local name global coverage january 23, 2019 vol. 10 // issue 4
Trans military ban reinstated • Page 20, 22 An open letter to craig jungwirth • Page 26 Grindr shuts down online news site - Page 14 SouthFloridaGayNews
Begins on page 28
@SFGN
SFGN.com
From local to world wide,
our reporting never stops...
9
Year 9
anniversary SFGN takes a look back at our journey throughout the years.
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12.12.2018 •
28
9 Years
f o s r a e y e n i n n o ith a look back
s w e n c i r histo
w y c a g e l s t i s r o SFGN hon 2010: The revolution starts now
SFGN Staff
2011: Michael MUSTO
2015: LGBT & Religion
2012: A lust to bust
2016: orlando united
2013: we do, too
2014: meth epidemic
2017: trans & Visible
2018: Here comes
the rainbow wave
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9 Years
First ‘A Day in LGBT South Florida’
100th Issue December 28, 2011
December 2012
First Issue
January 25, 2010
Justin Wyse
hired as a sales associate. He is currently the Sales Manager.
April 2012
SFGN.com The Magazine June 2011
Launch of the Guide June 2012
2009
2010
2011
2012
First Best Of
Cafe Vico
SOUTHFLO
Dec. 2011
Week of Thanksgiving 2009 Norm Kent and Pier Angelo meet to discuss launching a brand new LGBT newspaper in South Florida
Jason Parsley
hired as its managing editor. He is now the Executive Editor.
February 2011
Launch of The Mirror January 2012
SFGN.com The Magazine is rebranded as The Mirror.
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2013
Launc L
Februa
Launch of New Website
h
Launch of the Gazette
March 2013
SFGN
August 6, 2014
SFGN launches its twice monthly supplement, the Wilton Manors Gazette, that will cover all things Wilton Manors including the city government.
TIMELINE
First Out50
SFGN Staff
February 2014
New Front Page Design
400th Issue
August 19, 2015
2014
2015
September 20, 2017
2016
2017
2018
ORIDAGAYNEWS.COM
ch of New Logo
Brendon Lies hired as the Art Director.
July 3, 2014
ary 20, 2013
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9Years
n e h t , s w e reaks the n
sfgn b
s d r a w a e h t t u eaks o
br
SFGN Staff
W
e don’t write for the awards, but every now and then South Florida Gay News pits its stories, designs and features against other publications to see how well we’re doing. It turns out there’s no shortage of excellence at SFGN. In the Society of Professional Journalists’ Sunshine State Awards, SFGN carried off 12 winning places, while in the Florida Press Club Excellence in Journalism Competition, our staff has collected a total of 22 placements. Last but far from least, in the Florida Press Association, SFGN took one more award. In total we’ve received 17 first place wins which are listed below.
Society of Professional Journalists, 1st place 2014
Commentary & Criticism – Arts
J.W. Arnold, Dance, Theater and Opera Reviews, South Florida Gay News
Florida PRess Club, 1st place
Beat Reporting – Minority Issues
Christiana Lilly, Christiana Lilly’s LGBT Reporting, South Florida Gay News Community News
Best Single Issue
Jason Parsley, South Florida Gay News
Jason Parsley, The Mirror, Fall 2013 Student – Best Profile – Low-Frequency Papers
2012
Regina Kaza, Mandi Hawke Raises Awareness for LGBT Youth with Her Life Story, South Florida Gay News Profile Reporting
Christiana Lilly, The Real Doogie Howser: At 16 Jack Andraka Invented a New Way to Detect Pancreatic Cancer, Mirror Magazine
Student
Community News Writing
Jason Parsley, South Florida Gay News
2015
2014
Dylan Bouscher, Trans Student at FAU to bring LBT Sorority to Boca Raton Campus, South Florida Gay News 2016
Writing – Minority Reporting
Best News Story (Low Frequency)
Nicole Wiesenthal,
News
Writing – Religion
Jillian Melero, Will Marriage Equality in Florida Render Domestic Partnership Obsolete, South Florida Gay Best Coverage of LGBT Issues
Jillian Melero, Transgender Day of Remembrance 2015, South Florida Gay News
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2015
2011
South Florida Gay News
Christiana Lilly, South Florida Gay News
Health Writing
Jason Parsley, South Florida Gay News Minority Writing
Jason Parsley, South Florida Gay News 2017
Illustration – Info-graphic Presentation
Brendon Lies, South Florida Gay News 2018
Writing, General News
Jason Parsley, South Florida Gay News Writing, Minority Reporting, Class C-D
Jason Parsley, South Florida Gay News
Foo
x
9 Years
d
s d r a w A n o o den Sp l list of awards
Golfood critic, Rick Karlin, presents his annua SFGN’s
A
s SFGN celebrates another anniversary, it reminds me that the newspaper business is probably only slightly less volatile than the restaurant business. Both have numerous factors working against them, but those outstanding businesses not only manage to survive they thrive. In preparing for our anniversary issue, I looked through my files and thought that those places offering exemplary dining experiences deserved an award. Here they are folks, my
Outstanding New Spot (Wilton Manors)
“Golden Spoon” Awards for 2018. A bit of explanation, these awards honor only those places I happened to write about in 2018. Think of it as the Oscars for South Florida restaurants; honoring wonderful dining experiences of the past year! Rather than tout any candidate as “Best” I prefer to use the term “Outstanding,” as each of these dining experiences was memorable in its own way. After each award, I quote a sentence or two from my original review.
2018 Golden Spoon Awards
The Grille on the Drive
2000 Wilton Dr. 954-530-3361 TheGrilleOTD.com Few places have been as anticipated with such fervor and for a large segment of our community, the stakes have seldom been higher. The Grille managed to make the old Tropics space hip and attractive, bringing in a younger crowd, yet remaining welcoming for those who have gathered there for decades.
Outstanding New Spot (Fort Lauderdale)
El Vez
401 N. Ft. Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 954-414-8336 EvezFTLauderdale.com Try the blood orange and classic margaritas, carnitas or chicken tacos, burgers, nachos or smoked red snapper tostadas. Oh, did we mention, every seat overlooks the beach and, it’s in the W Hotel? Given the prime location, the prices are crazy low!
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R ick Karlin
Outstanding New Spot (Palm Beach)
Basque
320 Belvedere Rd., West Palm Beach 561-557-7875 EatDrinkBasque.com Basque in the historic Hotel Biba, has got to be one of the best dining experiences, not just in the area, but in all of South Florida. What’s even more amazing is that the majority of the food is prepared and served out of a food truck. This is not just any food truck, it is a 22-foot custom designed mobile kitchen.
Outstanding Happy Hour Special
Himmarshee Public House
201 SW 2nd St., Fort Lauderdale 954-616-5275 PublicHouseFTL.com It’s not just that the food is good, and the portions are enormous, or the fact that the servers are terrific, it’s that all appetizers and drinks are 50 percent off. Let’s just say that two appetizers were enough for a table of four hungry men. Make certain to order the crazy nachos.
Outstanding Early Bird Special
Christina Wan’s
664 N. Federal, Fort Lauderdale 954-228-7100 ChristinaWans.com The “Sunset Special” served from 3-6:30 p.m. includes a choice of soup (egg drop, hot and sour or won ton) brown, white or fried rice, and a spring roll or egg roll. The entrees include your choice of chicken, beef, shrimp, pork or tofu (depending upon entrée selection) in a variety of sauces and preparations and are priced between $13-$16.
Food Outstanding Happy Hour Special
El Camino
817 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 954-530-1188 ElCaminoFTLauderdale During Taco Tuesday at El Camino, all tacos are $2 a la carte. I ordered five tacos and the meal was almost more than I could finish. Crispy fried fish got a nice kick from tomatillo salsa and chipotle mayo and a pleasing crunch from shaved cabbage. The Gulf shrimp were a tad small, but perfectly cooked and topped with salsa, charred tomatoes and guacamole. The spicy chicken lives up to its name with an achiote rub, arbol chiles and scallions, which are tempered by a healthy portion of cotija cheese. Barbacoa highlights meaty chunks of brisket with cilantro and queso fresco, while the carne asada pairs slices of steak with ranchero sauce and sweet corn. With the exception of the fish, all were served on corn tortillas. A large basket of chips and two kinds of salsa were more than worth the $3 charge and easily served four of us. Stop in during cocktail hour when drinks are discounted as well.
Outstanding Sandwich Joint
Lunchroom
4520 North Federal, Fort Lauderdale 954-870-7197 LunchRoomSandwiches.com Lunchroom is the latest (for now) offering from the be nice restaurant group (Top Hat, Coconuts, G&B Oyster Bar, Foxy Brown, Red Cow) and ranks as its top spot in my book. It serves up unique breakfast and lunch fare in a fast/casual setting. How unique you ask? How about a ramen stuffed burrito or a tuna poke hoagie? Sandwich options range from decadent (the porchetta showcases herb-roasted pork, braised kale and sautéed onion all topped with provolone, pecorino, Romano and Parmesan on toasted ciabatta) to health-conscious (a toasted hoagie roll plays host to a generous helping of sushi-grade ahi tuna poke, mango, avocado, cucumber, cashews and scallions bathed in a soy-ginger-lime vinaigrette) to exotic (tempura battered cauliflower tossed in spicy buffalo-blue cheese sauce atop banana pepper slaw on a toasted bun).
Outstanding Breakfast Joint
Country Ham & Eggs
2671 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 754-202-0253 CountryHamnEggs.com There are more varieties of eggs Benedict than you knew existed, featuring the traditional as well as versions swapping out the Canadian bacon with; spinach, sautéed veggies, turkey breast, pork roll, Italian sausage lox, steak, or fried shrimp.
Outstanding Waterfront Dining
Backflip @ Plunge Hotel
4660 El Mar Dr., Lauderdale-by-the-Sea 754-200-3346 PlungeBeachHotel.com This is the ultimate laid-back beach bar, serving local brews and rum-fueled cocktails in a thatch-covered hut that would make Hemingway smile. The menu highlights street-style eats such as tacos, sandwiches and some fresh salads, served right on the beach. Nothing fancy, just good food, served by friendly people. Eat with your toes in the sand.
Outstanding Fusion Cuisine
Kubo Asian Fusion Street Food and Sushi
753 SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale 954-533-9017 KuboAsianFusionStreetFood.com Kubo’s menu is exactly what it advertises, a fusion of Asian street food (with an emphasis on Filipino fare) and, in keeping with Florida’s tradition, sushi. In this case excellently prepared, exceedingly fresh, sushi… More unusual fusion offerings range from curries to such Filipino favorites as pancit (clear noodle stir fry), adobo (spicy bbq) and sisig, (fried rice with crispy pork, pig ears, onions and garlic mayo served on a sizzling plate).
Outstanding Comfort Fare
Betty’s Soul Food
601 NW 22nd Rd., Fort Lauderdale 954-583-9121 BettysSoulFoodRestaurant.com Betty’s is a staple of the community… Entrée options include beef stew, ham hocks, fried turkey wings, barbecue ribs or chicken, smothered or fried wings, meatloaf, oxtails, pigs’ feet or tails, smothered or fried chops, stewed chicken, liver & onions, fried chicken or sirloin steak. Fish and seafood selections include; shrimp, catfish, scallops, tilapia, grouper, snapper, trout or swai, all either baked, grilled or fried. Side dishes of yellow or white rice with or without pigeon peas are available, but the servings are so large you won’t need it. Besides, you’ll want to save room for desserts such as; cakes (red velvet, pineapple-coconut, old fashioned chocolate, caramel pound), pies and cobblers (sweet potato, peach, lemon cream) and, on weekends, banana pudding with vanilla wafers.
Outstanding Fast Casual
Bowlicious
Outstanding Hidden Gem (Hollywood)
Go Bistro
2035 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 754-263-2826 EatGoBistro.com
Go Bistro is a tiny storefront that brings together all kinds of folks. Hipsters, families and hipster families. Foreigners, tourists and foreign tourists. Gays and seniors and gay seniors. It seems everyone loves Go Bistro’s inventive takes on classic Japanese comfort foods, and not just ramen, but sushi, and fusion dishes that will blow your mind.
Outstanding Hidden Gem (Oakland Park)
El Guanaco
331 NE 44th St., Oakland Park 954-351-0792 ElGuanacoOaklandPark.com
Outstanding Hidden Gem (Miami)
Lolo’s Surf Cantina 161 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach 305-735-6973 LolosCantina.com
On the Flip Side
1823 E. Commercial, Fort Lauderdale 954-328-2695 EatBowlicious.com The fastest growing trend in fast casual dining is the bowl-based meal, featuring a choice of grains or green for a base, various veggies and a protein. The latest entry into the super bowl competition is the best yet.
Of course, it’s not all delicious food and attentive service. Occasionally, I stumble into a situation where, if I wasn’t writing a review, I’d get up and walk out. Two places managed to be that unpleasant. They are the recipients of my “Flying Fork Award.” The other two places get the award for just annoying me.
Outstanding Rehab
Flying Fork Awards
Food Court at Aventura
If your idea of the food court at the mall is Panda Express and Sbarro’s, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the new Treats Food Hall at Aventura. Gleaming at the top of a bank of escalators, it is a place to see and be seen. The restaurants flank the sides of the sun-filled dining hall. Wood furnishings and marble countertops, adorned with Moroccan tiles, offer a mix of communal tables, individual banquettes, and high-top tables. It’s all very high-end, more like a buzzy restaurant than a food court. Then there are those places, that you never knew existed until they are suddenly revealed to you. They may be tucked away in unusual locations, as two of these spots are, or they may be someplace you pass every day without a hint as to the wonders inside. Discovering and sharing these hidden gems are the real joy of doing this job.
Wipe Out on Wilton
Maria’s Cantina Sea & Olive 2400 Wilton Dr. 2390 Wilton Dr. Although I reviewed these places in 2017, I’m including them in this year’s Flying Fork Award because both failed so spectacularly in 2018. Here’s what I wrote; “It’s not unusual to have new restaurants opening on Wilton Drive, but when two places opened across the street from each other at the same time, that was something to note. I was excited to see a Mexican restaurant going in the storefront that used to house a bakery. I also discovered that the prime location that was home to Thirteen, would focus on Mediterranean seafood… Neither seems to be operated by people who know anything about how to run a restaurant… based upon my initial visits, I’m not certain either place will be around that long.” It seems I was right.
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9 Years
e n i N p o t s ’ n g f s t A look back a
s r e v o c g n i k a e r b 2018 SFGN Staff
January 31: SFGN broke the story of a former teacher who preyed on his students at an all-male school.
February 21: Florida was once again struck by the tragedy of mass gun violence after a shooting took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
March 28: Tuesday’s Angels, an early HIV activism group, disbands after announcing that they are no longer needed in the fight for HIV healthcare.
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July 4: The nation celebrates its Independence Day, even as protests and uncertainty fluctuate throughout the nation.
July 18: “Chutes & Ladders Transition Edition” was an interactive guide, complete with a game board inside, on the ups and downs of transitioning.
August 22: SFGN covers how a former gay porn star fights to prove his innocence in a murder case 9 years after his conviction.
October 3: Two decades after the horrific murder of Matthew Shepard, the LGBT community honors his memory and the activism born from anger.
October 24: Pompano Bill, the locally-famous photographer who stole the hearts of countless people, passed away after a long vibrant lifetime of authenticity.
October 31: SFGN’s voting issue encouraged the LGBT community to vote, a week before Democrats took back the House of Representatives.
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9 Years
s r e k a m r u o Meet
n...
a g e b l l a IT e r e h w vico, e f a c t a g in in D o r Angel
ie
P CEO d n a t n e K m r Publisher No
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Pictured: Norm Kent (left) and Piero Guidugli seated at Café Vico, the restaurant where SFGN was conceptualized in 2009.
!
staff GN F S e h t f o t s e r nd meet the
... a
Brendon Lies
Jason Parsley
Justin Wyse Sales Manager
Executive Editor
Art Director
Anthony Pennetti
Advertising Sales Assoc.
Kerri Covington Copyeditor
Sallie James
WMG Correspondent
Clark Rogers
Eddie Neimann
Tucker Berardi
Senior Advertising Assoc.
J.R. Davis
Carina Mask Photographer
Distribution Services
Distribution Services
Rick Karlin
J.W. Arnold
Jesse Monteagudo
Sean McShee
Senior Photographer
Food/Travel Editor
A&E Editor
Social Media Manager
Nicholas Adkins
Senior Advertising Assoc.
Lee Curtis
Senior Features
Office Assistant
Rocky Bowell
HIV Editor
Justin Musial
Digital Content Director
Screamer
H.R. Department
Kristen Grau
Palm Beach Editor 1.23.2019 •
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