SFGN 02/24/22 V13iss8

LOCAL NAME GLOBAL COVERAGE FEBRUARY 24, 2022 VOL. 13 // ISSUE 8

AMERICA GOES GAY

TWENTY PERCENT OF GEN-Z IDENTIFIES AS LGBTQ, POLL FINDS PAGE 12

Gay8 Festival Returns with a Bang PAGE 11 SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS

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CASE IN MURDER OF MIAMI GAY MAN GOING TO GRAND JURY No Suspect Named

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February 24, 2022 • Volume 13 • Issue 8

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Publisher • Norm Kent Norm.Kent@sfgn.com

Associate Publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com

Editorial

Christiana Lilly

T

he Tallahassee Police Department announced on Feb. 10 that the case of a gay man found in a landfill will be going to a grand jury, reports the Tallahassee Democrat.

The death of Jorge Diaz-Johnston, who was a plaintiff in Miami-Dade’s landmark ruling to legalize same-sex marriage, is being considered a homicide.

Assistant State Attorney Jon Fuchs declined to share with the Democrat whether a suspect was in custody.

In a Facebook post on Jan. 9, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office shared that DiazJohnston’s body was found in the trash at 9:30 a.m. The driver was on his way to collect another load of trash when he was told to call law Jorge Diaz-Johnston. Photo via Facebook. enforcement. The trash THE DEATH OF came from a bay at the JORGE DIAZbody was found. He was charged In 2014, the Diaz-Johnstons and five other landfill that can be accessed JOHNSTON, WHO with theft, trespassing, resisting couples sued Miami-Dade County alongside by the public. arrest and possession of drug Equality Florida for the right to marry.

Diaz-Johnston was WAS A PLAINTIFF paraphernalia.

According to an interview with the couple by found dead the morning IN MIAMI-DADE’S On Jan. 12 on Facebook, Don SFGN, the two met on Match.com and Don of Jan. 8 when his body “I can’t stop crying as later proposed. Same-sex marriage became was discovered in a landfill LANDMARK RULING shared, I try to write this. But he meant legal in Miami-Dade County on Jan. 5, 2015, about an hour away from TO LEGALIZE SAME- so much to all of you as he did to and the next day it was legalized in the state Florida’s capital city. Local me. So I am fighting through the of Florida. The couple was married in March 10 reported at the time that SEX MARRIAGE, IS tears to share with you our loss that year. his husband, Don DiazBEING CONSIDERED of him.” Jorge’s funeral was two “Jorge was a crucial part of this historic Johnston, did not report days later at Church of the Little lawsuit that’s one of the biggest moments of his husband missing for A HOMICIDE. Flower in Coral Gables. the LGBTQ civil rights movement in Florida five days and was not being Jorge was also the brother history,” Stratton Pollitzer, deputy director ruled out as a suspect.

However, WFSU reported on Feb. 11 that the of former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, who of Equality Florida, told the Tallahassee couple was apparently separated at the time. tweeted, “My brother was such a special gift Democrat. “It’s incomprehensible to hear It was also discovered that Jorge’s roommate, to this world whose heart and legacy will that one of our heroes has been taken from Steven Yinger, was arrested the day after his continue to live on for generations to come.” us.”

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LGBTQIA BITES

BY KENNEDY MCKINNEY

IT’S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE G Bisexual

B

BISEXUAL SPEED SKATER BECOMES FIRST ATHLETE TO WIN GOLD AT 5 STRAIGHT GAMES Dutch speed skating legend Ireen Wüst went out with a bang in her final Olympics.

The 35-year-old bisexual speed skater has competed in five Olympic Games and made history by becoming the first athlete to win gold in five straight games.

After a historic run, she’s hanging up the skates.

“It’s not that I’m not good enough anymore,” she said. “But I want to have children. And I’m 35, so one day I have to make a decision and say, ‘O.K., let’s go for the other life.’”

“Going, what is it, 55 [kilometers] an hour, on such a small blade, that’s like an amazing feeling,” she added. “You feel the wind through your hair, through your hands. The feeling of winning is quite addictive too. I will miss that, for sure.”

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Ireen Wüst. Credit: Jladage, via Wikipedia.

As Wüst enters her final few games, she is excited to see what comes next.

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

NB

Non-Binary

NON-BINARY SKATER PERFORMS HISTORY-MAKING OLYMPIC ROUTINE

U.S. figure skating champion Timothy LeDuc made history in Beijing as the first non-binary athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics.

“I know for me, being openly nonbinary is only possible because amazing queer people have come before me and laid the groundwork for me,” LeDuc was quoted by MSN. “So now I want to do that for others to come after, as well.”

LeDuc has had a long road with their sexuality. Coming from a strongly religious family, they first came out as bisexual at 18 and then 10 years later as non-binary, but acceptance was not easy to come by. In an interview with My Favorite Olympian podcast, LeDuc revealed that their family regularly attended an evangelical church that believed that same-sex relationships

Timothy LeDuc. Photo credit: Luu, via Wikipedia.

and LGBT identities were a sin.

“I believed the lies that I was told,” LeDuc recalled. “That I was an abomination.”

Eventually, LeDuc found peace with their family and soon became a star on ice after pairing up with current partner Ashley Cain-Gribble. The pair has reworked the narrative of traditional ice-skating teams and storylines and hope it will get them the gold.

LGBTQIA BITES

T

Transgender

‘DRAG RACE’ JASMINE KENNEDIE COMES OUT AS TRANS

In an episode of Untucked, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestants Jasmine Kennedie and Bosco both opened up about their gender identities.

In tears, Kennedie said, “Before coming here I was about to start hormones, and coming here I was scared and I didn’t want to have to go through this process while going through that. But seeing Kerri and seeing how confident she is in who she is, it just further affirmed what I’ve been feeling my whole life.”

“I definitely feel like I am trans,” she continued. “I’ve been so scared to say it. I have held back from it for so long because I didn’t want to hurt my dad but I can’t lie about it anymore.”

Following the episode, Kennedie took to social media and posted a letter in which she revealed that she has spent the last seven years focused on her career instead of her truth.

“I [thought] drag was enough for me, I could take off the makeup any time and no

Bosco (left) and Jasmine Kennedie. Credit: RuPaul.

one would know me out of drag,” she wrote.

“But at a certain point in my drag career, I realized that I was doing drag to fill the void in my own life. I couldn’t be happier.”

“Everything I’ve wanted is finally happening and I am so thankful for the people who made it possible,” she continued. “Thank you Kerri Colby for making me feel comfortable to talk about my identity. If it wasn’t for you, I probably would have never come out.”

With four trans performers, Season 14 marks the most trans-inclusive cast of any “Drag Race” iteration.

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NEWS NATIONAL

BY GILLIAN MANNING

THE COUNTRY ACROSS

PENNSYLVANIA

GAY DADS CELEBRATE 3 YEARS AFTER ADOPTION OF CHILDREN In 2019, two dads adopted six children, ages ranging from 7 to 14, after they had been living in the foster system.

Steve and Rob Anderson-McLean were together for 18 years before they grew their family, according to Good Morning America. The couple previously raised two kids from a previous relationship.

But once their nest was empty, they wanted more children and looked into adopting.

Steve said, “We never imagined we’d be lucky enough or blessed enough to have six [kids].”

The children are all siblings who spent five years in the foster system together after they were removed from their biological parent’s home due to abuse and neglect.

“After the first week they were asking

The Anderson-McLean family. Photo via Facebook.

if they could stay forever,” Steve said.

“We took them to the park and to the zoo. We played in the yard. That was all new to them. Having fun was new to them.”

The couple celebrated their three-year anniversary on social media.

“It’s been almost three years … look how the kids have grown!” Steve wrote.

TEXAS HRC IDENTIFIES 56TH TRANS DEATH IN 2021 The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) identified Martina Caldera, a Latina transgender woman, as the victim in the 56th violent killing of a transgender or gender non-conforming person in 2021.

Trans deaths are often underreported.

Twenty twenty-one has the highest record of killings since the HRC started to collect data in 2013.

Caldera was found shot in Houston on Dec. 6, 2021, but police initially thought she was struck by a car. Her family suspects she was a victim of intimate partner violence.

Her brother, Noel Caldera, said that Caldera was in a relationship with a married man and said he was going to break the news to his wife.

Caldera’s family said she was “an amazing person, had the best personality, and called everyone on their birthdays.”

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Martina Caldera. Photo via the HRC.

“We really just want to know what happened,” Noel said. “I believe [she] was killed somewhere else and brought there.”

Since her death, Caldera has been misgendered and deadnamed in the media.

Police won’t release additional information as the investigation is still ongoing. If you have any information you can contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office homicide unit at 713-274-9100.

COVERING LGBT NEWS SWEEPING THE NATION

ILLINOIS

FAMILY CALLS FOR ANSWERS AFTER QUEER WOMAN DIES IN POLICE CUSTODY The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) is investigating Chicago police because a queer woman was found dead in her cell.

Irene Chavez, 33, was taken into custody on Dec. 17, 2021, after she was asked to leave a local pub. The next day, Chavez was found dead, WGN reports.

The family was upset because the reports they received from police were heavily redacted and lacked any new information.

The COPA released a report this month saying that early that morning, Chavez was taken to a hospital while in critical condition after a suicide attempt. COPA says there is no footage of the alleged attempt but they’re still looking.

“We are not quite sure exactly what happened to my sister. I did my best to

Chicago Police. Photo credit: Daniel Schwen, via Wikipedia.

look out, I visited the headquarters,” said her sister, Iris Chavez. “I asked detectives questions and I hit a red light, a stop sign, a door every single time. Now, I’m here to just really put out that my sister was found hanged in the 3rd district police department in holding, while bound apparently.”

MISSOURI STUDENTS FILE A LAWSUIT AGAINST SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR BOOK BANNING The Wentzville School District removed eight books from their libraries, prompting the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Missouri to file a lawsuit on behalf of two families in the district.

The removed books include “Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic Paperback”

by Alison Bechdel; “All Boys Aren’t Blue”

by George M. Johnson; “Gabi, A Girl in Pieces” by Isabel Quintero; “Modern Romance” by Aziz Ansari; and “Invisible Girl” by Lisa Jewel.

According to the lawsuit, the books were banned “because of officials’ dislike of the ideas contained in the Banned Books and with the intent and purpose to prescribe what is generally or traditionally accepted as right or true in matters of opinion.”

The ACLU says the school district

Photo via Adobe.

cannot suppress certain viewpoints and perspectives just because not everyone agrees with them.

“The first amendment protects the right to share ideas, including the right of people to receive information and knowledge,” said Anthony Rothert, director of integrated advocacy of ACLU of Missouri. “We must protect this right, including educators’ and students’ rights to talk and learn about race and gender in schools.”

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

BY EVERITT ROSEN

THE WORLD AROUND

EXPLORING LGBT NEWS EVENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE

ASIA

EUROPE

GAY KISS EVADES SINGAPORE’S LGBT CONTENT BAN

LGBT ORGANIZATIONS ASK UN TO REVOKE STATUS OF RIGHTS WATCHDOG

It was a Singaporean news report on the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, broadcast live from a Beijing pub packed with excited spectators. However, it was two males who surged into the camera’s view, enjoying a spectacular kiss, who stole the show.

The video has subsequently gone viral in Singapore, where broadcasting laws prohibit programming that promotes LGBT “lifestyles” and where male sexual interactions are illegal.

According to The Guardian, the kiss is not mentioned in a version of the report published on the website of Channel News Asia (CNA). However, a video of the kiss has been seen over 825,000 times on TikTok. “This is actually an act of revolution,” one person said. It has also been extensively shared on Weibo,

Image via TikTok.

a prominent Chinese social media network.

Many people have been drawn to the expression provided by one of the men, who poses directly to the camera after the kiss.

A coalition of 20 LGBT organizations has petitioned the United Nations to abolish Britain’s Equality and Human Rights Commission’s registration (EHRC).

A 19-page proposal to the UN, sparked by the EHRC’s stance on trans rights, calls for the EHRC’s independent status to be examined.

According to GB News, LGBT organizations slammed the EHRC after it stated that measures to amend Scotland’s gender recognition law needed “further study.”

Scottish Government officials have proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act to make it simpler for people to alter their legally recognized gender, with a bill due to be introduced this year at Holyrood.

Photo via Adobe.

“The EHRC is calling for further delays to legislation that our communities have been waiting on for many years,” a spokesperson for Stonewall, a leading LGBT group who is a signatory on the submission to the UN, said.

SOUTH AMERICA

AFRICA

LGBT COLOMBIANS CELEBRATE PRIDE

PROTESTORS DEMAND LONGER SENTENCE FOR LGBT PEOPLE

Striking dazzling poses beneath Columbia’s blazing sun, three drag queens gave an impromptu show in the streets of El Carmen de Bolívar, as neighbors came out and cheered.

This show represents a resurgence of the LGBT community in Columbia that was once brutally victimized by homophobic armed groups.

The town and surrounding region of Montes de Mara were notorious for brutality against LGBT people, who were targeted at various points throughout the country’s lengthy civil war by rightwing paramilitaries, left-wing guerrillas, government forces, and the police.

Despite persistent threats from drug trafficking organizations like the Clan del Golfo, LGBT residents of El Carmen de Bolivar claim they feel safer than ever.

Photo via Adobe.

Corey, a gay 46-year-old, believes he has seen a significant change over the years.

“I feel very happy because we can go out without any problems. Before we were afraid to go out, and if armed groups found us on the street at midnight, they could take us away, torture us, or send us home,” Corey said to The Guardian.

In Dakar, a group of men gathered around a burning LGBT flag and screamed, “Senegal will never accept homosexuality.” Others carried placards like, “Senegal says no to homosexuality” and “We demand an end to the LGBT agenda.”

They were among the hundreds who gathered in Place de l’Obélisque to demand tougher punishment for homosexuality.

The gathering was planned by ultraconservative Muslim organizations that claim homosexuality is being pushed on them by the West and threatens their traditional values.

According to the Voice Of Africa, homosexuality is currently punishable by five years in prison and a fine of between 100,000-1,500,000 CFA, about $2,500.

Place de l’Obélisque in Dakar.

Photo credit: Aboubacarkhoraa, via Wikipedia.

However, anti-gay campaigners allege the government is deceiving people and that this law does not exist. Others argue that it is insufficient and that gays should face up to 10 years in jail.

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NEWS STATE

TOP LGBT-SUPPORTING COMPANIES BANKROLL POLITICIANS BEHIND FLA. ‘DON’T SAY GAY’ BILL Zachary Jarrell Washington Blade

S

ome of the top companies in the U.S. that show public support for the LGBTQ community have donated thousands of dollars to the politicians behind a piece of Florida legislation opponents deemed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

The bill, which has versions in both to Legum and two other reporters, Tesnim the Florida House and Senate, would Zekeria and Rebecca Crosby. ban classroom discussions about sexual The Blade reached out to several orientation and gender identity that are representatives at Comcast but did not not “age-appropriate” in schools — though immediately receive a response, nor did it is not clear what is considered “age- Popular Information. appropriate.” It also includes a provision Comcast has publicly supported the LGBT that could effectively “out” LGBT students to community in recent years. “Some people their parents without their consent. may think the LGBTQ rights journey is done Despite opposition from Democrats and and the struggle is over, but it isn’t. Our job is LGBT rights advocates, the “Don’t Say Gay” to continuously educate,” said Yvette Miley, bill is gaining momentum in the Republican- senior vice president of MSNBC and NBC controlled Florida Legislature.

News, on its website.

Two weeks ago, Florida UnitedHealth Group has Republican Gov. Ron donated at least $200,000 to DeSantis appeared to voice DeSantis since 2020 despite support for the “Don’t Say his public support for the Gay” bill, saying at a press “Don’t Say Gay” bill and event that it was “entirely other anti-LGBT legislation, inappropriate” for teachers according to the article. and school administrators The healthcare company to have conversations with has received perfect scores students about their gender from the Human Rights identity.

Campaign, the nation’s “I know the ramifications largest LGBTQ organization, “I KNOW THE of a bill like this could be Corporate Equality Index.

RAMIFICATIONS detrimental to our LGBTQ Its chief talent officer, youth,” out Florida state Ryan Craig, has also said, OF A BILL LIKE Senate candidate Eunic Ortiz “Strengthening the sense THIS COULD BE told the Washington Blade. of community among our Yet, a recent investigation LGBTQ+ employees and DETRIMENTAL from Popular Information, a allies” makes the company TO OUR LGBTQ political Substack newsletter stronger. run by veteran progressive UnitedHealth Group did YOUTH.” journalist and political not immediately respond - Eunic Ortiz staffer Judd Legum, found to the Blade’s request FLORIDA STATE that some of the nation’s top for comment.

Public SENATE CANDIDATE companies — like Comcast/ Information’s request also NBC Universal, UnitedHealth went unanswered.

Group, Duke Energy, AT&T Duke Energy, one of the and Walgreens — have donated to the largest electric companies in the U.S., has politicians behind the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. donated $34,000 to Florida legislators Comcast/NBC Universal, for example, behind the “Don’t Say Gay” bill since 2020, donated $1,000 to state Sen. Dennis Baxley, including $25,000 to DeSantis and $1,000 to the main sponsor of the bill in the Senate. Baxley, according to the investigation.

In addition, the company gave a total of The company has also received perfect $28,000 to the top supporters of the anti- scores from the HRC’s Corporate Equality LGBTQ legislation since 2020, according Index.

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Photo via Adobe.

“We are guided by our vision of an inclusive environment where employees feel a sense of belonging,” Cameron McDonald, Duke Energy’s vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, said in a statement.

“We make sure to integrate diversity and inclusion into everything we do.”

The Blade attempted to reach Duke Energy representatives by phone and email but has yet to receive a response. Legum’s team also couldn’t contact the company for comment.

AT&T has donated $86,000 to the politicians behind the bill, including $80,000 to DeSantis and $500 to Baxley, Popular Information reported.

The company has supported the LGBT community on social media, partnering with the national LGBTQ youth suicide group the Trevor Project during last year’s Pride Month.

“At AT&T we understand that unity starts in our own community, and we are committed to being a company that recognizes, embraces, and standings with LGBT+ people,” it said in a statement.

Warner Media, the company that owns AT&T, did not immediately respond the Blade’s request for comment.

Walgreens has donated at least $28,000 to DeSantis and four lawmakers who have voted in favor of the bill, according to Popular Information.

For Pride 2021, Walgreens Boots Alliance, its parent company, said it “created and encouraged everyone … to use a special Pride month background when they appeared on video during meetings to express their allyship.”

The company also did not respond to the Blade’s request for comment.

Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association.

NEWS STATE

SAFE SCHOOLS PUSHES BACK ON ‘DON’T SAY GAY’ BILL Damon Scott

T

he Florida Legislature recently fired up South Florida’s gay community and its allies with House Bill 1557, which would prevent instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in elementary schools, or other grades, when a lesson is deemed not “age appropriate” — a term that’s not defined in the bill.

An amendment later filed to the so-called Galvin thinks the bill is purely political, “Don’t Say Gay” bill has caused further and is likely designed to motivate the state’s tension with a proposal by the bill’s sponsor, Trump base for whoever might be next in Republican Representative Joe Harding, line for the governorship this year, or two that would alter a section of the legislation years from now, if Gov. Ron DeSantis runs that initially offered protections to students for president and wins. who confide personal “It’s straight up hatred of the information to school LGBTQ community mixed with employees, and who could political ambition,” Galvin face “abuse, abandonment said. or neglect” if their parents Galvin took a group of six were to find out.

South Florida students to The House was Tallahassee in mid-February scheduled to debate the bill to lobby against the bill. He Feb. 22. said the youth had productive “IT’S ONE OF Safe Schools South meetings with legislators on THOSE EMOTIONAL, Florida has entered the both sides of the aisle and PURITANICAL fray, participating in several spent time with the aides of ISSUES LIKE rallies and demonstrations both the House and Senate by opponents to the sponsors of the bill. The AIDS ABORTION OR legislation. The thrust of Healthcare Foundation helped MARIJUANA the organization, which has fund the students’ trip.

REFORM, INSTEAD been around for decades, is Galvin said the bill has placed OF FOCUSING to make sure students are in Safe Schools into the media ON AFFORDABLE a safe school environment spotlight. The organization HOUSING OR SEAno matter their perceived has been featured on local TV sexual orientation, news, on the front page of the LEVEL RISE.” gender identity or gender Sun Sentinel, as well as on - Scott Galvin expression, nor those of national and international TV EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF their parents or guardians. stations like CNN and the BBC. SAFE SCHOOLS SOUTH FLORIDA Executive Director Scott “[The students] were Galvin has been at the helm amazing. They owned the for the past two years. He’s issue and weren’t intimidated,” also been a North Miami councilman since Galvin said. “The [Legislative] staff was not 1999. easy on these kids.”

“It is absolutely a wedge issue — red meat Five of the students are in high school for certain voting bloc,” Galvin said. “It’s one and one is a college freshman, Galvin said. of those emotional, Puritanical issues like One student didn’t present a sexual identity; abortion or marijuana reform, instead of there were two gay males; two gay females; focusing on affordable housing or sea-level and one student who identified as nonrise.” binary.

Safe Schools South Florida at a protest in Tallahassee. Photo via Facebook.

Galvin expects the bill to “fly through the House,” and if it reaches the Senate, where Republicans outnumber Democrats by 2-to1, he expects it to pass as well. Galvin said, however, that there’s always a possibility the bill could die in a committee along the way.

“It could be that it never gets heard in the Senate,” Galvin said.

If it does reach the Senate and passes, Galvin said DeSantis, who has signaled his support for the bill, would likely sign it into law.

Galvin said the past two years have gone well at Safe Schools, even in the midst of a polarizing political landscape and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’ve done a decent job with fundraising

and have pivoted our programming to be more student and social media focused,” he said.

Before the pandemic, the organization traditionally spent time doing faculty training and leadership events at schools and on field trips — including work with students in gender-sexuality alliances (GSAs).

“We’ve opened more social media channels; we didn’t have Twitter, and Facebook posts were only a couple times a year,” Galvin said.

Galvin said Safe Schools now communicates with teachers via email and phone and has also recently become active on YouTube.

Connect with Safe Schools via social media at @safeschools1991, or online at safeschoolssouthflorida.org.

2 . 24 . 20 22 •

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NEWS LOCAL

J.R.’s SNAPSHOTS

OF THE

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

10

WEEK Photos by J.R. Davis

Ivan Rivera from AHF with his husband Richard Ortiz, a Ryan White case manager supervisor at Latinos Salud.

Jerry Griffin, in the insurance industry, with LaTroy Brown McCormick, data analytics executive at NY FL.

Max Alvarez, Director of Events at AIDS Healthcare Foundation, with Michael Kahane, AHF Southern Bureau Chief Southern Region.

North Miami City Council Member Scott Galvin, Safe Schools South Florida executive director, with President of United Teachers of Dade Don Festge.

• 2 . 24.2022

NEWS MIAMI-DADE

A BIG PARTY IN LITTLE HAVANA Gay8 Festival Returns with a Bang

John Hayden

D

rag queens walking on stilts, crowds dancing to pulsating beats, and the aroma of fresh food filled the streets of Little Havana as Gay8 Festival returned.

Miami’s famous Calle Ocho hosted the largest Latin LGBT+ festival after a year off due to the pandemic. Judging from the crowd, they were ready for its return.

“The event exceeded all of the team’s expectations,” 4Ward Miami’s Damian Pardo said. “So for us it went very well.”

4Ward puts on the annual party, and this year’s theme was Liberty For Cuba. The event stretched nearly a half-mile, with at least eight stages entertaining the crowd. Two main stages bookended the area: one with live performances and the other with top DJs including Tony Moran.

Several side-stages pulled people in with DJs and shows. Wigwood brought their experimental queer performers to one of the stages, and Fay What?! hosted the Girl Central stage, which was packed with women, lots of gay boys, and community allies.

“Girl Central at Gay 8 was such a wonderful and fun time,” Fay said. “To host the Girl’s stage was an honor. The afternoon was a true testament to Lynn Bove’s legacy. The stage was named after Lynn’s GIRL Central, but to look into the endless crowd of L, G, B, T, and Q+ all dancing in endless celebration showed

“... TO LOOK INTO THE ENDLESS CROWD OF L, G, B, T, AND Q+ ALL DANCING IN ENDLESS CELEBRATION SHOWED THE TRUE INCLUSIVITY OF THE FESTIVAL AS A WHOLE.” - Fay What?!

HOST OF THE GIRL CENTRAL STAGE

Raising the bar for Telehealth

Photo credit: John Hayden.

the true inclusivity of the festival as a whole.”

Calle Ocho and the side alleys only got more packed as the afternoon morphed into night.

Earlier in the day a stand-up comedy show was held in the lobby of the Tower Theater.

Overall the vibe felt festive but not uncomfortably crowded.

“There is definitely a flow depending on where you are at,” Pardo said. “The interior parties pull people, so the crowd might seem less packed. The vibe is fun in a chill way with people just being open and accepting. Our hashtag reflects the vibe #LiveYourStoryHere.”

4Ward promotes diversity and inclusivity and civil rights. Pardo said the message was not lost on the crowd.

“The theme is incorporated into everything we do regarding the festival. Our festival closing featured a float accompanied by crowds dancing and chants based on the theme. At the night’s end, you could hear thousands of people chanting ‘LIBERTAD’ from the main stage and all the streets. It was magical, emotional, inspirational and uplifting, all in one. A beautiful moment.”

­

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NEWS FRONT PAGE FEATURE

TWENTY PERCENT OF GEN-Z IDENTIFIES AS LGBTQ Poll finds America is going gay

Zachary Jarrell Los Angeles Blade

A

record 7.1% of adults in the U.S. identify as LGBT, which doubles the percentage from 10 years ago, a Gallup poll found.

The survey, released Thursday, notes the proportion of LGBT Americans should that the “increase in LGBT identification exceed 10% in the near future. in recent years largely reflects the higher “Given the large disparities in LGBT prevalence of such identities among the identification between younger and older youngest U.S. adults compared with the generations of Americans, the proportion older generations they are replacing in the of all Americans who identify as LGBT can U.S. adult population.” be expected to grow in Generation Z, especially, the future as younger fueled the increase, with nearly generations will constitute 21% of 18-to 25-year-olds a larger share of the total identifying as LGBTQ+ – which U.S. adult population,” is nearly double the proportion Gallup noted. of millennials, born between Joni Madison, the 1981 and 1996, who do so, interim president of according to Gallup. The gap the Human Rights widens further when compared Campaign, said the poll to older generations. emphasizes “the need to Gallup asked more than codify legal protections 12,000 U.S. adults how they against discrimination identified last year to get and implement LGBTQ+ the results. Around 86% of inclusive data collection people said they are straight at federal, state, local and or heterosexual, while 6.6% private levels.” did not offer an opinion.

“With more LGBTQ+ Gallup has measured LGBTQ+ people than ever before identification since 2012. living openly and In Gallup’s 2017 survey, Gen embracing their identity, Z made up 7% of the national the fight for LGBTQ+ sample but accounted for 12% equality in America must in its most recent poll as more - Joni Madison continue to represent INTERIM PRESIDENT, HRC from that generation reached this ever-growing and age 18 over the past four years. beautiful community,” she The proportion of people born said. before 1946 has fallen from 11% to 8% in the Last year, as Gallup conducted the poll, same period of time. more state legislatures introduced antiThe high rate of LGBTQ-identifying adults LGBT bills than ever before in recent results from young adults coming to terms history. The trans community felt the brunt with their sexuality or gender identity, of the legislative attacks, with bills aimed at as more and more Americans accept banning trans women and girls from sports LGBTQ+ people and queer individuals and criminalizing gender-affirming care for enjoy increasing legal protection against minors showing up in statehouses all over discrimination, Gallup said. the nation.

The analytics giant also predicted that The rate of LGBTQ-identifying people was

“...THE FIGHT FOR LGBTQ+ EQUALITY IN AMERICA MUST CONTINUE TO REPRESENT THIS EVER-GROWING AND BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY.”

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• 2 . 24.2022

Photo via Adobe.

stable in older generations – traditionalists, born before 1946; baby boomers, born between 1946-1964; and Generation X, born between 1965-1980 – while it increased in younger ones, according to the poll.

There was a modest uptick among millennials, from 5.8% in 2012 to 7.8% in 2017 and 10.5% currently. The percentage of Gen Z who are LGBTQ+ nearly doubled since 2017, “when only the leading edge of that generation — those born between 1997 and 1999 — had reached adulthood.”

“Should that trend within Gen Z continue, the proportion of U.S. adults in that generation who say they are LGBT will grow even higher once all members of the generation reach adulthood,” Gallup said.

In addition, the survey found that bisexual was the most common identification among LGBTQ+ Americans, with more than half, 57%, indicating they are bisexual. Of the total population, 4% said that they were bisexual.

Gallup noted that its pre-2020 polling did not ask adults which category LGBTQ+

category they identified with, but other research organizations and Gallup’s 2020 results have consistently found bisexual adults to be the most common LGBTQ+ people. Previous analyses showed bisexuals are much more likely to marry spouses or live with partners of a different sex, according to the company.

Meanwhile, 21% of LGBT Americans said they were gay, 14% lesbian, 10% transgender and 4% something else – all of which accounted for under 2% of the total population.

Bisexual was the most common identifier in Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X. At the same time, older Americans are just as likely to say they are gay or lesbian as they are bisexual, the survey showed. Overall, 15% of Gen Z, 6% of millennials and nearly 2% of Gen X said they are bisexual.

Additionally, women are more likely to identify as bisexual than men. In contrast, men are more likely to identify as gay than bisexual and women are more likely to be bisexual than lesbian.

Los Angeles Blade courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association.

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Steven O. Evans, PhD., publisher of OutClique, poses at the United Church of Christ Fort Lauderdale, where he performed a “spiritual gift of music” for congregants last Sunday, according to Rev. Patrick Rogers.

Pam Robb. Photo via Facebook.

SOUTH FLORIDA MOURNS LOSS OF ANIMAL ACTIVIST

Photo courtesy of the talented Suzie Alvey, who took this picture for Patrick Rogers and shared it on Facebook.

John Hayden

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woman who loved animals and volunteered her time to work with abandoned and abused animals died after being bitten by a dog. Pam Robb was killed by a large, mixed breed dog she was working with at 100+ Abandoned Dogs of Everglades, Florida.

The retired Cooper City High School teacher had volunteered there for more than six years. Witness reports say the dog

“SHE WASN’T JUST DOING. SHE WAS BEING. SHE WAS BEING PAM ROBB, A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL, GIVING, CARING PERSON.” - Angie Anobile WIFE OF PAM ROBB

grabbed onto her arm and refused to let go.

One person tried to help, and received minor injuries.

Robb is survived by her wife, Angie Anobile.

The two married in 2016 but were together more than 20 years. Anobile told WFOR that Robb loved her work at the shelter.

“She wasn’t just doing. She was being. She was being Pam Robb, a wonderful, wonderful, giving, caring person. She just had a love for those animals. She really did.”

Robb’s social media has been flooded with messages of shock, sadness, love, and support.

“The tragedy that took you from us, had you doing what you loved to do,” Jennifer Keyas posted on Facebook. “Rehabilitating a broken abused, tortured creature that humanity failed. This has rocked our 100+ family to the core and we shall never get over losing you.”

Acclimating dogs and preparing them for their “furever homes” was a passion of Robb’s. The work is hard, but she found reward in seeing animals drop their guards and learn to be loved. Her Facebook page is filled with pictures of her close to dogs that are just learning that humans can be their friends.

The dog that attacked her was taken by animal control and put down.

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MAN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTING SON FOR WEARING MAKEUP Christiana Lilly

BROWARD COUNTY SCHOOLS, FORT LAUDERDALE PASS RESOLUTIONS AGAINST ANTI-LGBT BILLS

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Flagler County man was arrested for allegedly slapping and choking his son for wearing makeup to school.

Lomack J. Bennett, 34, was arrested Feb. 7 and awaits trial on third-degree charges of strangulation and child abuse.

According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, a teacher notified school resource officers that his student confided in him that his father, Bennett, “busted his lip” and asked if he should tell the police. He had bruising around his lip and also showed his teacher photos from the incident.

The abuse allegedly occurred when the boy returned home from school and his mother questioned him about him wearing makeup.

She asked him to wipe it off, which he did, and then she told her husband about the makeup. “[Bennett] approached him and began questioning him about his sexual orientation,” according to the report. He then “slapped him for no reason and proceeded to choke him.” “[The child] stated that the battering

and

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Christiana Lilly

Lomack J. Bennett. Courtesy of Flagler Sheriff’s Office.

continued again after Lomack Sr. slapped him in the face one last time, which caused a laceration to his lip and caused blood to splatter on his eyeglasses.”

His father then told him to “clean himself up and to clean his mouth.”

The boy told police that he normally puts on makeup when he arrives at school and takes it off before he goes home to avoid a confrontation. Bennett said that “nothing physical occurred” and that his son was not old enough to make decisions about wearing makeup.

Bennett is scheduled to go before a judge on Feb. 28.

Commissioner Ben Sorensen, Commissioner Steven Glassman, Mayor Dean J. Trantalis, Commissioner Robert L. McKinzie, and Vice Mayor Heather Moraitis. Photo via the City of Fort Lauderdale website.

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overnment agencies from the city of Fort Lauderdale all the way to the White House are showing their support for LGBT people.

Last week, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission sent four resolutions to Tallahassee against bills going through the Florida legislature; the Broward County School Board did as well.

Even President Joe Biden has expressed his disapproval of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, as well as South Dakota’s signed trans athlete ban.

“I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community — especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill — to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are,” Biden tweeted in regard to Florida’s bill. “I have your back, and my Administration will continue to fight for the protections and safety you deserve.”

On Feb. 15, the Broward County School Board unanimously agreed to write a letter to the Florida legislature in support of LGBTQ students. The motion was brought forward by Board Member Laurie Rich Levinson.

“We value inclusion and respect in this district and we believe there should be that acceptance regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,” she said.

Board Member Rosalind Osgood added, “I think our letter is very critical during this time that we take a position to show all of our students our love and support for them …

Schools have to be a place for kids to feel safe and comfortable … We’re not backing down from something that is wrong.”

The Fort Lauderdale City Commission had a meeting the same evening, in which

Commissioner Steve Glassman brought six walk-on resolutions that included resolutions against the following bills: • SB 148/HB 7 Stop WOKE Activism Act: A bill introduced by Gov. Ron DeSantis that gives “businesses, employees, children and families tools to fight back against woke indoctrination.”

• SB 1834/HB 1557 “Don’t Say Gay:” A bill that prohibits discussions on sexuality and gender in schools.

• SB 1820/HB474 Discrimination in Healthcare: Allows healthcare providers to deny services based on religious, moral or ethical objections.

• SB 1300/HB1467 “Book Banning Bill:” Schools would be required to remove books or materials that a parent objects to.

The resolutions all passed without discussion with a 3-0 vote, with Vice Mayor Heather Moraitis leaving the dais prior to the resolutions being introduced and Commissioner Robert McKinzie refusing to vote. He told the commission, “I do not want to participate in resolutions period.”

In the past he has also not participated in voting on resolutions, calling them “a philosophical nothing piece of paper.” Moraitis has historically voted against resolutions in favor of more progressive social issues. She voted against a resolution opposing Texas’s controversial abortion law, another resolution in support of trans athletes, and went as far as asking a trans woman who spoke before the commission, “do you want to arm wrestle me?”

NEWS STATE

CENSORSHIP HITS LOCAL QUEER YOUTH ORGANIZATION John Hayden

W

hen you think of queer censorship on social media, you may think of a friend who was put in “Facebook Jail” for 30 days because someone reported a random, seemingly innocuous comment.

Or, on a broader scale, China and Saudi Arabia may come to mind.

But it’s happening a lot more than you would expect, including to organizations in South Florida. PRISM is a victim of violating one of Instagram’s policies, but has no idea which one, why they’ve been taken down, or how to resolve the issue. PRISM founder Maxx Fenning said it’s all taken him by surprise.

“On Jan. 6, while using the app, a message popped up on our screen that said our account had been flagged for ‘suspicious activity,’” he said.

Fenning did account verification and forgot about the incident until he was on another account.

“I went to look at our post about Cervical Health Awareness Month from a few days prior [on] my personal account, I realized that PRISM’s Instagram was nowhere to be found.

After attempting to log in, we were given this error message: ‘Your account has been disabled for violating our terms. Learn how

“ON JAN. 6, WHILE USING THE APP, A MESSAGE POPPED UP ON OUR SCREEN THAT SAID OUR ACCOUNT HAD BEEN FLAGGED FOR ‘SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY.” - Maxx Fenning FOUNDER OF PRISM

you may be able to restore your account.’”

Fenning said they’ve never been flagged before, and can’t get a reason for the removal.

Instagram has no helpline to talk to someone.

A COSTLY ORDEAL PRISM’s mission is to “...provide LGBTQ+ youth in South Florida … the education and support they need to live a happy, healthy life … to make sure everyone feels included in their community, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”

Reaching those lofty ideals isn’t easy, and it’s certainly not cheap.

They reach about 35,000 people a month on Instagram, and losing that platform not only cuts off users from important health information, it cuts off a key income stream.

“Almost half of PRISM’s individual donations come through Instagram,” Fenning said.

“We’ve likely lost out on thousands of dollars in donations within the past month alone.”

They made a second account and, after a brief fight with a “bot” over spamming issues, they got it up and running. He said it makes every keystroke seem like a perilous risk.

“It is still a very precarious situation. We’ve gotten the same pop-up to confirm our phone number at least twice this week, and we were hesitant to even have the head of our social media department log in too soon, for fear that a new login might set off their spam detection.”

PRISM’s fight isn’t over, and may be turning in their favor.

“We have finally gotten in contact with a staff member over at [parent company] Meta to conduct an investigation on the first account.”

But for now, they try to make up for lost time and money. PRISM isn’t alone.

The Board of Directors of PRISM, including Maxx Fenning (President & Treasurer), CJ Walden (Vice President), and Myah Hopfensperger (Secretary). Photos via PRISM FL, Inc., Facebook.

QUEER CENSORSHIP IS COMMON Fenning said this isn’t a PRISM problem, it’s a problem that affects any marginalized group.

“As a queer creator myself on TikTok, I’ve experienced time and time again the way that people and algorithms target LGBT content at significantly higher rates. As someone who follows queer creators, I’ve also seen how widespread this is.”

After years of attacks on LGBT organizations, Fenning is glad to see people taking notice.

“GLAAD’s Social Media Index, which was initially meant to rate large social media platforms based on how they treat LGBTQ+ users, pivoted to discussing how social media platforms can improve after it realized it would need to give every platform a failing score.

“Queer youth need to know that they can access resources that help them live happy and healthy lives, and queer creators and organizations need to know that they’ll be able to do that without fear of censorship.”

TAKING THE FIGHT TO SOCIAL MEDIA Fenning and PRISM are now using social media to fight back. To combat queer censorship, they created #SavePRISM on several platforms, including Instagram.

People can use the hashtag and share stories on how PRISM affects them, a platform refusing to put a stop to homophobia, or content removed for discussing race or queer topics.

Fenning said that for every post made using the hashtag, a growing number of businesses, organizations, and individuals each donates $1.

Those who want to learn more or make a donation pledge themselves can go to www.prismfl.org/saveprism.

2 . 24 . 20 22 •

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SPORTS OLYMPICS

TEAM LGBT CELEBRATES FINISHING THE 2022 BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS Everitt Rosen

T

he Beijing Winter Olympics are concluded, and LGBT competitors did an excellent job of portraying the community.

They finished 12th overall on the medal table, with 39% of them earning gold, silver, or bronze. Several more athletes finished in the Top 10 in their events, and they all overcame tremendous obstacles to compete at their best.

In terms of athlete numbers, Team LGBT would be the 25th-largest contingent at these Games, just after speed-skating superpower Netherlands. A 12th-place result for the 25th-largest group is an impressive performance.

Sandra Näeslund: Team Sweden At her third Olympic Games, Sandra Näeslund continued her dominant winter sports season with a gold medal in women’s ski cross, making it the first time in Olympic history a non-Canadian has won the event.

Canadian Women’s Hockey Team Of course, the Canadian women’s hockey team was celebrating their gold medal as they left Beijing. They annihilated their opponents before defeating Team USA in the gold medal final.

It’s always a battle when Canada and the United States play. And the Canadian women, many of whom played collegiate hockey in the United States and counted Team USA players among their colleagues, won gold.

Guillaume Cizeron: Team France After finishing their flawless performance, Guillaume Cizeron and Gabriella Papadakis walked away with their first Olympic gold medal and one of the best moments of their career.

Papadakis and Cizeron were also favorites in PyeongChang 2018, where they arrived as double world champions and quadruple European champions.

Having been forced to settle for silver at the time, the two buddies were always going to do everything they could to guarantee they left Beijing with gold.

Ireen Wüst: Team Netherlands Ireen Wüst, a bisexual competitor on Team Netherlands, won gold in the women’s 1,500m speed skating event, setting a new Olympic record of 1:53.28 in the process. The Dutch athlete beat Japan’s world record holder Miho Takagi, who finished in 1:53.72, while Wüst’s compatriot Antoinette de Jong took bronze in 1:54.82.

Bruce Mouat: Team Great Britain LGBT curler Bruce Mouat and his Great Britain side finished their first Olympic Games with a silver medal, falling to Sweden in Saturday’s gold medal final, in a

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contest that underlined curling’s reputation as a “game of millimeters.”

The men’s curling final extended to an extra end for the first time in Olympic history. The two teams competed with the level of execution anticipated of the tournament’s top two finishers in the round-robin stage.

Mouat and vice skipper Grant Hardie both struck crucial strokes to keep Side GB tied 4-4 with Niklas Edin’s senior team at the end of regulation.

Mouat’s final shot in the extra end, which was supposed to bounce off his own stone into Sweden’s shot rock, missed by a hair’s breadth.

Alex Carpenter: Team USA After announcing her engagement before the start of the Olympics, Alex Carpenter scored two goals in the 5-2 opening-round win for the U.S. in ice hockey, eventually going on to win Team U.S.A’s fourth Olympic silver medal.

Brittany Bowe: Team USA Flag bearers carrying their country’s flag during the Parade of Nations at the Beijing Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony have the distinct privilege of serving as their country’s principal ambassador for the event.

Brittany Bowe is the only LGBT athlete to be honored in 2022 at the Olympics. Bowe won a medal after spending the Olympics helping others. The 33-year-old speed skater earned bronze in the women’s 1,000m on Thursday at the 2022 Winter Olympics, crossing the finish line in 1:14.61.

Kévin Aymoz: Team France Kévin Aymoz, a France figure skating favorite, made his Olympic Winter Games debut in Beijing 2022, and he is already looking ahead after concluding his men’s singles free skating performance. Aymoz has since developed a large following that is sure to build as he prepares for Milano Cortina 2026.

Jason Brown: Team USA Jason Brown’s ice skating is as clean as Olympic

Team USA’s Jason Brown. Photo via @jasonbskates, Instagram. ice. The American skated to “Schindler’s List” in his second Olympic performance inside the Capital Indoor Stadium at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. The 27-year-old American is a fan favorite, and he demonstrated why in the men’s free skate, finishing sixth with a score of 184.00 out of a possible 281.24 points. He placed sixth after the short program, thanks to a personal best score, and equaled it in the free, outscoring his previous high (180.11) by three points.

Timothy LeDuc: Team USA After competing in the pairs figure skating event, American Timothy LeDuc became the first non-binary skater to compete in the Winter Olympics.

LeDuc, who uses the gender-neutral pronouns they/ them, and partner Ashley Cain-Gribble set a seasonhigh with a score of 74.13 in the short program at Beijing 2022, advancing to Saturday’s free skate.

“I know for me, people who are non-binary, it’s only possible because amazing queer people have come before me and laid the groundwork for me,” LeDuc said to Eurosport. “And now I want to do that for others to come as well.”

Eric Radford: Team Canada Going into their competition, Eric Radford and his skating partner Vanessa James were ready to put up a fight for their place on the podium, but the Canadians ended the short program with a score of 63.03, putting them in 12th position out of 16 teams ahead of the free skate.

Radford, 37, has three Winter Olympic medals, including a gold medal in the team event and a bronze medal in the pair skating event in PyeongChang 2018, as well as a silver medal in the team event in Sochi in 2014.

“She apologized to me, and she does not need to,” Radford said to Olympics.com. “It’s always a pleasure and honor to skate by Vanessa’s side.”

Gus Kenworthy: Team Great Britain

Paul Poirier: Team Canada

Gus Kenworthy was one of four LGBT athletes who competed for Team Great Britain.

This was Kenworthy’s third and last Olympics. He opted to represent Team Great Britain this time to honor his British mother. Kenworthy was born in the United Kingdom, not the United States. He placed ninth overall in the halfpipe, an event he had never participated in before. Kenworthy delivered an outstanding performance.

Paul Poirier and long-time skating partner Piper Gilles were overcome with emotion after finishing seventh in what may be their final Olympic ice dance competition.

The Canadians finished with a total score of 204.78, much behind France’s Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Gizeron, who won gold.

Nicole Silveira finished 13th in the skeleton as one of just two Brazilian athletes to compete in the Games.

She had a lot on her plate, including that her girlfriend, Kim Meylemans, was involved in a near-international crisis.

Nicole Silveira: Team Brazil

SPORTS PLAYING WITH PRIDE

PRINCETON WRESTLER QUITS DUE TO TEAM’S HOMOPHOBIA Everitt Rosen

P

rinceton is an Ivy League college that is a popular dream school of aspiring college students, and AJ Lonski couldn’t wait to arrive there.

Growing up, the LGBT wrestler was accustomed to homophobic taunts on the mat, particularly at his private Catholic high school, where he was varsity captain of a nationally rated team. But Princeton was supposed to be different.

Lonski writes about his experiences in an OP-ED for the Daily Princeton, where he states that “constant jokes” were made against minority group members of the team and women associated with the initiative.

The usual conversation also included vitriolic slurs directed at LGBT individuals.

Lonski returned home after Princeton canceled in-person classes at the start of COVID, and realized how miserable he was.

He quit the team in July 2021.

AJ Lonski. Photo via the Princeton website.

Lonski concludes his op-ed by stating he has met a new set of accepting friends who care about his mental health. He’s also been involved with LGBT organizations on campus.

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Care Guide Tikiya poses outside of a Broward House test site. Photo via Broward House, Facebook.

K BROWARD HOUSE JOINS AHF TO FIGHT HIV

Joe Saunders of Equality Florida addresses a group of concerned citizens about the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill advancing in Tallahassee on Tuesday night in Wilton Manors at a local Dixie Highway restaurant. As much as it is opposed by the LGBT community, the governor has said he will sign it, and it has the Republican votes to pass both houses of the legislature.

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ith South Florida continuing to be those we currently serve. It is a win for the epicenter of the HIV epidemic Broward House and a win for all in Broward in America, two key organizations County,” stated Stacy Hyde, CEO of Broward are joining forces to fight the spread, help House. patients, and educate the community.

Broward House serves more than 3,000 Broward House is a new affiliate of AIDS people throughout Broward County.

Healthcare Foundation (AHF).

This advanced partnership comes on the Broward House has long been a community eve of the annual Florida AIDS Walk & Music leader in providing housing for people in Festival, which is set for Saturday, March 19, need, and over the years has expanded its at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park. This year’s services to support the health goal is to raise $1.5 million, and and stability of clients no matter just over half has been raised THIS ADVANCED the status of their insurance. with less than a month to go.

PARTNERSHIP AHF specializes in providing Broward House will now be one cutting-edge medicine and of the local agencies that will COMES ON THE EVE advocacy and is the world’s benefit from the funds raised.

OF THE ANNUAL According to recent largest provider of HIV/AIDS FLORIDA AIDS statistics, Broward County medical care.

WALK & MUSIC continues to rank in the top This new affiliation will let five counties nationally in Broward House not only expand FESTIVAL, WHICH IS of new HIV diagnoses. their critical services, they will SET FOR SATURDAY, rate The Florida Department of also streamline aspects of care MARCH 19 AT Health has indicated that two including case management and key components to the state medical services.

FORT LAUDERDALE reducing new cases of HIV “AHF and Broward House BEACH PARK. transmission are providing have been on-going partners in rapid access to treatment and providing the services needed for those living with HIV and AIDS in the ensuring retention in care and patients having Broward community and addressing the access to care services. AHF and Broward on-going need for testing and prevention House both focus on these components and services. As an affiliate of AHF, it allows us to believe their partnership will expand their create a strong foundation to expand services reach to more at-risk people in South Florida. and ensure the continued patient care for

Follow SFGN.com for future updates on the partnership of AHF and Broward House.

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NEWS STATE

FORMER DC POLICE LIEUTENANT ARRESTED IN FLORIDA ON SEX WITH MINOR CHARGES Lou Chibbaro Jr. Washington Blade

F

ormer D.C. police lieutenant Brett Parson, who served as supervisor of the department’s LGBT Liaison Unit before retiring from the force in 2020, was arrested in Boca Raton, Florida, on Feb. 12, for allegedly having sex with a consenting 16-year-old boy in violation of Florida’s law regarding age of consent, which is 18, according to an arrest affidavit filed in court.

The affidavit, which was prepared by a sex with a 16- or 17-year-old in a state where detective with the Coconut Creek (Fla.) Police the age of consent is 18 would not have Department, says the 16-year-old told police violated the law in states where the age of he and Parson met on the gay online dating consent is 16. An online search of U.S. age of app called Growlr and agreed to meet for a consent laws shows that at least 16 states and possible sexual encounter after exchanging D.C. have established the age of consent for “explicit” photos of each other. sexual acts at 16.

An arrest warrant obtained by Coconut At the time of his retirement in 2020 after Creek police charges Parson with two counts 26 years on the D.C. police force, Parson of “Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor.” announced he was starting a consulting A separate incident and investigative report business to advise law enforcement agencies filed in court by Boca Raton police says in the U.S. and abroad on police-related officers with that department, in cooperation issues. He also announced he would become with Coconut Creek police, arrested Parson a part-time volunteer D.C. police reserve outside the Boca Raton residence of his officer as part of the department’s Reserve parents where Parson was staying while Officer Corps. visiting Florida from D.C. When asked to confirm media reports that The Washington Blade couldn’t immediately Parson had been removed from his position reach Parson for comment as a reserve officer, D.C. police or determine the status of spokesperson Sean Hickman AN ARREST his case. Fox News reported sent the Blade a short statement it obtained court records confirming those reports.

WARRANT showing Parson was being held “We were made aware of the OBTAINED BY at the Main Detention Center retired member’s arrest early in Palm Beach County without Sunday morning,” the statement COCONUT CREEK bond as of Feb. 14, and it wasn’t says.

“MPD immediately POLICE CHARGES clear whether he had retained terminated him from our Reserve PARSON WITH an attorney who could speak Corps.” on his behalf.

According to the arrest affidavit TWO COUNTS The incident report filed by filed by Coconut Creek Police OF “UNLAWFUL Boca Raton police says Parson Det. Sgt. John McKinney, officers SEXUAL ACTIVITY was arrested on Feb. 12, several on routine duty during the hours after Coconut Creek early morning hours of Feb. 12 WITH A MINOR.” police say he and the 16-yearobserved that a vehicle driven by old allegedly had a sexual the 16-year-old being followed by encounter in a car belonging to Parson’s father a vehicle driven by Parson. The affidavit says that Parson was driving and after he and the the officers approached both vehicles after 16-year-old arranged to meet at a gas station they observed that the vehicle driven by the in Coconut Creek near where the youth lives.

16-year-year-old, a Ford Focus, turned into a Criminal defense lawyers have expressed “restricted access facility owned by Comcast.” concern on behalf of clients in similar cases It says the vehicle Parson was driving, a red that an adult arrested for having consensual Buick convertible, “waited in the middle of

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• 2 . 24.2022

Former D.C. Police Lt. Brett Parson. Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key. Parson has bonded out of Broward County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

the roadway,” prompting officers to approach Parson. The affidavit says Parson told the officers he was a police officer visiting his parents from D.C. and wasn’t familiar with the area and simply got lost. It says the officers allowed Parson to leave the area after he told them he did not know the person in the other vehicle.

“The officers then made contact with the driver of the gray Ford Focus, later identified as the 16-year-old minor hereinafter referred to as ‘RT,’” the affidavit says. “RT advised the officers that he was using Growlr, a dating application for gay men, to communicate with a male who identified himself as Brett,” the affidavit continues. “He stated that Brett told him he was looking for no strings attached casual sex, repeatedly asked him to meet, and sent each other explicit photographs.”

After initially meeting at a Shell gas station, at about 1 a.m. on Feb. 12, he and Parson arranged to drive to another location and park their cars in a secluded parking lot at the site of a daycare center in Coconut Creek, where RT got into the car Parson was driving, according to the affidavit. He told police

the two talked for a while before they began kissing and a short time later performed oral sex on each other, the affidavit says RT recounted to police.

It says that the two attracted the attention of police when RT became nervous after someone walked past the parked car where he and Parson were engaging in intimate acts and the two decided to drive in their separate cars to find another location. That’s when police noticed that RT drove his vehicle into a restricted area and officers approached him to find out what was going on.

The affidavit does not say what prompted RT to disclose the intimate details of his alleged sexual acts with Parson when the officers would not otherwise have learned about that. The affidavit also doesn’t explain how it came about that RT’s parents arrived on the scene where police were interviewing their son as stated in the affidavit, although it’s likely that RT provided police with his parents’ contact information.

“We first spoke with RT’s parents and explained what we knew up to this point and the process involved in a case of this

NEWS STATE nature,” the affidavit states. “After a detailed The affidavit does not say — and it could explanation of their options, RT’s parents not immediately be determined — whether stated they would like to press charges RT self-identifies as gay, whether he was out to against Brett Parson and together with their his parents as a gay person before the incident son would consent to the necessary steps for with Parson surfaced, or whether his parents evidence collection,” it says. are supportive of his sexual orientation.

“We then spoke with RT,” the affidavit says LGBTQ youth advocates have reported that in recounting the action by McKinney and many LGBTQ young people are confronted other police investigators. “It should be noted with hostile parents who disparage their that RT is a thin build male who clearly does sexual orientation or gender identity and not appear to be 18 years of age or older,” it sometimes prompt the young LGBTQ people says. The affidavit says RT then repeated his to run away from their homes. account of his interactions with Parson that Gay former D.C. Advisory Neighborhood he gave to the officers who stopped him in his Commissioner Alex Padro, who says he has car earlier that morning. known Parson for many years in Padro’s The affidavit says RT turned over his role as a community activist in the city’s phone to police to allow them to read the Shaw neighborhood, said Parson “earned text messages that he and Parson exchanged my respect and that of many in our city and after they met on the Growlr dating site. It beyond” during Parson’s career as a police quotes RT texting Parson to say “so sexy” officer. after Parson sent him a shirtless “Brett Parson served our city photo of himself. After RT proudly for 26 years before his D.C. GAY ACTIVIST sent Parson a clothed photo of retirement in 2020,” Padro said.

RICK ROSENDALL himself, Parson replied, “You “Just like anyone else accused are so cute,” the affidavit says. of a crime, Mr. Parson deserves SAID PARSON’S It says the two subsequently to be treated as being innocent ARREST RAISES THE exchanged “explicit” photos of until proven guilty, and is ISSUE OF TEENAGE each other. entitled to mount a defense,” he The affidavit’s recounting said.

SEXUALITY THAT of the text messages between “MPD’s action in terminating THE PREVAILING Parson and RT makes it clear a 26-year veteran of its ranks POLITICAL AND that RT willingly chose to meet from the Reserve Corps without SOCIAL CLIMATE Parson for a sexual encounter due process, without even knowing that Parson was an hearing his side of the story is DOES NOT APPEAR older man. The affidavit says both un-American and unjust, READY TO ADDRESS. Parson is 53. depriving our citizens and MPD After interviewing RT and his of his years of experience and parents, the affidavit says detectives escorted demonstrating to those volunteer reservists them to the Coconut Creek Police’s Sexual that MPD does not have their back,” Padro Assault Treatment Center “for a physical said. examination, evidence collection and sworn D.C. gay activist Rick Rosendall said Parson’s recorded statement.” It says RT was then arrest raises the issue of teenage sexuality that shown a group of photos of others along with the prevailing political and social climate does Parson’s photo and he “positively identified not appear ready to address.

Brett” as the person with whom he engaged in “A 16-year-old cruising on Growlr may be a sexual activity. poor choice for a sexual partner, but he is not a “Based on the facts above, probable cause victim,” Rosendall said. “Our society continues exists for the issuance of an arrest warrant for to have the most absurdly counterproductive Brett Parson because Parson, who is over 24 attitudes regarding teenage sexuality, as if it years of age, did engage in sexual activity, in could be wished away,” he said. “The result of this case oral sex with each other, involving this denialism is teen pregnancies and STDs.” the victim who is only 16 years of age,” the “Brett Parson has done our community affidavit concludes. considerable service and I hold him in high By mentioning that Parson was older than regard,” added Rosendall.

24 years of age the affidavit was referring to Legal observers have said the age of consent the Florida age of consent statute that allows a laws are based on the long-held belief that a person between the age of 18 and 23 to legally person under the age determined to be the engage in consensual sex with a person who is legal “age of consent” is incapable of giving 16 or 17 years old. informed consent to sexual acts.

Visit SFGN.com/ParsonUpdate for the most recent update on this story.

Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association.

OUT NOW! S O U T H

F L O R I D A

Vol. 11 Issue 1

S O U T H

• FEBRUARY 2022

- MARCH 2022

F L O R I D A

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G A Y

THEMIRRORMAG.CO

G A Y

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N E W S

WINTER ARTS & ENTER TAINMENT

A NEW FACE GABE SALAZAR TO CO NDUCT THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS Begin s on Page 20

WINTER ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THEATER, MUSIC, DANCE AND MORE...

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PA L M B E A C H

news

CRYSTAL FAMOUZ CROWNED MISS PALM BEACH PRIDE 2022 Sean Conklin

THE ROOM WAS ELECTRIC WITH EXCITEMENT AS THE 2022 MISS PALM BEACH PRIDE PAGEANT BEGAN AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE IN LAKE WORTH BEACH. Fans of the art of female impersonation, more commonly known as drag, filled up the theater eagerly awaiting to see who would be crowned Miss Palm Beach Pride 2022.

An evening of fun, laughs, and glamor followed, culminating in the crowning of Crystal Famouz, a relative newcomer to the area who is eager to make her mark.

AN ELEGANT NIGHT OF EXPRESSION AND FUN Velvet Lenore, a local drag entertainer, started the Miss Palm Beach Pride Pageant in collaboration with Compass Community Center in 2016.

“It was a dream of mine,” Lenore said. “I wanted to bring something special back to palm beach that would bring the community together…”

Lenore said she wanted to bring back the storied history of Drag Pageants in Palm Beach County after much of the events moved to other areas or closed for good.

She’s especially proud of the impact that the show has had on the local drag circuit and the LGBT community overall.

The night was hosted by Lenore and the first Lady of the Palm Beaches, Melissa St. John. The dynamic duo brightened up the stage with gorgeous sequined dresses and eclectic style.

They were supported by an equally as unique and expressive cast of past Miss Palm Beach Pride title holders, including Rianna Petrone, Kataleya Davenport, Tayanna Love, and Taquoya Dupree. A special guest performance by Mr. Gay International William Lepaige awed the audience with energy and elegance.

Three contestants competed for the title this year in three officially scored rounds: Presentation, Evening Gown, and Question & Answer. Each contestant represented a powerful component of the local LGBT community, from trans activism to cultural representation.

Each contestant performed so well that the final choice seemed to be difficult for

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the panel of esteemed judges. The judging panel ranged from local community drag sensation Big Mamma, aka Shjannon Atkins, or long-time stylist and drag performer Justin Lynch. The panel of judges were just as storied and diverse as the participants.

During the presentation, each participant designed a look to represent a different component of the Pride flag. During their presentation, they explained the importance of the component they chose.

Each contestant awed the crowd and plucked at the heartstrings and passions of the community. Expression of love and support for the trans community and minority communities were evident in every performance.

LGBT COMMUNITY THRIVES IN THE MISS PALM BEACH PRIDE PAGEANT The Compass Community Center is Palm Beach County’s only LGBT community center, located in the city of Lake Worth Beach. Compass partners with many events and Organizations to encourage a vibrant LGBT community in Palm Beach County.

“Being crowned Miss Palm Beach Pride is an honor and the winner will experience a year of growth through service and appearances at fundraisers and community events,” Compass’ Chief Development Officer Julia Murphy said in a press release.

“The title provides our local drag queens the opportunity to build a platform that can make a big difference to their career and have an impact in the community.”

An exhausted Murphy was still energetic and enthusiastic at the conclusion of the show. Murphy is the person responsible for many of Compass’ community events, including Palm Beach Pride, taking place the weekend of March 26 and 27; the Stonewall Ball; the White Party; Cocktails for Compass; Pride business Alliance Socials and others. She’s always finding ways to support the local community and can be found at many LGBT-related activities.

Crystal Famouz.

Photo via Crystal Famouz, Facebook.

CRYSTAL FAMOUZ ON VULNERABILITY AND CHOSEN FAMILY Crystal Famouz is a relative newcomer to the Palm Beach Pageant Scene. She decided to participate in the Pageant because of her passion for the Palm Beach community as a new resident, and her “Obsession for all Things Pageant.”

Though she’s participated in Pageants before, this was her first win. Famouz went on to win the Queen of Hearts 2022 title at Georgie’s Alibi in Wilton Manors just two days after her Miss Palm Beach Pride victory.

Famouz attributed her win to her talented team that helped her bring her vision for each category to life. Because Pageants are so expensive, Famouz was also grateful for the sponsorships she received to help her afford the vision she had.

It wasn’t all fun and games, however.

The stress and excitement of the pageant can be exhausting. “Allowing yourself to be vulnerable during question and answer or even presentation, in front of a judges panel, room full of strangers and even people you know … That can be very difficult for me, but knowing you have people there rooting for you brought me a sense of ease.”

Famouz said that having her friends and chosen family going through the process with her was the best part of the experience. The behind-the-scenes activities that the audience

doesn’t get to see, from dressing challenges to styling accomplishments, were that made it all worth it to her. She hopes to use her new title to work closely with Compass and submerge into the Palm Beach community, growing and supporting that chosen family.

WHERE TO SEE CRYSTAL IN ACTION Famouz has many regular bookings in Palm Beach County already. She hosts “Drag Me to Brunch” at Sassafras in West Palm Beach two Sundays a month. She is also the host of “Drag me to Bingo” at Subculture Coffee on Clematis Street on the first and third Thursday of the month. She has irregular shows at Maxwell’s Plum in Wellington on Wednesdays, and can be seen in other shows throughout the county.

Famouz also has booking in the Fort Lauderdale area. She hosts Divas on the Drive and Divas Live at Geogrie’s Alibi in Wilton Manors on two Sundays a month.

She also hosts the Sunday show at The Eagle in Wilton Manors every week. She doesn’t see places in Palm Beach as LGBT or straight, instead seeing it as an opportunity to share her art and maybe change some minds in the process.

Famouz encourages her fellow contestants to participate again next year. Miss Palm Beach Pride will be adding a Mr. Palm Beach Pride to the pageant next year, expanding opportunities for the community to get involved.

To book Crystal Famouz for a show or event, contact Chris Rhoades at 561-460-7800 or NextLevelTalentPB@gmail.com, or reach her directly at crystalfamouz@gmail.com. She can be found at the below social media handles.

Instagram :@thecrystalfamouz Facebook : @Crystal Famouz

NEWS NATIONAL

NEWS STATE Dr. Anthony Fauci. Photo credit: NIAID, via Flickr.

FLORIDIANS BARELY OPPOSE ‘DON’T SAY GAY’ BILL Only 49% oppose the legislature with 40% in support Kim Swan

DR. FAUCI REMAINS SKEPTICAL OVER NEW HIV CURE CASE John McDonald

D

r. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, expressed a guarded reaction to the newest potential HIV cure case.

Fauci said the case of an American woman who received a transplant of stem cells from the blood of an infant’s umbilical cord is “not practical” for treating the nearly 36 million people living with the virus that causes AIDS. “This is not applicable to the normal, otherwise non-diseased, outside of HIV, person,” Fauci told Conversations on Health Care. “This person happened to have an

FAUCI SAID THE NEW CASE IS MORE OF A “PROOF OF CONCEPT THAT ONE CAN GET THE VIRUS OUT AND BE SUPPRESSED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.”

underlying disease which required a stem cell transplant.”

Fauci said the new case is more of a “proof of concept that one can get the virus out and be suppressed for a long period of time.” The patient, who has not been publicly identified, is a middle-aged, mixed-race woman and the third known HIV cure case.

First diagnosed with HIV in 2013, the woman developed a high-risk acute myeloid leukemia four years later and received the stem cell treatment for both diseases.

She stopped taking antiretroviral drugs 14 months ago and has had no detectable level of HIV since.

Dr. Yvonne Bryson, an infectious-diseases physician at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, said the outcome provides hope for the use of cord stem cells to achieve HIV remission. UCLA researchers presented the case to the public on Feb. 15.

“It also provides proof that HIV-1 viral ‘reservoirs’ can be cleared sufficiently to afford remission and possibly cure in the setting of resistant target cells,” said Bryson.

Meanwhile, Fauci, chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden, said the current therapies available to people infected with HIV are very effective at lowering the viral load and making it “virtually impossible” to transmit the virus through sexual contact.

“We are always trying to cure HIV where you don’t require either daily or intermittent therapy and there’s a lot of research going on with this,” Fauci said.

Photo via Adobe.

T

he “Don’t Say Gay” bill, if passed, would be detrimetal to LGBT youth.

Despite knowing that, Florida voters just barely oppose the bill, according to a poll.

The Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) at the University of North Florida polled a sample of 685 voters registered statewide and found 49% of respondents oppose the legislation and 40% support it. The bill, HB 1557, and its sister bill SB 1834, would prohibit discussions on gender identity and sexual orientations in schools.

When splitting the votes between Democrats and Republicans, the contrasts between the parties become clearer.

Among Republicans, 44% strongly approve of the legislation, compared to 19% of Democrats. Men were more likely to feel that way than women, but only by 2 percentage points.

Whites and Hispanics were similarly strongly in favor of the legislation (32%).

Among those who identified as Black, 26% felt that way.

Age also played a strong factor in these bills. Among 55- to 64-year-olds, support for the bills is the strongest, with 48% somewhat or strongly supporting the idea that teachers should not encourage or allow these discussions.

Those between the ages of 18 and 24 felt differently, however. The poll shows 35% strongly or somewhat approve of the legislation and 51% somewhat or strongly disapprove. The poll has a sampling error of 3.74 percentage points, PORL officials said.

Respondents were also told that if the bills become law, parents would have the right to sue school districts if they believed a policy or practice was being violated on this issue, according to Floridapolitics.com.

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Publisher's Editorial

CONVICTIONS

THE CANCER CHRONICLES, PART 2

RUMINATIONS OF A CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC MIND Norm Kent

Thought I would give a shout out to Doc B’s on Federal Highway just north of Broward Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale this week. Not only do they have great food, but in memory of their founder, they are making a $5 donation to the American Brain Tumor Association every time you purchase a piece of their amazing hot chocolate lava cake- with ice cream on the side- as your dessert.

Not that I needed the coaxing, but it’s for a great cause dear to my heart. Or should I say dear to my cerebellum? Either way, you still have a few days to get there!

norm.kent@sfgn.com

W

ell, it’s time for my monthly cancer chronicles, a week early because I am going stir crazy in my house. There are only so many times I can play “Lucky Susan” online in the seventh race at Gulfstream. Anyway gang, here are the raconteur’s rants for this week. Memorize them. They will be on the test next Thursday.

The doctor wants to order me an hour of physical therapy after every chemo treatment. Like the hot chocolate lava cake from Doc B’s isn’t enough of a workout already?

1

After six months of being a cancer patient, I have devised a new check-in sheet for nurses at the chemotherapy center — kind of like an old Chinese restaurant menu, where you take one choice from column A and one from column B. Instead of your birthday and social, the nurse asks you: “With your chemo, would you prefer the: ‘a) Nausea or Vomiting; b) Constipation or Diarrhea; or c) Fatigue or Neuropathy?’”

2

So I am thinking of using a Robert Frost quote on my tombstone: “I simply had a lover’s quarrel with the world.”

I was going to use “You can reach me at Norm@I-would“HE WHO LEARNS rather-be-at-the-ballparkMUST SUFFER. AND today.com,” until I found out EVEN IN OUR SLEEP that the cemetery charges for PAIN THAT CANNOT engravings by the letter.

- Aeschylus

Actually, the truth is that chemotherapy is much smarter today and better dosed than it was 20 years ago. You not only get grapes, cheese and cranberry juice with its administration, after each treatment I get better at Wordle.

If you want to know what neuropathy in your feet feels like, imagine you 4 Hulk’s toes. I mean if I were to let Jimmy had Cohens give me a pedicure, he would need a

• 2 . 24.2022

5

FORGET FALLS DROP

BY DROP UPON THE HEART, AND IN OUR OWN DESPAIR, AGAINST OUR WILL, COMES WISDOM TO US BY THE AWFUL GRACE OF GOD.”

3

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hammer and a chisel, not a toenail clipper.

Sorry, but when you have cancer, you think about dying, even if you want to live forever. So when some friends asked what I wanted others to say about me at my funeral, I said: “Just three words: ‘Look, he’s moving.’”

Screw it, I am just not going to die! There will be no service in my lifetime.

6

I am not running their marketing department, but the lengthy and verbose University of Miami Comprehensive Sylvester Cancer Care Center should learn something from Twitter and change their name. They should get a new IP address reading cancancernow.com.

7

Actions speak louder than words 8 because accomplished deeds are promises you make to yourself that were kept.

Words are promises you made to yourself that are still unfulfilled, like that gym membership you signed up for in January. Okay, maybe Reverend Pat Rogers at the United Church of Christ is an exception!

No, not everyone likes you. Get over it. You can’t please the world. As a publisher, I find that out weekly. But don’t worry because not everyone matters. That’s life. Some days you are Charlie Brown.

9

No matter what came your way before, today is your first tomorrow; your first chance at a second chance. Life is a series of second chances but bring an eraser just in case.

10

I have done terrible things for money… like get up early to go to work. And I am working a little. I just settled a case with Wilton Manors Code compliance for my hot dog cart. Seems I have to feed the police department daily with Nathan’s Famous and Birch Beer. Oh, and give code compliance my first born.

11

It’s a sad reflection of our times, but as Tom Selleck, playing the police commissioner, said on Blue Bloods, “Certain accusations by their very nature carry a

12

penalty the second that accusation is even whispered, regardless of whether or not they are true.” Worse, they are compounded by the Internet, where a lie can be halfway around the world before the truth catches up with it.

Even if it does, the damage is often done and irreversible. Frankly, that sucks, doesn’t it?

Focus on what you do have, not what you don’t have. As I have said before, less is more. No matter what you own, it’s going to wind up somewhere else, probably that great consignment shop “Oddities.”

13

The surest way to fail is to fail to act.

Even if you are on the right track, when you just sit there and don’t move, sooner or later, you are going to get run over. Can’t steal second base until you take a lead off first. Risk taking is okay. It’s leaving where you are for maybe where you need to be.

14

You may not be able to do something about the length of your life, but you can always do something about its breadth, width, depth, and oh, your weight — so that one piece of lava cake was enough. Just don’t throw out the ice cream. Don’t ever throw out ice cream, especially cones from the Creamery with chocolate sprinkles on them. Take care.

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CONVICTIONS

EDITORIAL CARTOON

By Mike Luckovich

2 . 24 . 20 22 •

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CONVICTIONS

Mombian

‘DON’T SAY GAY’ AND OTHER GAG BILLS ARE A PLAGUE THAT WILL HARM CHILDREN Dana Rudolph

W

hen my son was little, he did something at school that could soon be banned in Florida and numerous other states: he talked about his two moms.

A bill that is speeding through the Florida legislature could soon squash all discussion of LGBT identities in schools — but Florida is not the only state pushing for such legislation. The attempt to remove content and discussion about LGBT and other marginalized identities from classrooms is a nationwide epidemic that must be stopped.

There are currently 156 “educational gag order” bills that have been introduced or pre-filed in 39 different states since January 2021, according to PEN America, a nonprofit organization that champions free expression. These bills mostly seek to block discussions of race, racism, and gender in K-12 schools, public universities, and workplaces.

Of the 156 bills, 12 have become law in 10 states and 113 are currently live in 35 different states. For example, a pending Minnesota bill says that school districts and public schools may not require curricular instruction relating to critical race theory, defined as “a practice of examining the role of race and racism in society, the social construction of race and institutionalized racism, and how race intersects with identity, systems, and policies.” To my mind, that eviscerates an unconscionable amount of U.S. history and literature. It tells children of color that their identities and experiences as children of color don’t matter, and tells white children that children of color don’t matter.

Fifteen of the bills in nine states would silence speech about LGBT identities.

Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill, known by opponents as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, is a good example, as the bill is moving quickly and has Governor Ron DeSantis’ (R) support. The Senate version

of the bill says that “a school district may not encourage classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.” (The House version would ban classroom instruction on these topics before grade three, or if it is not age or developmentally appropriate.)

What is “developmentally appropriate”? My son has known he has two moms since well before he was in school. What does it mean to “encourage” such discussion? The bill doesn’t say.

“Don’t Say Gay” laws get fuzzy (and ugly) really fast. What if a kid with queer parents starts talking about their family vacation and another kid asks how they can have two moms or two dads? Or asks why the kid refers to mom as “they”? Could the teacher help explain? Could they recommend an LGBTinclusive kids’ book to assist? How might the child with queer parents feel if the teacher just shuts down conversation? What if a child is themselves queer, especially if they are socially transitioning and changing names, pronouns, or both? Can the teacher help other children understand this or must the child in question try to hide their identity? There’s a fragile line between banning discussion and banning people with those identities. When we encounter the former, the desire — and the effect — is often really for the latter.

Florida State Rep. Joe Harding (R-Williston), one of the bill’s lead sponsors, has said that the bill would not prevent children from talking about their families — but the bill’s language is in fact dangerously vague. And even if Harding were right, banning any other discussion of LGBT topics (which could include teacher responses

“DON’T SAY GAY” LAWS GET FUZZY (AND UGLY) REALLY FAST.

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Photo via Adobe.

to kids’ questions, as above) still conveys that there is something wrong with such identities.

In addition to the pending bills, five states (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas) already have “Don’t Say Gay” laws, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Another five (Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Montana, and Tennessee) have laws requiring parental notification and the opportunity to opt out of LGBT-inclusive curricula. Several of these states, among others, have additional bills pending that would further restrict LGBTinclusive materials in schools. In contrast, though, six states (California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, and Oregon) actually require inclusion of LGBT people in the curriculum.

Legislation blocking discussion of LGBT identities and of the impact of race and racism may not be surprising in conservative states like Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, and South Carolina (among others), but there are also pending bills in more moderate and liberal states like New Jersey, New York, and Washington. Even

in my home state of Massachusetts, long a leader in LGBT equality, there are candidates running for local school boards on platforms promoting “parent choice” in whether their children participate in curriculum that focuses on social justice. These bills and candidates might have a better chance of success in more conservative locales, but that shouldn’t lull us into overlooking them wherever they pop up.

As the parent of a child now grown, I am grateful that my son read things in school that exposed him to experiences and identities not his own and that showed him how different aspects of identity may impact (for better or worse) how he and his peers move through the world. I am glad he never felt he couldn’t talk about who was in his family. Teaching children that gender is a spectrum and that people may be attracted to others of any gender isn’t inappropriate.

Learning that society has treated people of different identities differently (and often unfairly) in both past and present isn’t indoctrination. It’s education. And it’s the kind of education our children need to thrive in today’s world.

Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of Mombian (mombian.com), a GLAAD Media Award-winning blog and resource directory, with a searchable database of 850+ LGBTQ family books, media, and more.

COLUMN LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

AN OPEN LETTER TO REP. CHIP LAMARCA Photo credit: Elijah M. Henderson, via Unsplash.

Dear Rep. LaMarca: Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. I get that you’d rather this bill not exist. But I don’t think you understand how serious the repercussions will be from this dehumanizing bill.

Forget the trauma to all LGBT students, all LGBT Floridians, and all LGBT Americans, and to our friends and loved ones, that this bill inflicts, because I understand that most GOP lawmakers probably haven’t thought about this, or just don’t care.

But thousands of parents of LGBT students will be ready to bring charges, if they get even a hint that their kids were in a classroom where discussion was encouraged of heterosexual people or heterosexuality, because this law precludes any discussion of any sexual orientation in primary grades. In 2022 (unlike when I was a student), parents with gay kids today are ready to fight back if a law dehumanizes and denigrates their child in any way. And the great thing for these parents is that the bill is written in such a way that homosexuality and heterosexuality are treated equally, so they can bring charges if the law is violated, by say, a discussion of a mommy and a daddy.

And as Florida cancels LGBT

people from schools, there will be a corresponding national and international campaign to #cancelFlorida, and it won’t just be from LGBT people. Many folks both here and abroad will not want to spend money in a state that eliminates an entire minority group from schools. And of course, LGBT visitors will no longer want to spend money in a state that finds their very existence offensive to the public school system of Florida.

Rep. LaMarca, do what you need to do, but kill this bill. Your district in particular will feel the negative financial consequences, but this will be all over Florida. Even Pensacola will face tourism repercussions.

The gravity of this bill is summed up in the headline from the Feb. 8 issue of Vanity Fair: “Ron DeSantis Signals He’d Be Open to Making Florida an anti-gay Hellhole.” Vanity Fair is saying passage of HB 1557 makes Florida an anti-gay hellhole.

Please pull your Republican colleagues back from the brink of permanent damage to the image and reputation of Florida, kill this bill, and end the damage that has already been done.

Regards,

Marc Paige

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!  Submit your own letter to Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com 2 . 24 . 20 22 •

29

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• 2 . 24.2022

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LIFESTYLE FOOD

DINING TRENDS 2022 Rick Karlin

West African. Photo courtesy of Rick Karlin.

T

he last two years have brought a radical change to how we do everything from grocery shopping to dining out. The pandemic has fundamentally altered what, how and where consumers eat. More recently, pricing and supply chain issues brought on by COVID have caused challenges. The hospitality industry responded with technology and adaptations, sometimes not without a few hiccups. These factors have caused trends that we will see playing out this year.

High-end dining has not only fallen out of favor among consumers, but also, investors aren’t as interested in that category as they are with more casual concepts. Fine dining will become “less fussy” and “more hip,” appealing to younger diners, who want quality with a more relaxed approach to service, ambiance and style of menu.

Many restaurants are changing their formats from table service to fast casual counter service. That shift also allows restaurant management to focus on kitchen staff, allowing for fewer workers per shift and more room in the back to prep to-go and virtual orders, which are becoming a higher percentage of restaurant business.

With customers increasingly ordering food to go, even from higher-end restaurants, businesses are inaugurating tech-enabled locker pick-ups with temperature controls to keep food fresh. Drive through pick-up and ordering is not just for fast food anymore.

These new pick-up windows not only accommodate customers, but also thirdparty delivery couriers, such as GrubHub and Uber Eats.

Robots are cooking in some kitchens.

Robots are also delivering meals from the kitchen, and some cities around the country are seeing delivery companies using autonomous vehicles for deliveries. Tech is also taking over in the bathroom with handsfree restroom faucets and soap dispensers and doors that open automatically. Fast food operations have fewer drink and condiment dispensing stations, and those that are available will be smartphone-based. Often, customers will be able to pay from their table.

THERE’S MORE ONLINE! 32

• 2 . 24.2022

The changes in the industry are not just in the physical aspects of restaurant operations, but also in the fare offered. Contrary to the 1973 sci-fi film “Soylent Green”, which was set in the (then) distant future of 2022, we are not moving to a cannibalistic society; instead more plant-based foods are available.

Burger King led the way with its Impossible Whopper, and now KFC offers a plant-based chicken substitute and even McDonald’s is test-marketing a plant-based burger. Many restaurant menus offer a few vegetarian (and in some cases, vegan) options.

As diners get used to trying more exotic meat alternatives, they are also more willing to experiment with world cuisines.

Consumers want food that excites them.

Here are trends that you’ll find on menus from fine dining to fast food.

Hummus – not only the traditional version, but flavorful variations such as citrus-beet, Kalamata olive, roasted mushroom, and harissa with sun-dried tomato.

Nixtamalizing fruit and vegetables (pre-soaking in lime or potash), a Central American cooking technique that makes French fries crispier and fruit juicier and firmer.

The flipside of the rise in plant-based cuisine includes more extensive use of Wagyu, a breed of cattle prized for its rich marbling. The ultra-high-priced Japanese beef has inspired a domestic version.

West African cuisine, especially the area ranging from Mauritania to Cameroon. As Black chefs explore their heritage, expect to see dishes such as suya (grilled meat, including goat), jollof (an ancestor of Jambalaya) and stews made with seeds and nuts.

CLOSINGS, OPENINGS & MOVES The last location of a once-mighty chain, BOBBY RUBINO’S, quietly closed after 43 years of serving prime rib and colossal onion ring loaves. The Pompano Beach spot will be demolished later this year, to be replaced by another chicken tender franchise, Raising Cane’s.

Singapore cuisine offers a distinctive mix that reflects the Chinese, Malay, and Indian heritages of most of its citizens.

Caribbean cuisine, familiar to most South Floridians, is also becoming more popular across the U.S. The expanded palate of consumers is not limited to food. Flavored beer and seltzers that include easily recognizable flavors that strike a nostalgic chord, such as watermelon, strawberry, cherry, apple, and grape are more popular.

One reason for these strong flavors might be a result of loss of taste that sometimes comes with COVID. Whatever the reason, the impact of the pandemic will be felt for years to come.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? 

PAGODA KITCHEN has just opened at Delray Marketplace. It features “home-style Chinese cuisine,” such as Peking duck, bao buns, glazed Chinese barbecue spareribs and shaved ribeye.

SPUD’S, a coffeehouse and brunch café, in Fort Lauderdale’s North Beach Shoppes, will serve house-smoked pork belly eggs benedict, burrata toast and fluffy, sticky cinnamon buns, and coffee creations.

COYO TACOHAS migrated from Wynwood to Las Olas in the former SuViche space. Expect handpressed corn tortillas, cochinita pibil, alambre, pollo al carbon and crispy duck, as well as salads and burrito bowls.

If you’re looking for LEAVES & ROOTS LOUNGE in Flagler Village, it’s moved to a larger space just near the up-and-coming NE 13th Street neighborhood.

VISIT SFGN.COM/FOOD

Rick Karlin is SFGN’s food editor.

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

ARTS BOOKSHELF: CHOREOGRAPHERS LET THEIR FEET DO THE TALKING Visit SFGN.com to read more. | Photo: “Everything is Choreography: The Musical Theater of Tommy Tune” by Kevin Winkler.

BE A LEADER. MAKE A DIFFERENCE. FOR BROWARD. BE BOLD.

Larry Feuer wants to be remembered as someone who gave back to his community. He says, “The status quo is unacceptable. We have to BE BOLD to address problems that will happen decades from now.” That’s why Larry is using his estate plan to create an endowed charitable fund at the Community Foundation of Broward.

He wants to impact a wide range of causes, including assistance to Broward’s LGBTQ+ community, which the Community Foundation has directly supported for more than 35 years. Thanks to generous donors like Larry, the Foundation has provided over $9 million towards LGBTQ+ issues so far.

Larry is proud to have locked in a legacy that makes a difference in the place he calls home. “The Community Foundation of Broward ensures that I’ll be remembered as someone who helped people and created a better Broward for everyone.”

Underwriting support generously provided by:

NORTHERN TRUST and CASTLE GROUP

Visit the website to learn more

CFBROWARD.ORG/BE-BOLD

2 . 24 . 20 22 •

33

CONVICTIONS

Guest Column

WINNING THE LAZARUS LOTTERIES Malcom Gregory Scott

I

should really be dead of AIDS by now, but I’m celebrating my 60th birthday instead.

Twenty-seven years ago, I was counting regimen of prophylaxis treatments meant down my final hours in a rented basement to prevent potentially fatal opportunistic apartment in Washington, D.C., with infections that could take advantage of little hope of surviving the bitterly cold my ravaged immune system. Because the mid-Atlantic winter of 1995. With my last drugs themselves caused a whole array of remaining energies, I was quietly preparing side effects and symptoms, and because to die in all the small ways I had seen the biggest immediate threat to my life was friends and lovers do, or fail to do, in the AIDS Wasting Syndrome, I smoked illegally 14 years since the plague began to take us. obtained cannabis to calm nausea, enhance I formulated my advance medical directives appetite, relieve pain, and ease fears. I dosed in case I lost my ability to communicate my oral morphine at 120 milligrams per day to needs. Though my possessions were few dramatically slow my alimentary system, after years of impoverishing illness, I wrote and I laced my tea with opium tincture a will. I consoled my conscience, making when I required yet more relief. Because overdue confessions and apologies to family, I was allergic to the go-to prevention friends, lovers, comrades, and an enemy or for pneumocystis pneumonia, I inhaled two. I discussed the disposal of my bodily what seemed like gallons of aerosolized remains with my family, pentamidine. Because Kaposi’s preparing them for what was sarcoma, with its telltale I STILL HAVE IN MY sure to come, and making my purple lesions that had wishes known. To hasten my ARCHIVES THE LETTER become the scarlet letter of exit should my discomfort AIDS, was spreading across I RECEIVED FROM grow unbearable, I secreted my forehead, buttocks, back, away a sufficient cache of and legs, I injected a sickening MERCK IN AUGUST, palliative drugs. I surrounded dose of interferon for more CONFIRMING THAT MY than a year, and submitted myself with a strong network of care, including the heroic to a series of energyAPPLICATION TO THE Dr. Douglas Ward, with his draining radiation sessions.

CRIXIVAN PROGRAM attentive staff, and my everBecause I suffered a hitherto true best friend, J.B., both untreatable and ubiquitous FOR PEOPLE WITH within a half-block walk one-cell parasite, harmless to ADVANCED HIV or a phone call, seemingly those with healthy immune DISEASE HAD BEEN night and day. And most responses but ultimately importantly, but with fatal to those without, I tried ACCEPTED. admittedly greater difficulty, experimental and off-label I accepted the foreseeable, treatments, including, with inevitable terminus, and resigned myself to special permission from the Food and Drug death.

Administration (FDA), the strictly controlled The careful reader might have noted, leprosy drug thalidomide. I did all of this, however, that I specified I had little hope of going further to avoid death than I had ever survival, which, as the truly desperate know believed I would have the strength to go, well, is an entire universe away from a world because of this one little hope. of no hope.

In some ways, the story of the cause of So, while I did all in my power to be this little hope parallels the story of my own ready for death when it called, I also did illness. In 1987, as I was being discharged everything in my power to bar the door. from the U.S. Navy for homosexuality Because my lab results had not revealed and learning I had contracted HIV, Merck a single diagnostically measurable T-4 pharmaceuticals was gearing up a new cell in more than a year, I pursued, with research project at a dedicated facility in Dr. Ward’s expert guidance, an aggressive West Point, Pennsylvania, looking at the

34

• 2 . 24.2022

Malcom Gregory Scott. Credit: Janis Mercer, via Wikipedia.

protease enzyme, a key component of HIV replication in human cells. By inhibiting the protease, Dr. Irvin Sigal hoped to interrupt the replication process to combat HIV in a way that existing drugs like AZT could not.

Over the next eight years, in spite of the death of Dr. Sigal in the crash of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, Merck led the way in the development of this key component of what would become the first effective combination therapies for HIV in the late 1990s.

I had first read about protease inhibitors in a brief note John James reported in AIDS Treatment News at the end of 1990, but they remained a mystery until rumors of their efficacy began to bubble up from the limited human trials in 1993. In 1994, as I cared for a dying friend, stories of miracle-like recoveries joined the scuttlebutt. Protease inhibitors seemed to work; HoffmanLaRoche and Abbot began developing their own versions, trying to catch up with Merck.

By 1995, as final stage AIDS closed in around me, activists had seen enough. They pushed for expanded compassionate access

— some way to provide these new promising drugs to patients like me, patients too ill to either participate in the FDA trials or wait until the drugs were approved. Merck balked at first, claiming the supply was too limited; the trial subjects needed every milligram Merck could manufacture, they said, and doing anything that might undermine the approval process could imperil more people with AIDS. Only after activists hired outside experts to show Merck how and where to minimize product loss during its manufacture did Merck finally agree to a limited compassionate access program for the very ill. The other two drugmakers soon followed, announcing similarly limited programs. Of the tens of thousands of dying people with AIDS who needed protease inhibitors, these programs would together supply fewer than 5,000. To overcome the problem of how to fairly distribute such limited supplies among so many, the drugmakers announced, in the summer of 1995, that they would choose the lucky few through computer-randomized selection processes. The media dubbed these processes the “lotteries.”

CONVICTIONS

Guest Column

I still have in my archives the letter I incarcerated people with HIV, and otherwise received from Merck in August, confirming marginalized people with HIV often lack that my application to the Crixivan Program access to education, medication, and care. for People with Advanced HIV Disease had This tragic truth remains a challenge to us been accepted. “Because there is a very small all, but not even this inexcusable failure can supply of the drug,” the letter explained, overshadow the triumph represented by “only 1,100 people were randomly selected the development of protease inhibitors, the to be in the study. All people that registered genius and dedication embodied by those for the program were put in a random who made it possible, and the determination order. The first 1,100 people were selected and compassion of those still working to … Everyone else was given a waiting list address the lingering inequities in HIV number.” My waiting list number was 9870. treatment. The importance of this turning In other words, everyone already enrolled in point in AIDS history and, by extension, the study would have to die or discontinue the importance of this turning point in the study for some other reason, along with queer history can hardly be overstated. The another 9,869 study applicants, before I liberated LGBT world we enjoy today, where would have a chance of receiving Crixivan young queer kind feel free to eschew the through the lottery. As the summer lurched closet and live openly, rightly demanding into fall, it was clear that my an equal part in all things, number had not come up was forged in the crucible of MY UNLIKELY SURVIVAL the AIDS epidemic, and rose in the Hoffman-LaRoche or Abbot lotteries either. implacably from its ashes. It is IS ONLY ONE SMALL With the full onslaught of a world I could barely imagine FOOTNOTE IN THE YET in 1995, when I did not believe winter, my hopes began to dim, but I never gave up. There was LARGELY UNTOLD STORY I would live to celebrate my talk of accelerated approval 40th birthday, never mind my OF HOW SCIENTISTS, of Crixivan, controversy over 60th. the low dosing of HoffmanFor all the difficulties I face ACTIVISTS, PATIENTS LaRoche’s Saquinivir, and as an aging, long-term AIDS AND, IN THE END, EVEN survivor, I remain grateful for questions whether Abbot, not launching its compassionate THE GOVERNMENT CAME my eleventh hour reprieve, access program for Norvir I suspect I’m not alone.

TOGETHER TO CHANGE and until January 1996, could ever Although I’ve never met any of THE COURSE OF THE catch up with its competitors. the other survivors who were Then, on my 33rd birthday, rescued from near-death by the AIDS EPIDEMIC. as I had nearly surrendered 1995 lotteries, I nonetheless that last little hope, Dr. Ward sense we are peers, sharing telephoned to tell me he had received a a special kinship with good fortune, with supply of compassionate access Saquinivir all those who made the lotteries possible, for me. I started it immediately, at higher than and with each other. I’ve always wanted the earlier, recommended, but controversial to hear their stories. Moreover, in a world dose, along with two other HIV drugs I was again wracked by pandemic, I believe their already taking. Within weeks, long before stories of unlikely survival need to be heard. the accelerated approval for Crixivan was Arguably, a complete and honest accounting finalized in March, I rose from my bed like of the AIDS epidemic and its crucial turning Lazarus. points also requires their stories.

My unlikely survival is only one small To these ends, independent queer footnote in the yet largely untold story of filmmaker Carly McCarthy is following how scientists, activists, patients and, in the me on my search for other survivors who end, even the government came together participated in the 1995 lotteries, as well to change the course of the AIDS epidemic. as activists, scientists, care providers, and The last months of 1996 brought an utter others with first-hand accounts of the transformation of the disease that is now lotteries. If you or someone you remember hard to fully appreciate. While it was not the participated in the lotteries in any way, I urge “end of AIDS,” as some were criticized for you to share your story with us. With your then claiming, it was nonetheless the end help, and the support of the community, of hopelessness. Sadly, to this very day, poor we can together document this rarely told people with HIV, people of color with HIV, episode in AIDS and queer history.

Malcom Gregory Scott is a writer and activist currently seeking first person accounts of the 1995 compassionate access lotteries from people affected by AIDS, public health/medical professionals, and activists for a new documentary film.

To share your story or to learn more, please visit lazaruslotteries.com or email malcomscott@gmail.com.

2 . 24 . 20 22 •

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A&E APPOINTMENTS Gay street artist Keith Haring is being memorialized 32 years after his death with a special exhibition sponsored by the World AIDS Museum and on display in Wilton Manors through March 5. Credit: World AIDS Museum.

ARTSBEAT ART, EXHIBITIONISM AND INSANITY J.W. Arnold

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• 2 . 24.2022

KEITH HARING EXHIBIT AT ISLAND CITY CULTURAL CENTER A private collection of artworks by Keith Haring is on display through March 5 at Island City Cultural Center, 600 N.E. 21st Ct. in Wilton Manors. The exhibition is organized by the World AIDS Museum and timed to coincide with the artist’s death on Feb. 16, 1990.

Haring’s popularity grew from his graffiti in New York City subways – ­ chalk outlines of figures, dogs, and other stylized images on blank black backgrounds. After gaining public recognition, he created large scale murals, many commissioned, eventually producing more than 50 notable public artworks between 1982 – 1989. His later work often promoted safe sex and tried to destigmatize AIDS, all while utilizing his signature iconography.

The exhibit is on display on Thursdays through Saturdays from 5-8 p.m. For more information, go to Facebook.com/WorldAIDSMuseum.

BURLESQUE BUZZ CONTINUES ACROSS FLORIDA Florida residents are still talking about the “West Side Story”-inspired burlesque shot AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) presented at Las Olas Circle on Feb. 12. The show was also presented in Houston, Tampa and Orlando before arriving in Fort Lauderdale and was timed to coincide with International Condom Day observances.

In addition to the burlesque shows in Texas and Florida, AHF also organized free HIV testing and condom distribution, interactive social media campaigns, awareness-raising rallies and flash mobs, online and inperson panel discussions, as well as other events, many of which were conducted internationally and with focus on young people.

If you weren’t lucky enough to score a ticket to the live performances, AHF produced “I Feel Frisky,” a parody of the musical’s classic “I Feel Pretty.”

Watch the video at YouTube.com/watch?v=kmCbGC8KeMU

MENTAL HEALTH FORUM AT ISLAND CITY STAGE Island City Stage will host its third “Behind the Red Curtain” free public forum, “State of Mental Health – Recognizing Who Needs Help,” on Monday, March 7, at 6 p.m., preceding the March 17 opening of its production of Tennessee Williams’ “Suddenly, Last Summer,” a gothic mystery that tackles the weighty subjects of insanity, repression and greed.

The forum will offer a frank discussion about the state of mental health, including access, modes of therapy and greater acceptance. Experts will explore traumatic events and their impact on our lives plus offer insight into the history of the mental health profession and how society has advanced in recognizing calls for help.

Artistic Director Andy Rogow will moderate.

The forum is free; advance registration is requested at IslandCityStage.org/Behind-the-RedCurtain-Community-Forum.

2 . 24 . 20 22 •

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A&E ART

YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND US...

STONEWALL EXHIBITION EXPLORES WORK OF LGBT PHOTOGRAPHER J.W. Arnold

BUT WE MIGHT BE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.

“Robert Giard – Photographs,” a new exhibition at Stonewall National Museum and Archives in Fort Lauderdale, includes this vintage 1994 gelatin silver print, “Pomo Afro Homos.”

Credit: Stonewall National Museum and Archives.

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A

new exhibition currently on view at the Stonewall National Museum and Archives (SNMA) George Hester Gallery showcases vintage photographs by LGBT pioneer Robert Giard (1939 – 2002). His obituary in the New York Times described him as “a Portraitist of Gay Writers.”

Originally from Hartford, Connecticut, Giard earned degrees in English and American literature from Yale (1961) and comparative literature at Boston University (1965). While a young man, he spent much of his time in New York City, engaged with LGBT intellectuals and activists.

By 1972, he began to photograph, concentrating on landscapes of the South Fork of Long Island, portraits of friends, many of them artists and writers in the region, and nudes. In 1974, Giard settled with his partner in Amagansett, Long Island, where they remained for nearly 30 years until Giard’s death.

“Being gay counts for something,” Giard once said. “Whom you desire, whom you love, with whom you choose to live — or not to live. How can it not count to recognize at some level, no matter how submerged or close to the surface, that for many people you are somehow less — less man or less woman, less human, less serious, less significant, less deserving? Can it really make no difference realizing that some feel subtle or downright contempt for who you are, even hate you, and are convinced that you have no history, no story worth telling or worth listening to, that you are not even out there in the world existing? I want the world to know that we are here, have a past, and many stories to tell.”

In 1985, after seeing a performance of Larry Kramer’s powerful AIDS drama, “The Normal Heart,” Giard set out to capture portraits of significant gay and lesbian literary figures.

Giard created a trove of powerful images of people willing to come out as members of the LGBT community in a time when it could have harmed their reputations and safety, according to SNMA Executive Director Hunter O’Hanian.

“My memories of gathering these portraits are of a distinctly physical nature, of getting me, my knapsack of film and equipment and my tripod from one destination to another,” Giard said about the undertaking.

Examples of his work are in collections of the Brooklyn Museum, San Francisco Public Library, New York Public Library, and the Library of Congress. Giard’s complete archive, including work books and other documents, is now housed in the American collection of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University.

The SNMA exhibition features 10 large format vintage silver gelatin prints of Dorothy Allison, Justin Chin, Leslie Feinberg and Minnie Bruce Pratt, Joan Nestle, Pomo Afro Homos, Adrienne Rich, Sylvia Rivera, Sarah Schulman, Lanford Wilson and Jacqueline Woodson.

“In this exhibition, we examine the work of an artist who recorded LGBT writers during the golden days of gay literature,” explained O’Hanian. “This is when writers and publishers took risks and presented a trove of new news. Gay collections exploded at that time. We are happy to have books in our collection by the subjects in the exhibition.”

“Robert Giard – Photographs” is currently on view at the Stonewall National Museum and Archives, 1300 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Executive Director Hunter O’Hanian will conduct a talk about Giard’s work on Tuesday, March 1 at 1 p.m. For more information, go to Stonewall-Museum.org.

2 . 24 . 20 22 •

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SHE’S BACK! Dixie’s Tupperware Party Returns to Savor Cinema J.W. Arnold

Dixie Longate brings her hilarious Tupperware party back to Fort Lauderdale in March.

Credit: Dixie Longate.

D

ixie Longate sells Tupperware, but she’s no ordinary Tupperware “lady.”

And, after a hiatus and long COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, Dixie (the drag alter ego of Kris Andersson) is returning to Fort Lauderdale with the newest line of products from the iconic food storage company.

She’ll be setting up shop on March 4 at Savor Cinema, just south of downtown and Longate, who has appeared in South Florida several times over the past decade, is particularly looking forward to the Florida sun.

“I can’t wait … I love Florida. It’s one of my favorite places. It’s so sunny and welcoming and relaxed. It’s sort of like being on vacation,” she said in her Southern drawl.

“Everybody likes cocktails and that leads to too much overdrinking, which leads to crazy sex and then to the best stories you’ll ever share at church.”

Ultimately, “booze” is what got Longate through the pandemic (and most other days).

Still, Longate admitted her show is not the “traditional” Tupperware party. She has sold Tupperware products in Asia and Australia, on cruise ships, at the Broward and Kravis Centers, and even Off-Broadway, during a very successful run in New York City.

She explained, “Look at it like this — it is like I took the Tupperware party from your grandmama’s house and brought it right onstage. There are games and prizes and raffles and fun, just like at your Grannie’s Tupperware party, but I kicked Grannie to the curb so we could really have some fun!”

“The theaters have been closed down for so long, it’s so nice to have audiences back,” she added, noting she often practiced the fine art of wine-blending at home.

“Some people earn a degree to do that, but sometimes I just drink two different glasses in a row and let them blend in my stomach.”

She also spent some time organizing her own Tupperware “within an inch of its life” and took up knitting: “I crocheted a roll of toilet paper, but it was acrylic yarn so it was itchy. Luckily, it came clean every time on the washing machine.”

Unlike the majority of Tupperware salespersons, Longate has made it a career, sometimes to the detriment of her children, who are still 16, 10 and 3.

“If you buy a lot of Tupperware, I’ll give you one [of my kids] with your purchase. It’s like the Estee Lauder counter at the shopping mall, you get a free gift like a lipstick with every purchase. My daughter comes with her own lipstick,” she promised.

While her parenting skills have occasionally been called into question — particularly by her parole officer — Longate remains unwaveringly dedicated to Tupperware and its cutting-edge products.

“You Florida people just never know when another one of them hurricanes might come raging through and you will be left scrambling around trying to make sure that you have enough well-stored food to get you through until all the cleanup happens,” she pointed out. “Sometimes that can take hours till everything is back to normal. And I don’t want you to be hungry during that time. I mean, you might already be missing your stories on the TV. I don’t want to make matters worse by you pulling out some kind of nasty wilted spoiled food from the fridge ‘cause it stopped working. I’m too neighborly to want that for anyone.”

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