to invite visitors to return, we all need to support each other and remember that even during times of social distancing, our award-winning Greater Together message of welcome applies right here in our community. For the time being the GFLCVB is focusing on several initiatives that allow us to celebrate and support local businesses and at the same time recognize the people who are emerging as true local heroes.
Our travel sales team has turned this challenging time period into a great online learning experience for kids that teaches them math, science, history, geography, and more using locations and situations throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale. Once they complete all the subjects, they become certified Visit Lauderdale Junior Ambassadors and are encouraged to invite their friends and family members to visit while they play tour guide. I invite you to join your kids for this engaging program found at www.Sunny.org/Junior-Ambassador.
Every one of you probably knows at least one person who has done something selfless or amazing during the crisis. Maybe it's an employer that is against all odds keeping employees on the payroll, or someone who has lost their job, but is volunteering to raise money to deliver food to those who are out of work, or someone helping to support our medical workers. We invite you to submit their stories of courage and kindness at www.Sunny.org/Lauderdale-Heroes so we can share this news. 6 | OutClique.com
When local, state, and national travel industry partners agree it is safe, we’ll be so excited to extend our welcoming message of diversity to visitors. Until then, stay safe, be well, and remember, we truly are Greater Together. Sincerely, Stacy Ritter President / CEO, GFLCVB
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AN APARTMENT
COMMUNITY
THE JOY OF LENDING By Kip Reynolds
L
Photo Courtesy of Kip Reynolds
ending in the United States is happening, but it’s not the easiest process and can be very invasive, stressful, and often exhausting. Any Realtor worth their salt should always ask you if you have your pre-qualification(s) or pre-approval letter. Don’t be surprised if a professional agent declines showing you property until you have this letter in hand. Be grateful you’ve aligned yourself with an experienced leader.
To acquire this letter, you will need to submit a minor amount of information, so the lender can get a general sense of your ability to repay the sum you require. A good lender will help you to understand the fundamental difference between what you can afford and what you should afford. They will clearly share the terms of the mortgages available to you for your situation. The proof is in the pudding, so be prepared for the standard repeated requests for information. In addition to things like valid identification, some general information needed will be: Pay stubs for the last 30 days Last two federal tax returns Last two W-2s Proof of any additional income Last two statements on all bank accounts Statements for all retirement accounts
investment
and/or
Settlement statement from previous home sale, if applicable Bear in mind that the above is very general. Some loan programs have specific requirements. For example, if you are a veteran you will need to provide your certificate of eligibility in addition to other specialized pieces of information. The lender will collect all documents, review, and provide another list of requested documents. Often the lender will request the same document many times. The best way to handle this little joy of lending is to be extremely organized. Use the cloud to safely store these documents with clear file names so that you can easily answer any request quickly without too much anxiety. Letters of Explanation (LOE), often required to “source” funds, are another slightly invasive demand, but necessary and standard practice, if you want to acquire a mortgage. A good realtor will coach you well in advance so you are prepared for these requests and requirements. Having someone in your corner that will help you understand the lay of the land will minimize many of the hurdles in the home buying process.
Kip Reynolds, PA CRS Coldwell Banker Realty 901 E Las Olas Blvd., Ft Lauderdale Direct: 954-854-3048 | kipreynolds.com 12 | OutClique.com
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945 East Las Olas Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 www.rjameshomes.com
Photo Courtesy of Marty Kiar’s office
2020 SENIOR EXEMPTIONS
R
esidents who have applied for the 2020 Low-Income Senior Exemption, but have not yet provided the supporting income documentation, still have plenty of time to do so. Many residents have contacted our office concerned about having the necessary paperwork in time as the IRS has extended the 2019 tax filing deadline. Applicants have until September 18, 2020 to provide our office with a copy of their 2019 Income Tax Return Form 1040 or SSA-1099, as well as any additional supporting documentation for their exemption application. Our office will be mailing Senior Exemption receipts in mid-June to all residents who have completed their application along with income verification. Any exemption applications approved after this mailing will show on the 2020 TRIM (proposed tax) Notice mailed by our office in August. During
these
uncertain
times,
all
communication with our office can be handled via email, fax, phone, or by USPS mail. Residents can email any documentation directly to our Customer Service Department at CSEmgmt@BCPA. net or fax to (954) 357-6188. If you prefer to mail your information, our mailing address is Broward County Property Appraiser, Attn: Customer Service, 115 S Andrews Avenue, Room # 111, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Once it is safe to do so, our office will return to our regular schedule of visiting communities to assist with filing for exemptions and answering any questions residents may have. In the meantime, we are always here to help. Please do not hesitate to contact our office directly at (954) 357-6830 or email me at MartyKiar@BCPA.net. Take care, Marty Kiar, CFA
Marty Kiar is the Broward County Property Appraiser and longtime advocate for LGBTQ equality. The Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office is located at 115 S Andrews Avenue, Room # 111, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Follow our office at: facebook.com/MartyKiarBCPA and twitter.com/MartyKiarBCPA 16 | OutClique.com
RUNNING WITH RATS By Eric Noel Roman
T
he temperature is typical for a January evening, it is Saturday night, Sunday morning 2:00AM. I just finished working and am sitting in the Aventura Mall parking lot lacing my running shoes. I am the only car in the lot and there is a stillness everywhere. I have to run a minimum of ten miles tonight before bed. Not the safest time to be out running, luckily I chose an affluent area to hit the pavement. I have a goal, in three months I have to be prepared to run a 100 mile endurance race. Aventura mall has become a tourist destination, filled with high-end shopping and opportunity to see a celebrity. Fancy high rises create a three mile circle using the mall as the main gate. Just behind the mall sits Turnberry Isle Country Club and golf course. This city is beautiful, by day the hustle and bustle of commerce act as the heart beat of the city. At night, the city has many wonderful restaurants and social spaces to gather. The golf course has a walking path circling it measuring a whopping 2.8 miles.
scurrying alongside me.
This city is gorgeous. I began my run this late night looking around. To one side I have the lavish lifestyles of some of the more affluent residents of South Florida. To my other side, I have the golf course sitting quietly, unlit, seeming to hide something scary.
Rats, found in every aspect of life, no matter how pretty things are, or how well things are kept. There is always a dark side to things. Sometimes it is unavoidable to find yourself in the dead center of their environment. It does not take much to run past these rats. Just put a bit more distance from you and them and keep running. Keep the focus on your goals and you will finish with little to no issues.
As I ran along the path with Frank Sinatra in my headphones playing quietly, I noticed a black cat perched on a pole of the wooden fence watching me. A few hundred feet later I see something scurrying along the same fence. I changed my running path from along the fence to the opposite side. I turned the volume down lower on my headphones and could hear things
I finished one lap around and did not see the eerie cat again. However, I managed to catch a glimpse of what was causing all of the rustling of the bushes. As soon as I noticed what was running alongside me I could not help but realize that this city has the same problems every city has. Rats, and quite a few of them. I have seen these rats all over Miami in the past: buildings, homes, businesses, schools. You name it they are there or have been there.
That night I managed three laps. I finished at 4:00AM. Only to be nine and a half miles closer to my training for my 100 mile race. I paid no mind to the rats, stayed focused, and met my goal.
Eric Noel Roman DJ, obstacle racer, motivational writer from North Miami Beach, living life one day at a time, and making a difference one person at a time. 20 | OutClique.com
FRONT STEPS PROJECT Photos Courtesy of Michael Murphy Photographic www.michaelmurphy.com
Michael Murphy
For more photos of this event, visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/outclique. Want to submit photos? | Contact us! OutClique@gmail.com 24 | OutClique.com
For more photos of this event, visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/outclique. Want to submit photos? | Contact us! OutClique@gmail.com OutClique.com | 25
HOME IS WHERE THE HEROES ARE
SEND US YOUR STORIES OF LOCAL HEROES
W
e know that part of the reason why we’re greater in Greater Fort Lauderdale is because of the heroes that call our community home. During these uncertain times, we’re relying on our local heroes more than ever. And while these selfless individuals go above and beyond for our residents without expecting any recognition, we cannot allow them to go unnoticed any longer. Their humility is a virtue, and that’s why we need your help identifying and celebrating our local heroes. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau is collecting these stories to share on social media @VisitLauderdale, the CVB website, and with the news media. For example, several local restaurant groups started the Hands for Hospitality (www.GoFundMe.com/F/Hands-ForHospitalityFTL) fund that is raising money going directly to hourly restaurant employees now out of work due to the shutdown of dining room service at local restaurants. What is a Hero?
We think it’s a person who exceeds all expectations in order to help others. They’re doctors, nurses, and first responders. They’re bus drivers and airport and seaport workers. They’re restaurant and retail employees just to name a few. They’re our neighbors, our friends, and our family. So, join us in recognizing those who give us hope when we’re hopeless, courage when we’re afraid, and a muchneeded reminder that home is where the heroes are. Heroes and heroic acts include, but are not limited to:
People spreading kindness Doctors Nurses First responders County employees Bus drivers Airport workers Seaport workers Restaurant employees Retail employees Businesses donating to the healthcare industry
Businesses, individuals, or organizations providing for unemployed and furloughed workers Hospitality workers going above and beyond helping someone who is a first responder or staying in a hotel during the crisis Groups or individuals creating something beautiful like art, music, or entertainment to make people feel better Someone who shopped for a person that is unable to leave their home – delivered groceries, picked up medications
How to help: Share your nominations, stories, and photos so we can tell the stories of the people
doing good in the community. If you have a story of a local hero that you’d like to share, please fill out a submission at www.Sunny.org/Partners/Industry-Updates/Submit-A-Local-Hero or email at GFLMarketing@Broward.org. 26 | OutClique.com
HELPING OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY By Rod Davis CEO, BBB Serving Southeast Florida and the Caribbean
S
mall businesses are the heart of every community. Imagine your town or city without your favorite restuarant, gift shop, bar, spa, nursery, dentist, landscaper, etc. It would not be the same place. According to research from Funding Circle, 52% of small businesses contribute to charity and 90% of those dollars go to support local charities. These same businesses also sponsor local events, sports teams, and other community gatherings. A study by Civic Economics found that for every $100 you spend with a local business, $68 are spent in our communities. Only $43 stays in the local market when spending $100 with a national brand. Every day we see the negative impact on employment due to COVID-19. According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses employ over 60 million people and half of the non governmental workforce. These business owners employ people in our communities, live in our communities, and support our communities. It is time for us to support them for all they have done and continue to do for us.
Ways to Support Small Businesses Shop Now: If
you are able to make a purchase now, contact your local business favorites and find out what options are available. Most businesses are finding ways to continue to operate within the new social distancing and safety precaution guidelines. Technology permits businesses to engage with customers, collaborate and share pictures and information whether using SKYPE®, Zoom®, or other tools. Is it time to give your landscape a refresh, repaint your home’s exterior, or power wash your roof? Talk to your favorite contractor, or request bids at: www.SEFlorida.App.BBB.org/Connect. Maybe you have been putting off a purchase or know what you want to buy for a birthday or holiday present. Local businesses can use the revenue now and you will avoid last minute buying down the road. Many restaurants and stores are also making gift certificates available. Two national websites have been set up to help small businesses promote their services: www.Kabbage.com/ HelpSmallBusiness and www.SupportLocal. USAToday.com. If your favorite business is not OutClique.com | 31
currently on the site, you may want to reach out and encourage them to consider it as another way to feature their great products, food, or services. Restaurants and bars/breweries have adapted to provide food and growlers for pick up and/ or delivery. Many restaurants offer delivery directly or through apps like GrubHub速, Delivery Dudes速, or UberEats速. If you want to continue to enjoy dinner out at your favorite restaurant after COVID-19 is no longer a health threat, then we need to continue to support our local hospitality sector by picking it up, having food delivered, or buying a gift certificate for future use. Creative Ways to Support Business:
Under our current Emergency Orders, some businesses are unable to provide service to the public, but many are still hard at work for us. Letting other family and friends know how a business is continuing to operate in these trying times might be a lifeline to keep them afloat. A short plug on your social media pages with a recommendation might generate some much needed customers for the business. We all have a few extra minutes on our hands since most of us are not commuting to and from work these days. Why not take a few minutes to share a positive review about a favorite contractor, spa, dentist, or other local business you have visited this year that did a great job for you? You can leave a review at www.BBB.org/Leave-A-Review.
Support Local Employees:
The local unemployment rate has increased dramatically over the last few weeks. While all industries have been hit hard, the hospitality sector, according to CNBC, has by far the largest number and percentage of workers now unemployed. Local groups are creating funding campaigns to help. Miami-Dade and Broward Counties have GoFundMe速 campaigns set up for workers in the hospitality sectors:www.GoFundMe. com/F/MiamiRestaurantEmployeeReliefFund and www.GoFundMe.com/F/Hands-ForHospitalityFTL. There are many other campaigns set up and operating throughout our area for people and groups negatively affected by COVID-19. Always review any giving options to make sure they are established for worthy causes and going to those designated in the giving request before you share your hard earned money. Supporting Our Front Line Heroes:
Nurses, doctors, firemen, police officers, people working in our essential businesses, and those supporting their work behind the scenes are putting their lives on the line to keep our country and communities operating. Remember to share your gratitude with them every day and in meaningful ways. Contact government officials to ensure they have needed supplies and equipment, contribute to the charities supporting our local heroes, and send a thank you note or gift basket. A gift will show our appreciation and also help another local business!
OutClique.com | 33
D’EVA LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 2009 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT
KEEP SHINING. Because HIV doesn’t change who you are. BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.
Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you. Featured patient compensated by Gilead.
Watch D’Eva’s story at BIKTARVY.com
IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®
This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months. ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains: dofetilide rifampin any other medicines to treat HIV-1 POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:
(bik-TAR-vee)
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY. Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY. Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “teacolored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%). These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.
Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections.
Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY. Continued on next page.
Please see Important Facts, including important warnings, continued on the next page and at BIKTARVY.com.
REAL
BIKTARVY
PAT I E N T S
ZACH
D’EVA
HUGO
CHAD
NIKKI
DIMITRI
Meet a few of the extraordinary people who take BIKTARVY.
Watch their stories at BIKTARVY.com Featured patients compensated by Gilead.
IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY® (CONTINUED) BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. Have any other health problems. Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.
BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other. Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines. HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food. GET MORE INFORMATION
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:
This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.
Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.
If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.
Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5
Please see Important Facts, including important warnings above and at BIKTARVY.com. BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, KEEP SHINING, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2020 © 2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0229 04/20
吀 䤀䴀伀吀䠀夀 匀⸀ 䠀 䄀刀吀Ⰰ 䌀倀䄀 䴀 䄀一䄀䜀䤀一䜀 倀 䄀刀吀一䔀刀
㈀㤀㈀㤀 䔀䄀匀吀 䌀伀䴀䴀䔀刀䌀䤀䄀䰀 䈀伀唀䰀䔀嘀䄀刀䐀Ⰰ 倀䔀一吀䠀伀唀匀䔀 䐀 䘀伀刀吀 䰀䄀唀䐀䔀刀䐀䄀䰀䔀Ⰰ 䘀䰀伀刀䤀䐀䄀 ㌀㌀㌀ 㠀
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PINK SUB & CATERING AND FABSCOUT OUT AND PROVIDING MEALS FOR OUR COMMUNITY By Steven O. Evans, PhD Photo Courtesy of Michael Murphy Photographic
T
hese times of crisis have brought out some of the best in people. Dawn Holloway of Pink Sub & Catering and Howard Andrew from FabScout Entertainment have been working together to provide free, hot meals to our community. Each week at various locations, they and their teams have distributed hundreds of hot meals. Drive by. No touch. No questions asked. And maybe best of all, cheerful smiles.
our community in this time of need.
I’ve been in touch with Dawn and Howard about this project. They have been so excited about being able to just give back to
The next give back (as of this writing) will be Friday and dedicated to Roy Rollins who recently passed.
I have been onsite almost every time, and the joy that they express cannot be described. I went by just this past week. Their smiles (even behind the masks) made my day. Dawn said, “It really is time to give back to people who have taken care of us. The one thing we can do is feed people.”
Contact Dawn or Howard on Facebook® about how to participate. OutClique.com | 39
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WHAT MAKES US CLIQUE
TOM PIETROGALLO, CEO THE POVERELLO CENTER
Photography and written by Andrew Armano | www.AndyArmano.com 44 | OutClique.com
his series focuses on individuals who give to our community and make a positive impact on the lives of others. Often it is through our personal adversities that we discover who we are and transform the challenges into strength.
T
TP
Tom Pietrogallo, CEO of Poverello, sat with us to talk about the good work Poverello is doing and about his journey personally and professionally. Poverello runs a wildly popular thrift store which helps fund its programs, including its food bank. Tom’s background as a social worker with an MBA makes him especially qualified to lead Poverello. Tom’s personal story and values are an inspiration, and it's OutClique’s honor to share his wisdom, resilience, and encouragement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We have had some immediate support from some of our existing relationships. AHF (AIDS Healthcare Foundation) has provided assistance. Target® has come through for us, and we have looked for ways we can help others. Poverello has space in Pompano that we realized United Way could use to help food delivery to Veterans.
Andrew Armano: As we speak, we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. All but essential businesses are closed. We are under a “safer at home” guideline. Every aspect of our lives has been affected. There is uncertainty about the future. Those of us of a certain age lived through the worst of the AIDS crisis. Are there insights or wisdom our generation can share with everyone now when we are all facing this shared COVID-19 pandemic? Tom Pietrogallo: We understand how rich a single contribution to someone's life can be. We know what a difference someone who simply leaned into our lives made. Of course, we have to protect ourselves, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find ways to lean in, to help. We have an advantage because we have lived through something that taught us lessons which can be applied now. We have a program to help people in emergency situations, so individuals, even those who might not be our core constituents, can request assistance at Intake@Poverello.org.
AA
How has the pandemic affected Poverello?
We still have our food pantry open and we are offering safe ways for our clients to access nutritious food. Our thrift store is closed and we rely heavily on the income from the thrift store to fund our programs, so it is difficult.
AA
career?
Have you been working with people affected by HIV/AIDS your whole
TP
Basically, yes. Before I was at Poverello, I was working at Care Resource, but all the way back in the beginning of my career I was in child protection and many of the people I worked with had HIV/AIDS. They were facing serious issues such as child custody arrangements or planning for their kids after they were gone. Of course, as a gay man, I also had my own thoughts about my mortality and future. So, the personal and the professional aspect of the crisis was difficult to navigate.
AA
The face of HIV/AIDS is changing. How does Poverello adapt to meet the different needs of its constituents?
TP
We have to listen to the people who need our services. Just because I am HIV positive, doesn’t mean I have the same life experiences or needs as someone else. We have to see the world through their eyes: How does it feel for someone to come into the food pantry and ask for assistance with food? That's not an easy thing to do for a lot of people. We want to ensure their reaching out for help is not fraught with barriers and shame. OutClique.com | 45
AA TP
What drew you to social work in the first place?
I was the little kid that was a mess on the playground because if someone was hitting someone else, I would cry. It bothered me. I've always had that sense of deep concern and care. It's been there since I was a small, small kid.
AA
I sense you have a spirituality within that innate compassion you have. Would you say that is true?
TP
Yes. Even as a child I was drawn to the feeling that there is a God who cares about you and wants to have a relationship with you.
AA TP
How do you nurture that connection? How do you prevent burn-out?
When I need to take time to recharge from dealing with some really serious problems that people experience all the time, I have to find a way to let all that go. As a sensitive person I have to do this.
AA
I understand exactly what you're talking about because, actually, I'm like that, too. I noticed that you have a Masters in Social Work and an MBA. That's quite an accomplishment!
TP
Nobody really shows you in social work school how to create a yearly budget or how to manage the HR issues that you may have. I did the weekend MBA up at FAU. It was an amazing experience learning that aspect of what I think of as caring, the caring business.
AA
That brings us to the practical side of caring - the business administration. It’s essential.
TP
Without that you really aren't enabled to do all of the wonderful things that
46 | OutClique.com
you want to do.
AA TP AA
Were you raised in a religious environment? Yeah. I was raised in an evangelical home.
What was that like for you growing up with that? Some fundamental religions can be pretty conservative and moralistic.
TP
My family is very loving and accepting. I didn't really experience any of the judgmental culture until I got to a very conservative Christian college I attended, Grand Rapids Baptist College [now Cornerstone University].
AA TP
Was that a big culture shock?
It really was. As a young kid, I guess I expected this was going to be kumbaya every day, but it really was something very different; a lot darker than that, to be honest. For me, I think mainly because I didn't experience that growing up in it, growing up in my family and in my church. It didn't shake me to my core or it didn't deter me from faith. My faith came out of that unscathed.
AA
Yeah. I was raised to be careful when listening to anyone in a pulpit. It doesn't matter whether they're a spiritual guru, a church leader, a dean of a university, or a boss. The letter of the law that they are passing down, I look at it to be sure it's fair, that it's not self-serving, that it's not too rigid.
TP
Right. Exactly. I agree with you wholeheartedly because the thing that resonates with me is thinking about loving God and then loving your neighbor. The point is to ask yourself how do you best do that? Well, from my perspective, you have to prepare yourself. You have to look at what the
OutClique.com | 47
needs are. You have to respond appropriately.
AA
What has Poverello been able to accomplish recently that you are really excited to see come to fruition?
TP
We have embarked on a project to help people in our system who are not virally suppressed. We needed to help them navigate whatever difficulties that impacted their treatment. We just did our numbers from last year and we are at 90% viral suppression, up from 80%. We're very proud of that.
AA
That's fantastic. Poverello isn’t a healthcare provider. How did you achieve that?
TP
I'm very proud of what our team has been able to do. It's not just me sitting in this office that did it. It’s the people at the front at the food pantry who have shown compassion and a willingness to talk with our clients about something that a lot of people find really difficult to talk with others in a non threatening way. When an individual is ready for assistance, he or she then feels safe talking to our staff.
AA
That's really innovative. Circling back to where we started, the COVID-19 pandemic, you spend so much effort helping others. What can others do to help Poverello?
TP
We need funds. We need more volunteers that are willing to actually drive and do a no-touch delivery right now. If someone's sick at home with what might be this new virus, they still don't want to infect someone else. We really need people and we need resources.
AA TP
Thank you for all that you do for others. It's been inspirational to speak with you. Thank you for helping us get the word out about Poverello.
48 | OutClique.com
OutClique.com | 49
ARE WE TAKING A TEST? By Rev. Patrick Rogers, MDiv.
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et’s talk about the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Are you feeling anxious and restless from staying home and the need to isolate? Do you feel lonely? Do you miss your friends, co-workers, family, and your social circle? Do you feel depressed? Do you feel grief and loss from losing your daily routine? Are you worried about or have you lost your job? Do you miss celebrating Passover or Easter with your spiritual family? Are you an essential worker and undergoing risk and danger from being exposed to the virus?
It can feel like the plagues we read about in the Old Testament. Yet the water in our Fort Lauderdale canals haven’t turned to blood, the canals also aren’t filled with frogs or flies. But, Job’s story did include death and incredibly challenging times. The most impactful difference between the time of Job’s plagues and the pandemic of 2020 is how the two different times in history can be perceived by humankind. Many of us were taught growing up that Job’s story is about God testing Job’s faith. In the Bible, the plaques were actually put on to Job by Satan, not God. So often we have reconfigured the story to believe that God was intentionally testing Job. It wasn’t God, but it was Satan attempting to prove to God that he could break Job’s will, dedication, and faith in God. A totally different story. We were erroneously taught in Sunday School and by our preachers that God tests us, God’s children. I don’t believe that God sits around and is bored and takes a look at your or my life, and when things are going well decides to test you or me in order for us to prove our “faith” and “dedication.” What loving parent would do that to a child? I believe in God as patient, kind, compassionate, loving, and forgiving! Some modern-day preachers are professing
today that this virus is punishment or a lesson from God! How sad! Their theology has not changed or evolved in the last fifty years since I was a child myself. What should evolve is our interpretation of Job’s challenges. We can endure all things through strong faith! No matter what the cause, or how bad the situation, love does prevail. Job’s love of God prevailed! Just look at the outpour of love that has sprung forth regarding the challenges expressed in the first paragraph of this article. There are people concerned about others who never had felt the need to help others before. There are multiple fundraisers for hospitality employees and others out of work. There is food being distributed and meals cooked and given by people who care about people. Being isolated has helped us realize the difference between being connected electronically and in person. A real hug will never be the same to me after enduring this pandemic. I will never take that for granted again. I am not diminishing the struggles and challenges still occurring, but I do know that God is in our midst. I don’t profess to have all the answers because who even knows what the future holds, but I do know that my faith in God has always prevailed even when I questioned where God was or could not imagine any solution. I believe in God and that is not going to change!
Rev. Patrick Rogers, MDiv. – Community Activist and Senior Pastor at United Church of Christ Fort Lauderdale Photo Courtesy of Rev. Patrick Rogers, MDiv.
OutClique.com | 51
THAT DREAD YOU FEEL ISN’T COVID-19 By Stephen Fallon, PhD
If you haven’t acquired COVID-19, and no one close to you has fallen dangerously ill, why are so many of us tossing and turning in bed, and feeling unmotivated all day? Uncertainty is unsettling. We don’t know when this outbreak will pass. New information about coronavirus keeps revising what we thought was true just weeks before.
that somehow your body senses you’re going to be the next to fall ill? Actually, your mood is more a function of evolution than prophecy.
Unlike our ancestors, we’re not used to staying on alert for invisible enemies that can take people down in everyday life. When people die, it’s supposed to make sense. Heart attack? His diet was awful. Cancer? Everyone knew he smoked too much. Now we hear of people dying and no one knows why. Maybe the virus got onto the change they got back at the supermarket. Maybe the package delivery guy coughed. Maybe it was the hand-shaking at church. Who knows?
bodies are screaming (through chemical imbalances), trying to get our attention, and warn us to get back to the group, where we’re programmed to feel safest. As the classic R&B song put it: “I’m so tired of being alone. I’m so tired of on my own.”
Helplessness
is
unsettling.
COVID-19 upsets our usual answer to the eternal question: “Why?” It upends our “just world belief,” the conviction that bad things only happen for predictable reasons. That faith was never really justified; random tragedy happens. It was just a comforting myth, until it mocked its validity. Still, you’re pretty sure that you’re taking the best steps you can to keep yourself safe — maintaining social distance from other people, and wearing a face mask when you rush through the store for provisions. So why do you still feel a gnawing dread? Does your persistent anxiety mean 54 | OutClique.com
Self-isolation triggers ancient alarm bells. Our
Mother Nature actually hard-wired into us an impulse to gather in close groups for safety. [1] For our ancestors, it was being alone that put you at risk, not being too close to people. Alone, you could freeze to death outdoors, or die after a fall because no one was there to patch you up, or get killed by a predator or rival tribe. Even today, Mother Nature gives us positive reinforcement when we stay close to other humans. Partners and close friends who see each other every day smooth out one another’s emotional spikes through an automatic, unnoticed chemical reaction called “limbic regulation.”[2] After a loved one dies, surviving spouses who maintain strong social circles double their own survival rates. Even having a dog or a cat helps because all mammals
The Scream by Edvard Munch
T
here’s a hum of fear deep in your mind. Maybe you blame it on the relentless COVID-19 news coverage. The gap between ratings-pumping hysteria and the White House’s “nothing to see here” script doesn’t make you feel confident that the greatest nation has a handle on this pandemic. Compulsively checking the local tally of new COVID-19 cases every single day probably doesn’t make you feel calmer, either. Meanwhile, parades of faceless people in masks everywhere remind you of some apocalyptic movies.
unconsciously transmit this emotional tether line to others.[3] On the other hand, if we’re alone too much, we literally risk our health. Men who live alone without close friends show higher levels of inflammatory chemical markers in their bloodstream (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and fibrinogen).[4] These chemicals make them feel anxious. Often, solitary men try to quiet the chemical alarms with excessive alcohol use and drugs. People who are partnered or married typically outlive those who are single. Among the elderly, the risk of premature death is threeto-five times higher for those who live alone.[5] All ages are impacted. When minor diseases swept through orphanages in the 13th century[6] and again in the 1940s,[7] they didn’t just cause a few little ones to fall ill. They wiped out huge numbers of infants who shared just one common trait: they were the ones not regularly cuddled and touched. Loneliness isn’t “just” an emotion. When people feel a loss of a relationship, the part of the brain that activates is the same part that lights up when the body is painfully injured.[8] Yet today, this innate security impulse for grouping together is the very source of our risk of COVID-19. Our wiring hasn’t adapted. Can you rewrite these primitive scripts, so that you can both stay safe and not feel awful? Survivors of wars, famines, and economic
collapse created helpful coping tools. Allow yourself to grieve. Denial doesn’t make problems go away; they just fester. Allow yourself to note that this situation is crummy and not fair. In your mind (or even on paper), tell the COVID-19 all the ways that it’s messing with your life. Then take a deep breath, and try to reframe to happier thoughts. Celebrate better times. Concentration camp
prisoners would build community and resiliency by describing in great detail the bountiful meals they’d once enjoyed together. Veterans in war zones would fortify hopes for civilian life by sharing photos of their sweetheart back home. Families scraping by during the Depression would gather around a last treasured item, seeing it as a talisman to a better future.
Tell your body that things are normal. If you
stay up all night binging Netflix®, and eat only junk foods, you’ll throw your body on a roller coaster of chemical changes. Try to maintain your regular diet and sleep times. If you exercised in a gym, find ways to improvise at home. Select take-out food or groceries that are similar to your usual meals. You’ll keep your daily clock (known as circadian rhythms) better aligned, and you’ll feel more yourself. Even if we can’t be together during this lonely time, you’re not alone in what you’re feeling. We’ll make it through these days of anxiety. This won’t last forever.
Dr. Fallon is the Executive Director of Latinos Salud. www.LatinosSalud.org [1] Diamond J. Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fate of Human Societies. New York: W.W. Norton, 1997. [2] Money, J. Love and Sickness: The Science of Sex, Gender Difference, and Pair-Bonding. 1980, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. [3] Lewis, Thomas, et al. A General Theory of Love. New York: Random House, 2000. [4] AHA Scientific Sessions 2003: Abstract 3378. Presented Nov. 11, 2003. [5] Ornish D. Love and Survival: The Scientific Basis for the Healing Power of Intimacy. New York: Harper Collins, 1998. [6] Coulton G.G. St. Francis to Dante. London: David Nutt Press, 1906, p. 242-243. Cited in Lewis T, et al. A General Theory of Love. New York: Vintage Books, 2000, p. 68-69. [7] Spitz R. “Hospitalism: An Inquiry into the Genius of Psychiatric Conditions in Early Childhood.” Psychoanalytic Study of the Child 1945; I:53-74. [8] Eisenberger N, Lieberman M, and Williams K. “Does Rejection Hurt? An fMRI Study of Social Exclusion. Science, October 10, 2003, 302: 290-296.
OutClique.com | 55
The best part of winning awards is that we get them by treating you well. Being the only hospital in Broward County recognized as a Heathcare Equality Leader for 2019 is an important distinction we’re proud to receive. All of us at Florida Medical Center know there’s more to healthcare than medicine. There’s kindness. Attentiveness. And compassion to treat you and your family well. Every day. To learn more or find a doctor, visit FloridaMedCtr.com
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A STROKE
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lmost 800,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year. Approximately two-thirds of them survive and need rehabilitation. Rehabilitation plays a vital role in helping stroke victims regain their ability to take care of themselves and achieve the best possible quality of life. The types and degrees of disability experienced after a stroke will depend on the area of the brain that is damaged. In general, stroke can cause five different types of disabilities: paralysis or difficulty controlling movement sensory problems trouble understanding or using language challenges with thinking or memory emotional disturbances Rehabilitation usually begins within a day or two after the stroke. It may start with prompting the patient to change positions often while lying in bed and engaging in range-of-motion exercises to strengthen limbs affected by the stroke. Therapy may then continue in inpatient rehabilitation units (where the patient stays at the facility while undergoing therapy), outpatient units (where patients can spend several hours a day, but not stay overnight), or home-based rehabilitation (where rehabilitation is done in the patient’s home). Rehabilitation typically involves three kinds of therapy: physical, occupational, and speech. Physical therapy is designed to help patients deal with motor and sensory impairments. Physical therapists work with patients to improve strength, endurance, range-of-motion, gait abnormalities, and sensory problems. They educate survivors how to regain use of stroke-
impaired limbs and teach compensatory strategies to lessen the impact of remaining deficits. Occupational therapy is geared to helping patients relearn skills necessary for daily living, such as getting dressed, combing hair, preparing meals, or doing housework. Occupational therapists may go to a patient’s home and suggest ways to make it more safe and accessible. For example, they may recommend installing grab bars in the bathroom or removing rugs that could cause a fall. Speech therapy is done to re-educate stroke patients about all aspects relating to speech, including how to speak, understand, read, write, solve problems, and even swallow. Depending on the extent of the language problem, speech therapists can use pictures or demonstrate how to perform tasks several times or in a different way to help the patient communicate. It is common for patients to become depressed after having a stroke. Signs of depression include sleep disturbances, change in eating patterns, fatigue, irritability, lethargy, weight fluctuations, and social withdrawal. Treating depression can include increased social activity, psychological counseling, or antidepressant medications. The success of a rehabilitation program depends on patient cooperation and commitment. Although therapy sessions may be scheduled several times a week, it is important to do therapeutic exercises every day. Because the risk of having a stroke is higher for people who have already had one, following a healthy lifestyle is important. Stroke patients should eat healthy, be as physically active as possible, control conditions that contribute to stroke or recurrent stroke such as high blood pressure, and follow their doctor’s orders.
Our physician referral service can provide a wealth of information about our doctors and help you make an appointment. Find a physician now 1-833-764-5452 or visit www.FloridaMedCtr.com for more information. OutClique.com | 59
A COMMITMENT TO LGBTQ+ HEALTHCARE
MINDFUL AND COMMITTED TO HOLISTIC HEALTH
By Care Resource
C
are Resource is a nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with locations in Midtown Miami, Little Havana, Miami Beach, and Fort Lauderdale. Since its founding 35 years ago, Care Resource has shown dedication to LGBTQ+ healthcare and the health of South Florida’s underserved communities. The health center is continuously recognized as a leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). Care Resource’s best practices in LGBTQ+ care include, but are not limited to: an Equal Employment Opportunity Policy to ensure non-discrimination in management practices and decisions, LGBTQ+ Patient Training for staff, and an LGBTQ-inclusive patient nondiscrimination policy. Care Resource chats with one of their own, Robert Goubeaux, DO, Medical Director at Care Resource.
In this short interview, Dr. Robert Goubeaux shares lessons and experiences gained from working with the LGBTQ+ community. In his four years of service with Care Resource, he has remained mindful of the overall health needs of LGBTQ+ patients.
to join Care Resource. After learning about the center’s commitment to the community, I decided to make the change. In April 2016, I accepted the position and began to serve as Medical Director of the Miami Beach/ Midtown offices in November 2016.
Care Resource: Tell us about your professional background. How did you find your way to Care Resource?
CR
Robert Goubeaux, DO: I completed my family practice residency in 1997 and then I joined a group practice where I stayed for about 19 years. During that time I was also the Family Practice Program Director and it just so happened that my chief resident at the time was Dr. Sheryl Zayas who became Care Resource’s Medical Director after she graduated from residency! Dr. Zayas had reached out to me several times to invite me
RG
60 | OutClique.com
When you first began to practice, what was the general understanding of LGBTQ+ healthcare? At the time, it was still very taboo to speak of LGBTQ+ health issues; the environment for LGBTQ+ healthcare was not positive. Often, people who were LGBTQ+ weren’t comfortable going into the doctor’s office because they didn’t know whether they would be welcome. Back then, because of HIV, people were really discriminated against. Doctors refused to see patients who had HIV and would make
their beliefs known, saying “this [HIV] is your fault.” However, the group practice I worked at welcomed all patients, no matter their sexual orientation. I received many LGBTQ+ patients, especially through friends’ referrals because I was openly gay. When I joined Care Resource, I transitioned even more into LGBTQ+ healthcare, including preventive care.
CR RG
How is Care Resource a safe space for LGBTQ+ patients?
We have our roots in the LGBTQ+ community. We started out as an AIDS Service Organization (ASO) and then we became known in the community through AIDS Walk Miami and The White Party. We were at the forefront of the community, so people knew that they could come to us; we were a safe place. It’s important to care without judgment. As doctors, we took an oath to cause no harm. Making disparaging remarks, such as “you’re not welcome,” or “you deserve what you got,” or even insinuating this, causes a lot of emotional and psychological harm. Some people will treat the patient, but their demeanor is cold, and the environment is not welcoming. There is no compassion in that type of care—instead, we should think: let’s help, let’s treat, let’s educate. There needs to be a level of comfort between the provider and the patient so the patient feels comfortable. They need to know that their provider is there to listen without judgment. Patients shouldn’t have to hold information back from their providers, especially information that could be critical to their care.
CR
What are specific health issues that disproportionately affect the
LGBTQ+ community? How can these health outcomes be improved?
RG
With gay men, we need to be aware of illnesses that affect the community such as STIs and the human papillomavirus (HPV) because certain papillomaviruses can affect colorectal health and cause other health issues. We need to perform screenings in order to prevent colorectal and anal cancers and emphasize preventive care. Also, although STIs are a concern for everyone, we have seen an increase in STIs in the LGBTQ+ community. It’s extremely important to get our LGBTQ+ patients into care on a regular basis and follow up with them, especially if they’re living with HIV or Hepatitis C, in order to prevent further adverse health outcomes. Within our HIV community, providers have realized that when they follow up consistently, we’re catching other health issues earlier, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or high blood pressure. In terms of our LGTBQ+ community, we’ve seen that if we can take care of all of their needs in one place, they have better health outcomes. Care Resource brings services ranging from primary care to HIV treatment, hormone therapy, and other specialty needs in one place, making it more likely that our patients’ needs are addressed. When they come to Care Resource, they can easily access other Care Resource providers who are also open and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community.
CR
What advice would you give to members of LGBTQ+ community and sexually active people in general, concerning COVID-19, social distancing, and STI transmission? OutClique.com | 61
RG
During this time of a global pandemic, it is very important that everyone take this very seriously. We recommend social distancing and avoiding any group activities. We do not recommend using any social apps for hooking-up or having sexual encounters. Taking these steps will help not only in preventing transmission of COVID-19, but also preventing transmission of STIs. For those in our community, especially older individuals, who are living with HIV and have compromised immune systems, it is even more important to follow the recommendations we have all been given. If individuals experience symptoms of fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath, they should contact their provider for guidance. They should not just show up at their provider’s office without calling first.
CR
How does Care Resource further address the various social issues that might affect the health of LGBTQ+ individuals?
RG
We have so many resources to help each individual. Patients come for one service and end up staying for others. For our homeless population and those experiencing substance use disorder (SUD), we have housing and Case Management services. The most important thing is allowing our patients to get everything taken care of in one place instead of having to make multiple appointments at different places. This is especially important for our patients who are homeless and struggle additionally with transportation. I’m an osteopathic physician, and I was
always taught that the aim is to treat the whole person—not just the disease. We take a holistic approach, considering both behavioral health and physical health. We can’t just treat symptoms as a way to slap a band-aid on the root issue. Sometimes general practitioners miss the connection between behavioral health and physical health. They do not investigate the root cause in order to see how the patient can truly be helped. They’re not considering behavioral health issues that could be leading to a specific health outcome.
CR RG
How do you envision LGBTQ+ healthcare in five years?
In five years, I envision that members of the LGBTQ+ community can be seen by any provider and that they would be treated as a whole person. This hope extends to all other marginalized groups. I would like to see more of the general physician population transition into accepting, nonjudgmental, and competent care. I would hope that we don’t even have to ask, “how are we doing with our LGBTQ+ patients?” I want LGBTQ+ healthcare to be integrated into general healthcare practices. It is important that we know everyone is vulnerable to health issues and that we routinize STI/HIV testing. I have witnessed that people in the straight community, especially the younger individuals, are more open to this. I’ve even seen greater acceptance of HIV testing within the older community. Now some patients are even the ones who insist that they receive testing for STIs/HIV. We are making advances—we just have to keep pushing and educating.
Learn more about Care Resource at www.CareResource.org. 62 | OutClique.com
THE LOSS OF A COMMUNITY HERO By John M. Hayden
Shannon was engaged to Jonathan Frey. The longtime friends took their relationship to the next level in 2018, which culminated in December 2019 with Shannon getting down on one knee in front of Cinderella’s castle at Walt Disney World. The couple recently set this coming December as their date to tie the knot. Sadly, the global pandemic that has upset all our lives came through and devastated theirs. Shannon started feeling sick in late March, and after four days his condition deteriorated to the point he needed to check himself into the hospital. Jonathan has said Shannon started showing some improvement after treatment, but the virus was too much for his body to handle and he passed away on April 3, 2020. The story is even more heartbreaking because Jonathan couldn’t be by Shannon’s side. COVID-19 is so easily spread, hospitals restrict visitors for patients with the virus. Jonathan has said he is grieving by himself since everyone is supposed to stay at home. Jonathan’s loss is a loss for all of us. Shannon was an out and proud member of our community. Many social media posts show him out on “the drive” or in his softball league shirt. Strong, healthy, and with a smile plastered on his face as he posed with Jonathan, Shannon was happy with who he was, where he was, and what he was doing. Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony told WSVN that Shannon was working on equality and inclusion
Photo Courtesy of Broward Sheriff's Office
T
he first law enforcement officer in all of Florida to be taken from us by COVID-19 was one of our own. Deputy Shannon Bennett was a 12 year veteran of the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), a member of our community, and a fianceé who was set to get married later this year. Fewer people could make our community prouder.
for our community within the department. “He was a part of the LGBTQ+ community, and he wanted to see a committee formed here at this agency,” Tony said. “We put it together and he sat with members of our organization to figure out better ways to bond the network inside this community.” Shannon was also working with South Florida’s next generation. His specific job within the department was working as a school resource officer at Deerfield Beach Elementary School. It was good training for him, as Jonathan said they both wanted to eventually have children. While Shannon may be physically gone, we can all make sure his spirit lives on. His spirit of community. His spirit of public service. His spirit of love. The Broward Sheriff's Advisory Council has created a COVID-19 First Responder Victims Fund in Memory of Deputy Shannon Bennett. 100% of your donation will go to support the families of first responder victims of COVID-19. If you’d like to donate, please visit www. SheriffsAdvisoryCouncil.com/COVID-19-Fund, or you may donate by phone at (754) 234-1395. OutClique.com | 63
PROTECTING YOURSELF AND THOSE AROUND YOU By Chris Nelson, MD
I
continue to be blown away by the shares and comments on my previous post. Thank-you, all! I only post to educate and empower, so that we may all get through this together and protect ourselves and those that we love from unwanted and unnecessary misery and suffering. In that spirit, I offer some additional thoughts: COVID-19 continues its assault on the world and our country, showing that, in a relatively small world of international travelers, a virus does not care what country it started in, only that it can travel its respiratory droplet or surfacecontaminated journey to find its next warm-blooded host to continue its mission to survive and live on. This is no different 64 | OutClique.com
than most living creatures on this planet, n’est pas? You can call it a “Chinese” virus, Coronavirus, COVID-19, or whatever name you want to attach to it, but it does not suffer insult because it does not watch press conferences or mainstream media to decide what to do or where to go next. It just wants to keep infecting every susceptible host and multiplying and spreading until there are no susceptible hosts left in the world that it can call home. As we suffer through the current misery of COVID-19, we are not really creating history, as it is popular to hear the media say today, but rather we are simply reliving it. To highlight just one example, in the Middle
Ages, the bubonic plague killed millions of people over an almost 3-year period in Europe. What eventually stopped the “Black Death”? In a word, QUARANTINE. Long before a time when people knew that a bacteria (Yersinia pestis) was the cause for the disease, they actually, and eventually realized that if they stayed apart from one another long enough, the disease stopped its deadly march. So why is this such a hard concept for us to grasp today?
a little for a month or two. The alternative? Continue to party together, congregate, sleep over, get-together, or whatever you want to call a violation of social distancing, and get ready to suffer like our poor friends and fellow human beings in Italy are doing right now, where they are deciding by lottery who gets to live and who dies. Why not choose your own destiny by practicing a little restraint, delayed gratification and social distancing, until this virus has no one left to call home?
Maybe too many of us slept through history class, or were just too bored in school to pay attention to care one way or another. Maybe Darwin has something to say about this? Whatever your pleasure, if we want to make this current “plague” go away, all we have to do is to own our humanity and our history-rather than deny them or try to ignore or believe that this is some unique or never-seen-before disaster, or that it will suddenly or magically just disappear.
It is your choice, but it is also critically important to understand that in today’s connected world, the choice you make affects so many more people than just you. Do the right thing for you, and humanity.
Please, PLEASE: stay home, stay away from other people, listen to the smart infectious disease people (Dr. Tony Fauci), and suffer
Love you all!
Let’s not be remembered for repeating history-again. Just my thoughts. Be well and stay smart/ safe!
Chris Nelson, MD
Chris Nelson is a board certificated pediatrician from the American Medical Association with a specialty in infectious disease. He is currently a pediatrician at the Pediatric & Adolescent Associates in Lexington, KY and previously served as the Pediatric Clerkship Director at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. He and his wife are also owners of Chrisman Mill Winery in Nicholasville, KY. Additionally, Dr. Nelson served on the dissertation committee of Steven O. Evans, PhD, the publisher of OutClique magazine. The title of Dr. Evans’ dissertation is “Pediatrics education in an AHEC setting: Preparing students to provide patient centered medicine” from the University of Kentucky College of Education. It can be found at www.Libraries.UKY.edu. OutClique.com | 65
FINDING PEACE IN A CHAOTIC WORLD By David G. Webb, DOM
R
ight now, more than ever, it is important that we take good care of ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. As we all deal with social isolation in our own ways, too often that can mean eating poorly, not exercising, spending an excessive amount of time on technology like our tv, phones, and tablets, and being inundated with negative content on social media and the news. We can all turn this around into a time of focused self-care and healing by incorporating a few simple things into our daily routine. When we perceive a threat to our wellbeing, such as COVID-19, we switch into a heightened sympathetic nervous system, fight-orflight, response. The negativity on social media and the news can even worsen this response. The problem with being in a chronic, heightened sympathetic mode is that it can lead to disorders like anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and finally depression and fatigue. There are simple steps we can all take to reduce our stress and anxiety, and promote overall wellness and inner healing. The threat of our current situation is real, but we all have control over what we focus our attention on. Many are finding that limiting their exposure to social media and the news to only what is necessary to keep abreast of our current state of affairs, and then turning our attention to things that give us hope and happiness, helps keep us grounded and positive. I also appreciate the potential harm that excessive EMF exposure from too much time spent on tech devices like our cell phones, tablets, and tv can have on our wellbeing. Rather than spending all day indoors on our cell phones scrolling through social media, let’s get outside
and enjoy nature! I see more people than ever out walking and bike riding. Our bodies do not truly thrive in a purely indoor environment. You’ll be surprised to feel how balancing and harmonizing it is to simply take your shoes off and walk barefoot on the ground outside! When you are cooped up inside, use this opportunity to do things that support personal growth, creativity, and healing. Eat healthy meals, learn new things, work on a hobby, create with music or art, take up writing, whatever brings you joy! This can be a time for personal growth, rather than stagnation. Lastly, here are a couple of things you can do to overcome anxiety. Purchase some Bergamot essential oil, arguably one of the best oils to calm anxiety, or a calming blend like chamomile, valerian, hops, and passionflower. Find a quiet space, breathe in some relaxing oils, close your eyes and focus on your breath, counting your inbreath and outbreath, exhaling for twice as long as you inhale. In for a count of four, out for a count of eight. This type of breathing has been found in published studies to switch us quickly out of sympathetic mode and into relaxing and calming parasympathetic mode.
Dr. David Webb is an Integrative Medicine Practitioner and Doctor of Oriental Medicine (DOM), and practices in Wilton Manors, Florida. He specializes in pain and injury resolution, and incorporates several cutting-edge modern technologies such as Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) into his practice. To schedule a FREE 10-minute phone consultation with Dr. Webb, call (954) 289-8901 today. To learn more about treatment options available, visit www.DavidWebbDOM.com.
OutClique.com | 69
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WHO TO CALL ACCOUNTING
CHURCHES & SYNAGOGUES
Downtown Fort Lauderdale
R3 Accounting (954) 202-9770 www.R3Accounting.com
Holy Angels Catholic Church (954) 633-2987 www.HolyAngelsFL.net
700 SE 3rd Avenue, Ste 301 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 767-0887
Schultz Tax & Financial Services (954) 300-3829 www.SchultzTFS.com
Sunshine Cathedral (954) 462-2004 www.SunshineCathedral.org
3661 S Miami Avenue, Ste 806 Miami, FL 33133 (786) 497-4000
ADDICTION RECOVERY
Sts. Francis & Clare Mass: Saturday 5:00PM and Sunday 10:30AM www.StsFrancisAndClare.com
100 NW 170th Street, Ste 208 North Miami Beach, FL 33169 (305) 405-0045
Beachcomber (954) 615-4003
www.BeachComberOutpatient.com
AIRLINES
Silver Airways (801) 401-9100 www.SilverAirways.com
ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, & ACTIVITIES
Broward County Cultural Division www.ArtsCalendar.com Museum of Discovery & Science (954) 467-6637 www.MODS.org Randy Roberts La Te Da (Key West) www.LaTeDa.com/Randy-Roberts
ATTORNEYS & LAW OFFICES
John D. Mooney, PA (954) 449-2671 www.JohnDMooneyPA.com Ken Keechl Law (954) 271-0667 www.KenKeechlLaw.com
CAR WASHES
Majestic Car Wash (954) 568-9450 www.MajesticCarWashFlorida.com
CHIROPRACTICS
Handcraft Chiropractic Daniel J. Lewis, D.C. (954) 507-9380 www.HandcraftChiro.com
CONSUMER SERVICES
Better Business Bureau of Southeast Florida & the Caribbean (561) 842-1918 www.BBB.org/SEFL
FOR RENT
Near Wilton Manors 1/1 $950-1,150 Big “owners unit," new kitchen, new hurricane impact windows, tile floors, walk-in closet, private patio, laundry on site. No pets. No smokers. (754) 366-7563 Wilton House Apartments (954) 306-6812 info@WiltonHouseApartments.com
www.WiltonHouseApartments.com
Miami (Jackson North)
Northpoint
6405 N Federal Highway, Ste 205 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 (954) 772-2411
Oakland Park
1164 E Oakland Park Boulevard, Floor 3 Oakland Park, FL 33334 (954) 561-6900
South Beach
4308 Alton Road, Ste 950 Miami, FL 33140 (305) 538-1400 Care Resource Community Health Centers (954) 567-7141 www.CareResource.org Latinos Salud (954) 765-6239 www.LatinosSalud.org
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Out of the Closet (954) 358-5580 www.OutOfTheCloset.org
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Pallant Insurance Agency (954) 522-3800 www.PallantInsurance.com
Sach Design Group (954) 647-3063 www.SachAdGroup.com Genesis Health Institute (954) 561-3175 www.GHInstitute.com
HIV & AIDS SERVICES / TESTING AIDS Health Foundation (AHF) Healthcare Centers (954) 767-0273 www.AIDSHealth.org
Want to get listed? Contact us! 76 | OutClique.com
Kinder (South Miami)
INSURANCE
WE Insure (954) 903-7519 www.WeInsureFtLaud.com LAWN MAINTENANCE & DESIGN Landscape Solutions (954) 525-5855
www.LandscapeSolutionsFlorida.com
OutClique@gmail.com | 954-998-6429
MASSAGE & SPA SERVICES
Relax in Peace Massage John-Michael Gordon, LMT (954) 649-4287
www.Facebook.com/JMGMassage
MEDICAL
Acupuncture & Wellness Center Fort Lauderdale 1128 SE 3rd Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 494-9322 www.ACUFTL.com
POOL SERVICES
Skimmer Pools (954) 367-7007 www.SkimmersPools.com
PRINTING SERVICES
Minuteman Press Wilton Manors 1416 NE 4th Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 (954) 731-5300 1416@MinutemanPress.com
REALTORS & BROKERS
Henri Vezie ONE Sotheby’s International Realty Care Resource Community Health (954) 465-6615 Centers www.HenriFrank.com
Fort Lauderdale
871 W Oakland Park Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 (954) 567-7141
Joe Grano, Broker (954) 931-0031 BrokerJoe@JoeGrano.com
1901 SW 1st Street, Fl 4 Miami, FL 33135 (305) 203-5230
R. James Graham Galleria International Realty (954) 837-3472 RJGraham51@aol.com
1680 Michigan Avenue, Ste 912 Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 534-0503
Steve Margolis Re/Max Experience (954) 684-7888 www.HomesBySteveFL.com
Little Havana
Miami Beach
Midtown Miami
3801 Biscayne Boulevard Miami, FL 33137 (305) 576-1234 www.CareResource.org Florida Department of Health, in Broward County (954) 412-7300 www.Broward.FloridaHealth.gov Florida Medical Center (954) 735-6000 www.FloridaMedCTR.com
ORIENTAL MEDICINE
Dr. David Webb, DOM (954) 289-8901 www.DavidWebbDOM.com
PAINTING
Gregg’s Painting Interiors & exteriors, great rates & reliability! (617) 306-5694 GManBenn44@gmail.com
RESTAURANTS
Catfish Dewey's (954) 566-5333 www.CatfishDeweys.com New York Grilled Cheese
Boca Raton
493 N Federal Highway Boca Raton, FL 33432 (561) 277-0777
Wilton Manors
2207 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (954) 564-6887 www.NewYorkGrilledCheese.com The Pub (754) 200-5244 www.ThePubWM.com
RETAIL
Gett Wett Swimwear Studio & Design Shop (754) 444-1739 www.GettWett.com
Want to get listed? Contact us!
LeatherWerks (954) 761-1236 www.LeatherWerks.com Out of the Closet
Fort Lauderdale
1785 E Sunrise Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 (954) 462-9442
Miami
2900 Biscayne Boulevard Miami, FL 33137 (305) 764-3773
Wilton Manors
2097 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (954) 358-5580
SENIOR CARE SERVICES
Emerald Elite Senior Home Care (954) 629-1377 Ernest@EmeraldEliteCare.com
SOCIAL & OUTREACH
Latinos Salud
Miami Beach
925 Arthur Godfrey Road, Ste 200 Miami Beach, FL 33140 (305) 397-8967
Miami Southwest
2760 SW 97th Avenue, Ste 103 Miami, FL 33165 (786) 801-1803
Wilton Manors
2330 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (954) 765-6239 www.LatinosSalud.org
TITLE COMPANIES
Assure America Title Company Richard Mandel (561) 414-4057 Richard@AssureAmericaTitle.com www.AssureAmericaTitle.com
TRAVEL SERVICES
Source Events (305) 672-9779 www.SourceEvents.com
WINE, BEER, & SPIRITS
Late Night Liquors (954) 368-8798 www.LateNightLiquors.com
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