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January 31, 2018 • Volume 9 • Issue 5
2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943
Publisher • Norm Kent Norm.Kent@sfgn.com
Chief Executive Officer • Pier Angelo Guidugli Associate Publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com
Editorial
GLAAD Criticized for Incomplete LGBT Guide to Florida
Michael d’Oliveira
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LAAD’s Southern Stories: A Guide for Reporting on LGBTQ People in Florida has been criticized for factual errors and lacking information. Rand Hoch, a former judge and the president and founder of Palm Beach County Human Rights Council [PBCHRC], criticized GLAAD, an LGBT media watchdog organization, and laid out his criticisms in an email to the organization. He also spoke with SFGN. He called on the publication to be pulled until it can be corrected. In an email to GLAAD, Hoch stated that since GLAAD’s purpose was to ensure accurate and fair representation of the LGBT community “The Board of Directors of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council requests that your organization stop distributing the Southern Stories: A Guide for Reporting on LGBTQ People in Florida until such time as you can provide accurate information.” He went on to say that “PBCHRC is dismayed that GLAAD did so little research about the work done by LGBTQ organizations and individual activists in Florida” before publishing Southern Stories. “It is obvious that GLAAD relied solely on information provided by the report’s coauthor, Nadine Smith of Equality Florida. Relying on Equality Florida to provide an accurate LGBTQ history of Florida – especially when it comes to Palm Beach County – is like relying on Donald Trump for an accurate history of, well, anything.” Hoch’s specific criticisms included the wrong date for the foundation of SAVE [GLAAD stated it was founded in 1973, but the real date
is 1993]. “They didn’t even list PBCHRC on the organizations page!” wrote Hoch. Pride Center at Equality Park and SunServe, both located in Broward County, are also missing from the list of LGBT organizations. No Broward-based LGBT organizations were listed in the guide. “PBCHRC is also concerned that your statement that ‘By 2010, a steady roster of municipalities had begun adding LGBTQ protection’ is both inaccurate and misleading. We also feel that your timeline is woefully inadequate. There was a lot of activity on LGBTQ initiatives – especially in Alachua, Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach Counties – long before Equality Florida began their marketing and media-grabbing campaigns.” Hoch added that his organization has been generally pleased with GLAAD in the past. “But, in light of this publication, how can we ever rely on GLAAD in the future?” In an email response to Hoch’s criticisms, and a question about why no Broward LGBT organizations were listed, Smith wrote, “Equality Florida is proud to partner with GLAAD in creating an English- and Spanishlanguage guide to encourage media coverage of LGBTQ issues. The guide also assists news agencies in using the correct terminology and encourages them to speak directly to communities that are underrepresented in news coverage. I encourage organizations to share this important tool and provide additional information that can help encourage diverse and responsible coverage of LGBTQ MEMBER issues.” In an email response to Hoch, Zeke Stokes, MEMBER
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GLAAD’s vice president of programs, thanked him for reaching out. “We very much appreciate your keen eye and will make the correction you spotted to the founding year of SAVE DADE. A new version reflecting that correction will be posted to GLAAD’s site in the coming days. If there are other factual errors, we are happy to correct those as well. We spent a great deal of time researching and fact-checking this document, but of course, we sometimes make mistakes and always welcome corrections.” He added that the timeline wasn’t meant to give an entire account of LGBT history in Florida, but a brief overview. “We recognize that there was much, much more we could have included, thus the disclaimer in the guide on page 6: ‘The timeline on these pages accounts for some of the important milestones in Florida’s LGBTQ history. It is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to provide a context in which LGBTQ people in the state find themselves living at this critical juncture in the movement for equality and acceptance.’” Hoch responded that he understood the purpose of the timeline’s brevity, and suggested there were still some important firsts missing: the 1990 protection by Palm Beach County of LGBT workers employed by the county, West Palm Beach becoming the first public employer in Florida to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in 1991, and West Palm Beach becoming the first public employer in Florida to offer domestic partnership benefits. GLAAD did not respond to multiple media requests. x
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NLGJA Journalist of the Year South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs. Copyright © 2018 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.
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MEMBER
NEWS local Dean Trantalis standing with SFGN’s founders, Norm Kent and Piero Guidugli. See page 46 for more photos! Photo credit: J.R. Davis.
Trantalis, Castrataro Honored At SFGN Anniversary Party John McDonald
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losing in on the Mayorship, Fort “Dean wins this recognition for a life well Lauderdale Commissioner Dean lived as a spokesperson for human and LGBT Trantalis roused members of the LGBT rights,” wrote SFGN publisher Norm Kent in community at the SFGN anniversary party his weekly column. Thursday night. Trantalis led the effort to have Fort “It’s time we seek the pinnacle of success Lauderdale recognize same-sex marriage, a in this community,” said Trantalis from position outgoing Mayor Jack Seiler never the stage at Hunter’s Nightclub in Wilton warmed to. Manors. “And no better place does it show “Imagine a new scenario where the mayor itself than to be at the top of government in of a major southern city was a proponent of Fort Lauderdale.” your freedoms instead,” Kent wrote. Trantalis, one of two Attorney George Castrataro “Excellent in Achievement” was also honored by SFGN. honorees at the South Florida Castrataro placed third in Gay News 8th anniversary the race for Fort Lauderdale’s party, said the end goal is district two commissioner. in sight. In his acceptance “This is George’s first foray speech, he noted historical into politics and his candidacy accomplishments made along challenged a qualified, popular the way. gay opponent, a former city “We came together because commissioner, along with a our community knew we were young West Point graduate,” not going to allow police officers Kent wrote. “George wants to to raid our bars,” Trantalis said. champion causes and people he “We were not going to allow thinks the city is forgetting. His - Norm Kent SFGN Publisher police officers to confront us past performance, ethics and without provocation. We were advocacy makes him a worthy not going to allow our equal rights to be candidate.” transgressed by other people who felt we Castrataro thanked the room at Thursday were not good enough to be married or not night’s awards party and quickly pivoted to good enough to live in housing projects or heap praise on Kent, who launched SFGN be hired like everybody else. We put those with his business partner Piero Guidugli backward notions away and we now live in a eight years ago. community where everyone shares equally.” “It’s a privilege to stand next to Norm Trantalis won the first round of the mayoral Kent,” Castrataro said. “Norm has done election, defeating rivals Bruce Roberts and so many amazing things for us, including Charlotte Rodstrom with 46 percent of the giving us this newspaper that we rely on so vote. With Rodstrom eliminated, Trantalis much to know what’s going on and to be now faces Roberts, the city’s ex-police chief, familiar with our community. We are really one-on-one, in the March 13 election. fortunate.”
“Dean wins this recognition for a life well lived as a spokesperson for human and LGBT rights.”
1.31.2018 •
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NEWS online
Action Online
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Julia Bloom (left) and Fleur Pierets. Photo via Pierets, Facebook.
Anti-Gay Group Liberty Counsel Has Its Lawsuit Thrown Out in Court
Anti-Gay U.S. ‘Death to Gays’ Pastor Banned from Entering Jamaica
Pastor Steven Anderson, photo by sanderson1611 via Wikimedia Commons.
Rappers Cardi B and Offset Under Fire For Homophobic Remarks
Photo via YouTube.
Democratic Senator to Bring Transgender Soldier to Donald Trump’s State of The Union Address
Left: Democratic Congressman Joe Kennedy, public domain. Right: Staff Sergeant Patricia King, via TrishKing.me.
6. Overwatch League Pro Suspended For Slurs Against Gay Opponent Left: Félix ‘xQc’ Lengyel, photo via Twitter / @xQc. Right: Austin ‘Muma’ Wilmot, photo via Twitter / @Muma.
7. K-Pop Breakout Star Addresses Sexuality in New Music Video 8. Three LGBT Women Prepare for Pyeongchang Olympics Australian snowboarder Belle Brockhoff. Photo via Twitter / @bellebrockoff
9. Washington Poised as Next State to Ban Gay Conversion Therapy 10. Pets... Social Butterflies! Pictured left: Caramel (i.d. 588613)
Visit SFGN.com to stay up to date on all the news across the web! Twitter.com/SoFlaGayNews Facebook.com/SouthFloridaGayNews
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1 . 31.2018
NEWS coffee and conversation
Seniors Do Yoga To Destress This week's Coffee & Conversation
John McDonald Destressing techniques were introduced at Tuesday morning’s Coffee & Conversation program at Pride Center. Joseph Hamilton, volunteer coordinator for Trustbridge, offered ways to destress. Trustbridge is a hospice and end-of-life care company serving Palm Beach and Broward Counties. “We need volunteers to make sure people don’t suffer mentally, spiritually and emotionally, that’s the whole point,” said Hamilton. Stress is life’s No. 1 killer, Hamilton said. He then led the group in yoga and deep breathing exercises. Elsewhere, Pride Center Chief Executive Officer Robert Boo said plans to bring senior affordable housing to Equality Park remain alive. “We are doing everything we can to make this dream come true,” Boo said. Boo said he would also be watching tonight’s State of the Union address. He said his trip to Israel and education about the Knesset taught
him the importance of listening to all points of view to find common ground. Other speakers this week were Michael Albetta with the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Pride Center employees Ebony Wilson and Roger Roa and R.J. Hadley with the City of Wilton Manors. Albetta advised the room to avoid scams from telephone calls claiming to be from the IRS. “The IRS does not call you, they send you a letter first and you call them,” Albetta said. Wilson said she is collecting donations for the Florida AIDS Walk, Roa plugged the center’s cruise to Mexico and Hadley talked about the city’s free shuttle. For more information about coffee and conversation, contact Bruce Williams, Senior Services Coordinator at 954-463-9005, ext. 109
1.31.2018 •
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LGBTQIA bites
L
Lesbian
Lesbian Parents Given Custody Over Sperm Donor
By Ryan Lynch
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Bisexual
TV Show Grown-ish Character Takes on Biphobia Photo Credit: Freeform/ Eric McCandless.
An Albany appeals court ruled in favor of a lesbian couple who were looking to block a sperm donor from trying to take custody of their child. The court blocked the donor from taking a test to determine his paternity of the child, according to the Albany TimesUnion. The judge ruled that the parents were the presumed guardians through marriage and testing would provide stress to the child. “[G]ranting the request of a sperm
donor for a paternity test would effectively disrupt, if not destroy, this family unit and nullify the child’s established relationship with the wife, her other mother,” Justice Robert C. Mulvey wrote in his ruling. “Testing in these circumstances exposes children born into same-gender marriages to instability for no justifiable reason other than to provide a father-figure for children who already have two parents.”
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In a recent episode of grown-ish, bisexual character Nomi tackled a person’s misconceptions about her sexuality. A lesbian character took Nomi out on a date in the episode “Starboy,” and she was offered a drink by a male character, according to NewNowNext. After rejecting the drink and later revealing she was bisexual, the lesbian character downplayed Nomi’s sexuality to a “phase.”
“Wait, did you just say ‘phase?’” Nomi said. “She just said ‘phase,’ you guys. I heard it!” As her date storms off, Nomi yells across the crowded bar, “You know, it’s LG-B-TQ. Respect the letter, bitch!” According to a study from adult toy company Adam and Eve, 47 percent of Americans would not date a bisexual person of any gender. On the other side, 35 percent said they would date a bisexual person.
LGBTQIA bites
T
Transgender
Oscars Nominate First Trans Director for Award Photo: Yance Ford, via Twitter.
Accounting and Tax Services The Academy Awards made LGBT history with their 2018 nominations. Yance Ford became the first ever transgender director to be nominated for an award, according to NBC News. His film “Strong Island” follows the 1992 murder of his brother and was nominated for best documentary. “I think that everybody out there should know that there is a generation
of trans directors who are coming for their Oscars,” Ford said to Entertainment Weekly. “So this might be the first, but it certainly won’t be the last.” The Academy Awards also nominated Sebastian Lelio’s “A Fantastic Woman” for best foreign film. The Chilean movie follows a transgender woman’s mistreatment following the death of her boyfriend.
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NEWS national
Study Estimates Nearly 80,000 LGBT Youth At Risk To Receive Conversion Therapy Tucker Berardi
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here is a fight to ban conversion therapy in Florida and throughout the United States. While therapists and psychological groups alike have denounced the practice as ineffective and dangerous, there is a lack of big data showing just how far a reach the therapy has — until now. Conversion therapy is the attempt to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity through a number of therapeutic methods and has been found to hurt intimacy, as well as increasing rates of depression, substance and alcohol abuse and increase suicidality. Personal stories and anecdotes are effective in showing how individual lives are affected — but now a new study from Williams Institute shows just how many peoples lives are impacted. And the numbers are extensive. “Many professional health associations and the public support ending the use of conversion therapy on LGBT youth,” Christy Mallory, the state and local policy director at the Williams Institute and lead author of the study said. “Our research shows that laws banning conversion therapy could protect tens of thousands of teens from what medical experts say is a harmful and ineffective practice.” According to the study, approximately 6,000 LGBT youth (age 13-17) living in states where conversion therapy is banned would have been subjected to conversion therapy if their states never enacted a ban.
“A good share of the conversion therapy that is going on is being done by unlicensed therapists and clergy.” - Rand Hoch
President of the PBCHRC
What is staggering is the number of youth still at risk of going through conversion therapy. 20,000 current LGBT youth are estimated to go through state-licensed conversion therapy in the United States. Mallory said that the number could be reduced if more states and areas were to ban conversion therapy for licensed therapists. However, many parents turn to clergy and other unlicensed therapists to conduct the therapy in lieu of a state-licensed professional. The Williams Institute approximates about 57,000 current LGBT youth will receive therapy from unlicensed individuals before the age of 18. “With such a large number of teens at risk of conversion therapy,” study author and Williams Institute research director Kerith Conron said. “We must ensure that families,
faith communities and service providers have accurate information about sexual orientation and gender identity and work to reduce stigma and promote acceptance of LGBT youth and families.” A lack of awareness is not the only issue, however. Groups like the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) and the Liberty Council are working to promote conversion therapy and prevent further bans from being enacted. While there are a large number of LGBT youth currently at risk for licensed and unlicensed conversion therapy, the number of U.S. adults that underwent the practice at some point in their life is even more astounding. The study estimates 698,000 LGBT adults in the U.S. have received conversion therapy, including 350,000 estimated to have received the therapy as adolescents. As projected by the study, these numbers will only grow unless conversion therapy — in all forms — is banned. “A good share of the conversion therapy that is going on is being done by unlicensed therapists and clergy. And people like Julie Hamilton [of NARTH] are going out and training those sorts of people,” Rand Hoch, president of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council said. “At this stage, we cannot really take on clergy or parents or things like that, but I hope that one day we can ban [conversion therapy] everywhere.”
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1 . 31.2018
NEWS miami-dade
Miami LGBT Democrats Hold Kickoff Event Gay candidates gave speeches, helped recruit volunteers for the Caucus at Hotel Gaythering Photos courtesy of David Richardson.
Jose Cassola
jocacommunications@outlook.com
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wo openly gay candidates seeking political office in Miami-Dade County spoke to prospective voters at a kickoff event for the 2018 election season Jan. 20 at the Hotel Gaythering in Miami Beach. State Representative David Richardson, who is running for the congressional seat currently occupied by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Javier Estevez, who is running for the State House in District 105, laid out their agenda for the upcoming campaign season at the event — organized by the Miami-Dade LGBTA Democratic Caucus, which relaunched in April 2017. Richardson — who is currently in his third term as State Rep. and was the first openly gay individual elected to the Florida Legislature six years ago — has much he would like to accomplish in Washington if elected to Congress. His platform includes prison reform, healthcare, gun violence and LGBT issues — such as housing protections for LGBT individuals facing discrimination, banning conversion therapy for gay minors and repealing the marriage equality prohibition “we still have on the books.” Richardson says the “most important thing that we have to do” this election season is get more Democrats elected in the state of Florida. “The Florida Legislature is two-thirds controlled by the Republican Party and the Democrats are in the super minority with only a third,” Richardson said. “All of those issues that are important to Democrats are not gonna get a hearing, they’re not gonna get talked about, they’re not gonna get a vote until we have more Democrats on the floor....Democrats are winning in seats that have not been won in many, many years and that’s really encouraging for what’s going to happen this coming November.” Estevez, who describes himself as a “regular guy from the neighborhood” — “I’m not a lawyer, I’m not a businessman....I’m a full-time assistant manager at American Eagle” — said he is running for office because he is “sick and tired of the legislators not prioritizing our community and the issues that affect us.” A lifelong Democrat and Cuban American, this is Estevez’s first time running for office, although he has volunteered before for SAVE and other Democratic candidates. The seat he is campaigning for encompasses areas west of Southwest
“Democrats are winning in seats that have not been won in many, many years and that’s really encouraging for what’s going to happen this coming November.” - David Richardson state representative
107th Avenue, north of Southwest Eighth Street, up to Miramar, west to Naples and south to the Hammocks and Country Walk. “Mostly, I just have seen the lack of interest from the legislature to really focus on solving the issues that most affect my community,” said Estevez, 32, who lives in Sweetwater. “There are a lot of issues affecting our community and our city, but I know that there’s ways we can fix it.” Estevez said the first step is to pass legislation to keep any discriminatory actions away from “our community.” “We need to make sure that all of the LGBTQ community is protected from discrimination once and for all....and we need to make sure that our trans brothers and sisters are protected under that,” Estevez said. “We also need to build our public education system...and raise the pay for teachers...We have to protect the kids.” In addition, Estevez says there needs to be plans in place to combat climate change, use renewable energies and expand Medicaid in the state of Florida. “The fact that Florida isn’t leading in solar energy production in this country is ridiculous and we need to change it right away,” Estevez said. “The fact that we’ve ignored expanding Medicaid has hurt the most vulnerable in our communities and we need to end it. These are just some of the issues that are affecting us every single day.” In spite of these issues, Estevez said he still has hope because he’s seen “men and women of every age, race and sexual orientation” stand up and “stand strong to run for office and fight for these issues...” “We have a fight to fight and this is our moment to fight
it,” Estevez said. “I know that if we all come together right now, we can build a future that we can all believe in. We can build a future where we all finally strive and not just survive. We can build a future where a family doesn’t have to worry about sending their kids to a good public school. And we can build a future where a family doesn’t worry about putting food on their tables or that their cities are safe or if WE are safe leaving a club on Miami Beach....If you join [me] right now for this fight in this moment, I know that we can finally begin to build tomorrow today.” Walker Burttschell, president of the Miami-Dade LGBT Democrats, said the kickoff event was a great way “to get our base, our gay community excited about the upcoming elections in 2018.” Volunteers helped register people to vote, update people’s voter registration cards, sign up other volunteers and get people to sign up for the Caucus. “We plan to have a really strong presence in 2018,” Burttschell said. “We want to be in all the bars at least once a month up until the elections. We’re really pushing people to go out and vote in November.” Burttschell added: “Our mission is to regain the Democratic majority we held just a few years ago. To do that we need YOU. We are proud to represent your voice, regardless if it is a GLBT voice or other person that faces discrimination. We are the only GLBT organization in Miami-Dade County affiliated with the Democratic Party and we welcome anyone to join us to help elect progressive, fair-minded Democrats.” For more information, visit www.miami-dadedems.lgbt. 1.31.2018 •
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What is TRUVADA for PrEP?
Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP?
TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription medicine that is used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.
Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: ® Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. ® Also take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: ® Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA. ® Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. ® Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. ® Bone problems, including bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP? Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-negative. ® Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. ® You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. ® If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. ® To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: ® Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. ® Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you. ® Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. ® Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. ® If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: ® Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV and stop taking TRUVADA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.
What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP?
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP? ® All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. ® If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA. ® If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can be passed to the baby in breast milk. ® All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. ® If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include certain medicines to treat hepatitis C (HCV) infection. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page.
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I’m irresistible, not irresponsible. I know who I am. And I make choices that fit my life. TRUVADA for PrEP™ is a once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when taken every day and used together with safer sex practices. ® TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex. ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP.
Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you. Learn more at truvada.com
9/12/17 10:14 AM 1.31.2018 •
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IMPORTANT FACTS
This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEPTM (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.
(tru-VAH-dah) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative. • Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. • You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you think you were exposed to HIV-1 or have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. • See the “How To Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information. TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.
ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA for PrEP is a prescription medicine used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. • To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health. Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. • Take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.
HOW TO TAKE TRUVADA FOR PrEP • Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. • Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • Use TRUVADA for PrEP together with condoms and safer sex practices. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP” section. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. • Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. • Bone problems. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP.
BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. • Have any other medical conditions. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can pass to the baby in breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA for PrEP.
HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK • Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. • Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.
GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV infection. • Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.
TRUVADA FOR PREP, the TRUVADA FOR PREP Logo, the TRUVADA Blue Pill Design, TRUVADA, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0162 07/17
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NEWS health
Black Community AIDS Remains a Crisis in the
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is on February 7
Denise Royal
To find a list of HIV testing locations near you, visit https: www.HIV.gov/locator.
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ore than 1.2 million people are living with HIV/ AIDS in the U.S., including more than 498,400 who are Black, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). HIV diagnoses among Blacks are concentrated in a handful of states, with ten accounting for the majority (68 percent) of Blacks living with an HIV diagnosis at the end of 2014. Florida closely follows New York at the top of the list, according to KFF. Blacks comprise nearly 16 percent of the adult population in Florida but represent 47 percent of adult HIV infection cases, and 52 percent of adult AIDS cases were reported in 2014 according to AIDSVu. The rate of black women living with an HIV diagnosis is nearly 18 times that of white women. The rate of black males living with an HIV diagnosis is 4.5 times that of whites. Wilson Williams (not his real name) is one of them – he received the diagnosis in 1997. The 51-year-old said the news was devastating. “I thought it was a death sentence,” he recalls. “I used to feel cursed, like God hated me for being gay.” But that was then. HIV treatments have come a long way – so has Williams. The West Palm Beach resident returned to college in his 40s and earned a bachelor’s degree. He has a new job, a 14-year committed relationship, and he’s been sober for three years. “I have a new respect for life. I am now more present. I want to do more than survive; I want to live!” But living well is not so easy for many black people with HIV/AIDS. The fight against HIV/AIDS is still looking tough under President Trump. His administration does not have a National Director of AIDS Policy; a shift from previous administrations, and late last month the president fired the entire council that advises the White House about the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The uncertainty about policy remains as blacks,
especially, young black, gay men, the demographic where the majority of new HIV infections are occurring, are hit the hardest. Blacks maintain the highest death rate among all populations diagnosed with HIV. If current rates persist, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) projects that approximately one in 20 black men, one in 48 black women, and one in two black gay and bisexual men will receive a diagnosis of HIV during their lifetimes. Why? In part because of poverty, lack of access to health care, racial inequality and stigma. “Stigma remains one of the many barriers in the fight against HIV/ AIDS within the black community,” said Lorenzo Lowe, Director of HIV Prevention at Compass the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Palm Beach County. “Unfortunately, we as a community are remaining silent about our needs and our fears. The judgment and shaming surrounding HIV/AIDS tend to be more harmful than the disease itself. Adherence to treatment will promote longevity and quality of life. However, it is
BLACK ART AWAKENING AT THE PRIDE CENTER The Pride Center at Equality Park hosts a Black Art Awakening as part of its NBHAAD commemoration. A spoken word artist will share her story of living with HIV. Compass hosts a dinner for NBHAAD on Tuesday, Feb. 6. The event begins at 6 p.m., there will be a presenter and food will be served. Anyone interested in attending should RSVP to Alejandro Rodriguez at 561-533-9699 ext. 4003 or alejandro@compassglcc.com. Compass is located at 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth.
the narrative of life ending at HIV positive that needs to change.” National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) is Feb. 7. The 2018 theme is “Stay the Course; the Fight is Not Over!” NBHAAD aims to raise awareness of HIV/ AIDS prevention, care, and treatment among Africans Americans in the U.S., as well as serve as a catalyst to mobilize the African American community. The NBHAAD initiative leverages a national platform to educate, bring awareness, and act with organizers planning activities and events, particularly in cities with the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in African American communities. Testing is another key aspect of NBHAAD. Testing helps reduce the transmission of HIV. Early diagnosis allows those infected to take steps to protect their partners from infection, and early treatment can lower viral load, and reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others by 96 percent. “Preventive medicine is the best medicine,” said Williams. “Get tested. Be proactive. I wish I had been tested sooner.” Treatment helps people with HIV live healthy lives and prevents transmission of the virus to partners. But too few African Americans living with HIV receive the care and treatment they need. The CDC estimates that of the roughly half a million African Americans living with HIV in 2013, 87 percent were aware of their status. And a recent CDC study suggests that among African Americans with diagnosed HIV, less than half (49 percent in 2013) have achieved viral suppression (that is, the virus is under control at a level that helps them stay healthy and reduces the risk of transmission). Williams is one of them. His viral load has been undetectable for years. These days, he takes two medications, in the morning –and before bed. “I feel healthy,” he said. “HIV or not.”
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NEWS local
SFGN awarded by the Florida Youth Pride Coalition SFGN Staff South Florida Gay News was named as one of the recipients of the Media Icon award by the Florida Youth Pride Coalition, an award that honors a “commitment and dedication that has inspired the lives of youth.”
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NEWS state
Smart RIde Raises $830,000 John McDonald
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ollowing the conclusion of another SMART Ride, Glen Weinzimer had a message for people who complain about their lives. “I try to keep things in perspective,” Weinzimer said. “So you got a flat tire, you know what? Some people can’t afford their medicine or have no place to live.” Weinzimer told SFGN final figures for the 14th annual SMART Ride (Southern Most AIDS Ride). He said $830,245 was raised this cycle, a satisfying total for a rescheduled event, and registration for the next ride is at record pace. “I am completely blown away by the community and their support,” Weinzimer said. One of the riders this year was Kevin Clevenger, who participated on behalf of the Poverello Center in Wilton Manors. “The SMART Ride was incredible,” Clevenger said. “I love the experience coming from a first time rider. I had volunteered the past two years and that had inspired me to take my commitment to the next level.”
Smart Ride participants.
A 165-mile course from Miami to Key West, the SMART Ride raises money for HIV/ AIDS service organizations. In Key West, cyclists received a police escort and closing ceremonies are held at White Street Pier. “Key West welcomed us with open arms,” Weinzimer said. “It was truly a one human family experience — police escort, confetti, marching band. It was great.” Planning is underway for the next ride, Weinzimer said. SMART Ride 15 is set for Nov. 16-17.
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NEWS feature
Six Victims Accuse Local Gay Man of
Sexual Exploitation
The #MeToo movement inspired them to come forward with their stories Bruce Presley was their housemaster at school. It was his job to watch over them and protect them. Now, 40 years later, six of those students have come forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct and abusing his power. Jason Parsley
This is McPherson House, where six men from the class of 1978 recently told SFGN they were abused by their housemaster. Photo credit Lawrenceville School, Twitter.
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Photo credit Lawrenceville School, Facebook.
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ush ups. Sit ups. Jumping jacks. Repeat. John Watkin, 59, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina can remember those exercises like they happened yesterday, even though it was 40 years ago in 1978. It was punishment. All high school kids get in trouble. But this wasn’t a normal reprimand. Watkin was naked and dripping wet while his housemaster, a long time teacher at the prestigious Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, sat in his brown leather chair a few feet away and watched him, instructing him on which exercises to complete. The housemaster who made Watkin do these naked exercises is Bruce Presley — a prominent gay entrepreneur, philanthropist, and documentarian in South Florida. He’s a former board member of the Stonewall National Museum & Archives and a current board member of the South Florida Symphony Orchestra. SFGN named him as one of its OUT50 honorees in 2016. His real estate habits even caught the attention of the New York Times in 1996 when they ran a profile of him. Presley, 79, created the world’s first textbook on working with computers and once owned a computer textbook company, Lawrenceville Press. In 2007 he sold his company and founded Downtown Loft Studio, which has helped produce videos for LGBT organizations like the Pride Center, Broward House, Gamma Mu Foundation, CenterLink, and Compass. Recently he produced “The Bruce Presley Oral History Project” for Stonewall. SFGN investigated these allegations and interviewed six victims who claimed Presley abused his power and violated them during their time at Lawrenceville. All of them were 17 or 18 at the time of these alleged incidents.
Three of the victims SFGN interviewed went on the record while the other three did not want their names used in the article. All told similar stories. It would begin with them getting into trouble, at which time Presley would give them a choice: take the school’s punishment, such as losing their weekend privileges, or take Presley’s inhouse punishment, like naked exercises while he watched. Presley would sometimes tell the students that if they didn’t take his punishment, he’d have to tell the school, or their parents, and sometimes hint at a possible suspension. SFGN contacted Presley via several email addresses and sent him Facebook messages. A colleague of Presley’s told SFGN “Bruce is not well at the moment, so it’s not a good time. Thanks for understanding.”
Bruce Presley in 2013
‘I thought I could just drive into a telephone pole’ “It ruined my life. It caused me a lifetime of pain,” said Brent McCowan, a 58-year-old retired educational filmmaker in Houston, Texas. Unlike many other young men who faced Presley’s punishments and talked about them, McCowan kept it a secret from his housemates. It’s haunted him for 40 years. McCowan was caught off campus without permission and had to make a choice: take Presley’s punishment or be reported to the school. Since McCowan was already suspended earlier in the school year he felt like he didn’t have a choice. He took Presley’s deal. McCowan had no idea what he had just signed up for. Presley, he remembers, knocked on his door around 4 a.m. and told him to follow him. McCowan was in just underwear, so he attempted to get dressed before leaving — Presley stopped him. The housemaster wore a white bathrobe as he led McCowan into another room. Presley leered at him while McCowan completed a series of exercises: push ups, jumping jacks, and sit ups. After McCowan finished up, Presley ordered him to shower. Unlike his other housemates, McCowan had a suite with a private bathroom. As he walked toward it, Presley instructed him to instead use the common-area shower. “It was very strange to me. I was in a vulnerable place and I felt very uncomfortable,” he said. But he did as he was told. After McCowan started to shower, Presley walked in and ordered him to start exercising again, nude, in the shower,
“It ruined my life. It caused me a lifetime of pain.” - Brent McCowan Houston
while the water was running. “I hesitated. I thought, ‘What the fuck is this?’ But I started the sit ups,” he said. “I sat down on the tile. I did two or three while he watched me. I was suddenly overcome with this overwhelming anxiety and discomfort.” At that point, McCowan stopped. “I’m not doing any more. You can suspend me,” he told Presley. “I grabbed my towel and walked back to my suite.” But that wasn’t the end of McCowan’s story. Later in the school year, just a couple of weeks before graduation, McCowan got in trouble again. This time Presley said to him: “We found you off campus a second time. Meet me in my apartment at 10 pm. after lights out.” “I was scared he was going to have sex with me,” he said. “So I thought, ‘Screw this I am out of here.’” McCowan packed up his car, fled campus, and never looked back. Today, he said quitting school changed his life and sent him in a different direction. “I was driving to my lake house [...] I
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NEWS feature
thought I could just drive into a telephone pole. I literally picked out a couple of poles. I resigned myself that this is it, I’m going to do it,” he recalled. But in a moment of clarity he reasoned with himself: “I don’t have to do it tonight.” With a couple hundred bucks in his pocket, he ended up going to West Palm Beach, where he got a job as a vacuum salesman. He wrote a letter the following fall to the school detailing what had happened. He never received a response. Later, when he applied to go to University of California San Diego, he used what Presley did to him as the basis for his application and got accepted.
‘He threatened to tell my parents’ For Watkin it all started when he was in the shower. “I was in the shower with the other guys and I was blabbing my mouth loudly about getting drunk the night before,” said Watkin, who was 18 at the time and of legal drinking age in New Jersey. After the shower, Presley confronted him about his bathroom “confession.”
View of the campus. Photo credit Lawrenceville School, Facebook.
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“He pretended to look at a newspaper. I guess he held it there so he wouldn’t come across as a blatant pervert.”
Presley apparently how dark it was inside overheard him because the apartment. There his apartment was was a big painting on - John Watkin located across the hall. one wall and a massive North Carolina “He threatened to stereo system on call my parents and another. There were told me I may not antiques scattered graduate. Then he said throughout. Presley “or you can come do sat in a big overstuffed some exercises.” leather brown chair Watkin chose the where he watched exercises. The next Watkin for 30 minutes morning Presley was banging on his door as he did a series of exercises naked, at 5 a.m., telling him to get up. He told dripping wet. Watkin to take a shower. It started with jumping jacks, then “He said something weird like, ‘the moved to push ups, sit ups, leg lifts, and shower will get my muscles warmed up,’” a “scissor”-like exercise, which he said he Watkin recalled. couldn’t figure out how to do correctly. Watkin had learned of these Watkin, who was 18 at the time of the punishments when other boys in the punishment, remembers Presley sitting house reported them to him as the house back pretending not to look at him. president, so when he got in trouble, he “He tried to conceal it a little bit. He knew what to expect from Presley. Shortly pretended to look at a newspaper. I guess after his shower started, Presley walked in he held it there so he wouldn’t come across and watched him finish up. When Watkin as a blatant pervert,” Watkin said. “He reached for a towel, Presley interjected by made it so nonchalant, like this happens telling him to forget drying off and instead every day.” follow him to his apartment across the At the end of the session when Watkin hall. couldn’t handle the exercises anymore, he Even after four decades, Watkin vividly remembers Presley saying something to recalls the incident. He still remembers the effect of “you can’t do anymore. You’re off the hook. Go take a shower.” “It was extremely orchestrated,” Watkin said. Watkin entered the Lawrenceville School that year as a postgraduate student and was so excited when the house elected him to be president. Later that feeling would fade as guilt would set in because of Presley’s punishments. In another victim’s case, the infraction was academic. The attorney and former prosecutor, who did not want his name used, said Presley was keeping track of his school progress. Presley warned him in advance there would be punishment if he didn’t get a high enough grade. When he didn’t meet his mark, Presley summoned him for a punishment. “What should we do about this?” he remembers Presley asking him. “I offered
up a number of restrictions to him like house arrest.” But none were good enough. Instead Presley offered up his own punishment — naked exercises. He didn’t feel like he had much of a choice. He knew Watkin had already reported Presley and nothing happened. “I just thought to myself, I have to play along here,” he said. But he was prepared to fight back if Presley touched him. It never came to that. At one point during the exercises, Presley ordered him to take a shower, told him not to dry off, and then finish the session naked and dripping wet. “It was bizarre and super uncomfortable,” he said. “I was put in this position with nobody around and it was stressful.” Watkin remembers a close friend of his in the house being punished by Presley the first week of school. Other students would have to endure those punishments throughout the school year as well. Many of them reported their experiences to Watkin as the house president. After multiple complaints piled up, Watkin went to Student Government to report Presley’s conduct. Both the president and vice president of the class admitted to hearing rumors, but said they couldn’t help, so they referred him to an administrator. The administrator promised he would look into it. Nothing was ever said again. “I did the right thing by going to the head of the upper class,” Watkin said. “But the school didn’t act on it.” Watkin said at least 15 young men in the house experienced one of Presley’s exercise sessions that year, or almost half of the 37 boys that were living in that oncampus house. “I was the president of the house so I felt responsible,” Watkin said. “It still breaks my heart today. At the time I felt defeated, beat up. Now I feel sad I couldn’t have helped these guys more.” When SFGN first made contact with Watkin, he was hesitant of going on the
NEWS feature
record. But what happened to Watkin wasn’t a secret. He told his housemates and other people over the years, including his wife and children, about this experience. “At the time I was scared of being kicked out of school,” Watkin said on why he didn’t continue to report Presley. “I felt helpless. I couldn’t get anything done. I was really trying to be a good president.” Today, Watkin is an antiques dealer, owns a video production company, and is in real estate management. Guy Dorgan of Robbinsville, New Jersey also shared his story with SFGN. His recollection is similar to Watkin’s. He remembers the showering and the nude exercises. “I just have to get through this to get my weekend back,” Dorgan, 57, remembers thinking as he was going through the motions. “I justified it in my head. He’s getting his rocks off and that’s fine, he’s not touching me and I get my weekends back.”
but “fair” and “expected a lot from us.” He also remembers Presley threatening to electrify the doorknob to make sure students arrived on time. “He never did anything to the door, but I was always sure to be on time just in case.” Watkin believes this pattern of alleged abuse continued over the course of many years. In fact he’s close to the house president from 1974, who told him the same behavior was happening four years before he arrived.
Lawrenceville Investigates and Responds The Lawrenceville School is a college preparatory boarding school located in Lawrenceville New Jersey. It’s one of the most prestigious high schools in the nation
and it was even more so 40 years ago when Watkin and the others attended. It was founded in 1810 and has an esteemed list of alumni that include country singer Dierks Bentley, former press secretary Jay Carney, former President of Honduras Ricardo Maduro, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, and many others. When Watkin, Presley, and others attended in 1978, Lawrenceville was an all-boys school. It’s been co-ed since 1987. SFGN obtained an email to alumni regarding a year-and-a-half-long investigation into whether any sexual misconduct has ever occurred at Lawrenceville. The letter detailed four past incidents. Three of them were discovered at the time and the abusers were forced to resign. The fourth involves the same allegations SFGN investigated. Below is a portion of the email the school sent out to its alumni.
“A number of people interviewed alluded to secondhand information of a housemaster, who, in the words of one alumnus, engaged in an ‘abuse of power’ and ‘sexual harassment.’ According to the reports, students who had broken a School rule could avoid detention or other discipline by agreeing to perform push ups fully unclothed, while the teacher in question watched. At the time, the administration conducted some level of review but it is not known whether any follow-up action was taken.”
One alleged victim is unhappy with the school’s investigation. He didn’t want his name used in this story but sent an email to the current headmaster of the school. “As an investigator with over 30 years of experience, I was personally dismayed at the apparent lack of effort demonstrated
An Open Secret Student Government knew about it. An administrator knew. And even students outside of the house knew what was going on. But nothing happened. According to Dirk Digiorgio-Haag, a former day student at the school the same year as the victims SFGN interviewed, it seemed Presley’s punishments were an open secret. “I remember one discussion among several boys about it. It was news to me, but others already knew about it,” said Digiorgio-Haag, who unlike the other former students SFGN spoke with, did not live on campus. “The conversation was gossipy, like, ‘Better stay on his good side or he’ll make you do pushups, haha.’ I was very naive and would not have appreciated the potentially serious issues involved.” Digiorgio-Haag only knew Presley through class and did not experience any of his punishments first-hand. He said his former physics teacher was “stern”
Bruce Presley during his time teaching at Lawrenceville School.
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NEWS feature Photo credit Lawrenceville School, Facebook.
“We are currently assessing a range of responses we have received, yours among them. These things take time.” - Steve Murray Current Headmaster, addressing one of the victims
by your legal team to obtain first hand information regarding the allegations,” the retired federal law enforcement officer wrote. The school’s letter calls this incident “serious adult misconduct” and “harassment” but they have “no information that it involved any physical contact with students.” SFGN has not spoken to anyone accusing Presley of inappropriate physical contact. SFGN reached out to the school for a response to the allegations. Jennifer Szwalek, the director of Communications and Public Affairs at The Lawrenceville School, emailed a statement. “Mr. Presley was a member of the faculty at The Lawrenceville School from 1960 to 1984. The December letter noted reports of inappropriate disciplinary behavior toward students but, until recently, no victims had come forward to share their experiences. Subsequent to the December letter, we began receiving communications from alumni regarding Mr. Presley. We are in touch with those alumni, we are grateful for their outreach, and we are investigating their reports with the assistance of outside legal counsel. As underscored in both letters to the community, we are committed to engaging with anyone who has any information they want to share with us, to addressing forthrightly allegations by victims of past misconduct, and to ensuring a safe environment for all students to learn, grow and thrive.”
Two of the victims SFGN spoke with forwarded their email conversations with the school to SFGN. Here is part of that correspondence between the school and the victims. “Please don’t take my silence for inaction. We are currently assessing a range of responses we have received, yours among them. These things take time -many thanks for your patience,” current headmaster Steve Murray wrote to John Watkin. In a follow up email Murray stated: “I am writing to reiterate our appreciation for your recent communication and to let you know that we are organizing a process to carefully and thoroughly look into the information you shared, and in fact this process has begun. This may take some time, however, as we will try to proceed methodically, but I just wanted you to
know that we are taking steps and will remain in touch.” Watkin responded: “I must demand a response to my report of being sexually abused as a student at Lawrenceville by Bruce Presley. Glacial speed is not acceptable. Not when you have alumni who are struggling with the embarrassment, guilt, and anxiety of coming forth and baring their souls to you.”
Why Now? It wasn’t until the #MeToo movement exploded last year, as a slew of prominent celebrities were outed as sexual abusers, that Watkin decided to look Presley up. He had assumed his former housemaster had long passed so he was shocked when he came across a couple flattering profiles of the former teacher in the South Florida Gay News. He wanted people to know the truth and so he left a comment on the story detailing his abuse. Guy Dorgan had been following Presley for years and grew frustrated when he also read glowing profiles of Presley’s life on SFGN’s website and wanted the world to know the truth. He first left an anonymous comment in 2016 detailing his own story of coercion and abuse. But it took almost two years before he emailed an editor at the newspaper directly. He said it started to irritate him when he saw women coming forward decades after being abused and people not believing them. “I understood why they waited so long. It’s embarrassing. Until something provokes you,” explained Dorgan, who is now a freight broker. “Throughout the last eight years I would Google him. I once saw an article about him working with younger people, and I thought, ‘That’s not a good situation.’ I just kept thinking about it,” Dorgan said. Later when he came across a profile of Presley on SFGN’s website, he said, “It was just a big step to leave my comment there even though no one knew who I was.” More recently Watkin and DigiorgioHaag also left comments on SFGN’s website and SFGN was able to track them down to interview them. “I read somewhere that [Presley’s] had a pretty charmed life,” Dorgan said. “I hope it doesn’t end so charming.”
Jason Parsley can be contacted at Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com. View of the campus. Photo credit Lawrenceville School, Facebook.
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NEWS miami-dade
Remembering the ‘Wonder Woman’ of South Beach Friends share memories of the late drag queen, Sexilia, who died 14 years ago Sexilia (second to left). Photos credit of J.R. Davis.
Jose Cassola
jocacommunications@outlook.com
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ate drag queen Sexilia loved performing as Wonder Woman. But to her friends and the local LGBT community it wasn’t a performance – she was a wonder woman. Fourteen years ago this month in 2004, Sexilia, born Reynaldo Pagan Rivera, died of AIDS-related complications, extinguishing a light in the community that now shines in the hearts of those who loved her. A native of Puerto Rico, Sexilia first arrived on the scene in the early 1990s. Known for her razor sharp wit and great comic timing, she eventually became the hostess of Karaoke Nights at Twist and also held a hosting gig at Club Liquid during its heyday. Adora, born Danilo De la Torre, the grandmother of the Miami drag scene, said she met Sexilia around 1992. “It’s a bit of a blur...but I know [Pagan] wasn’t doing drag yet,” Adora said. “He had just moved here from Puerto Rico. We clicked. He was funny.” Adora said Sexilia used to hang out with a group of Puerto Ricans, who “were a hoot.” One night — Adora thinks it was Halloween — they all came out in drag. “Fun, fun, fun. Pagan was in the group and already had a drag name,” Adora said. “To my ears, I heard ‘Cecilia.’ I think all of them went, ‘no, niña!’ They were all shouting at the same time...until Sexi took command and pulled me closer and explained, ‘Sexilia, chica. Como la de Almodóvar.’ I was so happy that it was not ‘Cecilia,’” Adora laughs. “Well, I think the following Monday, Sexilia (left). Photo courtesy U.S. Army.
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she was doing a show at Barrio, a Mexican restaurant,” Adora continues. “It wasn’t open yet. Barrio was the place to be, the birthplace of many, many talented drag performers. I had the pleasure of introducing all this river of talent every Monday night, and Sexi got her debut and she was Puerto Rican — ball of fiery rica. I loved it. [The audience] loved her. After that night, she became a regular and part of the South Beach drag history.” Adora added: “it was very sad seeing Pagan dying. It was horrible to see.” “But even sick as a dog, she would volunteer for the W Party,” Adora said. “That night they had to call the rescue. She got sicker, wasn’t receiving much help from institutions she volunteered dearly — no questions asked, like all of us did. Fortunately, she had some good friends who could take care of stuff for her — and sadly, some not too helpful in the health department. We managed to give him a proper goodbye.” Adora added, “it was a very special night, where we all came together to celebrate her life, our friendship with her and all the
“even sick as a dog, she would volunteer for the W Party.” - Adora
aka Danilo De la Torre
people around us. We walked her to the bay, followed by more than a hundred people holding candles. It was really special. She left with fireworks and all. I love her and miss her dearly.” Estranged from his family for years, a fax had to be sent to Rivera’s parents in Puerto Rico, signed in front of a notary and faxed back to Miami in order for Rivera to be cremated, which were his wishes. “Close friends of Sexilia’s turned to me for help in organizing her memorial,” longtime Miami Beach promoter Edison Farrow said. “She was still not released from the hospital or cremated due to lack of funds.” Farrow added, “I quickly realized that I could organize a fundraising event at Jade Lounge, where I was promoting a weekly gay Friday night event. I went to the funeral home with Adora and I wrote the check for the services. I, then, started organizing the memorial.” Farrow purchased 300 tall white candles in glass for the room. Adora organized the drag queens, whom donated their performances for the event. Photographer Dale Stine donated his photographs of Sexilia to auction off. Amy Rivers volunteered to accept donations at the door. “At the end, 300 guests all formed a processional, walking towards the shoreline in order to place Sexilia’s remains into the water, which was her wish,” Farrow said.
“After her closest friends said their final ‘goodbyes,’ they tossed her ashes into the ocean. At this point, a fireworks finale went soaring into the air above the scene. I kept this as a total surprise. In the dark of the night, you could see the flashes from the fireworks lighting up the faces of the onlookers with tears streaming down their faces. They stood in shock as they embraced one another.” Farrow said this was one of the most memorable nights from his 23 years in Miami Beach. The community raised $5,793 that night, which paid for Sexilia’s funeral, and $4,000 was donated to AIDS charities. “I never told the others, however, Sexilia and I were never friends,” Farrow said. “I first met her in 1995. I had just moved to Miami from New York. She was working the door for an after-hours party. She would not let me in.” Farrow said he would later see Sexilia often when he was a bartender at Twist. “I was very close with all of the performers. However, Sexilia would never look at me or say hello,” Farrow said. “Our relationship never improved. It is quite ironic that I would be the person paying for her funeral and organizing her memorial. However, I looked at it as our community coming together in order to help one another.” DJ Power Infiniti, a drag entertainer who now lives in Central Florida but travels
NEWS miami-dade regularly to South Florida for work said “Sexilia was probably the most wellrounded performer” he’s ever known. “While some of us specialize in one particular genre of performance art, she was devastatingly good at many,” Infiniti said. “Her shows ranged from camp drag and comical to high energy circuit type dance music. And she could move! She could give you a bizarre effect or a beautiful classic drag look. She could do it all.” Infiniti knew Sexilia from 1994 until her death. During this time, he was the entertainment director for Salvation. “So many, many times over the five years I worked there, I would hire her to perform both on her own and with me,” Infiniti said. “Did you know that in her final days she was working on a book? I don’t know if it was ever completed, but boy...it would have been a good read.” If she was alive today, fellow drag entertainer of the day, Leslie Quick, believes Sexilia would still be performing.
“At the heart of it all, she loved to entertain...in and out of drag.” - Leslie Quick Drag Queen
PLAN YOUR RIDE TO PRIDE FORT LAUDERDALE
HAGEN & RICHARDSON PARKS
“Yes, Pagan was a comedian. At the heart of it all, she loved to entertain...in and out of drag,” Quick said. “One of the first times I was booked in South Beach, Sexilia and I were both doing Wonder Woman on the same weekend. She went out of her way to make sure my look was correct. That’s just an example of who she was. [She] always helped others, treated all the girls like her sisters.” The following are more testimonials from members of the community who knew Sexilia — directly and indirectly:
Shelley Novak, a comic drag legend, who lives on Miami Beach and hosts Karaoke Circus Thursdays at Kill Your Idol:
“My biggest memory of Sexilia was towards the end. I didn’t even know that she was sick. She showed up for the Shelley Novak Awards at Crobar. I gave her the Lifetime Achievement Award. She asked me if there’s a place she can lay down before she goes on. I’ve done that myself. I thought maybe she was tired. We’ve all come to gigs after working all week, three weeks with hardly no sleep. She laid down before she went on and got her award. A week later, we did this Vegas night and she came and she turned it up. She did this Josephine Baker banana dance thing. You would’ve never known she was going to be dead a week later. But that was the kind of person she was. If she had a gig, she was going to do it. She was a force of nature.”
Michael M Rodriguez, musician, who now lives in New Jersey: “Sexilia was fearless and had an amazing warped sense of humor. There was one time in 1997 when I released my first solo song, ‘Move Up’ and in my show tape, I had a part where the Wonder Woman theme song played. Sexi was dressed as Wonder Woman. Wonder woman was totally her thing. Anyway, she did a choreographed fight scene with my two dancers.”
Joval Valdivia,
who works promotions, flyering events in Miami:
“What can I say...From her Wonder Woman performances to Eartha Kitt, Sexilia worked with legendary divas such as Cher, Gloria Estefan and many others. Sexi always said to me ‘you are a hard worker. You will shine one day.’ I miss you, Sexi. RIP.” And more from Adora, a drag legend who still lives and performs in Miami, most notably for Señor Frog’s for their Sunday drag brunch: “Sexilia was good and funny, camp funny. I remember one time she did her Iris Chacon‘s merengue, ‘Me Gusta, Me Gusta’ at Amnesia. She went crazy after finding an almost 30-inch ziplock bag full of ‘cocaine’ inside this huge suitcase she brought on stage. Euphoria took off until she found, I think, a 5x4 credit card and started to mix and make her six-feet-long lines. She collapsed at the end. The crowd went wild. That was really memorable. I remember rolling her in a garbage can inside a restaurant where we were doing a drag night. I introduced her and she came out in a Cat Woman outfit, singing live just like Eartha Kitt. She used to host an after-hours party on 21st Street. It was mobbed. There was a huge crowd trying to get in. I come outside to see what’s up. Sexilia was up on the electric pole that was right in front of the entrance....I mean, like somebody who knows how to climb coconut trees, but with a gown and a guest list in hand, cursing at everybody.”
Due to overwhelming demand for shuttles last year, Pride Fort Lauderdale has partnered with Sprint to increase service from Wilton Manors and the Galleria. And, to get the party started early, local drag performers will be entertaining on the shuttles between 12 noon and 3 p.m. (Tips are always appreciated.) Other convenient and inexpensive transportation options are also available, including Yellow Cab, Sun Trolley, Water Taxi and ridesharing services. We look forward to seeing you at Pride Fort Lauderdale.
For more information, go to PrideFortLauderdale.org Please note: Shuttle routes and travel times may be affected by heavy traffic or other unforeseen conditions beyond our control. 1.31.2018 •
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LGBT Candidates Hoping to
Ride Democratic Wave Chris Johnson
Annise Parker, CEO of the Victory Fund. Courtesy of The Victory Fund, Facebook.
W
ith President Trump facing low approval ratings, signs continue to point to a political wave against him in this year’s mid-term elections — and LGBT candidates are hoping to benefit. A record number of openly LGBT candidates are running for office, many in high-profile statewide races, which could result in a milestone election for a group that has been historically underrepresented. Annise Parker, CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, predicted LGBT candidates endorsed by the organization in 2018 “are going to do well.” “We’re in this business because we think our candidates are going to do well in any election, but we don’t see just a Democratic surge, we actually see a progressive surge across the United States,” Parker said. Parker added, “we’re going to have more LGBT candidates than we have had ever in our history,” but also candidates who are women and people of color also stand to make historic wins. “Even though those candidates who aren’t from our community and wouldn’t be our endorsed candidates, I think they’re going to help carry the banner for us a little bit,” Parker said. Signs are strong that Democrats will pick up seats in 2018, which is consistent with the historical trend of the party in opposition to the party of the president gaining seats in the mid-term elections. In every mid-term election, the president’s party loses an average of 32 seats in the U.S. House and two seats in the U.S. Senate. (The only exception to these losses in recent years has
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been in 1998 and 2002 due to extraordinary circumstances. In 1998, there was outrage over the impeachment of President Clinton. In 2002, there was an anti-terrorism sentiment after the attacks on 9/11.) A CNN poll published in December found 56 percent of respondents say they’ll most likely vote for a Democrat in the mid-term election compared to 38 percent who say they’ll vote Republican. According to CNN, that 18-point advantage is the biggest since the organization began polling on the 2018 election and the widest margin in two decades at this point in the election cycle. Democrats have their goals in sight. To win control of the House in 2018, Democrats needs 24 seats. To win control of the Senate, Democrats need just two thanks to the surprise victory of Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) in the special election late last year. Part of the effort for Democrats to win control of Congress
“we’re going to have more LGBT candidates than we have had ever in our history.” - Annise Parker CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
will be LGBT candidates seeking election to the House and Senate. In Wisconsin, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the only out lesbian in Congress, will seek to keep her seat in the Senate. That seat might be a challenge for Democrats to hold even in a good election cycle. The Huffington Post’s Amanda Terkel published an article this month titled, “Wisconsin Is Quietly Becoming The Top Senate Race Of 2018.” According to the article, conservative groups have reported spending at least $3.1 million against Baldwin, which is more than what all the other Democratic Senate incumbents on the ballot this year have faced combined. But that only counts the reported money, not the dark money coming from groups that don’t necessarily have to report their contributions to the Federal Election Commission. Nine groups have spent more than $4.7 million on ads that attack Baldwin or boost one of the Republicans seeking to unseat her, according to the article. Parker said conservative groups are targeting Baldwin because she’s “focused and effective and doing a great job in the Senate.” “It’s going to be a tough re-elect for her, nor just because she’s going to have opposition on the right, but because there’s already evidence of a massive independent expenditure campaign against her,” Parker said. “If she weren’t so effective, I don’t think they’d be dropping the millions of dollars that they are to try to defeat her.” Among the groups spending money against Baldwin is Americans for Prosperity, the Super PAC funded by the Koch brothers that has sought to unseat Democrats in Congress.
NEWS national Photos: Democrat Lauren Baer (left) is running for Florida’s 18th Congressional District, currently held by Brian Mast, a Republican. David Richardson (right) is a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives and is now running for Florida’s 27th Congressional District to replace Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Republican, who is retiring. Both are gay candidates.
“Considering who’s on the Republican side of that race, it’s going to be a very clear pro-LGBTQ progressive candidate versus a right-wing ideologue, whichever one of them comes through.” - Annise Parker CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
According to the Huffington Post, Americans for Prosperity has spent $861,669 in the race. Parker said she doesn’t believe these groups are targeting Baldwin because of her sexual orientation, but because “she has been an effective progressive voice in the Senate.” “They’re looking at the last presidential campaign and trying to project from that,” Parker said. “I don’t think that that’s going to be successful.” Meanwhile, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) is running for the U.S. Senate seat in Arizona being vacated by retiring Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.). If Sinema is elected, she’d be the first openly bisexual person elected to the Senate. Sinema’s race could be interesting because a slew of right-wing candidates seeking the nomination could be her opponent in the general election. The newest entrant in the race is Joe Arpaio. President Trump pardoned the former Maricopa County sheriff last year after he faced jail time for unconstitutionally enforcing immigration law to target immigrant communities. Parker said the Victory Fund is “working hard” on Sinema’s race because “that’s an opportunity to move a seat into a progressive column.” “Considering who’s on the Republican side of that race, it’s going to be a very clear pro-LGBTQ progressive candidate versus a right-wing ideologue, whichever one of them comes through,” Parker said. A number of non-incumbent LGBT candidates are also running in U.S. House races and seeking to take seats from Republican candidates. Non-incumbent candidates with good shots of winning are Lauren Baer, who’s running in Florida’s 18th congressional district; Angie Craig, who’s running in Minnesota’s second congressional district; Albuquerque City Councilor Pat Davis, who’s running in New Mexico’s first congressional district; Gina Ortiz Jones, who’s running in Texas’s 23rd congressional district; and Florida State Rep. David Richardson, who’s running in Florida’s 26th congressional district. Richardson is running for the seat currently occupied by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), who’s considered the most pro-LGBT Republican in Congress and announced she’d retire at the end of this year. Richardson’s prospects are strong in the heavily Democratic district that Ros-Lehtinen has maintained for years. Meanwhile, gay Reps. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) and Mark Takano (D-Calif.) are seeking to keep their seats in the House and will likely prevail given their incumbent status, favorable districts and strength of Democrats in 2018. Other LGBT candidates could replace Democrats who
are leaving their seats at the end of this year. In New Hampshire’s first congressional district, State Rep. Chris Pappas is seeking to claim the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.). The race to replace retiring Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.) in Massachusetts’ 3rd congressional district is a veritable freefor-all of LGBT candidates. No fewer than 12 candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination, including three LGBT candidates. They’re Rufus Gifford, who’s gay and served as U.S. ambassador to Denmark in the Obama administration; Steve Kerrigan, who’s gay and ran to become Massachusetts lieutenant governor in 2014; and Alexandra Chandler, who’s transgender and a former Navy intelligence specialist. Other gay candidates are in uphill battles seeking to claim seats in Republican strongholds. Among them is John Duncan, a gay HIV/AIDS activist running in Texas’ sixth congressional district. Another candidate facing a challenge is Dan Canon, who’s straight, but fought as an attorney for marriage equality in Kentucky and is running in Indiana’s conservative ninth congressional district. If LGBT House and Senate candidates win each of these races, it could significantly shake up LGBT representation in Congress and potentially more than double the number of seven openly LGBT public officials currently serving. A victory for Chandler would make her the first openly transgender person elected to Congress. LGBT candidates are involved in other significant state races. At the top of the list are the gubernatorial campaigns of Rep. Jared Polis in Colorado and State Sen. Rich Madaleno in Maryland. Should either of them win, they’d claim the distinction of being the first openly gay people elected as governor in the United States.
In Oregon, Gov. Kate Brown, who’s bisexual, is seeking re-election. In 2016, she already claimed the distinction of being the first openly LGBT person elected as governor. In Nevada, State Assembly member Nelson Araujo (D-Las Vegas) is running to become Nevada secretary of state. If he wins, he’ll become the first openly gay person of color to win statewide election anywhere in the United States. In the wake of major victories for transgender candidates in 2017, other transgender hopefuls, such as Chandler in Massachusetts, could see victories. In Maryland, transgender activist Dana Beyer is seeking Madaleno’s seat as he pursues the bid for governor and could be the first openly transgender candidate elected to a state Senate anywhere in the country. In Texas, the “blue” wave could result in the election of a record number of LGBT candidates running for office at various levels of state government. The Houston-based OutSmart Magazine reported 42 people are running for office in Texas, including two candidates for governor: former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez and Dallas businessperson Jeffrey Payne. Parker declined to identify her highest priority race for 2018, but said the Victory Fund’s “bread and butter is local races.” Also important, Parker said, are Baldwin and Sinema’s races for Senate seats and the gubernatorial elections with gay candidates. When analyzing candidates to support, however, Parker said the Victory Fund doesn’t take into account whether a year will be a Republican or Democratic wave. “It’s going to be great for our candidates, but it’s not what we depend on, it’s not what we look at when we’re vetting them,” Parker said. “It’s just means that if it happens, we’re going to take advantage of it.”
Volunteers with the Victory Fund in Manassas, Virginia spent time knocking on doors to advocate for Danica Roem, a trans woman who was elected as a Delegate in the state of Virginia on Nov. 7, 2017. Courtesy of the Victory Fund. 1.31.2018 •
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Get Your Weekly ‘Queer’ On Check out these weekly parties for the Miami LGBT scene Jose Cassola
jocacommunications@outlook.com
S
o many parties, so little time. Contrary to popular belief, Wilton Manors is not the be-all, end-all of the best Tea-dances, bars, clubs and pop-up events in South Florida. Miami is also a force to be reckoned with — offering drag shows, live music, performance art and even free barbecue and drinks on a weekly basis. South Florida Gay News compiled a list of some of the must-go-to parties to check out. Last week we highlighted the monthly events. This week we take a look at the weekly parties. Photo: Hoche De Cabaret. Courtesy of Jose Cassola.
SUNDAY Pussila’s Underwear Contest at Twist, 1057 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 1 a.m. every Sunday.
Comic drag legend Pussila hosts this weekly party at the Bungalow bar — one of seven bars at Twist, where she invites up to five unsuspecting patrons on stage to dance, do a little striptease and show off their underwear. The winner by unanimous applause wins a $100 bar tab. It’s always fun and a good time.
Noche de Cabaret at Azúcar Nightclub, 2301 SW 32nd Ave., Miami; 11 p.m.-closing every Sunday.
Latina drag legend Marytrini is back at Azúcar, where she — years ago — launched the club catered to Latino music of all genres: salsa, merengue and reggaeton...not to mention drag shows. Her partner in crime is Mariloly, a comic and Latina drag legend in her own right. Together, the two queens host a cabaret-inspired event with a rotating set of drag entertainers every week. Follow Azúcar on Instagram at @azucarnightcluboficial.
MONDAY Karaoke at Hotel Gaythering, 1409 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 8 p.m.-closing every Monday.
Every first Monday of the month, SMASH the Slumlords hosts The Real (Affordable) House-Spouses of Miami — a music Monday karaoke night, where audience members throw pettiness, drama and shade all night to raise funds for affordable housing and LGBTQ homeless youth in Miami. Free to enter, a $10 donation gets you a drink and a house card; $5 gets you a free Jell-O shot. Subsequent Mondays are just as fun, emceed weekly by Miami drag entertainer Tiffany Fantasia with resident bartender and singer Robbie Elias serving you drink specials all night long.
Drag Mondays at Kill Your Idol, 222 Española Way, Miami Beach; 10 p.m. every Monday.
Featuring The Eye Dolls, a group of up-
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and-coming drag queens managed by Karloz Torres, Drag Mondays at Kill Your Idol “bring in new guests every week but The Eye Dolls are the main stars,” Torres said. The event has been going on for seven years now, originally called Glitter Box with producers Dustin Reffca and DJ Smeejay. When Reffca moved on to Electric Sheep at Score, Torres took over the event in 2016, rebranding it Drag Mondays.
a different Miami drag entertainer every week, is the only event to transfer over from Score’s iconic old location on Lincoln Road four years ago to its current location on Washington Avenue. Resident bartender Charlie Dominguez always has a smile on his face and greets all with enthusiasm. And did we mention there are hot Latino go-go boys dancing in their undies? Drink up all you can for open bar from 11-11:30 p.m.
TP Lords hosts the “fresh” part of this evening event while Josefina La Mujer de los Globos hosts the comedy drag show with VJ Yessie serving $5 Cachaca shots at the Latin bar. For more Latin goodness, come back for Sabroso Thursdays / Sazón Latino with DJ Adora and 2-for-1 drinks all night long.
Pop Mondays at Twist, 1057 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 2-5 a.m. every Monday.
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
Trivia Night / Gaymer Nights at Hotel Gaythering, 1409 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 8 p.m.-midnight every Wednesday.
Karaoke Circus at Kill Your Idol, 222 Española Way, Miami Beach; 10 p.m. every Thursday.
Pop Mondays has been a mainstay at Twist for almost as long as 17-year resident bartender and VJ Nathan Paul Smith has been working there. For the last 10 years, the weekly party at the upstairs video bar has entertained patrons, who enjoy Smith’s remixed videos of both the latest and most classic pop tunes. Regular queens Ruby Dior, Nelly Norell and LaDonna Sucia never disappoint with their drag performances. Little known fact: one of the original queens to perform at Pop Mondays “back in the day” was Tiffany Fantasia, who has since moved on to residencies at Palace and Señor Frog’s and has even appeared on Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live” with Andy Cohen. Mondays at Twist also include halfpriced drinks for Miami Beach locals and those in the industry all night long.
TUESDAY Home Cookin’ at Rácket, 150 NW 24th St., Wynwood; 10 p.m.-midnight every Tuesday.
Resurrecting a 90s staple, newly opened Rácket in Wynwood is making a quick name for itself — especially when they’re serving free barbecue and open bar weekly for two hours. Hosted by legendary drag comic Shelley Novak, the funny entertainer is no stranger to grilling meat and serving it with a smile. In 2017, she hosted a one-time popup event at Philly Grub near Brownsville. So far, the free food and drinks have helped build business at Rácket.
Planeta Macho at Score, 1437 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 11 p.m.-closing every Tuesday.
This Latino-themed party, emceed by
Enjoy a double whammy event at Hotel Gaythering. While co-owner Alexander Guerra hosts Trivia at the main bar, SMASH the Slumlords project lead Adrian Madriz emcees Gaymer Nights in the lobby, raising funds and awareness for affordable housing and LGBT homeless youth. Attendees at the event enjoy playing such popular games as Super Smash Bros for Wii U, Just Dance 2018, Playstation VR, Mario Kart, retro games and a flash tournament every 30 minutes, where the winner gets a free bar tab and a free specialty Mario shirt from the Super Smash Bears series by Oso Apparel. Tournaments are a suggested $5 donation to enter. Attendees must be over age 18 to attend. Madriz said the event, organized by WORLDS — Miami’s first majority black-owned worker cooperative dedicated to video games — is “gaming for a great cause.”
Bingo with Miss Toto at Gramps, 176 NW 24th St., Wynwood; 9 p.m.-midnight every Wednesday.
Play Bingo for free with your supreme hostess, Miss Toto. Grab your dauber by the shaft to win drinks, swag, gift certificates, vinyl records and more. Enjoy Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey as the Gramps’ well whiskey — only during the game — and also get 2-for-1 shots of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire. The event celebrates two years at Gramps this April.
Fresh Wednesdays / La Fiesta De La Croqueta
at Twist, 1057 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 1 a.m. & 2 a.m. every Wednesday.
Since 2016, comic drag legend Shelley Novak has hosted this karaoke night with Kill Your Idol resident bartender and partner in crime, Karloz Torres. The event attracts everyone (gay or straight) to the dive bar — owned by the same folks who run next door’s Lost Weekend, which celebrated its 21-year anniversary in September 2017. Novak always sings a tune by night’s end, but this show is ruled by amateur singers belting out songs of all genres and musical eras.
Double Stubble at Gramps, 176 NW 24th St., Wynwood; 9 p.m.-closing every Thursday.
Featuring a rotation of drag performers every week, Double Stubble parties include music mixes by resident DJs Daniel Hottpants, Mystic Bill and Terence Tabeau. Drag shows start at 9:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Labeled “always fun, always free,” there is no cover all night. The party was voted Best Monthly Gay Party by the Miami New Times in 2015.
FRIDAY The Lab at Score, 1437 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 11 p.m.-closing every Friday.
Reigning Ultimate Miami drag queen Athena Dion and comic drag legend Shelley Novak started this party at Score two years ago. The event is solely run today by Dion and her band of Lab Rats, many whom perform regularly at Counter Corner, Gender Blender and Double Stubble. Resident bartender Charlie Dominguez, a mainstay at Score for years, serves drinks with a smile all night long. Enjoy open bar well drinks from 11-11:30 p.m. while hot Latino go-go boys
dance for you in their underwear.
Viernes de Lokuras at Azúcar Nightclub, 2301 SW 32nd Ave., Miami; 11 p.m.-closing every Friday.
Lokura means craziness in Spanish, and it can certainly get that way at Azúcar, where Latina drag legend Marytrini hosts this party with a rotation of drag queens every Friday night. Some of the regular performing drag queens include reigning Miss Florida F.I. Kalah Mendoza, Elishaly D’Witshes and Sasha Lords.
SATURDAY Bailo at Club Twelve, 7335 NW 36th St., Miami; 10 p.m.-6 a.m. every Saturday.
This Saturday party is full of Latin men from all over the world dancing to drums, base and the Latin/House beats of DJ Otto P. and DJ Kike W. Hosted by Marytrini, alongside Teresita La Caliente, the sexy bartenders keep the alcohol flowing all night. Check out the drink specials before midnight. For bookings, call 786-344-2074.
La Puta Nota at The Hangar, 60 NE 11th St., Miami; after-hours party, 4 a.m.-noon every Saturday.
This after-hours destination, located next to Club Space, welcomes everyone (gay or straight). The party has been run for years by Ely Lords and partner Danny Villar. It’s the perfect place to go when you’re in no mood to go home and just want to keep dancing.
The Gay Corner at Club Space, 34 NE 11th St., Miami; after-hours party every Saturday.
Miami bartender and drag artist Roger Lords, who represented Stoli’s Key West Cocktail Classic in 2016 and has won multiple bartending competitions, is the host of this weekly after-hours party — catered to the gay peeps in his community...but all are welcomed. Get on his exclusive guest list and you’re hooked up with a few drinks from his complimentary bottle of tequila or whatever other alcohol he may be serving that particular week. Legend Alan T. always entertains, working the door. Check out this corner at Space. You’ll have a gay ol’ time.
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Photos: Roxanne Vargas, this year’s Ally Grand Marshal, at the soiree. Courtesy of Jose Cassola.
Miami Beach Pride Hosts
Kick Off Fundraiser
This year’s event will take place April 2-8 and celebrate 10 years
Jose Cassola
jocacommunications@outlook.com
M
iami Beach Gay Pride celebrates its 10th anniversary County and around the country achieve their full academic this year. The festival’s milestone kicked into high and leadership potential. gear Friday, Jan. 26, as Pride leaders, organizers “The Angels program is what actually allows Miami and other supporters, including volunteers and sponsors, Beach Gay Pride to actually still be free, one of the few gathered for the annual Soiree by the Sea fundraiser and opportunities that are still happening across North kickoff event at the Miami Marriott in Miami. America,” Van Ulbrich said. “NBC6 in the Mix’s” Roxanne Vargas, To become an Angel, Cook says “go to our this year’s Ally Grand Marshal, served as web site, miamibeachgaypride.com, click hostess of the event while also celebrating on our Angels tab and you can sign up very a birthday at the soiree. The always easy. It will help support underprivileged cheerful local media personality was children go to higher education.” surprised with birthday cake by the Pride Added Vargas: “That’s what it’s all about. staff. She was joined on stage throughout It’s about educating everyone in this world the evening by co-host Grant Van Ulbrich and this community. That’s where it starts.” of Celebrity Cruises; Dave Cook, executive Vargas says being named an Ally Grand director of Miami Beach Gay Pride; current Marshal at this year’s Pride has meant a lot Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber and to her. former mayor Matti Bower. “Since day one, my husband and I have Reigning Miss Miami Beach Gay Pride been nothing but loved and adored and 2017 Joanna James did a performance to welcomed with open arms by the LGBTQ Cher’s “Believe.” James relinquishes her community,” Vargas said. “To have been crown to the next winner of the Miss named an Ally Grand Marshal this year, Miami Beach Gay Pride drag pageant it’s been such an incredible opportunity to - Roxanne Vargas Monday, April 2, at the Faena Theater, 3201 have really smart conversations about the Ally Grand Marshal Collins Ave., in Miami Beach. community and about getting more allies Also at the soiree, the Pride team to come out and support and to understand presented a $7,500 donation to The Point Foundation what this means to the community and to just show up. to support scholarships for LGBTQ students. The Point Being here sends out the message that we are one and that Foundation is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting we need to love each other and respect each other. We’re all organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and just really great people making this world go round and we queer students of merit. Point also provides mentorship, need to do that together.” leadership development and community service training. Since its inception in 2009, Miami Beach Gay Pride has In 2017, Miami Beach Pride launched its new Angels grown from a neighborhood event to an event on the global program in association with the Point Foundation. stage with A-list celebrities such as Gloria Estefan, Mario Proceeds from the Angels memberships, ranging from Lopez and Elvis Duran serving as Grand Marshals and $300 to $2,500, help LGBTQ students in Miami-Dade Adam Lambert and Jordin Sparks as headline entertainers.
“Since day one, my husband and I have been nothing but loved and adored and welcomed with open arms by the LGBTQ community.”
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Attendance has grown from an estimated 15,000 spectators for the first Pride parade in 2009 to an estimated record of 135,000-plus revelers in 2017. Last year’s parade and festival featured a recordbreaking number of parade entries, including 74 parade contingencies, 22 floats and more than 3,000 participants. Recently, Miami Beach Gay Pride was named one of the “Top 100 Events of the Year” for the third year in a row by BizBash Magazine and earned the Pink Flamingo Award as favorite multi-day event for the fourth year in a row. Miami Beach Gay Pride also earned Best LGBT event honors in the SFGN’s Best of 2017. “It takes an army of dedicated volunteers and staff, the support of the City of Miami Beach and the help of all our sponsors to produce a Pride of this magnitude,” said Mark Fernandes, chair of the Miami Beach Gay Pride Board of Directors. “A special shout-out goes to our presenting sponsor Celebrity Cruises, who really helped us bring Pride to a new level last year.” Richard Murry, marketing director for Pride, said the 2018 parade and festival will have a full week of events to celebrate the 10th anniversary. So far confirmed: a rainbow flag raising ceremony over Miami Beach City Hall; the Miss Miami Beach Gay Pride Pageant; a Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce MegaMixer, which is a fundraiser for Pride; a VIP kick-off reception; beach party, parade and festival; and Pride Cruise. “We will also be doing ‘Pride Lights the Night,’ where buildings throughout the county will light up in the rainbow flag colors. This event is done as a tribute and remembrance of the Pulse shooting victims and families,” Murry said.
Dates for Miami Beach Gay Pride 2018 are April 2-8. For more information, visit www.miamibeachgaypride.com.
GET DOWN & GIVE BACK WITH FLO RIDA MARCH 18, 2018 | FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH
Register WITH CODE: NEWS FOR $3 off! FloridaAIDSWalk.org 1.31.2018 •
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community announcement
Chamber Chat
State of Our Community Jorge Richa
Marketing & Programming Director; Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC)
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n behalf of the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce we would like to wish our members and the community at large a prosperous New Year 2018 ahead. May this be a year of personal and professional growth where businesses continue to thrive in order to contribute to our economy and the progress of our city. $8 Billion – That is the estimated LGBT purchasing power in Miami-Dade County. We encourage the LGBT community to support those businesses that invest in our community needs. It is from this
support that we thrive and have a voice in the policies that shape our nation, our state, and our local communities. As an organization that has been the voice of the LGBT businesses and its allies in south Florida for more than a decade now, we begin our networking programming this year with the “7th Annual State of Our Community” EXPOsure Networking Luncheon. This much anticipated event is sponsored this year by “Morgan Stanley” and “Mark Migdal & Hayden”, and will count with the participation as guest speakers of:
State Representative David Richardson Mayor Francis Suarez (City of Miami) Mayor Dan Gelber (City of Miami Beach) Mayor Carlos Hernandez (City of Hialeah) Steve Adkins (Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce) Joe Saunders (Equality Florida) Tony Lime (SAVE) Don’t miss the opportunity to network with fellow attendees and listen to our speakers talk about their 2018 plans & its impact to the LGBT community. The event will be taking place at Miami Airport Marriot (1201 NW LeJeune Road) on Thursday, February 8 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. (lunch program from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.). Cost of admission for MDGLCC members is $45 and for non-members is $55. To RSVP for the “7th Annual State of our Community" Networking Luncheon & EXPO or if you're interested in joining the MDGLCC, please visit www.gaybizmiami.com or reach us at info@gaybizmiami.com / 305-673-4440.
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Convictions
Jesse’s Journal
‘Qué Pasa, U.S.A.?’ and the
American Immigrant Experience Jesse Monteagudo
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hose of us who lived in Miami between 1977 and 1980 are familiar with the bilingual sitcom “Qué Pasa, U.S.A.?” Produced by Miami’s public television station WPBT2, the series chronicled the lives and tiempos of the Peñas, a CubanAmerican family who lived in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood. Though “Qué Pasa, U.S.A.? “has special meaning for those of us who are Cuban-American, its message is relevant to all immigrant communities. “Qué Pasa, U.S.A.?” was supposed to be a sort-of after-school special to help recently arrived Cubans and their first-generation children adapt to life in a new country with a bit of levity. Instead it became the “Modern Family” of South Florida on a fraction of a Hollywood budget. It was the first bilingual sitcom on television, built on a cast of professional Cuban writers and actors in exile,” according to Miami Herald reporter Carlos Frías. Velia Martínez and Luis Oquendo played Adela and Antonio, the stubbornly Spanish-speaking grandparents; Ana Margarita Martínez-Casado and Manolo Villaverde played parents Juana and Pepe, who struggle to adapt to American ways while remaining true to their traditions; and Ana Margarita Menéndez (Ana Margo) and Rocky Echevarria (Steven Bauer) played their children, Carmen and Joe, who are completely assimilated. Echevarria, whose Latin good looks made “Qué Pasa, U.S.A.?” popular with South Florida’s gay men, is the most successful member of the cast, using this show as a springboard to a successful movie career under the name Steven Bauer. While the dialogue in “Qué Pasa, U.S.A.?” skips from English to Spanish (or Spanglish) and back, one does not have to be bilingual to understand what is going on. The Peñas
must balance their loyalty to Cuban ways with life in a strange new world. While the abuelos are content to live in the past; and the kids are happy being American; the parents (especially Pepe) must struggle. Will Carmen be allowed to go out without a chaperone? Will Juana be able to improve herself by going to night school? Will Joe become an American citizen? This last one was a serious topic back in the seventies, a time when many Cubans, like Pepe, refused to become citizens, expecting to return to the island in the very near future. I myself could not apply for citizenship until I turned 18, thus free from my parent’s objections. Though none of the Peñas were LGBT (that I know of), some of the episodes of “Qué Pasa, U.S.A.?” have some gay relevance. Like most traditional Cuban fathers, Pepe has a double standard that demands that Carmen remain a virgin but expects Joe to sow his wild oats. When Joe admits that he is still a virgin, Pepe worries that his son is “strange.” In “Juana Gets Smart,” Joe helps his mother by doing housework, wearing an apron. When a woman drops by to get signatures, she sees Joe with the apron and decides that he would not want to sign her petition. (This was a reference to Anita Bryant, who in 1977 led a successful campaign to repeal Dade County’s first “gay rights” ordinance.) In “Joe Goes to Heaven” Joe visits a then-popular Fort Lauderdale gay disco to research a school paper, leading his scandalized parents to think that their son is gay. (Though in those days many of us who were seen in a queer bar claimed to be “doing research,” in the case of Joe Peña this was actually true.) “Qué Pasa, U.S.A.?” ceased production in
Will Carmen be allowed to go out without a chaperone? Will Juana be able to improve herself by going to night school? Will Joe become an American citizen?
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1980. Still, it remains one of WPBT2’s most popular programs, without period costumes or a British accent. WPBT is currently showing reruns on weekdays at 5 p.m. Meanwhile, according to Johnny Diaz of the Sun-Sentinel, “”Qué Pasa, U.S.A.? is returning to Miami as a live stage show: “A live stage production of the sitcom - to be called “Qué Pasa, U.S.A.? Today...40 Years Later” - will debut May 17, 2018, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.” This is news for some of the original cast members and creative crew, who forfeited their royalty rights to this “educational” show. Both Villaverde and Martínez-Casado have expressed their outrage that WPBT
continues to profit from the fruits of their labor. “We’re well within our rights to do anything we want with it,” retorts Jeff Huff, Chief Operating Officer of South Florida PBS. WPBT uses the show, and its profits, to serve the arts in South Florida. To which I say, “ay caramba!” Those of you who can’t get enough of “Qué Pasa, U.S.A.?” should visit the show’s delightfully-bilingual web site (QuepasaUSA. org). There you can buy “Qué Pasa, U.S.A.?” La Completa Collection, a 5-DVD set with all 39 episodios. (I own a copy.) In addition to the regular series, WPBT2 produced a prime time special, The Best of “Qué Pasa, U.S.A?,” which features some of this show’s most beloved episodes.
Jesse Monteagudo is a freelance writer and journalist. He has been an active member of South Florida's LGBT community for more than four decades and has served in various community organizations.
Convictions
Editorial Cartoon
Editorial Cartoon By Andy Marlette
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WMG Volume 5 • Issue 2 January 31, 2018
Community
Wilton Manors Gazette
Quilts of Gee’s Bend Exhibit: “Not Your Mother’s Quilt” By Michael d’Oliveira
“It’s not your mother’s quilt.” That’s how home down to Gee’s Bend, a small African Janet Dolland describes the quilts of Gee’s American community in Alabama, Dolland began her love affair with the quilts. Bend. “They’re very bright. They do not follow Today, she owns 12. She purchased her the traditional quilts that you see. They’re first one for $350. “Some of them can be quite improvisational and made from old several thousands of dollars – eight, nine, clothes and old fabric. They just don’t $10,000, depending on the quilter. The follow the norm. The corners don’t meet. range has changed over the years. I’ve got a few other hobbies, but this Sometimes there’s no probably is the biggest one pattern at all.” that I really have become Dolland, an advocate of involved in. And, of course, the quilts and the collective the ladies. You could never of women who make them, have asked for a more will be bringing seven from personal, hospitable, her collection to Wilton welcoming group.” Manors as part of “The One of the ladies, China Quilts of Gee’s Bend: The Pettway, 66, has been Fabric of Their Lives.” quilting since she was 11 They will be displayed years old. Her family didn’t as part of the free exhibit have much, so anything will – held Feb. 3 to March and everything was used to 10 at Art Gallery 21, 600 make quilts, including old NE 21 Ct., Wilton Manors. - Janet Dolland clothing. “We were poor. Art Gallery 21 is open to Quilts of Gee’s Bend Whatever we had, we made the public Thursdays to Advocate use of that. My mother Saturdays from 12 to 8 p.m. always taught us you use Dolland first learned about the women of the collective, which what god gives you. It’s a memory of the was formed in the early 20th Century, way I grew up in hard times . . . It’s a joy to about 15 years ago when Martha Stewart sit down and sew.” Pettway draws inspiration from her featured them on her TV show. The quilts have also been recognized by the Whitney own life, but also from important African Museum of American Art in New York City, American figures from the past, such as the National Museum in Washington, D.C., Martin Luther King and Harriet Tubman. “My mother put quilts up on the wall, the and the U.S. Postal Service. After taking a trip from her Michigan windows, to keep the wind out. She put 12
Janet Dolland.
“Some of them can be several thousands of dollars – eight, nine, $10,000, depending on the quilter.”
or 13 on the bed [over my siblings and I]. They used to be so heavy we could hardly move. But they kept us warm.” In addition to buying quilts from the women, Dolland also donates fabric to them. She estimated that she’s donated over 2,000 pounds of fabric over the years. “One time, I took 300 pounds in my van. Another time, 400 pounds.”
Dolland will also be giving two free lectures on the quilts: Saturday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. at Art Gallery 21, and Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. at Old Dillard High School, 1001 NW 4 St., Fort Lauderdale. WMG For more information about the exhibit, visit QuiltsOfGeesBend.com or artgallery21.org.
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Opinion
Fibbery…
We must demand our leaders and officials tell us the truth By Sal Torre
WMG January 31, 2018 • Volume 5 • Issue 2 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943
Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com Chief Executive Officer • Pier Angelo Guidugli Associate publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com Copyeditor • Kerri Covington
Editorial
Art Director • Brendon Lies artwork@sfgn.com Digital Content Director • Brittany Ferrendi Webmaster@sfgn.com News Editor • Michael d’Oliveira
Correspondents John McDonald • James Oaksun
Staff Photographers
J.R. Davis • Pompano Bill • Steven Shires
Sales & Marketing Earlier this week I caught myself using the word “fibbery” in a discussion at work. Afterwards, not sure if such a word really existed, I looked to confirm that it was proper English usage. Fibbery: The act or practice of fibbing; the telling of lies, falsehoods, fibs. A “fib” is further defined as a trivial or childish lie. Fibbery doesn’t sound so bad, sounds a bit amusing, like some outdated term from Edwardian times. Anyhow, fibs are not really lies, are they? Maybe they are just concealing the truth so as not to offend someone, just a little white lie that doesn’t hurt anyone. So why all the fuss? In Dante’s Inferno, the Nine Circles of Hell’s lowest depths are reserved for those who tell lies, who are spreaders of falsehoods. Today many of us no longer hold such beliefs or are willing to suffer such misery as we find ourselves embracing, allowing, and participating in the prevalent acceptance of fibbery in our society, edging out more noble doings, such as honesty, righteousness, and decency. We are all collectively affected by the downward slide of the discourse on social media and in personal discussions, when it comes to feeding the false news reality many have come to accept and believe. When society begins to accept such behavior from our leaders and those of moral authority as the norm, the act of fibbery, the telling of lies and the spreading of falsehoods quickly permeates all levels of society. It becomes acceptable for city staff to tell a fib when not wanting to anger a resident or admit a mistake. It’s OK for elected officials not to be honest with constituents so as not to lose a vote. It becomes OK for supervisors to make up lies instead of implementing company policy. This sends the wrong message to our children, that it’s easier to lie and fib than to face and deal with the truth, not a good barometer of where we are heading as a society. Feeling good at all costs, making everyone happy and keeping up the charade, with no bad news to upset anyone has become the accepted norm. One little fib today, big lies tomorrow. Residents of Wilton Manors should never expect fibs or lies from our elected officials, our city staff, or organizations operating within our city. Unfortunately, we are not immune to the rampant
choice of fibbery over truth. Most of us would much prefer the harsh truth over being lied to, except perhaps when talking about good looks and weight loss. This is a major benefit and importance of having a free press in our society that will ask questions and hold a spotlight on those who are misbehaving. Thankfully for Wilton Manors residents, South Florida Gay News publishes “The Wilton Manors Gazette,” offering local news and so much more. Having a quality news outlet reporting and asking tough questions makes this community a better place in which to live and do business. So, as we move ahead in 2018, there are some tough questions for city staff and our elected officials that need some honest answers and future planning. As the City of Oakland Park moves ahead with a total redesign project of Andrews Avenue from Prospect Road to Oakland Park Boulevard with medians, bike lanes, crosswalks and so much more, why is nothing planned for Wilton Manors as we continue to wait for our Land Use Study? Why do we keep getting told that it’s a county road and the county’s responsibility? Obviously, the City of Oakland Park found a way make things happen. Why has Leisure Services plopped down an eyesore of a storage shed right next to the painstakingly restored historic Richardson Carriage House? Why should so many residents who donated large sums of money and time on the restoration project be so unhappy with the recent actions by city staff? Why have so many surrounding cities initiated wrapping utility boxes with locally inspired artwork while none have been done in our city? Why should we believe that the new unfunded Public Art Committee will have any success at making this happen? Why are so many residents in River Manor still not receiving the Town Crier, even after numerous phone calls, complaints; and why does city staff keep responding that the problem has been taken care of? The fibs of the past by city officials as to why things are done a certain way or cannot be done at all are catching up with them as we see other cities moving forward with projects that many here in Wilton Manors have been asking about for many years. How can we make these things happen? By actively participating in our local government, holding officials responsible, and knowing the truth, we will continue to make life just better here. WMG
For ad placement in the Wilton Manors Gazette, contact 954-530-4970
Sales Manager • Justin Wyse justin.wyse@sfgn.com Advertising Sales Associate • Edwin Neimann edwin.neimann@sfgn.com Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs. MEMBER
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Community
Science Night Aims to Create Future Scientists, Engineers By Michael d’Oliveira Science Night at Wilton Manors STEM [science, technology, engineering, Elementary was part fun, part future job and mathematics] related fields and get kids excited in math and science where training. “It’s everything. It’s technology, it’s they have a tangible example of what that means,” said Nick Ogle, living things, it’s sound education outreach program experiments . . . We’re manager for FIU’s College of preparing them for jobs [in “The kids Arts Sciences and Education. science and technology] work really The hope, he added, is we don’t even know exist. that this is a part of what It’s very cool,” said Lori hard... gets students interested in Goldsmith, the school’s above and pursuing a STEM-related magnet program coordinator. career. Held Jan. 25 at the school, beyond a School administrators Science Night featured handsnormal funded FIU’s participation on science demonstrations school.” through a grant the school about sonar, buoyancy, won for its environmental marine life, plankton, - Melissa Holtz sustainability efforts – the P3 marine conservation and Principal Eco-Challenge. research, and other scientific “The kids work really principles. “You have to do the hands on. That’s how the kids construct hard . . . above and beyond a normal school. We do [environmental sustainability] their own knowledge,” Goldsmith said. The scientific expertise was provided because it’s the right thing to do. But when someone recognizes us, it’s amazing,” said by Florida International University [FIU]. “In general, it’s to garner excitement for Principal Melissa Holtz. “We’re the first
elementary school in the county to win [this award],” said Goldsmith. Maria Schwartz, a first-grade teacher and the school’s science contact with FIU, said the students have put a lot of effort into making the school more environmentallyfriendly. Exotic plants have been removed and
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replaced with native vegetation, the butterfly garden has been renovated, students participated in a campaign to promote the use of sustainable materials, learned about climate change and sustainability issues, and more. “A lot of the grant prize came from getting the kids involved in local sourcing for food,” said Schwartz. WMG
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January 31, 2018
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BRIEFS
Business
Check out what’s happening
Around Town
Lightship Media The small Wilton Manors creative agency with big clients
By Michael d’Oliveira
By Michael d’Oliveira
Permit fee reductions extended Near the end of 2017, Wilton Manors commissioners approved a 25 percent reduction in permit fees related to fencing, windows and doors, existing shed replacement, and re-roofs. Recently, the reduction was extended to March 30. The reduction was approved to help property owners impacted by Hurricane Irma. Those who apply should mention that the permit is related to the hurricane. Call 954-390-2180 for more information. WMG
CANA meeting The Central Area Neighborhood Association will hold a meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. at Hagen Park, 2020 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors. Other scheduled meetings are May 2, July 25 and Oct. 24. Visit CanaWM.org for more information. WMG
Books for sale The Friends of the Wilton Manors Library will have its Book Tent on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Hagen Park Community Center, 2020 Wilton Drive. Books, videos, and audio materials are available in exchange for a small donation. Money raised by The Friends is used to fund programs and buy equipment for the city’s library. WMG Photo courtesy of the City of Wilton Manors.
Splash pad opened in Mickel Park On Jan. 19, city officials and residents celebrated the unveiling of the city’s latest park improvement – the splash pad at Mickel Park. According to the city, the splash pad is one of several Mickel Park improvements paid for by a $356,752 grant officials secured from Broward County’s 2000 Park and Open Space Trust Fund. Other addons to the park include new energy-efficient LED lighting, and an electric vehicle charging station. Officials estimate the new lighting will save $18,000 a year. WMG
2nd Annual Art With A Heart 2nd Annual Art With A Heart, benefiting artists and the Poverello Eat Well Center, will be held Saturday, Feb. 10 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Kiwanis Club Wilton Manors, 2749 NE 14 Ave., Wilton Manors. Artists are invited to sell, donate, or display artistic pieces that are made of paint, ink, pencil, mixed media, photography, or sculpture. Artists who want to participate should email art@poverello.org. For more information, call 954-561-3663 Ext: 106. WMG
Andy Perrott and Denise Wissmann with Lightship Media.
In a city populated mostly by small planning. “We’re a small agency, but we businesses, which don’t do television or deliver big ideas,” he said. The two are particularly proud of other advertising beyond social media or newspapers, one business in Wilton the New York Grilled Cheese television commercials they and their team, which Manors helps companies think bigger. Lightship Media, founded in 1999 by includes producer Louis Pedraza and social Andy Perrott, is a full-service creative media director Andrew Low, have created. The series of commercials features agency with a client list that includes companies large and small, including Brie Waffleton, a drag queen mother who Disney, The Singing Machine, R6 dislikes New York Grilled Cheese at first Cosmetics, Tri-Rail, Safety Harbor Resort because her son prefers their cooking to hers. But, she eventually and Spa in Clearwater, and becomes the restaurant’s New York Grilled Cheese biggest fan and champion. here in Wilton Manors. And, “We can just “It all came off their slogan: added Perrott, more could really take ‘It’s not your mother’s grilled soon be added to the list. “We the rains cheese,’” Perrott said. are on our way with a couple Leor Barak, owner of New big companies.” and move York Grilled Cheese, is very The agency also has a forward. pleased with the ads and the host of non-profit clients, You dream it, impact they had. “It’s not just including Stonewall, Gay me [who is a fan of the ads]. Men’s Chorus, and Our Fund. want it, we Our customers are big fans. “I think we’re involved in all do it.” They wound up following and the gay non-profits in one walking through our doors. It way or another,” Perrott said. - Denise Wissmann partner was the right place, right time Like the rest of Wilton . . . You also have to push the Manors’ small business community, Lightship prides itself on its envelope to have people remember you.” Wissmann said she loves the opportunity level of service. “We offer a certain level of customer service. We can just really to “let your inner sassy come out” with take the rains and move forward. You Waffleton. “Why do the norm? If you do dream it, want it, we do it,” said Denise the norm, you’re not going to cut through Wissmann, who recently became a partner the noise. The character is great to work with. That’s what makes my job exciting. at Lightship. Originally focused on multimedia, Being able to create on a daily basis.” Asked, jokingly, if their creative ad television, animation, real time video, and live events, the addition of Wissmann, agency is anything like “Mad Men,” the said Perrott, brings a lot to the table: an show about a 1960s Madison Avenue ad enhanced capability to handle websites, agency, Wissmann responds, “There might social media, print, virtual reality, be a few moments like that. We certainly marketing, increased creative, and event have fun.” WMG
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44 •• September January 17,6,2018 2017
News
Politics
Wilton Manors Approves Marijuana Treatment Centers
City May Increase Fire Fees on Non-profits
By Michael d’Oliveira
Wilton Manors commissioners have get their medicine in the mail. “I’m glad we approved allowing the opening of decided not to ban them,” said Resnick. “Given the options we have, this is the marijuana treatment centers in certain right way to go,” said Vice Mayor Justin parts of the city. At their Jan. 23 meeting, commissioners Flippen. “I understand we’re limited voted to approve the centers and redefined by the state. I wish we weren’t,” said pharmacies to make them in line with the Commissioner Julie Carson. Commissioner Tom Green said he was state’s definition. The city also approved the repeal of previous regulations because supportive of allowing treatment centers. “Any business, within reason, they weren’t in line with that wants to open in the Arts requirements by Tallahassee. & Entertainment District The Florida Legislature has is better than a bar.” But he given every local government expressed some nervousness a choice – treat marijuana at what could happen in the treatment centers as future. pharmacies or ban the centers Currently, medical entirely. Wilton Manors marijuana is provided in pill officials chose the former. form. “In the future, there If someone does open a may be a lot of smoke coming treatment center, as long from these places. Let’s see as it is located at least - Justin Flippen what the legislature does,” 500 feet from a school or Vice Mayor said Green. Resnick also said daycare center, they will be the city would most likely able to do so in the Arts & Entertainment District, Oakland Park have to alter its own policies on employees Boulevard, Andrews Avenue, Northeast 26 using medical marijuana. Commissioners, on Jan. 23 and a Street, and a small part of Powerline Road. At a previous meeting, Mayor Gary Resnick previous meeting, expressed worries about said someone had approached him about rents going up even more on Wilton Drive opening a treatment center, but the mayor if a treatment center opens. They also talked about how the new regulations did not name the person. Resnick said he’s met residents who might limit other businesses from opening use medical marijuana and he thinks a in the Arts & Entertainment District, such treatment center in the city would provide as sleep disorder clinics. “I think we’re much-needed convenience to them, as limiting the diversity of our community,” opposed to having to travel to Miami or Carson said. WMG
By Michael d’Oliveira Wilton Manors Commissioners may increase the fire assessment fees on nonprofits, which own property in the city. At the Jan. 23 commission meeting, Commissioner Tom Green said he wants to “look again” at possibly increasing the fire fee. Fire assessment fees are levied on property owners to pay for fire-related services provided by the Fort Lauderdale Fire Department, which contracts with the city. After years of toying with the idea of making non-profits, such as churches and organizations like Kids In Distress, pay the assessment fee, commissioners approved charging property-owning organizations 20 percent in 2015. Vice Mayor Justin Flippen was the only commissioner to vote against it at the time. “I don’t know if this is the right direction,” said Flippen in 2015. Mayor Gary Resnick said at that time that even non-profits, which benefit from the fire services provided by the city, should pay their fair share to fund those services. WMG
“Given the options we have, this is the right way to go.”
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January 17, 2018
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LIFESTYLE photos
Celebrity DEATHMATCH
On January 27, This Free Life hosted the monthly Celebrity Deathmatch at the Hangar in Downtown Miami, with this month’s theme as Mario Party. The event was hosted by Athena Dion, and featured known names such as Stephanie Cockroach, Charlotte Shottgun and Casey Caldwell. Carina Mask Miss Toto and Athena Dion as Toad
hno
Stephanie Ze
To see many more photos, visit South Florida Gay News on Facebook.
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Reach local LGBT communities across the nation. Start connecting with over a million loyal readers in print and online across the country. 212-242-6863 info@nationallgbtmediaassociation.com www.nationallgbtmediaassociation.com
Atlanta | Boston | Chicago | Dallas/ Ft Worth | Detroit | Los Angeles | Miami/ Ft Lauderdale | New York | Orlando/Tampa Bay | Philadelphia | San Francisco | Washington DC
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lifestyle homo history
Miami’s Official Pornographer The story of Donald Chauncey and his battle against censorship Graham Brunk
W
hen Donald Chauncey took over for the late Miami could find itself full of pedophiles by 1990. Mike Anguilano as Miami-Dade Public Library Patterson was stunned when not only did county System’s Film Librarian in 1982 he never commissioners side with the library system, but the dreamed that he’d one day be labeled “Dade County’s film screenings ended up being complete sell outs. He official pornographer,” by a local Miami pastor. was indeed successful in raising awareness, but not the As film librarian, Chauncey, a self proclaimed gay man, opposition he was hoping for. his job was to find ways to grow the library system’s film Patterson can probably inadvertently be thanked for collection and give it exposure. In the 1980s this was creating the appreciation for some of the controversial quite a job. With over 5,000 film reels, Miami-Dade’s film cinema displayed here and paving the way for more. It collection was among the largest belonging to a public was this appreciation that likely allowed Chauncey to go library in the country. on to create the Queer Flickering Light (QFL), Miami’s During this week in 1987, Chauncey felt he would put first LGBT film festival in 1993. The festival, which a modern spin on the American Library Association’s happened twice and took place at The Colony Theater Banned Books Week and screen a series of banned X-rated in Miami Beach, featured films such as “Raising Heroes” films. He chose La Cage aux Folles, a Franco-Italian which touted being the first LGBT action hero film and comedy about a gay couple that runs David Schimmer’s gay portrayal in the 35 a drag show club and later influenced minute short “Party Favor.” Screenings the popular 1996 film The Birdcage. He later at night featured sexier films such also chose to screen Last Tango in Paris, as Mel Chionglo’s “Midnight Dancers,” which was controversial due to its very an erotic Filipino thriller about three explicit content which include a graphic brothers who consider themselves rape scene. straight, but work as gogo dancers (and Once the library system began more) at night. promoting the series of screenings, While the film festivals were fairly which were to take place after library well received, Chauncey said he had hours and only those above the hoped to have David Schwimmer age of 18 were to be admitted, Jesus present, but he claimed to have a prior Fellowship Church of Miami pastor commitment. Chauncey said in an Rick Patterson stepped forward arguing interview with Barron Sherer in the that films depicting “pornography” or Miami Rail magazine that “...we [the - Donald Chauncey “homosexuality” should not permitted LGBT community/advocates] could fill inside a publicly funded tax paying the Colony Theater with a film about facility. lesbian body piercing, which everybody thought six Chauncey argued that the films were not being people would go to. Whatever we screened at QFL was screened to the masses but rather shown on the context near capacity. There was a hunger for this programming. of censorship. He said that each film was chosen for its I wanted to replicate the conversations that were going on “artistic merit,” and for its reason for censorship, whether in gay communities across the United States.” that be homosexual themes or sexual/moral reasons. He Now living the retired life, but still active in Miami’s also went on to add that the library system had received a film scene, Chauncey told me he was not interested in private grant for the program and tax payer monies were putting on annual festivals, but simply wanted to “prime not being used. the pump” for someone else. Despite this, it wasn’t long before one publication It did eventually morph into OUTshine, South Florida’s quoted Patterson as calling Chauncey “Dade County’s current LGBT film festival. Chauncey still thinks it was a Official pornographer,” Patterson argued to a Miami fantastic experience for him and it allowed him to meet News reporter that “there was no purpose in showing the his all time hero, Quintin Crisp. Maybe once being labeled Dade County’s Official movies. The idea that by showing a previously banned movie to endorse its position against censorship is Pornographer wasn’t such a bad thing after all. In the end ludicrous.” He went on to say that if he didn’t stop it now we all seem to crave, what we’re told we can’t have.
“Whatever we screened at QFL was near capacity. There was a hunger for this programming.”
Graham, a West Palm Beach native, is a local librarian with an interest in LGBTQ history in South Florida. He welcomes emails and story ideas. Contact him at GrahamBrunk@gmail.com.
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Donald Chauncey
Kravis Capers
Plac City
e is Full of
Dining Options Befo re the Sho w Rick Karlin
I
s this the gayest season the Kravis Center in West Palm has ever produced? Let’s see; so far, we’ve seen Johnny Mathis (gay) and “A Night of Stars” with Tommy Tune (gay) and Angela Lansbury (gay icon)... The problem is, if shows are at 8 p.m. and you leave the Wilton Manors area at 6 p.m., you’ve got to battle rush hour traffic and the trip takes two hours. So, we leave at 5 p.m., get there by 6 p.m. and it leaves us enough time for a leisurely meal before the show. CityPlace mall is less than a block from the Kravis Center, so there are plenty of dining options at all price levels within walking distance from the theater and many restaurants offer free parking in the mall’s lot.
Visit
SFGN.com/FOOD to read the rest of this article.
Get your game on down in west palm with some dinner and a trip to the theater! We know you have fine taste... so come treat yourself.
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lifestyle photos
For the story, see page 3.
SFGN’s 8
th
anniversary party
On January 25 at 7 p.m., SFGN celebrated its 8th anniversary at Hunter’s in Wilton Manors. At the event, Publisher Norm Kent presented SFGN’s Acheivement in Excellence Award to Dean Trantalis and George Castrataro for their commitment to the local community. J.R. Davis
Bartenders at Hunter’s. SFGN’s staff.
George Castrataro (left).
Piero Guidugli (left) with Norm Kent.
Dean Trantalis (left).
To see many more photos, visit South Florida Gay News on Facebook. 46
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YOU’RE ALREADY A PART OF
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2/1
concert Jazz singer Diana Krall heats up the stage at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale with her sultry, expressive vocals and evocative piano technique. Krall, the only singer to have eight albums debut at the top of the Billboard jazz charts, sings selections from her latest album, “Turn up the Quiet,” produced by Grammy-winner Tommy LiPuma. Tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49.50 at BrowardCenter.org.
FRI
2/2
concert The Cleveland Orchestra celebrates its 100th anniversary at Miami’s Arsht Center this weekend with an allBeethoven program. Franz WelserMöst will lead the famed orchestra in the “fateful” Fifth Symphony, as well as the Overture to “Coriolon” and Symphony No. 8. Performances on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. in the Knight Concert Hall. Tickets start at $83 at ArshtCenter.org.
x
Tuesday
2/6
theater
Kander and Ebb’s classic musical about life in pre-World War II Berlin, “Cabaret,” comes to the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach through Sunday, Feb. 11. Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall’s gritty Tony Award-winning production still offers thrills and chills as the audience enters the infamous Kit Kat Klub inhabited by American Sally Bowles and her raucous companions. Tickets start at $28 at Kravis.org. Photo courtesy of the Kravis Center.
SAT
2/3 SUN
2/4 MON
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theater
theater
film
concert
Don’t miss your last chance to see Slow Burn Theatre Co.’s stunning production of Jason Robert Brown’s Tony-winning musical “The Bridges of Madison County” at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale, closing tomorrow in the Amaturo Theatre. A moving stage adaptation of the popular novel and film, Brown’s score features soaring melodies and lush harmonies. Tickets start at $47 at BrowardCenter.org.
Tonight is opening night for the Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s production of J.B. Priestly,’s “An Inspector Calls.” When a police inspector mysteriously arrives at the home of the affluent Birling family, their intimate dinner party takes a turn for the worst. It seems murder is on the menu in this thriller. The Maltz is located at 1001 E. Indiantown Rd. in Jupiter. Showing through Feb. 18. Tickets at JupiterTheatre.org.
Were you glued to the television last night for the Super Bowl? Then get out tonight and catch up on some of the Oscar-nominated films you’ve missed. We think the Luca Guadagnino’s beautifully filmed coming out story, “Call Me by Your Name,” is one of the best. Also, “The Shape of Water,” “Darkest Hour” and “Ladybird,” Greta Gerwig’s quirky coming of age tale. Check local listings for theaters and show times.
The South Florida Symphony, under the direction of Sebrina Maria Alfonso, continues its triumphant 20th anniversary season with a concert of beloved Broadway show tunes, “And the Tony Goes To,” tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale. The program will be repeated in Miami, Boca Raton and Key West, Feb. 7 – 10. More information and tickets at SouthFloridaSymphony. org.
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One of the most original and innovative forces in modern dance, this all-male company features 10 exceptional young dancers in an exhilarating evening of two explosive works, Serpent and Fallen.
FEBRUARY 8 & 9
FEBRUARY 10
Tickets: 954.462.0222 BrowardCenter.org
Tickets: 786.573.5300 SMDCAC.org
1.31.2018 •
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A&E music
A CONVERSATION WITH CHARO Pop culture icon and musician Charo will be appearing at Pride Fort Lauderdale
J.W. Arnold
I
Don’t miss a
tastE Feeling the hunger? Read SFGN’s weekly food column for an exclusive bite on local bars, restaurants, and seasonal flavors.
sFGn.com/FooD
n last week’s anniversary issue, I wrote about eight of my most memorable celebrity interviews since the launch of SFGN. I wish I could have waited just one more week because I still have goosebumps from my recent telephone call with Charo. Any reader of a certain age knows the singer, actress and virtuoso Flamenco guitarist. In the 1970s, Charo was everywhere. She appeared on a host of variety shows hosted by Tony Orlando and Dawn, Dean Martin, Merv Griffin, Donny and Marie Osmond, and yes, even the Brady Bunch. She was a frequent panelist on “The Hollywood Squares” and competed on “Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes.” But, I would be grossly remiss if I didn’t cite Charo’s 10 appearances on “The Love Boat” as the plucky Mexican stowaway April Lopez that would secure her place in pop culture. Charo reremerged last year on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and next week, will perform the world premiere of her new dance mix “Fantastico” at Pride Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, Feb. 11. The Spanish-born performer’s accent is still strong, but I found it wasn’t her choice of words that resonated most. It was the boundless energy and enthusiasm that managed to travel a continent over a crackly connection. Charo, born María del Rosario Mercedes Pilar Martínez Molina Baeza, told me that, as a child, she spent summers on the farm of her grandfather near the town of Murcia. She was entranced with the Spanish custom of bulerias, the fast clapping that accompanied Flamenco music. “I’m going to have the audience clapping at the same time. It’s very exciting,” she promised. “Everyone will be clapping with the downbeat and then I’m going to introduce the remix.” Then the conversation got personal: “You know how much I love the audience. I’m telling you that when I can see a lot of people—happy, looking for dreams—I will be looking for you. I will be dancing with you.” Yes, she was talking about me, but I had a feeling that everyone else on Fort Lauderdale
Pop culture icon and musician Charo will be appearing at Pride Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, Feb. 9. Photo credit: John Skalicky.
Beach gathered around that stage will feel the same way. “When I came to United States of America, I found it a little conservative and I desired to shake it up and introduce myself in the 70s…I was shaking maracas before Shakira and Sophia Vergara,” Charo said. She’s also looking forward to an appearance at Pride. Her family taught her at a very young age about the evils of discrimination. “(I have) many friends who are gay— writers, producers, designers—they are dreamers and I am a dreamer. I never stopped my dreams and I felt very connected with their personalities, happiness, their joy. I became a supporter of the LGBT (community),” Charo said. “I talk from my heart and I’m proud to be invited and to be a part of your family.” Like most of my most memorable interviews, time flew by as we chatted like old friends. I had to ask her THE question she’s undoubtedly been asked a million times: Where did her signature phrase, “cuchi cuchi,” come from? “Nobody has ever asked me these questions that way,” she responded genuinely and I believed her. It turns out she was inspired by a little dog, Cucio, who wiggled uncontrollably whenever excited. “It was a very funny looking dog that shaked back and forth,” she said before adding with a chuckle, “They thought I was a little bitch, too.”
Charo will greet fans at the Pride Fort Lauderdale kick-off party on Friday, Feb. 9 at the B Ocean Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $65 in advance and $75 at the door. She will also perform on the main stage at Pride festival at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park on Sunday, Feb. 11. Admission is free. For more information, go to PrideFortLauderdale.org. J.W. Arnold serves on the board of Pride Fort Lauderdale.
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“A RAVISHINGLY BEAUTIFUL MUSICAL…”
Nite Life Law
—NEWSDAY
If you drink, don’t drive. If you drive, don’t drink. If you do both, call us.
Kent & Cormican Criminal Defense Law Center
954.763.1900
Cooper Grodin and Anna Lise Jensen. Photo by Rodrigo Balfanz
Norman Elliott Kent & Russell Cormican 12 S.E. 7th Street, Suite 709 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 www.NormKent.com
65 MEMBER ORCHESTRA IN SUNRISE, FLORIDA
Signature Performance
Vocalist: LISANNE LYONS February 4 • 2pm
Experience the breathtaking performance of vocalist Lisanne Lyons. She has performed with many of the world’s top jazz artists including Maria Schneider, Bobby McFerrin, Four Freshmen, Mose Allison, Jon Hendricks, Eliane Elias, Bucky Pizzarelli, Gary Burton – as well as with the national touring company of the Tony-award-winning City of Angels. Don’t miss this awe inspiring concert appearance!
Peter Vincent March 18 Be thrilled by an engaging and nationally recognized entertainer.
Kyaunnee Richardson May 6 Experience the operatic sounds of this award- winning solo vocalist.
Sunrise Civic Center Theater | 954-747-4646
JANUARY 18–FEBRUARY 4 Amaturo Theater
THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY Music and Lyrics by
JASON ROBERT BROWN
Book by
MARSHA NORMAN
Based on a novel by
ROBERT JAMES WALLER
Directed by PATRICK FITZWATER
TICKETS at BrowardCenter.org Ticketmaster | 954.462.0222 Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office Group Sales | 954.660.6307 1.31.2018 •
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January 31 - February 6
Datebook
Theater Christiana Lilly
Calendar@SFGN.com
Top
Picks
If I Forget
Feb. 3 to March 4 at GableStage, 1200 Anastasia Ave. in Coral Gables. Three Jewish American siblings come together to celebrate their father’s 74th birthday. Tickets $45. Call 305-445-1119 or visit GableStage.org.
The Bridges of Madison County
Through Feb. 4 at the Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Francesca Johnson, a housewife in Iowa, experiences the best four days of her life when traveling photographer Robert Kincaid comes to town. Tickets $47 to $60. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.
Cabaret
Feb. 6 to 11 at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. As World War II creeps closer, people head to the Kit Kat Klub for an escape from reality. Tickets $28 and up. Call 561-8327469 or visit Kravis.org.
* Denotes New Listing
broward county Shen Yun
Jan. 31 at the Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Celebrate ancient Chinese culture with an astonishing display of music, dancing, and acrobats. Tickets $60 to $200. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.
* Lana Del Rey
Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. at the BB&T Center, One Panther Parkway in Sunrise. Lana Del Rey performs in support of her new album, “Lust for Life,” with an opening act by Kali Uchis. Tickets $32.25 and up. Call 800-745-3000 or visit TheBBTCenter.com.
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* Diana Krall
Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. at the Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The jazz songstress performs songs from the American Songbook. Tickets $49.50 to $149.50. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.
Communion
Through Feb. 11 at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive in Fort Lauderdale. A lesbian psychiatrist works with an alcoholic mother and her born again Christian daughter. Call 954-678-1496 or visit EmpireStage.com.
ZANNA DON’T! A Musical Fairy Tale
Through Feb. 11 at Island City Stage, 2304 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. In an alternate universe, where homosexuality is the norm and heterosexuality is gasp-worthy. Tickets $42. Call 954-519-2533 or visit IslandCityStage.org.
Friday Night Sound Waves Music Series
Fridays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Hub, Las Olas Boulevard and A1A in Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy live, outdoor music spanning genres and tributes every Friday evening through November. Free. Visit FridayNightSoundWaves.com
palm beach county * On Golden Pond
Feb. 2 to 25 at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre, 201 Clematis St. in West Palm Beach. A retired couple is surprised when their daughter comes to visit with her fiance and his son. Tickets $75. Call 561-514-4042 or visit PalmBeachDramaworks.org.
Paint Your Wagon
Through Feb. 4 at Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave. in Lake Worth. It’s May 1853 and Ben Rumson strikes gold and creates his own town. More men come to get their share, and the town grows - but with no women! Tickets $29 and $35. Call 561-586-6410 or visit LakeWorthPlayhouse.org.
* Tony Bennett
Feb. 5 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Bennett returns for his annual visit to South Florida. Tickets $36 and up. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.
* The Revolutionists
Feb. 8 to Feb. 25 at FAU’s Parliament Hall Heckscher Stage, 777 Glades Road in Boca Raton. Set in the French Revolution, four
Shen Yun will be at the Broward Center on Jan. 31. Photo credit: Shen Yun.
women come together to plot murder to overcome the insanity of Paris. Tickets $35. Call 561-297-6124 or visit fauevents.com.
Free Friday Concerts
Fridays at 7:30 p.m. at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts, 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach. Enjoy live music from the comfort of your picnic blanket or lawn chair every week, for free! Returns in October. Call 561-243-7922 or visit DelrayArts.org.
miami-dade county * The Second City: Look Both Ways Before Talking
Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Culture Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. The comedy troupe celebrates 60 years of comedy. Tickets $39. Call 305-466-8002 or visit AventuraCenter.org.
* Cirque Zuma Zuma
Feb. 2 at 8 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Culture Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. The group returns to the US for a night of acrobatics, music, and dance with a nod to African culture.Tickets $29.75 to $40. Call 305-466-8002 or visit AventuraCenter.org.
Clark Gable Slept Here
Feb. 2 to 25 at Main Street Players, 6766 Main St. in Miami Lakes. The night of the Golden Globes, the staff of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars is scrambling to figure out what to do with the dead male prostitute in his room. Tickets $30. Call 305-558-3737 or visit MainStreetPlayers.com.
Salome
Through Feb. 3 at the Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. A princess’s erotic dance leads to her destruction in this opera so controversial it was banned in Vienna and London when it first appeared. Performed in German with English and Spanish subtitles. Tickets $25 and up. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.
Wrongful Death and Other Circus Acts
Through Feb. 4 at the Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Personal injury lawyer Laura Mendes chases after cases after a fatal plane crash in this play that examines worth we place on people. Tickets $50 and $55. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter. org.
Outdoor Music Series
Third Thursdays at the Perez Art Museum Miami, 101 W. Flagler St. in Miami. Come out for live music from DJs and musicians by the bay. Drink specials available. Free with museum admission. Call 305-375-3000 or visit PAMM.org.
The Big Show
Fridays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. at Just the Funny Theater, 3119 Coral Way in Miami. A collection of comedy mixing the likes of improvisation and sketches. Tickets $12. Call 305-693-8669 or visit JustTheFunny.com.
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Datebook
Community Christiana Lilly Calendar@SFGN.com
Top Picks
“A Fantastic Woman” Screening
Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at AMC Aventura 24, 19501 Biscayne Blvd. #3001 in Aventura. Join TransSOCIAL South Florida for a screening of “A Fantastic Woman.” When Orlando dies, his lover Marina, a trans woman, is under suspicion by his family, the local police, and doctors. Free. RSVP to screeningsmiami@gmail.com and mention TransSOCIAL South Florida.
January 31 February 6 Broward Support Services PFLAG
Tuesdays in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and Southwest Ranches. A support group for parents of LGBT youth 13 to 21. Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com for dates and locations.
SunServe Youth Group
Screening: “The Times of Harvey Milk”
Tuesdays and Thursdays in Fort Lauderdale, Southwest Ranches, Coral Springs and Hollywood. A support group and night of fun for LGBT youth 13 to 21. Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com for dates and times.
Sober Sisters
First and third Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Broward Health Imperial Point Hospital cafeteria, 6401 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. Find support from counselors and peers who have lost loved ones to suicide. Call the Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention at 954-384-0344 or visit FISPOnline.org.
Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. at Ramat Shalom, 11301 W. Broward Blvd. in Plantation. Watch “The Times of Harvey Milk,” followed by a presentation by Miriam Richter, the director and counsel to The Harvey Milk Foundation. Cost $18 nonmembers, free for members. Call 954-472-3600 or visit ramatshalom.org Mondays at 6:15 p.m. at Lambda North, 18 S. J St. in Lake Worth. A support and discussion group for female recovering alcoholics. Visit LambdaNorth.net.
Survivor Support
broward county Traveling Plate
Jan. 31 from 7 to 10 p.m. at C&I Studios, 541 NW First Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. A part of Arc Broward’s pop-up dining series, Chef Adrienne Grenier of 3030 Ocean and Chef Paula DaSilva of Burlock Coast are aided by students of Arc Culinary to create a delectable meal as a fundraiser. Tickets $75. Visit ArcBroward.com/events.
* GLLN Luncheon: Becoming a Cannabis Lawyer
Feb. 1 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Timpano Chophouse, 450 E. Las Olas Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Cohen Kotler, one of the first cannabis lawyers in the state, will discuss the industry, licensing, and other topics in this talk with CLE credit. Cost $30 members, $35 nonmembers. Email saoji@cclawpa.com.
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Fort Lauderdale Historical Society’s “Harry Potter Book Night: Fantastic Beasts”
Feb. 1 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the History Museum of Fort Lauderdale, 231 SW Second Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Begin the evening by finding out which Hogwarts house you belong to with the sorting hat, then enjoy a butterbeer mixology introduction, scavenger hunt, potions classes, all with the backdrop of Fort Lauderdale’s 1920s history. Tickets $10 children, $20 museum members, $25 nonmembers, and $100 VIP. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harrypotter-20th-anniversary-and-book-nighttickets-41537887941.
* Meth & HIV
Feb. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. A discussion about the meth epidemic and its impact on Broward County’s gay HIV+ community. Free. RSVP to 954-463-9005, ext. 301 or pals@pridecenterflorida.org.
January 31 - February 6 * Black Art Awakening: Black History Exhibit
Feb. 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. A cocktail and art reception to celebrate Black History Month and National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Free. Contact 954-463-9005, ext. 308, lrobertson@pridecenterflorida.org, pridecenterflorida.org.
* Florida Panthers Pride Night
Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the BB&T Center, One Panther Parkway in Sunrise. Join the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Network and the MiamiDade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for a pride night as the Florida Panthers take on the Los Angeles Kings. Tickets $25 to $60. Visit bit.ly/flapride.
Mascara, Mirth & Mayhem: Independence Day on Fire Island - Photography by Susan Kravitz
Through March 11 at the Stonewall National Museum - Wilton Manors Gallery, 2157 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Photographer Susan Kravitz’s exhibition chronicling the Invasion of the Pines. Exhibit closes March 11. Suggested donation $5. Call 954-763-8565 or visit Stonewall-Museum.org.
* Care Resource Recovery Group
Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Care Resource, 3160 NW Ninth St. in Oakland Park. A weekly meeting with licensed behavioral clinical counselors on healing one’s entire being in the recovery process. Visit CareResource.org.
palm beach county The Ars Musae: Odyssey Frieze
Through Feb. 4 at the Box Gallery, 811 Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach. A 40foot mural installation by Italian artist Marzia Ellero Ransom as a part of Palm Beach Art Week. Free. Call 786-521-1188 or visit TheBoxGallery.info.
Transcendence
Meets at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. A closed transgender youth support group for teens ages 12 to 19. For more information, email youth@compassglcc.com.
Out of the Closet, Into the Light
Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at MCC of the Palm Beaches, 4857 Northlake Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens. AA for the LGBT community. Free. Call 561-775-5900 or visit MCCPalmBeach.org.
Out of the Closet NA Group
8180 NW 36th St. in Doral. Join GALLA and other law professionals for an evening of networking, wine, and appetizers. Free. RSVP to gaybizmiami.com, rsvp@gaybizmiami.com or 305-673-4440.
Positive Connection
* Leveraging GayBizMiami. com to Attract Customers and Build Your Brand – Networking Breakfast
Mondays at 7 p.m. at Lambda North, 18 S. J St. in Lake Worth. A support and discussion group for LGBT recovering addicts. Visit LambdaNorth.net. Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Men who are HIV positive are invited to come together for support, education, and advocacy. Closed group. Call 561-324-1626 or visit CompassGLCC.com.
miami-dade county * Maximizing Your Membership Benefits Networking Breakfast
Feb. 1 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the LGBT Visitor Center, 1130 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. Learn how your business can benefit from being a part of the Miami Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Free. RSVP to gaybizmiami.com, rsvp@gaybizmiami.com or 305-673-4440.
* Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Association Social Mixer
Feb. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Munar Law,
Feb. 1 from 11 a.m. to noon at the LGBT Visitor Center, 1130 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. Learn how GayBizMiami.com and its marketing tools can help your business. Free. RSVP to gaybizmiami.com, scott@ gaybizmiami.com or 305-673-4440.
* 7th Annual “State of our Community” Networking Luncheon & Expo
Feb. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Miami Airport Marriott, 1201 NW LeJeune Road in Miami. Guest speakers to include State Rep. David Richardson, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, MDGGLCC’s Steve Adkins, Equality Florida’s Stratton Pollitzer, and Tony Lima of SAVE. Tickets $45 members and $55 nonmembers. RSVP to gaybizmiami.com, rsvp@gaybizmiami.com or 305-673-4440.
Tickets: $45
1.31.2018 •
55
THE
GUIDE
Business Directory
attorney
attorney
Law office of george castrataro 707 NE 3rd Ave #300, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954.573.1444 Lawgc.com
law office of Gregory Kabel 1 East Broward Blvd #700, Fort Lauderdale, 33301 954.761.7770 gwkesq@bellsouth.net law office of Shawn Newman 710 NE 26th St, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954.563.9160 Shawnnewman.com
Law office of Robin bodiford 2550 N Federal Hwy #20, Fort Lauderdale, FL 954.630.2707 Lawrobin.com
a&e Ft Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus PO Box 9772, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33310-9772 954-832-0060 www.theftlgmc.org
To place an ad in the Business Directory, call our sales team at 954.530.4970
beauty
furniture
Ask ur ut O lub” b A o 25 C r e v e r “Fo
$25 Mani/Pedi
Can not be used with other promotions
Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida 2040 North Dixie Hwy, #218, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-763-2266 Gaymenschorusofsouthflorida.org
cleaners
on-call
dental
call us to reserve space! Licensed & Insured
954-725-3633
custom alarm contractors, Inc.
Est. 1989 “Experience Matters” Service after the sale! ▶ residential security ▶ commercial security ▶ closed circuit tV www.customalarmcontractors.com 56
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Oakland Park Dental 3047 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 954.566.9812 Oaklandparkdental.com
call us to reserve space!
Andrews Dental Care 2654 N Andrews Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33311 954.567.3311 Andrewsdentalcare.com Island City Dental 1700 NE 26th Street, Ste. 2, Fort Lauderdale, FL 954-564-7121 Islandcitydental.com
transportation
Jef Frankfort aka Jef Fantastic PROS Certified Sales Consultant
RAINBOW RIDES-SAVE MONEY ON YOUR RIDE! - We treat you like family! SPECIALIZING IN AIRPORT RIDES! Need a ride to FLL, MIA, or PBI? (or anywhere else?) I'm a friendly driver with a nice, clean Chevy Malibu. My fixed-rate pricing beat all ride sharing - apps every time. Call or text me to schedule a ride, I'll be there early and I'll text you when I arrive. No 'surge" prices, no hassles. Call or text Nikki at 954-600-3133.
Phone (561) 305-8758 Fax (561) 454-5555 jeffrankfort@edmorse.com www.jeffantastic.com Ed Morse Delray Toyota 2800 S. Federal Hwy. Delray Beach, FL 33483
final arrangements Kalis-McIntee Funeral & Cremation Center
2505 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-566-7621 Kalismcintee.com
financial services WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR
FINANCIAL NEEDS Taxes IRS Issues Accounting
Bookkeeping Small Business Advising
health insurance Medicare/MedicaID Florida Blue / Blue Cross Blue Shield 2765 West Cypress Creek Road Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Call Steve Herbstman @ 954-554-7074
health American Pain Experts 6333 N. Federal Hwy, Ste. 250, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 954-678-1074 Americanpainexperts.com
professional services
954-667-9829 ACCOUNTING@STERLINGACCOUNTING.COM
2435 North Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305
therapy
getaway
handyman Miami/Broward/Palm Beach Paint/Caulk/Remove Grout/Yard Work Fix Drips & Switches/Debris removal Assembles Furniture & Appliances Repair or Fix Call "Avrom" Keith 786-227-9981
sfgn.com 1.31.2018 •
57
THE
GUIDE
Business Directory
To place an ad in the Business Directory, call our sales team at 954.530.4970 professional services
social
real estate Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors & Oakland Park REMODELED homes:
2 bedroom/2 bath condos from
$135,000
Ocean/Intracoastal from
$300,000
3 bedroom/2 bath homes
Brian S. Bedigian, P.A.
RealtorBrian@aol.com www.BrianFTL.com
Your South Florida Specialist for Over 18 Years
spirituality The Parish of Sts. Francis and Clare Where we welcome and appreciate diversity.
2300 NW 9th Avenue (Powerline Rd) Wilton Manors, FL 33311 Mass Times: Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 10:30 AM Ecumenical Catholic 954.731.8173
www.stsfrancisandclare.org Baptisms • Weddings • Memorial Services
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spirituality
St. Mary’s American National Catholic Church SUNDAY MASS - 12:30 PM THE PRIDE CENTER, ROOM 208 2040 N Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL
catholic = all embracing Visit www.stmarysancc.org or Call Fr Mike at 386-871-2065
954.205.5275
7:0 0P M
call us to reserve space!
Realtor
W ED N ES D AY S
Tennis Lessons at Hagen Park in Wilton Manors. Individual or group lessons. Call Robert 732-604-0362 for more information.
Helping Buyers, Sellers, Renters, and Investors for over 18 years in South Florida.
$250,000
from
sports
THE BEST SERVICE, THE BEST RESULTS SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST!
MANNY SIMONE, NEWS ANCHOR
SFGN Classified$
real estate wilton manors FANTASTIC DUPLEX $499,000 - Unit is 3 bedrooms & 2 baths. Newer Roof, New Electric Panels and more. Huge Pie Shaped Lot on Quiet Street. Please call for Appointment Michael Tublin United Reality Group 561-703-5533
To place a Classified Ad, call us at 954.530.4970
business opportunities
rentals fort lauderdale
professional services
PRIVATE COMPLEX FOR RENT - 1 Bed Apt, Must See, Private complex, Fully renovated, laundry, ask: $1150.00 Progresso, 1214 NE 5th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, 33304 Call 954-552-2831
RESUME Consulting - Nearly 20 years of recruiting experience. Consultation includes one-on-one session, job hunting tips and tricks, social media review. Email Jason@TheDriveRecruiting.com
real estate oakland park
Male Caregiver - 10+ years experience, certified in the state of Florida. Call Antonio 954.599.3265
piano WANT TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE PIANO? Learn from an experienced teacher. All levels and ages welcome. Learn to play classical, popular, jazz, or show tunes. Visit www.edwinchad.com or call 954-826-9555 for more information.
Classified Advertising Works! Place an ad in SFGN’s Classifieds
electrician HARRY’S ELECTRIC RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL - Additions, renovations, service upgrades, breaker panels,FPL undergrounds, code violations, A/C wiring, ceiling fans, recessed, security & landscaping, lighting, pools, pumps, Jacuzzis, water heaters, FREE PHONE ESTIMATES 954-522-3357 Lic & Ins. www. harryelectrician.com
handyman HUSBAND FOR RENT - Is he procrastinating home repairs? He says he will do it tomorrow?? After the football game?? We fit right in - in the house or the yard, small or big jobs: tile, dry wall, paint, plumbing, roof leaks, broken furniture, irrigation, fences, and more! It doesn't cost to hassle us to see the work - so why wait? Neat, clean work for a reasonable price. Call Haim at 954-398-3676, sidnalll@yahoo.com
home health care
COMPANION AIDE - Strictly Professional, TBI, PCA, and NHTD certified Over ten years’ experience. Provide light personal care, light cleaning. Laundry and major meal prep. Respite for caregiver. Serious inquires call Karl 954-616-8952
painting
GREGG'S PAINTING - I paint both interior and exterior. Great rates, free estimates. I am detailed-oriented, friendly, reliable, punctual, and neat. No job too small. Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Call Gregg at 617-306-5694 or 954-870-5972 Email: gmanbenn44@gmail.com
professional services
954.530.4970
employment wanted SPECIAL HIRE NEEDED - Earn $45,000 per year. Experienced, self-motivated professional salesman needed. Work competitively in a highly flexible and relaxed LGBT-friendly environment. Fax resume to 954-530-7943. Crew Leader-City of Wilton Manors - Fulltime with benefits. Supervise and perform general maintenance work inside/outside. $17.00 to $22.00 per hour. DOE. To apply, visit www.wiltonmanors.com and click on the JOBS link.
www.sfgn.guide
Taylor & Turner Pest and Termite Control, Inc
William D. Turner taylorandturner@yahoo.com 2520 North Dixie Hwy Wilton Manors, FL 33305
954.630.2627
Charming, Large 3/2 Waterfront home For Sale. Dual fireplaces, granite counter tops, wood floors. 4350 NE 15th Avenue. Call Dean Lyon Sales Associate Realtor with the Keyes Company. 561-789-8588 or go to www.deanlyon.keyes.com
Get more bang for your buck! Place an ad in SFGN’s Classifieds
954.530.4970 www.sfgn.guide
rentals oakland park 1BD/1BT $895/MONTH near Wilton Manors Nice clean 1BD/BT, with semi private landscape patio and fenced back yard off bedroom. Updated Kitchen. Tile floors and good size rooms. Walk in closet. Off street parking, about 4 blocks from the drive. Located in one story 4-Unit apartment with Laundry room. $50.00 application fee—Background check. NO SMOKING, NO PETS, CALL 754-336-7563
pool service
COOL POOLS- RELIABLE POOL SERVICE Professional pool service.Covering Wilton Manors, Lighthouse Point, and eastside of Pompano Beach. 15 years experience. Licensed and insured.Free estimates. Call 954-235-0775.
rentals wilton manors
MIKE THE RENTAL GUY - NE Lauderdale/Wilton Manors/Oakland Park-1/1 from $1090, 2/1 from $1140. Victoria Park-2/1=$1290.00 cable included. Credit & Income Requirements-Pets okay with restrictions Call for Details Mike 561- 703-5533 or miketherentalguy@ aol.com
real estate for sale
1.31.2018 •
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FE BR UARY 6 - 1 0
And the Tony Goes to... an evening with Liz Callaway Enjoy an evening of Tony-Award winning songs played by the South Florida Symphony Orchestra and celebrate Bernstein’s 100-year anniversary. Featuring Tony nominee and Emmy winner, Liz Callaway.
SOUTHFLORIDASYMPHONY.ORG
954-522-8445 � BOCA RATON | FORT LAUDERDALE | KEY WEST | MIAMI