2/24/16 V7i8 by South Florida Gay News

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A Newsletter by Compass Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Palm Beach County A Newsletter by Compass Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Palm Beach County @CompassCenter

@CompassCenter

@Compassglcc

Fall 2015 Winter 2014Issue Issue

Compass aims to diminish stereotypes by challenging long-standing misconceptions about the character of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

MEMBERSHIP SUPPORTS COMPASS’ PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

I’d like to personally thank you for your continued support of Compass Community Center. 2015 has been a historical year for the LGBT community, locally and nationally. We find ourselves in unprecedented times. I, too, was overjoyed when marriage equality spread across our Nation. As we celebrate this achievement, we must not forget the diverse needs of our community. I was born and raised in Palm Beach County. I started volunteering for Compass in 2000 and have been on the Board of Trustees since 2003. I’ve been an educator in Palm Beach County Schools for more than two decades, and I’ve seen first-hand the degree to which young people need to feel safe and respected in order to succeed academically. I spoke before the School Board on this topic as both a former bullied student and as a current educator. School district policies were amended, but trust me, there is still much work to be done.

Michael Woods at PrideFest of the Palm Beaches, Photo courtesy of MW.

We accomplish this by emboldening our youth, promoting pride in our community, and acting as an educator, advocate, health service provider, and focal point for community organizing.

IN THIS ISSUE

P. 3

COMPASS An articlePRIORITIZES you should WOMEN’S HEALTH read!

P. 6

TRANSGENDER DAY OF An article you should REMEMBRANCE read!

P. 9

CASE MANAGEMENT TEAM An articleNEW you PANEL should TO INDUCTS read!MEMORIAL QUILT AIDS

s o u t h • LGBT youth are still bullied out of schools and turned away from their homes. • LGBT people still contract HIV at disproportionate rates.

• Transgender individuals still continue to experience discrimination and acts of violence every day.

and Equality Prom. Compass also hosts the Pride Business Alliance, its monthly networking mixers, and the annual Business Expo. Today, Compass is the leader in HIV Prevention in Palm Beach County, testing thousands of people each year, and linking them to life-saving care and resources. None of this would be possible without private contributions from community members like you. Your membership allows Compass to provide the high quality programs our community wants and needs. Please join me in making an annual contribution to Compass so we may continue to provide life-saving resources, and support our thriving community in this pivotal moment in history. The teacher in me reminds you that we can all do better. The Board Member in me thanks you for joining us in the fight.

I’d like to personally thank you for your continued support of Compass Community Center. 2015 has been 11 P. 10 a historical year for the LGBT community, locally and nationally. We find ourselves in unprecedented times. I, too, was overjoyed when marriage equality spread across our Nation. As we celebrate this achievement, we must not forget the diverse needs of our community. I was born and raised in Palm Beach County. I started volunteering for Compass in 2000 and have been on the Board of Trustees since 2003. I’ve been an educator in Palm Beach County Schools for more than two decades, and I’ve seen first-hand the degree to which young people need to feel safe and respected in order to succeed academically. I spoke before the School Board on this topic as both a former bullied student and as a current educator. School district policies were amended, but trust me, there is still much work to be done.

Compass serves approximately 50,000 people annually with a small staff of 20 and a team of dedicated volunteers. Compass provides support, education, and empowerment programming for LGBT youth, adults, families, and people living with HIV. Compass hosts more than 20 social and support groups, community education workshops, and community outreach events like World AIDS Day, PrideFest of the Palm Beaches, Stonewall Ball,

COMPASS’ YOUTH MENTOR An article you should PROGRAM EMBRACES THE read! ARTS

Sincerely, J. Michael Woods, M.Ed. Treasurer, Board of Trustees

• LGBT people still contract HIV at disproportionate rates. • Transgender individuals still continue to experience discrimination and acts of violence every day. Compass serves approximately 50,000 people annually with a small staff of 20 and a team of dedicated volunteers. Compass provides support, education, and empowerment programming for LGBT youth, adults, families, and people living with HIV. Compass hosts more than 20 social and support groups, community education workshops, and community outreach events like World AIDS Day, PrideFest of the Palm Beaches, Stonewall Ball,

OUR MISSION

Compass aims to diminish stereotypes by challenging long-standing misconceptions about the character of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

f l o r i d a

Michael Woods at PrideFest of the Palm Beaches, Photo courtesy of MW.

www.CompassGLCC.com | 561.533.9699

• LGBT youth are still bullied out of schools and turned away from their homes.

February 24, 2016 vol. 7 // issue 8

Fall 2015 Winter 2014Issue Issue

INSERT IN CENTER OUR MISSION MEMBERSHIP SUPPORTS COMPASS’

g a y

We accomplish this by emboldening our youth, promoting pride in our community, and acting as an educator, advocate, health service provider, and focal point for community organizing.

n e w s

IN THIS ISSUE

P. 3

COMPASS An articlePRIORITIZES you should WOMEN’S HEALTH read!

P. 6

TRANSGENDER DAY OF An article you should REMEMBRANCE read!

P. 9

CASE MANAGEMENT TEAM An articleNEW you PANEL should TO INDUCTS read!MEMORIAL QUILT AIDS

11 P. 10

COMPASS’ YOUTH MENTOR An article you should PROGRAM EMBRACES THE read! ARTS

Sincerely, J. Michael Woods, M.Ed. Treasurer, Board of Trustees

www.CompassGLCC.com | 561.533.9699

Photo Credit: x.

1934

2016

THE FÜHRER AND THE FANATI C

Discrimination debate • Page 16

invisible disabilities • Page 24

SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS

Page 22

trans group launches • Page 4

SOFLAGAYNEWS

SFGN.COM

tHe opening line

comments from SFgn’s

online outlets

Compiled by John McDonald

Photos: Facebook.

SFgn ripped For ScAndAlouS gArden cluB coverAge Robb Kvašňák –

It is indeed sad when personal likes and dislikes separate the gay community. And it is even sadder when these discussions cannot be carried out by the participants in person, face to face. Let us hope that this controversy ends in a friendly manner that is pleasing to all stakeholders. We need the Pride Center and we need all of the clubs and associations that gather there.

Steve Johnson –

SFGN once again trying to stir up controversy in the gay community. LET IT GO!

repuBlicAn JoHn kASicH SAYS He would not cHAnge mArriAge eQuAlitY AS preSident larry kraft – I disagree with him on most things, but he is somewhat sane. So much more so than any of the other Republican candidates. I wouldn't be totally frightened if he was elected, but I still believe we need to elect the Democratic Nominee whoever it is. James Oaksun –

So ends his campaign lol sorta.

robert Youngquist –

This is exactly why I tend to stay out of the thick of the gay community. Too much drama for my taste. It's exhausting. Life in of itself and working all week is draining. Some thrive on this stuff. Not me. Just sayin.

phillip Brownell –

I'm a gay democrat of course, and from Ohio. I gotta say he did alright there.

SouthFloridaGayNews.com

FEBRUARY 24, 2016 • VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 8 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

ART DIRECTOR • BRENDON LIES ARTWORK@SFGN.COM DESIGNER • CHARLES PRATT EDITORIAL ASSISTANT • JILLIAN MELERO JILLIANMELERO@GMAIL.COM ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR • JW ARNOLD JW@PRDCONLINE.COM NEWS EDITOR • JOHN MCDONALD JOHN.MCDONALD@SFGN.COM MIAMI-DADE REPORTER • ANTHONY BEVEN FOOD/TRAVEL EDITOR • RICK KARLIN GAZETTE NEWS EDITOR • MICHAEL D'OLIVEIRA SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER • J.R. DAVIS JRDAVIS12000@HOTMAIL.COM

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JESSE MONTEAGUDO • TONY ADAMS

Correspondents

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Contributing Columnists

Boxer mAnnY pAcQuiAo ApologiZeS For SAYing gAY people Are 'worSe tHAn AnimAlS' martin talbot –

It's not a genuine apology! He's still a bigot hiding behind ancient cultural bias disguised as religion!

david Holmes –

And, men that beat up each other for fortunes are…greedy animals!

BRIAN MCNAUGHT • DANA RUDOLPH • WAYNE BESEN RIC REILY • STEVE SILER • BIL BROWNING TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

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DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING • MIKE TROTTIER MIKE.TROTTIER@SFGN.COM SALES MANAGER • JUSTIN WYSE JUSTIN.WYSE@SFGN.COM ADVERTISING SALES ASSOCIATE • EDWIN NEIMANN EDWIN.NEIMANN@SFGN.COM ADVERTISING SALES ASSOCIATE • CINDY CURTIS CINDY.CURTIS@SFGN.COM ADVERTISING SALES ASSOCIATE • JIM ALBRIGHT JIM.ALBRIGHT@SFGN.COM SALES ASSISTANT • DEVON WOODS DEVON.WOODS@SFGN.COM DISTRIBUTION SERVICES • BRIAN SWINFORD NATIONAL ADVERTISING RIVENDELL MEDIA 212-242-6863 SALES@RIVENDELLMEDIA.COM

MEMBER

Photo: J.R. Davis.

ACCOUNTING SERVICES BY CG BOOKKEEPING

Kevin Burke –

He apologized - 10 minutes after Nike dropped him. He's not sorry, just ﬁnancially hurt. F*ck em.

PRINTING BY SUN COAST PRESS

MEMBER

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MEMBER

• 2.24.2016

And runner-up for

NLGJA Journalist of the Year

Associated Press

& 3 FLORIDA PRESS CLUB Awards

MEMBER

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 © 2015 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

news highlight

AHF Supports Florida Surgeon General John McDonald

he AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the largest provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the U.S., is supporting the confirmation of Dr. John Armstrong as Surgeon General for the State of Florida. In a telephone interview with SFGN Monday ahead of Armstrong’s appearance before the Florida Senate’s Ethics and Elections Committee, David Poole, Director of Legislative Affairs for AHF, said his organization stands behind Governor Rick Scott’s pick to head the Florida Department of Health. “We took a long hard look and observed his responses to questions in last week’s committee hearing,” Poole said. “He swayed us with his comments about HIV/AIDS.” Armstrong’s nomination has been criticized by human rights activists who contend his administration is often too cozy with cultural conservatives. Michael Rajner, an HIV activist in Broward County, testified in Tallahassee that Armstrong’s managerial style had “cloaked the sunshine state in darkness.” Florida leads the nation with the highest rate of new HIV infections and Rajner likens

the state’s response to the original crisis in the 1980s. “Like that of President Ronald Reagan’s shameful legacy of refusing to respond to the nation’s AIDS epidemic, Armstrong avoided the issue and has never engaged stakeholders responding to Florida’s HIV/AIDS crisis,” Rajner said. Poole admits AHF had been concerned the last two years of the silence coming from Tallahassee, but changed positions on Armstrong after hearing his testimony in last week’s Senate Health Care Policy Committee. Armstrong’s nomination advanced out of committee on a 5-4 vote. “He responded to our satisfaction,” Poole said. “He’s now talking about HIV/AIDS and we are delighted to hear that.”

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2.24.2016 •

news palm beach county

new trAnS Support group lAuncHeS in BocA

Alexander Adams

wo licensed therapists are dedicating themselves to aiding the transgender community of northern Broward County by initiating a new psychoeducational support group meant to bring the community both resources and comradery. On every second Friday of the month, the group meets at the Heart Connection Center in Boca Raton. It is here that licensed psychotherapists, transgender care specialists and certified sex therapists Felicia Levine and Jamie S. Weiss will be hosting and providing information on trans issues, lifestyles and medicines while also promising to bring in speakers and field experts to help and inform anyone who attends. “I believe there is an undeniable need for something like this,” Weiss said. “There's nothing else like this in the area.” According to Weiss, the area between Wilton Manors and Lake Worth has no places or safe havens for trans people to go to find support or help. “We have people coming down over a 100 miles away and it's really challenging for them, so [this group] splits the distance for them,” Weiss said. Levine and Weiss both said that a group like this is important because trans people are coming out and presenting their true selves now more than ever before. “People are feeling more brave and are able to show more of their authentic selves without feeling closeted. This community needs additional support so that they can feel safe,” Weiss said. In addition, they also credit the work of trans celebrities like Jazz Jennings and Caitlyn Jenner for shining a spotlight on the trans experience. “It's great to see the media supporting it,” Levine said. “It's letting other people feel comfortable in their own skin

when you look out and see someone of prominence. It “We realized that as an alliance we could create this group makes you feel not so alone”. and facilitate it as well,” Levine said. “We see a lot of people Despite trans issues and experiences gaining more who lose the support of their family and friends. We want to exposure in the media, most transgender people do not have be that support for anyone who may feel like they're alone.” the same experiences that Jennings and Jenner have. Both women also have private practices in the Boca Raton The transition process is not as easy for area. They will be extending their services most people who experience it. to anyone who may need or want individual “Unlike Caitlyn and Jazz, most people don’t care. "Some people have the support and money that they have,” “The group is a great place for someone Weiss said. to come and meet new friends, meet don't know “Some people don't know where to go or people are who going through what you're where to go where to start and they don't have resources,” going through, find support, and share said Levine. “We will be a solution for them.” your story,” Levine said. “But, we will also or where to Group meetings will include guest [offer that] our members take advantage of start and they where we can work one on one to help with speakers, presentations and information on a lot of trans-related issues such as how to go individual needs,” said Weiss. don't have about the transition process. The two women are optimistic about resources." “Will we not only be presenting different the group and are excited to watch it grow information and resources to our attendees, and evolve. They even hope to eventually - Felicia Levine but we will also be showing them how they launch another group geared specifically Therapist, Boca Raton can utilize it as well,” Weiss said. at transitioning children and their families. The group is not just limited to those “Children start presenting as early as 2 who are transitioning or have transitioned. years old,” Levine said. Spouses, family members and friends are also invited to join “It is a lot easier for someone to grow into who they are the group. versus having to undo years of identity work when you’re “Spouses are going through a transition as well. Our group older,” Weiss said. “We want to be there to support wherever will help them,” Weiss said. “It is a very intense moment in and whenever we can.” someone’s life to witness their partner transitioning, so we There is a $5 entrance fee for the group and, according to will be offering counseling sessions and more supportive Weiss, all you have to do is show up. therapeutic resources”. The two women are passionate about the trans Weiss and Levine first met while attending and completing community and they are proud to be launching this group. a transgender therapy care program at the International “Our heart is in it,” Levine said. “ We want to support and Transgender Certification Association in Miami. be a voice for them.”

The group will meet every second Friday of the Month on the second ﬂoor of the Heart Connection Center located at 2499 Glades Rd, Suite #107 in Boca Raton. For more information on the group you can contact Jamie S. Weiss via phone at 561-213-6327, or Felicia Levine via phone at 954657-3151. You can also send an email to weisspyschotherapygroup@gmail.com 4

• 2.24.2016

Brian had his HIV under control with medication. But smoking with HIV caused him to have serious health problems, including a stroke, a blood clot in his lungs and surgery on an artery in his neck. Smoking makes living with HIV much worse. You can quit.

CALL 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

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HIV alone didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cause the clogged artery in my neck. Smoking with HIV did. Brian, age 45, California

2.24.2016 â&#x20AC;˘

Compiled by Jillian Melero

Foir Fines Humana $5000 for discrimination Against plwHAs (EDGE) The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (FOIR) announced this week that it had concluded its market examination of Humana and fined the health insurer $500,000 for failing to cooperate with investigators. In a consent order dated February 16, 2016, Humana agreed to "maintain procedures to ensure that it does not by effect or design treat people living with HIV/AIDS less favorably than any other condition." Health advocates from The AIDS Institute and the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) welcomed the news. "The FOIR regulatory action sends a strong message that health insurers will be held accountable. Rigorous compliance monitoring and enforcement is essential to ensuring that the Affordable Care Act fulfills its promise of protecting patients against discrimination and providing affordable healthcare," stated Wayne Turner, NHeLP Staff Attorney.

ity of Orlando Recognized for Being an Inclusive City

(CityofOrlando) The City of Orlando was presented with the Governmental Champion of Change Award at the 4th Annual Champions of Change Luncheon and Inaugural Awards Event. The award recognizes individuals and corporations that foster diversity and inclusion in their business and community in Central Florida. “At the City of Orlando we are committed to ensuring we

In 2014, The AIDS Institute and NHeLP filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights (OCR) charging four Florida health plans, including Humana, with unlawful discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS by placing all HIV medications, including generics, on the highest cost sharing tier, thus requiring enrollees to pay as much as 50 percent co-insurance for every HIV drug. In the complaint, the groups contend that such practices discourage people with HIV/AIDS from enrolling in the plans and violate the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) non-discrimination provisions. The ACA bans plans from discriminating against individuals based upon disability and prohibits them from discouraging enrollment by people with significant health needs. For more information, visit www.TheAIDSInstitute.org

are a City for everyone,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “The City has been at the forefront in creating a community that is not only culturally diverse, but also one that embraces diversity and equality, and the Governmental Champion of Change of Award is a testament to that.” Orlando was selected for this for its continuous efforts to foster and encourage diversity and equality, including things such as the Mayor’s Martin Luther King Commission, housing assistance, supplier diversity and policies and ordinances in place that help to protect the LGBT community.

ichigan Pastor Sleeps Outside for LGBT Rights

(AP) A Michigan pastor has been sleeping outside in a tent for weeks to protest his denomination's stance on LGBT people. The Rev. Michael Tupper of Parchment United Methodist Church near Kalamazoo started sleeping in a tent Nov. 30 and plans to continue doing so for 175 consecutive nights, Kalamazoo Gazette reported. He usually heads outside around 9:30 p.m., spends the night in the tent, and then goes back inside around 6:30 a.m. "It's a symbol of how our denomination, the United Methodist Church, is responding to LGBTQ persons and pushing them outside the church," Tupper said, adding that members of the LGBTQ community "are being forced out of our church and into the cold." Tupper often pitches the tent in the front yard of his Van Buren County home, but he has also taken it on the road, sleeping in front of United Methodist conference headquarters in Indianapolis and Madison, Wisconsin.

• 2.24.2016

Photo: Facebook.

He plans to camp outside of United Methodist offices in Columbus, Ohio and Des Moines, Iowa, and take his tent in May to the church's General Conference in Portland, Oregon, where clergy and laity are expected to discuss the church's official position on gay pastors. "My ultimate goal is to raise awareness of the problems of discrimination and to inspire people to make a change to allow for LGBTQ persons to be married in our church and to allow LGBTQ persons to serve as pastors in our church," Tupper said. Tupper has faced discipline several times for supporting same-sex marriages.

Dakota Governor to Meet South With Transgender People

(AP) Gov. Dennis Daugaard plans to meet with a group of transgender people before he decides whether to make South Dakota the first state in the U.S. to require schoolchildren to use bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond to their sex at birth. Daugaard's office said Monday that the meeting will take place Tuesday. A Sioux Falls nonprofit, the Center for Equality, asked for the meeting. Its director of operations, Ashley JoubertGaddis, said the request was in response to Daugaard saying that he hadn't knowingly met a transgender person. Daugaard hasn't said if he plans to sign the bill into law. The measure would require schools to make a "reasonable accommodation" for transgender children. A spokeswoman says Daugaard has met with the bill's sponsors.

news Briefs

Continued

rantalis Responds To Dixie Highway Tragedy

(SFGN) Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Dean Trantalis said he understands residents’ concerns of unsafe traffic conditions along Dixie Highway, but cautioned against kneejerk reactions. “We are moving forward and planning to redesign that corridor,” said Trantalis in a telephone call to SFGN. “It will be a safer section, but we are at the mercy of the state in terms of funding.” Residents are demanding action following the tragic death of Charles Blackledge, 46, a gay man, who was struck and killed while riding his bicycle on Dixie Highway near Northeast 16th Court. Laura Crosenco, a Fort Lauderdale resident, said the city is dragging its feet on improving pedestrian conditions. “This is enough,” said Crosenco at a roadside vigil for Blackledge. “Charles Blackledge is one death too many.” Trantalis, however, said Crosenco is out of line in her tactics. “She’s taken it to another level,” Trantalis said. “She’s trying to say the city has blood on its hands and that is just simply ridiculous.” A spokesman for Barbara Kelleher, regional authority of the Florida Department of Transportation, told SFGN bids will be

accepted in September with a contract expected to be awarded in November. Project plans call for filling in sidewalk gaps, wider bicycle lanes in each direction, pedestrian lighting, raised table intersections and crosswalks. Meanwhile, Broward County Crime Stoppers have placed a $3,000 bounty on the head of the driver who hit Blackledge and sped away. Anyone with information regarding the incident are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.

entucky Supreme Court Affirms Lesbian Mother’s Right to Custody Petition

(LAMBDA legal) – In a unanimous decision, the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled that Amy H., a lesbian mother, will have her day in court to petition for joint custody of her daughter. Justice Cunningham wrote in the opinion: “What we write here today applies equally to a myriad of human relationships including heterosexual parenting, boyfriends, girlfriends, grandparents, and others. Most importantly, this case is about [the minor child].” Amy and Melissa were in a committed relationship for more than five years and decided to have a child together. When Amy and Melissa ended their relationship in 2011, they continued to co-parent the child, but in February 2014, Melissa, the biological mother, abruptly denied Amy any contact with their daughter. Melissa and her husband, Wesley, filed a petition for stepparent adoption of the girl, and Amy was not identified in the petition as a parent

whose consent was required. Amy then filed a petition for joint custody in Kenton County Family Court. In July 2014, the Kenton Family Court ruled that Amy had a legitimate claim to seek shared custody of the child. The Court of Appeals reversed that decision. In September 2015, Lambda Legal filed a brief in the Kentucky Supreme Court on behalf of Amy arguing that Kentucky law grants Amy a right to intervene in the adoption proceedings because of her significant claim to joint custody due to the years the child has known Amy as her mother. Today, the Kentucky Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals ruling and agreed with the Kenton Family Court that Amy should have the opportunity to go to trial on her custody petition before the stepfather’s petition for adoption could be addressed. Read the full opinion http://www.lambdalegal. org/in-court/legal-docs/ky_ah_20160218_decision 2.24.2016 •

Compiled by Jillian Melero

continued

charges dropped on Six rentboy.com employees (EDGE) Criminal charges against six employees of shuttered mega gay escort website Rentboy.com were dropped by a magistrate judge Wednesday. Attorneys for embattled Rentboy CEO Jeffrey Hurant are reportedly still negotiating a plea deal on prostitution-related charges. The New York Daily News reports. Acting on a motion from prosecutors, charges against Rentboy.com employees Michael Belman, Clint Calero, Diana Mattos, Marco Decker, Edward Estanol, and Shane Lukas were dropped by a magistrate judge on Wednesday. The employees of the former gay escort website were arrested along with Hurant last summer during a raid of their New York City office by by federal agents for promoting prostitution. Hurant, who is reportedly negotiating a plea deal

quality Center for LGBT Community Becomes Reality in Topeka

(AP) A new center aimed at creating a safe space for the LGBT community is in the first stages of becoming a reality. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the Capital City Equality Center received 501(c)(3) status, designating it as a public charity. The center will provide a place for people to meet, share experiences and support one another. Organizers began working on the project in May 2015. The center may provide resources for people to find jobs, for groups to host meetings or for businesses and organizations to gain awareness of the issues the LGBT community faces through programming. The organization might also open a clothing and food bank. Stephanie Mott, the center's board president, says she hopes that establishing a safe space will reduce self-harm and suicides.

• 2.24.2016

was indicted by a federal grand jury last month in connection with the raid. According to a report in The New York Daily News, the indictment contained several new allegations against the site, including a claim the company was not stringent about verifying escorts who were over the age of 18. It is also alleged Rentboy.com did business with an escort agency indicted in Florida for luring Hungarian men into sex slavery. Rentboy.com, which was founded in 1996, grew to be what authorities are calling the largest online male escort website. The website ﬂew above the radar during its time in business and even presented and hosted an annual [escort’s] awards show called "The Hookies." A number of LGBT rights activists suggested the federal shutdown of Rentboy.com was a homophobic move.

eorgia Senate Backs Exemptions for Gay Marriage Objectors

(AP) Georgia's state Senate approved a bill on Friday allowing faith-based organizations to refuse services to samesex couples without government penalties, including loss of grants or other taxpayer funding. Senators voted 38 to 14 on party lines, despite fear about damage to the state's economy expressed by the state's inﬂuential business community and opposition from gayrights advocates. The bill combines a Senate proposal shielding adoption agencies, schools and other faith-based organizations from penalties for opposing same-sex marriage and a House bill allowing religious officials to decline performing the unions. Sen. Greg Kirk, an Americus Republican, initially proposed the exemption for faith-based organizations as a separate bill titled the "First Amendment Defense Act." Senate leadership added Kirk's measure to the House proposal earlier this week, fast-tracking a ﬂoor vote. Kirk, a former Southern Baptist pastor, said the bill blocks the government from denying or revoking tax status, licenses or state funding based on a faith-based organization's view of marriage. He said it protects any view of legal marriage between two people, including same-sex marriage, which was effectively legalized last summer by a U.S. Supreme Court decision. In its example of beliefs that would be protected, however, the bill cites only the view of marriage as that between one man and one woman. It also states that government employees could not use the law to refuse performing duties of their job, such as a clerk who issues marriage licenses. "We are not picking sides," Kirk said. "This bill does not favor one viewpoint over others, which is exactly how government

should act with regard to religious beliefs." The bill now returns to the House. It's unclear what action House members will take.

rotections for Gay Marriage Opponents Come Before Ga. Lawmakers

(AP) Two University of Oregon fraternities have announced they will begin accepting transgender men into their groups for the first time. The Oregonian reports (http://goo.gl/qrjdcU ) that Delta Upsilon and Delta Tau Delta representatives say they plan to reach out to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual students at the Eugene campus. Their announcement puts them in line with a handful of other fraternities nationwide that have pledged to include transgender members. Henry Korman of Delta Upsilon says the fraternity is looking to change "frat culture" to become more inclusive. Delta Tau Delta Eugene chapter President Alec Malnati says he hopes the fraternity will provide a social space for people to feel like they belong. Representatives from both fraternities say they hope the university's 17 other fraternities will change too.

(EDGE) On June 15 at Town Hall in New York City, Kate Clinton and a cadre of lesbian and women comedians will come together to raise funds for Hillary Clinton's Presidential campaign. Joe.My.God. reports that the national grassroots lesbian political action committee will bring this first of its kind benefit to the stage. "Lesbian and queer women are on the cutting edge of cultural change," said Kate "Hilarity" Clinton. "Our comedy has always delivered pointed political commentary and helped inspire activism. I am thrilled that LPAC and this stellar line up of comics will take center stage in this critical election to urge our communities to get involved politically and to vote!" The event features queer comics and women's rights champions, including Kate Clinton, Rosie O'Donnell, Billie Jean King, Lea DeLaria, Karen Williams, Cameron Esposito, Judy Gold, Marga Gomez, Jes Tom, Marsha Warfield, Rhea Butcher, and others. Former "Late Show with David Letterman" Executive Producer and show runner Barbara Gaines will produce the show. Awardwinning cartoonist and author Alison Bechdel will be designing an original poster for the event. As the first national LGBTQ organization to endorse Hillary Clinton for President, LPAC plans to invest more than $500,000 -including the proceeds of the evening's event -- to get out the vote, and inspire women, young people and the LGBTQ community to support Secretary Clinton and the LPAC-endorsed 2016 slate of progressive candidates. Lesbian News reported that LPAC's support includes setting up a Lesbians 4 Hillary campaign, co-chaired by sports icon Billie Jean King, a longtime supporter of both LPAC and Clinton. For tickets, visit http://teamlpac.com/2016/02/10/1535/

Photo: Facebook.

PAC Comedians Raise Money for Hillary Clinton

Continued

efore SC Primary, Pro-Cruz Robocall Slams Trump for LGBT Support

(EDGE) The night before South Carolina voters took to the polls for the state's primary, a robocall went out to residents, claiming GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump is a pro-LGBT candidate. It also urged voters to support rival Ted Cruz "before it's too late," BuzzFeed News reports. BuzzFeed News obtained the recorded message and reports the call starts with a narrator saying, "Check out how Trump answers this." It then plays a recording of an interview from the news network NECN with reporter Sue O'Connell asking Trump if he would expand LGBT rights if elected as president. "I'm a lesbian. We've had some great progress for the gay and lesbian community through politics, through all sorts of judicial actions and elected actions over the past 20 years," O'Connell told Trump earlier this month. "When President Trump is in office, can we look for more forward motion for equality for gays and lesbians?" Trump replies: "Well, you can. And look, that's your thing, and other people have their thing. We have to bring all people together." BuzzFeed News reports the narrator cuts into the message and says: "Stop. What does she mean by 'forward motion'? What's he agreeing to?" "It's not about tolerance anymore," the narrator continues. "It's about mandatory celebration. It's about forcing people to bake cakes and photograph gay weddings. Forcing clergy to officiate. It's about transgender bathrooms in your child's school. It's about tearing down our Judeo-Christian values. It's about tearing down our America." The message ends with the narrator saying: "Ted Cruz for president - now, before it's too late." The recording was paid for by the Courageous Conservative Political Action Committee, BuzzFeed News reports.

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(AP) Legislation creating the state's first hatecrime law to help victims targeted because of their race, sexual identity, religion or other specified characteristic is expected to die because it won't get a committee hearing in the House, leaving lawmakers few options to address civil rights this year. The measure was introduced as Indiana faced criticism following the Republican-led Legislature's approval of a religious objections law that, even after changes, opponents said invited discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Sen. Susan Glick, a Republican from LaGrange who authored the bill, said her proposal would help show that Indiana is a welcoming place. "It's really unfair for the state as a whole to be labeled as bigots because we are really not," Glick, whose bill was co-sponsored by Democrats and Republicans, said earlier this month. The Senate approved the legislation, which calls for creating a hate-crime designation allowing for tougher sentences by taking into account a victim's "perceived or actual race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, disability, national origin, ancestry or sexual orientation." According to the state police, there have been 45 to 55 incidents per year since 2011 that would qualify as hate crimes under the legislation. The bill was scheduled to be heard next week - the last week for committee hearings in the Legislature - in the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee. But its chairman said the panel doesn't have enough time. The committee also has bills that would enhance domestic battery and child exploitation punishments, create a child abuser registry, and alter how judges are appointed in Marion County. "As a committee chairman, what is driving me is simply time," said Rep. Thomas Washburne, a Republican from Evansville who has opposed the measure. "If you can only do so many bills, you're going to do the ones that have the most substantive change." The decision means lawmakers could end the year with no course of action on extending civil rights protections. The bill could get taken to conference committee, dominated by Republicans. And House Minority Leader Scott

Pelath said he hasn't ruled out proposing more amendments to legislation still in the pipeline. Bill co-sponsor Rep. Randy Truitt, a Republican from West Lafayette, said the measure was an opportunity for Indiana to join 45 other states that have some form of hate-crime laws on the books. Truitt said he wouldn't strip LGBT protections from the measure, even if that would push the bill forward. Truitt said he was disappointed the bill won't be heard by the committee, but he noted that an amendment addressing the same issues could be attached to another bill. "I know it's a short session, so we only have a certain period of time to deal with these bills," he said Saturday. Opponents have long argued that the legislation - and similar efforts to add a hatecrime designation to Indiana law - wasn't necessary because the criminal code doesn't restrict a judge from considering bias. There also have been concerns that such laws would help elevate one type of crime over others that could be equally brutal. But supporters argue that hate crimes are premeditated and meant to intimidate entire communities, so courts need to be able to hand down harsher punishments. Indiana law requires law enforcement agencies to report bias crimes. But once the cases get to court, there is no special consequence for defendants convicted under current law. On Thursday, the House voted down another civil rights measure that would have protected people from being fired because they were gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. The proposal came as an amendment to another bill, and House Speaker Brian Bosma said adding the language to the existing bill was inappropriate. "That was a really procedural issue, and I think a lot of folks that even might support a protected class status didn't think it's appropriate to put it on a bill in second reading without public testimony," Bosma said. Truitt said the fact that the House voted on the LGBT amendment made him hopeful the chamber was willing to debate the issue. "It proved that if it's germane, we will deal with it," he said.

news international

mississippi Bill: ok to not Help with Same-Sex marriage Emily Wagster Pettus Associated Press

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To see inventory State officials, private business owners and others who provide services to the public couldn't be punished for acting on religious beliefs that marriage should only be between a man and a woman, under a bill advancing in the Mississippi Legislature. Representatives on Friday voted 80-39 to pass House Bill 1523, which also specifies people couldn't be punished for acting on beliefs that only married couples should have sexual relations and that a person's gender identity is set at birth. The bill was held for the possibility of more debate before it goes to the Senate. Rep. Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, an attorney and Baptist minister, said the bill wouldn't undo last summer's U.S. Supreme Court decision that effectively legalized same-sex marriage nationwide but would balance that decision with people's First Amendment right to act on their own beliefs. "Citizens of the state of Mississippi have come and asked for this type of relief. Circuit clerks in the state of Mississippi have begged for some relief," Gipson said. The bill could let circuit clerks refuse to issue marriage licenses or judges refuse to perform marriage ceremonies for gay or lesbian couples. It could also let businesses refuse services for same-sex weddings. It says the state could not punish religious organizations that make hiring or firing decisions about employees whose actions conďŹ&#x201A;ict with the organization's beliefs. The bill also says the state could not punish religious organizations that refuse

Decades Jerry ChafďŹ

to place children with gay parents and that the state could not punish adoptive or foster parents based on the beliefs the parents use to raise a child. Rob Hill, director of the gay-rights group Human Rights Campaign Mississippi, said gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender adoptive or foster children could be subjected to coercive "conversion therapy." "It is inconceivable that lawmakers in the Magnolia State are willing to advance legislation that will knowingly put some of Mississippi's most vulnerable people at risk," Hill said Friday. "These shameful attacks on LGBT people and their families have no place in our state." Rep. Ed Blackmon, D-Canton, an attorney, said the bill discounts LGBT people. "We know that they do exist, and it's not by choice or independent decision making," Blackmon said. "People become who they are because God has made them who they are." Rep. Dan Eubanks, R-Walls, is director of youth and young adult ministries for a Presbyterian church. He said the church no longer allows some groups to use its facilities, and it does not want to be sued. "Who's being infringed upon here?" Eubanks said. "Is it the Christian or is it the person that makes a lifestyle choice? Both of them are choices." Some House members responded with "Amen!" Similar bills are being debated in other states, including Georgia and Texas.

2.24.2016 â&#x20AC;˘

politics out on the trail

Jta.org.

Rep. Ted Deutch

Task Force Formed To Look After LGBT Aging Issues John McDonald

ook out, Capitol Hill, the LGBT community’s “Golden Girls” have their own task force. And so it was announced last week that members of the 114th United States Congress had come together to form a coalition with the expressed intent to advance the dignity and security of older Americans who identify as LGBT. “The struggle for equality doesn’t stop at retirement,” said Representative Lois Frankel (D-FL), in a news release announcing the formation of the LGBT Aging Issues Task Force. “LGBT seniors face unique and misunderstood challenges. I look forward to better serving the large elder and LGBT populations in South Florida.” Joining Frankel on the task force are Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Patrick Murphy (D-FL), David Cicilline (D-RI), Mark Takano (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-MN), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Michelle

Lujan Grisham (D-AZ). The task force is chaired by Rep. Ted Deutch, of Boca Raton, who spoke recently to a packed room at the Pride Center’s Coffee and Conversation program. In October of 2015, Deutch introduced the Ruthie and Connie LGBT Elder Americans Act, a bill named after a West Palm Beach lesbian couple. “While we’ve made such incredible advances in just the last year, we still find when it comes to Social Security, benefits are paid and they now respect marriage equality, however, the formula they use doesn’t account for all the time that couples were together because they weren’t allowed to be married,” Deutch said. “So, I introduced this legislation to try to change the situation.” According to Deutch’s Washington, D.C. office, the bill is still seeking sponsors and has yet to receive a committee hearing.

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news miami dade Photo: Facebook.

Chef Scott Conant will be at the SoBe wine and food festival.

SoBe wine & Food FeSt top upcoming miAmi eventS

Anthony Martinez Beven

ood. Wine. Celebrities. South Beach. If you had to pick one form this list on any given day, any choice would be a win. There's no need to choose with the 15th annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival, presented by Food & Wine Magazine, which began on Monday and runs through the weekend. Did we mention that Hollywood heartthrob Neil Patrick Harris and (ahem) his husband actor and chef

Amstel light Burger Bash Friday, Feb. 26 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

David Burtka are among the long list of celebrities and food notables expected at this year's event? Both Harris and Burtka are self-proclaimed foodies. “It is fun. I like to tweet [pictures] of food. But [Neil] will tweet the food before I get the chance to. I’m like, ‘Neil! Let me do it!’ We love to eat. We are crazy eaters," Burtka has been quoted as saying in media. If you're a fan of these two, they can be spotted at:

goya Foods grand tasting village Saturday, Feb. 27 Noon-5 p.m.

Here are other event highlights that may tickle your taste buds: • Fireman Derek’s Midnight Breakfast hosted by Chrissy Teigen ($95) on Friday, Feb. 26. • Grilled Cheese Happy Hour hosted by Laura Werlin & Ms. Cheezious ($95) on Friday, Feb. 26. • Nutrish®’s Yappie Hour hosted by Rachael Ray ($95) on Saturday, Feb. 27. • Croquetas & Champagne hosted by Jean-Georges Vongerichten ($95) on Saturday, Feb. 27. • Bank of America Lifestyle Seminars ($55-$85) – Saturday, Feb. 27 & Sunday, Feb. 28. These events, and many more, are available online at SoBeFest.com or by calling 1-877762-3933 (phone sales open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.). SOBEWFF has raised more than $22 million to date for the Wine Spectator Restaurant Management Laboratory and Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management located on Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay campus.

• 2.24.2016

Check these out, too • Aqua Ally Awards on Wednesday, March 9, 6-9 p.m., at the Bacardi USA, Inc. HQ (2701 S Le Jeune Rd in Miami). This is a paid, ticketed event with general admission of $85 in advance, $95 at the door. To purchase tickets, visit www.aquafoundation.org. • "Maximize your Membership Benefits" Networking Breakfast on Thursday, March 3 at 10 a.m. at the LGBT Visitor Center. • TransCon will be held on Friday, March 11 (noon-5 p.m.) and Saturday, March 12 (9 a.m.-6 p.m.) at Barry University in Miami Shores. For more information, visit www. transconmiami.tumblr.com/info. • PrEP presentation on Thursday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the LGBT Vistor Center. • Free HIV Testing every other Friday, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., at the LGBT Visitor Center (1130 Washington Ave on Miami Beach).

news state

Submitted photos.

Wesley Ryan

pSYcH proFeSSor tAkeS clASS into recording Studio John McDonald

esley Ryan believes in the power of positive thought. And through music, Ryan has found a way to express this psychology. A gay man living along the beaches of Northwest Florida, Ryan is the host of a one hour radio show that encourages listeners to absorb the best music has to offer. “It’s an hour of positivity,” says Ryan in a telephone interview with SFGN. “There’s no doubt music gets us through difficult times and what I try to do in the show is pick a moment from each song and explain a significant impact it has on me and perhaps others who are listening.” Ryan is properly trained to search for music’s hidden messages. He owns a master’s degree in clinical psychology with 10 years of experience teaching at the university level. Music, he is well aware, can lift spirits. “So much positivity and inspiration can come from the power of music,” Ryan said. In each episode, Ryan takes a recording artist and delves deep into their work. He looks for reasoning behind their words, asks for what inspires them and takes feedback from fans. He launched his show with a tribute to Carnie Wilson, of the group Wilson Phillips. “The Wilson Phillips debut album was the third cassette tape I ever owned, right behind Milli Vanilli and Paula Abdul,” he tells his audience. “I bought the cassette on one of my family vacations to Panama City, Florida when I was a kid and immediately fell in love with the song, ‘The Dream Is Still Alive.’ It’s a song about keeping your dreams alive and trying your best about making them happen no matter what gets in the way.” Twenty five years after purchasing that cassette tape, Ryan found himself interviewing

Carnie Wilson for his first broadcast of “The Positive Psychology of Pop Music.” The moment, Ryan says, nearly brought him to tears -- not that there’s anything wrong with that. “Fair warning,” he says. “There will probably be a lot of that on this show.” When asked if he felt any connection to the popular syndicated radio host Delilah, who often weaves heartfelt inspirational stories from callers into her playlist, Ryan, without hesitation replies, “Are you kidding me? I wanted to be her growing up.” “Love, spirituality and devotion are very important concepts in positive psychology and I’ll be talking a lot about them in this show,” he adds. Some of the artists Ryan dissects in his podcasts include Debbie Gibson, Leann Rimes, Blake Lewis, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, Carrie Underwood and Britney Spears. In cuing up Spears’ hit “toxic” Ryan offers a little dating advice, “People that we may think are good for us, may not be, in fact they may not drive us crazy, they may kill us.” Ryan, who grew up in a Pentecostal family in Virginia, says he always knew he was attracted to guys, recalling buying Men’s Health magazines not for the workout tips. He says it was the confidence displayed by Spears that actually shook him from the grips of depression during his college years and allowed him to accept his sexuality. “I saw this incredibly confident woman who was promising herself that she could get through this. That she was strong and that was enough to get me out of that place at that time,” Ryan said. “It was another example of how music and psychology could not only have a positive impact on my life, but also save it.”

For more information and links to live streams, visit the positivepsychologyofpopmusic.com 2.24.2016 •

news miami dade

Panel Takes Closer Look at Discrimination Anthony Martinez Beven

group of a dozen Miami-area locals packed seating inside the LGBT Visitor Center on Miami Beach on Feb. 16 to get a better understanding of discrimination, legal resources available and pose their own questions to a panel of experts on the topic. The panel was mostly made up of Miami Beach City and Miami-Dade County officials and representatives from local advocacy organizations. Fewer than a third of all U.S. states have laws protecting people from discrimination based on sexual orientation, and only a handful prohibit discrimination based on a person’s gender identity or expression, according to the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD). There are no federal protections for LGBT civil rights. “People call us for housing, or we will investigate situations,” said Rob Collins, an attorney and education/outreach coordinator for Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence (HOPE, Inc.), which is a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination and promoting fair housing. “They give you short, dismissive answers, speak another language or are just rude,” he said of people who discriminate against others. Collins added, “They might say, ‘You wouldn’t like this neighborhood.’” He said there have been several apartment complexes that have been sued for comments like this, among other evidence. One in the Design District has been sued “multiple times,” he said. Collins advises people to keep as much evidence as possible. Although it’s not needed to begin an investigation, it helps. Bill Warren is a member of the Miami Beach Human Rights

Committee. The committee’s main objective is to bring awareness to the ban of discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations for residents, those who work in the city and visitors. “If you go into a public place and pay a different price for something than someone else that’s discrimination, for instance,” he said. “The good news is that we do a survey every Memorial Day Weekend to find out if people feel discriminated against here, and they don’t,” Warren added. Matt Dietz is legal director for Disability Independence Group (DIG). Dietz said DIG promotes the recruitment, education and employment of persons with disabilities thereby improving their lives through competitive employment and financial stability. “There are still doctors that say we won’t take you for this procedure, because you have HIV,” Dietz said, adding that DIG gets at least one new call daily about possible discrimination. David Kessler, who is a local psychologist and life coach, specializes in treating LGBT patients with self-esteem issues. “Discrimination is toxic, and it has a deeply profound impact,” he said. “A lot of times it comes out in the form of micro-aggression, subtle comments or reactions that reinforce discrimination. Here’s a real life example someone cited, ‘You don’t look gay.’” Det. Juan Sanchez of the Miami Beach Police Dept. is the LGBT liaison for the law enforcement agency and openly gay himself. Sanchez, who is also the hate crime coordinator for the Miami Beach PD, said that many people don’t know that police

LGBT Discrimination in the workplace • Termination of an employee based on sexual orientation remains legal in 31 American states. • Termination of an employee based on gender identity remains legal in 39 American states. • Up to 68 percent of individuals identifying as LGBT report experiencing employment discrimination.

• 2.24.2016

• Anywhere from 15 to 43 percent of gay people have experienced some form of discrimination and harassment at the workplace. • Approximately 90 percent of transgender workers report some form of harassment or mistreatment on the job. Sources: American Psychological Association, Center for American Progress

officers cannot charge someone with a hate crime under Florida state law. “It’s an underline offense,” he said. Sanchez said as LGBT liaison he heads up training on all hate crime reporting. In addition, the Miami Beach PD has a 24-hour hate crime hotline, he said. “We have made long strides with the LGBT community,” Sanchez said. “We take an oath to protect and serve equally.” Colleen McKenzie is training and outreach coordinator within the Office of Fair Employment Practices for Miami-Dade County. Before McKenzie introduced herself, she cited an instance of discrimination from her days as a college student. She sought housing off campus to save money and was denied. “I experienced discrimination first-hand, because of who I am,” she said. McKenzie said that one of her areas of responsibility is to provide training within county departments and externally with regard to discrimination and harassment issues that “hover over protected classes” and how to address them properly. Afterward, audience members had a chance to ask members of the panel specific questions, such as defining human trafficking and how the Miami-Dade County’s Office of Fair Employment Practices remains objective when investigating other county departments.

Report discrimination or retaliation in Miami Beach by calling 305-673-7524.

Upcoming events • On March 9, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. the LGBT Visitor Center will host a community discussion on PrEP • On April 10, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. the visitor center will host presentation on path to parenthood for LGBT couples. The visitor center is located at 1130 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. For more information, call (305) 397-8914 or visit www.gogaymiami.com.

news local

StonewAll preSentS ‘dYing wordS’ proJect John McDonald

ou might say Jeff Schmaltz became the story. An efficient and ambitious journalist by all accounts, Schmaltz was running the metro desk at the New York Times by his mid 20s. A gay man, Schmaltz kept his personal life secret from colleagues until collapsing in the newsroom one day after being diagnosed with full blown AIDS. It was a turning point in Schmaltz’s career as he dedicated his remaining years to reporting on HIV/ AIDS, following medical advances in treatment and providing intimate portraits of those living with the virus such as Magic Johnson, Mary Fisher and Harold Brodkey. Schmaltz died in 1993 at the age of 39 but his memory lives on in a project arriving next week in South Florida. “Dying Words: The AIDS Reporting of Jeff Schmaltz” is an interactive project from the book by Columbia School of Journalism Professor Samuel G. Freedman. Stonewall National Museum & Archives’ Wilton

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Manors Gallery, 2157 Wilton Drive, welcomes Freedman Wednesday, March 2, at 7 p.m. for a book signing and reading. Admission is free. “We are very excited about this program,” said Emery Grant, Director of Community Engagement for the Stonewall National Museum & Archives. “It is such a robust project full of interesting work.” Included in Freedman’s book is an audio documentary produced by Kerry Donahue with recordings from Schmaltz himself and other major journalists from the Times. The audio documentary, hosted by MSNBC journalist Rachel Maddow, has aired on more than 125 NPR stations.

Freedman and Donahue will also be at Florida International University (3000 NE 151 St., North Miami) on Tuesday, March 1 at 2 pm. (room AC1/194) discussing the book and Schmaltz’s legacy. Email SPJFIUChapter@gmail.com for more info.

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lgbtqia bites

lesbian

police Hold perSon oF intereSt in BiSexuAl teen’S murder Photo: Facebook.

SAYonArA SexiSt! leSBiAn couple tell oFF cHeF witH tHeir tip

(EDGE) A lesbian couple got the last laugh after a sexist chef in Indiana told the women their relationship is "a waste of a man," according to Yahoo. Ellie Parker and her girlfriend Lucy celebrated Valentine's Day with a dinner at Asahi Japanese Steakhouse in Lafayette, Ind. But the mood quickly soured after one of the restaurant's hibachi chefs decided to tease customers by greeting them [and] inquiring about their relationship status. In her Facebook post, Parker said the chef questioned each woman to find out if they had a husband or boyfriend. When he grilled Parker and her girlfriend, his attitude reportedly changed. "We told him we were each other's Valentines. We were holding hands mind you. Clearly a couple," she wrote on Feb. 14. "He

• 2.24.2016

Bisexual

proceeds to say 'well it is legal, but it's such a waste to not have a man.' Later he continues to insult our relationship by saying he could come home with us to 'heat things up.'" Parker continued: "I cannot believe I paid over $50 to have my relationship insulted and sexualized." To get back for the chef's insulting remarks, the women decided to leave him a special tip: "Don't tell lesbians they need a man on Valentine's Day," the couple wrote on their bill's tip line. Yahoo reports that the restaurant's Facebook page has been deactivated after Parker's post went viral. As of this writing, her post has nearly 8,000 shares. According to Grub Street, Asahi offered Parker a refund - but only if she agrees to delete her post.

Photo Credit: WBRC video

Compiled by Jillian Melero

(SFGN) The body of 19-year-old Nicholas Hawkins was found shot, abandoned in a wooded area of Walker County Alabama on Tuesday night, the Advocate reports. Hawkins mother had reported him missing Saturday night, after Nicholas called her to tell her that someone was trying to kill him. Prior to Hawkins’ body being found, police arrested Joshua Adam Reese, 21, in Jefferson County on an outstanding warrant. Reese was already awaiting trial for an attempted murder in 2013. In an interview with Birmingham station

WTVM, Police Chief Jared Hall said that Reese was a person of interest after being named in the phone call to Hawkins’ mother. Reese is being held at the Walker County Jail but has not yet been charged in Hawkins murder. Police have yet to discuss a motive for the murder. Friends of Hawkins told Buzzfeed that Nicholas came out as bisexual in high school, but later dropped out due to bullying. He was in the process of completing his GED and looking forward to a career in cosmetology.

lgbtqia bites transgender

YoutH groupS cAll on governorS to reJect trAnSgender BillS

(AP) A coalition of youth-oriented groups is calling on the nation's governors to reject measures it says are harmful to young transgender Americans. The group of seven organizations that includes the National Education Association and American Academy of Pediatrics released an open letter to the governors just days after South Dakota lawmakers approved a bill that would prohibit transgender students from

using the bathroom of their choice. Supporters of the bill say it's meant to protect student privacy and not meant to be hurtful. But the coalition condemned such measures, saying they could increase risks of bullying and harassment. The Human Rights Campaign, which has spoken against the South Dakota legislation, solicited the groups and released the letter.

continued

Queer

lgBtQ diverSitY in mediA lAcking

(SFGN) Building upon GLAAD’s annual report on queer representation on television, a team from the Media, Diversity, & Social Change Initiative at the University of Southern California had released their own findings which also include movies, Pacific Standard Magazine reports. With the increasing attention given to a whitewashed movie and television industry, the findings in the Annenberg Report on Diversity in Entertainment come as little surprise. According to the report, of more than 11,000 speaking characters who showed up in 414 movies, TV shows, and online series from 2014 and 2015:

• Two percent were lesbian, gay, or bisexual, compared to, 3.5 percent of Americans who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual • Two movies, “Pride” and “Love Is Strange,” accounted for more than half of the LGBT characters shown in ﬁlm in 2014 and 2015. • Only seven characters were transgender, four of those characters appeared in one show. • Seventy-two percent were male. Seventynine percent were white. • While the majority were shown to be in committed relationships, fewer than one in ﬁve were shown as parents or caregivers. "These findings tell the story of a group still fighting for inclusion in media," the study's authors wrote.

Escape to Florida’s Hollywood and its world-famous oceanfront Broadwalk and certified “Blue Wave” beaches. Visit the downtown entertainment district brimming with diverse dining, music and nightlife. Trolley and water taxi service available day and night. From full-service resorts to Superior Small LodgingsTM, you will love what you find in Florida’s Hollywood.

VisitHollywoodFL.org 2.24.2016 •

news sfan

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WINTER ISSUE

FeB. report From SoutH FloridA AidS network Sean McShee The South Florida AIDS Network (SFAN) functions as the networking/advisory body for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) in Broward and for the Florida Department of Health (FL-DOH) Ryan White Care (RWC) program in Broward County. Its monthly meetings are open to the public.

his meeting consisted mainly of announcements and mini-reports. Mario DeSantis of Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) reported on changes to its funding. He also discussed how Broward HOPWA plans to minimize harm to clients. Historically, the number of AIDS cases in an area determined the funding for that area. The increasing success of HIV treatments has changed HOPWA’s emphasis from caring for the sick to maintaining people’s health. This shift in emphasis requires changing the funding formula. The number of HIV cases in an area will now determine its HOPWA funding. Any sudden, immediate change to HOPWA funding could seriously disrupt all its programs, but gradual changes to the funding formula over a four-year period will minimize that potential disruption. At the end of this four-year period, Broward’s HOPWA funding should increase. During parts of this transition, however, Broward will receive less money. DeSantis reported on Broward HOPWA’s plan to avoid affecting existing clients. HOPWA’s purpose is to move people from housing subsidies to housing self-sufficiency. HOPWA provides time-limited subsidies for clients with temporary and permanent housing needs. As clients move to housing self-sufficiency, they leave the HOPWA program. HOPWA will freeze enrollment in its permanent housing program. HOPWA will use savings from this freeze to offset funding shortages. These changes will have no effect on subsidies for temporary housing. Neil Walker (FL-DOH) reported that the Broward HIV Planning Council (HIVPC) has elected a new chair, Brad Gammel, and vice-chair, Raqel Lopes. The HIVPC sets HIV

treatment policy for Broward County. A SFAN committee, the Community Feedback Forum, collects reports of problems that RWC clients have with RWC. It then works to resolve those problems. This committee encourages RWC clients having problems with RWC to attend their meetings. These meetings occur on the fourth Monday of each month at 5 p.m., at 700 SE 3rd Ave, Fort Lauderdale. Rosemarie Woods discussed the upcoming Discharge Planning Conference. This Conference will explore improving HIV treatment linkages for recently released jail or prison inmates. It will occur from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 8, at the Sister Innocent Conference Center, Holy Cross Hospital, 4725 N Federal Highway. To register contact Rosemarie Williams by phone 954-831-0132 or by email at rwilliams@ armour@armourcorrectional.com). Arianna Lint discussed the TransLatina Coalition and its role in the United States Conference on AIDS (USCA) conference. That Conference will occur in Hollywood, Florida, from September 15 to 18, 2016. The TransLatina Coalition is coordinating many of the transgender issues at this conference. Joey Wynn reported on the Black PrEP Summit, held February 5, in Fort Lauderdale. This all day conference drew about 150 people. This Summit focused on overcoming barriers to PrEP use among African Americans. On February 17, the Florida Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously to move the bill (HB 81) out of Committee. This bill would establish a pilot needle and syringe exchange program in Miami-Dade. The Florida House and Senate must still approve this bill.

AnnouncementS

The Broward HIV Planning Council has open public meetings at 9:30 a.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month. These meetings generally occur at the Government Center Annex, 114 S. Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-561-9681, Ext. 1250 for room number or changes. Next SFAN Meeting: Friday, Marcy 3, 2016 at 6 p.m., at the Holy Cross Healthplex, 1000 NE 56th Street, Ft. Lauderdale. Newcomers are encouraged to attend.

• 2.24.2016

politics white house watch

fla progrssive caucus endorses sanders B

ernie Sanders came up a tad short in last weekend’s Nevada Caucuses, but that hasn’t stopped his appeal to a certain element of the Democratic Party. On Monday, Florida’s Democratic Progressive Caucus endorsed Sanders for President ahead of the Sunshine State’s March 15 election. “Throughout his political career as well as his presidential campaign, Bernie Sanders has proved to be a bold progressive who is ready to fight for the values that DPCF members hold dear,” said Caucus President Susan Smith in a news release. “Like our membership, Bernie views the problems of income inequality, institutional racism and money in politics as structural issues that must be addressed for real change to occur.” Sanders remains a big underdog in Florida with a recent poll conducted by Florida Atlantic University showing former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with a commanding 62 to 26 percent lead. Clinton holds a similar lead in South Carolina, site of Saturday’s Democratic primary election.

In terms of delegate counts, Clinton has 502 to 70 for Sanders, a margin bolstered by her support among superdelegates (451 to 19). A candidate must garner 2,382 to claim the party’s nomination in Philadelphia this July. Meanwhile, on the Republican side, billionaire businessman Donald J. Trump picked up a huge victory last Saturday in South Carolina, winning the Southern state and all of its delegates while knocking out rival Jeb Bush in the process. Heading into Tuesday night’s caucuses in Nevada, Trump took aim at his chief rival, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. “Ted Cruz lifts the Bible high into the air and then lies like a dog-over and over again! The Evangelicals in S.C. figured it out & said no!,” Trump tweeted. Cruz, who started the campaign with a win in the Iowa Caucuses, is in full damage control amid accusations of deploying dirty tricks. Cruz stands accused of spreading false rumors about Ben Carson dropping out in Iowa, running inaccurate television ads about fellow senator Marco Rubio and trying

Photo Credit: Nigel Parry/For CNN.

John McDonald

to paint Trump as sympathetic to gay rights in robo-calls to South Carolina voters. In the calls, the Cruz campaign suggested Trump’s commitment to traditional family values was questionable because he told a lesbian reporter she could expect “forward motion” on LGBT rights from a Trump Presidency. “It’s about mandatory celebration,” the robot blares. “It’s about forcing people to bake cakes and photograph gay weddings. Forcing clergy to officiate. It’s about transgender bathrooms in your child’s school. It’s about

tearing down your Judeo-Christian values. It’s about tearing down America.” Trump, of course, wasted no time in returning fire. “The reason that Ted Cruz lost the Evangelicals in S.C. is because he is a world class LIAR, and Evangelicals do not like liars!,” Trump tweeted. Trump leads the GOP field with 67 delegates, followed by Cruz (11), Rubio (10), Ohio Governor John Kasich (5), Bush (4) and Carson (3). The winner must collect 1,237 pledged delegates in order to claim the Republican Party’s nomination in July in Cleveland.

2.24.2016 •

CONVICTIONS Are we electing A FÜHrer?

publisher's editorial

Norm Kent

norm.kent@sfgn.com

hen Dean Rusk was once the United States Secretary of Defense under President Lyndon Johnson, he shared some thoughtful words of wisdom, “You know, the more power you have, the more restraint you have to exercise.” President George Bush, a wartime president, only last week, remarked, “In my experience I have learned that the strongest people in the room are not the loudest.” This presidential cycle has featured a bombastic buffoon parade his toughness to America, his real message hidden by what appears to be a bad blonde wig. This week in Nevada Donald Trump reﬂected on how sad it was that the crowd could not beat the hell out of a heckler and have him leave the room in a stretcher. You see, when you are a billionaire bully used to getting your way, you can play tough, demanding and demeaning though you are. Unfortunately, though, Donald Trump is a coward and a weakling. He is draft dodger, who, when he was called upon to fight for the United States as a young man, chose to avoid war, opting for student deferments instead. In an era when young men and women were standing up to United States aggression in Vietnam, Donald Trump was silent, earning a degree at Wharton instead. When he had a chance to show moral courage, and at least speak out, no one heard a sound from the rich little kid. The big nationalist who promises to crush Isis today was nowhere yesterday. When he graduated, certified 1-A and fit for military duty, and was a prime candidate to be drafted, he suddenly discovered he had ‘heel spurs’ and within weeks was re-classified 1-Y with a medical deferment. Today, with bravado, he talks of defending America passionately, but like every other Republican candidate on the stage in their debates, never fought for or wore the uniform of a United States military branch. Tough guys all, none ever volunteered for military service. The national press is responsible for not effectively exposing Trump. As with every other issue, no reporters hold

• 2.24.2016

him to task for his malfeasance back then. Hell, they don’t hold him accountable for the misogynistic and mindless things he said a month ago. Journalists sit by silently as he interrupts fellow candidates in the debates and reporters in their interviews. Journalists allow Trump to publish groundless and unsubstantiated criticism of others while never researching his own sad record of business bankruptcies, failed marriages, and multiple lawsuits. Journalists have failed to expose that the nationalism Trump foments is identical in form and fashion to the white supremacist Aryan civilization that a leader named Hitler once tried to create. Trump’s defense is a good offense, and no one is calling him out effectively. His derisive and demeaning chatter infects the Internet and despoils the political field. He is the toxin poisoning the river, the bully standing on the corner, pointing out the faults of others while never seeing the fool in himself. It does not matter what the issue or who the journalist is this year. They allow themselves to be badgered and beaten by the big bad boy with the blonde wig. It’s a disgrace from Fox to CNN. Americans everywhere should be troubled by Trump’s verbal terrorism. Journalists across this nation should be embarrassed that they have not produced stories showing whom he is and what he has done. A rabid dog is leading them instead. Politics can be brutal, but it does not have to be appalling. In 2016, one man has thrown it into the gutter. It is no surprise. This is what America has become, a reality show for Duck Dynasty freaks. This is a time to be reminded of the McCarthy witch-hunt hearings in Congress in the 1950’s. It was another era to be sure, but we need a courageous voice to speak out again: “Once again, sir, have you no conscience? Have you no sense of decency?” Maybe journalists have begun to wake up and follow my lead, exposing Trump’s frauds for what they are. Heel spurs, my ass. Like a million other Americans, he dodged the draft with a lame medical excuse.

SFGN is not alone in drawing comparisons between Donald Trump and Adolph Hitler. They have been populating the pages of blogs, news articles, and feature writing for months, in imagery, cartoons, and tabloids. In fact, on Sunday of this week, the Washington Post ran an editorial from Harvard University professor and political theorist Danielle Allen, who compared the surprising rise of Trump to Adolf Hitler’s seizing power in Germany. “A demagogic opportunist can exploit a divided country,” she wrote. Also this week, The Collegian, the student newspaper of California State University at Fresno, equated the Republican frontrunner with Hitler in a front page editorial, and a bold headline reading “SIEG HEIL!” Last month, the 86 year old step-sister of Anne Frank, a Holocaust survivor told the New York Daily News that Trump “is acting like another Hitler.” A refugee herself, she was referring to Trump’s declaration that the United States should ban all Muslims from entering the United States. In October, the blog site cracked.com ran a stunning story “5 Ways Donald Trump Perfectly Mirrors Hitler’s Rise to Power”. The author notes that Trump sells “hate as hope." Last summer, Newsweek ran a story by Jeffrey Tucker entitled “ Is Donald Trump a Fascist?”, citing his "brazen display of nativistic jingoism, along with a complete disregard for economic reality.” In Bristol, the United Kingdom, a street artist known as Pegasus posted a wall mural of Trump as the Furor. "Every hate speech makes him sound more and more like a dictator instead of a presidential candidate," he said. "I wanted to send that message in the most obvious way.” “People forget,” another CNN contributor Sally Kohn notes, “Hitler was elected too, with 36 % of the vote.” Host Ashley Banﬁeld added that “there are a lot of Brown shirt similarities." As the publisher of SFGN, and a student of history, I would simply say that those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. - NK

On Monday, CNN finally produced a segment on the lawsuits against Trump right here in Broward County, calling him out for raw business deals that screwed investors. Yesterday, the NY Times published an expose revealing that Trump is really a lightweight in Manhattan real estate, hardly the titan he pretends to be. Additionally, more and more stories are coming to light that he has sold his name simply for profit, not protecting the quality of the products he markets.

Journalists caught up in the glitz and the glamor that was Trump now need to double down and become the street fighter he is, punching out facts and figures instead of fantasy and froth. They need to expose his warts and wounds, holding him to account. The pedestal is a slippery place when greased. Most of all, we need an America that aspires not to the bombastic and belligerent, but to our best and brightest. Donald is a tramp and he won’t ever do that.

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2.24.2016 •

Seeing In The Dark

CONVICTIONS

Belo Cipriani

inviSiBle diSABilitieS PTSD and the Human Trafﬁcking of Queer Youth in Faraway

eople with mental and emotional conditions have been misunderstood and misrepresented by popular culture and the media for ages. And perhaps this is largely caused by the lack of education in our society about people with mental or emotional disabilities. For R.K. Kline, a gay man who was a victim of human trafficking as a teen in St. Louis, MO, and who now struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of his horrific experience, living with a disability that is misjudged by many is his daily reality. In his 2015 memoir, “Faraway: A Suburban Boy’s Story as a Victim of Human Trafficking,” which he co-authored with Daniel Maurer, Kline shares his riveting story on how trusting a man lead him to prostitution. And while he was able to document his experience, and attend a few initial book promotional events, his PTSD now keeps him from further discussing his book with the public. For this reason, the co-author of Faraway, Daniel Maurer, stepped in for my interview. “With Kevin, he's suffered from PTSD for a long time. There were very few people he trusted to share his story with after that summer in '75,” Maurer said. Maurer, a straight man, met Kline in seminary school in the late ‘90s. And while they have both left the ministry to pursue other projects, they remained in contact over

the years. Like Kline, Maurer also struggles with having a disability that is not visible to the public. “Disabilities that are invisible to other people hide themselves so readily,” Maurer shared, “because we who carry them don't want others to uncover the pain that runs deeply, and the shame that often accompanies a public diagnosis.” “With me,” Maurer continued, “I've dealt with depression and addiction. I tried to hide these disabilities, because I didn't want to be found out.” After a phone call in 2013, the pair began to write Faraway -- a course that took Maurer to Hawaii to see Kline, and to St. Louis, MO, where the story takes place. During this process, Maurer believes that as they both revealed their disabilities and owned them to each other, the less power their conditions had over them. With vivid and piercing prose, Faraway opens with Kevin, a typical teenage boy, who is coming to terms with his sexuality. And instantly, one is immersed in the America of the ‘70s – a time when boys could not afford to show an ounce of femininity.

One is immersed in the America of the ‘70s – a time when boys could not afford to show an ounce of femininity.

• 2.24.2016

As we bounded down the bus stairs and stepped outside, I saw the little kid ahead of us and the boys following close behind. My sister and I were farther back. The school bus door closed with a click and the diesel engine revved up as the bus pulled away. I saw the

boys rush after the effeminate boy and heard him squeal one single word: “No!” And then we watched the other boys beat the living snot out of him. “Should we help him?” I asked, knowing the answer. “Shut up,” was all she replied. The boy screamed. He cried. I can hear his screams and cries to this day. Faraway is a page-turner, and one cannot help but to want to save Kevin as he finds himself forced to sell his body to men on the street. The book is also full of memorable characters, such as the crooked cop that buys time with underage male hustlers, and Stevie and Squirrel, two other boy victims of human trafficking, who take Kevin under their wing and show him the ropes. The sex scenes are respectfully done -- they give clear glimpses into this terrifying world, without being gory. In addition to presenting a compelling story, Faraway is also packed with factual information about the human trafficking industry. The back of the book quotes that according to a study by Rick Curtis, nearly 50 percent of trafficked youth are boys. Beth Holger-Ambrose, Executive Director of The Link, a Minnesota-based nonprofit that works with youth that have been victims of human trafficking, adds that a significant

number of sexually exploited youth identify as queer. “In a study my street outreach partner and I did in Minneapolis with youth who have experienced sexual exploitation, we found that 33 percent of the youth we interviewed identified as LGBT and 17 percent as transgender,” shared Holger-Ambrose. Holger-Ambrose points out that LGBT homeless youth are particularly vulnerable to being sexually abused. “Studies have shown that LGBT youth (although it doesn’t separate out gay boys) represent 20-40 percent of the homeless youth population within the U.S. and that there are between 575,000 and 1.6 million homeless youth in the U.S. each year. Homeless youth are also very vulnerable to being trafficked in that studies have shown that between 25-30 percent of homeless youth are sexually exploited,” she stated. Faraway tells a remarkable story about survival, while touching on a very serious problem in the U.S. It also shines a light on a gay boy’s experience with human trafficking -something that has not been heavily written about. And even though Kline’s story is the focal point, he shares his tale not for himself, but for his friends Stevie and Squirrel, who he believes everyone should know about and remember. In the end, Kline does not heal from his PTSD, but he learns to better manage his disability.

Belo Cipriani is a freelance journalist, the award-winning author of Blind: A Memoir and Midday Dreams, and a spokesperson for Guide Dogs for the Blind. He was voted “Best Disability Advocate” in the Bay Area in 2015 by SF Weekly. Learn more at BeloCipriani.com.

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A Newsletter by Compass Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Palm Beach County @CompassCenter

@CompassCenter

@Compassglcc

Winter Winter 2016 2015 Issue Issue

TONY’S MARCHING ON Tony Plakas Time flies between Compass’ annual Pride festival and parade. In fact, our staff and volunteers refer to Pridefest as the “spring fling” until at least January 1st of each year. Once the barricades come up and the fences go down on March 20th, we are already preparing for next year’s event. It’s a lot of work to produce an event that welcomes more than 25,000 visitors to a small beachside town - and in preparing for the inevitable (and the unimaginable) year round can make you wonder if it’s worth the trouble. Isn’t the work done? Haven’t we made our point? We’ve won marriage equality, and though there are still battles to be fought, do we actually still need to take to the streets? Can’t we just do the rest through the legislature and courts? Then you look at the date and it’s sometime in February or March of 2016. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia - arguably the unfriendliest U.S. Supreme Court Justice toward gays ever to serve in American history – dies. Within minutes, members of the U.S. Senate and numerous people running for President declare Justice Scalia will not be replaced until a new president is elected and an even more conservative judge than Scalia can be found. So, do the numbers. The Executive Branch, up for grabs. The Legislative Branch, up for grabs. The Judicial Branch, up for grabs. And there you have it folks, the entirety the United States government and all its balanced glory sitting atop the head of the pin of history threatening to teeter in whatever way the wind will blow the hardest. So we continue to march. We continue to make waves and stem tides. We take to the streets for every person who took to the streets to get us where we are. We march for all the days we marched so others could march with us, and we march for the young people who continue to be subjected to the discord and dysfunction of a government dominated by people willing to throw its own people to

OUR MISSION Compass aims to diminish stereotypes by challenging long-standing misconceptions about the character of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. We accomplish this by emboldening our youth, promoting pride in our community, and acting as an educator, advocate, health service provider, and focal point for community organizing.

IN THIS ISSUE

the back of the bus just to get on top of it themselves. Take to the streets to honor those who support us and to show gratitude to the families who’ve embraced us. March to support our communities and to lift them up, and stand with our allies because they have so often stood by us. On some level, all parades are about pride and this year Compass’ annual Pride Parade, sponsored once again through the generosity of Wells Fargo, is about Pride and Patriotism. So put on your red, white and blues and join the festivities with us. At Compass we believe that every party can have a purpose, and this year we’ve planned a pageant to applaud our successes, promote the vote, and preserve each and every moment for our posterity so we’ll never take for granted what it really means to have to take to the streets to guarantee equality under the law.

P. 2 3

Pride Business Alliance Joint Mixer

P. 6

David Bohnett Foundation to Refresh Cyber Center

P. 9

Florida School Districts Unite For LGBT Students

10 P. 11

Compass Is...

www.CompassGLCC.com | 561.533.9699

SUSAN BUCHER ADDRESSES PRIDE BUSINESS ALLIANCE & PRHChamber AT JOINT MIXER Compass’ Pride Business Alliance joined forces with the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to kick off 2016 with a collaborative mixer at Compass Community Center. Susan Bucher, Supervisor of Elections, addressed the crowd of business owners and professionals with a message about the importance of civic participation. The Pride Business Alliance was founded in 2005 with the initial goal of providing the community with a safe directory of resources of caring businesses and professionals. The mission of the Pride Business Alliance is to promote a unified and thriving, LGBT and LGBT-friendly, business and professional community throughout Palm Beach County. The Pride Business Alliance, which is sponsored by PNC Bank, provides the community with a directory of LGBT owned and LGBT supportive businesses and resources in Palm Beach County while promoting networking across fields at monthly, floating, business mixers. Members In an effort to open more doors for our members, Compass collaborates with partnering agencies and local Chambers of Commerce in joint mixers and networking events. On January 27th, members of the Puerto Rican and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce joined the Pride Business Alliance at Compass Community Center to meet like-minded people, network, and generate new business. Part of the Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber of Commerce mission is to create new and better ways to bring together the businesses and the community in South Florida. Among the members in attendance were Andy Amoroso, running for re-election as Lake Worth City Commissioner; Alex Freeman, running for Palm Beach Sheriff; Clarence Williams, running for Palm Beach County Commission District 7; and Virginia Savietto, running for State Representative District 87. Don Ramon Cuban Restaurant catered the mixer with a delicious spread.

If you are interested in learning more about the Pride Business Alliance or hosting a monthly networking mixer, visit www.compassglcc.com or email events@compassglcc.com.

Photos courtesy of Wanesco Images

Page 2 | CompassGLCC.com | 561.533.9699

@CompassCenter

@Compassglcc

SAVE THE DATE! Upcoming Pride Business Alliance Mixers Wednesday, February 24: Residence Inn, West Palm Beach/City Place Register at pba-feb.eventbrite.com. Wednesday, March 16: Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Register at pba-feb.eventbrite.com.

Welcome New Pride Business Alliance Members! A Gift of a Lifetime Allison L. Kapner, Esq. with Ward Damon Celebrity Cruises Christine Russo Richardson Equality Dating Honey in Delray House of Whitley Inspire Recovery Better Life Johnson and Johnson’s S.FL Chapter of Open&Out Kathy Copelin of Challenger Coaching Law Office of Curtis Turner Lesia Gant Graphic Design New Beginnings Recovery Center Ryan Dodson of DoTerra Essential Oils Scott Powers with First Citizens Bank St. Michael’s Lutheran Church of Wellington Stephen Anthony Hair Steven Savini with Baer’s Quality Furniture The DiBacco School in Lake Worth Total Recovery Now

Welcome Renewed and Returning Members! Acupuncture of the Palm Beaches Area Agency on Aging BG Marketing Solutions Camelot Community Care EJ Schrader Mattress Elizabeth F. Schwartz, P.A. Gathering Place Worship Center South FL Lee Hoginski, CPA Massage Envy Nicole Laing Graphic Design Palm Beach Hibiscus Palm Beach Prime Timers PBC NOW Polisena Photography PR-BS Public Relations Scott, Harris, Bryan, Barra & Jorgensen, P.A, Sean Rush Atelie Steven R. Karmelin Retirement Planning Consultant Superior Funding The Law Office of Warren B Brams Whole Health Psychological Center Wronsky Architect

Page 3 | CompassGLCC.com | 561.533.9699

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE THEME DOMINATES PRIDE PARADE IN ELECTION YEAR

Voted Best Gay Event of the Year in 2014 and 2015 by the readers of South Florida Gay News, Compass’ PrideFest of the Palm Beaches is expected to break record attendance this year. After achieving marriage equality nationwide in 2015, the LGBT community has more pride than ever before. The weekend long festival, emceed by local celebrities Melissa St.John and Ricky Rollick, will take place on March 1920 in Bryant Park in Lake Worth, from noon to 6:00 pm. The vendor Hospitality Tent, sponsored by PNC Bank, will be catered by Ken Keffer Catering. The brand new, waterfront Members Tent, sponsored by Lilly Catering, will feature a DJ and drinks from Tito’s Vodka. “The Members Tent is a new and exciting way for us to recognize our Compass Members who support our programs and services all year long,” Julia Murphy, Compass’ Chief Development Officer explains. Sunday’s “Pride and Patriotism” parade will feature floats and marchers decked out in red, white, and blue, celebrating pride in the LGBT community during this election year. The “Pride and Patriotism” Parade, sponsored by Wells Fargo, kicks off at 11:30 am heading east on Lake Avenue and directly into Bryant Park. It’s going to be one for the history books. To volunteer at PrideFest, march in the parade, reserve vendor space, or become a sponsor, contact events@ compassglcc.com.

Page 4 | CompassGLCC.com | 561.533.9699

SMART RIDE SELECTS COMPASS AS PALM BEACH COUNTY’S 2016 BENEFICIARY Kerensa Butler during the SMART Ride 2008

Julie Seaver The staﬀ and board of Compass are excited to be a participating agency and beneficiary of SMART Ride 2016. As a previous benefiting agency from 2006 to 2008, Compass provides HIV/AIDS services to thousands of people living in Palm Beach County and look forward to growing the presence of Palm Beach County on the ride this year. The area already has an amazing group of riders, donors and volunteers of the SMART Ride to be grateful for and we are excited to support their vision and goals of this very worthy cause.

Kerensa Butler, Compass’ former chair of the board and team captain of RSM’s bike team, reflected on her experience: “The SMART RIDE is a wellorganized, emotionally fulfilling charity event. The thought of 165 miles in 2 days is overwhelming – but, pedaling 12-15 miles at a time between outrageously entertaining rest stops is priceless. We create awareness through the sheer number of riders taking over the route between Miami and Key West. We work hard, pedal hard and sweat A LOT. We organize teams and raise money for our LOCAL community. The physical labor, the power of the crowd, and the peace and camaraderie of the SMART RIDE feels like a real contribution to our community – that we are riding for the future – an HIV-free future.” For nearly 30 years, Compass has provided federal and state funded direct HIV/ AIDS prevention and case management services to Palm Beach County residents, making this renewed partnership a good fit. The agency stretches its current resources toward those identified as being most vulnerable to HIV-infection. The staff and volunteers include some of the brightest minds successfully engaging some of the hardest to reach populations in need of education, testing, counseling, linkage and care services. Our staff help those individuals living with the virus to learn new skills, achieve and maintain undetectable viral loads while navigating the ever-changing and challenging healthcare systems of today. The common belief is that treatment truly is prevention and we have fostered agreements around the Compass Business Response to AIDS program within the local Department of Health, area businesses, churches and synagogues so that people can receive education, testing and HIV support in the places they shop, work and worship. Compass will be officially launching their participation in this year’s SMART Ride at the agency’s largest outreach event of the year, PrideFest of Lake Worth and the Palm Beaches, hosted at Bryant Park on the intracoastal waterway March 19th and 20th. Funding from the SMART Ride will enable the wrap-around services of additional center support groups and activities to provide life-sustaining, educational and social programs on a more holistic level to people of all ages for generations to come.

For more information about participating in the SMART Ride, visit https://thesmartride.org/. @CompassCenter

@CompassCenter

@Compassglcc

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DAVID BOHNETT FOUNDATION TO REFRESH COMPASS CYBER CENTER Compass’ David Bohnett CyberCenter is getting a refresh in 2016. The very first David Bohnett CyberCenter opened its doors in 1998 at the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center. Technology entrepreneur and Foundation Chairman David Bohnett’s vision was to provide the local LGBT community with a “wired” hub through which its members could network, communicate, and explore educational, professional and recreational opportunities. The CyberCenter was an immediate hit, and served as the model for similar facilities throughout the United States. There are now more than 60 David Bohnett CyberCenters nationwide, including the cyber center at Compass, which is one of

the largest cyber centers in the country. Our CyberCenter holds 12 desktop computers and workstations, and provides computer and internet access to community members. Compass frequently hosts trainings and workshops on topics relevant to our community in the CyberCenter. Compass hosted a dynamic breakout session by Maya Guruswami about Restoring Health during the Women’s Health Conference last November. The CyberCenter is also available to rent for digital trainings and workshops from our community partners and Pride Business Alliance members. Bohnett Cyber Center Hours

Monday - Thursday: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm Friday: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

SERVING TEA AT COMPASS’ RED HAT BRUNCH FOR NWGHAAD MARCH 10

March 10th is the 11th Annual National Women and Girls HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day. The purpose of the observance is to raise awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls. Compass commemorates this day with the annual Red Hat Brunch, a fun, interactive, and informative event for women and girls. Today, women account for 20% of new HIV diagnosis in the United States. Organizations all over the country host events to raise awareness about the gaps in access to HIV care that many American women still face, encourage women to get tested, and encourage women to seek treatment if they test positive. Compass invites women and girls, healthcare providers, and community members for brunch sponsored by Janssen Therapeutics and Ken Keffer Catering, networking, free HIV testing, an educational session, raffles, and so much more. Positively Dynamite, Compass’ social-support group for women living with HIV, have taken the lead on planning and preparations for this event. Join them March 10th for brunch and wear a red hat to honor the Positively Dynamite meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at noon at Compass. For more information, email Patrice Huntley at patrice@ compassglcc.com or call 561-533-9699. Page 6 | CompassGLCC.com | 561.533.9699

COUNTY LEADERS STRATEGIZE INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF CARE FOR 2016-2020 The Palm Beach County CARE Council hosted their annual retreat on Friday, February 5th in Palm Beach Gardens. The full-day retreat welcomed HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention specialists, aﬀected community members, and community leaders. Attendees participated in collaborative eﬀorts to identify strategies for the 2016-2020 Integrated Plan, with the goal of provided the best possible care for people living with HIV in Palm Beach County. The Palm Beach County HIV CARE Council is a community based organization supporting local public participation in the planning for a system of medical and support services for individuals and families living with HIV and AIDS. One of the founding themes of the CARE Council is the belief that people living with HIV/AIDS can live a better, healthier and more productive life with the most current treatments supported by the most practical support.

Compass is funded by Palm Beach County Department of Community Services, under the Ryan White C.A.R.E. Act, to provide case management and mental health services for people living with HIV. Compass’ Health Services team participated in the CARE Council Retreat and specifically advocated for the needs of LGBT people living with HIV, which must include LGBT-supportive and competent service providers. Compass’ on-site licensed psychotherapist, Hugo Rocchia, LCSW and Richardo Jackson, Minority AIDS Coordinator for the Department of Health cofacilitated a session focused on Cultural Competence for providers working with LGBTQI individuals.

Photos courtesy of Ernie Gonzalez

HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS TAKE WORK Hugo Rocchia, LCSW

All relationships take work- whether it be a romantic relationships, friendships, or one you have with family. For people living with HIV, maintaining healthy relationships can be that much more complicated. Some people struggle with disclosing their status with their partner, loved ones, and friends. It takes strength and skill to navigate tough conversations. Compass’ Healthy Relationships group may help. Healthy Relationships is a three session, small group intervention with men and women living with HIV/AIDS. It is based on the Social Cognitive Theory and focuses on the development of coping skills needed to make decisions regarding whether, when, and how to disclose to family, friends, sexual partner your HIV status and build healthier and safer sexual relationships. Although disclosure is addressed, this is not necessarily a disclosure intervention; is about the skills necessary to make decisions related to disclose the status. It includes problem solving and decision making skills that enable the participants to make informed and safe decision about disclosure and behaviors. If you participate, your HIV status disclosure skills and safer sex negotiation skills dramatically improve. During the session you practice coping skills and motivational feedback, so you learn what you are doing better. You have behavior modeled for the group, then you practice the skills, received feedback from peers and facilitators and reevaluate your behavior. You are presented with clips where disclosure may or may not be happening and you will make the decision in role-playing with peers in a safe environment. We do this group 4 times in a calendar year, contact the licensed psychotherapist Hugo Rocchia, LCSW at hugo@compassglcc.com or call at 561-533-9699 Ext 4055.

@CompassCenter

@Compassglcc Page 7 | CompassGLCC.com | 561.533.9699

Caring for communities. LOCAL PBC BARS RAISE MONEY FOR YOUTH IN 4TH ANNUAL GAY CHILI OneCOOK-OFF patient at a time. Photos Courtesy of Wanesco Images

The 4th Annual Gay Chili Cook-Oﬀ, hosted each year by Penny’s at the Duke, was bigger and better than ever before. We extend our sincere gratitude to all who came, cooked, judged, volunteered, donated, danced, and performed at the annual benefit for Compass Youth Program. This year, competitors included H.G. Roosters, Fort Dix Bar & Club, Mad Hatter Lounge, Love Tokens, Palm Beach Leathermen, Toni Rich and Team Nerium, Erin with Feel the Bern, and, for the first time, Compass Youth Group. Attendees voted with dollars for the best chili, donating all contributions back to Compass Youth. Local celebrity judges, Miss Lisa, Mr. Robbie, Mary Lindsay, and Wes Blackman, made the final ruling. H.G. Roosters Chili took first place for best chili and most dollars raised. There was no shortage of chili, dancing, or good times at Penny’s at the Duke, this year. Live performers donated their tips back to the event, which collectively raised $3,415 for Compass’ youth programing. Contributions from events like the Gay Chili Cook-Oﬀ support the programs and services Compass provides for LGBTQ youth including the annual Equality Prom, LEAD trip to Tallahassee, FL, and Lavender Graduation Ceremony.

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Page 8 | CompassGLCC.com | 561.533.9699

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30 FLORIDA SCHOOL DISTRICTS ALIGN STATEWIDE TO PROTECT LGBT YOUTH Ryanmarie Rice The 2nd LGBTQ Florida School District Conference is set to take place on March 7-8 at the Safe Schools Institute in Boca Raton. More than 30 School Districts from the state of Florida will be represented at the twoday conference titled: All Together Now: Securing LGBTQ Safe Learning Environments Across Florida. Breakout sessions will include a “master class” in understanding the alphabet soup of LGBTQ identity, Sexual Health, Policy, Student Voices, and Transgender School Procedures. Ryanmarie Rice will represent Compass on a panel about Successful Schools and Supportive Communities, to share Compass’ collaborative efforts with the Palm Beach County School District to provide safe and supportive environments and trusted adult allies for LGBTQ students within our public schools. Efforts in Palm Beach and Broward Counties will be used as models for school districts across the state of Florida looking to provide safer and more inclusive environments for their LGBTQ students. Compass’ Youth Program staff sit on every board, committee, advisory council, task force, and coalition focused on advocacy for youth in Palm Beach County. We fiercely advocate for the inclusion of diverse needs of LGBTQ youth in every Strategic Plan, Master Plan, and Plan of Care for children, youth, and young adults. Compass offers LGBTQ sensitivity training and support for parents, teachers, and adults working with LGBT youth; support for new and established Gay Straight Alliances and similar student clubs; participate in data collection for district; and work closely

Palm Beach County School Board and District representatives presenting Compass Youth with the LGBT History Monday Proclamation. Photo courtesy of the Palm Beach County School District.

@CompassCenter

with the School Board and Superintendent to make Palm Beach County Schools LGBT friendly. The bottom line is this: we see more positive outcomes for LGBT youth who have safe and inclusive learning environments and supportive adult allies. We’ve seen tremendous strides in Palm Beach County. This conference is one example of the progress we’ve made as a community, statewide, and nationwide. School Districts across the state will come together in March in this meeting of the minds to share resources and ideas. Palm Beach County, considered one of the model school districts for the state, still has plenty of work to do for our youth. Nearly 200 students, from more than 23 diﬀerent high schools throughout the school district of Palm Beach County attend Compass Equality Prom each year. We hosted the inaugural Equality Prom after a student from Lake Worth High School was told she could not, under any circumstances, attend her prom wearing a tuxedo. We hosted Equality Prom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and gender nonconforming teens could attend an inclusive dance, express their true gender, and dance with their partners in a safe environment. Just last year, one of our youth from Transcendance, the Transgender Youth Group, reported that his school failed to call him by his preferred name and gender as he walked across the stage during his high school graduation. A moment which should have been one of great pride and celebration was devastating. Compass hosted a Lavender Graduation Ceremony at the center to honor the 20 students graduating from middle school and high school that year. In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need Equality Prom or Lavender Graduation Ceremonies. We probably wouldn’t need Compass or South Florida Gay News either. Few districts North of Palm Beach County have LGBT community centers, or LGBT-specific resources and services. District leaders attending the 2nd LGBTQ Florida School District Conference will leave the two-day conference with the tools to better serve LGBT students in their communities. Stay tuned for reports of more LGBT Proms, Prides, and parties in Central Florida and the panhandle.

Compass’ 4th Annual Equality Prom is May 27th. For more information about attending Equality Prom, email youth@ compassglcc.com. For sponsorship opportunities, email compass@compassglcc.com.

@Compassglcc

Page 9 | CompassGLCC.com | 561.533.9699

COMPASS IS... In 1988, a local group of community-centered men and women joined our nation’s efforts to educate the public about the spread of HIV by starting the Stop AIDS Project of South Florida, Inc. With federal funding and strategic grassroots organizing, friends, families and co-workers opened their homes and businesses and facilitated meetings to identify those living with HIV, and to equip the larger community with knowledge and skills necessary to protect themselves from contracting the virus. As the Stop AIDS program grew over the following four years, the board of directors – along with volunteers – recognized the role that stigma, bias and discrimination played in the transmission of HIV and identified a critical need to provide a safe space for youth and adults who were struggling with issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity. With private contributions and local funding from the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, that group of volunteers established Compass as the gay and lesbian community center of Palm Beach County in 1992. Over the course of the next decade, Compass continued to prove itself as a leader in HIV prevention and care efforts, and as an organizer of information and referral services for gay and lesbian youth and adults who needed assistance at home, at work or in school as they navigated their way toward empowered, healthy, productive lives. Compass is the largest gay and lesbian community center in Florida and the Southeast United States and one of the largest and most respected of its kind in the nation. More than 25,000 people utilize its 14,000 square foot facility, and more than 17,000 referrals are fielded by more than 12,000 volunteer hours graciously contributed by hundreds of community-centered individuals each year. In 2016, Compass and its family proudly celebrate more than 28 years of service to Palm Beach County, South Florida and the many constituents who have donated their time, money and expertise to advance one united mission: to diminish stereotypes by challenging long-standing misconceptions about the character of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Compass accomplishes its mission each day by emboldening our youth, promoting pride in our community, and acting as an educator, advocate, health service provider, and focal point for community organizing. As good neighbors, effective partners, and respected participants in our civic responsibilities, Compass promotes awareness of the caring nature of our diverse community, and continues to make history doing so.

Page 10 | CompassGLCC.com | 561.533.9699

THIS WEEK AT COMPASS BROTHASSPEAK - This discussion group is dedicated to issues for and about black gay men. Meets every Wednesday at 7 pm. COMING OUT - All ages coming out support group. Meets every Thursday at 6:30 pm. ENTOURAGE - This social Group meets weekly to discuss safe sex practices, HIV prevention strategies, and conduct peer-to-peer HIV prevention outreach in the community. (ages 18 to 29). Meets every Friday at 5 pm PBC GENDER SUPPORT - All ages support group dedicated for transgender individuals. Meets 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 pm. PFLAG - Parents, families and friends of lesbian and gays. Meets the second Wednesday of the month at 5 pm. POSITIVE CONNECTION - Group for and about HIV+ Men. Meets every Tuesday at 6:30pm. An opportunity for men to get together, learn and support each other. Closed group, please call 561-324-1626.

SUPPORT COMPASS Are you a member of Compass? There are a ton of member perks and 8 different levels of membership.Your annual membership contributions help Compass provide much needed services to diverse clientele throughout Palm Beach County.

MEMBERSHIP LEVELS MEMBER SUPPORTER COMMUNITY ADVOCACY LEGACY LEADER VITALITY VISIONARY

$35 $100 $250 $750 $1,500 $2,500 $5,000 $10,000

For more information about member perks, visit www. compassglcc.com!

QUEER ALTERNATIVES - Social group for all LGBTQ ages 18 to 29. Meets every Friday at 5 pm. For more information and outings information email dylan@compassglcc.com. TRANSCENDENCE - This support group is for transgender youth ages 12 - 19 years old. Meets 1st & 3rd Friday of every month at 5 pm. For more details contact youth@compassglcc.com. YOUTH GROUP - This Social and Support Group is dedicated for LGBTQ youth ages 12-18 years old. Meets every Wednesday and Friday at 5 pm. FTM SUPPORT GROUP - This support group focuses on the needs of the FTM Transgender community and meets every 2st and 3rd Monday of the month. POSITIVELY DYNAMITE - This support group is for HIV+ women and provides a space for women to get together, learn, and support each other. Meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month at noon. Closed group. Call Patrice Huntley at 561-533-9699 for more information.

We’re recruiting energetic, committed, and passionate volunteers for the following roles: ● PrideFest volunteers for March 19-20 ● HIV Prevention Volunteer Testers ● Mentors for LGBT Youth ● Front Desk Receptionists ● Data Entry Extraordinaires

For more information about joining our awesome team of volunteers, call 561-533-9699, email compass@compassglcc.com or sign up here: http://www.compassglcc.com/get-involved/ Community Center Hours Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Fridays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturdays 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. HIV TESTING HOURS AT COMPASS Mondays & Thursdays 4 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Hepatitis A & B Vaccinations, Hepatitis C & Syphilis Testing, Tetanus Shots & Flu Shots (seasonal) 1st Thursday of each month

Page 11 | CompassGLCC.com | 561.533.9699

MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Membership and contributions enhance Compass’ funded programs by providing ﬁnancial resources for community center activities and special events held outside of the scope of our funded, direct service programs.

MEMBERSHIP LEVELS __ __ __ __ __ __ __

$35 $100 $250 $750 $1,500 $2,500 $5,000

Member Supporter Community Advocacy Legacy Leader Vitality

Name:____________________________________________ Phone Number:___________________Birthday __________ Email Address: ____________________________________ Billing Address: ____________________________________ City:______________________ State:_____ Zip:_________ Name as you would like it to appear in all published materials, plaques and signs: _________________________________________________ I would like to remain anonymous I am interested in quarterly or monthly payments, please contact me to set that up.

METHOD OF PAYMENT Checks enclosed payable to Compass Visa | MasterCard | Discover | American Express Card #:______________________________Exp: _ _ / _ _ Signature:_____________________ CCV Code: _________ Mail completed form to: Compass | Attn: Membership 201 N. Dixie Hwy. Lake Worth, FL 33460 Questions? 561.533.9699 or compass@compassglcc.com

@CompassCenter

@Compassglcc

COMPASS COMMUNITY CENTER 201 North Dixie Highway Lake Worth, FL 33460 Phone 561.533.9699 | Fax 561.586.0635 Compassglcc.com | Compass@Compassglcc.com

HOURS OF OPERATIONS Community Center Hours Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Fridays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturdays 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. David Bohnett CyberCenter Hours Monday - Thursday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Fridays 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Rapid HIV Testing Hours Mondays & Thursdays 4 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. First Thursday of the month the Department of Health provides Hepatitis A & B Vaccinations, Hepatitis C & Syphilis Testing, Tetanus Shots & Flu Shots (seasonal)

Page 12 | CompassGLCC.com | 561.533.9699

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Photo: Facebook.

lifestyle tony’s talks

I Had A Kiki At The Pride Center Tony Adams

eing a gay black man in Broward County is not easy, but Marvin Shaw, coordinator of the Kiki Project at the Pride Center in Wilton Manors, will change that. In the process, he will improve the health of men who have sex with men of any color. The Center’s Emerging Interventions Manager Lorenzo Robertson said the Kiki Project is an HIV prevention program designed by black gay men for black gay men. The program began in 2014 as a pilot funded by the Florida Health Department in Broward County. Robertson and Shaw can tell you why it is such a badly needed initiative. “When the County approached the Center to create an initiative, we knew we needed to find a way to facilitate conversations among black men who have sex with men. We have spoken with more than 250 gay black men. We will submit our report to the County in order to get the grant extended and to move the program into its next phase,” Robertson said. Shaw, who is a recent addition to the Kiki Project, explains the name of the program, saying, “We wanted to have the discussions take place in small groups of about five men and in an intimate setting, perhaps someone’s home or over a table in a restaurant. That’s what a kiki is, a small

• 2.24.2016

intimate gathering of friends who can talk candidly and honestly. We also say that Kiki stands for ‘Knowledge Inspires. Kindness Insures.’ We keep our conversations light, and once men get relaxed with each other, the serious stuff comes out.” An interview with the disarming Shaw and Robertson becomes a kiki itself, as these men draw you into their work and their concern for the health of their brothers. The obstacles they describe are in many ways particular to the black community. For instance, Shaw said the initiative is crucial because the rate of new HIV infections in the black gay community is increasing whereas in other groups it is either decreasing or steady. “This tells us that interventions can work if they are correctly structured to reach the targeted men. That is the biggest reason why Kiki was created. Meanwhile, we do huge amounts of outreach in geographic areas where we know we will reach black men who have sex with men,” he said. “We distribute condoms and we talk about PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis) and we draw men into the other programs here at the Center.” Shaw is careful to use the phrase “Black men who have sex with men” rather than “gay black men” because the men they

target often do not identify as gay. By churches, Shaw and Robertson are calling their sexuality an abomination, knocking on the doors of schools and black churches force their gay members churches where they are making inroads to remain closeted. Black churches are and changing minds and hearts. powerful cultural and familial centers that “You have to realize that there is no intimidate gay black men venue where gay black men who, without the kind of come together here. The education and positive Downlow has become easier "There is still support offered by the these days because of cyber significant Kiki Project, are more apt hookups,” Robertson said. to conduct perilous sex “Black gay men don’t really refusal to get lives on the downlow. have a good identity that they tested for HIV “There is still own. The typical gay identity in the black significant refusal to get is a white one. Black men tested for HIV in the black male community. need to develop a suitable male community. There is black gay identity.” There is still strong homophobia. Shaw comes from a very still strong These obstacles are real. religious family but was able homophobia." Some black churches to find his tribe because he are not willing to have had strong family support. - Lorenzo Robertson this conversation with Nevertheless, in his coming Emerging Interventions us,” Robertson said. out, he feared he would Manager While Shaw added, “You embarrass his family by have to understand that being gay. He had the benefit black families are very of meeting older gay black private. They don’t like to shout out their men who helped him structure a healthy own business. That is another obstacle identity. Both Shaw and Robertson rue for us. In the black community, many of the fact that there is no formal network our biggest issues are with ourselves. The in Broward for gay black men. They would restrictive black definition of masculinity like to change that. The Kiki Project, under is also an obstacle for us. ” their adroit and compassionate leadership, Despite the opposition of many black is a strong first step.

2.24.2016 â&#x20AC;¢

lifestyle photos

Stonewall Gallery Exhibit

SFGN curates exhibit to honor the history of gay media

J.R. Davis

February 18 – March 6

Stonewall National Museum – Wilton Manors Gallery 2159 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305

name, global coverage

'GAY RAGS'

• 2.24.2016

(Left to Right) Brendon Lies, Jason Parsley, Chris Rudisill, Ronni Dowd, and Emery Grant.

lifestyle photos

(Above right) Stephen Shires with Pompano Bill Calcaterra

Rick Karlin (right) with his husband Gregg Shapiro

Pier Angelo SFGN CEO

Norm Kent SFGN Publisher

To see more photos, visit SFGN on Facebook. 2.24.2016 â&#x20AC;¢

PHOTO: KAMYAR ADL

lifestyle retiring gay

retiring gAY - An introduction Photo: CNN

Ric Reily

etiring from gainful employment is a understanding the costs and fees to do so will lead you to sound retirement funding. distant dream for many. Those lucky enough to reach retirement Understanding your pension, and the soundness age with resources and health are in a dwindling of that pension allows the opportunity to create a broader financial base in the event your pension group. This phenomena isn’t actually new, living a long life after work is new to our culture. is tenuous or at risk. Social Security is a large part People born in the early 1900’s and before didn’t of many retirees funding. Though this series will primarily consider the generally retire as we know it. The next generation was the first broadly financial steps required for successful retirement, know that preparing emotionally endowed with pensions, for retirement is as important to primarily as a result of unions and government inﬂuences Though this series a happy, fulfilling and successful retirement. Prior to actually surrounding the labor will primarily leaving the work-a-day world movements of the 1920’s. By the consider the seek out post work interests and time the Baby Boomers began activities. retiring pensions have become financial steps Retirement is also a huge step a thing of the past as companies required for away from everything normal and governments faced up to successful and routine. Stepping away from the real liabilities attendant to pension funding. Few outside retirement, know everything you know, people you work with and a regular income of governments, and fewer and that preparing can be a daunting prospect. fewer within governments, have emotionally for Retirement is a new stage of life access to defined benefit plans as driven by personal desire. pensions are commonly known. retirement is as That personal desire, your In today’s world workers are important to a non working interests, can back to being responsible for happy, fulfilling be the most difficult part of a funding their own retirement and successful successful retirement. Knowing with the primary vehicle being how you want to spend time a 401K, or similar plan. Some retirement. when you are no longer required lucky workers get company or at work is a significant challenge government contribution to their for many. Letting go of day to retirement plans while more and day responsibilities attendant to others and more simply have access to a plan to which they focusing on you is very often a new and unknown are the sole funder. Early in your consideration of retirement adventure. Deciding where to live in retirement is is the time to get control of your debt. Getting control is simply the first step as the goal remains contingent with post work interests, family or elimination of all debt prior to retirement. Credit simply wanting to live in a new environment. Moving after retirement serves also to sort cards, car loans, home mortgage are all best eliminated. Even if you intend to retire with an through the accumulation of a lifetime and income, such as a pension that income will go discard things that are no longer useful and significantly farther when it is not consumed simply become weight to haul around. Retirement is the time to reconsider most servicing debt. Preparing financially can be the easier part. decisions of day to day living. Insurance, Beginning with eliminating debt, living costs have investments, spending, savings, socializing, residence and many other considerations change. to be brought under control. Insurance, a big cost for many, has to be understood and eliminated Reaching retirement with a well executed plan makes your transition and post work life easier where possible. Changes in your health insurance coverage will likely occur. Saving will be a critical and more fulfilling. step to achieving financial stability in retirement and as you save learning to invest those savings Ric Reily is the author of two books, Money Is The Root Of All - Skip The Debt Habit, and Gregory’s is important to creating the retirement nest egg. Hero. You can reach him at ricreily@gmail.com Managing your retirement savings, including

• 2.24.2016

2.24.2016 â&#x20AC;¢

lifestyle history

Photo Credit: Angela George.

Melissa Etheridge

Homo HiStorY 101 History was never as straight as we are told. Recording our history means reporting the truth. Pier Angelo

George Cukor – Winner for Best Director in “My Fair Lady” (1964) George Cukor was the recipient of the Oscar for Best Director in “My Fair Lady” in 1964. Cukor was openly gay and was known to be the head of the gay subculture in Hollywood during the 1930s. Joel grey – Winner for Best Supporting

Actor in “Cabaret “ (1972)

Sir John gielgud – Winner for Best Supporting Actor in Arthur (1981) Sir John Gielgud was the first openly gay actor to win an Oscar. He won it for his performance in 1981 for the film, Arthur. linda Hunt – Winner for Best Supporting Actress in “The Year of Living Dangerously.” (1982) John Schlesinger –

Winner for Best Director in “Midnight Cowboy” (1989). “Midnight Cowboy” was about two hustlers living in New York City. It was his first film to be shot in the USA. He would go on to be nominated again for Best Director for “Sunday Bloody Sunday.”

Howard Ashman – Winner for Best Original Song in The Little Mermaid(1989) & Beauty and the Beast (1991) Howard Ashman is a lyricist who has won twice for his work on famous Disney pictures. He won in 1989 for writing the lyrics to Under the Sea that was a part of The Little Mermaid. He won again in 1991 for the title song in Beauty and the Beast. Jodie Foster – Winner for Best Actress in “The Accused” (1988) and “Silence of the Lambs” (1991) Jodie Foster wasn’t out during either of her Oscar wins; however, she now is. She won her two Oscars for Best Actress in a short time frame. 46

• 2.24.2016

Sir elton John – Winner for Best Original Song in “The Lion King” (1994) He won for “Can You Feel The Love Tonight.” He was also nominated for “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata” that year. Bill condon – Winner for Best Adapted Screenplay in “Gods & Monsters” (1998) He both wrote and directed the film that starred Sir Ian McKellen. Condon has since gone on to direct a number of films including “Kinsey,” “Chicago,” and “Dreamgirls.” pedro Almodóvar – Winner for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Screenplay for the comedy-drama “All About My Mother” (1999) and the drama “Talk to Her” (2002) respectively. Alan Ball – Winner for Best Original Screenplay in “American Beauty” (2000) The film went on to win four more awards at the 2000 Academy Awards including Best Picture. melissa etheridge – Winner for Best Original Song in “An Inconvenient Truth” (2006) for “I Need to Wake Up.” Dustin Lance Black – Winner for Best Original Screenplay in “Milk” (2009). Milk tells the story of gay icon, Harvey Milk. Scott rudin – Winner as Producer of Best Picture for “No Country for Old Men.”(2012) he became one of the few people who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award, and the first producer to do so. Jared leto – Winner for Best Supporting Actor in “Dallas Buyers Club” (2013). Leto is a gay rights activist. In October 2009, he raised money for the campaign against California Proposition 8.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

WINTER ISSUE

Out Now!

Winter 2016

• Vol. 5 Issue

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inment winter

Winter 2016 •

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2.24.2016 •

lifestyle food

Photo: Facebook

The Bubble Room in Captiva, FL.

Rick Karlin

weird dining

ometimes dining out becomes a case of “same old, same old.” For foodies the cuisine usually tops atmosphere or service, but once in a while it’s fun to shake things up and go someplace where the food is of secondary importance, where the feast for the eyes is as important as the palate. When that’s the case, check out some of these unusual dining experiences.

JAxSon’S ice creAm pArlor

3049 Alhambra Fort Lauderdale 954-764-3500 CasaBlancaCafeOnline.com We’ve all seen those corporate places where they throw recreations of old stuff on the wall to create atmosphere (I’m talking to you Joe’s Crab Shack and Moonlight Diner). This place is the real deal. The 50 plus year-old ice cream parlor is home to one of the nation’s largest collections of American memorabilia, including a vast license plate collection. It also has a “general store” at the front selling candy that you haven’t seen since you were a kid (whether you’re 20 or 60). However, the real reason to go to Jaxson’s is for the ice cream. The old-fashioned ice cream parlor creates sundaes utilizing dozens of flavors, all made especially for Jaxson’s. If you’re not in the mood for ice cream, there’s also a menu of diner classics, with a jumbo hot dog that will make any size queen happy.

tHe wreck BAr

1140 Seabreeze Blvd. Fort Lauderdale 954-524-5551 http://bit.ly/1RZHYKy This historic bar has survived many different hotel owners. Designed to look like a sunken ship, the bar has been featured in many movies, including “Analyze This” and “Where the Boys

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Are.” The main attraction is porthole windows that offer views into the B Ocean Resort’s pool, with mermaid shows drawing crowds every weekend. While the emphasis is on drinks, the food is surprisingly good. Check out the jerk seafood medley, yummy burger or wild mushroom ravioli, while you gawk like a tourist.

tHe BuBBle room

15001 Captiva Dr. Captiva 239-472-5558 BubbleRoomRestaurant.com Dining for those with a limited attention… “Ooooh look a train!” … span, the Bubble Room has evolved over the past 40 years into a number of themed dining rooms. Vintage toys battle with old movie stills, Christmas décor, elves and golden oldies for your attention. The food is almost beside the point and the menu items are listed with the bad puns that happen when straight people try to be campy; Marilyn Mignon, Duck Ellington and Pastablanca. It’s not worth a trip to the Gulf Coast, but if you happen to be in the area, it’s worth a visit.

eddie Hill’S

134 N. Federal Hallandale 954-454-0023 EddieHills.com Imagine if Pat Morita’s character from “Happy Days” converted his diner into a sushi restaurant and you get an idea of what Eddie Hill’s is like. Where else can you get pad thai, sushi, tempura and a BLT? Although it has been embellished with Asian influenced décor, the dining room still retains the classic diner feel. The 140plus items on the 13-page menu, mostly lean toward the Asian flavors, but ask for the breakfast menu and you’ll find classic diner fare. Open from noon until late night, the Hallandale spot offers something for everyone. Service is attentive and the “Create Your

Own Combo” is a great deal; soup or salad, two appetizers and an entrée for $20.

ruStic inn

4331 Anglers Ave. Fort Lauderdale 954-584-1637 http://bit.ly/1oFA4L5 For those who like donning a plastic bib and getting messy with seafood, this is your place. Sit along the water and drop your shells onto the newspaper-covered tables. The old roadhouse saloon is famous for its garlic crab, a messy but tasty feast. It also features a variety of other seafood treats including; raw or steamed oysters and clams, fried frog legs, alligator, lobster, shrimp and fish. For landlubbers, steaks, chops and ribs are also available, as are a number of pasta entrees.

mArket 17

1850 SE 17th St., Ft. Lauderdale 954-835-5507 Market17.net The previous locales are all a feast for the eyes, but at Market 17’s “Dining in the Dark” meal you’ll need all your other senses; because you dine in complete darkness while a (literally) blind tasting menu is served. When diners arrive at the restaurant, the server discusses any food allergies, dietary restrictions or extreme dislikes. The menu is then created on the spot. The goal of the blind tasting experience is to heighten the other senses. After diners are led into the dining room, the server helps them locate their place settings. From that moment on everyone gropes in the darkness as they taste, smell and even feel their food. The multicourse meals start at $75 per person with optional wine pairings starting at $25. The experience is usually best enjoyed while in a group of four or more. A suggestion; don’t wear white.

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theater Andrew Lloyd Webber’s international smash hit musical, “The Phantom of the Opera,” returns to South Florida in a new production at the Arsht Center in Miami through Sunday, Feb. 28. The lovely music and exquisite costumes are the same, but the sets and staging have been reimagined by producers Matthew Bourne and Cameron Mackintosh and director Laurence Connor. Tickets at ArshtCenter.org.

FRI

2/26

cabaret She’s back, Fort Lauderdale! Miss Richfield 1981 is fed up with politics, so she’s coming to the Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 SW 9th Ave., to announce her candidacy for President of the United States in a new show, “Red Lips to the White House,” at 8 p.m. She’ll lay out her platform in songs, videos and plenty of audience participation. Cast your vote for “Miss R.” by going to MissRichfield. com for more information.

Ventriloquist and comedian Jeff Dunham comes to the BB&T Center in Sunrise with all his friends on the “Perfectly Imbalanced” tour on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. Submitted photo.

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Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham—along with all his friends—returns to the BB&T Center in Sunrise tonight at 5 p.m. on his “Perfectly Imbalanced” tour. Yes, he’ll be joined by the cynical old man Walter, Peanut (we don’t know exactly what he is, actually) and Achmed the dead terrorist and more for a night of comedy that will have audiences in stitches. Don’t miss this opportunity to see him live. Tickets at Ticketmaster.com.

The South Florida Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Sebrina Maria Alfonso, takes stages across the region with “1,001 Nights.” Enjoy the music on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale, Thursday, Feb. 25 at the Tennessee Williams Theatre in Key West and this afternoon at Kaye Auditorium at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Tickets at SouthFloridaSymphony.org.

The Kravis Center screens the Sidney Poitier classic, “In the Heat of the Night” as part of its AfricanAmerican Film Festival tonight at 7 p.m. Rod Steiger, Lee Grant and Beah Richards costar in this gritty 1967 movie about an African American detective who is arrested for murder in the small town of Sparta and must prove his innocence and then track down the real killer. Tickets are $10 at Kravis.org.

“Matilda the Musical,” Roald Dahl’s dark story of an extraordinary young girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her destiny, opens tonight at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. Critics call the high energy show from the beloved author of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “deliriously amusing” and “stupendous fun.” Tickets start at $28 at Kravis.org.

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paid content

INTRODUCTION OF GLBX COUNCIL 2016 BOARD GLBX

he Gay & Lesbian Business Exchange (GLBX) is an all-inclusive council of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. The GLBX is a highly recognized council of Greater Fort Lauderdale which consists of some of Ft. Lauderdale’s most diverse, elite movers and shakers involved in the decision making process of what goes on in and around the communities within Fort Lauderdale. The GLBX is one of the fastest growing council in the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce.

The GLBX and its allies have come together over the years and continue to leave an indelible mark in the community through networking and creating numerous successful business opportunities. At the beginning of this year, the GLBX council celebrated its 7th year anniversary at the Tower Club in Ft. Lauderdale. This event was rather successful with over 200 hundred plus attendees. At this event, the incoming 2016 Chairwoman was introduced by the past Chairman Geph Scarr of Scarr Insurance.

The GLBX Council this year is being Chaired by Karen Prescod, CMIC. President of Prescod Life and Health, a Certified Medical Insurance Consultant. Karen prides herself in helping small businesses understand their options with the Aﬀordable Care Act and how to navigate all of the confusing rules and regulations. Karen gives seminars and presentations to companies as to the eﬀect(s), Health Care Laws. Ms. Prescod comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience and is assisted by several other qualified individuals from varying backgrounds. Karen is also licensed in TX, AZ, NM, IA, OR, PA, OK and UT.

Tim Moffitt serves as the Secretary of the GLBX board and is also the membership/ambassador Chair. He is the Senior Relations Manager with Flashbanc LLC. Mr. Moﬃtt graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.

Deanna Sylvestri who also serves on the board as events chair. Deanna’s hospitality industry background has been a great asset to the GLBX over the years. She is the Director of Group Sales, at the Westin Fort Lauderdale. Her vast knowledge, of the market place has been a true benefit.

James Senior has over 27 years in financial services and is a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones, he is an active member of the Professional Advisory Committee of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. James is on the Communication/Branding committee of the Council.

Doug Nelson is a clinical practitioner. Doug's clinical practice Fort Lauderdale Couples, Family and Individual Therapy, LLC allows business owners to refer employees struggling with work performance concerns or personal matters for a brief five session Management Consultation process. Doug is co-chair of the GLBX Council's Referral Advantage Leads Group.

The Law Oﬃce of Stephanie L. Schneider P.A. Board Certified Elder Law Attorney for 20 years specializes in estate & incapacity planning for people of all ages, adult and minor guardianships, probating estates, long term care planning and veterans’ benefits counseling, planning for domestic partners & the LGBT community. Stephanie is on the Council’s Equality Taskforce committee.

Chuck Dinsmore 2016 Co-Chair is a co-founder of a Market Intelligence Company called Data Clique’. Mr. Dinsmore is a trainer, consultant, and published author in the areas of marketing and business development.

Dr. Requel Lopes cochair of GLBX Council's Referral Advantage Leads Group, earned her Master’s in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine from the prestigious AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine. Her practice, Trinity Acupuncture, focuses on the integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern western medicine.

Andy Perrott the 2018 designated Chair who is an Emmy Award winning television producer and commercial director. Andy’s company, Lightship Media has produced television series, specials, commercials, and branding videos for companies such as Disney, ABC and Discovery Networks.

Julian Cavazos is the General Manager for Elan 16Forty-Stamina Gym and co-owner of C&L Gym. Julian has been with the GLBX for over 7 years and was its first accounting manager resulting in the Council exceeding its membership so it could be voted as a Council. Julian serves as the Events cochair of the Council.

Seda Aktas, Esq. is a former prosecutor and a principal attorney at AKTAS,HINDEN, P.A., who focuses her practice on business law and litigation as well as criminal defense. Ms. Aktas was chosen by Rue Ratings as one of the “Best Attorneys in America. Seda sits on the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Government Aﬀairs representative for GLBX, she also sits on the GLBX communication committee.

Our newest board member Mark Corbett is serving as Associate Publisher of Fort Lauderdale’s premier lifestyle publication. Gold Coast magazine celebrated its 50th Anniversary in April of 2015. He is currently spearheading the growth of Gold Coast magazine in every way, from representing the brand in the community to selling total packages across the company’s multiple print and digital platforms.

Solimar Rodriguez-Sáez is the Client Relations Manager and Paralegal for Circle of Life Legal Services. Circle of Life Legal Services is a law firm dedicated to Estate Planning, with special attention to families with kids, Probate, and Family law. Mrs. Rodriquez completed her Juris Doctor Degree and is currently GLBX Public Relations Chair.

Editorial sponsored by GLBX. 52

Also serving on the councils’ board is Lisa Harper who is on GLBX Equality Taskforce and Artopia committee. Dedicated to promoting volunteerism in Broward and beyond, Lisa Harper has lead the Memorial Healthcare employee volunteer program H.E.R.O.s (Healthcare Employees Reaching Out) for over 12 years. Also on the Executive Board of DOVS (Directors of Volunteer Services) of Broward County.

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The Gay & Lesbian Business Exchange (GLBX) promises to continue to do amazing things in the community in the year 2016. One of the Chambers’ pride and joy is a yearly event called Artopia and is being Chaired by Andy Perrott. Artopia continues to grow and expand with each year. The monthly mixer

that is held at different locations, continue to grow and promise to bring some more excitement to it in 2016. The council’s aim is to continue to reach as many individuals, families and entities in the community to garner and create positive, lasting, deep rooted and time honored changes.

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a&e theater

Photo Credit: Kate Pollard.

Tony Award-winning costume designer William Ivey Long will be coming to South Florida on March 1.

And tHe winner iS…

williAm iveY long

J.W. Arnold

ho doesn’t like talking about what they do for love?” asked Tony Award-winning costume designer William Ivey Long. “Of course, I’m paraphrasing Marvin Hamlisch.” Indeed, Long’s resume is impressive. He’s racked up Tonys for “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” “Grey Gardens,” “The Producers,” “Hairspray,” “Crazy for You” and “Nine.” He also worked on the 1998 and 2014 revivals of “Cabaret,” “Bullets Over Broadway,” “9 to 5,” “Young Frankenstein,” La Cage aux Folles,” “The Boy from Oz,” “Smokey Joe’s Café,” and “Contact.” His costumes for “Chicago” thrill Broadway audiences as the revival continues to break box office records. He also made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera with the designs for “The Merry Widow,” starring Renee Fleming and Kelli O’Hara, and has designed for artists ranging from Mick Jagger, Joan Rivers and the Pointer Sisters to animal trainers Siegfried and Roy. Long will discuss his distinguished career on March 1 at Palm Beach Dramaworks in West Palm Beach as a part of that company’s “Dramalogue – Talking Theatre!” series. “Oh, I’ll probably have a Powerpoint,” he said with his North Carolina drawl. “I still call it fondly a slide show because I’m of a certain age. You know a picture is worth a thousand words and when we’re talking about color and design it’s nice to have a picture.” Long paused a second and then added another thought, “Then they’re not looking at me.” He’ll talk about some of his favorite

shows, like the Nathan Lane revival of “Guys and Dolls”: “I got to use every color in the crayon box on that one,” Long said. And “Hairspray”: “I just thought it was an amazing story from John Waters, who’s a great friend. The choreography, the movement, the direction were all perfect. The story, the story, the story. Harvey Fierstein was the most lovable mother in the planet,” he recalled. And “1776”: “When I worked on those, I would just go back and stand and look and think, ‘Hoorah, America’.” Actually, historical shows and revivals prove to be his biggest challenges. “Been there, done that, seen that,” Long said matter-of-factly. And even when he is asked to create an exact reproduction, like the revivals of “Cabaret” or “A Chorus Line,” he said, “Your eyeballs are in a different place and time. The challenge is to make a revival as exciting but no more than the original. “ Despite his awards and accolades, some shows did get away. He was not hired to costume the epic “Angels in America,” despite his best efforts and four interviews. And he’s not sad that “Hamilton,” LinManuel Miranda’s rap biography of Alexander Hamilton wasn’t offered to him. In addition to costuming the shows, Long is the godfather of sorts for the industry, serving his fourth and final year as the president of the American Theatre Wing. He proudly notes that Broadway shows generated $1.4 billion in ticket sales last year. Long keeps very busy and is always in demand. Believe it or not, he said, “There are goals yet to be met.”

William Ivey Long appears on the Palm Beach Dramaworks “Dramalogue – Talking Theatre!” series on Tuesday, March 1 at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre, 201 Clematis St. in West Palm Beach. Tickets are $20 at PalmBeachDramaworks.org.

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a&e dance

Photo Credit: Gene Schiavone.

Justin Peck’s “Year of the Rabbit” is the centerpiece of Miami City Ballet’s Program III.

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• 2.24.2016

n just a few years, Justin Peck has catapulted from the corps de ballet of New York City Ballet to the most heralded young American choreographers. Miami City Ballet opened Program III with the company premiere Peck’s “Year of the Rabbit,” his 2012 breakthrough work. Set to music by American singer/ songwriter Sufjan Stevens, “Year of the Rabbit” explores various signs from the Chinese zodiac, including the years of the ox, rabbit, tiger, dragon, rooster, “our Lord” and boar. Stevens’ music and Peck’s choreography are never literal, but instead utilize the dancers in various combinations to channel the personality characteristics of each animal. (Readers are encouraged to check out the documentary about Peck, “Ballet 422,” available on Netﬂix to get a sense of the young genius’ creative process.) Dressed in blue striped leotards and crisp pleated dresses, the ballet leaped and scurried across the stage, highlighting a sense of architectural structure in Peck’s work that seemed to be a contemporary reincarnation of the same sense of form found in the works of George Balanchine. On the Sunday matinee of opening weekend, exceptional featured performances were danced by Tricia Albertson, Zoe Zen, Nathalia Arja (stepping in for Jeannette Delgado), Shimon Ito, Renan Cerdeiro and Jovani Furlan. Paul Taylor’s “Sunset,” set to British composer Edward Elgar’s “Serenade for Strings” and “Elegy for Strings,” proved to be a curious selection on the program. Elgar’s cathartic melodies—interrupted periodically by the cries of loon—highlight

the passing infatuation of a group of soldiers and the ladies they encounter at the end of the day. After ﬂirtatious interactions, the girls mourn the departure of their momentary beaus. Renato Penteado and Kleber Rebello were dashing soldiers in their khaki uniforms and berets and Callie Manning gave a stunning performance as an infatuated girl who dreams of a future with her man. After two contemporary ballets, Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez chose Balanchine’s glorious “Bourrée Fantasque” to conclude the program. Set to music by Emmanuel Chabrier, this ballet is the epitome of classical dance and that signature Balanchine style. Especially notable were the beautiful and intricate Spanish-inﬂuenced costumes designed by Karinska. The three-movement ballet came to a triumphant conclusion as 24 dancers took to the stage in a grand circle of pirouettes, leaps and lifts with Nathalia Arja and her cavalier, Renato Penteado, in the center. On this occasion, I was particularly reminded how fortunate South Florida audiences are to have Miami City Ballet resident in our community. I was accompanied by a 13-year-old friend who had never seen ballet danced live. She was mesmerized from the opening steps of “Year of the Rabbit” and leaped to her feet with the rest of the Arsht Center audience to offer an ovation at the conclusion of “Bourée Fantasque.” Her favorite work—the sumptuous and romantic Balanchine ballet, of course. I have a feeling she’s really going to love the next program, Balanchine’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” opening in March.

Miami City Ballet repeats Program III with works by Peck, Taylor and Balanchine in West Palm Beach at the Kravis Center, Feb. 26 – 28. For tickets and more information, go to MiamiCityBallet.org.

"Cyndi Lauper delivers the best Broadway score in years! "

OPENS TUESDAY! • MARCH 1-13

BrowardCenter.org • 954.462.0222 • For Groups of 10+: 954.660.6307

2.24.2016 •

Datebook

Theater Christiana Lilly

Calendar@SFGN.com

top

Picks

The Vagina Monologues

Feb. 27 at 3 and 7 p.m. and Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. at the Beach Community Center, 3351 NE 33rd Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Join the annual celebration of V-Day, a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. Tickets $20. Visit VDayFortLauderdaleTVM2016. BrownPaperTickets.com.

Jason and deMarco

Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at MCC of the Palm Beaches, 4857 Northlake Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens. The openly gay contemporary Christian music duo return in support of their newest album, "Till the End of time.” Free. Call 561-775-5900 or visit MCCPalmBeach. org.

LAST CHANCE: Water by the Spoonful

Through Feb. 28 at Main Street Playhouse, 6766 Main St. in Miami Lakes. Elliott Ortiz is an Iraq War veteran with dreams of being an actor, but he’s stuck working at a sandwich shop and dealing with his mother, a crack addict. Tickets $20. Call 305-5583737 or visit MainStreetPlayers.com

broward county * Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The orchestra, lead by conductor Dmitry Yablonsky, perform works by Glinka, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, and Rachmaninoff. Tickets $35 to $115. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org. * The Zombies ft. Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. at the Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. The ‘60s band is joined by vocalist Colin Blunstone and jazz pianist Rod Argent. Tickets $37.50 to $57.50. Call 954-462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.org. * Josh Groban Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. After wowing the world with his first single “You Raise Me Up,” Groban has been a beloved classical singer. Tickets $75 to $115. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

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FeB. 24 to mAr. 1 * Jeff Dunham Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. at the BB&T Center, One Panther Parkway in Sunrise. The skilled comic and ventriloquist brings his old friends Achmed, Peanut, and Walter to the stage. Tickets $47.50. Call 800-745-3000 or visit thebbtcenter.com. * Rosanne Cash Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. at the at the Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. Cash pays homage to her southern roots with her husband, John Leventhal. Tickets $45 to $75. Call 954-4620222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.org. * Moscow Festival Ballet: Sleeping Beauty Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. at the at the Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty” comes to life with choreography and costumes that will leave audiences awestruck. Tickets $26.50 to $56.50. Call 954-462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.org. I Love You Because Through Feb. 28 at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs. A modern twist on Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” Tickets $39.22. Call 954-3445999 or visit CoralSpringsCenterfortheArts. com. * Saturday Night Fever March 1 at 7 p.m. at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11th Place in Lauderhill. Tony is a regular kid from Brooklyn, but he’s going to make a name for himself with his disco dance moves. Tickets $34.92 to $56.12. Call 954777-2055 or visit LPACFL.com. * An Evening with Vince Gill and Lyle Lovett March 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs. The two crooners perform solo in support of their “Songs and Stories” tour. Tickets $71.55 to $82.15. Call 954-344-5999 or visit CoralSpringsCenterfortheArts.com. * Kinky Boots March 1 to 13 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Charlie Price has taken over his father’s shoe business, and it’s in deep trouble -- until the ﬂamboyant dancer Lola asks him to make a great pair of stiletto boots. Tickets $30 to $110. Call 954462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org. * Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus March 2 to 6 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Based on the book, one-man showman Peter Story recounts the hilarious differences between men and women. Tickets $55. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

palm beach county The Phantom of the Opera Feb. 24 to March 6 at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The

Broadway classic comes to Miami, of the opera singer Christine being trained by the maniacal phantom of the opera who wants her all to himself. Tickets $34 to $175. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org. * Billy McGuigan’s Rock Legends Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Enjoy an outdoor rock concert at the Gosman Amphitheatre. Tickets $15. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org. * Inherit the Wind Feb. 25 to March 13 the Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave. in Lake Worth. When a science teacher attempts to teach evolution to his class, an explosion between science and religion threatens to tear the town apart in the Scopes Monkey Trial. Tickets $29 to $72. Call 561-5866410 or visit LakeWorthPlayhouse.org. * Paul Taylor Dance Company Feb. 26 and 27 at 8 p.m. Palm Beach State College’s Duncan Theater, 4200 Congress Ave. in Lake Worth. Taylor’s company has been at work since 1954 and is considered the father of modern dance. Tickets $45. Call 561-9677222 or visit PalmBeachState.edu. * Miami City Ballet: Program Three Feb. 26 to 28 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The company premieres “Year of the Rabbit” by Peck and Stevens and “Sunset” by Taylor and Edgar, as well as performing “Bourree Fantasque” by Balanchine and Chabrier. Tickets $20 and up. Call 561-8327469 or visit Kravis.org. * Ladysmith Black Mambazo Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The South African a capella group is known for their rendition of isicathamiya music, used by mine workers to help pass the time. Enjoy their sounds in an outdoor concert at the Gosman Amphitheatre. Tickets $20. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis. org. * Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The orchestra performs works by Alexander Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, and Rachmaninoff. Tickets $39 and up. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org. * The Devil’s Music Feb. 28 to March 20 at ArtsGarage, 94 NE Second Ave. in Delray Beach. The story of Bessie Smith, “Empress of the Blues,” set in 1937 Memphis. Tickets $30 to $45. Call 561450-6357 or visit ArtsGarage.org. * Matilda the Musical March 1 to 6 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Based on the popular children’s story by Roald Dahl, Matilda teaches herself how to read and has to battle her evil parents,

* Denotes New Listing brother, the principal at school, all with the help of her beloved teacher, Miss Honey. Tickets $28 and up. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

miami-dade county * Apollo Link: Broadway’s Premiere Vocal Trio Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. The Spanish pianist performs pieces by Brahms and Granados. Brandon Rubendall, Adam Roberts and Jake Odmark met while performing on Broadway’s “Spider-Man” and now travel as a musical trio. Tickets $40 to $45. Call 305-466-8002 or visit AventuraCenter. org. * Philadelphia Orchestra Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The orchestra plays Berlioz, Mendelssohn, and Prokofiev. Tickets $50 to $135. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org. * Judy Tenuta Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. Known for her roles in “The Vagina Monologues” to “Menopause The Musical,” she performs solo in a comedic musical show. Tickets $39.50 to $44.50. Call 305-466-8002 or visit AventuraCenter.org. * Bolero: The Sound of Love Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Lucrecia mixes Spanish bolero style with Cuban island beats. Tickets $59 to $154. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org. * New Shanghai Circus Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. Chinese circus tradition comes to life with the company’s acrobatics, back-bending contortionism, and tricks. Tickets $35 to $40. Call 305-466-8002 or visit AventuraCenter. org. * Flamenco Festival: Vicente Amigo March 2 at 8 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The annual Flamenco Festival returns to the center, and Spanish guitar wiz Amigo takes the stage. Tickets $35 to $95. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org. * Flamenco Festival: Farruquito March 2 at 8 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Stemming from a long line of gypsy dancers, Farruquito performs “Improvisao.” Tickets $35 to $95. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.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 Bears of All Colors: The Family Reunion

Broward Support Services Gender Bender Youth Group

Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at SunServe Campus, 1480 SW Ninth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. A group for LGBT youth 13 to 21 to discuss gender, gender expression, binary systems, friendship, family and whatever else comes up! Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com

PFLAG

Feb. 25 to 28 throughout Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors. Enjoy a long weekend with fellow bears with tours, bowling tournaments, parties, and more. Proceeds benefit the Pride Center. Visit BearsofAllColors.com

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.

Leap Day Special Event: Silk Screening Party

Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the Stonewall Library, 1300 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Come join us and write your memoir, poem, blog, novel or short story. Free. Email Jay Asher at ijasher@aol.com.

Feb. 29 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real in Boca Raton. Debbie Carfagno and Michael Enns, who worked with Andy Warhol at The Factory, demonstrate the silk screening process while telling stories of their days with Warhol. Afterwards, join the two for drinks. Tickets $25 members, $35 nonmembers. Visit BocaMuseum.org.

Winter Party Festival

March 2 to 7 throughout Miami Beach. A gathering of LGBT people from around the world for six days of music, dancing, parties, and celebrations benefitting the National LGBTQ Task Force and the Miami Foundation’s GLBT Community Projects Fund. Visit WinterParty.com.

GayWrites

SunServe Youth Group

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.

Survivor Support

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.

* Denotes New Listing

broward county * Deep in the Dark Forest

Feb. 26 to April 7 at Studio 18, 1101 Poinciana Drive in Pembroke Pines. Artwork from South Florida artists exploring the dark side of one’s artistic inspirations. Free. Call 954462-8190, ext. 206 or visit ArtServe.org.

* All in My Business Expo

Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. The Kiki Project presents a business expo for black businesses to showcase to the community. Free. Call 954-463-9005, ext. 309 or 308 or visit PrideCenterFlorida.org.

* Celebrating the Body Electric

Feb. 27 and 28 from 9 a.m. to to 6 p.m. in Fort Lauderdale. Join other men in this twoday workshop to work on body acceptance,

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FeB. 24 to mAr. 1

Free In-Person Tax Preparation for Seniors

Tuesdays through April 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. People 50 and older can benefit from tax help from professionals. Free. Call 954-463-9005 or visit PrideCenterFlorida.org.

Life Coaching

Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Latinos Salud Clubhouse, 2300 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Get one-on-one life coaching from certified CRCS coaches. For guys living with HIV, their partners, and anyone who identifies as transgender. Free. Call 954-765-6239 or visit LatinosSalud.org.

palm beach county * Test Palm Beach County

Feb. 26 from 1 to 8 p.m. at Compass Community Center, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Enjoy an exhibit of African Americans and Afro-Latinos who have contributed to the fight against HIV/AIDS for the last three decades. Also, get tested on site. Call Richardo Jackson at 561-345-4963 or Courtney at 561-398-6622.

Spotlight Mega-Mixer Networker

Feb. 25th from 6 to 9 p.m. at Mina’s Mediterraneo, 749 NE 79th St. in Miami. The Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts a night of drinks, food, raﬄes, and networking.Free for members, $15 for others. RSVP to 305-673-4440, rsvp@ gaybizmiami.com, or GayBizMiami.com.

* Cool Japan @ FIU

Feb. 27 and 28 from noon to 5 p.m. at the FIU Modesto Maidique Campus, 11200 SW Eighth St. in Miami. Celebrate Japanese culture with a cosplay competition, Japanese tea cafe, Taiko drumming, film screenings, children’s games, crafts and more. Free. Call 305-348-1914 or visit Asian.FIU.edu/events.

* Wine Appreciation Classes

* Tattoo Day

Arsht Center Farmers Market

* Open Mic

French Film Festival

Every weekend through March 27 from 10 a.m. to sunset at Quiet Waters Park, 401 S Powerline Road in Deerfield Beach. The Middle Ages comes to life with knights, kings, queens, faeries, artisans, and more. Tickets $21 with $1.50 park fee. Call the park at 954-357-5100, the festival at 954-7761642, or visit Ren-Fest.com.

miami-dade county

Feb. 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Mandel Public Library, 411 Clematis St. in West Palm Beach. Enjoy an exhibit of African Americans and Afro-Latinos who have contributed to the fight against HIV/AIDS for the last three decades. Also, get tested on site. Call Richardo Jackson at 561-345-4963 or Courtney at 561-398-6622.

eroticism, love, and a sense of community. Must register to receive address. Call Jeff 954-998-2750, Ralph 954-562-5133, email ftlaudereale@b-e-school.com or visit TheBodyElectricSchool.com.

Florida Renaissance Festival

Mondays at 6 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Get moving with a certificated Zumba instructor for an infusion of exercise and dance moves. Donation of $5 or more. Call 561-324-1626 or visit CompassGLCC.com.

Mondays at 6 p.m. from Feb. 29 to March 28 at Books and Books, 265 Aragon Ave. in Coral Gables. Patrick Alexander, an author, connoisseur, and bon vivant will lead students through the world of wine in this six-week course. The last class will be a dinner served by Chef Allen Susser. Tickets $299. Email emailing Irving Fields Irving@booksandbooks.com or visit BooksAndBooks.com.

* Test Palm Beach County

Feb. 27 at Morikami Japanese Gardens and Museum, 4000 Morikami Park Road in Delray Beach. In honor of the exhibit “Perseverance: Japanese Tattoo Tradition in a Modern World,” enjoy a tebori demonstration and symposium. Tickets $10. Call 561-495-0233 or visit Morikami.org.

Fourth Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at ArtServe, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Admission $5. Calling all musicians, poets, comics, and small bands to show off their stuff. Call 954-462-8190 or visit ArtServe.org.

Zumba Fitness

Through Feb. 29 at FAU’s Performing Arts Building, 777 Glades Road in Boca Raton. A series of French films, such as “Mood Indigo,” “Girlhood,” “Hiroshima Mon Amour, “La French,” and more. Contact Roderick Cooke at 561-297-0307 or email cooker@fau.edu.

* Talking Theatre: William Ivey Long March 1 at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre, 201 Clematis St. in West Palm Beach. Long has worked as the costume designer for more than 70 Broadway productions and has won six Tony Awards for his work. Call 561- 514-4042, or visit PalmBeachDramaworks.org.

Mondays from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza for the Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Purchase fresh food from local farmers, including fruits, vegetables, meats, prepared foods, as well as chefs, live music, and cooking demonstrations. Free. Visit ArshtCenter.org/ en/Visit/Dining.

Rainbow Circle

Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m. at the University of Miami Flipse Building #302, 5665 Ponce de Leon Drive in Coral Gables. An open discussion about coming out, relationships, peer pressure, bullying, depression and more. Free. Visit Pridelines.org.

Yoga

Tuesdays from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at Jose Marti Park, 362 SW Fourth Ave. in Miami. Yogis 18 and older of all levels are invited to a practice lead by a certified instructor. Bring your own yoga mat, water, and towel. Free. Call 305-358-7550 or visit BayfrontParkMiami.com/Yoga.html.

Photo: solosexbook.com.

Book Examines Solo Pleasure Hunter Houston

t’s one of those mundane questions typically posed on various gay hook-up apps: “What are you into?” Invariably, labels of “top” and “bottom” are thrown about, but often overlooked in the dialogue is the art of masturbation. One writer, however, is hoping to bring more substance to an age-old practice. In “Solosexual: Portrait of A Masturbator,” author Jason Armstrong explains why beating off is not to be discounted. Promotional materials for the book claim, “for some men, masturbation is the best sex of their lives and they have created a community to celebrate it.” Armstrong is the writer of a blog, “Hunting For Sex: Cautionary Tales From The Quest.” In 2013, the blog was voted top 100 in the world by Kinkly.com. ‘“Solosexual” is an unabashed memoir, a stirring manifesto and an investigation into

living a life in which masturbation is one’s primary sexual outlet,’ reads a news release hyping the book. Jamye Waxman, author of “Getting Off: A Woman’s Guide,” found Armstrong’s work bold and progressive. “While we are still a culture focused so much on sex of the penetrative kind, it’s refreshing to hear the stories of a man who loves masturbation more than any other sex act,” writes Waxman. Jon Pressick, senior writer for FutureofSex. net and lead writer for CherryBanana.com, has penned a foreword. The book is 112 pages and retails for $12.99 paperback, $6.99 Kindle.

COMING IN MARCH...

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OUT 50 Photo by Steven Shires.

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For more information, visit solosexbook.com

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SFGN Classified$ accounting - finance HEALTH & LIFE ADVISING INC - 14 years experience. Guaranteed issue 25K critical illness insurance rates at $36 and $50 including accidental injury coverage. Best rates for life guaranteed, from limited med to full medical underwriting. Term/ROP/ WHOLE/FINAL EXPENSE/ACA HEALTH PLANS WITH SUBSIDIES AVAILABLE. CALL 954-2000140, ask for Brian

attorney

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

To place a Classified Ad, call Cindy Curtis at 954.530.4970 or email at cindy.curtis@sfgn.com

SFGN.com home & garden

HELP WANTED! - New full service gym located on E. Sunrise Blvd., looking for part time front desk help (Tues & Wed 5am- 10am and 8am-2pm every other Sat &Sun) and fill in as needed. Contact Julian via email julian@stamina1640.com.

employment positions wanted

SEEKING FRONT DESK PERSON FOR DENTAL OFFICE - Looking to hire full time 8-5 front desk person for receptionist, answering phones, filing, making appts. Full time position with benefits and fun, relaxed working atmosphere for the right person. No previous dental experience needed. Willing to train if you have good attitude and work ethic. To apply, email opdentalung@aol.com.

AIDE/COMPANION,HHA/CNA AVAILABLE Experienced Aide/Companion, HHA/CNA available for hourly,daily, live-in or substitute position. More than 10 years experience, licensed, background check available. Excellent recent references. Phone or text 754-207-7476

for sale

TOSHIBA SATELLITE LAP TOP COMPUTER FOR SALE - Toshiba lap top for sale, Windows 7,, good condition....since a few letters stick you need a keyboard which you can get for $25.00 at Best Buy, etc.. please call Cindy at 954-298-8158 for any other info..$100 or best offer. I can email you pic. Local Ft. Lauderdale area

employment - full time

SFGN.com

FRONT DESK MANAGER FOR A BUSY FLL AIRPORT MOTEL - Must have at least 5 years of hotel experience, be able to manage people, Roommaster experience a plus. Call Bobby at 954540-2408.

home & garden

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Screen Room Enclosures Pool Enclosures Pavers Hurricane Shutters Sunrooms Pergolas

accounting/finance HAROLD J BLOTCHER,EA - Tax Preparation and Representation for Individuals and Small Business. Help with Same Sex Marriage Issues. Call 781-363-5519 or 561-429-3592 or visit our website at www.haroldjblotchertaxes.comwww. haroldjblotchertaxes.com

cleaning service

BUTLERS IN THE MANOR - 25 years of cleaning experience.Our cleaners are the best in the area. Customizing your visit from cleaning to laundry to pet care, Butlers in the Manor We're waiting for your call 954-812-8005 www.butlersinthemanor. netwww.butlersinthemanor.net

electrician

TOP DOG ELECTRIC-QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP AT A FAIR PRICE - Any and all types of electrical work performed by craftsmen who care about their work. 954-533-5005 guy@ topdogelectricﬂ.com www.TopDogElectricFL.com Lic# 97-CME-1724-X

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CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE

954.993.7477 Licensed & Insured • Residential & Commercial

help wanted EARN $300+ PER DAY - Activists Needed To Collect signatures to get Medical Marijuana on ballot. Earn $300+ per day. 954-616-7736; 754204-0114 Make own hours.

Now HiriNg! Call 800-DiLigENT help wanted - part time CNA WANTED FOR PART-TIME WEEKEND POSITION - Accepting applications for certified CNA for Saturday & Sunday-part-time. Background check, verifiable references and current drivers license required. Call Antonio at 954-599-3265 for appointment.

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

painting GREGG'S PAINTING - Interior/exterior,great rates, friendliness, reliability, neatness. No job too small. Call Gregg at 617-306-5694 or 954-870-5972.

licensed massage

folow the action. Place an ad in SFGN’s Classifieds

954.530.4970 rentals MIKE THE RENTAL GUY - NE Lauderdale/Wilton Manors/Oakland/Victoria Park-1/1 from $950 2/1 from $1150. Credit & Income RequirementsPets okay with restriction. Call for Details Mike 561-703-5533

pets/supplies AFFORDABLE AWESOME MASSAGE BY JIM Offering Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports and LomiLomi Massage for Men; in a very comfortable, relaxed and Private Massage Studio, NOW conveniently located in Wilton Manors on NE 26th Street, with plenty of free parking. Same Day appointments are welcome; please call Jim, 954-600-5843 email: info@ massagebyjim.com or visit my website for testimonials, rates and more. GREAT OPENING SPECIAL NOW AVAILABLE! www.massagebyjim.com Licensed and Certified MM22293 INCREDIBLY AWESOME BODY WORK - In-calls at a private studio 15 minutes west of PBIA. Intuitive, experienced licensed massage therapist offers affordable rates 7 days, early to late. ASK ABOUT WEEKLY SPECIALS! Calls only 561-254-8065 for the very best massage experience you can get HANDS DOWN! Call for Spring Specials! #MA51008

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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.

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.

Place an ad in SFGN’s Classifieds

954.530.4970

$825/MONTH /DOWNTOWN/SAILBOAT BEND - Quiet, small complex. 1 BD/1 BA. Large walk-in closet, carpets, Living room,dining area,kitchen, FREE hot water, NEW A/C, LOW electric bills, assigned parking, F/L/S $825/Mo. 954-566-6251

roommates oakland park

LOOKING FOR ROOMMATE IN OAKLAND PARK - Are you frustrated, tired, bored?Live the true gay life with me. No drama. Just peace!Cozy 300 sq. ft. apartment in "gated" community. I am mature. Ready for 3/1/16. Call Brian at 954-5293490. $400/month.

roommates ROOMMATE WANTED - 3bdr, 2.5 bath condo at the Tennis Club. $550 per month all inclusive. Must have job, transportation. No Smokers. Ideal for tennis player. Contact George.Alvan@yahoo.com 57 Y/O GWM SEEKS ROOM FOR RENT - Seeks preferably furnished room in greater Ft. Laud/WM area. Prefer to share with only 1 other GM. Quiet and laid back. No drama. I collect disability and a pension so rent is never late. Bill 954-588-4659

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