SFGN 01/20/22 V13iss3

LOCAL NAME GLOBAL COVERAGE JANUARY 20, 2022 VOL. 13 // ISSUE 3

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MURDERER OF WILTON MANORS COUPLE ‘NOT SORRY’ BUT GRANTED SECOND TRIAL PAGE 6

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NEWS HIGHLIGHT

SouthFloridaGayNews.com

AMY SCHNEIDER, TRANS CONTESTANT, BREAKS MAJOR RECORD ON ‘JEOPARDY!’

@SFGN

January 20, 2022 • Volume 13 • Issue 3

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T

hirty-Five.

That’s the number that was on Amy Schneider’s mind going into Tuesday’s episode of “Jeopardy!”

On Thursday she tied the record for third most consecutive games won on the longrunning game show.

On Friday she was on a roll, easily outpacing the other two contestants. By the time the final round began it was a foregone conclusion that she would break James Holzhauer’s 2019 record of 32 games.

“So, I’d set a new mark for my lowest winning total in a game. But hey, the important word there was ‘winning!’” Schneider wrote on Twitter in her post game recap. “I’d yet again gotten through a full week of taping, and taken sole possession of third place on the alltime list!”

During the final round she bet $20,000, an unusually large bet for her. She got it wrong, so she walked away with $10,200. As of press time, her grand total is now $1,164,000.

Perhaps it was destiny for Schneider to become one of the game show’s greatest players — in 8th grade her class voted her most likely to compete on “Jeopardy!”

PERHAPS IT WAS DESTINY FOR SCHNEIDER TO BECOME ONE OF THE GAME SHOW’S GREATEST PLAYERS — IN 8TH GRADE HER CLASS VOTED HER MOST LIKELY TO COMPETE ON “JEOPARDY!”

Senior Feature Columnists

Brian McNaught • Jesse Monteagudo

Special to SFGN Steve Rothaus

Correspondents

Amy Schneider on “Jeopardy!” Photo via Jeopardy!, Facebook.

She told NPR that in order for her to stay relaxed before each game she runs through the lyrics of “Lose Yourself” by Eminem. “It’s so fitting to the moment because I really do have to lose myself in the moment.”

Schneider will need to win 39 games to overtake Matt Amodio’s record-breaking streak from last year, which would put her in second place. That game takes place next Monday — that’s of course if she continues to win.

A week and half ago she topped $1 million in winnings on the show, becoming the fourth person, and first woman, to win more than $1 million during regular season play.

Schneider was already a history-making contestant. She is the first transgender contestant to qualify for the tournament of champions, a yearly tournament featuring players who won the most games from the past season.

While Schneider has mostly dominated

the competition during her run on the longrunning game show, her victory wasn’t assured.

In her first appearance on the show Nov. 17 she went up against Andrew He, a five-day champion. Going into the final round she was in second place. He got it wrong, while Schneider answered correctly, giving her her first win.

“Amy’s still at it, winning game after game.

She’s an incredible player, navigating the board like she’s been doing it her whole life. She’s also handled the absolutely vile comments she’s received on social media from bigotry and narrow-minded jerks with grace and strength,” wrote Andrea Asuaje, a competitor of Schneider’s. “I lost to Amy Schneider, but now I want her to keep winning. I want her to keep breaking records. I’m rooting for her with my whole heart. And as cheesy as it sounds, being a part of Amy’s winning streak — even as someone she defeated — is an honor.”

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1. 20 . 20 22 •

3

LGBTQIA BITES

BY KENNEDY MCKINNEY

IT’S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE G Bisexual

‘I’M A CELEBRITY’ STAR COMES OUT AS BISEXUAL ON TV Maria Thattil, a former “Miss Universe” finalist, came out as bisexual while appearing on the Australian edition of “I’m a Celebrity…

Get Me Out of Here.”

Thattil opened up about her sexuality during a chat with campmate David Subritzky.

“Growing up, I always thought maybe I was a little bit bi-curious,” she began. “I only ever dated straight people, but growing up I did have crushes on girls that I went to school with. Even as I got older, I thought, ‘I can appreciate an attractive woman.’ I’ve always been curious about that. I’m like, ‘Is it? No, it’s not, it’s not, it’s not.’”

She went on to say that she had “buried” part of herself by not addressing her sexuality.

“I just felt like it’s just easier to be like, ‘You know, I date men,’ and I do,” she explained. “It is easier for people to understand me.”

B

Maria Thattil. Photo via Facebook.

She revealed that she hooked up with a girl a short time before the conversation and said that it “just felt natural.” Following her coming out, she spoke to the Bush Telegraph and said that it felt “bloody good” to talk about her bisexuality openly and without judgment.

... HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN THE LGBTQIA COMMUNITY

T

Transgender

‘JEOPARDY!’ CHAMP TAUGHT 83-YEAR-OLD MAN TO ACCEPT TRANS PEOPLE

Trans “Jeopardy!” star Amy Schneider has won 34 games and over $1 million as of press time, making her the most successful woman in “Jeopardy!”history.

She has become the fifth person to win over $1 million in the show’s history, cementing her in the “Jeopardy!” hall of fame. However, the experience has had its ups and downs.

Schneider has been at the receiving end of transphobic and misogynistic harassment online. Despite this, she continues to use her platform to create positive change.

On Twitter, Schneider came across a post detailing how her TV presence helped to teach an elderly man how to be more accepting of transgender people.

According to Schneider, this was “one of the best things I could hear.” In an op-

and

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• 1. 20 .2022

Amy Schneider. Photo via Jeopardy!, Facebook.

ed with Newsweek she wrote, “I hope I have given them [transgender folks] the opportunity to see a trans person succeed.

Until very recently trans people didn’t see themselves doing much out in the world, so to actually see something like this happen really opens your mind up to possibilities.”

LGBTQIA BITES

L

Lesbian

TIKTOK’S POP PRINCESS PEACH PRC COMES OUT AS LESBIAN

TikTok personality and fairy pop princess Peach PRC came out as a lesbian via Instagram this past week.

The caption reads, “Came out as a lesbian today, to be fair, the closet was made of glass.”

The announcement was met with support and celebration from fans. One user wrote, “My young self could have really used this when I was growing up.

You have NO idea how many lives you are changing by proudly living as an openly visible lesbian. I love, love, love this and you.”

Peach PRC rose to fame in 2020 and has since become one of the biggest Australian social media personalities, with 1.8 million followers.

In a statement shared exclusively with PEDESTRIAN.TV, the singer said: “The response has been really beautiful and supportive. I feel so welcomed by the lesbian community and finally

Peach PRC. Photo via Facebook.

at peace with something I’ve been shying away from for the longest time.”

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NEWS LOCAL

NEW TRIAL

CONVICTED KILLER OF WILTON MANORS COUPLE GETS SECOND CHANCE Christiana Lilly

T

he man who admitted to killing a Wilton Manors couple in 2010 and told a judge he “was not sorry” has been granted a new trial, the Sun Sentinel reports.

The ruling came down from the Florida in 2010. Avsenew, now 37 and an inmate at Supreme Court on Thursday, deciding that Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Peter Avsenew — who is on death row for allegedly met the couple through Craig’s List the murders of Steve Adams and Kevin and moved in with them weeks prior to the Powell — deciding he deserved killing. a second trial after taking issue Marci Craig, Adams’ sister, ADAMS AND with the fact that a witness had told SFGN back in 2013 that POWELL HAD testified virtually. she was waiting for the couple’s Avsenew’s mother was arrival at the airport in Ohio BEEN TOGETHER undergoing cancer treatments during a visit when they never FOR 29 YEARS at the time and was unable to showed up. When no one BEFORE THEY testify in person. She shared answered the phone at their WERE SHOT AND that her son drove to her home Wilton Manors home, she in Polk County in the victims’ called the police, who found BLUDGEONED vehicle and acted strangely. the men’s bodies.

TO DEATH The court said that “the “They were very good at DAYS BEFORE failure to ensure that Avsenew communicating,” Shannon was kept in the presence of [his Kicklighter, Powell’s brother, CHRISTMAS IN mother] during her testimony, told SFGN in 2013. “They were 2010. in this case, her ‘virtual’ just really kindhearted, always presence, constituted a clear getting involved with helping violation” of the defendant’s rights. people.”

Adams and Powell had been together Avsenew’s defense attorney claimed that for 29 years before they were shot and he did not kill the couple, but found them bludgeoned to death days before Christmas dead and stole their credit cards and car,

Victims Steven Adams and Kevin Powell. File photo.

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• 1. 20 .2022

Peter Avsenew. Photo via YouTube.

Local 10 reports. However, Avsenew drew attention when he hand-wrote a letter to Broward Circuit Judge Ilona Holmes, gloating that, “it is my duty as a white man to cull the weak and timid from existence … homosexuals are a disease to mankind and must be put down. I can’t put into words the feeling of ending a life it’s euphoric at the least.”

In the letter Avsenew also seems to have implied that it was not the first time he killed someone, writing, “these weren’t the first and won’t be the last,” and “if you only knew how many there really are you would faint.”

During his death row sentencing in 2017, he told the court he had “no regrets and I’m proud of every decision I’ve ever made.”

According to the Sun Sentinel, he scratched his head with his middle finger and explained that he was not giving the finger to the jury, but to the families of the victims.

His lawyer also claimed that Avsenew had experienced trauma from the death of his sister at a young age and sexual abuse.

THE COURT SAID THAT “THE FAILURE TO ENSURE THAT AVSENEW WAS KEPT IN THE PRESENCE OF [HIS MOTHER] DURING HER TESTIMONY, IN THIS CASE, HER ‘VIRTUAL’ PRESENCE, CONSTITUTED A CLEAR VIOLATION” OF THE DEFENDANT’S RIGHTS. The defendant replied, “I’d rather just kill people.” And in the letter he seemed to address his attorney’s claims, writing, “nothing traumatic made me the way I am. I’ve been like this for as long as I can remember.”

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NEWS NATIONAL

BY GILLIAN MANNING

THE COUNTRY ACROSS

WISCONSIN

SENATOR URGES FDA TO LIFT BLOOD DONATION RESTRICTIONS FOR GAY MEN

As the U.S. deals with a national blood shortage, senators are urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to lift blood donation restrictions on gay and bisexual men with Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin leading the fight.

“For the first time, the nation’s leading blood donation organizations, including the Red Cross, have declared a national blood supply crisis due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Baldwin wrote in a letter to the FDA. “We urge the Food and Drug Administration to quickly act on the best available science and update its outdated and discriminatory blood donor deferral policies for men who have sex with men [MSM].”

In the early 1980s, the U.S. barred men who have sex with men from donating

Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Photo via Facebook.

blood, according to the Advocate, and in 2015 the FDA said they could donate if they abstained from sex for a year. In 2020, the requirement is three months of no sex, but advocates still say that is too long.

This January, France and Greece both decided to lift blood donation restrictions on gay and bisexual men.

NEW YORK HIGH SCHOOL URGES GAY STUDENT TO NOT TELL HIS STORY

Tyler Johnson was asked by his high school newspaper to share his story — what was the biggest challenge he overcame? But when he submitted his answer, he was called into the principal’s office.

The Advocate reported that his response to the newspaper’s question was, “The biggest challenge I faced was growing up gay and coming out. I had to learn how to become comfortable in my own skin and how to stay strong through bullying and all the negative experiences I had while trying to navigate through life.”

The school’s principal, Mike O’Brien, told Johnson that he would have to rewrite his answer, specifically leaving out the parts about being gay and bullied. He said that Johnson was a great student and deserved to be featured, but those subjects

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• 1. 20 .2022

Tyler Johnson. Photo via TikTok.

were against district policy.

Johnson said he’s had to deal with anxiety because of this situation. The Tully community and district superintendent have expressed support for Johnson.

Superintendent Robert Hughes said the district needed to do a better job of supporting LGBT students; however, Johnson said that neither Hughes nor O’Brien had reached out to apologize directly.

COVERING LGBT NEWS SWEEPING THE NATION

MINNESOTA

FIRST TRANS BLACK WOMAN ELECTED AS MINNEAPOLIS COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Members of the Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously to elect Andrea Jenkins as the new council president — making her the first openly transgender woman to hold the post.

After the vote, according to the Star Tribune, Jenkins commented on the diversity of the council, which is mostly made up of people of color.

“We represent a diversity of thought, of ideas and solutions to the most pressing issues of our time,” Jenkins said.

Of the 13 total members, seven officials on the council are newly elected.

“We are in a moment right now where we have seven members of this council, a majority of this council, that are new like me and learning how to lead in this moment,” said Council Member Aisha Chughtai, “and I think it really matters

Andrea Jenkins. Photo via Facebook.

that we continue in the tradition that we have on this council of bringing in firsttime council members into leadership.”

Unlike for Jenkins, the vote for vice president was not unanimous. Linea Palmisano was elected, 8-5. She said she did not expect to receive all the votes and is focused on having constructive conversations with the rest of the council.

OREGON LESBIAN ANNOUNCES RUN FOR GOVERNOR OF OREGON

Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek announced that she is stepping down from her position to focus on her campaign in the governor’s race. She is the longest-tenured speaker in Oregon and the first lesbian in the nation to lead a legislative chamber.

If she wins, Tina Kotek will be the state’s first lesbian governor.

Kate Brown, who was Oregon’s governor in 2016, is bisexual and was the first openly LGBT individual in the nation to hold the position.

“Serving as Speaker of the House and representing my community in the legislature has been an amazing honor, and I am forever grateful to my constituents, my colleagues, and the entire state for the opportunity to serve,” Kotek said in a statement.

Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek. Photo via Facebook.

Kotek’s decision comes as a shock to many, Oregon Public Broadcast reported.

Her Democratic allies expected Kotek to lead the “high-stakes” February session with the goal of tackling issues such as police reforms, the state’s ongoing housing crisis, worker protections and more. Some feel uncertain and now fear a power struggle.

“I have faith in my colleagues to get everything over the finish line next month,” Kotek said.

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

BY EVERITT ROSEN

THE WORLD AROUND

EXPLORING LGBT NEWS EVENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE

ASIA

EUROPE

GAY COUPLE IN TAIWAN FIRST TO LEGALLY ADOPT

GERMANY APPOINTS COMMISSIONER FOR QUEER AFFAIRS

After successfully challenging local rules in court, a married same-sex couple became the first in Taiwan to legally adopt a kid to whom none of them is related.

According to The Guardian, Wang Chen-wei, Chen Chun-ju, and their daughter, Joujou, were swarmed by the press as the couple legally signed adoption documents after a long fight.

Chen-wei and Chun-ju talked of their bittersweet win while clutching Joujou, her face disguised under a sweatshirt, face mask, and sunglasses.

“I have everything now. I am married and just like heterosexual couples, we can have our own children,” Chen-wei said. “But we were born to have and enjoy all of this, we are not a charity case. We shouldn’t have had to fight for it.”

Wang Chen-wei, Chen Chun-ju, and their daughter, Joujou.

Photo via Cat Pa Wei Dad, Facebook.

Germany has established a commissioner for the recognition of sexual and gender diversity for the first time in its history. Sven Lehmann, a Green Party legislator, will be in charge of a national LGBT action plan.

While accepting his new position, Lehmann said, “everyone should be able to live freely, safely, and with equal rights,” according to DW. Lehmann will engage with government ministries on policy issues affecting the LGBT community in the newly formed office of “Federal Government Commissioner for the Acceptance of Sexual and Gender Diversity.” He’ll also be the driving force behind the government’s National Action Plan for Sexual and Gender Diversity.

“We also need a broad strategy to

Sven Lehmann. Photo via Facebook.

combat hatred directed at groups — which explicitly includes ‘queerphobia,’” Lehmann said.

AFRICA

OCEANIA

LGBT STUDENTS IN KENYA PROTEST BOARDING SCHOOL BANS

MAN FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER OF GAY STUDENT

A group of Kenyan LGBT students demonstrated against a Cabinet minister’s recent request that they be excluded from residential schools on Thursday. In Kenya, these schools are prevalent, and students and rights groups argue that banning them would be discriminatory and jeopardize their safety.

According to the Voice of Africa, hundreds of outraged students marched through Nairobi’s streets in a peaceful protest against Kenya’s Ministry of Education.

They carried signs denouncing Cabinet Secretary for Education George Magoha’s request that LGBT pupils be excluded from residential institutions.

“Because of the directive Magoha has given, I have two students who have

Photo via Adobe.

reached out, one I am planning to start the journey of helping them tomorrow because she was already sent out of school. She has KCSE in March, she can’t go back because she will be told she is gay,” said one of the protesters, MaryLiz Biubwa.

More than 30 years after the corpse of Scott Johnson, a gay 27-yearold American mathematician, was discovered at the bottom of a Sydney cliff, the man accused of his murder was found guilty.

According to the New York Times, Scott White, 50, made a startling statement earlier this week that allowed the court to condemn him in the 1988 case, putting an end to Scott’s brother Steve Johnson’s decades-long search for the perpetrators of his brother’s killing.

“It’s over, finally,” Steve, an American tech entrepreneur, said.

“This 33-year odyssey has come to a conclusion.”

White was charged with the murder of Scott in May 2020. White initially pled not guilty, but at a pretrial hearing on

Scott White was arrested at his home on May 12, 2020.

Photo via the NSW Police Force, Twitter.

Monday, White got up and said, “Guilty, I’m guilty, guilty,’” according to Steve.

1. 20 . 20 22 •

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orge Diaz-Johnston, a plaintiff in MiamiDade’s landmark ruling to legalize same-sex marriage, was found dead in a landfill about an hour from Tallahassee on Jan. 8, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

His death is considered a homicide, and Local 10 reports that his husband, Don DiazJohnston, has not been ruled out and that he did not report his husband missing for five days.

On Jan. 12 on Facebook, Don shared, “I can’t stop crying as I try to write this. But he meant so much to all of you as he did to me. So I am fighting through the tears to share with you our loss of him.” Jorge’s funeral was two days later at Church of the Little Flower in Coral Gables.

Jorge was also the brother of former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, who tweeted, “My brother was such a special gift to this world whose heart and legacy will continue to live on for generations to come.”

In 2014, the Diaz-Johnstons and five other couples sued Miami-Dade County alongside Equality Florida for the right to marry.

According to an interview with the couple

by SFGN, the two met on Match.com and Johnston later proposed.

“The fact that we are even having this

“IT’S INCOMPREHENSIBLE TO HEAR THAT ONE OF OUR HEROES HAS BEEN TAKEN FROM US.” - Stratton Pollitzer DEPUTY DIRECTOR, EQUALITY FLORIDA

Jorge Diaz-Johnston. Photo via Facebook.

national debate is a direct result of so many LGBT trailblazers who sacrificed so much so that the generations in the future can experience Valentine’s Day and their love just like anyone else,” Jorge said.

Same-sex marriage became legal in MiamiDade County on January 5, 2015, and the next day it was legalized in the state of Florida. The couple was married in March that year.

“Jorge was a crucial part of this historic lawsuit that’s one of the biggest moments of the LGBTQ civil rights movement in Florida history,” Stratton Pollitzer, deputy director of Equality Florida, told the Tallahassee Democrat. “It’s incomprehensible to hear that one of our heroes has been taken from us.”

In a Facebook post on Jan. 9, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office shared that Jorge’s body was found in the trash at 9:30 a.m.

The driver was on his way to collect another load of trash when he was told to call law enforcement. The trash came from a bay at the landfill that can be accessed by the public.

The Tallahassee Police Department said Jorge’s death is being investigated as a homicide.

If you have information on this case, contact the Tallahassee Police Department at 850-891-4200. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 850-574-TIPS.

SPORTS PLAYING WITH PRIDE

PRO DISC GOLFER COMES OUT Everitt Rosen

I

n an Instagram post, professional disc golfer Thomas Gilbert had a simple remark scrawled over his photo: “I’m gay.”

Gilbert, a 22-year-old from Toronto, is the top-ranked disc golfer in Canada, with 23 victories. The game is played similarly to golf, except that instead of dropping a ball into a hole, participants toss a disc into a metal basket. He has been involved in the sport for six years, three of which have been at the highest level.

According to Outsports, the response has been “all positive,” as seen by the 14,445 likes and more than 1,200 comments on his Instagram post.

“Over the past year I have come out to my family and close friends and figured it was time to go public since I am the first male athlete at the elite level to do so,” Gilbert said. “I also think it was a very big step for the sport of disc golf.”

Thomas Gilbert. Photo via Instagram.

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11

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• 1. 20.2022

KNOW YOUR STATUS

1. 20 . 20 22 •

13

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

MEET THE LGBT ATHLETES WHO ARE COMPETING AT THE WINTER OLYMPICS Everitt Rosen

Photo via Instagram.

A

s the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing approaches, preparations for Team LGBT to bring home the gold are already underway.

This year, there are at least seven LGBT Winter Olympians who are set and ready for the fierce competition.

Guillaume Cizeron and Gabriella Papadakis.

Credit: David W. Carmichael, via Wikipedia.

As China has a record of human-rights abuses, holds no legal recognition for samesex couples, and classifies being transgender as a mental illness, the issue of human rights and inclusion will be front-and-center as part of the Olympic conversation.

KÉVIN AYMOZ

GUILLAUME CIZERON

TEAM FRANCE

PAUL POIRIER

Kévin Aymoz, the five-time winner and reigning French National Champion, intends to dominate the Olympics like he has conquered French figure skating. It will be his first time competing in the Olympics. Aymoz is gay and was among six French LGBT athletes, including three Olympians, featured in a TV documentary about the fears of coming out as an LGBT athlete.

TEAM CANADA

Fresh of his second Canadian National Championship title in ice dancing, Poirier is a gay athlete who is planning to use his platform to bring visibility to LGBT athletes and the community through his representation of Team Canada in the 2022 Winter Olympics.

“I’ve had this attitude that my private life is my private life and my life outside of skating is my life outside of skating,” Poirier told Glory.

“I think with the lead-up to the Olympic Games in the next year, I definitely see opportunities to share what we do and who we are to a much wider audience, and that opportunity is not lost on me.”

Photo via @jasonbskates, Twitter.

Photo via Instagram.

Photo via Facebook.

JASON BROWN TEAM USA

Jason Brown made his Olympic debut in 2014, winning a bronze medal for his free skate in the team event. He finished eighth in the men’s singles event in Sochi. Brown was appointed the first alternate for the PyeongChang Olympic squad in 2018 and served as team captain where Team USA finished sixth overall on the men’s side in the 2021 World Championships, winning silver. During Pride Month 2021, Jason Brown used a social media post to come out stating, “I believe that love will always win, and every story will unfold differently for each individual. Mine unfolds a bit now. I’m gay, and that’s a story still being written...”

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• 1. 20.2022

AMBER GLENN TEAM USA

TEAM FRANCE

Cizeron is a four-time World Championships, has won the European Championships five times in a row, and is a seven-time French National Championship. In the 2022 Olympics, he dances with Gabriella Papadakis, and the two are hoping to build on their 2018 Olympic silver medal triumph with additional gold this time around. Cizeron, who is gay, has been out for many years, and in May 2020, he made a public post of him and his boyfriend to honor International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia and to help people in places not as open to the LGBT community.

TIMOTHY LEDUC

Photo via @Rad85E, Twitter.

TEAM USA

Timothy LeDuc is a 31-year-old American figure skater who is on their way to becoming the first out non-binary athlete to compete at an Olympic Winter Games. US Figure Skating recently announced LeDuc has been paired with Ashley Cain-Gribble to compete in Beijing. LeDuc and Gain-Gribble are the 2019 and 2022 US Champions and in 2019, LeDuc became the first out gay athlete to win gold in a US pairs’ event.

Amber Glenn identifies as both bisexual and pansexual and will be representing Team USA as an alternate for the women’s single competition.

Due to testing positive for COVID-19, Glenn was forced to withdraw from the U.S. National Championship. As of December 2019, Glenn is the only open LGBT ladies figure skater for Team USA. Photo via @icegirlash, Twitter.

ERIC RADFORD TEAM CANADA

Eric Radford is a Canadian pair skater who made history in 2018 when he became the first out gay man to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics. Radford has come out of retirement ready to hit the ice with his new partner Vanessa James for his return to the Olympics, which happens to be his third time competing in the Winter Olympics Radford and James will be competing in the pair skate team event.

NEWS NATIONAL

13 PROMINENT ANTI-VAXXERS DIE FROM COVID Kim Swan

E

ven a chemical found in bleach could not save one prominent anti-vaxxer from dying from COVID. Johann Biacsics, one of the leaders of the anti-vaccination movement in Austria, took a different approach to treat COVID-19.

After contracting it in October, he began administering chlorine dioxide to himself, an ingredient found in some bleach products, according to Newsweek.

However, he still died in December after suffering complications from the disease.

Since August, at least 13 prominent antivaxxers, mostly conservatives, have died from COVID. Here are the eight we’ve previously Kelly Ernby. Photo via Facebook. reported on: Marc Bernier, Phil Valentine, Jimmy DeYoung, Dick Farrel, Tod Tucker, Fransman, 53, was a Dutch economist who Jimmy DeYoung Sr., Gregg Prentice, and was skeptical of vaccines and downplayed Marcus Lamb. Now we’re adding five more to their effectiveness on social media. He said the list: Robin Fransman, William Hartmann, in an interview with Dutch Daily AD that Kelly Ernby, Biacsics, and Douglas Kuzma. lockdowns and strict measures could “help A Republican in California, Ernby died some in society but not others.” from COVID after “lashing out at vaccine “The lives of the vulnerable are important, mandates during a right-wing rally,” but also the lives of the less vulnerable. It’s according to the Independent. really not our intention to just throw open She was the deputy district attorney of every door. We need to find a better balance,” Orange County and a presumptive state Fransman said, according to Newsweek.

Assembly candidate for 2022. However, He announced on Twitter Dec. 3 that he she died shortly after telling tested positive for the disease. her family and friends that she He later died in a hospital in A REPUBLICAN tested positive for COVID-19.

Amsterdam Dec. 28 due to IN CALIFORNIA, Another anti-vaxxer who died the consequences of infection ERNBY DIED from COVID was Hartmann, with SARS-CoV-2, the virus who tried to block certification that causes COVID, Newsweek FROM COVID of President Joe Biden’s election reported.

AFTER “LASHING win, according to Business Kuzma, who was a OUT AT VACCINE Insider. conservative radio host, died MANDATES His sister wrote on Facebook after contracting COVID after DURING A RIGHTthat he had been hospitalized attending a QAnon-friendly WING RALLY,” with the disease and was “in gathering in Texas, according ACCORDING ICU with COVID pneumonia to the Daily Beast. He was an and currently on a ventilator.” outspoken critic on his show TO THE Hartmann’s death was “Frog News Network.”

INDEPENDENT. confirmed by Gustavo Portela, “I really loved him and I a communications director for would do anything for him,” the Michigan GOP, according to The Detroit Amanda Kuzma told The Daily Beast while News. He was 63. confirming her father’s death earlier this Hartmann shared anti-vaccination week. “He was a great father.” conspiracy theories on social media, In a bit of irony, Jeff Hoverson, a Republican belittling the virus and opposing mask state representative in North Dakota, was set mandates, mandatory vaccines, and vaccine to hold an anti-vax rally in Minot Nov. 8, but lotteries, according to The New York Times. couldn’t attend because he was too sick after He compared vaccine passports to Nazi catching COVID. He is still alive as of press Germany. time.

1. 20 . 20 22 •

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NEWS LOCAL

HOLLYWOOD CELEBRATES FIRST PRIDEFEST THIS WEEKEND John Hayden

A

Photo via Rainbow Kick League, Facebook.

KICKIN’ IT ALL WINTER SIGN UP FOR KICKBALL THIS WEEKEND John Hayden

I

t’s winter and the humidity is low, but or middle school but the open plays where you can still work up a sweat. Rainbow all the different teams are scrimmaging Sports League is kicking off a new season together are a really low stakes way of getting of kickball. If you’ve ever thought about your feet wet.” joining a team, now is the time because the You can also quench your thirst for social first two weekends are free. Saturdays Jan. activity. Anyone who’s been on Wilton Drive 22 and Jan. 29 are free play days. The goal is on a weekend has seen teams hanging out for new players to have fun and after league play. sign up.

“You not only get to spend “... KICKBALL WITH “In my experience, Kickball time with other teams at RAINBOW SPORT with Rainbow Sport League open play and games but also has been a really enticing and at the sponsored socials at LEAGUE HAS BEEN encouraging way to stay active Gym Bar each week after the A REALLY ENTICING and socialize over the past few games are finished. Kickball AND ENCOURAGING seasons,” Matt Wisnoski of team provides a safe and supportive WAY TO STAY ACTIVE Big Kick Energy said. “Especially environment to challenge given the ongoing reality of the yourself, make new friends, AND SOCIALIZE Coronavirus pandemic.” and get a little sweaty which OVER THE PAST FEW All skill levels are welcome, always makes for a good time.”

SEASONS.” and free play weekends are In addition to the regular great for people to learn the season, this winter Rainbow - Matt Wisnoski rules and see where they fit in Sports League is adding a TEAM BIG KICK ENERGY on teams. Registration for the mid-season tournament over winter season closes on Feb. 4 Presidents’ Day Weekend. Feb. and games run through the end of March 19-20 they will host teams from around with playoffs to follow. the region and country for a long holiday “Another great part of Kickball is that you weekend. end up finding the team that best suits you If you’d like to try it out, kickball free play and your skill level,” Wisnoski said. “Many of is Jan. 22 and Jan. 29 at Stevens Field Park in us haven’t played kickball since elementary Oakland Park from noon-2 p.m.

16

• 1. 20.2022

new year, a new Pride. Hollywood, Florida, is holding its inaugural Pride this Saturday from 1-9 p.m.

“You have an inaugural pride leading to 2022,” Jameer Baptiste said.

As marketing director for the event, he says it’s a chance to celebrate the city of Hollywood as well as the LGBT community.

“We have a unique opportunity. We’re not inundated with the gay community surrounding Hollywood. We’re planning to have a mix of individuals to come.”

Baptiste grew up in Pembroke Pines and has seen that part of South Florida grow in acceptance and as a welcoming destination.

“Not only the fact we’re having a Pride event in my own backyard where I grew up, but also the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index Score. To go from a 49 to 100 in a few years is exceptional and shows the city’s commitment to our community.”

GETTING AROUND The event will be just east of the railroad crossing at Hollywood Boulevard and Dixie Highway. Some streets will be blocked off and traffic rerouted for the event. Street parking will be available, along with parking at nearby public garages.

Anyone looking to use ride-share can exit anywhere along the perimeter of Pride.

While the event officially begins at 1 p.m., an opening ceremony and flag raising is scheduled for 12:45 p.m.

ENTERTAINMENT Dozens of local and national artists are scheduled to perform on two stages. The main stage will be hosted by a very familiar entertainer.

“First and foremost,” Baptiste said, “our host is the reigning Miss Florida FI at-large, Velvet Lenore, who is a staple in our community.

She will be [on the main stage] from 1-9 p.m. engaging the crowd. She will also give a performance.”

Lenore will introduce local acts throughout the day and keep the energy flowing. The other stage will feature DJs and continue the party atmosphere. DJ Citizen Jane is scheduled

The Progress Flag flying in front of Hollywood City Hall.

Photo via the City of Hollywood, Facebook.

to spin, and a Pat Benatar tribute band will remind everyone that “We Belong.”

There will also be a Youth Zone to welcome and celebrate the next generation of LGBT community.

“At the dawn of Prides there wasn’t that much consideration for the youth, in terms of having fun and celebrating our independence, our equality, our fight and our advocacy.”

The area, in Anniversary Park, will cater to very young children starting at 1 p.m. There will be crafting, and story time with local legend and activist Misty Eyez. Around 5 p.m. it will be a chill zone for teens, including demonstrations on Mocktails. Misty Eyez will return and talk about issues facing LGBT youth.

“We have transitioned from our Prides being about advocacy and more of a celebration that’s inclusive of families,” Baptiste said.

LGBT-themed films will be playing and the World AIDS Museum, located in Fort Lauderdale, will also have an exhibit.

EAT & DRINK There will be some food and drink vendors on site, and will accept cash and credit cards.

But Baptiste says part of Hollywood Pride is celebrating the neighborhood.

“We’re located in an area with a wealth of restaurants there. So there are places to go within the destination of the festival.”

For last minute details, visit MyHollywoodPride.com.

NEWS MIAMI-DADE

WINTER PARTY CANCELED AMIDST LATEST COVID SURGE Jose Cassola

Miami Gay News

Crowds gathered at a past Winter Party. Photo via Facebook.

T

he party is over before it even started.

This year’s Winter Party Festival, originally scheduled for March 2-8, has been canceled.

Festival organizers released a statement on Jan. 14 saying the latest surge of COVID-19 outbreaks was to blame.

“We have made the difficult decision to cancel Winter Party 2022 amidst the latest surge of COVID-19,” a spokesperson for Winter Party said. “Because we wanted to inform you as soon as possible, we are still working to determine how we will handle ticket and pass refunds as well as other questions you might have. We will be in touch with additional information.”

Winter Party Festival is an annual, weeklong LGBT celebration of music, dance and community that raises funds in support

“BECAUSE WE WANTED TO INFORM YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, WE ARE STILL WORKING TO DETERMINE HOW WE WILL HANDLE TICKET AND PASS REFUNDS AS WELL AS OTHER QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.” - Winter Party Spokesperson

of the National LGBTQ Task Force. The festival was to take place at several different locations across Miami Beach and Greater Miami.

Among the planned events were dance parties and performances such as IGNITE, presented by Thots & Prayers, queer dance promoters from Detroit; and HEAT, a production by Hilton Wolman Events, inspired by Brazil’s Carnival celebration with costumed dancers and high-energy beats by DJs Jerac and Ana Flor.

Winter Party and Masterbeat were to join forces for two events: SPRING BREAK, an allnight dance extravaganza at the new Studio 60 Nightclub, where Grammy-nominated DJ Rosabel, a house music duo consisting of DJs Ralphi Rosario and Abel Aguilera, were scheduled to perform; and WINTER OLYMPICS, featuring music by DJs Calagna and Micky Friedmann.

Also planned was the marquee event and “crown jewel” of Winter Party Festival, the BEACH PARTY, a seven-hour dance party held right on the sand off of 12th Street and Ocean Drive with beats by well-known international DJs Dan Slater and Isaac Escalante. In addition to the large dance events, there were also a number of smaller, intimate events planned, including a VIP cocktail reception.

“Well, this is unfortunate,” said FitWolf on Twitter after hearing of the cancellation.

A spokesperson for Winter Party added: “At a time when we would like to do nothing more than to come together and celebrate our community, our resilience and our connections, we share in your disappointment.”

Story courtesy of Jose Cassola, Miami Gay News.

1. 20 . 20 22 •

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NEWS LOCAL

J.R.’s SNAPSHOTS

OF THE

From your life... into our pages! SFGN takes a weekly look at a community that has stood together through countless trials and victories in the past year alone.

18

WEEK Photos by J.R. Davis

Celebrating the third anniversary of J. Cohen’s Day Spa are husbands Jimmy (right) and Jorge Cohen.

Executive Director at Museum of Discovery and Science Joe Cox with Jeremy Collette from Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale.

Coldwell Banker Realtor Kip Reynolds with husband Brent Douglas Kuenning, head of research at GameRecruiter.

Kevin Furr with Patrick DiDomenico, members of the Front Desk Team at The Grand Resort and Spa.

• 1. 20.2022

THE

GAZETTE VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 2 JANUARY 20, 2022

FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/WMGAZETTE COMMUNITY

WILTON MANORS

DARYL CAMPBELL WINS HOUSE DISTRICT 94 SPECIAL ELECTION

By Christiana Lilly Voters in District 94 chose Daryl Campbell certified by the Florida Secretary of State. to represent them in Florida’s House of Because of the uncertainty, Campbell said he is putting this semester at Howard University Representatives.

A resident of Lauderdale Lakes, soon to be on pause, where he is earning a Ph.D. He also Fort Lauderdale, the clinical social worker said he will be running again in August during won with 40% of the vote during the Jan. 11 the regular election.

“I just can’t give that special election. Almost 12,500 up,” he said. “I refuse to people turned out to vote. give just six months of my “It hasn’t hit me yet,” The special election time to our constituents Campbell, 35, said. “I was was prompted who overwhelmingly voted definitely grateful and thankful when Rep. Alcee for me. I’m not a part-time that our message resonated to a worker.” lot of people in the community, Hastings died in The special election was and so it was very humbling April 2021. Bobby prompted when Rep. Alcee to say the least, that I got the Hastings died in April 2021. support of that many people.”

DuBose, who was Bobby DuBose, who was Campbell beat out Josephus state representative state representative for Eggelletion III (29.09%), District 94, had his eye on the Elijah Manley (25.9%), and for District 94, congressional seat and would Rod Kemp (5.72%). The had his eye on the have had to resign on January District 94 seat represents congressional seat and 11, 2022. residents of Wilton Manors, Candidate Manley, who Oakland Park, Fort Lauderdale, would have had to received the endorsement Lauderhill, Lauderdale Lakes resign on January 11, of the Sun Sentinel, sued and Plantation. However, Gov. Ron DeSantis to hold with redistricting talks 2022. a special election to ensure this session, that might that residents would not change.

All four candidates ran as Democrats, go unrepresented for nearly eight months. meaning Campbell wins the seat and there At the end of October, DeSantis ordered a is no need for a general election to follow. special election, giving candidates less than However, this leads to a new issue: Campbell three months to educate voters. It also forced may not be seated until March, when there Oakland Park Mayor Michael E. Carn, who was would have been a general election to be also running for the spot, to drop out of the

Daryl Campbell. Photo via Facebook.

special election; otherwise, he would have to step down as mayor the day after he was rotated into the seat.

In the meantime, Campbell’s first order of business is to reach out to the elected officials of the cities he represents, including school board members, to make sure that they are

www.WMGAZETTE.com

properly represented in Tallahassee. He has a special interest in access to education and health care.

“I’m trying to be as inclusive as possible; I’m trying to leave out one single city,” he said. “I want to make sure we put ourselves first.”

1. 20 . 20 22 •

19

WILTON MANORS

OPINION

AND THEY’RE OFF TO THE RACES… Wilton Manors elections heating up an otherwise cold January

Wilton Manors elections have burst out of the starting gate and are off and running here in our Island City. Seems a bit early for November elections, but many are champing at the bit to begin the race towards a victorious finish line comes Election Day. Mayor Scott Newton was the first to announce his re-election bid for mayor, with his first campaign event held this week at the Eagle on Wilton Drive. Commissioner Paul Rolli has also announced his re-election bid for city commission and will have his first campaign event in the beginning of February.

That’s two out of three incumbents whose terms are up in November. So the big question around town is if Commissioner Gary Resnick will seek another term. Resnick has served our city for many years as city commissioner and as mayor, and for some residents, Gary is the poster child for their cause of term limits here in our Island City. I believe we have term limits already, called elections. If we have qualified public servants doing a great job then keep electing them, if we have someone who is out of touch and no longer serving our city well, Wilton Manors City Commission Chamber. Photo credit: Carina Mask. then we have the ability to elect someone else.

Local elections are not like running for a U.S. Speaking of swales, it might be a good time House seat or state-wide office, where large range of issues facing our Island City.

No shortage of opinion when it comes for city management to educate many new sums of campaign funds and incumbency are a much greater force to overcome. Local issues to which issues should be front and center residents, and even some longtime residents for our elected officials and on the importance and requirements for and direct contact with voters for city management. Future swales in our neighborhoods. Swales allow here in our Island City are much growth and sustainability for temporary ponding and channeling of more important than imposing A robust should be one of the items water to storm drains, resulting in less street limitations on those who serve campaign is good that top the list. Surprisingly and local flooding. Many new residents are our city well. though, sometimes it is the not aware of the requirements for swales in Past election cycles have for our city, and small quality of life issues that our local code and mistakenly pave over the seen many candidates throw residents as well as get people to react and become swale for parking, plant gardens right up to the their hats into the race for involved with city roadway, and many other misuses. Not sure municipal office. This year those seeking office more government. Recent changes why we are not seeing more code violations for looks like we will have some serious challenges, at least should use this time in trash and recycle pick up such an important drainage and flooding issue schedules have stirred many in throughout our residential neighborhoods. for the two commission seats. to have informed Residents need to be aware of the issues our Island City to reach out to Having not had my ear close to their elected officials. Similar that our elected officials need to be on top of the rails lately, I have not heard discussions on issues that might seem to be less topics such as budgetary concerns, long-term any chatter about who might important in the grand scheme planning, sustainability, infrastructure needs, be running for mayor other a wide range of of things are hot button items and many more not-so-exciting discussions. than Scott Newton. However issues facing our in local elections. Where are Equally important is for our city government there is plenty of talk about the trees on Wilton Drive, what and elected officials to ensure that the many, those who might be running Island City. happened to the Wayfinding sometimes minute, issues that affect many for commissioner. Never a good signs throughout our city, why of us on a daily basis are handled in a timely idea to assume so I will wait until this talk actually turns into something can’t we light up the sign at our local library, manner before becoming a nuisance and a more certain when possible candidates file why is code enforcement not concerned about problem for many.

Working together on the many issues that paperwork with our city clerk. A robust swales? No shortage of questions, but it’s these campaign is good for our city, and residents quality-of-life issues that matter to many and our city needs to address, understanding those as well as those seeking office should use this are questions that keep getting asked over and issues, and seeking consensus and solutions is what makes life just better here… time to have informed discussions on a wide over here in our Island City.

www.WMGAZETTE.com • 1. 20.2022

GAZETTE January 20, 2022 • Volume 9 • Issue 2 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

By Sal Torre

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JANUARY 20, 2022

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WILTON MANORS

COMMUNITY

WILTON MANORS

FORMER NFL PLAYER EXPANDS HIS COFFEE SHOP BUSINESS TO OAKLAND PARK

By Christiana Lilly

Photo via Waste Management, Facebook.

WILTON MANORS FINALIZES GARBAGE CONTRACT & MORE CITY NEWS

By John McDonald Waste Management will continue to take out Wilton Manors’ trash.

Commissioners passed an ordinance to extend the city’s contract with Waste Management Inc. of Florida. The contract, originally dated September 1, 2016, was extended for two years. Rates under the extended agreement will increase 3.6%.

Recycling pick-up has been consolidated into one day, on Wednesdays, city-wide.

Weekend garbage collection was eliminated, allowing drivers to have weekends off.

Under the new contract, the total residential monthly rate for solid waste and recycling is $22.77 per unit.

Total annual city fees for solid waste collection and disposal services and recycling services are $516,500. Commissioner Gary Resnick asked city staff to prepare a request for proposal in six months to open the bidding process again.

Other notes from the Jan. 11 meeting: Mayor Scott Newton asked for a moment of silence in memory of the two children (Andrea Fleming, 6 and Kylie Jones, 5) killed in a Dec. 27 vehicle crash on Powerline Road.

Newton also recognized the death of longtime Library Director Rick Sterling. Sterling passed away on Dec. 20 at the age of 70.

Police Chief Gary Blocker announced the promotion of officer William Findlan to the rank of sergeant. Sgt. Findlan joined the department in April 2015. “He has done a tremendous amount of good for those he serves here in our Island City,” Blocker said.

Sgt. Findlan began his public safety career in 1986 as a firefighter for the Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue and through the years has served as a police academy training instructor, swat team medic, auxiliary state trooper and deputy fire chief.

Assistant City Manager Pamela Landi said 82% of the city’s general employees and 74% of the police department’s sworn officers are vaccinated for COVID-19. Resident Michael Rajner asked city leaders to be role models and wear masks. “We really are still in a vulnerable time,” said Rajner, who commented virtually while recovering from a bout with the Omicron variant.

Resident Paul Kuta reminded the commission to be careful with wording for its 75th anniversary celebrations. On April 28, 1947 the State of Florida officially recognized Wilton Manors as a village.

Residents incorporated into a village to escape annexation attempts by the City of Fort Lauderdale. Wilton Manors did not become a city until 1953.

Broward County District 4 Commissioner Lamar Fisher visited the city chambers.

“I’m going to claim you,” Fisher said, before making his pitch as a point of contact for county services. Fisher currently serves as county vice mayor and his district covers a majority of Wilton Manors. Newly appointed District 8 Commissioner Jared Moskowitz covers the city’s westside.

The next regular commission meeting is scheduled for Jan. 25.

When former NFL linebacker Stephen Tulloch was looking for a second location for Circle House Coffee, he knew exactly where it should go: Wilton Manors.

Located at 119 W. Oakland Park Blvd., he saw the potential for the neighborhood where Wilton Manors meets Oakland Park.

“I passed it every day and I’d been eyeing the property for a while,” he said of the standalone building. “I live in the area and I think it’s an upcoming area. There’s always room for improvement, but it has to start with someone and I wanted to put my touch on it.”

Open since October, Circle House Coffee Shop can’t be missed with its colorful mural and easy drive-through service. Not only does Circle House dole out piping hot coffee, but the menu also includes slushies, CBD-infused products, cakes and pies, vegan goodies, and donuts from Mojo Donuts — Circle House is Photo via Facebook. the only place that sells the donuts outside of Mojo.

When Tulloch retired from the NFL in the customer to pay with their phone or credit 2017, he wanted to continue the camaraderie card and also has a hand sanitizer dispenser.

Typically found inside of restaurants, the he experienced as an athlete and put it into a business. He opened the first location in Tully arm allows the customer to not have to downtown Fort Lauderdale in March 2019 with hand over their belongings to someone else the goal to create a hub for the community. — important for many people in our germ This includes collecting school supplies for conscious world — and also allows them to leave a tip for their server. It also students in Cuba and Jamaica, frees up the cashier to put together raising money for breast the order as the customer makes cancer organizations, helping When Tulloch the payment, speeding up service. local elementary schools, and retired from the “Our staff is now doubling in helping youngsters through tips,” he said of the Tully arm, his own nonprofit, the Stephen NFL in 2017, which other companies are Tulloch Foundation. he wanted to showing interest in purchasing for “Coffee shops are a great their own business. place to meet people, come continue the With two successful locations together with different camaraderie he under his belt and people reaching plans, initiatives, and build experienced as out to franchise, is Tulloch community,” he said. “I wanted looking for a third coffee shop? to put that together.” an athlete and Not just yet, he said. He wants to But little did Tulloch know put it into a focus on consistency and “making that when he first opened sure we deliver excellence every Circle House, his drive-through business. day” before expanding further service would be a lifesaver for — traits he learned from playing the business. When the world came to a stop as coronavirus swept the globe, football.

“It’s discipline,” he said. “Attention to detail, he focused on the drive-through aspect and even created his own invention: the Tully arm. and that’s something that our coaches harped It’s a point of service system that hangs out on us as players consistently day to day: not the window of the drive through that allows cutting corners, little things matter.”

Circle House Coffee, 119 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Wilton Manors; 954- 870-6456; circlehousecoffee.com.

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TOP 5 OF 2021

WILTON MANORS & OAKLAND PARK

GAZETTE’S TOP 5 STORIES OF 2021

By Gazette Staff

The past year has been an eventful one in the neighborhoods of Wilton Manors and Oakland Park.

Below are updates to The Gazette’s five most popular stories of 2021.

Oakland Park Wins Train Station Battle

By John McDonald A competitive theme in 2021 was the battle between Oakland Park and Wilton Manors to secure a coveted commuter rail station.

In late August, the Florida Department of Transportation recommended Oakland Park, favoring the city’s pedestrian connectivity and facilities, station visibility, street layout, on-street and public parking and planned development. The station is to be located on 12th Avenue between 36th and 38th Streets, south of the Funky Buddha Brewery. It is the only planned stop between Downtown Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach. Brightline, a privately funded hi-speed train company, will provide passenger rail service at the station.

Wilton Manors did make a play for bringing the station closer to its city center and even hired former mayor Jack Seiler’s law firm to lobby decision makers. In its project development and environmental study, FDOT found Wilton Manors lacking key criteria for walkability, sidewalk standards, improved crosswalks and bike/ pedestrian inventory.

“This lack of implementation of important mobility improvements affects the city’s TOD [transit-oriented development] readiness, a key criteria considered by the FTA [Federal Transit Administration] for potential New/Small Starts funding,” FDOT’s study read.

In a letter to the Sun Sentinel, Oakland Park City Manager David Hebert revealed

Brightline. Photo via Facebook.

the station was branded a shared location with the working title of WilM.O Park.

Wilton Manors Commissioner Chris Caputo said the evaluation process brought out the best in both cities.

“It is an example of the two cities collaborating to achieve the best possible outcome,” Caputo said. “Having Wilton Manors reflected in the station names will increase potential ridership among those travelers interested in Wilton Manors.

Conversely, we understand that Oakland Park is likely better suited from a land availability and financial position — so we are eager to be good partners as we are in so many areas.”

Development Debate Dominates Wilton Manors Narrative

By John McDonald Development was a consistent storyline throughout 2021 as Wilton Manors grappled with changes to its land use and zoning codes.

In March, the city’s planning and zoning board approved the expansion of transitoriented corridors. The decision led to commissioners increasing density regulations in the code, ultimately settling on 60 units per square acre.

Vice Mayor Paul Rolli was a proponent of the changes.

“The city spent the majority of 2021 revising its outdated zoning regulations to create opportunities for redevelopment on the commercial corridors,” said Rolli. “I advocated for extensive public outreach and the result was multiple open houses and public meetings that generated important feedback from our residents. Because of their input, the new regulations ensure that the new development, which is critical to the sustainability of the city’s future, will be high quality and sensitive to the surrounding neighborhoods.”

Much of the pushback came from the east side where former Mayor John Fiore led a group of residents opposed to the construction of mid-rise towers. The group also raised concerns about traffic congestion

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and the possibility of increased criminal activity. Using the Eastside Neighborhood Association as its vehicle, Fiore and his followers circulated anti-development fliers and criticized increased height and density regulations at commission meetings. In October, a new neighborhood association — Three Bridges — was formed on the east side.

Much of the pushback came from the east side where former Mayor John Fiore led a group of residents opposed to the construction of mid-rise towers.

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Vice Mayor Paul Rolli.

Credit: Carina Mask.

JANUARY 20, 2022

TOP 5 OF 2021

WILTON MANORS & OAKLAND PARK

TOP STORIES OF 2021 CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Rosie’s Field Trip Causes Furor on Fox News and Goes National

By Jason Parsley When Fox News decided to cover a benign elementary school field trip to Rosie’s Bar and Grill the story blew up on right-wing media with conservatives lashing out at the bar, the school, and the school board member who chaperoned the annual trip.

The field trip was an annual event held by Wilton Manors Elementary School. Parents had to sign permission slips to allow the children to attend.

Over two days, kindergarteners and first graders walked down to Rosie’s Bar & Grill on Wilton Drive. They learned how a restaurant works by touring the kitchen, then how to order off a menu, pay the bill, and even tip. It’s part of the school’s Community Curriculum.

But Fox News did not provide any nuance in their story. The headline read “Florida school board member takes elementary school students on field trip to gay bar: ‘SO honored’” On one of the days Sarah Leonardi, District 3 school board member, chaperoned the children. She posted pictures of the outing on her Facebook page, with the caption: “I was SO honored to be invited to chaperone Wilton Manors Elementary’s field trip to the incredible Rosie’s! The students and I had a fun walk over and learned a lot about our community! A huge thank you to Rosie’s Bar and Grill for hosting this special field trip every year!”

Once Fox News posted a somewhatfactual version of the field trip, readers took it from there and fanned the flames of fearmongering.

Comments, which were mostly from people who have never been to Wilton Manors much less to Rosie’s, targeted Leonardi, the school board, and the LGBT community at large.

“Sadly, I’ve recently been attacked with bigoted comments and death threats,” Leonardi told SFGN at the time. “My friends, family, and church have also been targeted.

These attacks have no place in our society.

The threats have been referred to the appropriate authorities, and I will continue to work hard to engage with my community, spread positivity, and represent my district on the school board.”

After the Fox story was published Rosie’s was inundated with angry calls, mostly from places other than South Florida. They tied up the phone lines, making violent threats, and hurling ugly slurs at whoever answered the phone.

Rosie’s co-owner, John Zieba, told SFGN once Fox published an innuendo-filled story, things quickly got out of control.

“People started calling right away and blowing up our phones, sending emails through the website, putting comments all over our social media posts.”

Vile comments were made towards everyone at the restaurant, including Zieba himself.

“I said we did host some elementary school kids. He called me a pedophile, that I was grooming children, and said he hopes that I die.”

Wilton Manors City Commissioner Chris

The field trip was an annual event held by Wilton Manors Elementary School. Parents had to sign permission slips to allow the children to attend.

Photo via Sarah Leonardi, Facebook.

Caputo at the time pointed out the nefarious undertones of the story.

“Fox News’ implication that she is grooming kids to be gay is absurd. She is smart enough to know taking students to a restaurant owned by an LGBT individual isn’t grooming them to be gay any more than taking student to Bona Italian would be grooming them to be Italian. We’re born this way!”

A few days after the “controversy” erupted members of the Wilton Manors Elementary community showed up to support and say thanks. Dozens of teachers, parents, and students, past and present, came by for dinner and to lean on each other after a rough

couple of days. They said they appreciate what Rosie’s does for the school throughout the year.

“There’s a lot of families where the kids are much older now but are still coming in because of that experience. They feel good coming here,” Zieba said.

Equality Florida also spoke out for the school and restaurant’s relationship.

“Anyone who’s visited Wilton Manors knows your trip isn’t complete until you’ve tried one of Rosie’s famous burgers,” Senior Political Director Joe Saunders said. “This is a community institution thriving in the heart of one of the U.S.’s largest LGBTQ populations.”

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TOP STORIES OF 2021 CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Restaurant Fund Keeps Small Hit-and-Runs Cause Businesses Alive During COVID Tragedies in Wilton Manors

By John McDonald

By Kim Swan

Gym Bar placed fifth on the RRF list. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

The restaurant and bar industry are a big part of the Wilton Manors economy and 13 businesses were able to keep their doors open during the COVID-19 pandemic with help from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar, the longtime Wilton Drive gay bar, got the biggest break from the federal government, receiving $2.1 million.

No other business reached the milliondollar mark. The next highest was Manor Lanes Bowling, 1517 NE 26th Street. The bowling alley and sports pub, which is veteran-owned, was awarded $502,827.

Ethos Greek Bistro was awarded $389,433 followed by another Wilton Drive eatery, Shawn and Nick’s Courtyard Cafe, $265,804.

Gym Bar placed fifth on the RRF list.

The Wilton Drive gay sports bar was awarded $155,567. Two businesses located in the Gables Wilton Park were awarded grants: Matty’s, a veteran-owned video bar, $136,493 and Infinity Lounge, an upscale cocktail lounge, $117,340.

The rest of the RRF awardees are as follows: Papa Duke’s Deli, $83,280, Menchie’s, $75,332, Subway, $43,981, Sozo Sushi Bar, $43,088, Wilton Creamery, $33,909 and Ming Kong Chinese Restaurant, $16,859.

Five of the 13 businesses were designated

social and economically disadvantaged.

They are Infinity Lounge, Papa Duke’s Deli, Sozo Sushi Bar, Ming Kong Chinese Restaurant and Matty’s. Two of the 13 — Subway and Menchie’s — are womenowned businesses.

Subway and Ming Kong are located on North Andrews Avenue and are the only two on the list located in Congressional District 20. The majority of awardees are located in Congressional District 22, which is represented by Congressman Ted Deutch (D-Boca Raton).

Congress specified eligible uses for the funds to include rent and payroll. The $28.6 billion dollar fund, administered by the Small Business Administration, closed on July 2, 2021. More than 100,000 restaurants received funding from the program which was part of President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act. In light of the on-going pandemic there have been calls to replenish the fund.

“The best way to support Main Street is to keep our small businesses afloat,” tweeted Mondaire Jones (D-NY).

Jones, a gay Black man, who represents New York’s 17th District, joined 165 of his House colleagues in urging Biden to replenish the RRF. “Our businesses need help,” he wrote.

The city of Wilton Manors has experienced some tragedies in 2021. More specifically, hit and runs that caused the deaths of a few of its residents, including children.

The first accident occurred on April 8 when Glen Flaherty, a 55-year-old gay man, was crossing Northeast Fourth Avenue at the intersection of Northeast 16th Street, near Fort Lauderdale High School, when he was hit by a driver. The driver did not stop.

“The world is a little darker today, a little less funny, a lot more boring with Glen not in it,” said his nephew, Patrick Haus, at the time.

Tim Jordan, who was vacationing in Florida with him, got the call from the police and was told that his friend, who he’d known since grade school, was in critical condition in a hospital where Flaherty died a few hours later.

“After two years, we finally got to have a vacation and this is how it ended. It’s just tragic on all points,” Jordan said. “He was very, very happy and really enjoying himself during our time there.”

Flaherty was from Minneapolis and was enjoying his time in Wilton Manors, his second home. He was a realtor who owned properties in Minneapolis and Florida, traveling to Wilton Manors a few times a year.

The youngest of nine children, Flaherty was proud of his Irish heritage and loved to celebrate holidays and attend pride parades every year in his hometown. Still a practicing Catholic, he attended church regularly with an LGBTaffirming congregation as well.

Almost a year later, families and friends still don’t have answers.

“We wish we had him back,” Jordan said. “We wish we had more answers of what went on. But I suppose we’ll find that out as time goes on.”

The second hit and run occurred on Dec. 27 on Powerline Road. The driver, Sean Charles Greer, drove a vehicle onto the sidewalk and hit six children. Greer confessed and was arrested the next day.

The two children who died were Andrea Fleming, 6 and Kylie Jones, 5. The others, Draya Fleming, 9, Johnathan Carter, 10, Laziyah Stokes, 9, and Audre Fleming, 2, were treated for injuries.

Greer faces two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving death, two counts of

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JANUARY 20, 2022

Photo via City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.

leaving the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries, tampering with evidence, four counts of driving without a license causing death and/or serious bodily injuries and driving with a suspended license.

The accident renewed calls for greater traffic enforcement on the road.

“We as a neighborhood on the Westside have begged, pleaded and written to officials and participated in FDOT’s mollifying ‘surveys’ to lower speeds and enhance safety on PLR; to no tangible results for years,” said Wilton Manors resident Jake Valentine. “Powerline Road is a highway through the middle of our neighborhood surrounded by apartments and with children and with one of Wilton Manors largest parks just a few feet from where the recent national news-making tragedy occurred.”

Grace Ducanis, Florida Department of Transportation Communications officer, said the department is aware of concerns with traffic conditions on the road and an audit was conducted in May, leading to a development plan to include lowering the speed limit.

“The audit participants requested the department consider further reduction to 35 mph and we are currently assessing what roadway and traffic control modifications would be necessary to make 35 mph a realistic speed limit,” Ducanis said.

At the time, The Gazette reached out to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for crash data from a seven-year time span. The request is still being processed.

In the meantime, the county’s crash data can be found on the FLHSMV’s new dashboard.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

WILTON MANORS

Bes0t21of 2

DON’T MISS THE WINNERS

BEST DRAG QUEEN IN PALM BEACH I LOST, DIRTY MELISSA ST. JOHN HOMOPHOBIA WON. Elijah Manley. Photo via Facebook.

Elections—we win some, we lose some.

But last Tuesday’s election wasn’t particularly a regular election with a winner and a loser.

It was a sign of a deep and corroding rot in contemporary American politics: money.

It was also an indictment on democratic politics: homophobia’s role in winning races.

In this case, we were outraised and outspent by dark money groups that placed a target on my back from the very beginning for being outspoken. I wanted to be a voice for working Floridians and take on large corporations’ greed and corruption. Money talks. Just look at the finances.

But we already know how corrupted the political system is, re: money in politics. That’s not the issue that brought me to write this piece today. It’s the homophobic tactics that likely cost me hundreds of votes, and maybe the election out west. Since announcing this race, I’ve been very open about my status as a black gay candidate, and how that would allow me to represent this growing and vibrant district. A district with a very large LGBTQ+ population, which has never had an LGBTQ+ representative. While it wasn’t my Even in conversations I’ve had with the central message, it was an important part of victor, he’d talk about how my focus on my story and our community’s story.

For most of my life, I faced double the LGBTQ+ issues were a slap in the face to black adversity. When I walk out of my house in the issues and race relations. How divisive. His campaign even likely pretended morning, the color of my skin to be another competitor, is black, and for that reason, I Josephus Eggelletion III, to know that people will judge & Even in defame him as homophobic. look at me differently. I’d have conversations This is nothing new. to work twice as hard for less Homophobia in the black opportunity. When I walk and I’ve had with the community is something I face exist in my own community, victor, he’d talk just as loud as racism in the white we’re all black, but I’m gay. For community. Its pervasiveness that reason, opportunities are about how my haunts our politics, and my life scarce, and division runs deep. focus on LGBTQ+ every day. The tactics used in It’s a lose, lose situation. Even this campaign: text messages, with our shared adversity as issues were a whisper campaigns targeting a black community, I’m still slap in the face to churches, etc.—is a clear sign isolated because of my sexual that we have ways to go to reach orientation. black issues and equality.

In this election, my Daryl Campbell—I don’t race relations. opponent or people close know him well, but one to him used my sexual thing’s for sure: he is not the orientation to target black and Caribbean voters who were susceptible Representative we deserve. In August, we can to homophobia. They used text messages and change that. emails that claimed that I was “hardly a man.”

These thoughts are mine and not On one side of the district, one may read that reflective of SFGN. text and think “yeah, he’s too young.” On the other side of the district, out west, the inference is clear: “hardly a man”, in other — Elijah Manley words: gay.

ACTIVIST, FORMER CANDIDATE FOR DIST. 94

The Best Drag Queen in Palm Beach goes to Melissa St. John.

St. John is an entertainer, advocate, and well-known as the “First Lady of Palm Beach.”

Everybody knows her. And if the results of this category are any indication, everybody loves her.

Last year, Rianna Petrone won this category, breaking St. John’s multi-year winning streak, but she’s back on top this year!

“I’m elated to once again receive the honor of being voted Best Drag Queen of Palm Beach,” St. John said. “Our community is important to me, and the love and support I’ve received over 30 years of entertaining, fundraising, and advocating have been a driving force in my life. To the entire community and those nominated alongside me, my heartfelt appreciation and love to you all.”

These days, those fundraising efforts are helping to rebuild H.G. Rooster’s, where

RUNNER-UP: DAVIANA SINS – DR

Sixteen Years Serving the CommUNITY

• BOTOX® / DYSPORT® • SCULPTRA® • RADIESSE® /RESTYLANE® / JUVEDERM® / VOLUMA® / KYBELLA • PLASMA PEN SKIN TIGHTENING • PRP HAIR RESTORATION • LASER HAIR REMOVAL • PHOTO FACIALS • LASER SKIN REJUVENATION

Follow us on INSTAGRAM @SILKLASERAESTHETICS

for current promos

PLEASE READ THE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS ON OUR WEBSITE PRIOR TO SCHEDULING YOUR APPOINTMENT

www.thesilklasercentre.com

7 •

before a devastating fire last year, St. John held court as entertainment director.

Her GoFundMe page has received more than $60,000.

SEE WHO ELSE WON LAST YEAR! SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS.COM/BESTOF2021

954.462.7455

www.WMGAZETTE.com

Photo via Facebook.

JANUARY 20, 2022

924 N. Federal Hwy Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

owned & operated by J.A. Astaphan MD

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LIFESTYLE FOOD

CHEWS NEWS

BROOKLYN’S 'WOODSTOCK OF EATING' COMES TO MIAMI Rick Karlin

S

MORGASBURG, the largest open-air food market in America, with locations in New York and Los Angeles, is launching in Miami in the heart of Wynwood at 2612 NW 2nd Ave. in March. The name is a play on the Swedish term “smorgasbord” meaning a wide array of foods. The original market in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, opened in 2011, and instantly became a popular destination for New Yorkers, regularly drawing upwards of 10,000 weekend visitors in search of a great afternoon of eating, drinking, and meeting up with friends. The market also served as an affordable starting point for food vendors wanting to test out their concepts for a large audience without the overhead and risk of a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Known as the place to go for creative, often groundbreaking food and drink, the concept’s success led to a Los Angeles expansion in 2016, as well as satellite locations in Jersey City and Lower Manhattan, and annual pop-ups in Sao Paulo and Japan, making Smorgasburg a global phenomenon.

Gaston Becherano Cohen, the owner of Omotenashi Group, brings Smorgasburg to Miami. His first exposure to the concept was as a vendor in New York, where he launched the first iteration of Bonsai, selling kakigori — hand-cranked Japanese shaved ice. The popularity he experienced with Bonsai at Smorgasburg paved the way for a brick-andmortar restaurant on the Lower East Side. He is interested in bringing the same opportunities to Miami’s culinary community. Born in Mexico and raised in Miami, he’s spent the past few years getting to know the community and believes the time is ripe for Smorgasburg Miami.

Smorgasburg Miami will be open on Saturdays from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. in the epicenter of Wynwood. The 50,000-square-foot parklike setting will ultimately host 60 food vendors and about 10 retail vendors. Vendors will be positioned around the perimeter of the space with central seating composed of different colored picnic tables. Some of the confirmed vendors visitors can expect to see are Miamibased businesses; Ted’s Burgers, Drinking Pig BBQ, Eleventh Street Pizza, The Sister Yard, El

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The foodie-filled streets of Smorgasburg. Photo credit: Scott Lynch.

Diner Latino, and The Maize Project. For more information, visit smorgasburgmiami.com.

CHECK OUT THESE RECENTLY OPENED SPOTS Flagler Village is home to the second location of BATCH NEW SOUTHERN KITCHEN AND TAP. The Palm Beach spot opened its new 5,500-square-foot location at the end of last year in the former Mellow Mushroom location and boasts a large outdoor patio. The restaurant serves Southern favorites, craft cocktails and features an “epic brunch party.”

The locally sourced farm-to-table, comfort food menu includes slow-smoked burnt ends, shrimp ‘n’ grits, and, for vegetarians, a BBQ jackfruit “pulled pork” sandwich. 525 N. Federal, BatchSouthernKitchen.com.

Downtown Oakland Park has a new eatery.

PAISA BITES showcases Colombian street food; including empanadas and hot dogs or hamburgers covered with everything from garlic mayo to pineapple sauce, crushed potato chips, and even quail eggs. The restaurant, was opened in November by Tatiana Vasquez and Alejandra Canaveral and also serves maicitos (sort of a cheese and corn fondue) and salchipapas (pan-fried hot dogs and French fries). Dessert options include the traditional tres leches cake and Colombianstyle milk pudding, 3499 N. Dixie, 860-9852188, PaisaBites.com. Also, watch for another addition to Oakland Park’s dining scene later this winter, as MONARCH KITCHEN takes flight. It will feature a melding of Caribbean and Latin cuisine with a Floridian twist.

Menu items will include pulled pork sliders and black truffle potato salad. It will be located at 3492 NE 12 Ave., 305-204-1001, MonarchKitchen.com.

You don’t often think of Middle Eastern and openly gay being compatible, but all that is about to change if Ahmad Alkhaldi, owner of Wilton Manors’ newest spot, PALMYRA LOUNGE, has anything to say about it. “I opened this restaurant and hookah bar in Wilton Manors because this is my community.

I’m gay. I wanted a Middle Eastern place I can go to with my boyfriends and not be judged.”

The lounge, bringing some much-needed diversity to Wilton Manors dining options, opened in October. Popular dishes are kabobs, kibbeh, and hummus. Palmyra is named after the city in Syria where Alkhaldi’s family owned farms. “Palmyra means love to my family.” 2031 Wilton Drive; 754-216-2727.

Actor/rapper Dalyboy Belgason will open KACHI AFRO CARIBBEAN LOUNGE on Las Olas later this year. This location will be in addition to three other Kachi Afro Caribbean Lounges in Tijuana, Mexico; Hollywood, California; and Victoria Island, Nigeria. It’s moving into the space formerly occupied by Two& bike shop, 1517 E. Las Olas, 561-288-2025, AfroCaribbeanLounge.com. Also moving into the Los Olas ‘hood is Coyo Taco, the clubby high-end taqueria from Wynwood. It is taking over the former SuViche space (if it hasn’t done so by the time you read this). Expect handpressed corn tortillas filled with cochinita pibil, alambre, pollo al carbon, and crispy

HUNGRY FOR MORE? 

duck, as well as salads and burrito bowls.

401 E. Las Olas, Coyo-Taco.com.

BUH-BYE Less than six months after opening Oakland Park’s FAT TAP BEER BAR AND EATERY has closed its doors. The pub and brewery were unable to draw a crowd. The owners, Robert and Yvette Robayna announced the closing on social media. Robayna blamed the city of Oakland Park for not supporting his business. “When you own a business across the street from City Hall, and no one from City Hall visits you, what are you going to do?” Robayna says. “I don’t mind saying this because I have nothing to lose anymore. We had one good month, which was the first month, when everyone came out to see it, and every month since has been less and less and less.”

Lack of business may also have to do with the fact that the place never even put up a sign on the storefront. Robayna said, “Putting a sign up would attract new people, but I was upset my regulars weren’t coming back.”

Maybe there was a reason for that.

VISIT SFGN.COM/FOOD

Rick Karlin is SFGN’s food editor.

Visit SFGN.com/Food to read his previous reviews. Have a culinary tip to share? Email Rick at RickKarlinFL@gmail.com.

LIFESTYLE READING WITH PRIDE

‘SOME GIRLS DO’ Aurora Dominguez

I

f you’re interested in lesbian true romance, then “Some Girls Do” by Jennifer Dugan is the book for you.

PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CONTENT OF “SOME GIRLS DO,” AND WHAT CAN READERS EXPECT FROM IT? “Some Girls Do” tells the story of a closeted beauty queen and an out and proud track star who find themselves falling for each other. It’s a total “opposites attract” story, with a rivals-to-romance vibe. Told in dual point of view, we experience the different ways each of them relates to their queerness, and how they choose to navigate that in the hopes of their relationship going the distance.

Readers can expect laughs, pining, a deep exploration of love and queerness… and a lot of flirting and romance.

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION BEHIND THE BOOK? I had always wanted to write a story about an issue that’s so common in the queer community — one partner being out and one not — and the impact that has on the lives of the people involved. I was excited by the idea of adding my book to the conversation, and of presenting it in dual point of view so readers could truly feel what they feel and understand there is no right or wrong answer here. Ruby and Morgan need to find their way through this together as best as they can, in a way that they are both comfortable and happy with.

Coming out isn’t the point. Their love is the point.

WHAT CHARACTER DO YOU MOST RELATE TO AND WHY? I think I relate to Morgan a little bit more than Ruby, because I came out at a pretty young age and was very comfortable with it—not that there weren’t hard times because of that decision, but like her, the difficulties just made me more aggressively out. I also tend to be a bit too idealistic at times, although I’ve been working on that.

But there’s also a lot of me in Ruby. Her chaos and mess. Her desire to people please. I think a lot of us can relate to that.

WHY DO YOU FEEL NOVELS WITH POWERFUL AND UNIQUE CHARACTERS ARE SO POPULAR AND HAVE SUCH A VOICE RIGHT NOW? I think readers are always looking for fresh takes on things, and although there is a very long way to go, it’s been exciting to see the industry beginning to embrace fresh and diverse voices. It’s clear that readers are hungry for them. The thrill of finally seeing parts of yourself on the page is next level.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU IN THE BOOKISH WORLD? After “Some Girls Do,” I’ll be gearing up for the release of my first graphic novel with Kit Seaton next year, “COVEN,” which is about a queer teen witch who gets dragged from sunny, coastal California to a small town in Upstate New York in an attempt to protect their coven after a murder. The art that has come back is incredible, and I can’t wait until I get to share it with everyone!

WHO IS YOUR CURRENT FAVORITE WRITER? WHY? My current favorite writer is Kalynn Bayron hands down. I was absolutely obsessed with her debut, “Cinderella is Dead,” and I’m just finishing up “This Poison Heart” now, which comes out July 6.

I would honestly read her shopping list at this point!

Her characters are vibrant, often queer, fully fleshed out individuals that leap off the page and her plotting and placing are next level. I admire the way she can take something like a common fairy tale or Greek mythology and absolutely turn it on its head in a unique and compelling way. She’s definitely an auto-buy author for me.

ANY WRITING ADVICE FOR ASPIRING WRITERS? Keep writing! But do it in whatever way works best for you. There’s a lot of advice out there that you have to write every day or have a set schedule, and that’s just not possible for most of us! Whether you’re writing 20, 200, or 2,000 words a day, progress is progress.

Drafting is one of the only parts of this process that we have total control over, so enjoy it and celebrate every word you put on that page.

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A&E APPOINTMENTS

Raising the bar for Telehealth

Registration is now open for adult performing arts classes at the Broward Center. Classes include cabaret, improv, dancing and singing.

Credit: Broward Center.

ARTSBEAT MAKE YOUR BROWARD CENTER DEBUT J.W. Arnold

PERFORMING ARTS CLASSES AT THE BROWARD CENTER

Enrollment is now open for the upcoming semester of performing arts classes at the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center on the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale. Beginning Jan. 24, classes in singing, dancing, acting and improv will be offered for children and adults of all ages, abilities and skill levels.

Adult Cabaret offers an advanced vocal group setting where students continue to develop proper breathing, tone production and vocal expression in a class that ends in a cabaret performance. Adult Comedy Improv: Next Level offers extended scene work, generating scene ideas from openings and other long form improv skills with students performing in a session-end showcase. Adult Musical Theater Singing, designed for adults who enjoy singing Broadway show tunes and want to improve vocal techniques, does not require previous singing experience and also concludes with a showcase.

Tuition is $210 – 260 for the 11-week semester. For more information and to register, go to BrowardCenter.org/Classes.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

­

­

­

GET STARTED TODAY!

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Tickets are now on sale for “Double Trouble,” the latest stage show featuring drag diva Miss Bouvèé and cabaret queen Jennifer McClain, Feb. 24-27 at the Center for Spiritual Living, 4849 N. Dixie Hwy. in Oakland Park.

With a book by Robert Leleux and directed by Kalen Edean, “Double Trouble” is a story about two sisters, Mimi and Minnie Bouvèé, who haven’t spoken to each other in decades. After years of success in show business as kids, they pursue different lives — one as a wife, the other as a solo act.

Now, Minnie Bouvèé finds her career on the fritz and Mimi isn’t so happy in the ‘burbs. The death of their overbearing stage mother has forced them to reunite. As the funeral events unfold, a trip down memory lane results in laughter, show-stopping songs and the spark of sizzling sisterhood. The girls discover they are exactly what each other needs.

Tickets start at $35 at MissBouvee.com.

COVID CASUALTIES The Maltz Jupiter Theater in Palm Beach County recently canceled its upcoming production of “Sweet Charity,” scheduled to open Feb. 19, not because of COVID cases among the cast or crew, but due to pandemic-related supply chain disruptions that delayed the completion of a $36 million expansion to the venue. The Maltz will still open its second planned show of the season, “I Hate Hamlet,” on Feb. 8 at the Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens, as originally planned.

For more information, go to JupiterTheatre.org.

A&E THEATER

PLAYWRIGHT DISCUSSES WORLD PREMIERE PLAY AT ISLAND CITY STAGE J.W. Arnold

A

ndrew Kramer isn’t offering any spoilers just weeks before his drama “Armature” receives its world premiere at Island City Stage in Wilton Manors.

All he would say was, “It’s a political mystery thriller that collides tenderness with violence and follows the rise of an African American woman and two men at a gay bar.

I stress that political mystery thriller aspect, so I want to be careful how I describe it.”

Even after a little coaxing, Kramer remained steadfast, only offering, “My plays begin and end with questions. I don’t think plays should give anyone answers. Plays should generate questions.”

Andrew Kramer’s edgy play “Armature” will receive It’s been a long road to the big opening its world premiere this month at Island City Stage in on Jan. 27. He began penning the story more Wilton Manors. Courtesy photo. than a decade ago and pitched the play as part of his audition to join the prestigious Recently, Kramer traveled to South Florida emerging writers’ group at New York City’s to check out the theater and meet with the famed Public Theater in 2013.

“I was living in a very small town in co-directors of the production, Andy Rogow Indiana and Barack Obama was on his and Michael Leeds.

“Island City Stage is great and I’ve long meteoric rise to stardom. Living in a very red state, I saw some precarious reactions to respected the company,” he said. “All it this charismatic and well-spoken man, the takes for a scary, little dangerous play like way marginalized groups interact and how ‘Armature’ is for one brave company to share change is scary to some people,” Kramer it with the world, to serve as a launching Offered: ServicesServices Offered: O recalled. “There were a lot of voices that pad.”

As the theater community struggles to to speak out. That got me thinking , needed PrEP • HIV Care, • PrEP HIV Care about the [characters] in ‘Armature’ and how cope with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic s they C T esting & Treatment • Hepatitis • C Hepatitis Testing & Treatment of the Omicron connect and disconnect and the play and the recent emergence variant, Kramer describes himself as an was born.” ing & Treatment • STD Testing • STD & Treatment Test Since then, he was a finalist for the 2050 “optimistic realist,” noting that if you look achievements came in Fellowship at New York Theater Workshop, at history of art, great us Disease T reatment • Infectious • Disease Infectiou Treatment a former core apprentice writer at the the aftermath of plagues and social upheaval. e Playwrights’ Pharmacy • In-House • Pharmacy In-House He elaborated, “When the world has to Center in Minneapolis and a two-time semi-finalist in the Samuel French sort of pause, when communities have to Off-Off Broadway Play Festival with his retreat, a different type of discourse happens. plays “A Map of Our Country” (2010) and It’s no coincidence that since the summer of with the pandemic and the murder of Happy Animals” (2011).

Andrew has 2020,appointment! y “We for an CallCall today for an appointment! today also served as playwright‐in‐residence at the George Floyd, that artists are at the forefront Cairns Arts Festival in Queensland, Australia. of leading new conversations. Stories and The Cleveland native dreams of spending storytelling and communal listening are ine Dowdy, ACP Lorraine Dowdy, DO, FACP Lorra our country as a whole F is his days writing.

Like many artists, he pays ways we heal andDO, dealing with significant trauma.

I’m hopeful the bills with “a traditional career” as a amchandani, MD, FACP Raj Uttamchandani, Raj MD, FACP Utta healthcare recruiter, but Kramer maintains the artists of our world will find a louder denas, MSN, FNP-BC Steven Cardenas, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC Card voice through this.” APRN, Steven he’s still a playwright at heart.

4-530-8357

gues,

MSN,

APRN,

954-530-8357 954

FNP-BC João Rodrigues, João MSN, APRN, Rodri FNP-BC

Island City Stage, 2304 N. Dixie Hwy. in Wilton Manors, presents the world premiere of Andrew Ave. | Wilton Manors, 2608 2608 NE 16th FL Ave. | Wilton 33334 NE Manors, 16th FL 33334 Kramer’s “Armature,” Feb. 27 – March 27. Tickets start at $35 at IslandCityStage.org. midwaycare.org midwaycare.org 1. 20 . 20 22 •

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A

A&E ARTS

FEATURE PETS

SCAMPY IS U YO WAITING FOR

SCAMPY

Scampy has really come out of her shell with some time and extra TLC. This lady has done excellent with the other cats, both just coexisting and playing.

She enjoys napping on soft beds, playing with wand toys, head bumping for affection, and eating lots of Temptations treats.

Scampy is approximately four years old, spayed, up to date on vaccines, and her adoption fees are waived.

If you would like to adopt a pet at Broward County Animal Care & Adoption, please visit www.Broward.org/AnimalCare or stop by at 2400 SW 42nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

WINTER CLASSES BEGIN JANUARY 24

UNLEASH YOUR INNER PERFORMER! Enroll today in our popular adult classes in ACTING, SINGING, BROADWAY DANCE & COMEDY IMPROV

BrowardCenter.org/classes 954.414.6904 30

• 1. 20.2022

IMMERSIVE INSTALLATIONS ILLUMINATE BROWARD DURING ART & DESIGN WEEK J.W. Arnold

F

ollow the light to IGNITE Broward, Jan. 26 – 30, a new, family-friendly immersive art experience showcasing interactive light and video installations created by leading contemporary artists and designers.

Downtown Fort Lauderdale will come alive from 6-10 p.m. nightly with outdoor digital, light-based and 3-D projection mapping art at the Museum of Discovery & Science, 401 S.W. 2nd St., and across the street at Esplanade Park.

After the sun rises, indoor video, light and design exhibitions will be on display at MAD Arts, 481 S. Federal Hwy. in Dania Beach, daily from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and extended viewing until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

IGNITE Broward builds on the Broward Cultural Division’s “Light the Night” festival, which took place in March 2021 just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With Immersive indoor and outdoor light and video a new name, expanded roster of artists installations are the centerpiece of IGNITE Broward, Jan. 26 – 30 in Fort Lauderdale and Dania Beach. and mediums, and new locations, IGNITE Credit: ArtsCalendar.com.

Broward is sure to become a must-see annual event, said Cultural Division Director Phil The IGNITE Broward kickoff is planned Dunlap.

“It’s going to be bigger and better,” Dunlap for Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 5:30 p.m. on the Museum of Discovery & said. “Last time, we focused Science terrace. The event will on local artists, although their WITH A NEW NAME, include food trucks and live mediums may not have been music. Broward County Mayor projection or technology, and EXPANDED ROSTER Michael Udine will activate the on downtown [Fort Lauderdale].

OF ARTISTS AND installations at 6 p.m.

This year, we sought artists MEDIUMS, AND NEW A series of talks exploring who specifically work with LOCATIONS, IGNITE the intersection of technology light and technology in their and art will also take place art and we’ve added indoor BROWARD IS SURE during the event’s five-day installations in Dania Beach.”

TO BECOME A MUSTrun, which coincides with Fort Featured artists include SEE ANNUAL EVENT, Lauderdale Art & Design Week Susan Narduli, David Carson, SAID CULTURAL (FTLADW), Dunlap added. The Edison Peñafiel and Marcel goal of FTLADW is to unite the Andristyak. Narduli was also DIVISION DIRECTOR county’s diverse range of artists commissioned earlier to create PHIL DUNLAP. and institutions and highlight the artistic lighting that will the region as an international be installed on the Andrews Avenue drawbridge later this year and will cultural destination. In addition to the work on a complementary project for the IGNITE events, FTLADW will celebrate art, 3rd Ave. bridge over the New River, also in architecture, cinema, dance, design, music and theater. downtown Fort Lauderdale.

For more information, go to ArtsCalendar.com/Ignite. Admission to all IGNITE Broward art experiences and talks is free and open to the public. To learn more about Fort Lauderdale Art & Design Week, go to FTLADW.com.

CONVICTIONS

EDITORIAL CARTOON

By Andy Marlette

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SFGN Staff Brian McNaught, pictured right, poses with his newly released book, “On Being Gay and Gray: Our Stories, Gifts, and the Meaning of Our Lives.”

The book is a deeply intimate tribute to the wisdom gained throughout life as an open LGBT person, and how that shapes their journey as an LGBT senior.

“This book, ‘On Being Gay and Gray,’ is intended to be that friend who helps take care of the senior members of the gay community by validating their experiences of courage, mirroring their strengths, and celebrating the significance of their unique contributions to the world,” said McNaught.

“On Being Gay and Gray: Our Stories, Gifts, and the Meaning Of Our Lives” is available now on Amazon for $19.95 (hardcover) or $14.99 (paperback).

SFGN PREVIEW

SEE OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW ABOUT THIS BOOK IN NEXT WEEK’S PAPER!

Brian McNaught. Courtesy photo.

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