SFGN 1/26/23 V14iss4

BIG MONEY & BIG CHANGES AT SMART RIDE

Big checks with big amounts were presented at Hunters Nightclub on Jan. 15, as the SMART Ride gave out proceeds from November’s ride.

The atmosphere was one of joy and accomplishment as riders, crew, organizers, and nonprofit leaders mixed on what is usually the dance floor.

At the end of SMART Ride 19 in November, they were $12,000 short of a million for the year. During the closing ceremony, founder Glen Weinzimer challenged everyone to raise the last bit to hit a million dollars. First they cheered, then they smashed the goal.

On Jan. 15, Weinzimer announced the ride had raised $1,043,270. The organization’s lifetime total is $15,954,344.

“I feel grateful and emotional,” Weinzimer said. “To see all the riders and the crew in the room. The emotion of them seeing each other warms your heart to see humanity can be good.”

Beneficiaries are organizations throughout Florida that provide HIV/AIDS services, and money from SMART Ride is a big boost to their budgets. AH Monroe has been with the group since its inception. Counting this year’s $195,341 they have received $2,367,723.

Other beneficiaries this year:

Broward House: $171,830

Compass: $142,063

Epic: $150,985

Miracle of Love: $139,381 Pridelines: $129,465

The SMART Ride is the largest bike ride in the country that returns 100% of the

money raised to the community. Planning for SMART Ride 20 is already underway. Rider registration is strong, and participants have a big goal for this year’s ride. Weinzimer hopes the landmark ride will raise a record two million dollars.

RETIRING & RENEWING

Weinzimer also used the event to announce that he is stepping down and named Todd Delmay as the new executive director. Delmay is a longtime community activist whose resumé includes helping achieve marriage equality in Florida, running for a seat in the state legislature, and developing My Hollywood Pride, but doesn’t have a lot of experience with organizations like SMART Ride. Weinzimer said that made him the perfect candidate.

“Todd’s not embedded in the community

of the nonprofit world. But Todd is embedded in our community and is a part of our community. He’s not doing it because he needs a job. He’s doing it because he wants to lead something that at the end of the day he knows made a difference.”

For his part, Delmay has been around the ride for years and said it’s more than a job, it’s a passion.

“When Glen and I first started talking about what it meant to reach 20 years of the ride, and that he and the board had been searching for someone to take on the role and lead it going forward, it all came together and made sense very quickly.”

To ensure a smooth transition, Delmay and Weinzimer will work on SR20 together. Producing this type of event is all-consuming, so Delmay said he plans to ride this year, since it may be his only chance.

John Hayden

Associated Press

SFGN COVER: Top: Billy Gilman. Photo courtesy of Billy Gilman. Bottom: Photo by Kyle Willis.

Photo via SMART Ride, Facebook.

South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions

THE COUNTRY

LGBT BAR GETS ATTACKED BY MAN WITH A HAMMER

After having her Chicago, Illinois, LGBT bar window smashed by a hammer, R Public House Owner Renee Labrana said she was met with support the morning after the incident.

“We’re going to keep on doing what we’ve been doing,” Labrana told ABC 7 Chicago. “We’re still gonna be welcoming of everyone and that will never change.”

Staffers said the man began yelling homophobic slurs as patrons walked in. After patrons told the man to “just leave, man - just get out of here,” the man then left only to return with a hammer that he took to the front door window’s tempered glass.

“It was very loud,” said Sandra Carter,

BISEXUAL STUDENT-ATHLETE AT BYU DETAILS HER EXPERIENCE

Brigham Young University (BYU), a private Mormon church, has studentathletes speaking out about their experience at the conservative school.

Bisexual gymnast Mina Margraf first heard a gay slur when she was driving in a car with two baseball players when they came across supporters for gay rights in summer 2021.

“He rolls down the window… and screams [the slur] and ‘[expletive] you,’” Margraf told USA Today Sports. “Then he turned around and he looked at me and said, ‘Sorry, Mina. I love gay people, but it’s so funny to make fun of them.’”

Margraf said she reported this incident and another where a baseball player said the N-word to administration. She said that they had to take meetings about the issue but was unaware of any further disciplinary action taken; however,

UTAH NEW YORK

“Since the time these incidents took place, disciplinary action was taken, educational opportunities were provided and no further reports of problematic behavior from these student-athletes has occurred,” said Johnson.

STUDENT DISAPPEARANCE FROM LGBT BAR PROMPTS MORE QUESTIONS

Jordan Taylor, a CUNY law student, has been missing for weeks since last being spotted at a New York City bar.

“What makes the case even more troubling is that police found two clues miles apart, in a different borough from where Jordan Taylor was last seen alive,” reported NBC New York. “His wallet was found on West Street near the Goldman Sachs Building in Battery Park City, while his phone was found more than three miles away in Hell’s Kitchen.”

Taylor was last spotted in Queens and his cell phone movements say that he could have been present at the LGBT bar “The Q” between Friday and Saturday night.

Another patron who was previously targeted by two men, drugged, and left for dead, John Umberger, had been taken from the same bar.

“I’m trying to keep, I’m keeping high spirits,” said Taylor’s brother, Alton. “They hope we’re going to find him

BYU’s Whitney Johnson, associate athletic director for student-athlete development, diversity and inclusion, said otherwise.

Photo via Mina Margraf/Facebook.

wife of Labrana. “It’s tempered glass and people ran thinking, they couldn’t tell the difference you know, thinking it was gunshots.”

There were no reported injuries and the CPD does not have anyone in custody.

Surveillance footage from R Public House.

Photo via Jordan Taylor/Facebook.

ASIA EUROPE

SOUTH KOREAN DRAG QUEEN INSPIRES LGBT COMMUNITY

“When I first tried drag, I didn’t know what it would be like and how into it I would be. It gave me some sort of empowerment and liberation,” said Heezy Yang.

Since approximately 10 years ago, Yang has participated in a number of events as his drag act Hurricane Kimchi, including Seoul Pride in South Korea’s capital.

After watching friends perform drag, he gave it a try for the first time and discovered that it could be a way to combine his love of activism and the arts.

EUROPEAN RIGHTS COURT ORDERS RUSSIA TO

ALLOW SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

Moscow must recognize same-sex weddings, Europe’s top rights court said, in a decision that is unlikely to have much of an influence in the Russian Federation.

The European Court of Human Rights ruled with three gay couples who requested Russian authorities recognize their relationships but were turned down, concluding that nations have a duty to provide same-sex partners with the legal protections of marriage.

“The court holds … that there has been a violation of Article 8 of the Convention,” Judge Síofra O’Leary, president of the court, said when reading out the ruling, referring to the court’s founding charter, according to Court House News.

CENTRAL AMERICA

A woman in Mexico splashed what seemed to be “holy water” at an LGBT couple who were hugging in front of a church after accusing them of indoctrinating the nation’s children.

“Get out right now! I’m going to call the police,” the woman said in Spanish while spraying the couple and making the sign of the cross, according to NBC.

One of the men released a TikTok video of the incident, which happened in Toluca, roughly 50 miles west of Mexico City, and was recorded on camera. The video has around 400,000 views.

Leonardo Hernandez, the person who posted the video, can be heard telling the woman in Spanish, “Lady, it is horrible to hate.”

Leonardo Hernandez and his partner, Thomas. Courtesy Leonardo Hernandez.

KILLING OF LGBT ADVOCATEIN KENYA EXPOSES PREJUDICE

Heezy Yang, photo via Twitter.

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OF

Photographer Udo Spreitzenbarth, who is based in New York City and specializes in fashion, beauty, and advertising photography, with Ty-Ron Mayes, celebrity stylist from America’s Next Top Model, attending the VIP Opening Party for Supercar Week at EAU Palm Beach Resort & Spa.

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.

PRIDE STONEWALLS SFGN

LEADERS HAVE IGNORED REQUESTS FOR MINUTES AND OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE UPCOMING EVENT

What is Pride hiding?

There are a lot of questions around Pride Fort Lauderdale (Pride), the group producing the upcoming Pride of the Americas (POTA) event that starts on Feb. 10. Why are top-level people fleeing the organization right before the big event? How is money from sponsors and events being spent? Who is in charge?

Those questions have been asked, but answers have not been forthcoming. This leads to the main question: What is Pride hiding?

SFGN has reached out to Pride multiple times over the past several weeks; once through their website as well as multiple attempts to Pride President Miik Martorell through Facebook Messenger and to his Pride email address.

While he has acknowledged SFGN’s requests he has yet to agree to an interview.

SFGN has requested minutes and video links of all their meetings since the start of 2022. We have seen some memos and minutes, but those were provided by an anonymous source and verified by SFGN.

Pride’s by-laws &/or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) require the board to meet at least once a month and that “all meetings of the Board of Directors shall be announced at least 48 hours in advance and, as reasonably, published for the

ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 2020, POTA WAS DELAYED FOR YEARS BY THE PANDEMIC. VISIT LAUDERDALE, BROWARD COUNTY’S CONVENTION AND TOURISM ARM, HAS BEEN ON BOARD WITH POTA SINCE 2019.

general public.”

A search of their website, a general web search, and a look back through months of postings on their Facebook page did not turn up any notices which could be determined reasonable notice for the general public.

They are not required to make video or verbatim records. However, they are required to make minutes of their meetings “available as soon as feasible and posted on the Corporation’s web site or available in hard copy.” No such postings are on PrideFortLauderdale.org and requests for electronic and/or hard copies have been ignored.

COLLAPSING INTO CHAOS?

Pride has seen an exodus of leadership since mid-December. Executive Director Kevin Clevenger is leaving, but will stay on until after POTA. Entertainment Director Shawn Palacious (aka Kitty Meow) also left, citing health reasons.

Two other board members have also resigned, Secretary Jay Soboe-Rodriguez and Greg Beltran. This much turnover so fast in any organization is enough to raise eyebrows, but to happen so close to an event at least four years in the making signals real concern.

What makes the departures of Beltran and Soboe-Rodriguez even more concerning is they both come from the Midland organization. According to documents obtained by SFGN, Midland has committed $100,000 to Pride.

The resignation of their members from the board notwithstanding, Midland hasn’t shown any sign that its support is wavering, but with POTA shrinking from a three-day beach party to a one-day event away from the ocean, people have said there may be frustration on the diminishing return on their investment.

Originally scheduled for April 2020, POTA was delayed for years by the pandemic. Visit Lauderdale, Broward County’s convention and tourism arm, has been on board with POTA since 2019.

Their patience began running thin early. Minutes from Pride’s May 3, 2021 meeting

show they discussed returning $150,000 to Visit Lauderdale. Visit Lauderdale has confirmed that half of their original commitment was returned but they remain a presenting sponsor of POTA 2023.

WHO IS GETTING THE MONEY?

In minutes from the Dec. 19, 2022, board meeting, Pride notes that POTA is expected to lose at least $21,000. It also shows budget cuts of $176,664. Martorell is credited with providing a budget that lists costs, such as $25,000 for VIP Lounge and $305,000 for the Main Stage.

But there are no details.

Specifics, such as who are the contractors for set up and clean up and who gets the $136,000 budgeted for “Logistics,” are not spelled out.

These specifics may exist somewhere, but

TOO LITTLE TOO LATE?

According to the aforementioned budget, $40,000 was set aside for marketing. Specifics on how that money will be spent also aren’t spelled out.

However we’re told Pride will be at the New York travel show January 28-29, two weeks before POTA.

POTA was initially supposed to be an international event attracting visitors from all over the Americas while spotlighting Fort Lauderdale as a tourist destination.

SFGN continues to press for information regarding Pride’s operations and expenses, and will welcome interviews with Martorell and anyone connected with the organization.

John Hayden

they have not been turned over to SFGN or made public on Pride’s website.

Pride President Miik Martorell. Photo via pride365.com.

SUPERSTAR BILLY GILMAN COMING TO SOUTH FLORIDA

He tugged at our heartstrings as a child star 20 years ago. Now, country singer Billy Gilman is all grown up and making fans swoon. Up next, he is headlining a major South Florida event.

SFGN has learned that Gilman will perform at the Red Dress Dress Red Gala on Feb. 4 at the Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA). The World AIDS Museum (WAM) is throwing the gala.

“I am excited to be joining the World AIDS Museum for their first Red Dress Dress Red Gala,” Gilman said. “I am honored to be a part of the first and look forward to seeing everyone at this amazing event! This event is important to our community, bringing awareness to HIV education and prevention, providing safe spaces to have a conversation and remembering those who have passed.”

Indeed, it only took a single conversation between WAM Executive Director Terry Dyer and WMBA President Gary Van Horn and Gilman’s involvement in the inaugural Red Dress Dress Red Gala came to fruition.

“We are overjoyed that Mr. Gilman is joining our gala. His powerhouse vocals are an incredible addition to our amazing lineup. His love for charity and giving back to our communities align with our efforts as well. WAM is grateful to the quick and hard work of Gary in solidifying Mr. Gilman’s participation,” Dyer said.

His South Florida appearance adds to what is already shaping up to be a big year for Gilman. In mid-January, he began recording a new album, his first in a long time.

“We laughed, we cried, we came through. I am so proud of this record already. It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was 11 years old. Stay tuned. You are going to be surprised.”

Years after his child stardom had faded, Gilman gained a whole new batch of fans when he was a finalist on “The Voice” in 2016.

Gilman shot to fame in the country world more than 20 years ago with songs that addressed issues facing young people, including suicide and isolation in his breakout song One Voice.

WORLD AIDS MUSEUM HOSTING GALA FEB. 4

The song is even more relevant today, and on the twentieth anniversary of the tune’s release, Gilman told CMT, “I would never have imagined that America, let alone in the world, we would be seeing so many suicides. If we could be a little nicer to one another and learn that we are all made differently, but we all deserve kindness, love, and respect it would make the world a better place.”

He also released Oklahoma, a song that looked at the life of a child in foster care.

The love and understanding he called for never came his way after coming out in 2014. Gilman did it before a reporter, who spotted him with his partner, could break the story. He told Billboard that, after his announcement on YouTube, the silence was deafening.

“I knew something was wrong when no major label wanted to sit down and have a meeting and listen to the new stuff.”

In addition to writing and recording new music, these days he uses social media to remind us that he’s all grown up. His Instagram is filled with thirst traps that show him shirtless and often cuddling his pup, Kip.

Tickets for the Red Dress Dress Red Gala and Gilman’s performance are still available, but Dyer said they are almost sold out.

Red has long been the color of the HIV/AIDS crisis. For decades, the red ribbon was worn to bring attention and awareness to the health emergency. Now the color comes to South Florida to boldly remind people the crisis is far from over.

World AIDS Museum (WAM) is hosting the Red Dress Dress Red Gala, Feb. 4, at the Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA). This is the first time WAM has thrown a gala, and Executive Director Terry Dyer said the community has embraced the idea from the jump.

“This has been incredibly exciting for the World AIDS Museum and Educational Center! We cannot wait until they see everything we have in store.”

The Red Dress Dress Red Gala first gained popularity out west and is making its South Florida debut. Dyer says the venerated franchise will definitely have South Florida flavor.

“This event will have flair, style, components that are specific to our local community, and be the hottest ticket of the year.”

Dyer also said diversity will be a hallmark.

“The event is rooted in the LGBTQ+ community and HIV awareness. As WAM focuses on education in both LGBTQ+ and nonLGBTQ+ communities, it was very important to us that we provided a safe space for everyone. If you identify as male and want to wear a dress, please do. If you are a cis gender female and want to wear a suit, please do.”

The night will feature a lineup of wellknown local stars, DJ Ed Talks, Broadway star

RED SEA

The crowd will be a sea of red. Some may be in a red tux or a bright, backless red dress. Others may come in big, red fascinators. Dyer says there is no limit.

“My best advice with respects to attire suggestions has been this: it is your moment to be as bright and loud in red as you want, go big. One of the most amazing components of the event is people can be as creative as they would like with their outfits. Traditionally, people do think out-of-the-box and are very creative.”

COME ALONG FOR THE RIDE

The event is at the DCOTA but will start at Hunters Nightclub in the heart of Wilton Manors. VIP guests will be given a drink and board a shuttle that will take them to the DCOTA, which is a good distance from Wilton. Guests who drive to the event will have access to valet parking.

WAM is also a beneficiary of this year’s Florida AIDS Walk. The gala is a fundraiser for their team, and all money raised will be matched by AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

For more information on the Red Dress Dress Red gala, visit WorldAIDSMuseum.org.

Anne Steele, former American idol contestant Matthew Darren, LeNora Jaye, the Synergy Twins, Miss Velvet Lenore, and Grammy nominee and The Voice finalist Billy Gilman.

John Hayden

Former American idol contestant Matthew Darren. Photo via matthewdarren.com.

John Hayden

Billy Gilman. Photo courtesy of Billy Gilman.

SFGN SNAGS TWO FLORIDA PRESS CLUB AWARDS

SFGN won two awards recently from the Florida Press Club in their annual 2022 Excellence in Journalism Competition. SFGN took home First Place in the newsletter category.

Kim Swan and Avraham Forrest were named on the award.

Forrest launched the Islander on behalf of SFGN when they interned in the summer of 2021. Since then the newsletter won an award from the Sunshine State Awards – Florida’s largest journalism contest last year. The twice weekly email newsletter covers all things Wilton Manors.

“I’m excited our newsletter keeps getting recognized. And kudos to Avraham and Kim for making it a success,” said Publisher Jason Parsley. “It’s a great resource for the residents of Wilton Manors. Years ago when we saw a news hole in the city we launched the Wilton Manors Gazette in order to serve and inform the community. We are so proud of the work we’ve done thus far. In 2021 we continued our

service by launching an email newsletter in an effort to engage with our readers in a new way. It’s been a tremendous success.”

Additionally, SFGN’s art director, Julie Palmer, won third place in the Front-Page Design category for three of her covers last year (pictured above).

“Last year our long-time art director Brendon Lies left us for an exciting opportunity in Germany,” Parsley said. “He had been an instrumental part of the SFGN team for years so we were worried we wouldn’t be able to replace him. Julie not only stepped into Brendon’s shoes, she quickly made herself an indispensable part of our team. We are so excited the judges agreed!”

SFGN FOUNDER NORM KENT TO BE HONORED JAN. 26

John Hayden

Norm Kent has a legacy that’s shaped LGBT rights for decades. Now his legacy is being extended to an award.

He is to be the next recipient of Wilton Manors Business Association’s (WMBA) Lifetime Business Award. Going forward, the honor will be called the Norman Elliot Kent Excellence in Business Leadership Award.

WMBA said Kent is being recognized for his entrepreneurial spirit, fearless leadership, and lifelong dedication to Wilton Manors. Kent has spent his life as an attorney fighting for LGBT rights. Most recently, he announced he will sue Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida over proposals to ban drag entertainment and arrest performers.

Among his other accomplishments, including a radio show, he co-founded SFGN. The paper has been and continues to be a place where stories affecting LGBT people can be told, events promoted, and communities strengthened.

“Norm’s insight and knowledge have

helped our community grow from a small ‘one horse town’ to the city we are today,” WMBA President Gary Van Horn said. “He has stood up for underserved members of our community, at times when it might have not been so popular to do so. Norm has definitely left his mark on many causes and made the world a better place by doing so.”

The presentation will take place Jan. 26 at Hunters Nightclub in Wilton Manors, during WMBA’s Annual Awards Business & Tourism Guide Launch.

The event is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 26 at Hunters Nightclub. Tickets start at $19 on eventbrite.com.

SFGN Staff

Three of SFGN’s Front-Page Design covers won third place in the Florida Press Club Awards 2022.

SFGN co-founder Norm Kent. Photo via Facebook.

FLORIDA SAYS NO TO AP AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES, CITES ‘POLITICAL AGENDA’

Florida high school students will not have the opportunity to take a new AP course focused on African American studies, with the Department of Education saying the course is “a vehicle for a political agenda.”

According to NPR, the course is in a pilot phase and 60 schools across the United States are participating. Officials pointed to concerns that the Black Lives Matter and reparations movements would be covered in the class, as well as critical race theory.

A group of about 20 professors spent the last decade working on the details of the course. One is Christopher Tinson, the chair of the African American Studies department at Saint Louis University.

In a press conference, Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed the controversy by pointing out that one of the course subjects covers queer theory.

“Now, who would say that an important part of black history is queer theory? That is somebody pushing an agenda on our kids,” he said. “We believe in teaching kids facts and

how to think, but we don’t think they should have an agenda forced on them.”

The course was not intended to be a history class — it’s an African American studies class.

The Florida chapter of the Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition called the rejection “appalling.”

“To reject African American studies, and state that it ‘lacks educational value,’ is racist at its core, and personifies his real disregard for the over three million Black Americans that reside in the state and actively contribute to its economic and cultural vitality,” the group said in a statement.

WITH TWITTER TAKEOVER, MUSK EMERGES AS LGBT FOE

John McDonald

Elon Musk has a history of using pronouns as punchlines, leaving some to wonder what the billionaire truly thinks of LGBT people.

Musk is dominating the headlines of late with his takeover of Twitter. Since taking ownership, Musk has reinstated numerous ring-wing accounts that were previously banned, including former President Donald Trump.

On more than one occasion, Musk has taken direct aim at the LGBT community by tweeting out sarcastic memes, inflaming the “groomer” controversy and turning gender identifiers into insults.

“My pronouns are Prosecute/Fauci,” Musk tweeted last month.

Musk ended Twitter’s COVID-19 misinformation policy and has been a skeptic of the U.S. government’s handling of the pandemic. Not long after his jab at Dr. Anthony Fauci, Musk tweeted out a meme of a masked figure stabbed by multiple vaccine shots and covered with logos of Black Lives Matter, Planned Parenthood, CNN, Google and the proletarian hammer and sickle.

Standing in front of a Pride Progress Flag with an Islamic star and crescent, the figure says “they brainwashed you” to a blondhaired, bearded white man holding an American flag, who responds, “Really?”

“I’m not brainwashed!!” Musk tweeted.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Musk blamed the culture of elite colleges for his estrangement from his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson.

“It’s full-on communism … and a general sentiment that if you’re rich, you’re evil,” Musk told the newspaper.

Some might argue what Musk did to Yoel Roth was evil. Musk falsely accused Roth, Twitter’s former head of trust and safety, of attempting to sexualize children in his doctoral dissertation on the gay hookup app Grindr. The charge unleashed a torrent of online hate that rekindled QAnon “groomer” conspiracies, forcing the gay Jewish man into hiding.

The entire episode was foreshadowed in a statement by the Human Rights Campaign in October when Musk carried a sink into Twitter headquarters.

“We are very concerned about Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter. Musk has pledged to restore the accounts of dangerous people who push extremism and disinformation. When this happens, Twitter - a place where many marginalized people, including LGBTQ+ people, find both community and face an onslaught of hate - will quickly become even more hostile,” said Jay Brown, HRC senior vice president of Programs, Research and Training.

Some have already had enough. Elton John left the platform in December prompting the Washington Post to write, “Musk Drags Twitter Down a Dangerous Rabbit Hole.”

Lastly, the one hole it seems Musk won’t be entering is the one his Boring Company proposed to dig in Fort Lauderdale. The project would allow for quicker beach access for electric cars like the ones Musk’s other company, Tesla, sells.

“I think it’s a done deal, It’s dead … It’s stupid,” Fort Lauderdale Vice Mayor Warren Sturman told the Sun Sentinel.

Elon Musk. Photo by The Royal Society, via Wikimedia Commons.

MUSK FALSELY ACCUSED ROTH, TWITTER’S FORMER HEAD OF TRUST AND SAFETY, OF ATTEMPTING TO SEXUALIZE CHILDREN IN HIS DOCTORAL DISSERTATION ON THE GAY HOOKUP APP GRINDR.

Christiana Lilly

Gov. Ron DeSantis. Photo by Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, via Wikimedia Commons.

HIV VACCINE TRIAL COMES TO DISAPPOINTING END

Scientific efforts to produce the world’s first HIV vaccine suffered another setback with the announcement that a late-stage clinical trial was discontinued due to lack of efficacy.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases revealed the Mosaico trial would be coming to an end. The trial, which consisted of 3,900 volunteers ages 18 to 60 in Europe, North and South America, was ruled safe but ineffective by the NIH.

Dr. Stephen Fallon, executive director of Latinos Salud, an HIV/AIDS service organization serving Broward and MiamiDade Counties, said given the potency and easier dosing of today’s HIV medications it might seem surprising another vaccine trial produced disappointing results.

“The Mosaic vaccine tried to compensate for the failures of prior vaccines, by incorporating elements of multiple parts of

LESBIAN NEW MEXICO DA BRINGS CHARGES AGAINST ALEC BALDWIN IN FILM SET KILLING

the HIV virus, in hopes that the body’s immune system would recognize and respond to any of them that might find its way into a person’s bloodstream,” Fallon said. “The study also brought the subjects in multiple times to administer a total of four vaccine doses, which might have succeeded in rejuvenating a response that could otherwise wane.”

Participants in the regimen were trans women and men who have sex with men and at risk for contracting the virus that causes AIDS. For ethical purposes, all participants had to be offered and had subsequently declined PrEP, the highly effective HIV prevention pill.

While the process has helped in creating other vaccines that respond to new threats, namely COVID-19, creating a HIV vaccine may be the stiffest challenge science has faced, Fallon said.

A-list Hollywood film star Alec Baldwin, who once grappled with being labeled homophobic, now faces prosecution from a lesbian district attorney on charges of involuntary manslaughter.

Mary Carmack-Altwies, New Mexico’s First Judicial District Attorney, announced the state is bringing charges against Baldwin and another member of the Rust film crew for their roles in the shooting death of Halyna Hutchins in October of 2021.

“After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the ‘Rust’ film crew,” Carmack-Altwies said in a news release on Jan. 19. “On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.”

Baldwin, 64, was holding a gun on the movie set when it discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer overseeing firearms on set, has also been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter.

If convicted of the charges, Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed could face a mandatory fiveyear prison sentence along with a $5,000 fine.

Luke Nikas, Baldwin’s Manhattan attorney, called the charges, “a terrible miscarriage of justice.” Baldwin maintains he had no reason to believe there was live ammunition in the gun.

“He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds,” said Nikas in a statement to the media. “We will fight these charges, and we will win.”

Baldwin has appeared in dozens of movies, television shows and stage plays, but is perhaps best known for his performances on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live, where he earned accolades for his portrayal of former President Donald Trump.

In 2013, Baldwin’s MSNBC program was canceled after the actor was involved in a homophobic street tirade in New York, which ran afoul of – in Baldwin’s own words – the “Gay Department of Justice.”

Meanwhile, Carmack-Altwies brings a balanced law career to the case. Prior to being elected district attorney, CarmackAltwies served as a public defender, taught law school at New Mexico University and

served a legal advocate for victims of sexual assault.

She and her wife Jo, a retired law enforcement officer, have two young children. The couple calls Santa Fe, New Mexico, home, where Mary is active in the local parent-teacher association and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Formal charges are expected to be filed at the end of the month and will include a charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon against assistant director David Halls.

“If any one of these three people — Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed or David Halls — had done their job, Halyna Hutchins would be alive today. It’s that simple,” said Andrea Reeb, the special prosecutor appointed by the DA to the case. “The evidence clearly shows a pattern of criminal disregard for safety on the ‘Rust’ film set. In New Mexico, there is no room for film sets that don’t take our state’s commitment to gun safety and public safety seriously.”

According to Russell Cormican, a local criminal defense attorney, the prosecutions will have a difficult time proving their case against Baldwin.

“Unlike many other criminal offenses, involuntary manslaughter does not require that the person acted with the intent to commit the crime. Therefore, the fact that Alec Baldwin did not mean to shoot the victim in this case is immaterial,” Cormican said. “However, the prosecutor will need to establish that Mr. Baldwin’s actions were reckless and lacking in due care in order to secure a conviction. That may be a difficult task in this case. Mr. Baldwin will be able to argue that he relied in good faith on the representations of a professional armorer, who informed him that the gun was not loaded. The armorer is a trained professional who is skilled in the handling of firearms, so Mr. Baldwin can argue that his reliance on those representations was reasonable and not reckless.”

John McDonald

Mary Carmack-Altwies and Alec Baldwin. Photos via Facebook.

John McDonald

Photo via Adobe Stock.

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DR. SHEETAL SHARMA

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CONVENTION THIS WEEKEND BRINGS TOGETHER ANIME AND INK

Christopher Flores

TATTOOS. ANIME.

What do you get when you combine the two? This weekend’s Anime Ink Convention at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Over 400 artists and 50 vendors from all over the country will come together to express their love of these combined artforms.

Tattoos apply art to the human body. They’re very personal pieces of artwork. Another artistic form called anime uses flashy images and compelling stories to weave tapestries of narrative, which has fans all over the world. Now these two artforms come together for the first ever Anime / Tattoo convention in Miami Beach.

One studio owner, Mark Tyler, sat down with SFGN to discuss what it means being a LGBT member in a predominantly heterosexual industry.

“Sadly, there’s still a lot of homophobia and toxic masculinity,” he said. “I want people to know that you should never have to change, or hide, who you truly are in order to be accepted or fit in.”

Why did anime tattoos become his specialty?

“I grew up with the X-Men and found them relatable. They were seen as mutants and outcasted by society,” he said. “They

would hide their powers in order to fit in. It was relatable back then being gay and closeted.”

Tyler’s booth will be #628 for Stonghold Tattoo.

SFGN also sat down with DK-Sama to discuss what it was like being a Black artist in the tattoo industry.

“I’ve been pushed away from shops, even clients have shied away because of my skin color,” he said. “I’ve always been a person who rather put in[to] action so once I started getting a little traction I always make sure to have my work set to go well on any skin, but especially Black clients. I want my work to be notable for every skin type as well – so I don’t get the ‘good for a Black artist.’”

The convention takes place this weekend at the Miami Beach Convention Center Jan. 27 to Jan 29. Adults only. Single day tickets start at $26 with weekend passes starting at $60.

HOURS

ARE:

FRIDAY: 3 TO 10 P.M.

SATURDAY: 11 A.M. TO 10 P.M.

SUNDAY: 11 A.M. TO 7 P.M.

Visit www.animeinkcon.com for more information.

Tattoo by Mark Tyler (left), and tattoo by DK-Sama (right). Photos via www.animeinkcon.com.

PALM BEACH

TRANSPIRE HELP KICKS OFF 2023 WITH ‘QUEERS GOT TALENT’

Deon C. Jefferson

FOR YEARS TALENT COMPETITIONS

LIKE “AMERICAN IDOL,” “RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE,” AND “THE MASKED SINGER” HAVE BEEN MAKING SUPERSTARS AND HOUSEHOLD NAMES OVERNIGHT. PALM BEACH COUNTY IS GEARING UP TO HOLD ITS OWN COMPETITION, “QUEERS GOT TALENT.” THE TALENT COMPETITION WILL TAKE PLACE ON FEB. 10 AT COMPASS COMMUNITY CENTER IN LAKE WORTH BEACH. TRANSPIRE HELP IS THE HOSTING ORGANIZATION AND CREATORS OF THE EVENT.

“We wanted to give our community the opportunity to shine and show off talents that may otherwise go unrecognized,” said Donna Weinberger, CEO of Transpire Help.

TH assists with resources necessary for individuals of the LGBT community to create a solid foundation for healthy and fulfilling lives. TH also provides funds for housing, behavioral health services, access

to qualified healthcare, and more.

The idea for the event came from one of the recipients of their scholarships. Faithful volunteer George Lydon is playing a huge role in facilitating the event. Adding more fundraising and programming was something TH focused on with the launch of events like Fashion on the Block and Drag Bingo. This year, TH will celebrate the third year of its all-inclusive Pride on the Block celebration.

For the competition, performers are not just encouraged to sing or dance; TH is welcoming talent of all kinds. There will be specific categories for the performers that will include Drag King & Drag Queens, Spoken Word, Design, and dance. The first-place winner will receive $100 and the secondplace winner gets $50.

You can sign up by visiting transpirehelp. org and buy tickets on eventbrite.com.

LGBT COACH, ANDERS NELSON, LEADS VANDERBILT’S NEW VARSITY PROGRAM

Anders Nelson can still recall how he felt when Michael Sam came out as gay. Nelson, a college volleyball player, lacked gay role models in male team sports, but now he had someone to look up to.

Nelson remained unsure about his ability to escape on his own, though. He was hesitant to move forward because he was unsure of how others would view him.

That changed when he returned home to help out a buddy who was ill. Nelson learned from the event that life is precious and that he should start living it to the utmost.

Nelson is thriving on all fronts 10 years later. He and his husband, Mark, recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary, and he was recently appointed to oversee the rebirth of a Division 1 volleyball program at a major SEC university.

Nelson was chosen to lead women’s volleyball at Vanderbilt University, the

school’s 17th varsity sport. The program was canceled after the 1979-80 school year, according to Vanderbilt Hustler.

Donna Weinberger, CEO of Transpire Help. Photo by JR Davis.

SPORTS PLAYING WITH PRIDE

Anders Nelson. Photo courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics.

Everitt Rosen

DESANTIS MAY EXPAND ‘PARENTAL RIGHTS’

Last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education Act into law, prohibiting the discussion of LGBT topics in classrooms teaching kindergarten through third grade.

One of the law’s biggest supporters is Moms for Liberty, a largely conservative nonprofit created with the goal to protect parental rights in schools. Angela Dubach,

the Pinellas County chapter chair of the organization, spoke before the Pinellas County legislative delegation on expanding the reach of the law.

“We are advocating to increase that as far as ages and grades to have it be K-8,” Florida Phoenix reports Dubach saying.

Their desire for further coverage could become a reality. The state legislature is reportedly considering amending the law to include classrooms up to the sixth grade.

In a press availability last December, Florida’s Senate president Kathleen Passidomo voiced her support for including three more grades than originally written into the act.

According to DeSantis’ Press Secretary Bryan Griffin, the governor is open to signing off on such an expansion.

“The governor would certainly consider the merits of such a bill in the final form if it comes to his desk as a product of the forthcoming legislation session,” Griffin told DailyMail.com.

As opponents of the Parental Rights Act have feared, lawmakers are going after more than what was passed last summer.

Benjamin Manning

Gov. Ron DeSantis. Photo via Facebook.

Captain Bruce

STORK’S DELIVERS

TAKING ANOTHER LOOK AT A BEST OF WINNER

STORK’S BAKERY

2505 NE 15th Ave., Wilton Manors 954-567-3220 storksbakery.com

With its consistent presence in our annual Best Of listings, I would think that everyone was familiar with Stork’s, but I am always surprised by longterm residents who are completely unaware of what quite possibly could be the best pastry café in South Florida.

Stork’s has been a local Wilton Manors favorite since 1997. Those who think of it as “just a coffee shop” couldn’t be more wrong! While it does feature freshly brewed coffee each day, as well as a vast array of teas, smoothies, cappuccinos, and lattes, it also offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner items to take home or enjoy in the quaint dining room or lovely patio. The food is gourmet Mediterranean. Stork’s also offers catering.

Jim Stork opened the store in 1997. Joining him in this venture was Peter Dekaj, who functioned as his pastry chef and managing partner. Jim had previously been the mayor of Wilton Manors. He and Peter worked side by side establishing the business for 10 years. In 2007, Peter assumed ownership of Stork’s.

Stork’s café is open every day of the year until midnight. Breakfast is served until noon, Monday through Friday, and 1 p.m. on the weekends. Menu items of course include a tremendous selection of pastries, but there are also omelets, breakfast sandwiches, and wraps. The full café menu is available from opening and closing and features hot and cold sandwiches, soups, salads, and entrées. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert. Whether it’s something as simple as a cookie or bar, cannoli, or baklava it will be the best version of that treat you’ve ever eaten. The cakes and crumbles are just as spectacular; whether you opt for Mom’s towering fudge cake or the exotic white chocolate pistachio cheesecake, you are certain to be satisfied. Don’t tell my cardiologist, but sometimes, I just skip dinner and have two desserts!

If you haven’t been to Stork’s, you owe it to yourself. We’re far enough into the new year that you’ve already broken those resolutions anyway!

SIDE DISH

WILTON MANORS DINING SCENE

Things have tended to be consistent in Wilton Manors as far as the dining scene goes. We have a lot of successful restaurants, and even those spaces that don’t seem to be able to maintain a tenant have been settled into quite nicely for a while. So, when three changes to the dining landscape occur the effect is seismic. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating. The ground didn’t shake, but the news was ground-breaking. First, Lotus Chinese Kitchen, a Wilton Manors staple since 1975, is moving to 3020 N. Federal taking over the space once occupied by short-lived diner Toast. Lotus owner John Yang says he will keep the original location open until the Federal location opens in April when his current lease expires. Yang did not want to move, but the new owners of the mall in which Lotus is located intend to tear down the existing shops and build a condominium development on the property. La Salchipaperia D.C. is opening in the space formerly occupied by Jack’s BBQ and Gyro Express on Oakland Park Blvd. Salchipapas

is a South American street food. It looks like French fries tossed with pan-fried hot dog slices, doused in ketchup. This is the first U.S. location of the Colombia-born chain. Bagels & Co. will be the first Florida outpost of a bagel-centric breakfast chain based out of Philly. It’s in the former Starbucks near Five Points. Its claim to fame is variety, with 17 bagel flavors and 29 specialty cream cheese flavors.

FOOD NETWORK’S

SOUTH BEACH WINE& FOOD FESTIVAL

The star-studded, four-day destination event displaying the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs, and culinary personalities returns next month. The festival takes place Feb. 23–26, 2023, and this year the event will truly live up to its name with all events except one taking place in the Miami area. In the past, many events were held in Fort Lauderdale. All net proceeds from the festival benefit the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.

HUNGRY FOR MORE?  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. The views Rick expresses are his own and do not represent the opinion of SFGN.

Photo via Stork’s Bakery, Facebook.

Rick Karlin

Photo via Stork’s Bakery, Facebook.

‘QUEER DUCKS’

Aurora Dominguez

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR MOST RECENT BOOK?

When I was 11, I started lingering over the Fruit of the Loom ads in my brother’s Rolling Stone and realized I was gay. As a big nerd, my first step was to look up “homosexuality” in every encyclopedia I could find. The results were depressing — every time, it was characterized as a psychological aberration unique to humans. I made it to the other side of that and came to love being gay, but many young people don’t survive that feeling of deep shame of being “wrong.” It turns out that these centuries of claims about homosexuality not existing in nature — that have led to death penalty statutes and widespread discrimination — were wrong. It’s natural.

WHAT DOES “READING WITH PRIDE” MEAN TO YOU?

I think we readers have to keep opening our doors wider, empathizing with greater and greater numbers of people. I’m a cis gay man and reading books by femaleidentifying people, books by trans or bi or ace authors, has helped me really internalize the great diversity of viewpoints in the queer community.

WHY DO YOU FEEL REPRESENTATION OF A VARIETY OF PEOPLE IS SO IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO WRITING BOOKS?

Writing for young people especially, I know the power of a book to make someone feel less alone. Especially in places with smaller queer communities, a book might be the one thing keeping a kid from feeling isolated.

TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE BOOK AND WHY YOU DECIDED TO WRITE IT.

Why would evolution ever allow for homosexual behavior in animals? We’ve come a long way from the simple “survival

of the fittest” arguments of Darwin. Turns out that for animals — just as for humans — sex serves a variety of purposes, not just procreation. Sexual union produces oxytocin, which promotes bonding and alliances within a group, like bonobo females and bottlenose dolphin males. Other uses of same-sex sexual behavior: Groups of garter snake males will have sex in order to heat up all their bodies; upwards of a third of penguin couples are same-sex, building a foster system into their population, to take care of otherwise abandoned eggs. A recent theory, “bisexual advantage,” argues that more fluid sexuality increases reproduction across a population.

WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT FROM YOUR BOOK?

“Only the good parts” of the recent bloom of scientific research into same-sex sexual behavior in animals, plus interviews with a variety of scientists of different gender identities and backgrounds, and a whole lot of amazing animal sex anecdotes to bring to your next cocktail party!

Church of Our Savior MCC

In “Queer Ducks,” author Eliot Schrefer takes a different approach to implement LGBT themes in his book — by studying queer behavior between animals.

Photos via www.eliotschrefer.com.

CONSERVATIVES TRIGGERED OVER ‘JOKER’ PREGNANCY PLOT

Conservatives have found a new thing to be mad about: a pregnant Joker.

In “The Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing,” DC Comics writes a never-beforeseen story and features the Joker suffering from a curse, and becoming pregnant as a result.

However, conservatives aren’t too happy with the new plot.

Former GOP congressional candidate Robby Starbuck weighed in on the new issue, tweeting, “In the new Joker comic he gets pregnant and gives birth. Yep, the Joker is trans now,” he said.

No, he’s not. It was a fictional curse in a fictional world placed on a fictional character. This volume, which was created by Matthew Rosenberg and Carmine Di Giadomenico, isn’t about the Joker becoming trans and giving birth. The Joker wanted to have a child and heir in a more traditional way with Zatanna, but he instead finds himself cursed and gives birth in a vomit-inducing way, according to Fox News.

Zatanna, a magic user, was disturbed by the

Joker’s advances toward her, therefore casting a spell on him to ensure that “no one else will ever have [the Joker’s] baby.”

However, something goes wrong and the spell impregnates him, forcing him to have his own baby. The Joker ends up vomiting out a baby boy that looks just like him.

Not everyone is mad about this, however. AquaAnne Loves Comics! tweets, “I don’t get everyone freaking out about the pregnant joker panel Y’all, try reading more comics I guarantee that’s not even the weirdest thing that happens this month…if not just this week lol.”

Credit: DC Comics.

Kim Swan

The guy in the median, holding a cardboard sign with an unreadable plea that was faded by time and the weather, walked with a palsied leg in the frigid rain, hoping someone would give him some money.

The conventional wisdom is not to give money to people in those circumstances because then there would be a homeless person, or one pretending to be, at every traffic light in the city. We’re encouraged to donate money to feed the hungry through our grocery store, or a nonprofit organization.

“You give lots of money already,” I told myself. “What if he’s faking the disability?” “What if he uses the money for alcohol?” And “If you give to him today, he’ll be here every day.”

By the time I had run through all of the reasons I shouldn’t dig my wallet out of my side pocket, I was relieved to see the light turn green, and, of course, I shouldn’t hold up traffic.

“Dammit,” I said as I drove on. “It’s freezing, he’s standing in the rain, and what difference does it make that you give to every food drive? Go back and give him some money.”

“It’s too late.”

“It’s NOT too late. Make the u-turn up there and go back.”

And so, I did. And then another u-turn to

reach him. He was up at the light, and I was several cars back. I held my hand out the window and waved the money I had pulled out of my wallet. He hobbled to me.

“Thanks,” he said. “I just want to eat before I go to the shelter tonight.”

“I’m Brian. What’s your name?”

He gave it.

“Take good care of yourself.”

“Thanks,” he said, as we looked eye to eye. Suddenly then, the person in the car behind me lowered the window and stuck their arm out with money.

“You cheapskate,” I said to myself as I continued on my errands. “You should have given him more.”

I tell this personally embarrassing story merely to say that often in my life I’ve needed to make u-turns, and then another, to find the person I wronged or who wronged me. Sometimes it’s a physical act of actually going back to apologize so that both they and I can move on, and sometimes the u-turn is mental, knowing that if I don’t forgive them and let go, I’ll be driving in circles for the rest of my life.

It doesn’t matter whether or not the person forgives me, or if I think I’m a cheapskate, or if the litter I went back to is still there. What matters is that I’m creating a practice of taking responsibility for my actions, and not assuming I know the intentions of the other.

Brian McNaught has been an author and educator on LGBTQ issues since 1974. Former Congressman Barney Frank said of Brian, “No one has done a better job of chronicling what it’s like to grow up gay." www.brian-mcnaught.com.

Photo via Pixabay.

Brian McNaught

FLORIDA GRAND OPERA OFFERS COMEDIC DOUBLE BILL

J.W. Arnold

South Florida opera fans will experience a unique double bill Puccini’s only comic opera and a rare operatic sequel at the Arsht and Broward Centers.

Florida Grand Opera (FGO) will stage “Gianni Schicchi” and “Buoso’s Ghost” by Michael Ching, both one-act operas. Chinese-American director Mo Zhou helms the performances with Ching on the podium, offering audiences the rare opportunity to witness a composer conducting his own work.

Based on an incident mentioned in Dante’s “Inferno,” Giacomo Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” is named for a wily lawyer and newcomer to Florence, whose daughter Lauretta is in love with the scion of an influential family. The Donatis view the Schicchis as upstarts and object to the relationship.

When rich Uncle Buoso dies and leaves his wealth to the church, his scheming relatives are forced to call on Schicchi for help in altering the will before Buoso’s death is discovered. Schicchi obliges, but in helping the Donatis, he also deceitfully enriches himself.

“Buoso’s Ghost” begins at the moment “Schicchi” ends. As Schicchi surveys his newly acquired home, where Buoso’s body still lies in repose, he discovers that the Donatis poisoned the larder. Mayhem ensues as the lawyer defends himself against

“I think the audience takeaway will be a lot of laughs and how to untangle family feud and drama,” said Zhou. “This double bill is a great marriage between these two works. It’s a night of hysterical laughter, but it also shows the heart of our everyday being, facing hard choices personally and professionally. There’s no black and white in the story.”

Composer Ching, who also wrote the libretto, explained, “I quote the very last few bars [of ‘Schicchi’] and we just pick up after intermission ends with the same music. I use a fair amount of quotation and paraphrase of various styles. People will recognize pieces from the opera repertoire.”

“Schicchi” is performed in Italian with English and Spanish supertitles, while “Buoso’s Ghost” is sung in English with English and Spanish supertitles.

Both operas feature an ensemble cast, and Ching conceived “Buoso’s Ghost” to use the same voice types and most of the same characters as its predecessor.

In the title role, internationally acclaimed baritone Franco Pomponi returns to the FGO stage for the first time since 2017, when he sang the title role of “Eugene Onegin.” Lauretta will be portrayed by second-year Studio Artist, soprano Page Michels, who was seen as Carolina in the Sunday cast of FGO’s season opener, “El matrimonio secreto.”

family intrigue and outrageous allegations of murder.

Florida Grand Opera presents Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” and “Buoso’s Ghost” by Michael Ching, Jan. 28, 29 and 31 at the Arsht Center in Miami and Feb. 9 and 11 at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets start at $18 at FGO.org.

Florida Grand Opera will present Puccini’s only comedy, “Gianni Schicchi,” along with a 1996 sequel by Michael Ching at the Arsht and Broward Centers. Credit: Courtesy.

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