PRIDE PRESIDENT SPEAKS OUT ADDRESSES COMMUNITY CONCERNS

John Hayden

After weeks of avoiding requests for interviews about Pride Fort Lauderdale’s operations and issues associated with Pride of the Americas (POTA), President Miik Martorell had a lengthy phone conversation with SFGN on Jan. 27.

During the 48-minute conversation, he addressed many of the questions raised by SFGN’s exclusive investigation which has uncovered crises ranging from poor planning and resignations of leadership positions to a lack of transparency in the 501(c)3 organization.

SFGN reached out to Martorell for comment before each story. After two major sponsors, Midland/CAN and Tito’s vodka, withdrew support worth around $150,000 in financial and in-kind support, he spoke with SFGN.

nesting season were moved up to the end of February.

From MPox to gender-affirming care to stress and anxiety, the LGBT community’s health is under attack like never before.

Add to that, very few media outlets even pay attention to the community’s unique needs.

Now, South Florida LGBT media is actively looking for ways to do the primary duty: keep the public informed with the best information available and in a timely manner. On Feb. 10, the South Florida chapter of the NLGJA (National Lesbian Gay Journalist Association) will hold a forum called Crucial Context: Unpacking Media Coverage of LGBTQ Public Health Issues. The event begins at 7 p.m. in the ArtServe building at 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale.

Local journalist Kareem Awadalla will be leading the panel.

“The American media has had a complex relationship with LGBTQ health issues throughout history,” he said. “In the past, LGBTQ individuals were often stigmatized and marginalized in the media, with their health concerns being either ignored or misrepresented.”

The days of homosexuality being considered a mental disease and the HIV/ AIDS crisis being blamed on the community may seem like ancient history. However, as recently as last year, MPox was often referred to as a “gay disease” because this particular outbreak disproportionately affected the men-who-have-sex-with-men community. While coverage of these issues may have improved and the health issues are more visible and fairly covered, Awadalla said there is still work to be done and a knowledgeable, free press is essential.

“It is important for journalists and media outlets to continue to strive for inclusivity and representation, and to work to combat the stigmatization and marginalization of LGBTQ individuals.”

Physical issues, like MPox, are easy to identify and state-sanctioned obstacles to the trans community make headlines. But the toll on mental health is an equally dangerous but rarely reported issue. All these issues will be discussed at the forum.

Awadalla said this forum is an important step.

“There has been a positive shift in recent years towards greater visibility and representation of LGBTQ individuals and their health concerns. However, more work needs to be done to ensure that accurate and sensitive coverage of LGBTQ health issues continues to be a priority in the American media.”

TRANSPARENCY: When it comes to Pride’s transparency, Martorell cited technical issues. Their own by-laws require all minutes be posted in a timely fashion, and for board meetings to be publicly announced at least 48 hours in advance. Martorell said the minutes may have been lost during their somewhat recent revamp of their website. He said he would get the minutes and budget posted soon, but likely after POTA.

BUDGET SHORTFALLS: Even before major sponsors pulled out, POTA was expecting to lose at least $21,000. Originally scheduled for April, 2020 before being delayed by COVID, POTA was a partnership with Visit Lauderdale, Broward County’s tourism arm. Visit Lauderdale requested half of their original investment back. That was at least $150,000. Other fundraising from community supporters did not meet expectations.

“This year was extra challenging, but I don’t really know why,” he told SFGN.

POWER OF THE PURSE: When it comes to spending, everything runs through Martorell. While the treasurer writes all checks, Martorell is the only one who is authorized to sign them.

RESCHEDULING THE EVENT: POTA was originally scheduled for April. Being after season meant more hotel rooms at cheaper rates. Martorell says changes to rules regarding Sea Turtle nesting areas are primarily to blame for the mid-February date. Relocating and protecting nests would cost about $160,000, money Pride doesn’t have. Martorell also said official dates of

PARADE: Martorell insisted the parade will go on, but they will be on a very tight schedule. They only have A1A for three hours: 30 minutes to close the road, two hours for the parade, and 30 minutes to reopen the street. During Wilton Manors’ city commission meeting last week, it was announced the city, the hub of LGBT life in South Florida, would not have a float.

After, City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson told SFGN a delegation would walk the route, but that Pride had told them there wasn’t enough time or space for a float. Martorell denies this. He said access to floats was in short supply and that Wilton Manors was not denied a float due to time restrictions.

ENTERTAINMENT: In the middle of last week, there were rumors that POTA’s headlining act, Boy George of 80s sensation Culture Club, was “ghosting” organizers. Martorell said he had communication with Boy George’s management as recently as Friday before Martorell talked to SFGN. He said Pride had paid $75,000 up front and would pay the balance, another $75,000 a day or two before POTA. This is a common way artists are paid for events.

DEPARTURES: Since mid-December, 2022, there has been an exodus of Pride leadership. Executive Director Kevin Clevenger will leave after POTA. Two board members have resigned, as has now-former Entertainment Director Shawn Palacious (aka Kitty Meow). Martorell says he has confidence in remaining leadership and expects POTA to be a success under the current team’s stewardship.

HIS FUTURE WITH PRIDE: Martorell says he will stay in his position as President of Pride through and after POTA. His term runs through June. He says he hopes to stay but that is up to the board.