SFGN 03/04/20 V11iss10

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BEGINS ON PAGE 21

march 4, 2020 vol. 11 // issue 10

WMG

CELEBRATION OF LIFE PAGE 12

MEMORIAL FUND STARTED PAGE 13

JUSTIN ON JUSTIN PAGE 14

PUBLISHER: “A SOARING SPIRIT” PAGE 30

GOODBYE JUSTIN FLIPPEN WMG: PAGE 2

JUSTIN FLIPPEN THE HEART AND SOUL OF WILTON MANORS

SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS

@SFGN

PAGES 12 - 15, 30

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NEWS HIGHLIGHT

Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association.

BLOOMBERG APOLOGIZES FOR CALLING TRANS PEOPLE ‘IT’ It took the Florida front-runner more than a week to address the controversy

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March 4, 2020 • Volume 11 • Issue 10 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

Publisher • Norm Kent Norm.Kent@sfgn.com

CEO • Pier Angelo Guidugli piero@sfgn.com

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

Editorial

Art Director • Brendon Lies Artwork@sfgn.com Digital Content Director • Justin Musial Webmaster@sfgn.com Arts/Entertainment Editor • J.W. Arnold JW@prdconline.com Social Media Manager • Paul Leary leary.paul@gmail.com Food/Travel Editor • Rick Karlin Gazette News Editor • Sallie James HIV Editor • Sean McShee Senior Photographer • J.R. Davis JRDavis12000@hotmail.com

Chris Johnson

Washington Blade

D

emocratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg has apologized for recently unveiled comments from last year in which he referred to transgender people as “it.”

In a statement first reported by NewNowNext, Bloomberg apologized and indicated he has met with transgender community leaders and San Francisco Mayor London and come to realize “my words had caused hurt.”

“It was a poor attempt to describe how some who oppose transgender equality think about this issue — and those words do not reflect my unwavering support for equality for transgender Americans,” Bloomberg said.

“I want to offer my sincerest apologies to the members of the transgender community.”

Bloomberg took note of ongoing violence against transgender people, including Alexa Ruiz, a transgender homeless person in Puerto Rico, who was brutally murdered after using the women’s restroom.

“THOSE WORDS DO NOT REFLECT MY UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR EQUALITY FOR TRANSGENDER AMERICANS.” - Mike Bloomberg PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

Senior Features Correspondents Jesse Monteagudo

Correspondents

Dori Zinn • Donald Cavanaugh Christiana Lilly • John McDonald Denise Royal • David-Elijah Nahmod

Contributing Columnists

Brian McNaught • Terri Schlichenmeyer Dana Rudolph • Ric Reily

Associate Photographers

“We need a president who will set the moral compass to ensure safety, respect and dignity for all trans people,” Bloomberg said.

“As mayor, I signed a sweeping transgender civil rights bill and, as president, will promote policies that advance equality for transgender Americans who have been attacked by the Trump administration over the past three years.”

Bloomberg makes the apology after Buzzfeed News brought to light a 2019 video of Bloomberg referring to transgender people as “it” and blaming them for Democratic losses in the 2016 election. In another video from 2016, Bloomberg referred to transgender woman as a “man in a dress.”

“If your conversation during a presidential election is about some guy wearing a dress and whether he, she, or it can go to the locker room with their daughter, that’s not a winning formula for most people,”

COVER: JUSTIN FLIPPEN. SFGN FILE PHOTO.

Associated Press

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• 3 . 4 . 2020

Carina Mask • Steven Shires

Mike Bloomberg. Photo credit: Gage Skidmore, via Flickr.

Sales & Marketing Bloomberg said in the 2019 video.

The videos sparked a firestorm of criticism and the nation’s leading LGBTQ group, the Human Rights Campaign, called on Bloomberg to apologize. In an interview with the Washington Blade, fellow Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer said the video was “almost unbearable” to watch.

Alphonso David, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement he welcomes Bloomberg’s apology and meeting with transgender community leaders.

“He took the time to engage members of the transgender community and it’s heartening that he has realized his comments were unacceptable,” David said.

“Today, Mayor Bloomberg and his campaign rededicated themselves to pursuing a safer, more inclusive future for the LGBTQ community, and for transgender people specifically.”

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3.4.2020 •

3

NEWS LOCAL

CRAFT BEER & WINE FESTIVAL OFFERS A CHANCE TO

SAMPLE AREA’S BEST BREWS 13th Street. Photo via Central City Alliance.

Denise Royal

T

he 13th Street Craft Beer & Wine Festival will showcase more than 20 of the best local craft brewers. Attendees can also sip their favorite vino at five wine stations. If you’re more of a teetotaler, there’s a car show and craft vendors to enjoy. There will also be 10 food trucks.

13th Street. Photo via Central City Alliance.

“There are more than 40 local vendors ranging from artists, fudge makers and pet rescues,” Barry Curtis of the President of Central City Alliance said. “The cars this year are exotic Lamborghinis and what you might call muscle cars.”

Speaking of cars, NE 13th Street will close to vehicle traffic from NE 4th Avenue all the way to NE 9th Avenue. General admission is free. Attendees will need a wristband to taste beer and wine. A wristband purchase will also allow to you vote on ballots to choose the best beer, wine, and cars of the day.

Wrist bands are $45 when purchased on the day of the event. $75 VIP tent tickets are also available. They include food, alcohol, wine, and beer samples.

“There are more than 40 local vendors ranging from artists, fudge makers and pet rescues.”

- Barry Curtis

PRESIDENT OF CENTRAL CITY ALLIANCE

Central City Alliance is a neighborhood organization of residents and businesses. The boundaries are north of Sunrise Avenue to Wilton Manors, US 1 on the east to Powerline Road on the west.

“We put on the Craft Beer and Wine Festival to promote the local neighborhood and businesses here,” Curtis said.

13th Street. Photo via Central City Alliance.

4

• 3 . 4 . 2020

x

Gulf Stream Brewing Co. Photo via Facebook.

VISIT WWW.CENTRALCITYALLIANCE.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT.

3.4.2020 •

5

NEWS

BY CAMEREN BOATNER

INTERNATIONAL

THE WORLD AROUND

EURASIA

NORTH AMERICA

BREAKING: PUTIN PROPOSES GAY MARRIAGE BAN

DRAG QUEENS PROTEST MALL THAT KICKED OUT GAY COUPLE FOR KISSING

Vladimir Putin.

Photo via needpix.

FOR DETAILS AND UPDATES, VISIT SFGN.COM

After a security guard at a Mexican mall kicked out a gay couple for kissing, drag queens organized a “kiss-in” protest on March 1. About 100 protestors marched around the mall and stood in a circle as same-sex couples kissed in front of cameras, according to LGBTQ Nation.

The security guard said the kiss made customers uncomfortable, and it violated their policy against public displays of affection. But Jorge Anguiano, one of the boyfriends, challenged his claim, asking if he ever kicks out straight couples for kissing, LGBTQ Nation reported. Anguiano posted a video of the incident to Facebook, to turn the incident into a chance for visibility.

“It’s 2020 and there are still cases in

Image via Twitter.

which the guards continue to harass and intimidate gay couples for showing affection,” Anguiano wrote, according to LGBTQ Nation. “Every act that wants to repress us is an opportunity to make us visible and show that we are not alone.”

OCEANIA

ASIA

REALITY STAR APOLOGIZES FOR HOW HER GAY MARRIAGE WAS PORTRAYED

MALAYSIAN BAND TELLS LGBT PEOPLE TO “GO AND DIE”

Amanda Micallef, a lesbian reality star in “Married at First Sight” Australia, apologized to the gay community alongside TV wife Tash Herz for how badly their marriage portrayed gay couples.

Micallef and Herz left the show on a March 1 episode aired in New Zealand, according to Now to Love. Micallef and Herz’s marriage, Now to Love wrote, was marked by arguments and a lack of interest.

“Unfortunately this relationship has not been a representation of what gay relationships are really like,” Micallef said, according to Now to Love. “There are a lot of good functioning gay couples out there and I’m sorry that this didn’t do the gay community justice this time around.”

6

EXPLORING LGBT NEWS EVENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE

• 3 . 4 . 2020

Photo via Amanda Micallef, Instagram.

Micallef and Herz were the first lesbian couple to appear on the show.

“Married at First Sight” previously featured a gay couple.

Malaysian pop punk band Bunkface released a song called Akhir Zaman, or End Times, with lyrics translating to “LGBT can go and die,” according to CNA Lifestyle.

The president of the Malaysian LGBT rights organization, Pelangi Campaign urged his followers to report the video on YouTube because it promotes violence against the LGBT community.

Unite Asia, a punk music news site, issued a statement apologizing for sharing the video.

“In 2020 for anyone, let alone a ‘punk’ band, to so openly convey their hatred for people who are already marginalized, stigmatized, ridiculed, threatened, harmed, killed, so much so that they have to hide their identity from the world to protect themselves,

Photo via bunkfaceband, Instagram.

is disgusting,” the statement said, according to CNA. Many Twitter users said that spewing violence against the LGBT community isn’t “punk.” Bunkface refused to comment on the matter, according to Malay Mail.

3.4.2020 •

7

NEWS LOCAL

NEWS LOCAL

Keynote speaker Dr. Mario Stevenson, University of Miami, speaking at ArtServe during the 25th Anniversary celebration. Photo via the Campbell Foundation, Facebook.

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CAMPBELL FOUNDATION CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF INNOVATIVE HIV RESEARCH Joanie Cox-Henry

A

round 100 people gathered at ArtServe in Fort Lauderdale on Feb. 23 to support The Campbell Foundation’s 25th Anniversary celebration.

For the past two and a half decades, this private nonprofit has focused its funding on supporting alternative, nontraditional avenues of research on the prevention and treatment of HIV. Created by the late Richard Campbell Zahn, a chemist who developed Herpecin-L Lip Balm for the treatment of cold sores, The Campbell Foundation has awarded more than $11 million in grant funding with money benefitting 165 clinical research grants since its launch in 1995.

Each project has a minimum or four scientists or lab personal working on it.

Although Zahn died from complications due to AIDS, his final wish to set up a private, independent foundation that would support nonprofit organizations conducting clinical, laboratory based research into the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS lives on.

“Richard would be proud we’re still working toward a cure,” said Executive Director Ken Rapkin. “We’ve given seven emergency relief grants in times crisis including helping a day care center for HIV positive children in New York following 9/11. We’ve also helped those living with HIV and AIDS affected by natural disasters. We have a board of trustees who understands funds are needed now and not a few days or weeks from now.”

Twenty-five years later, thanks to continued support and interest, The Campbell Foundation has given more than $9.9 million going to HIV research in the laboratory and more than $1.2 million to organizations supporting those

living with HIV in our community.

Attendees at the ArtServe event included various members of the local AIDS support services community such as Latinos Salud, Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center, Care Resource and SunServe.

Rapkin was delighted to see so much support for The Campbell Foundation’s 25th Anniversary as well as the return of keynote speaker Dr. Mario Stevenson from University of Miami, who spoke at the event.

Stevenson is chief of the division of infectious diseases at the University of Miami School of Medicine “Dr. Stevenson spoke at our event last year and was such a hit, it was wonderful to have him speak again this year,” Rapkin said.

“Of the top 10 new HIV and AIDS infection hotspots, Miami and Broward are on that list. Dr. Stevenson delivered a very dynamic PowerPoint presentation on the current state of HIV/AIDS in South Florida, which is the epicenter of new cases and what UM is doing to combat new infections, the work that is taking place in his lab and the barriers that researchers face in developing an effective vaccine.”

Another ongoing issue within the HIV epidemic is the significant part of the population who is infected and still doesn’t know it.

“There are still areas of this country where there is no education on HIV and AIDS and no sexual information on how the disease is spread,” Rapkin said. “Although we have made strides and HIV and AIDS is no longer a death sentence, stigma is ever present and the work continues.”

NEWS LOCAL Mark Ketcham (front). Photo via SunServe.

MARK KETCHAM TO LEAVE SUNSERVE Jason Parsley

M

ark Ketcham, the long-time board members — hundreds of people took executive director of SunServe, will part.” leave the LGBT non-profit May 15, he According to SunServe’s website the announced in an email Monday. organization’s mission is “Recognizing that Ketcham started with social the entire LGBTQ community services agency May 15, 2010. has the right to quality care, “IT IS A PERFECT “As the SunServe board’s our mission is to provide vision and my vision begin to critical life assistance and TIME FOR ME TO diverge, it is a perfect time for professional mental health STEP BACK AND me to step back and make room services with an emphasis on MAKE ROOM FOR for new blood, fresh energy economically disadvantaged, and bold new ideas,” Ketcham marginalized youth, adults and NEW BLOOD, wrote. seniors in the greater South FRESH ENERGY Ketcham said he’d be using Florida metropolitan area.”

AND BOLD NEW the next two months to work In his resignation with the board to ensure a announcement Ketcham a IDEAS.” smooth transition of leadership. gave a shout out to SunServe’s - Mark Ketcham “It has been a profound honor many donors and thanked EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF and wonderful experience to them calling them “the winds SUNSERVE help SunServe grow into the beneath our wings.” wonderful and well-respected “I have loved every minute agency that is today,” Ketcham wrote. “This of working at SunServe but I am looking could not have been done without all the forward to passing this particular baton on,” unbelievably dedicated staff, volunteers and he said.

3.4.2020 •

9

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

BY JOHN PORTER

GAY VINE THE

TELEVISION

FILM & MUSIC

THROUPLE THE FUN

JANET JACKSON & SAM SMITH NOMINATED FOR 2020 BRITISH LGBT AWARDS

HGTV has featured all sorts of people on their long running show, “House Hunters” with singles, couples, heterosexuals, homosexuals, parents moving in with kids and so on, but this season the real estate juggernaut television show has pushed cultural boundaries with the first episode featuring a throuple.

The episode gave visibility to polyamorous couples by introducing Lori, Brian and Angelica who are a committed throuple as they traverse the difficult task of finding a home that fits the needs and wish lists of three personalities.

The throuple says, “Buying a house together as a throuple will signify our next big step as a family of five.” The house hunt followed a family centric

• 3 . 4.2020

Lori, Geli, and Brian on “House Hunters.” Photo via HGTV.

commitment ceremony for the throuple and their two children in Aruba earlier this year.

HGTV continues their long history of progressive programming by sharing and providing visibility to every kind of family showing viewers that families come in a variety of expressions.

LGBT ally and living legend Janet Jackson joins gender fluid Oscar and Grammy winner Sam Smith and Actress Cara Delevingne (who came out as sexually fluid in 2017) as some of the biggest names nominated for the 2020 British LGBT Awards.

Sam Smith receives a nomination in the music category, alongside Ariana Grande, Christine & The Queens, Kim Petras, King Princess, Lil Nas X, Lizzo, Pabllo Vittar, Tyler, the Creator and Years & Years while Cara Delevingne is recognised in the Celebrity category with the likes of actors Andrew Scott, Billy Porter and Ezra Miller.

The British LGBT Awards will also recognize key media moments with nominations for BBC’s “Gentleman Jack” series, “Drag Race” coming to the

Janet Jackson. Photo credit: Facebook.

UK, Renée Zellweger’s portrayal of gay icon Judy Garland and many others.

TELEVISION

CELEBRITY

WENDY WALKS IT BACK

ROSARIO DAWSON COMES OUT, SORT OF…

Dr. Amy Harwick, the former fiancé of Actor Drew Carey was brutally murdered recently in her Los Angeles home and her brother is now demanding an apology from television host Wendy Williams following a segment on show where the “how you doin’” host mocked the death of Dr. Amie Harwick.

Williams, 54, brought up Amie’s death saying, “She was killed, not be Drew, but by the ex” she then used the “Price is Right” catchphrase, “Come on down,” before turning her head as though to follow someone falling out of a building.

The crowd fell noticeably silent before Williams awkwardly moved on. Williams has since apologized, continuing her apology tour following her apology to the LGBT community for a tone deaf homophobic and transphobic tirade

10

KEEP UP WITH THE CELEBRITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY

Wendy Williams. Photo via Facebook.

during a segment for “Galentines day.”

This LGBT blunder came on the heels of William’s apology for insulting Actor Joaquin Phoenix for his cleft lip.

Actress Rosario Dawson is going on the record regarding her sexuality in a recent interview with Bustle. Dawson, best known in the LGBT community for her role playing HIV-plus stripper Mimi Marquez in the 2005 adaptation of the iconic Broadway smash musical Rent spoke about a 2018 Instagram post where she wrote, “Sending love to my fellow LGBTQ+ homies” which led to speculation that the Actress had come out herself.

Dawson (who is dating New Jersey Senator Cory Booker) has a long history of being a staunch advocate and ally of the LGBT community said in her interview with Bustle “People kept saying that I [came out] … I didn’t do that. I mean, it’s not inaccurate, but I never did come out. I mean, I guess I

Rosario Dawson. Photo via Facebook.

am now. I’ve never had a relationship in that space, so it’s never felt like an authentic calling to me.”

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3.4.2020 •

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A MAYOR LOST | CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Celebration of Life

TO BE HELD FRIDAY FOR JUSTIN FLIPPEN The unexpected and tragic death of the Wilton Manors mayor shocked the community Sallie James

W

ilton Manors Mayor Justin Flippen died of a brain aneurysm last week according to Wilton Manors Police Chief Paul O’Connell.

A celebration of life will be held Friday, March 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Venue Fort Lauderdale, 2345 Wilton Drive.

“The Broward County Medical Examiner’s office has confirmed Mayor Justin Flippen’s cause of death was a brain aneurysm and the manner of death was natural,” O’Connell said.

Flippen, 41, died suddenly Tuesday, Feb. 25 en route to a City Commission meeting.

Flippen, who had recently announced he was seeking re-election, was elected mayor in 2018.

Flippen was the tourism project manager for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau and the youngest member of the Commission.

His death sent shock waves through the community.

“He was a good friend of mine, and God, this city is going to miss someone very dear and special,” said former City Commissioner Scott Newton, his voice cracking with emotion.

“It’s a sad day for Wilton Manors. Justin was someone who just believed in Wilton Manors. I just can’t believe he is gone. I don’t understand how this happened.”

Flippen grew up in Wilton Manors, attended Coconut Creek High School in Coconut Creek

"IT’S A SAD DAY FOR WILTON MANORS. JUSTIN WAS SOMEONE WHO JUST BELIEVED IN WILTON MANORS. I JUST CAN’T BELIEVE HE IS GONE."

- Scott Newton

Former Wilton Manors Commissioner

12

• 3 . 4.2020

and Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

Friends described Flippen as a big, burly guy with a big smile and a big heart. They said he truly loved the city he represented.

Vice Mayor Tom Green, who abruptly adjourned an in-progress City Commission meeting at about 8 p.m., said Flippen was on the phone chatting with someone who was at the commission meeting when the mayor grew ill while driving.

The person he was conversing with called 911, Green said.

Green abruptly adjourned an in-progress City Commission meeting saying there was an emergency but that no one at City Hall was in any danger.

The city posted this announcement on its website.

“We are deeply saddened to share that Mayor Justin Flippen passed away earlier this evening.

We ask that everyone respect Mayor Flippen’s memory, family members, friends, and our entire community that is mourning by allowing the City to provide official information via our website [www.wiltonmanors.com], as well as the city’s official Facebook and Twitter pages,” said Leigh Ann Henderson, City Manager of Wilton Manors.

Flippen was reportedly found in his car in the 4200 block of Andrews Avenue. Wilton Manors Police Chief Paul O’Connell said Flippen was driving his car en route to the meeting.

Green said Flippen was devoted to his role as mayor and loved talking to his constituents.

“He loves being mayor more than anyone I have ever met. Several people said, ‘I talked to him yesterday about something on the agenda,’” Green said. “He is one of those real person-to-person people. Justin just loves to

Justin Flippen (second to left) posing proudly with the rest of the Wilton Manors Commission.

Photo via Justin Flippen’s Facebook page.

talk to everyone about just about everything.”

City activist Paul Kuta said O’Connell went up to the dais to speak with the city manager during the public comments segment of the meeting and the two went into a hallway to speak privately. Moments later, Green announced the Commission would take a 5-minute break, then adjourned the meeting.

“He worked very hard. He has a full-time job and was also a part-time mayor. He was conscientious generally about both,” Kuta said.

“He was a good mayor. He would have been reelected. He was committed to this city. He was excellent proponent for the LGBT community.”

Kuta fondly remembers attending Flippen’s first campaign kickoff event for his run for the City Commission in 2008.

“I was pleased to be present at the start of his political career,” Kuta said. “I am truly saddened by his loss.”

Added Don D’Arminio, chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board, said, “We are all saddened and shocked. It’s a tremendous loss for our city.”

Flippen had recently filed to run for reelection. He was elected mayor in 2018 on a platform of experience, fiscal responsibility, inclusive community values and protecting neighborhoods’ smalltown feel.

“I found Justin to be not only an amazing friend, but also a good a coach,” said Tony LoGrande, Chairman of Economic Development Task Force in Wilton Manors.

“He taught me if you want to get things to the table you need to bring them up as a motion.

He was a man of action. Everything was about taking action, getting involved, and moving the agenda forward.”

Flippen said he wanted to strengthen public safety, protect the city’s neighborhoods and find new ways to lower water rates. Flippen was first elected to the Commission in November 2008, and then picked to serve as Vice Mayor.

He also served from 2014-2018 before being elected mayor in 2018.

“I am so overwhelmed and so thrilled and so happy,” Flippen said after his victory in 2018.

“I think I have a track record of being very representative of the people of Wilton Manors and their values and concerns.”

Flippen, who earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida College of Law, was a member of the Wilton Manors Historical Society, Friends of the Library, the Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Network, the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, The Pride Center at Equality Park and numerous other homeowner associations.

A MAYOR LOST | JUSTIN FLIPPEN MEMORIAL FUND

FUND LAUNCHED IN MEMORY OF JUSTIN FLIPPEN ASK US ABOUT: Repeat Guest Discounts Military & Veteran Discounts Spa Specials & Memberships Florida Resident Discounts Student Discounts Call us at 1-800-818-1211 or visit grandresort.net for more information.

Justin Flippen.

SFGN file photo.

Jason Parsley

O

ur Fund launched a memorial fund to continue the legacy of Justin Flippen, the late mayor of Wilton Manors.

“Justin affected the lives of so many in our community that there is an outpouring of support to create a fitting tribute to his legacy,” said David Jobin, the executive director of Our Fund.

The fund will assist LGBT students in Florida who are aspiring to enter public service and pursuing a degree in political science or a related field.

“Our Fund Foundation is honored to be asked to house the Justin Flippen Memorial Fund at Our Fund to help prepare future generations of LGBTQ leaders to follow in the footsteps of Justin’s thoughtful and passionate public service,” Jobin said.

Flippen died of a brain aneurysm en route

"JUSTIN AFFECTED THE LIVES OF SO MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT THERE IS AN OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT TO CREATE A FITTING TRIBUTE TO HIS LEGACY."

- David Jobin

Executive Director of Our Fund to the Wilton Manors City Commission meeting.

His death has sent shock waves through the community.

There will be a celebration of life for Flippen on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Venue Fort Lauderdale, 2345 Wilton Drive.

Visit www.our-fund.org/justin_memorial for more information.

3.4.2020 •

13

A MAYOR LOST | GROWING UP GAY

Growing Up Gay in Broward

JUSTIN FLIPPEN In 2016 Justin sat down for a two-hour interview with FAU Professor Fred Fejes as part of FAU Library’s “Generations” project. Although many of us know him as a community activist and leader, Justin was also a young man growing up in Broward and coming into awareness of his sexuality at a time when identifying oneself as “gay” was a path fraught with difficulties. In the following edited excerpts of the interview Justin talks about that period.

I

was born May 1978 in Hollywood, Florida. I was raised in Broward County my entire life, so I am a product of this local community. I did both private and public schools, elementary and middle. High school, I went to Coconut Creek High School, did dual enrollment at Broward College and FAU and got my law degree at University of Florida.

Growing up, I always had this innate sense There’s part of me that regrets lying back of civic duty. I think it probably emerged then, but there’s a part of me that still is when I was a Cub and later a Boy Scout. I happy that at such a young age, at such an ended up participating in the Boys State early time that I could have that conversation program, sponsored by the American Legion. with my parents.

Also I was raised very fundamentalist Fast-forward the timeline to senior year Christians, Southern Baptist particularly, of high school, I sat my parents down again and considered becoming a chaplain for the and told both my stepfather and mother, government or the military.

“Remember what I told you when I was in The first time that I felt or recognized sixth grade about me feeling attracted to the my same-sex attraction was when I was — that I thought I might be gay, that I was in kindergarten. I can remember that attracted to other guys instead of girls?” was probably the first time that I knew And they said, “Yeah.” that I was different. Later about 12, going I said, “Well, it’s only gotten worse. And I through puberty, I learned the term “gay” don’t know what to do.” and thought that I might be “gay.” I had a very comfortable relationship "THERE’S PART OF ME THAT REGRETS with my stepfather and my mother, but yet I was LYING BACK THEN, BUT THERE’S A troubled by what being PART OF ME THAT STILL IS HAPPY gay could mean. I sat them down and told them, very THAT AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE, AT concerned, that I thought SUCH AN EARLY TIME THAT I COULD that I might be gay. My mother was distressed but HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH my stepfather, said that it was quite natural to look MY PARENTS." at other boys during this period when your body is changing. And so I said, “That’s probably what it is.”

- Justin Flippen, 2016

Justin Flippen. Photo via the City of Wilton Manors.

14

• 3 . 4.2020

an da ge s”

A MAYOR LOST | GROWING UP GAY

“A

tri pf or gu ys of all co lor s,

sh ap es

Justin Flippen at Pride Fort Lauderdale in 2019. SFGN file photo.

Being good Baptists, we went to my thenpastor, Larry Thompson of First Baptist of Fort Lauderdale, and had a private meeting with him. “I feel that I might be gay. I feel that I’m attracted to other men. I know that that’s not right according to our religious teachings. What am I supposed to do?” I was very open to consider any and all options. He suggested that I do the individual counseling with a counselor there at church and also attend the group counseling.

It was frustrating because my religion taught that being gay was a choice and it could be averted and didn’t need to be embraced. But I wasn’t choosing to be a gay man, I knew that I was. Still, my faith taught that this was a choice. I figured, “I’ll give it a shot.”

So I ended up doing two years of Christian reparative therapy with Exodus International affiliated ministries here locally. I did individual counseling at my church, First Baptist of Fort Lauderdale, and then I went and did group counseling at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, then under the pastoralship of Dr. D. James Kennedy.

Kennedy was a vocal critic of the gay and lesbian community. He was a national figure in the then very active Christian Fundamentalist movement. He was also a very prominent anti-gay local leader. I found it very discomforting, because I knew that we both believed in Jesus Christ, but I just didn’t believe as he believed.

I’d go to these group sessions which were more like an AA meeting with seven to 20 men, where everybody talked about how they’re trying to exit the lifestyle. But it didn’t make sense: I felt that I could be Christian and gay.

I bought this issue to my pastor Dr. Thompson at First Baptist. He wanted to know if, as a boy, I was molested or played with dolls. No, I was never molested and as a boy did all kinds of boy things like building forts and going hiking. Then I saw my counselor at the church. He told me that because my parents were divorced, I never had a chance to bond with my biological

"FINALLY AFTER TWO YEARS I HAD AN EPIPHANY: I WAS MADE IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF A LOVING CREATOR."

- Justin Flippen, 2016 father and identify as a normal male. Again this made no sense. My stepfather was a very important figure in my life. My brothers weren’t gay. Just because your father is not your biological father does not make you gay.

I mean Christ was not raised by his biological father.

But with difficulty I said, well, if this is the going theory, then, OK. Well, maybe this is fixable, I guess. So I continued with the individual weekly counseling and then biweekly groups over at Dr. Kennedy’s church.

Finally after two years I had an epiphany: I was made in the image and likeness of a loving creator. And that included being gay as much as being male with blue eyes and blond hair. Furthermore there’s been many times in the church’s history that they have been wrong on issues of social import, from debating the status of women to the issue of slavery. Homosexuality happens to be just one of them they can add to the list.

I told my counselor this, and he, of course, did not share my opinion. But then he broke down and told me that his own son had “suffered” from this and did not exit the lifestyle. He hoped that in being a counselor he could save other young men from this path.

I like to think these people reached out to me out of love. And in love, I reach out back to them to say that what they are doing is so very wrong.

For comments contact Fred Fejes at FortLauderdaleLGBTQHistory@gmail.com.

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15

NEWS NATIONAL

AS MAYOR, BLOOMBERG SOUGHT MAJOR CUTS TO

HIV, HOMELESS YOUTH PROGRAMS Chris Johnson

Washington Blade

x

F

ans of Mike Bloomberg draw on his success cultivating a budget surplus as New York City mayor, but despite that prosperity the 2020 presidential hopeful once sought major cuts to HIV/AIDS and homeless youth programs used disproportionately by LGBT people and the city’s residents of color.

To this day, community advocates condemn Bloomberg’s proposed cuts to HIV/ AIDS and homeless youth programs. One called the former mayor’s record “appalling” and another who said he was “never a friend of homeless people.”

One-time Bloomberg ally Christine Quinn, a lesbian and former speaker of the New York City Council, told the Washington Blade the purposed cuts were “hard for me to explain and indefensible.”

In an interview last week with the Blade, Quinn recalled having to restore the money Bloomberg sought to cut to the city budget with fellow Council members, including then-City Council member Bill de Blasio.

“Obviously there were budgets — and sometimes repeated budgets — where the mayor did not include in his budget the important issues about beds for homeless and runaway youth, and HIV programs and other youth services,” Quinn said. “And the Council stood firm in the eight budgets that I did and with the support of the youth committee chair Lew Fiddler and general welfare chair, now Mayor de Blasio, we successfully put that funding back every year.”

Quinn heaped praise on the late New York City Council member Lewis Fiddler, a Brooklyn Democrat whom she said “really was the champion” of providing runaway shelter beds, even though his jurisdiction was “a place where supporting the LGBT community gets you not one vote.”

“This was his top issue as chair of the

budget committee, a top issue,” Quinn said.

“He was a budget negotiator and said he would lie in front of a bus before a budget was passed without this [funding].”

Although the money was restored despite the cuts Bloomberg sought, Quinn said having to undo the former mayor’s proposed reductions over and over again ultimately wasn’t good for those programs.

“Being on the defensive on this program, even in years where there was not a deficit, prevents us from having a strategic conversation about what we should be doing in the case of HIV prevention and/ or the lives of homeless and runaway LGBT youth,” Quinn said.

Asked what Bloomberg’s proposed cuts would have meant for the city’s Black and Brown population, Quinn said “there’s no question” the reductions “would have been devastating.”

A Bloomberg campaign spokesperson referred the Blade to an annual report from the New York City Department of Health in 2014, which documents success in fighting the HIV epidemic within the city.

Among the achievements were reductions in the deaths among people with HIV, a 50 percent reduction in new HIV diagnoses and keeping perinatal HIV infections at low levels. The report, on the other hand, also found “HIV diagnosis rates continue to be strikingly high among Black and Latino/ Hispanic men and women relative to other racial/ethnic groups.”

All the successes documented in that

Although the money was restored despite the cuts Bloomberg sought, Quinn said having to undo the former mayor’s proposed reductions over and over again ultimately wasn’t good for those programs.

16

• 3 . 4.2020

Mike Bloomberg. Photo credit: Gage Skidmore, via Flickr.

report, however, came about after the New York City Council restored funding to HIV programs Bloomberg sought to cut, not because of funding he had proposed.

The Bloomberg campaign also referred to the former mayor’s efforts in New York City condom distribution, HIV testing in public hospitals and a new commission on homeless and runaway LGBT youth.

“Mayor Bloomberg worked tirelessly throughout his time in office to prevent the spread of HIV, to support people living with HIV, to expand LGBTQ+ rights and support homeless and runaway LGBTQ+ youth,” said Bloomberg campaign official Julie Wood. “His health department distributed millions of NYC condoms, he created the first-ever Commission for LGBTQ Runaway

& Homeless Youth and he succeeded by the most important measure: Rates of new HIV diagnoses went down by 50 percent during his time in office.”

At the time, Bloomberg’s proposed cuts to HIV and homeless programs inspired notable discontent. According to a 2003 news brief from a Kaiser Health News report that cited a Newsday article, Bloomberg sought $18 million in cuts in HIV/AIDS funds by transferring case management for 30,000 people to community-based organizations, which resulted in protests outside New York City Hall.

“Thirty demonstrators — chanting ‘Bloomberg, billionaire! People with AIDS, he don’t care!’ — were arrested for disorderly conduct after blocking the entrance to the

NEWS NATIONAL building,” the report says.

“Specific HIV prevention cuts include Bloomberg also called at the time for a eliminating six positions in the DOHMH 10 percent decrease in housing benefits for sexually transmitted disease unit, 10 4,000 people with AIDS. Additionally, he positions in its ‘comprehensive HIV sought to delegate authority by transferring prevention programs,’ and nine jobs in its the Mayor’s Office on AIDS Policy ‘enhanced comprehensive HIV prevention Coordination and the city’s HIV Planning planning’ unit,” the article says. “All of the Council to the New York City Department proposed job cuts are full-time positions.” of Health. City officials had reportedly said Carl Siciliano, executive director of the Ali merging the two into a new Forney Youth Center, affirmed Commission on HIV/AIDS to Blade this week via email under the health department Bloomberg each year from would save the city an 2008 to 2013 “proposed cutting estimated $1 million, which New York City’s funding for was part of $600 million in homeless youth services by citywide cuts. at least 50 percent, despite a In 2010, the AIDS agency city-funded census in 2007, Housing Works went to which found there were over court to request a temporary 3,000 homeless youths in the restraining order to stop city, half of whom identified as Bloomberg’s proposal to cut LGBTQ.” 248 AIDS case managers, “During those years the which was dropped after city only provided 250 youth the city agreed to shelve the shelter beds,” Siciliano proposed cuts, according to a said. “As mayor, Michael report from TheBodyPro.com.

Bloomberg clearly felt it was Coupled with the HIV/AIDS acceptable for the majority of cuts, Bloomberg’s proposed the city’s homeless youth to cuts to homeless youth be left to fend for themselves - Carl Siciliano programs — at a time when without access to shelter.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE an estimated 40 percent of Consequently many were ALI FORNEY YOUTH CENTER homeless youth identify as forced to do sex work, many LGBT — were also seen as were infected with HIV, many devastating and left the city with only 250 were criminalized, and many were subjected youth shelter beds. to violence.”

In 2012, Bloomberg’s proposed $68.7 Siciliano’s assessment of Bloomberg’s billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year record on the issue was blunt. sought to axe 160 youth shelter beds as part “His record with homeless LGBT youth of a $7 million cut, according to a statement was appalling,” Siciliano said. at the time from the New York City-based Ali Charles King, chief executive officer of the Forney Youth Center.

New York-based Housing Works, affirmed A Gay City News report on the same budget the city council restored money to homeless reports Bloomberg sought cuts to services youth programs in the budget process, but for people with AIDS and HIV prevention said that was no thanks to Bloomberg. efforts “at a time when the city’s Department “Bloomberg was never a friend of of Health & Mental Hygiene [DOHMH] is homeless people and aggressively resisted reporting increases in new HIV infections any expansion of housing benefits,” King among young gay men, with young African- said.

American men impacted most severely.”

In his final budget, it seems Bloomberg

“HIS RECORD WITH HOMELESS LGBT YOUTH WAS APPALLING.”

Rage towards thenMayor Mike Bloomberg was common during the Occupy Wall Street protests around 2011.

Photo credit: David Shankbone, via Flickr.

Mike Bloomberg. Photo credit: Gage Skidmore, via Flickr.

reversed himself in his budget request and sought to restore money from programs he previously wanted to cut, according to a report from Poz.com.

In 2013, the budget for the upcoming year fully restored all cuts to HIV/AIDS Services Administration [HASA] supportive housing contracts, according to Supportive Housing Network of N.Y. In previous years, Bloomberg sought to cut HIV/AIDS supportive housing contracts by $1.876 million, which later increased to a proposed cut of $5.1 million before the city council rejected the reductions, according to the organization.

Although federal programs, such as the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, provide substantial federal funding to fight HIV/ AIDS, Quinn told the Blade that Bloomberg’s proposed cuts to the city budget were putting that money at risk.

“There was a lot of anger and concern about the way the mayor’s office and the Department of Health were distributing funding, and a fear that it would put Ryan White dollars… at risk,” Quinn said. “As health committee chair, I remember having to have a series of meetings with communitybased groups and the Department of Health to make sure the DOH plan did not go through as it was proposed, and we didn’t put the Ryan White funding at risk, which we were successful in [doing].”

For homeless youth programs, Quinn said at the time she was on the council no federal money was available, although that may have changed since she left government.

As a presidential candidate, Bloomberg has adopted a commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS through increased funding for prevention, treatment and research. Taking a cue from

President Trump, whose administration has set a goal of beating the HIV/AIDS epidemic by the end of the decade, Bloomberg writes in a Human Rights Campaign questionnaire unveiled this week he “will set a goal of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.”

“To do this, I will invest in federal cure research and fully fund the Ryan White CARE Act, the primary source of federal funding for individuals living with HIV/ AIDS,” Bloomberg writes. “I will also make PrEP, which prevents HIV, available without a prescription, and will pursue every available option to make PrEP drugs affordable and accessible, including subscription models where the government pays a set amount per month to ensure access. As president, I will also work with the United Nations to lead the global effort to end HIV/AIDS by 2030, including an increased commitment to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief [PEPFAR].”

But Quinn, nonetheless, said in the context of the 2020 presidential election, Bloomberg’s proposed cuts as mayor were “quite confusing” and raise questions about his potential approach as president.

“There’s a lot of [parts] to the mayor’s health work, HIV included, which we would applaud that he’s both done as mayor and philanthropically that you would applaud and hope he applies that nationally if he was the president, and then you have things like this that make you scratch your head and go, ‘I don’t know,’” Quinn said.

The office of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio didn’t respond to repeated requests to comment on Bloomberg’s proposed cuts he’s credited with restoring as a city council member.

Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association.

3.4.2020 •

17

GOODBYE PETE

NEWS NATIONAL

THE GAY CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT DROPS OUT THE LITTLE-KNOWN MAYOR OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA MADE HISTORY WITH HIS CANDIDACY Lisa Keen

Keen News Service

T

here were hints Sunday morning that Pete Buttigieg would soon end his campaign for the 2020 Democratic nomination. In an interview with NBC Meet the Press, anchor Chuck Todd asked the candidate where his campaign is now, after his single digit returns in Saturday’s South Carolina primary.

An unusually low-key Buttigieg responded “every kid out there wondering if whatever that he wakes up every day and looks at marks them as different” an opportunity to “how we can do our part to make sure we can see “someone become a leading American defeat Donald Trump.” And he was speaking presidential candidate with his husband at from Georgia, where he had gone to speak his side.” with former President Jimmy Carter. Georgia Political commentators Sunday night said is not one of the critical 14 states that will Buttigieg’s campaign realized he couldn’t vote on Super Tuesday, March 3. win the nomination and, by staying in Sunday evening, Buttigieg’s campaign the race, would hurt the chances for a announced that the candidate would speak stronger moderate candidate to secure the to supporters from South Bend nomination. at 8 p.m. Sunday night.

After more than a Chasten Buttigieg introduced year of campaigning and Buttigieg to the audience, clearly starting with more than struggling to hold back tears.

20 viable competitors, Buttigieg attracted They shared a brief kiss and hug. steadily growing In making his announcement, support and with Buttigieg said he had felt “called success unprecedented to action” to unseat a divisive for an openly gay president but that, “Today is a candidate for president. moment of truth” and “the path He became the first has narrowed to a close for our openly gay presidential candidacy…” candidate to win a major He said he feels a responsibility party contest, when he to “help unify America to defeat won the Iowa caucuses Donald Trump.” in early February. He “At this point in the race, the followed that with an best way to keep the faith is to - Pete Buttigieg impressive second place step aside and help bring our showing a week later in party and our country together,” said Buttigieg, vowing to “do everything New Hampshire.

But as his success grew, so did the attacks in my power to assure we have a new on his relative youth, his limited experience Democratic president come January.”

In his speech, Buttigieg also acknowledged as a two-term mayor of a small city, his that his campaign could measure its success inability to attract African American voters, in some respects by knowing that it provided and his being gay. Just days after Buttigieg

“AT THIS POINT IN THE RACE, THE BEST WAY TO KEEP THE FAITH IS TO STEP ASIDE AND HELP BRING OUR PARTY AND OUR COUNTRY TOGETHER.”

Pete Buttigieg. Photo via Pete Buttigieg, Facebook.

18

• 3 . 4.2020

NEWS NATIONAL The Facebook page for Pete Buttigieg now

won the New Hampshire primary, right-wing features a photo of himself with his husband radio talk host Rush Limbaugh beckoned Chasten Buttigieg, along with a simple listeners to imagine how it would look if the message; “Thank you.” Photo via Facebook.

Democrats nominated a “gay guy kissing his husband on stage next to Mr. Man Donald Trump?”

While Buttigieg never topped a national poll, he climbed from less than one percent support nationally in February 2019 to 13 percent (and a tie for fourth) in February 2020.

FiveThirtyEight.com said that, by leaving the race now, Buttigieg “builds goodwill with Democratic Party officials broadly and Biden in particular.”

“If Biden is elected president, it’s easy to imagine him putting Buttigieg in a top administration post that helps Buttigieg fill out his resume…” wrote Perry Bacon Jr. of FiveThirtyEight.

“And goodwill among party officials will help Buttigieg if, as I expect, he eventually runs for president again.”

David Axelrod, who led campaign that broke glass President Obama’s successful ceilings and inspired countless campaign from relative LGBTQ people to run for office obscurity to the White and enter public service,” House, told the New York said Human Rights Campaign Times Sunday, “The Pete President Alphonso David Buttigieg story isn’t over. It’s Sunday night. “His historyjust beginning. He’s 38 years making, open and honest old. He’s vaulted himself into campaign gave representation the national conversation.

- David Axelrod to a community that has been, He obviously has work to CAMPAIGNER FOR for long far too long, pushed out do on some things that — PRESIDENT OBAMA of the spotlight. He gave a voice some weaknesses we’ve to millions across the country, seen in this election — but whenever there is a conversation again to issues often ignored. He championed his about Democratic candidates, he’ll be in support for LGBTQ equality and effectively that conversation. And that’s a remarkable articulated how issues of discrimination achievement, given where he started a year and inequality personally affected him and his family, undoubtedly moving our country ago.”

“Mayor Buttigieg ran an incredible towards a more equal society.”

“THE PETE BUTTIGIEG STORY ISN’T OVER. IT’S JUST BEGINNING.”

Pete Buttigieg with Joe Biden. Photo via Pete Buttigieg, Facebook.

3.4.2020 •

19

NEWS NATIONAL Erhabor Ighodaro. Photo via Facebook.

VICTORY FUND CONDEMNS SENATE CANDIDATE’S HOMOPHOBIC STRATEGY John McDonald

1164 East Oakland Park Blvd. Suite 201

20

• 3 . 4.2020

F

lorida Representative Shevrin Jones is Jones acknowledged to the Miami New facing a homophobic challenger in his Times that the comments were a “knock on bid to become the state’s first gay black me.” senator.

“Don’t focus on me,” Jones advised Erhabor Ighodaro, a Miami Gardens Ighodaro. “People are looking to somebody councilman, is running what the LGBTQ to go to Tallahassee to be their champion, Victory Fund calls, “one of the most not their judge.” homophobic campaigns Added Parker, “It is especially we’ve seen from a Democratic egregious that Ighodaro would “WHAT WE ARE candidate this year.” attack Shevrin’s family or to try SEEING FROM “What we are seeing from and label him as anti-family.

ERHABOR IGHODARO Erhabor Ighodaro is not simply Shevrin is incredibly close IS...AN ENTIRE a homophobic record or remark, with his father, who is a widely but an entire campaign aimed admired pastor, as well as his CAMPAIGN AIMED at inspiring hatred toward mother and brothers. It was AT INSPIRING his opponent because of his in grieving the passing of one HATRED TOWARD HIS sexual orientation,” said Annise of his brothers that Shevrin OPPONENT BECAUSE Parker, President & CEO of decided to publicly come out OF HIS SEXUAL LGBTQ Victory Fund in a press while a state representative — release. recognizing that life is fragile ORIENTATION.” Ighodaro was recently caught and it was important to live - Annise Parker on camera telling a room full of his truth. Shevrin is running PRESIDENT & CEO OF people he would not concede openly and honestly and will LGBTQ VICTORY FUND evangelical Christian support to remain focused on a message Republicans. of inclusion and in delivering “We still have people who have values in results for his constituents. The contrast the Democratic Party,” Ighodaro said. “And with Ighodaro’s hateful and selfish campaign we have values — we’re gonna fight for our could not be starker.” families, yes. There is an image that God says Jones and Ighodaro are part of a five a marriage should look like, that families candidate Democratic field for the open Florida should look like. And that’s what we’re Senate seat in District 35, which represents gonna fight for.”

Miami in the Florida Capitol.

WMG Volume 7 • Issue 6 March 4, 2020

Wilton Manors Gazette FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/WMGAZETTE Justin Flippen as he appeared in SFGN’s Best Of 2015.

Photo credit: Steven Shires.

REMEMBERING

A SOARING SPIRIT Page 2

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • www.WMGAZETTE.com • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •2 1 3.4.2020 •

OPINION

Parting Gifts….

Goodbye Justin Flippen, you will be missed

March 4, 2020 • Volume 7 • Issue 6 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

By Sal Torre  Justin Flippen (top left) at the children’s book reading. Photo courtesy of Sal Torre.

One of my most endearing moments shared with friend and colleague, Justin Flippen, was when both he and Commissioner Julie Carson would conduct a children’s book reading at our own very special municipal library here in Wilton Manors.

For the last few years both Julie and Justin hosted a book reading event during Gay Pride Week for local children, their parents, and a handful of residents.

The joy, the magic, and the enthusiasm Justin showed for this event was infectious.

Julie and Justin would take turns reading the children’s book, “Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag,” to an audience of young children sitting around on the floor in front of them listening intently. Once the reading was completed, the children would have an amazing discussion on the Rainbow Flag, its meaning, and why it was so important.

VIEWING BOTH Viewing both Justin and Julie interact with the JUSTIN AND JULIE children, all gleaming with INTERACT WITH hope and optimism, gave affirmation that better days THE CHILDREN, ALL would always be on our GLEAMING WITH HOPE city’s horizon.

Today, looking out from AND OPTIMISM, GAVE our grieving Island City, beyond our grief and to AFFIRMATION THAT that horizon does not look happily remember such a so happy and joyful. The unique and special human BETTER DAYS WOULD tragic loss of Justin Flippen, being. Utilizing the many ALWAYS BE ON OUR a dear friend to many, an gifts that Justin shared with inspirational leader of our so many of us; his love of CITY’S HORIZON. community, a strong Mayor family, his spiritual beliefs, of our city, a neighbor and his dedication to our city, fellow advocate of a very special place his community spirit, will now assist us in we call Wilton Manors now darkens that becoming a stronger community. horizon.

Looking past the grief, remembering During the past few days, contemplating Justin reading to the children, or handing how best to write this article, I found out trees at Mickel Park during the Tree myself returning continually to the happy Giveaway, or riding high on a float during memories of those children’s’ book readings the Pride celebrations along Wilton Drive, for direction and guidance. inspiring many here in our Island City and Doing so, steered me to find comfort and beyond, enthusiastically presiding over City hope in another children’s book, “Badger’s Commission meetings, and so many more Parting Gifts,” by Susan Varley. In this wonderful memories, we will once again see hopeful tale, woodland animals come rays of hope shining through the dark clouds together to remember their friend Badger of grief. after he dies. Questioning how they will go For it is these wonderful memories that on, they decide to do it with the help of his Justin planted in our minds, our hearts and gifts: his kindness, his friendship, and his our soul, that have made each of us a better love for them, which they’ll never forget. person. Moving past the grief, we have What a wonderful way for us to move been blessed to have shared such precious

WMG Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com Chief Executive Officer • Pier Angelo Guidugli piero@sfgn.com Associate publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com Copyeditor • Kerri Covington

Editorial

Art Director • Brendon Lies artwork@sfgn.com News Editor • Sallie James

Correspondents

Sal Torre • James Oaksun

Staff Photographers

J.R. Davis • Carina Mask • Steven Shires

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Sales Manager • Justin Wyse justin.wyse@sfgn.com Advertising Sales Associate • Edwin Neimann edwin.neimann@sfgn.com Advertising Sales Associate • Clark Rogers clark.rogers@sfgn.com Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com.

SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs.

MEMBER

moments of our own lives with that of our passing friend.

As in Badger’s story, our sadness and grief will fade away and in its place we will have happy thoughts, smiles and a renewed community spirit whenever Justin’s name is mentioned. Joyful memories and stories of his good deeds will bring a smile to all.

Just as one of the woodland animals looked to thank the passing friend for all of his parting gifts, I too wish to thank our dear friend Justin for all the wonderful gifts he has left with us here in our Island City. “‘Thank you Badger,’ the little mole said softly, believing that Badger would hear him.

And somehow …Badger did.”

I know somehow Justin heard my words as I spoke to him, as I am sure he hears all of yours.

Thank you Justin for the bountiful precious gifts you have left us all. We will remember you always with smiles, admiration and much gratitude for seeking to make life, not only in our Island City, but far beyond our small village, just better for all.

Thank you… WMG

MEMBER

Associated Press MEMBER

MEMBER

Copyright © 2020 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

To honor the life and service of Mayor Justin Flippen, the rainbow flag across from Wilton Manors City Hall was lowered to half-mast. Photo credit: J.R. Davis.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • www.WMGAZETTE.com • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 22

• 3 . 4.2020

2 •

March 4, 2020

NEWS

Special Election to be Held to Fill Mayor’s Vacancy

By Jason Parsley Photo via the City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.

According to the Wilton Manors City Charter a special election must be held for the City Commission or Mayor’s seat in the case of a vacancy.

The former mayor, Justin Flippen, tragically died last week from a brain aneurysm.

According to a spokesperson for the City, “We will provide any details on special election after the celebration of life.”

The City Charter states a special election must be held if there is more than six months left in the unexpired term of an elected official. The election then must be held within 60 to 90 days, and the commission must appoint an interim mayor to serve until the special election.

The winner will serve until November. WMG

3 •

March 4, 2020

3.4.2020 •

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@PEACEPIPEFORTLAUDERDALE

APOLLO

Poor Apollo (ID 627605) hasn’t had the best life.

He was adopted as a little pup two years ago from another shelter and lived his life in the backyard. Fortunately the landlord felt this was not a good life for a dog and told the owner he needed to find Apollo another place to live. Apollo likes to play with rope toys and tennis balls. He also enjoys being with people and likes the beach. If you have another dog at home, a slow introduction would be recommended.

Do you think you can give Apollo the loving home he deserves?

The adoption fee for dogs over 6 months is $100 and felines over 6 months are $30. When you adopt from the Humane Society of Broward County the dogs and cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, receive preliminary vaccinations, cats are feline leukemia tested, and dogs over 7 months are tested for heartworm. They also receive a flea/tick preventative, a 10-day limited health care plan from VCA Animal Hospitals, 30 days of Trupanion Pet Insurance and a bag of Purina ONE pet food. The HSBC opens daily at 10:30 and is located at 2070 Griffin Road, a block west of I-95. For more details call 954-989-3977 ext. 6. To see who else is looking for a home visit www.humanebroward.com.

and

24

• 3 . 4.2020

13STREET

IT’S ALL HAPPENING ON

th

THE 13TH STREET CRAFT BEER & WINE FESTIVAL WITH CAR SHOW, FORT LAUDERDALE

SATURDAY, MARCH 7TH 4-8PM! Enjoy a Street Festival on swanky NE 13th Street, Fort Lauderdale, with live entertainment, craft beer and wine, food, a fantastic car show, vendor booths, local pet rescues, and much much more! Come thirsty and come hungry!

This year will feature expanded wine selections! Children’s venues will include a kids play area with even more fun outdoor activities.

NE 13th Street will be closed to motor traffic from NE 4th Avenue to NE 8th Avenue.

PARKING:

East 13th Street - 2 parking lots near the 900 block, including Archways.

West of 13th Street - 4th Avenue Church of God at 1219-1237 NE 4th.

South of 13th Street - Iron Workers at 1200 NE 7th Avenue.

Entertainment “ADAM UHLAN AND THE BLUES RISERS” Performing original and classic Blues/ Rock n Roll “JESSE THOMPSON PROJECT” Performing classic Rock n Roll DJ CLIFF Performing DJ entertainment

Our Partner

Sponsors

FORT LAUDERDALE

COST:

General Admission is FREE. Purchase a wristband for Craft Beer and Wine tasting from area brewers and purveyors. $40 purchased through Friday, March 6th $45 day of event $75 VIP Lounge with food, alcohol, wine, and beer samples in an A/C environment.

Order tickets at EventBrite.

TICKET BOOTH:

The Ticket Booth is located at 007 Liquors - NE 14th Court and NE 7th Avenue/ Dixie Hwy. This is where you show ID, pick up your wristband, voting tickets, souvenir glass, etc.

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEB PAGE FOR SPONSORSHIP, EVENT VOLUNTEERS & CAR REGISTRATION AT CentralCityAlliance.org | info@centralcityalliance.org

13STREET th

IT’S ALL HAPPENING ON

Welcome

to the redeveloped 13th Street — located between Wilton Manors and Flagler Village. The Central City Alliance invites you to explore the new landscape where entrepreneurial opportunities and green space abound.

Come see the new look for many of our local businesses, including:

FLASH LUBE BUCK & BEARD GULF STREAM BEER LOVELEE BAKESHOP LATE NIGHT LIQUORS PAUL’S CARPET & FLOOR RENZO GRACIE JIU-JITSU GRIECO FORD OF FORT LAUDERDALE MR. FIXIT — COMPUTER, PHONE, TABLE REPAIR JOE PRICE & ADAM EGLIN — TEAM JK | COMPASS Grieco Ford of Fort Lauderdale is committed to serving the community and providing a hassle-free and completely transparent experience for the customer. A welcoming and responsive staff is ready to help guide shoppers through the car buying process. Stop by 1333 North Federal Highway on the corner of 13th Street in Fort Lauderdale to find out why so many of their customers speak highly of our staff and services!

PAGE 2

954-715-2050

603 NE 13 Street

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13STREET

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PAGE 3

13STREET

IT’S ALL HAPPENING ON

th

LATE NIGHT LIQUORS LATE NIGHT LIQUORS is right next to le Boy, and the perfect

late night solution to keeping the party going. This little local liquor store is open till 2am on weeknights and 3am on the weekends.

With some of the lowest prices in town, Late Night Liquors has 1-liter bottles for the same price or less than smaller .75 bottles from “competitors”. 25% extra for free is always a nice.

All your last minute gift items, snacks, smokes, mixers and more are also available making this the best find in town.

Late Night Liquors is located at 1249 NE 13th Street in Fort Lauderdale.

Save the location in your mobile device, so it will be your new go to spot.

PAGE 4

FORT LAUDERDALE

MR. FIXIT REPAIR + GEAR The primary mission of MR. FIXIT REPAIR + GEAR is to respect the integrity and privacy of their clients’ data.

Since technology changes faster than South Florida weather, its comforting to know the technicians at Mr. Fixit Repair + Gear are certified and up to date on the changes in latest technology to provide the best service possible. With over 15 years of experience – including some of the best and brightest computer, cell phone, and tablet repair techs – the team at Mr. Fixit Repair + Gear knows how to fix devices and get their customers back online right away.

For computer, cell phone, or tablet servicing, call 561.569.2780. Mr. Fixit Repair + Gear is located at 512 NE 13th Street, Fort Lauderdale.

Now is the time for a new-and-improved you!

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3.4.2020 •

29

Publisher's Editorial

CONVICTIONS

STATEMENT FROM THE PUBLISHER Photo via Pride Fort Lauderdale, Facebook.

Originally published in SFGN’s February 27 special print edition.

Norm Kent

norm.kent@sfgn.com

O

ur city and our community has suffered an incalculable loss.

A progressive voice for social justice has been silenced by a sudden death, leaving us saddened immeasurably.

Justin Flippen’s life, from his early days in Coconut Creek, to his election as the mayor of Wilton Manors, was measured by enthusiasm and energy, passion and principle. He was a soaring spirit.

Justin loved people and politics, living his life every day with grace and guts, high dignity and honorable demeanor. There is no telling to what he might have achieved. He had aspirations that are now forever denied, dreams that can no longer be fulfilled. That is our shared loss.

Our job at SFGN is to publish the news. It is so much harder when the story you are tasked with writing is of someone who has been your personal friend and professional colleague.

Our little city has suffered the loss of a Mayor with a huge heart.

Our large gay community has been denied a leader whose light illuminated us all. It falls upon us to keep that torch burning brightly in his honor.

A MAN WHO MADE A MARK ON HISTORY Justin Flippen with President Barack Obama.

Justin Flippen was a force of kindness who used every opportunity to speak on behalf of his community both locally and nationally — including with past, present and potential presidents of the United States. He was a proponent of the local and federal government working together, and was most recently involved with the Pete Buttigieg campaign in Florida. When interviewed for the Out50 in 2015, he said he used a quote by Thomas Jefferson as one of his many guiding principles; “Governments are the servants, not the masters, of the people.”

Justin Flippen with Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton.

Justin Flippen with Pete Buttigieg.

President Bill Clinton with Justin Flippen.

30

• 3 . 4.2020

President Jimmy Carter (center) and his wife Rosalynn Carter with Justin Flippen.

CONVICTIONS

Editorial Cartoon

EDITORIAL CARTOON

By Mike Luckovich

GFWC PLANTATION WOMAN’S CLUB & CITY OF PLANTATION

t

resen

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Garden Fest Plant

Extravaganza March 21st & 22nd, 2020 Saturday - 9am to 5pm Sunday - 9am to 4pm Great Food & Music • Free Entry & Parking FOR MORE INFO CALL 954.328.6901 OR EMAIL gfwcplantation@gmail.com

Volunteer Park

Community Center 12050 W. Sunrise Blvd.

Plantation, FL 33323

www.gfwcplantationwomansclub.com

3.4.2020 •

31

SPIRITUALITY

SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS.COM

LISTINGS ALL SOULS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 4025 Pine Tree Drive. Miami Beach Sundays at 8am and 10:30am.

305-520-5410 | allsoulsmb.org CONGREGATION ETZ CHAIM 2038 N. Dixie Hwy (Pride Center Building B), Wilton Manors 954-564-9232 - etzchaimflorida.org RabbiNoahKitty@etzchaimflorida.org Friday Night Shabbat Service 8p.m.

32

• 3 . 4.2020

FOUNTAIN OF LOVE MINISTRIES 5481 FL-7, Tamarac, FL 33319 954-486-5959 fountainofloveonline.org Pastor Dallas Walker-Green Worship: Sunday Mornings at 11:00 am OPEN HEART MEDITATION Saturdays 3:30 - 5 p.m.

Pride Center - Room #200 www.heartofthemystery.com

HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY 2917 NE 6th Avenue Wilton Manors 954-633-2987 - HolyAngelsFL.net Sunday Mass at 11AM

ST. NICHOLAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 1111 E. Sample Road, Pompano Beach 954-942-5887 - stnicholasfl.org office@stnicholasfl.org Sundays 8:00AM & 10:30AM (9:30AM only from Memorial Day through Labor Day)

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH 1955 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale (954) 564-7673 - christlutheranfl.org pastordeborah@christlutheranfl.org Worship: Sunday 10:00am

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 1415 North K Street, Lake Worth 561-582-6691 - fcclw.org office@lakeworthchurch.org Service Time: Sunday 10:30AM

CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOR, MCC Church of Our Savior, MCC 2011 S. Federal Hwy. Boynton Beach. churchofoursaviormcc.org | 561-733-4000 Sunday Service 10AM

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST FORT LAUDERDALE 2501 NE 30th Street, Fort Lauderdale (954)563-4271 - uccftl.org revpatrickrogers@gmail.com Service Times: Thursdays 10:30AM (Elliot Hall) & Sundays 10:30AM (Sanctuary)

FAITH & PRIDE SPIRITUALITY

A WORLD IN CHAOS OR

GLORIOUS SPLENDOR? Mark Engebretson Open Heart Meditation

Join us for Shabbat service Every Friday night at 8pm Saturday, March 14th

$15 Door includes 7 games Specials Game Cards 2 cards for $1 Food available for purchase: Hot dogs, drinks, chips Doors open 6:30pm/Play starts 7pm Cash only please

Learn more about our many programs & events www.EtzChaimFlorida.org

Congregation Etz Chaim

2038 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, on the Pride Center campus For more information: www.EtzChaimFlorida.org or 954-564-9232

CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOR, MCC 2011 S. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach, FL 33435

Holy Angels National Catholic Church 2917 NE 6th Ave Wilton Manors, FL 33334 Facebook.com/HolyAngelsFL www.HolyAngelsFL.org

Wherever You Are On God’s LGBTQIA Rainbow, You Are Welcome...

W

hen we perceive life solely from the mind, through the lens of our egoic nature, we focus on the separation, strife and conflict. We see chaos in the world and in our lives. We feel that life is a struggle where we need to fight for our piece of the pie and guard against every fearbased outcome. Our perspective becomes cynical and our heart is closed off from the beauty and majesty that surrounds us.

When we are a child, our demeanor is very different. We find joy in simple pleasures. We are quick to hug and forgive. We lose ourselves in the wonder of each new day. We don’t have any pre-conceived ideas about others or a storyline in our heads about their motives. We accept and embrace everyone on our path.

We live soulfully.

So what happens? Somewhere along the line we begin to adopt the collective conditioning that molds us into roles, responsibilities and opinions. We are taught to make our sadness, fear, and anger about somebody else. We are never shown how to accept all parts of our humanity so that the energy of love continues to flow unimpeded from our heart. The walls go up and we start to feel more isolated and alone. But even this, is part of our soul’s plan. Lyrics from U2’s, Cedar Road, express it brilliantly, “A heart that is broken, is a heart that is open”. Our suffering doesn’t break us, it opens us back up.

It allows us to connect again in a vulnerable

SUNDAY SERVICE 10 A.M. Rev. Rick Rhen-Sosbe, Pastor

and authentic way. The journey back to our soul is one of de-construction. It is the systematic breakdown of everything that has been superimposed over our consciousness so that we can return to connection. Connection with our self, and with others.

From the highest perspective, or “Oneness”, we have never been separate or alone. We abide in a unified field of cosmic consciousness.

We have always been connected. The love has always been there supporting us. That is true for every human being on the planet. The problem lies in our ability to perceive it. We can look at a planet in chaos or we can see that humanity is evolving, very rapidly right now, towards the realization that everything and everyone is connected. One energy. One Love, expressing itself as 7.5 Billion individuations of the whole.

We are waking up, and what is required from all of us right now is to perceive the truth in each other and be open to embracing instead of resisting. Resistance to anyone or anything merely serves to lock the separation in place. It’s important to take time to connect to the lifeforce within. It is only when we become still, that we perceive the subtle truth. That love is the undercurrent of our experience. That we are in fact, cosmic beings of light. Splendid and Glorious. Your 5-year old self knew this. It’s time to shake off the amnesia and see the light in everyone, even if they can’t see it in themselves.

Mark Engebretson facilitates a weekly meditation each Saturday at the Pride Center, 3:30-5PM. Room #200. For more information visit www.heartofthemystery.com

“Love without judgement”

954-633-2987

561-733-4000

www.ChurchOfOurSaviorMCC.org MCC, Transforming Ourselves as We Transform The World

A home for your spirit.

Mass Schedule: Sabado 6:00 PM misa en español • Sunday 11:00 AM mass in English • All are welcome!

Christ Lutheran Church 1955 East Oakland Park Blvd.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33306 www.christlutheranfl.org

Sunday Service @ 10am Fellowship after Service

A LITTLE BIT OF FAITH AND

PRIDE

SFGN is here for you, no matter who — or what — keeps you going. Read our Spirituality Section to stay in touch with your local religious LGBT community. The only requirement? Be yourself.

SEE MORE ONLINE AT SFGN.COM/TABLE/NEWS/RELIGION 3.4.2020 •

33

LIFESTYLE TWO GUYS AND A DOG

GOD’S BEST FRIEND IS QUEER Brian McNaught

Photo via PxHere.

E

nough time has been spent defending being gay or transgender to religious leaders. We don’t need their approval. It would help if they’d quit contributing to our deaths by their hate speech, but they have no moral authority over our lives. Once you decide that to be true, you are freed to experience your most extraordinary self.

In order of importance, I’m first and foremost a manifestation of God. I am a soul. I have always lived, and will always live.

God, or the Universe, is my make up. I’ve got a human body that is male. So, I’m an angel, a Holy Spirit, and I have the physical characteristics of a male. Next, I’m homosexual.

More important to me than any other component of my being is my psychic attraction to the energy of other men. It’s more than my body being attracted to other male bodies. It’s my gay God being drawn like a magnet to the gay God in others.

Being “queer,” is more essential to my spirituality than my family of origin, my nationality, my religion, my race, my body, my wealth or my earthly status. It’s not up for negotiation.

And because I am my own best friend, and because I’m God, God’s best friend is queer. My task in this lifetime is to not just know this to be true, but to feel it to the core of my being, and live it fully, and joyfully. Because I’m one of infinite manifestations of the divine, I have a responsibility to enable others to make the same discovery about themselves. Loving kindness is the means of accomplishing that. Kindness from one soul to another in the grocery store, gas station, or on a street corner is part of that work.

Look, I understand if this is gobbledygook to you. You either believe in God or you don’t. If you don’t, then you still might choose to consider how important your sexual orientation is to you.

Are you American first and foremost, or a member of your family before you’re gay? The decisions you make are based upon what value you put on the various components of your identity. If you think you don’t have a soul, you still have to decide whether to come out to your family. You also have to decide, when you vote, how important it is to you that the candidate is pro-LGBT. You may not care. I accept that you don’t care. I do.

My not caring what religious leaders think of my being gay doesn’t mean that I’m not politically involved in changing their position, or in minimizing its impact. I recognize that they have influence on how other LGBT people are treated not just in church, but at work and at home too. I use my talents and “wealth” to influence public discourse and decisionmaking. I’m an angel born into a human body in a particular time in history, and into a particular culture. I have needed to push back against their incompetency in order to become

BECAUSE I AM MY OWN BEST FRIEND, AND BECAUSE I’M GOD, GOD’S BEST FRIEND IS QUEER.

34

• 3 . 4.2020

aware of my nature. I will continue to push back in order for others to become aware of their nature, and of how divine it is to be LGBT. Does my soul care about the plight of people who are not LGBT? Of course, yes, but it’s clear to me that my role this time around is to help in this arena. Being as active as I’ve been has enabled me to see beyond the limitations of living as a gay person in my era. Everything that has happened to me has helped create awareness. For instance, being called a “heretic” by a syndicated Catholic columnist in 1974 was a gift to me, as it confirmed the importance of what I was doing at that time with Dignity, the national gay Catholic organization.

I haven’t always not cared what bishops and theologians thought. When one of them said or wrote something enlightened about being gay, it fed my sense of self. I needed the affirmation of others to support my belief that I was “singing the song God taught me.” The writings and pioneering work of other LGBT people, in the Churches and in government, also helped me find my way to this point of self-awareness.

Whether or not Donald Trump is re-elected doesn’t influence the existence of my divine, gay being. It would impact the lives of LGBT people globally, but I am no less God’s best friend if he wins. No matter what happens in

the world, I remain a divine being who in this lifetime is homosexual in manifestation. That’s why I say that enough time has been spent defending being gay to religious leaders. Whether or not they see the light, humans who are homosexual, bisexual, or transgender in nature are still God’s best friend, especially if they are their own best friends.

Maintaining an awareness of my own blessed nature requires work. To withstand the debilitating messages of the culture, that insist right and wrong are determined by the “winners” or by the majority, I need to be aware of to what I am giving my attention. My attention is limited, so I choose to give it to people, places, and things that nurture my enlightenment and self-actualization.

For instance, I don’t read “hate mail.” Years ago, when people wrote letters, I used to receive a lot of mail, some of which was hateful. Initially, I read it, and then learned not to.

It unnecessarily and irresponsibly vexed my soul. Fox News can be hate mail. So, too, can any report on the horrible things said about being LGBT by some church leaders and politicians. Be aware of it, but don’t read past the headlines.

It’s hate mail.

From my experience, if you make the right choices in your life, you come to the conclusion that your primary component of being is divine, and if you decide to be your best friend, then you become God’s best friend. In my case, God’s best friend is queer.

Brian McNaught has been a leading educator on LGBTQ issues globally since 1974. He has made his many books and DVDs available for free at Brian-McNaught.com. The New York Times named him “The Godfather of gay diversity training.”

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35

LIFESTYLE FOOD

NOTHING FISHY GOING ON HERE Holy Mackerel may focus on beers, but their food selection is also top notch Rick Karlin

HOLY MACKEREL 1414 NE 26th St., Wilton Manors 954-306-3690 HolyMackerelBeers.com

Let me put this right out there. I am not a beer drinker. Never liked the stuff, tried quite a few, supposedly “great” beers and they all taste like dirty sock water to me.

Besides, I’ve got enough of a gut without adding a beer belly on top of it. So, I’m not here to rate the beers available at Holy Mackerel brewing company, which has taken over the space formerly occupied by Old Florida Seafood House. I will tell you that my beer drinking friends were impressed by the breadth of the menu and really enjoyed what they tasted. They enjoyed it so much that two non-drinkers in the crowd ended up driving the car home.

To give you an idea of what the brew selection is like, the menu identifies the beers as malty, hoppy, dark and specialty.

There’s a wide variety to sample.

Among the brew options under the “malty” category are Holy Mackerel’s Panic Attack, a strong, golden, Belgian ale, and its Special Golden Ale. The “hoppy” section includes Holy Mackerel’s Pink Froyd Rosé IPA and Luau Krunkles IPA from Terrapin Beer in Athens, Georgia. Light beers include Tarpon River Brewing’s Good As Gold lager and Wizard Witbier from Barrel of Monks Brewing in Boca Raton. Dark beers are represented Holy Mackerel’s Shoc-A-Lot bock and Liquid Bliss porter from Terrapin which offers hints of chocolate and peanut butter (still not enough to make me like beer) and a Caffè Americano stout from Tampa’s Cigar City Brewing. A specialty brew, which I may try on my next visit, is Holy Mackerel’s Rabbit Hole cider.

My area of expertise is the restaurant aspect of the business and on that I can report from first-hand experience. They’ve kept the campy mural from the bar area of Old Florida Seafood House, but the rest of the décor looks like what

you might expect a bunch of straight guys to decorate a place to look like. Let’s say it recalls all the basement rec rooms we hung out in as teenagers. That’s not a complaint, it has a nice nostalgic feeling. Adding to the atmosphere are all the board games from our youth, Candyland, Operation, Battleship, checkers, Connect Four.

If you’ve got a large party, try the giant pretzel as an appetizer. The $14 behemoth weighs in at more than a pound and a half and comes with tangy mustard and warm beer-cheese dipping sauces. It’s easily enough for 6-8 to share.

Other appetizer selections include onion rings, loaded potato skins and fries, and smoked chicken wings. The main menu showcases BBQ comfort food taken to a new level. Meats can be ordered individually (brisket, beef ribs, pulled pork, spareribs, chicken and sausage) or in combos, all served with a choice of two sides and cornbread. All were perfectly prepared and offered plentiful portions (the beef rib is almost like a steak on a stick).

Side dishes, including mac and cheese, brussels sprouts (served with or without bacon), baked beans, cole slaw, fries and corn on the cob were uniformly excellent (although the corn on the cob could have been hotter).

The only disappointment were the little cornbread discs. I don’t think I’ve ever said this about corn bread before, but they were too moist, it was almost like eating a spoonful of creamed corn.

For those that prefer something a little less filling (just a little less) there’s a pork sundae and a variety of sandwich options featuring BBQ meats solo or in combos.

If you’ve got room for dessert, the Swear Jar is a mason jar filled with brownie pieces, chocolate chip cookies, ice cream and whipped cream. The peach cobbler was fine, but not something I would order again.

THEY ENJOYED IT SO MUCH THAT TWO NON-DRINKERS IN THE CROWD ENDED UP DRIVING THE CAR HOME.

36

• 3 . 4.2020

Inside of Holy Mackerel.

Photo via Facebook.

BREWS NEWS If you’re in the mood to go brewery hopping, you don’t have to go far. There are breweries just north, south and west of Wilton Manors GULF STREAM BREWING COMPANY 1105 NE 13th St., Fort Lauderdale 954-766-4842

FLAGLER VILLAGE BREWERY 551 N Federal, Fort Lauderdale 754-200-8648

FUNKY BUDDHA BREWERY 1201 NE 38th St., Oakland Park 954-440-0046

KHOFFNER BREWERY 115 NW 6th Ave., Fort Lauderdale 754-701-8860

HUNGRY FOR MORE?



VISIT SFGN.COM/FOOD!

Rick Karlin is SFGN’s food editor.

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

LOYALTY IN ACTION.

Gay g n i s i t r e v d A Works.

Engaged customers are...

6%

... more likely to indicate it is theonly brand they would purchase from in the future.

Information provided by the SFGN 2019 CMI Consumer Survey.

SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS.COM

CALL 954-530-4970 3.4.2020 •

37

SFGNITES

FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 5, 2020 - MARCH 8, 2020 J.W. Arnold

Look Who’s Talking Now…

jw@prdconline.com

THU

3/5

CONCERT Cellist Zuill Bailey returns with the South Florida Symphony to the Broward Center tonight at 7:30 p.m. for the world premiere of Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s Concerto for Cello and Orchestra. The program also features the world premiere of John D. Gottsch’s “Sunset,” Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5 “Reformation,” and Beethoven’s “The Consecration of the House” overture. Tickets at SouthFloridaSymphony.org.

FRI

3/6

THEATER Ronnie Larsen’s newest musical, “Come Out, Come Out,” sends audiences back to the Roaring ‘20s and plays through March 29 at the Foundry at Wilton Theater Factory, 2306 N. Dixie Hwy. in Wilton Manors.

Four young men explore their attraction during an era when gays and lesbians were labeled “deviants” and imprisoned. No male nudity, but did we mention there’s tap dancing?

Tickets at RonnieLarsen.com.

THURSDAY

3/5

COMEDY

Celebrity puppeteer Jerry Halliday is back on the stage tonight at 8 p.m. at Tropics Grille, 2000 Wilton Dr. in Wilton Manors, with “Divas Gone Wild.” He’ll be joined by his most popular “co-stars,” including Carol Channing, Bette Davis, Mae West, Katharine Hepburn, Joan Rivers and more, in this outrageous new show. Many of the handmade puppets were featured in Halliday’s long-running Las Vegas show. More information at 954-530-3361.

Photo Credit: Jerry Halliday.

SAT

3/7

SAT

3/7

SAT

3/7

SUN

3/8

COMEDY

COMEDY

CONCERT

FILM

Miss Richfield 1981 has returned to South Florida and she’s coming out swinging in her new show, “Below the Belt” at 8 p.m. Never one to shy away from a challenge, she’s celebrating the centennial of women’s suffrage and the continuing fight for LGBT rights. With all-new costumes, videos and musical numbers, she guarantees audiences will leave with broken funny bones. Tickets start at $30 at OutlandishFL.com.

“Jen Kober’s Big Gay Comedy Show,” starring Kober, Jennie McNulty and South Florida’s own Kaycee Conley, comes to the Savor Cinema, 503 S.E. 6th St. in Fort Lauderdale, tonight at 8 p.m. Presented by RRazz Entertainment, these top lesbian comics have headlined the biggest comedy clubs and festivals and can be seen and heard on NPR, Netflix and top podcasts. Tickets start at $37.50 at Ticketweb.com.

The Original Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Divas Thru the Ages” tonight at 8 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 333 Tarpon Dr. in Fort Lauderdale. The dedicated singers pay tribute to a century of gay icons, including Judy Garland, Bette Midler, Tina Turner, Liza Minnelli, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle, Idina Menzel and more. Tickets start at $25 at FortLauderdaleGayMensChorus.org.

Congregation Etz Chaim presents the latest selection in the South Florida Israeli-Jewish-LGBTQA+ Film Festival, today at 2:30 p.m. at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Hwy. in Wilton Manors. “Remember Baghdad” is a British documentary that chronicles the diaspora of Iraqi Jews after 2600 years of peaceful co-existence. 70 mins., English/ Hebrew/Arabic with subtitles. Tickets $11 at EtzChaimFlorida.org.

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• 3 . 4.2020

GMCSF.�� GAY MEN'S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

JOIN US!

Your Voice Does Make a Difference in the Chorus and for our Community

Auditions March 14th and 16th 2020 Scholarships Are Available Celebrating 10 Years of Opening Hearts & Changing Minds To schedule gmcsf.org/auditions 954.763.2266

It’s A Wonderful World!

Including John Rutter’s

Mass of the Children

and a Musical Medley from Broadway’s Les Misérables Chuck Stanley, Artistic Director Anthony Ciotti, Accompanist • Peggy Joyce Barber, Founding Director Emeritus Featuring Floranada Elementary’s After School Chorus, Jared Doyle, Director, on “Mass of the Children”

Friday, 3/13/20 • 8 pm St Joseph Episcopal 3300 S Seacrest Blvd.

Boynton Beach 33435

Sunday, 3/15/20 • 4 pm Sunshine Cathedral 1480 SW 9th Ave. Fort Lauderdale 33315

Tuesday, 3/17/20 • 7:30 pm Christ Church 4845 NE 25th Ave. Fort Lauderdale 33308

Presented by Nova Southeastern University All Performances $15 Advance/$20 on Concert Day Children 12 and Under Free • Students with I.D. Free Advance Tickets Available: NOVA.EDU/NOVASINGERS (954) 683-8866/BrowardCounty • (561) 212-2112/Palm Beach County

3.4.2020 •

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Your smile should leave a great impression!

Celebrating our 10th Year on Wilton Drive!

New Patients

$69 ($312 Value)

Comprehensive Exam, Digital X-Rays & Cleaning*

OTLIGHT BUSINESS SPO

JEN KOBER’S BIG GAY COMEDY SHOW STARRING JEN KOBER JENNIE MCNULTY AND HOST KAYCEE CONLEE Welcome to Business Spotlight, the column that thanks advertisers who support SFGN. We invite you to support them, because without their outreach to us, we would not be here to reach out to you. We are a free newspaper that survives on the success of our advertisers so we encourage our readers to support those who support us.

*In the absense of gum disease.

Not applicable to insurance benefits.

General & Cosmetic Dentistry State of the Art Facilities • Most Insurances Accepted Always Plenty of Free Parking • Located Conveniently on Wilton Drive

954-565-7666 Dr. David K. Warner, DDS, FAGD 1946 Wilton Drive • Wilton Manors • FL 33305 www.IslandCitySmiles.com

Nite Club Law If you drink, don’t drive. If you drive, don’t drink. If you do both, call us.

Criminal Defense Law Center 954.763.1900

JEN KOBER’s BIG GAY COMEDY SHOW starring JEN KOBER, JENNIE McNULTY and KAYCEE CONLEE brings together THREE of today’s most hysterical comedic talents in ONE big show.

JEN KOBER is originally from Lake Charles, LA, and has energetically bounded onto the national stage, bringing crowds to their feet with her original blend of stand-up, story telling, and improvised rock-n-roll comedy.

Her hard-hitting hour is phenomenally funny as Kober commands the stage and dares you not to laugh. Jen was the 2017 Winner of NPR’s “Snap Judgement” Comedic Performance of the Year for her Girl Scout Cookie Caper story which went viral upon its release earlier that year.

Kober received the 2018 Comedic Performance of the Year for her latest story titled Nana Vs. OJ. You can see Jen on Netflix in 2019 as she joins the cast of two of its newest original shows; “Dead To Me” and RuPaul’s “AJ & The Queen”. Jen also has roles on “The Righteous Gemstones” on HBO, “The Purge” on USA Network, and “Diary Of A Female President” on Disney+.

JENNIE McNULTY is “one of the premiere comedians in the country” as proclaimed by The New England Blade. The Examiner called her an “infectiously energetic, remarkably deft comic with a warm disarming style and some of the best improv skills in the business.”

Curve Magazine rates her amongst the “Top 10 lesbian comics”. Her playfully sarcastic style is sure to win you over and most definitely make you laugh.

KAYCEE CONLEE is a comedian, writer, actor, podcaster, and host. She has opened for Jay Leno, Preacher Lawson, and Fortune Feimster. Kaycee was dubbed “Florida’s Funniest Female” in 2019 and earned “Best Of The Fest” at the Burbank Comedy Festival in 2018.

Norman Elliott Kent

Russell Cormican

2520 N Dixie Hwy Wilton Manors, FL 33305

12 S.E. 7th Street, Suite 700 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

www.NormKent.com 40

• 3 . 4.2020

PRESENTED BY RRAZZ ENTERTAINMENT

Live At The Savor Cinema, 503 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

FOR TICKETS & INFORMATION:

www.ticketweb.com / 888-468-3399 - Tickets Are Now On Sale

LATE NIGHT AT THE NEW WORLD SYMPHONY

Late-night lounge meets orchestra! Enjoy live electronic grooves spun by DJ AJ Reddy alongside contemporary and classical performances by the New World Symphony in a lounge-style atmosphere complete with dynamic lighting and videos.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 9:00 PM

nws.edu/PRIDE 500 17TH ST. MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139 305.673.3331

Chad Goodman, conductor DJ AJ Reddy NWS celebrates PRIDE with a special program featuring LGBTQ+ composers.

3.4.2020 •

41

The South Florida Israeli Jewish-LGBTQA+ Film Festival Sponsored by Congregation Etz Chaim of Wilton Manors

Only 2 films remaining!

A&E THEATER

NEW MUSICAL IS A DELIGHTFUL DEPARTURE FOR RONNIE LARSEN

March 8th — March 15th

Films shown at Pride Center Auditorium; B building 2038 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Tickets are $11 each. For tickets, info, film preview clips: www.etzchaimflorida.org March 8th

Remember Baghdad

English (Arabic scenes w/ English subtitles)

March 15, 2020

Golden Boys

Hebrew (w/ English subtitles)

J.W. Arnold Special Screening time @ 2.30pm!

screening at: 4.45pm

Anonymous

I

n a phone interview a couple of weeks before the premiere of “Come Out! Come Out!” last weekend, Ronnie Larsen cautiously hinted, “This one is different…it’s special…it could be the best thing I’ve ever done.”

As audiences at the Foundry at Wilton Theater Factory discovered, this musical IS different, IS special and just may be among the prolific playwright’s best works.

“Come Out! Come Out!” is certainly a departure from the type of racy gay plays on which Larsen has built his reputation: “Making Porn,” “Cocksucker: A Love Story,” “Happy Ending.”

But, then again, the 51-year-old has surprised us in the past season with a warm comedy, “Grindr Mom,” and a dark psychological portrait, “An Intimate Evening with John Wayne Gacy, Jr.,” both Carbonell Award nominees.

Set in the Roaring ‘20s, “Come Out! Come Out!” is the story of Jacob (Grayson Wade), a relatively flamboyant and ahead-of-his-time, out young man living in New York, and the closeted men he encounters while cruising in Central Park. He has a relationship of sorts with Billy (Zachary Swartout), who is married and sees his regular romps with Jacob as a sinful, yet harmless dalliance. All Jacob wants to do is meet his true love and get married.

Jacob then experiences a whirlwind romance with Edward (Chris Carranza), fresh off the train from Nebraska and more open to the possibilities of their forbidden love. Bearded cub Dom Giovanni rounds out the cast as the widower Norman and also is tapped to play Billy’s wife Magnolia and a very Bea Arthur-esque “Mr. Moon” a la “Mame.”

Larsen largely pieced the story together with the help of 19 popular songs from the era. Most are long-forgotten relics from the vaudeville circuit, but Larsen and exceptionally skilled music director and pianist Bobby Peaco took pains not to alter the lyrics. Some are surprisingly risqué and others — “Masculine Women and Feminine Men,” in particular — foreshadow attitudes that would arise a century after they were composed.

The closing anthem, “If You Want the Rainbow, You Must Have the Rain,” visibly

Big tap dancing numbers are a centerpiece of Ronnie Larsen’s new musical, “Come Out! Come Out!,” set in the Roaring ‘20s.

Credit: Ronnie Larsen.

moved audience members who are regularly triggered by the mere first notes of Judy Garland’s signature rainbow song.

What particularly makes the show work is Larsen and co-director Michael Mills’ commitment to the comedic sensibility of the vaudeville era. The sincere and sobering story is counterbalanced by moments of slapstick comedy and pure camp. And, unlike Larsen’s earlier musical, “Now & Then,” “Come Out! Come Out!” tugs at the emotions, but is never cloyingly sentimental.

The entire production is wrapped up into a neat package with choreography by Australian transplant Kurt Phelan. His tap numbers are clever and polished while the soft shoe is smooth and sophisticated.

The only confusing moment is a seemingly modern contemporary dance performed by a forlorn Billy and punctuated aurally by sand strewn on the stage.

All four actors are fantastic singers, sounding like a true barbershop quartet in the opening numbers, and even better dancers and, in the intimate Foundry space, the audience is literally up front and center for the intricate tap dances. As the cast settles into their roles, hopefully they will tackle those big moves with a little more subtlety and nimbleness. They’re not in a cavernous theater where every move must be accentuated to be seen (or heard) in the back rows.

There’s so much to like about “Come Out! Come Out!” and Larsen and Mills are exploring opportunities to take the production Off Broadway next. It’s a powerful and entertaining show that will really shine in the city that is its inspiration.

Ronnie Larsen presents the world premiere production of “Come Out! Come Out!” through March 29 at the Foundry at Wilton Theater Factory, 2306 N. Dixie Hwy. in Wilton Manors.

Tickets start at $35 at RonnieLarsen.com.

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• 3 . 4.2020

Exhibition

Open Thru Sunday

May 17, 2020

OPEN DIALOGUES:

Stories From the LGBTQ Community Open Dialogues LGBTQ Panel Discussion Allies | Finding Commonality

Wednesday, March 11, 2020 | 7 pm | FREE Moderated by Todd Delmay Panelists: Freddy Rodriguez, Karen Prescod, Tori Gabriel, David Weaver

Visit ArtandCultureCenter.org

Open Dialogues: Stories From the LGBTQ Community is funded by the following Funds at the Community Foundation of Broward: Richard Frisby and Edward Burkhart Fund, Leonard & Sally Robbins Fund, Frederick W. Jaqua Fund, James Bell-Greenbaum Charitable Fund.

1650 Harrison Street Hollywood, FL 33020 954. 921. 3274 ArtAndCultureCenter.org

SOUTHERN. GAY. TEACHER. A Memoir by Randy Fair “A moving memoir”

“Groundbreaking!”

- THE ATLANTA JOURNAL

- THE GEORGIA VOICE

AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON, BARNES AND NOBLE, AND AT SOUTHERNGAYTEACHER.COM. 3.4.2020 •

43

DATEBOOK

Theater

MARCH 4 - MARCH 10

Paul Leary

Calendar@SFGN.com

* Denotes New Listing

broward county *Come Out! Come Out!

Running through March 29 at the Wilton Theater Factory, 2306 N. Dixie Highway.

Wilton Manors. Set in 1920s New York. A time when engaging in homosexual activity could get you arrested, beaten, even killed.

Despite the dangers, gay men found areas where they could meet for clandestine trysts.

Most settled for fleeting physical gratification.

But some wanted more. Some longed for affection. Jacob just wanted to be kissed... by another man. See this high energy, light hearted, yet poignant new musical filled with music from the Roaring 20s and joyous tap dancing. Think Eddie Cantor meets Fred Astaire in Central Park. Tickets $35.00 detail at ronnielarsen.com

Mean Girls - The Musical

Through 03/15/20 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Direct from Broadway, MEAN GIRLS is the hilarious hit musical from an award-winning creative team, including book writer Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), composer Jeff Richmond (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) and director Casey Nicolaw (The Book of Mormon). Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois.

This naïve newbie falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung. Tickets · $35 - $130 details at browardcenter.org

Helen on Wheels

March 5th – 29th, at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale. Another heartwarming comedy by Cricket Daniel about Helen Wheeler is a gun totin’ and whiskey drinking Granny, living in the small town of Crockett, Oklahoma. When Helen isn’t locked up in the local clink, she’s on her front porch shootin’ up critters and the local kids. Not even the local sheriff, can manage to uphold the law when it comes to Helen, her sidekick Zona, and their daily “Thelma and Louise” antics. Helen’s son Nelson thinks it’s

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time for Mama to move out of Crockett and closer to him. Loss, loneliness and the threat to independence that accompany aging are issues that Helen and the other characters wrangle with zany comedy and touching realism. Helen on Wheels is a delightful heartwarming new comedy proving that feisty old ladies have the right to cause hell, play bingo and to bear arms. Tickets: $39 Info at 866-811-4111or pigsdoflyproductions.com

palm beach county *The SOUND OF MUSIC

Saturdays through April 11th at Showtime Performing Arts Center, 503 SE Mizner Blvd Royal Palm Place, Boca Raton. The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. Featuring cherished songs Climb Ev’ry Mountain, My Favorite Things, Do Re Mi, Sixteen Going on Seventeen and The Sound of Music earned 5 Tony Awards and 5 Oscars. The inspirational story follows Maria, an ebullient postulant who serves as governess to the 7 children of Captain Von Trapp, who brings music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, the Von Trapp family must make a moral decision. Tickets $15.50 kids, $25.50 adults, info showtimeboca.com

*A Chorus Line

Runs March 12 through April 12 at The Wick Theatre & Costume Museum 7901 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton. A Chorus Line, the iconic celebration of the Broadway’s unsung heroes.

The groundbreaking, Pulitzer Prize-winning show made its debut 45 years ago setting a new standard on Broadway. Filled with universal stories, hit songs and dazzling dancing, it remains as relevant, poignant and explosively entertaining as ever. Mitzi Hamilton, who was the inspiration for the character of Val in Michael Bennett’s original production, takes the helm as both director and choreographer of The Wick Theatre’s production. 2pm matinee and 7:30pm evening performances.

Tickets, $65(group)-$95, are available at www. thewick.org or by calling 561-995-2333.

Brighton Beach Memoirs

Runs through March 8, at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, 1001 East Indiantown Road,

"Come Out! Come Out!" will be at the Wilton Theater Factory until March 29.

See this high energy, light hearted, yet poignant new musical filled with music from the Roaring 20s and joyous tap dancing. Photo via Facebook.

Jupiter. Centered on the relatable angst of growing up, Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Memoirs follow’s 15-year-old Eugene Jerome as he navigates the waters of adolescence.

Set in 1937 Brooklyn, Simon’s award-winning play perfectly captures a classic coming-ofage story surrounded by identifiable family characters, as they confront the pressures of the impending war. Celebrate the life and works of Neil Simon with a production of his most memorable play. Tickets at (561) 5752223 or visit JupiterTheatre.org

miami-dade county A Wonderful World March 5th-April 5th, Miami New Drama at The Colony Theater, 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. A world-premiere musical about jazz legend and singular American icon Louis Armstrong, with songs recorded and made popular by Armstrong. It traces Armstrong’s odyssey, the musical genre he helped define, and the complex history of race in America, from the birth of jazz in Armstrong’s native New Orleans to international stardom and the Civil Rights era. Details and tickets at miaminewdrama.org or (305) 674-1040

* OLIVER! Runs March 6th - 21st at Area Stage Company at the Riviera Theatre, 1560 South Dixie

Highway, Coral Gables. Featuring students from the ASC Conservatory. This awardwinning musical adaptation of the classic Dickens novel springs to life on the streets of Victorian England. Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, escapes to find acceptance by a group of pickpockets led by the comedic but sinister Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, the benevolent Mr. Brownlow takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap Oliver back, threatening his chance to find love. Details at areastagecompany.com

key west *Priscilla Queen of the Desert

At the Waterfront Playhouse, Mallory Sq, Key West through March 28th. Based on the smash-hit movie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical is the heartwarming, uplifting adventure of three friends, and features a hit parade of dance floor favorites including “It’s Raining Men,” “I Will Survive,” “Hot Stuff,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Go West,” “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” and “I Love The Nightlife,” this wildly fresh and funny musical is a journey to the heart of FABULOUS! Ticket are $35.00 $80.00 and available at waterfrontplayhouse. org

Live! at the 503 SE 6th St • Fort Lauderdale,FL 33301

2020 SEASON

The Hottest Acts Around ...The Coolest Venue In Town

SAT. • MAR. 7 • 8PM

JEN KOBER'S

BIG GAY COMEDY SHOW starring JEN KOBER, JENNIE McNULTY and KAYCEE CONLEE

SAT. • APR. 4 • 8PM

SAT. • NOV. 28 • 8PM

Fearless, Bold, Unapologetic and Freaking Hilarious!

An Evening With 6-Time Emmy Award Winner

SUZANNE WESTENHOEFER

BRUCE VILANCH

March On!

TICKETSAND INFORMATION:

www.ticketweb.com or 888-468-3399

3.4.2020 •

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GUIDE

$

THE

DIRECTORY Call our sales team at 954.530.4970

LGBT NON-PROFITS BROWARD Pride Center 2040 N Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors (954) 463-9005 www.pridecenterflorida.org Latinos Salud 2330 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors (954) 765-6239 www.latinossalud.org Poverello 2056 N Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors (954) 561-3663 www.poverello.org Sunserve 2312 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors (954) 764-5150 www.sunserve.org Care Resource 871 W Oakland Park Blvd, Fort Lauderdale (954) 567-7141 www.careresource.org Broward House 2800 N Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale (954) 568-7373 browardhouse.org Stonewall Library 1300 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale (954) 763-8565 www.stonewallnationalmuseum.org World AIDS MUSEUM and Educational Center 1201 NE 26th St #111, Wilton Manors (954) 390-0550 worldaidsmuseum.org

KEY WEST Midway Specialty Care Center 2608 NE 16th Avenue, Wilton Manor 954-530-8357 www.midwaycare.org

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• 3 . 4.2020

AHF AHF Wellness Center - Wilton Manors 2097 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors (877) 259-8727 AHF Downtown Fort Lauderdale 700 SE 3rd Ave, STE 301 (954) 767-0887 AHF Healthcare Center - Oakland Park 1164 E Oakland Park Blvd 3rd Floor, Oakland Park (954) 561-6900 AHF Wellness Center - Broward 750 SE 3rd Ave Suite 100, Fort Lauderdale (954) 767-0273 AHF Healthcare Center - Northpoint Broward Health Imperial Point, Fort Lauderdale, FL (954) 772-2411 www.aidshealth.org

PALM BEACH Compass GLCC 201 N Dixie Hwy (561) 533-9699 www.compassglcc.com PBCHRC P.O. box 267, West Palm Beach (561) 346-1263 www.pbchrc.org

MIAMI Go Gay Miami 1130 Washington Ave, Miami Beach (305) 397-8914 m.me/LGBTVisitorCenter Pridelines 6360 NE 4th Ct, Miami (305) 571-9601 www.pridelines.org SAVE 4500 Biscayne Blvd # 340, Miami (305) 751-7283 www.savedade.org

Real Men. Real Hookups.

WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR

FINANCIAL NEEDS Taxes IRS Issues Accounting

FLOPPYROOSTERFL.COM

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Bookkeeping Small Business Advising

VISIT WWW.SQUIRT.ORG AND CHECK OUT OUR NEW FEATURES:

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954-667-9829 ACCOUNTING@STERLINGACCOUNTING.COM

2435 North Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305

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SFGN AVAILABLE AT ALL THESE BUSINESSES!

TO GET YOUR PICK UP LOCATION LISTED, CALL 954.530.4970

SFGN's

BUSINESS CARD

BUZZ

Russell Cormican &

2232 Wilton Drive Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305 (954) 630-3556

2266 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, FL 33305

huntersftlauderdale.com

(954) 565-2526 alibiwiltonmanors.com

• 3 . 4.2020

20% OFF

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RESORT & SPA SERVICES MENTION: THE MIRROR FOR THE DISCOUNT.

SFGN's

SWAP SHOP

!

Call our sales team at 954.530.4970 employment wanted SPECIAL HIRE NEEDED - Earn $45,000 per year. Experienced, self-motivated professional salesman needed. Work competitively in a highly flexible and relaxed LGBT-friendly environment.

Fax resume to 954-530-7943.

for rent fort lauderdale FT LAUDERDALE AND WILTON RENTALS • Wilton Manors - 2/1 $1,260 • Live East of Federal Hwy - 1/1 $1,200 Nicely updated with pool.

• Large Studio near downtown - $1000 Includes water and electric.

• Victoria Park - 1/1 $1,050 Water included with pool.

CALL NOW MICHAEL TUBLIN, URG 561-703-5533 OR MIKETHERENTALGUY@AOL.COM EFFICIENCY APARTMENT - Pvt Entrance, Patio, Parking, Dixie &14th Ct., A/C, Pet Considered, 1st, Last & Sec. $900. Inc Utilities. Call 954 629 4400 FORT LAUDERDALE 1/1 RENTAL - Updated 1 Bed/1 Bath, 2 blocks from Wilton Drive on NE 15th Street, Quiet 4-plex, New Kitchen with Granite Counter, Tile floors thru-out, Mini-split A/C in bedroom, Off street parking, Laundry, $1100/month, First, Last and Security to move-in, 954-815-2550.

1 BEDROOM, 1.5 BATH CONDO - S Coral Ridge on Middle River. Gay-friendly, secure, swimming pool, Must be vetted, yearly rental $1550/M. 1st & Security • 978-994-0086

for rent wilton manors FURNISHED 1 BED 1 BATH APARTMENT - Great Neighborhood, short walk to Wilton Drive. $1300 a month First and Security, 1-year lease. Fully furnished Contact Mike or Lee at 561-254-8125.

Classified advertising WORKS! Give us a call and see for yourself.

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NEWLY RENOVATED OFFICE BUILDING 1759 N Andrews Square, Ft. Laud, FL. 4,000 Square Feet — Will Divide/$25 PSF. CALL OWNER - DAVID @ 954-224-2500 or email - davidbrandwein@earthlink.net

handyman

now hiring

HUSBAND FOR RENT - Is he procrastinating home repairs? He says he will do it tomorrow?? After the football game?? We fit right in - in the house or the yard, small or big jobs: tile, dry wall, paint, plumbing, roof leaks, broken furniture, irrigation, fences, and more! It doesn't cost to hassle us to see the work - so why wait? Neat, clean work for a reasonable price.

Call Haim at 954-398-3676, sidnalll@yahoo.com

GRAND RESORT AND SPA - The Spa at The Grand Resort is looking for a Licensed Massage Therapist for our day spa. Also looking for a Licensed Full Specialist. Waxing, nails (no fills, acrylic) simply buff or clear coat and a variety of facials. We’ll train you on our products and services. The right therapist and specialists can do well in our spa. We’ve been in business for 18 years and have received many awards. All equipment and materials are provided. We receive guests from the resort we are located in, along with clients from neighboring hotels and guesthouses.

Commission and 100% of your gratuity. 3-4 days available for the right candidates. Email a resume to spa.director@hotmail.com.

GREGG’S PAINTING - Interior/Exterior. Free estimates, great rates! Detail-oriented, friendly, reliable, punctual and neat! No job too small. Broward & Palm Beach counties. 617-306-5694 | gmanbenn44@gmail.com

piano WANT TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE PIANO? Learn from an experienced teacher. All levels and ages welcome. Learn to play classical, popular, jazz, or show tunes. Visit www.edwinchad.com or call 954826-9555 for more information.

now hiring VICTORIA PARK 1BD/1BA - Small Quiet Fenced Non-Smoking Complex. Wash/Dry, Dishwasher, Open Floor Plan and Tongue and Groove Beam Ceilings. Small Dogs ok, $1,200 Month • 754-2248535

WWW.SFGN.GUIDE

HELP WANTED - Busy diner style cafe open 24 hours on weekends. Looking for full time experienced line cooks for breakfast or graveyard shifts. Must be able to work holidays, special events and weekends. Will beat your pay by .50 or more based on experience. Full-time year-round employment. Must have reliable transportation.

Apply in person or by email. No phone calls. Send resume to bumbieee3@aol.com or 2211 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors fl 33305 HELP WANTED $20/hour for PT home healthcare aid NOW. Involves helping with bathing, dressing and driving to appts. CALL 732-713-6176

notary MOBILE NOTARY SERVICES - affidavits, documents in support of disability claims, wills, medical directives and officiant services. Call 954.804.3854

roommates fort lauderdale SHARE LUXURY TOWNHOME IN MIDDLE RIVER Private Bedroom, Bath & Parking, Community Pool, $900 includes utilities+internet, References Required, no pets. Dave 954-803-9417

3.4.2020 •

49

DATEBOOK

MARCH 4 - MARCH 10

Community Paul Leary

Calendar@SFGN.com

BROWARD SUPPORT SERVICES PFLAG

A support group for parents, family and allies of the LGBT community. Coral Springs: second Thursday of the month at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, 1400 Riverside Drive in Coral Springs. Fort Lauderdale Meeting: third Tuesday of the month, 1480 SW 9th Ave., Fort Lauderdale. All meetings are 7-9 p.m. Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com for more information.

SUNSERVE YOUTH GROUP

Tuesdays and Thursdays in Fort Lauderdale, Southwest Ranches, Coral Springs and Hollywood. A support group and night of fun for LGBT youth 13 to 21. Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com for dates and times.

SURVIVOR SUPPORT

First and third Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Broward Health Imperial Point Hospital cafeteria, 6401 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. Find support from counselors and peers who have lost loved ones to suicide. Call the Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention at 954-384-0344 or visit FISPOnline.org.

broward county *13th Street Craft Beer & Wine Festival with Car Show

Saturday, March 7th, 4 PM – 8 PM, 690 Northeast 13th Street Fort Lauderdale. With live entertainment, craft beer and wine, food, a fantastic car show, vendor booths, local pet recues, and much much more! Come thirsty and hungry! This year will feature expanded wine selections! General Admission is FREE. Purchase a wristband for Craft Beer and Wine tasting from area brewers and purveyors. $40 if purchased March 1-6, 2020. $45 day of event. $75 VIP Lounge with food, alcohol, wine, and beer samples in an air conditioned environment. Tickets and info at 13thstreetbeerandwinefest.eventbrite. com

*A Night of Stars - A fundraiser for SMART Ride

Thursday, March 5th at Lips, 1421 E Oakland Park Blvd, Oakland Park. Join us for a Night of Stars! Hosted by the SMART Ride and their special guest star servers - Carol Moran aka “Hairy Bush” Austin W. Bergman aka “Miss Bikeie Peddler” Jeffrey Honour aka “Anya Left” Rene Cantu aka “Lola Bellini” Robert Moelius aka “Viola Overstreet” Along with LIPS Divas for an evening of food, fun, and surprises! Tips that our Celebrity servers receive will go to SMART Ride 17 production costs. Special guest appearance from Michael

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• 3 . 4.2020

Dean as Cher. One Night Only, Tickets $50 & $75 thesmartride.org

Flagler Village Artwalk

Every last Saturday of the month starting at 6 pm at the Artwalk in Flagler Village, which includes FAT Village, MASS District, and nearby art galleries! Free parking is available at 844 NE 4th Ave, one block south of Sunrise Blvd. on the West side of Federal Highway. flaglervillage.org

SafeT Support Group

Every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at SunServe, 2312 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors.

SunServe Mental Health Services & Midway Specialty Care Center Presents: SAFE T A weekly drop in group for anyone who identifies as transgender and or gender variant. Visit SunServe.org/SafeT for details.

palm beach *Pride on the Block

Sunday, March 8th, 4 PM – 10 PM, 500 Clematis, West Palm Beach. Kick-off Pride Month! The 500 Block of Clematis will be transformed for a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community! Pride on the Block features a Drag Show, Variety Show, dance party, art exhibition, food, drinks & games.

The First Annual Pride On The Block takes place on the “500BLK” of Clematis Street in

Downtown, West Palm Beach. It serves as the official kickoff celebration of this year’s Palm Beach Pride on March 28th and 29th in Lake Worth — Presented by Compass Community Center. Pride on The Block — a collaborative project organized by Inspire Recovery, The Sub-Culture Group, and The Box Gallery. All the details at 500blk.com

*6th Annual Red Hat Brunch: Be the Change

Saturday, March 7th, 10 AM – 2 PM at Compass 201 North Dixie Highway, Lake Worth.

Honoring National Women and Girls HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day. This observance day, recognized each year on March 10th, brings awareness to the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls in the United States. This represents the importance of women and girls being empowered to advocate for themselves by knowing the facts about HIV/AIDS, other STIs, reproductive health, and more. For this event, Compass is partnering with several health and social service organizations to bring Palm Beach County women together to share in this day. This event is free. Includes brunch.

RSVP on events page at compassglcc.com

*Absolutely HER-Larious

Saturday, March 7th at 8 PM at Old School Square Crest Theatre 51 N Swinton Ave, Delray Beach. With an all-star cast of superstar female impersonators, you won’t believe your eyes that these gals are really guys! Frank Marino and his fabulous cast of female impersonators not only recreate, but almost uncannily duplicate, the likenesses of such stars as Joan Rivers, Bette Midler, Pink, Marilyn Monroe, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga.

Table Seat $80, Premium $65, Regular $55, more info at oldschoolsquare.org

*Boca Bacchanal Grand Tasting

Saturday, March 7th, 7 PM – 10 PM. Boca Raton’s premier community wine and food event, held at Boca Raton Resort & Club 501 E Camino Real, Boca Raton. Worldrenowned vintners offer tasting selections of their prized wines and Champagne. Local chefs and restaurants with a selection of delectable bites of their signature dishes.

Guests also have the opportunity to bid on over 100 live and silent auction items, such as gift certificates for fabulous wine, travel, and lifestyle packages, along with jewelry, scarves, perfume, clothing, electronics, and artwork. Information at bocabacchanal.com

miami-dade *Karaoke for a Cause

Thursday, March 5th at 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Sweet Caroline Karaoke Bar, 1111 SW 1st Ave., Miami. Camillus House has provided humanitarian services to the indigent and homeless populations of Miami-Dade County, Florida for over 50 years, and has grown steadily over the years from a small overnight shelter into a full service center offering a full “continuum of care” for persons who are poor and homeless. Join the Camillus House Young Leaders for Karaoke for a Cause with $20 admission, you receive two complimentary drinks, karaoke and a great evening with the CHYL. Tickets and detail at facebook.com/ CamillusMiami

*Art Loft - Miami Artists

Monday, March 9, 6:30 PM – 8 PM at Miami Dade College Koubek Center 2705 Southwest 3rd Street, Miami. South Florida PBS and the Koubek Center invite you to the complimentary screening of Art Loft Miami Artists. Come experience the local art scene as ART LOFT shines the light on artists, exhibitions, performances, and arts organizations right here in South Florida.

Meet and greet with some of the local artist featured in this season of Art Loft and get a chance to ask them questions. Free event, information at southfloridapbs.org

Arsht Center Farmers Market

Mondays from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza for the Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Purchase fresh food from local farmers, including fruits, vegetables, meats, prepared foods, as well as chefs, live music, and cooking demonstrations. Tickets $45 to $75. Free. Visit ArshtCenter.org/en/Visit/Dining.

key west Hot Naked Hump Days

Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Island House, 1129 Fleming St. in Key West. Relax in the middle of the week with two-for-one drinks, free shots, videos and music, giveaways, and naked boys at the pool. Call 305-294-6284 or visit IslandHouseKeyWest.com

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c Celebration of Life Services d

Mayor Justin Flippen Friday March 6th 6:00pm

Celebration of Life Service

hosted by City of Wilton Manors The Venue Fort Lauderdale 2345 Wilton Drive

c In lieu of sending flowers or gifts, Mayor Justin Flippen’s family respectfully asks for donations to be made to the Justin Flippen Memorial Fund at Our Fund or United Church of Christ Fort Lauderdale.

Please keep his family, friends, and our community in prayer.