3/9/16 V7i10 by South Florida Gay News

local name global coverage March 9, 2016 vol. 7 // issue 10

s o u t h

f l o r i d a

g a y

n e w s

moving US forward #wearewithher Hil l ar y is the be s t cand i d ate f o r l g bt r i g h t s trans con • Page 12

women activists • Page 34 - 35

SouthFloridaGayNews

Pages 20, 23, 26 - 29

irish eats • Page 38

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The Opening Line Photos: Facebook.

Longtime AIDS Activist & Out Gay Man James Driscoll Endorses Donald Trump

Chris Murphy –

LCRs aren't self-loathing. We're just not one-issue voters. Further we're changing the GOP using persuasion.

online outlets

Compiled by John McDonald

Readers Respond: Is Marco Rubio Hiding In The Closet?

Michael Gluckman –

This only proves that there are ignorant people in every aspect of humanity. I certainly would no longer feel obliged to take anything this "longtime AIDS activist" says too seriously. He is obviously delusional.

Comments from SFGN’s

Anthony Cicalese – I'm not one to throw that accusation around lightly – but in this day and age, a man of his age who is still that homophobic is very likely closeted. The average straight man "gets it" and is not threatened by us to the point they advocate continued fighting after the Supreme Court ruling. His anti-gay antics are way overboard. Christopher Stotz –

Give me an hour with him and I'll let you know.

Marshall R. Krug –

are you mad? I’d vote for flipper first! Any gay person that votes for him is definitely voting against their own self interest. PEOPLE: WAKE UP! The Supreme Court and your freedoms are at stake!

Miriam Gonzalez –

I don't care about his personal life or hang ups - I just don't want him in the presidency.

SouthFloridaGayNews.com

March 9, 2016 • Volume 7 • 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

Chief Executive Officer • Pier Angelo Guidugli

Associate publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com

Editorial

Art Director • Brendon Lies Artwork@sfgn.com Designer • Charles Pratt Editorial Assistant • Jillian Melero JillianMelero@gmail.com Arts/Entertainment Editor • JW Arnold jw@prdconline.com News Editor • John McDonald john.mcdonald@sfgn.com Miami-Dade Reporter • Anthony Beven Food/Travel Editor • Rick Karlin Gazette News Editor • Michael D'Oliveira Senior Photographer • J.R. Davis jrdavis12000@hotmail.com

Senior Features Correspondents

Jesse Monteagudo • Tony Adams

Correspondents

Dori Zinn • Andrea Richard • Donald Cavanaugh Christiana Lilly • Denise Royal • Sean McShee Alex Adams • Gary Kramer • David-Elijah Nahmod

Contributing Columnists

Caitlyn Jenner Wants To Be A Trans Ambassador For Ted Cruz Larry Kraft –

She is only interested in her fame and her money. She doesn't deserve the awards she's been given. Cruz attends a service where the preacher says to kill gays and she says nothing and this person backs him? Shameful!

Gilbert Wyatt –

The only thing Ted Cruz likes about Caitlyn Jenner is her money!

Brian McNaught • Dana Rudolph • Wayne Besen Ric Reily • Steve Siler • Bil Browning Terri Schlichenmeyer

Associate Photographers

Pompano Bill • Steven Shires

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Director of Sales & Marketing • Mike Trottier mike.trottier@sfgn.com Sales Manager • Justin Wyse justin.wyse@sfgn.com Advertising Sales Associate • Edwin Neimann edwin.neimann@sfgn.com Advertising Sales Associate • Cindy Curtis cindy.curtis@sfgn.com Advertising Sales Associate • Jim Albright jim.albright@sfgn.com Sales Assistant • Devon Woods devon.woods@sfgn.com Distribution Services • Brian Swinford National Advertising Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping

Daniel Nistal – MEMBER

I totally welcome this. I think is time for the Republican Party to get more involved with the LGBT community.

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In Memoriam

Dennis Jozefowicz Internet Director 2010 - 2016

MEMBER

SFGN Winner of

MEMBER

• 3.9.2016

And runner-up for

NLGJA Journalist of the Year

Associated Press

& 3 Florida Press Club Awards

South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs. Copyright © 2015 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

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New HIV Med Hits The Market John McDonald

smaller and improved version of a widely used HIV medication gained approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week. Odefsey (pronounced oh-DEF-see) is billed as the smallest, single tablet HIV regimen by its maker, Gilead Sciences. The medication contains the same antiviral elements as Complera with the exception of replacing tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), a change research indicates is safer for bone density and kidney function. Complera has been on the market since its FDA approval in 2011. “As people are living longer with HIV, there is an increasing need to develop new treatments that are tolerable and help address long termterm health for patients,” said John C. Martin, PhD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gilead Sciences, in a news release. “Odefsey’s safety, efficacy, tolerability profile offers a new treatment option to support the needs of a range of patients and represents Gilead’s commitment to innovation in the field of HIV.”

Odefsey is the second single tablet HIV regimen to include TAF. In November of 2015, the FDA approved Genvoya, a TAF inclusive version of Stribild. The FDA has approved Odefsey to treat HIV positive people ages 12 and older who have a viral load no greater than 100,000. Eligible patients, government guidelines declare, must have a suppressed viral load for at least six months and never experienced antiretroviral treatment failure. Odefsey is part of an ongoing development and commercialization agreement between Gilead and Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies.

3.9.2016 •

Compiled by Jillian Melero

Bill: Florida Churches Don’t Have to Do Same-Sex Weddings (AP) Florida law will specify that churches can’t be forced to marry same-sex couples under a bill the Legislature send to Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday. Scott’s office said he’ll sign the measure, which opponents say isn’t necessary and is simply an overreaction to the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage. Bill sponsor Sen. Aaron Bean acknowledged last year’s ruling is the reason for his bill, which passed on a 23-15 vote with only Republicans in favor and Democrats joined by only one Republican in opposition. However, Bean couldn’t provide an example in Florida of a church being told it had to marry a gay couple. Democrats said the state and federal constitutions already protect churches and they can already refuse to marry any couple, gay or not, based on their religious beliefs. “We already have these protections,” said

YC Enacts Anti-Discrimination Rules for City Facilities

(AP) A regulation that ensures people visiting New York City facilities can use restrooms or locker rooms aligned with their gender identity was enacted Monday. Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, signed an executive order on Monday that guarantees people access to single-sex facilities consistent with their gender identity at city facilities, including offices, pools and recreation centers, without the need to show identification or any other proof of gender. The move comes amid a continuing national debate over anti-discrimination laws. “Access to bathrooms and other single-sex facilities is a fundamental human right that should not be restricted or denied to any individual,” de Blasio said. “Every New Yorker should feel safe in our city - and this starts with our city’s buildings.” “We have very clear New York values and we’re going to stand up for them,” said de Blasio, in a clear rebuttal to Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz’s recent criticism of the city’s liberal politics. “Here, we respect the rights of all.” The order says the regulations apply to all city-owned buildings, including city offices, public parks, playgrounds, pools, recreation centers and certain museums. It doesn’t require agencies to build new single-stall restroom or locker room facilities, but instead enforces that all individuals, including those who are transgender or gender non-conforming, are free to use single-sex facilities consistent with their gender identity, city officials said. The order does not apply to New York City’s public schools because there already is a policy that students must be allowed to use locker rooms or restrooms consistent with their gender identity. A bill currently pending before the city council would require publicly available, single-occupancy restrooms in both public and private buildings to be designated as gender-neutral. An estimated 25,000 transgender or gender non-conforming people live in New York City, officials said. De Blasio’s executive order immediately went into effect.

• 3.9.2016

Sen. Aaron Bean

Democratic Sen. Geraldine Thompson of Orlando. “We have been repealing unnecessary laws but here we are ... considering putting an unnecessary law in our statutes.” The bill says churches and religious-based organizations also could bar gay couples from holding ceremonies and receptions at their facilities. Bean said that the bill was about protecting churches from what could happen in the future and said he hopes his bill is unnecessary. “Have you ever heard of a senator or a representative that hopes their bill is never used or tested? I’m the first,” he said. “Hopefully no one will ever challenge somebody in the practice of their religion. That will be a sad day in our nation in our state ... Some say that’s where our nation is headed.” The House passed the bill (HB 43) on Wednesday. The law will take effect July 1.

okomo Council to Vote on Adding LGBT Protections

(AP) The city of Kokomo could become the latest Indiana city to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Kokomo Common Council is scheduled to vote Monday on extending protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens. That proposal would also bar discrimination based on a person’s marital status, age or veteran status. Councilman Steve Whikehart tells The Kokomo Tribune the goal is to “encompass as many of our citizens as humanely possibly.” Several Indiana cities, including Columbus and Terre Haute, have adopted similar protections since last spring’s uproar over Indiana’s religious objections law. Those local ordinances would have been barred by a Republicansponsored bill that would have extended anti-discrimination protections only to lesbian, gay and bisexual people. But lawmakers pulled that bill from consideration last month.

Photo: Facebook

yprus’ First Public Gay Wedding Takes Aim at Prejudices

(AP) The newlyweds wanted to go all-out with their wedding celebrations. All the trappings of a traditional Cypriot wedding were on display; the huge line of well-wishers with cash-filled envelopes in hand, a band playing the latest Greek pop hits and the mandatory roasted pork. Marios Frixou and Fanos Eleftheriades said they wanted it that way, a public declaration of their commitment to each other. Their hope is to offer other gay couples on the small east Mediterranean island nation the courage to be open about their love for each other. Their union is the first public gay wedding in Cyprus, which has ranked low on an index of LGBT rights. It follows last month’s first gay wedding but that was a low-key event involving an anonymous couple. Late last year, lawmakers paved the way for the weddings by passing a civil union law that in effect recognizes gay marriage. It was a big step forward for gay rights in Cyprus, which only decriminalized homosexuality 18 years ago. Frixou says the civil union law that paved for Friday’s wedding bestows all legal rights to gay couples that heterosexual ones are entitled to, like a widowed partner receiving the pension of a deceased spouse. The only restriction is that the law doesn’t provide for joint adoption of children for gay couples wishing to have a family. However, Costas Gavrielides, the president of gay rights group ACCEPT, said it does allow for one of the partners to adopt. In spite of its ingrained conservatism, influential Greek Orthodox Church and Mediterranean machismo, Cyprus has made huge strides on gay rights in recent years. The machinery of government has stayed in step; Gavrielides says a recent Interior Ministry memo instructed employees that civil union couples are entitled to the exact same rights as straight ones.

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News Briefs

rump Tells Reporter ‘Sit Down’ When Asked About Gay Marriage

(AP) The South Dakota House failed on Thursday to override the governor’s veto of a bill that would have required transgender students to use bathrooms corresponding with their birth gender, though the bill’s main sponsor suggested that supporters regroup and come back with a “better, stronger bill.” The vote came two days after Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard vetoed the bill, saying it didn’t address “any pressing issue” and that such decisions were best left to local schools. The governor also warned that such a law - which would have been a first in the U.S. could invite costly litigation against the state and local schools. Transgender rights have become a new flashpoint in the nation’s cultural clashes following the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage last year. South Dakota became a focal point after its Republican-controlled Legislature last month approved the legislation, which supporters said was aimed at protecting student privacy. Opponents criticized it as discriminatory, saying it would further marginalize transgender students. The bill originally passed the House by a veto-proof 58-10 vote, though supporters didn’t muster the 47 votes needed on Thursday to reach the required two-thirds margin for an override. Even if they had, their efforts would have faced a harder time in the Senate, which only narrowly passed the legislation 20-15 earlier this year. Senate Majority Leader Corey Brown noted ahead of the vote that overriding a veto was usually an uphill fight, “especially if you are short the votes the first time around.” House Republicans declined to heed the advice. A state Senate committee earlier Thursday shot down a separate bill that would have voided a state activities association policy allowing transgender students to request to play on the athletic team of their choice.

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Photo: CNN

(EDGE) During a press conference in Florida following Super Saturday’s primary races that saw Trump losing ground to Senator Ted Cruz, the billionaire candidate was elusive about his position on same-sex marriage. The DailyMail published a transcript of the exchange between Trump and the newspaper’s U.S. Political Editor David Martosko in West Palm Beach Saturday. [The following is a truncated version.] DAILY MAIL: Can you state unequivocally what is your position on gay marriages, and same-sex unions in general?’ DONALD TRUMP: ‘It’s like, David, it’s like as an example, what is my position on 900 different things. I’ve said it 150 times. We’re not here for discussing that. But everybody knows how I feel on it.’ DAILY MAIL: ‘I don’t. What is it? What is your position, Mr. Trump? I don’t know your position.’ DONALD TRUMP: ‘David, sit down please, David. David. Sit down. You know my position.’ When asked about the issue during [an] interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Trump said: “You have to go with it. The decision’s been made, and that is the law of the land.” Four months later, in January, during an interview on Fox News, Trump slammed the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v Hodges and alluded that he would put justices on the bench who would overturn June’s ruling. “If I’m elected, I would be very strong in putting certain judges on the bench that I think maybe could change things,” Trump said on Fox of the same-sex marriage decision. A trip to the Trump campaign website shows his positions on healthcare, international trade, taxes, veterans’ affairs, immigration and the second amendment. No mention is made on his website of his official position on gay unions.

awmakers Fail to Override Transgender Bill Veto

News Briefs

undreds Expected at Gay Wedding Expo in Utah

(AP) Hundreds of people are expected Sunday at a wedding expo in Salt Lake City aimed at connecting same-sex couples with businesses who will work their weddings in a state where florists, bakers and photographers have a legal right to refuse to serve a gay couple and commonly do. Utah is one of 29 states where it is legal for businesses to refuse services to samesex couples, according to the Human Rights Campaign. A proposal to change that law died last week in the Utah’s Republicancontrolled legislation. About 40 LGBT-friendly businesses, including photographers, bartenders, bakers and wedding venue representatives will be at the expo to let the region’s gay and lesbian community know that they’re open to gay weddings, said Michael Aaron, the show organizer and publisher of Salt Lake, a magazine that caters to the LGBT community. “It’s about supporting those who want to participate in your wedding and leaving the other ones alone,” Aaron said. “If they don’t want to do it, they’re not going to do a great job for you anyway.” The Salt Lake City event will be the first of

its kind since gay marriage became legal in Utah in 2013, Aaron said. About 300 people attended the first one in 2012, he said. The LGBT population has an estimated buying power of $884 billion annually, according to a report from Witeck Communications and the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. As of last fall, an estimated 486,000 samesex couples were married - more than double the figure in 2013, according to the Williams Institute, a LGBT-issues think tank based at UCLA’s School of Law. That figure represents 45 percent of all same-sex couples. Last November, Salt Lake City elected its first openly gay mayor: Jackie Biskupski.

igh Court Voids Alabama Ruling Against Lesbian Adoption

Photo: Cnn

Photo: soundfromwayout

Photo: Facebook.

Continued

(AP) The Supreme Court ruled Monday that Alabama’s top court went too far when it tried to upend a lesbian mother’s adoption of her partner’s children. The justices threw out a ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court in a dispute between two women whose long-term relationship ended bitterly. Before their breakup, one partner bore three children; the other formally adopted them in Georgia. The Alabama residents went to Georgia because they had been told Atlanta-area courts would be more receptive than judges in Alabama. Alabama courts got involved when the birth mother tried to prevent her former

partner from regular visits with the children. The Alabama Supreme Court sided with the birth mother in refusing to recognize the other woman as a parent and declaring the adoption invalid under Georgia law. In December, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily set aside the Alabama decision as the justices decided whether to hear the woman’s appeal. The issue was whether the actions of one state’s courts must be respected by another’s. On Monday, the justices said in an unsigned opinion that “the Alabama Supreme Court erred in refusing to grant that judgment full faith and credit.” The case is V.L. v. E.L., 15-648. 3.9.2016 •

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(EDGE)In just over three weeks since its creation, the Twinks4Trump satirical Twitter account has earned over 3,500 followers. In an interview with New York magazine, its creator, Cody Permenter, talks about how he started the account, its success, why Donald Trump is a #daddy, and the current presidential election. Permenter, 24, who works in social media in Seattle, told NY magazine the idea for @Twinks4Trump started after he watched a CNN report about three hunky bros gushing over their support for Trump. “I thought those interviews were absolutely hilarious, and I just made a comment to my friend, ‘What is up with these twinks nowadays? What are these twinks for Trump doing?’ And then I was like, ‘Oh, Twinks for Trump. That sounds kinetically pleasing and could be hilarious.’ I was wondering if there are actually gay people who support Donald Trump,” he told the magazine. “That’s kind of how the whole idea came around.” It should be noted that the Twitter account’s bio picture is of Tate Moyer, one of the three young men featured in CNN’s video. Permenter goes on to say he does not identify as a twink, saying: “I am a gay man, but I’m definitely more of a cub or a bear. Also hilarious to me is the idea that this large gay man could run a Twinks for Trump account. A point that the Twitter account’s trying to make is how absurd Donald.”

• 3.9.2016

When asked if actual gay Trump supporters have interacted with @ Twinks4Trump, Permenter said several”bromos” tweeted their support for the GOP presidential frontrunner. “The most intriguing to me are these individuals from the LGBT community who actually support Donald Trump and think he would actually be the best president,” he told NY magazine. “They’re kind of interesting.” Though most of the feedback has been positive, Permenter said he’s had some criticism. He said there’s “been more liberal criticism than conservative criticism, I would say. But this is not a large amount of criticism. Most people understand the joke. What’s most intriguing to me are people who are actually gay GOP members who are following the account and having a good laugh with it.” Permenter said his goal with the account is to bring “a level of absurdity to the election that can match Donald Trump’s absurdity, and having fun with it.” “I’m not naïve, I know that this election will have a lot of consequences for a lot of people, and some of those won’t be so good depending on who wins, but I think that we shouldn’t lose our ability to have fun and to laugh at it,” he added. Permenter admits he is simply trolling and trying to “troll the master troll.” He also said he is not being “earnest at all.”

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Pres. Candidates’ Positions on HIV Issues Sean McShee

n December 3, 2015, the New York City HIV service agency, Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), sent 10 questions to the presidential candidates from both parties. These questions concerned the candidates’ positions on HIV, health care, and LGBT rights. GMHC informed all candidates that it would publish their responses and non-responses. Candidates had until January 18, 2016 to respond. Only the Democratic candidates responded: Hillary Clinton, Martin O’Malley, and Bernie Sanders. O’Malley has since withdrawn from the race. This article summarizes the candidate’s positions on LGBT rights, HIV, and healthcare, based on their websites and their responses to the GMHC questions. The responses of Clinton confirmed her reputation as a policy “wonk,” with expertise in many areas. She responded in a detailed and well-informed manner. Most of her experience with HIV emerged from her role administering the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) as Secretary of State. The Sanders campaign, in contrast, has emphasized two major issues: Income Inequality and his Medicare for All plan. Because of that emphasis, Sanders’ responses to other issues frequently lack the policy details of those of Clinton. Only one candidate, O’Malley, mentioned the issue of HIV criminalization. The responses of Clinton and Sanders on LGBT rights and HIV politics lie firmly within the mainstream. Both Clinton and Sanders oppose the FDA’s revisions to the ban on gay men donating blood, as it is discriminatory and not based on science. Both candidates support needle exchange programs, Medicare’s negotiation of lower drug prices, and the gender identity inclusive Equality Act of 2015. In their statements on LGBT issues, both candidates consistently endorse gender identity issues. Their positions do differ on issues related to

healthcare economics. At present, the deductible limits out-of-pocket (OOP) costs for prescription drugs, but deductibles can exceed $1,000, which can be a barrier for some people. Clinton proposes capping OOP drug costs at $250 per year. She also supports eliminating subsidies for direct to consumer advertising and allocating those funds towards research. Patents motivate drug companies to develop new drugs by restricting competition. After a patent is granted, no other company can market the product linked to that patent for 20 years. Only when that patent expires can the drug become a generic, causing a dramatic price drop. Sanders favors replacing the motivation of restricted competition with the motivation of a onetime cash reward. Under Sanders’ proposal, the drug would then be generic and competition can occur. Sanders favors expanding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to a Medicare model. This would separate health insurance from employment. As this proposal is too complex for the scope of this article, please visit his website for more information. SFGN also examined the websites of Republican presidential hopefuls Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Marco Rubio, and Donald Trump for information on their positions on these issues. Cruz’s website emphasizes his support for “Religious Liberty” and defines family as exclusively heterosexual. Trump’s and Kasich’s websites do not reference LGBT rights. Trump’s, Kasich’s and Cruz’s websites fail to reference HIV. Rubio and Kasich support repealing the ACA. Kasich and Cruz are anti-choice. Focusing on policies rather than candidates outlasts any given election. People can question candidates for other offices about their support of specific policies. For this article SFGN examined these candidates on a narrow range of issues: LGBT rights, HIV, and to a certain extent healthcare economics. For their positions on other issues, please visit their respective websites.

To examine the policies of specific candidates, please visit their websites: Berniesanders.com/ issues, DonaldJTrump.com, HillaryClinton.com/issues, https://johnkasich.com/issues/ and https:// www.tedcruz.org/issues/ To read the full GMHC report on the candidate’s responses to 10 questions on HIV issues, please visit http://bit.ly/1nAOUSp

• 3.9.2016

Submitted Photo

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Governor’s Surgeon General Nomination In Doubt John McDonald

lorida could be in the market for a new surgeon general. That appears to be the story coming out of Tallahassee where last week a senate panel refused to advance Dr. John Armstrong, Governor Rick Scott’s pick to head the Florida Department of Health. “Dr. Armstrong is wrong for Florida,” said Michael Rajner, an HIV activist from Broward County who traveled to Tallahassee on multiple occasions to speak against Armstrong’s confirmation. Rajner contends Armstrong’s managerial style, particularly when it comes to the subject of HIV/AIDS, has “cloaked the sunshine state in darkness.” “Never once has he been heard speaking about the stigmatizing impact homophobia plays with fueling new HIV infections,” Rajner said. On March 1, the Florida Senate’s Ethics and Elections Committee postponed Armstrong’s nomination on a 5-4 vote with Miami Republican Anitere Flores joining four Democrats in opposition. “We deserve better than Surgeon General Armstrong,” said Carlos Guillermo Smith, Governmental Affairs Manager for Equality Florida. “During his tenure, Florida has become the No. 1 state in America for new HIV transmissions while Dr. Armstrong was painfully silent on the matter. In an era where we have a functional cure for HIV, we need leadership from our Governor and Surgeon General that will bring Florida closer to eradicating this epidemic – not make it worse through willful ignorance.” In addition to criticism for his handling of

Florida’s HIV/AIDS crisis, Armstrong is under fire for a slow rollout on the state’s medical marijuana program and the recent bombshell discovery that 13,000 children suffering from chronic and serious conditions were dropped from the rolls of the Children’s Medical Services program. “All of these things just built up, and at some point I think people just say, ‘What do you have to do to lose your confirmation?’” Sen. Oscar Brannon (D-Miami Gardens) told the Associated Press. On Monday, SFGN contacted Gov. Scott’s office seeking comment on the status of Armstrong’s appointment. In an e-mail, Jackie Schutz, Communications Director for the Governor stated: “We are confident that Dr. Armstrong will be confirmed by the Senate because he is overwhelmingly the best person for the job. Period.” Rajner disagrees, calling the Governor’s response “political posturing,” and said he expects Armstrong’s tenure as surgeon general to expire when the Senate adjourns March 11. Florida law stipulates Armstrong must then vacate his $141,000 a year post and is not eligible for appointment for one year. “It’s a shame that Governor Rick Scott couldn’t find some like Broward Health’s CEO Dr. Nabil el Sanadi who tragically ended his life in January,” said Rajner. “While leading Broward Health, Dr. El Sanadi worked with community partners and has been revered by many for his efforts to advance initiatives in HIV and LGBT health.”

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Political Clubs Refrain From Choosing Sides But their members have favorites Michael d’Oliveira

s the Florida Primary approaches on March 15, members of local political clubs are divided on which candidates to support. “There seems to be a fairly even split [between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders] from the folks who are talking,” said Noah Kitty, president of the Dolphin Democrats. “I think it’s split because they are two excellent candidates. Both have unique strengths and competencies. You can, I think, feel good about supporting either.” Personally, Kitty said she is supporting Clinton and is volunteering for the former Secretary of State’s campaign. “People work on whatever individual campaigns they feel so moved to do.” She added that support for either campaign doesn’t come up much during meetings. “If it does, we’ll make a joke about it. We don’t go any further with that.” But the Dolphin Democrats as a club won’t endorse Clinton or Sanders until after the primary battle is over.

It’s the same for the Log Cabin Republican Club in Wilton Manors. “There are some for Donald Trump, and a lot of them were for Jeb Bush [before he dropped out. I’m for John Kasich,” said former Wilton Manors mayor Sandy Steen, Log Cabin’s vice chair and the club’s former president. “We really can’t discuss [who we are supporting during the meetings]. It’s really just what people share with me personally.” Gene Sides, Log Cabin’s president, said he thinks any of the candidates will energize the Republican Party as the nominee. “After seven years of [President] Obama, there’s a lot of excitement. Republicans set a [voter turnout] record in South Carolina. Any of the candidates will offer a welcome change. I think there’s a lot of positive energy,” Sides said. “I’m certainly ready for a dramatic change.”

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• 3.9.2016

TransCon Conference March 11 & 12 at Barry University Denise Royal

ssues concerning the transgender community will be examined and discussed at TransCon at Barry University on March 11 and 12. TransCon serves as a space to educate and empower the transgender community as well as its allies. Friday, on the first day of TransCon, a job fair featuring both local and national companies will be held from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees should bring their resumes and be prepared to talk to recruiters. The second day is workshops and discussions. This year’s event, organized by the Aqua Foundation for Women, is free. This year’s keynote speaker is Ruby Corado, the Executive Director of Casa Ruby, an organization that serves the most vulnerable within the LGBT people in Washington, D.C. Casa Ruby is one of the largest employers of transgender women of color in the country and the largest transgender focused organization led by a transgender woman of color. Attendees at TransCon can also expect to participate in workshops and activities addressing a variety of topics, including: employment, dating, health, trans youth issues, trans equality and more. This year TransCon is adding even more workshops for trans youth, specifically for children under 12 as well as their parents. “It is important to us to create spaces for young trans people and their parents. As children are expressing their genders, and parents are listening to their children, at younger ages, we want to make sure there are spaces in the community for trans and gender non-conforming folks of all ages and the people supporting them,” says AFW Program Manager MJ Castells.

While AFW Executive Director, Caitlin Wood, added, “What started off as a very simple health focused workshop for the transgender community has now grown into a weekend-long catered conference with keynote speakers, activities and this year, a job fair component, in which attendees will have an opportunity to meet with recruiters from both national and local businesses.” A lot has happened in the community since last year’s TransCon, namely, Caitlyn Jenner’s transition, highly-publicized TV interviews and her reality show. So it’s only appropriate that one of this year’s discussions is “Trans Lives in the Media Post Caitlyn” which is co-presented by Unity Coalition (Herb Sosa & Christopher Padron) and the World OUTGames (Lynare Robbins) with Chantale Glover of OutLoud. Poet/ speaker/author/educator/advocate Aryah Lester is one of the presenters. “Attending TransCon is essential because it is the only conference of its kind currently in Miami-Dade County that specifically caters to the transgender community. Hosted by Barry University, which also hosts our annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, this platform is an opportunity to address many topics affecting our community: youth, transwomen of color, employment, and other workshops,” she says. Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided by Aqua Foundation. Complimentary roundtrip transportation will be provided from locations in both Miami-Dade and Broward County. The shuttles will depart from the destinations below by 8:30 a.m.

The event runs on: March 11, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and March 12, 2016, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, please visit: TransCon.miami.

Arts & Entertainment winter Issue

3.9.2016 •

politics out on the trail Betsy Benson

news local

Lea Krauss

PBA endorses Benson, Krauss John McDonald

and I am truly honored to have their help as well!” Benson said in a statement. “Much of my 31 years of practice has been spent in the courtroom with law enforcement. Having their endorsement is gratifying and validating of my professionalism.” Through its affiliation with the Florida Police Benevolent Association, the Broward County PBA claims 26,000 members. The union was founded in 1972. Benson and Krauss are up for election on Aug. 30. According to the Broward County Supervisor of Elections website, Benson has raised $96,266 -- far more than her challenger, Adriana Alcalde ($8,510). Broward County Commissioner Marty Kiar, running for Property Appraiser, leads all announced candidates in fundraising with $343, 333.

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s the campaign enters a spring awakening period, two local judicial candidates have received the endorsement of the Broward County Police Benevolent Association. Betsy Benson and Lea Krauss both earned the endorsement of Broward County’s leading police union. Benson is seeking the bench in Broward County, group 13, while Krauss is campaigning for circuit court judge in district 17, group 9. Both women identify as lesbian and have practiced law in Broward County for many years. “They are both well qualified to serve,” said Broward County PBA President Jeffrey Marano in a telephone call to SFGN last week. Benson’s campaign issued a news release welcoming the union’s backing. “The PBA works so hard on behalf of the police officers who serve our community,

Dirty Pop Cruise Departs Fort Lauderdale In April John McDonald

n April 10, the world’s largest passenger cruise ship leaves Fort Lauderdale with an all-star roster. Leading this celebrity voyage is Lance Bass -- actor, singer, dancer extraordinaire. SFGN spoke with Bass on a conference call last month about the cruise. “It’s a perfect opportunity to see great talent, enjoy a VIP experience and, really, it’s all up to you to choose your own adventure,” Bass said from New York where he had just finished shooting episodes of the Meredith Vieria Show. The Dirty Pop At Sea Cruise is a seven night eastern Caribbean cruise aboard the Allure of the Seas, an Oasis class ship owned and operated by Royal Caribbean International. Advertised as joining Bass onboard are singer/songwriter Ryan Cabrera, Broadway dancer and YouTube personality Frankie Grande, activist Hope Leigh Rollins, TV host and ex-athlete Jeff Schroeder, “Big Brother” and “Amazing Race” star Jordan Lloyd, “Chelsea Lately” comedian Fortune Feimster and North Carolina producer Brad Hooks. “It’s a fun group,” Bass said. “This will be a first for me. I’ve never been on a weeklong cruise with this crew before.” Who knows what will happen, but opportunity awaits and all are invited. Stops are scheduled for Nassau, Bahamas, St. Thomas and St. Maarten before

returning to Fort Lauderdale on April 17. For Bass, 36, Fort Lauderdale is like a second home. Last year he and husband Michael Turchin participated in a “Love Is Love” mass wedding ceremony at the W. Fort Lauderdale Hotel. “I’m enjoying the honeymoon,” said Bass, who added he and Turchin had no present plans for children. However, being a married man, Bass said, is a family tradition. “I grew up with a strong sense of family,” said Bass, who was raised in rural Mississippi and rose to fame through the boy band Nsync. He met Turchin, 29, a Miami Beach model and artist, in Palm Springs, California, where the two instantly fell for each other. They were married in 2014, exchanging vows in a televised special, “Lance Loves Michael.” For the cruise, Turchin is bringing along some of his artwork to be put up for auction. Fans can also register for a drawing to dine with the couple one evening at the exclusive Chef’s Table. The restaurant is one of 25 dining options in seven distinct neighborhoods. “It’s going to be a blast,” said Turchin, speaking to SFGN on the same conference call with his husband. “It’s a great group of people on a week-long party.” A limited number of cabin space remains for the Dirty Pop at Sea Cruise. For more information, visit www.dirtypopatsea.com

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3.9.2016 â&#x20AC;¢

lgbtqia bites

Lesbian

Bride Pride Sets Out to Grab Business World Record for Largest Lesbian Wedding on Planet

(EDGE) On October 15, 2016, women from all over the planet will converge on Provincetown with a singular intention -to marry at Bride Pride, a group wedding scheduled during [Provincetown's] legendary Women's Week, now in its 32nd year. According to Allison Baldwin and Ilene Mitnick -- Bride Pride organizers and owners of the award-winning Roux Bed and Breakfast property, where the wedding will be held -- "If there are at least 100 couples, the brides will become part of recorded history."

• 3.9.2016

The duo has applied to Guinness Book of World Records in an effort to capture the title for "World's Largest Lesbian Wedding." Award-winning political humorist and LGBTQ icon Kate "Mad Vow" Clinton will perform the nuptials. After the ceremony the whole town will turn into a party for the newlyweds as they join thousands of women in hundreds of events planned for Women's Week. Visit http://www.rouxprovincetown. com/bride-pride for additional information.

Compiled by Jillian Melero

Bisexual

Police Arrest 6 in Murder of Bisexual Teen

(SFGN) The Walker County sheriff’s department, northwest of Birmingham Alabama, has arrested six people in connection with last month’s murder of 19 year old Nicholas Hawkins, the New Civil Rights Movement reports. Representatives from the sheriff’s department say they have established a motive for the bisexual man’s death, but are not at liberty to discuss it publicly. Hawkins’ body was found last month, three days after he’d called his mother to say that someone was trying to kill him. Hawkins had mentioned the first suspect, Joshua Reese by name. Two other men — Danny Lee Jarvis, 22, and Cory Daniel Conner, 28 — have also been charged with

murder while Colton Stephen Echols, 20, of Sumiton; Tessa Jean Wise, 23, of Dora; Lawanda Marie Reese, 39, of Quinton have been charge with hindering prosecution. BiNet USA released the following statement regarding Hawkins’ murder: "Although not enough information has been released to know if this was an act of violence due to his sexual orientation, it is important to note statistics show biphobia plays a big part in bullying and violence," the group wrote. "It's equally important to note the bisexual erasure in several articles reporting on Nick, that don't include his orientation. ... Nick's orientation mattered to him, and his loss is certainly a headline for our entire community."

lgbtqia bites

continued

Transgender

Israel Holds Its First Transgender Beauty Contest

Why Pay More?

DECADES Past & Present Home Furnishing

(AP) Nearly 30 transgender women strutted down the catwalk in skinny jeans, crop tops and stiletto heels at a Tel Aviv club on Thursday, vying for a chance to enter the first "Miss Trans Israel" beauty pageant. Tel Aviv has emerged as one of the world's most gay-friendly travel destinations, standing in sharp contrast to most of the rest of the Middle East, where gays can face persecution. Israela Stephanie Lev, the pageant's organizer, said that in the past it was "terrible" living as a transgender woman in Israel. But today, people are more accepting, she said. "Definitely we are achieving, enlightening the people to accept and empower

transsexuals," she said. Israel is generally tolerant toward gays and transgender people. Gays openly serve in Israel's military, as does at least one openly transgender soldier. In 1998, a transgender singer, Dana International, won the popular Eurovision song contest. But homosexuality is shunned in the ultraOrthodox Jewish communities. Last year, an extremist ultra-Orthodox Jew stabbed a teenage girl to death at a Jerusalem Pride parade. Finalists will compete at a pageant in May, and the winner will represent Israel at the Miss Trans Star International pageant to be held in Spain in August.

To see inventory

Decades Jerry ChafďŹ

3.9.2016 â&#x20AC;˘

Submitted Photo

news local

Oakland Park Commission Seat Up For Grabs Openly gay Scott Herman hopes to break through John McDonald

cott Herman is no stranger to the political process. A candidate for the Florida House of Representatives in 2014 and 2012, Herman is on the ballot again, this time in a special election for a seat on the Oakland Park Commission. “This campaign is about smart growth,” said Herman, 44, a disabled combat veteran of the Gulf War. A married gay man, Herman said he will be the LGBT voice for Oakland Park, one of the older cities in Broward County that today is home to an estimated 41,000 people. He is endorsed by the Dolphin Democrats, Equality Florida Action PAC and Broward County AFL-CIO. “Upon election I will immediately hire four fire rescue personnel and open a station east of the railroad tracks by Dixie Highway,” Herman said in a telephone call to SFGN. “I will be a full-time commissioner.” Herman faces competition from former Mayor Layne Dallet Walls and current commissioner Michael Carn. An engineer, Carn was appointed to an open commissioner seat by Oakland Park Mayor Tim Lonergan to fill the vacancy of Shari McCartney, who resigned in October to move to Fort Lauderdale. “I believe I have the resources, relationships and ideals to move the city forward,” said Carn, in a telephone call to SFGN Tuesday afternoon. A father of three sons, Carn, 58, said he has a vested interest in the community.

• 3.9.2016

“I grew up in the sands of Oakland Park,” Carn said. “This is my home. This is where I am from.” Carn sought the endorsement of the Dolphins Democrats, but the group went with Herman instead. Carn said he considers himself an ally of the LGBT community. “I don’t judge and I don’t believe in legislating love,” he said. “As a black man growing up in the South, I certainly understand discrimination and I have raised my children to never discriminate.” This will be Carn’s third attempt to gain voters’ approval, falling short in commission elections in 2009 and 2011 and losing a state senate bid in 2008. Similarly, Herman came up short in his quest for the Florida House in 2012 and 2014. Herman said he’s self-funding his campaign and is not beholden to any developers’ wishes. He plans to eliminate private contractors and bring permitting procedures “in house.” Helping city management simplify codes is a central theme of Herman’s message. “I’m campaigning on principles over politics because the people of Oakland Park deserve better,” he said. Walls, 60, who served on the commission from 1993-97 and again from 2001-09, is a wife, mother and grandmother. She serves on the city’s civil service board and charter review board. Calls to Mayor Lonergan’s office seeking comment were not returned. The election, March 15, is city wide.

3.9.2016 â&#x20AC;¢

Convictions

Photo: CNN.

Publisher's Editorial

PERSON OF THE YEAR

Norm Kent

norm.kent@sfgn.com

#WeAreWithHer SFGN endorses Hillary Clinton

n 2011, this newspaper made Hillary Clinton its ‘Person of the Year,” in no small part due to her groundbreaking speech on behalf of international gay and lesbian human rights. Today, that speech is reprinted in our newspaper. It is a visionary talk, and a compelling reason for us to embrace the Clinton candidacy. On another page, a guest columnist shares with you his reasons for supporting Hillary Clinton, addressing her past flaws and current positives. We do so for a few other simple reasons as well. First and foremost, it is time our nation had a female president, and Clinton is eminently qualified to fulfill that role. To have a candidate speaking about building bridges and breaking down barriers is better than a candidate who talks about his erections on one hand, and erecting walls with the other. Second, as Clinton says, America does not need to be made ‘great again.’ We have been doing pretty well the last eight years under a progressive Obama presidency. Within a country that has seen the economy grow, the LGBT community has grown exponentially too. We have had leaders appointed and elected to positions of influence and stature at every level. In the past eight years, our national spokespersons have advocated to enhance human rights everywhere. Our nation has been on the right side of history for the rights of the LGBT community. With same sex marriage winning in the Supreme Court by only a 5-4 vote, how important it is that we further the advancement of human rights with progressive nominees.

• 3.9.2016

Simultaneously, we have seen health care expanded, minority outreach improved, and the least of us protected, regardless of class or standing in the community. Obamacare was a vision first proposed by Hillary as First Lady back in 1992. It is not the anathema Ted Cruz makes it out to be. It is an antidote to heal the sick and treat the ill. It is only in its infancy. Clinton will work to protect it, not to repeal it. Early on the Obama Administration saved the economy and restored financial growth to banking institutions that had collapsed. While doing so, Americans everywhere were afforded mortgage modifications that allowed them to stay in their homes. Real estate prices are restored, the stock market is gaining, and gas prices are $1.35, lower than at any time in the last 25 years. That’s a testimony to a robust economy. In city after city, there is massive highway construction and thoroughfare expansion. To his credit, Bernie Sanders also speaks of inclusion, and he would certainly create some firsts of his own, as the first Jewish president, as the oldest person ever elected to office. But his experiences are limited and they have not evolved on the global stage. His economic plans do not steer far away from Clinton’s visions. But Clinton’s policies are more attainable and she has a history of working across the isle to accomplish real change. She learned valuable lessons during her push for Hillarycare and we don’t expect her to make the same mistakes again. So we choose first to stand by the friend who has stood by us.

Our world is uneasy with terror and crisis in the Mideast and elsewhere. It has been so for decades and the instability and chaos there has never been directly attributable to either Republicans or Democrats. Madmen exist in our world, from North Korea to the last prime minister of Iran. In America, this year we are offering our own lunacy in the Republican primary, led by Donald Trump, who is neither conservative or liberal, just nastily narcissistic, fostering a nationalism based on hate and hostility, segregation and separation. His bipolar campaign and persona borders on Neo-Fascism, and our equations to the early days of Adolf Hitler have a ring of truth to them, like it or not. We also believe that Clinton is the best candidate positioned to take on the Republican nominee in the general election. She is only one that has faced the full assault of the Republican attack machine again and again over the past 30 years. She’s been knocked down, but never knocked out. She proved to this country her resiliency when she testified for 11 hours in front of the Benghazi committee. She walked away unfazed and unbroken. We support Hillary Clinton because she has spent a lifetime supporting human rights issues, from children’s rights as a legal advocate, to women’s rights as First Lady, and LGBT rights as a secretary of state. We stand by the promise of an enlightened future rather than a return to a regressive past. We stand by a candidate appealing to the best in all of us, rather than the klandidate hiding behind false veils. We stand by Hillary Clinton. We are with her.

community annoucment

Dolphin Democrats Endorse Candidates for the March 15 Elections

he Dolphin Democrats, Broward County’s oldest (1982) and largest LGBTA political organization, has endorsed a set of municipal candidates for the March 15 Elections. The endorsements followed a vote of the Dolphins membership

at the club’s February 10 meeting and were based on the candidates’ stand on issues of great concern to the LGBTA community. In some elections there is no endorsed candidate since none of the choices fit the Dolphins’ standards.

Dolphin Democrats Endorse

For Davie Town Council District 3 For Oakland Park City Commission For Pembroke Pines City Commission District 2 For Pembroke Pines City Commission District 3 In addition, Dolphin Democrats recommend a vote against Jay Schwartz, who is running for re-election to the Pembroke Pines City Commission in District 2. “The upcoming elections have special importance to LGBT people and allies, as the backlash to our recently-won rights are

Marlon Luis Scott Herman Jack McCluskey Iris A. Siple

under considerable attacks,” says Rabbi Noah Kitty, President of Dolphin Democrats. “Please consider voting for the candidates we have endorsed, as they have all demonstrated an interest in preserving those rights, and will work until all people have achieved full equality under the law.”

3.9.2016 •

column sound bite q

Sound bite q Norm Kent

norm.kent@sfgn.com

Welcome to Sound Bite Q, 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. More importantly, local papers only survive in our busy world because we are all connected to each other. For me, this column does more than encourage you to patronize one of SFGN’s advertisers. It lets you know a little more about our friends and enables you to feel a little more comfortable using their services with the limited dollars you have.

I am “Broker Joe” Grano, Realtor of First Atlantic Realty, Inc. How long have you been working in real estate? I’ve been an independent real estate broker/owner here in Fort Lauderdale area since 1985. How long in South Florida? I relocated to Fort Lauderdale area in 1985 after the serving as a Marine. I ran for Mayor of Wilton Manors in 2004. What is the best time of year to buy down here (better deals in winter vs. summer, or vice versa?)? The standard idea is that one would sell in the season and buy in the summer, but the past years have obliterated that premise. As more sellers have waited for season to sell, there has been more competition keeping prices down. Some sellers panic if they haven’t sold before season is over leading to even greater bargains. The trick is be well represented and to be first. A Realtor® that keeps doing the homework should be able to produce bargains and/or secure the best sale price anytime. Make no mistake the competition is stiff.

• 3.9.2016

What neighborhoods can you get the best deals now (for instance nice house or condo, but less expensive than Wilton Manors or Victoria Park)? Price range dictates location. A prepared Realtor® knows the area well enough to direct a buyer to the best neighborhoods for the money they can afford to spend. Any neighborhoods on the up-and-up that are good investment opportunities (i.e. get a good deal now & values likely to increase in next few years as neighborhood improves)? 27% of 2015 sales here were distressed compared to 17% nationally. Coral Ridge, Bal Harbour and imperial Point, Santa Barbara and Lighthouse Point are showing strong appreciation. East is east. Still, SW Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods such as Croissant Park, Shady Banks and Riverland are full of bargains. NE Fort Lauderdale toward the NW through Green Acres, North Andrews Gardens, Royal Palm Acres and even in East Gate or North Gate will play out just like they did as prices increased during the boom. There are some particularly great condominium opportunities on Fort Lauderdale Beach right now. West of the Turnpike, competition thins out and even more

distressed sellers will be found in Central and Western Broward. If you can’t find a bargain call me. It’s about product knowledge. What advice do you have for first-time buyers? First-time homebuyer activity is at a near 30 year low. Don’t give up so easily! First-time homebuyers and renters alike should be properly pre-qualified by a mortgage person they trust well in advance. If they don’t know anyone they should get a proven referral from a Relator® they trust. If they can’t do that they should call me. If a property is presented to a first-time buyer the presentation isn’t complete without a cost analysis and comparable sales showing that the asking price is realistic. Anything else you’d like to add? The Harris Poll reported Florida topping the list of most desirable states in which to live in Nov 2015. Forbes reported (Jan 2016), Fort Lauderdale ranked 8th in the nation as Best-Buy markets for 2016. Successfully buying or selling real estate is an art. I like to say if you don’t know real estate, know the broker.

Arts & Entertainment

winter Issue

Out Now!

Winter 2016

• Vol. 5 Issue

artS & entert ain

ment

winter

Winter 2016 •

iSSue

Vol. 5 Issue 1

T ERTAINMEN ARTS & ENT UE WINTER ISS

Mirror_Winter

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themirr ormag.c om

1/11/16

11:55 AM

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3.9.2016 •

Column of the Week Photo Credit: Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Convictions

Hillary Clinton is The Best Candidate For The LGBT Community I am a millennial supporting Clinton

Vincent J. Ryan

hen the Human Rights Campaign endorsed Hillary Clinton for President in January, citing the Secretary’s “long record as a champion for LGBT rights,” it sparked a wave of backlash and criticism from the Bernie Sanders campaign and its supporters. Since that day, Senator Sanders and those who support him have continued their “who said what, when, where, and why?” argument, aimed at painting Clinton as some sort of flip-flopper with an inconsistent record on LGBT rights, who acts solely out of the interest of her own political gain. Those folks constantly highlight her evolving views on same-sex marriage. When it’s pointed out that Sanders has also evolved they argue that he evolved quicker. Those who support Clinton haven’t fared much better. I personally have been criticized for supporting her. Several have even gone so far as to label me a “Republican lite.” I have also been hounded as to why I am living in some sort of denial as to her credibility and commitment to the LGBT community. While I respect Senator Sanders, I am not going to vote for him simply because I’m a millennial. I am proud to be a gay millennial supporting Hillary Clinton because she has been a loyal ally

of the LGBT community. Given her experience and values, she is the best candidate to further the cause of the LGBT community and preserve the significant progress achieved under President Obama. So, lets clear the air. Yes it’s true, Clinton did not initially support same-sex marriage. But, she evolved on the issue, and announced her support in 2013 just nine years after fighting against the Federal Marriage Amendment. Why should someone be criticized for coming around to the right side of history? Shouldn’t we be welcoming of such progress? While many attack Clinton they forget that numerous people have evolved on the issue of marriage equality including President Obama. Senator Sanders can attempt to jockey his vote against the Defense of Marriage Act into evidence of support for samesex marriage, but the truth is that it was done in the name of states’ rights rather than marriage equality or some moral high ground. Like Clinton, Sanders originally believed marriage was a states’ rights issue. But in 2006 when marriage equality was knocking on Vermont’s door, Sanders stood in opposition, and instead flip-flopped back to his endorsement of civil unions. Sanders may have evolved before Clinton, but his record is not without holes.

I am proud to be a gay millennial supporting Hillary Clinton because she has been a loyal ally of the LGBT community.

• 3.9.2016

More recently there is ample evidence to support Secretary Clinton’s commitment to the LGBT community and causes. In her video campaign announcement last April, she included a diverse group of Americans, most notably featuring a gay and lesbian couple showing that LGBT folks are part of her vision. As Secretary of State, she remained steadfast in her commitment to the LGBT community. In her 2011 speech to the United Nations recognizing International Human Rights Day, Clinton reaffirmed her pledge to the LGBT community, and acknowledged the work that still needs to be done. “Gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights,” she declared. In this capacity she also helped President Obama launch the Global Equality Fund, modified the State Department’s equal opportunity policy to protect employees and job applicants based on gender identity and extended many benefits enjoyed by heterosexual employees and their families to same-sex partners and their families. But, even before becoming Secretary of State, Clinton was at the forefront on many LGBT rights issues. In 2000, she voiced support for the extension of domestic partnership benefits to same-sex couples. That year she also addressed issues of hate crimes and intolerance. Clinton was the first, First Lady to march in a gay pride parade, and one year later expressed support for

civil unions. Since then, Clinton has continued being an advocate for the LGBT community. In a recent speech to the HRC, Clinton laid out her agenda for furthering progress on LGBT rights as President. Among her promises was a plan to sign the Equality Act, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes with regards to housing and employment discrimination. Even with nationwide recognition of samesex marriage, there is much at stake in the 2016 election. While, yes, Sanders has been on the side of the LGBT community, he has never, in over 25 years in Congress, pushed for major LGBT rights legislation. LGBT rights is not a single-issue cause. Throughout her years of public service, Hillary Clinton has been on the side of the LGBT community. And if you look at her website she has a detailed 6-point plan for LGBT rights that includes full federal equality for LGBT Americans; supporting LGBT youth, parents, and elders; Honoring the military service of LGBT people; Securing affordable treatment for people living with HIV and AIDS; Protecting transgender rights; and promoting human rights of LGBT people around the world. I believe her campaign slogan, “She’s fighting for us,” and in return I am going to fight for her. I hope you will join me.

Vincent J. Ryan is a political professional who advises Democratic candidates on media relations and campaign finance. He currently resides in Philadelphia, PA and vacations frequently in South Florida.

Letter From the Editor

Photo: CNN

Convictions

#NeverTrump

The Donald is a cancer in our democracy Jason Parsley

ike many progressives, liberals and Democrats I was giddy when billionaire Donald Trump entered the presidential race. He was sure to shake things up on the Republican side and thoroughly amuse us all in the process. Well six months later he has now delivered on his promise to shake things up but month-by-month he’s become less amusing. His angry rhetoric has veered from merely divisive to dangerous. And he’s become a cancer, not just in the Republican race, but throughout our democracy. Some of his outrageous and dangerous statements have been to refer to Mexicans as rapists; call for a ban on all Muslims entering the country; creating a database for Muslim Americans; comparing Syrian refugees to a Trojan horse; applauding the folks who beat up a black protestor at his rally; and even going so far as to hint that President Obama is in bed with the terrorists saying “there is something going on with him that we don’t know about.” Trump’s fear mongering reminds me of Pastor Martin Niemöller’s famous poem about the rise of the Nazis. Here’s my slightly revised version. First Trump came for the Mexicans, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Mexican. Then Trump came for the Syrian refugees, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Syrian refugee. Then Trump came for the immigrants, and I did not speak out — Because I was not an immigrant. Then Trump came for the Muslims, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Muslim. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. Do we really think that Trump will stop at Muslims? What group will he use to scare people with next? The transgender community comes to mind. Right wing fanatics did it recently in Houston with ads featuring predators dressing

Reprinted from 12.09.15

up as women in order to come after little girls. Will Trump use a similar attack? Why not? He has nothing to lose. If he doesn’t win the presidency he goes back to be being a bombastic billionaire reality star. But each time he comes after another group we lose – we all lose. And unlike Trump, who can simply go back to life as normal, we will have to live in the new normal he’s created for us. It’s easy to dismiss Trump as (insert adjective), or his policies as not being “serious,” as former Florida Governor Jeb Bush said. And while that may be true, his rhetoric may very well have serious consequences on the Republican Party and our democracy. Most other presidential candidates have condemned Trump’s latest policy proposal of banning all Muslims from entering the U.S., but not all Republicans have done so. Presidential candidates former Sen. Rick Santorum and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz both stopped short of condemning Trump. Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, would only criticize Trump’s tone – not his proposal. Sen. Jeff Sessions, an Alabama Republican, refused to directly address Trump’s comments. Ann Coulter, a prominent far right pundit and author, showed her excitement for Trump’s latest policy by tweeting out: “Add in every other kind of immigrant and it's perfect!” and “My best birthday gift! Donald Trump Calls For ‘Complete Shutdown’ of Muslim Entry to U.S.” That’s why it’s more important than ever for the LGBT community speak out on behalf of our fellow humans whether they are Mexicans, immigrants, Syrian refugees or whomever the next group Trump decides to go after. We know oppression. We’ve been singled out. So while these other groups may differ from us we must stand together in the face of bigotry and hatred. I am no longer giddy with Trump in the race. I am scared – not of Muslims and immigrants, but of what he is doing to our democracy.

3.9.2016 •

column letter to the editor

Letters to the Editor

Tri-Rail Will Serve Everyone We have to look past the ‘not in my backyard’ argument

here are locals who want to put the brakes on a Tri-Rail station coming to Wilton Manors. And while they will give you a list of reasons on why it’s such a bad idea, the real reason is simple “Not in My Back Yard.” It’s understandable. But the list of things that people don’t want in their back yard tends to be a list of things that would benefit people who are not them. We also have a tendency to stop talking about the benefits of a solid public transportation network as soon as gas is under $2 a gallon again. But now is the time to discuss this even more. I’m the first to admit that I don’t have all the answers, but I do know that having a Tri-Rail station in Wilton Manors would be a boon for the businesses in the area and bring more people to Wilton Manors as business patrons and residents. South Florida is choking on its traffic. We need to think outside of the box. A station here has the potential to revitalize the surrounding neighborhoods. It will bring in new residents and new businesses and jobs that come with them. This leads to a term called “value capture” and a report by Reconnecting America shows that transit can increase property values and result in development opportunities. Even Boca Raton has seized the opportunity to put itself in the middle of the rail boom, and is home to the busiest Tri-Rail station on the line. We need to follow in their footsteps and fight for our own station. There are multiple surveys that show transit has the potential to revitalize a

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downtown area, open up suburbs to new people, and increase property values by implementing multiple modes of public transportation. South Florida faces the challenge of all three of these categories, as well as a massive tourist trade, and the traffic they bring with them. It’s past time to consider the effects of suburban sprawl and traffic, and to start implementing solutions that are going to carry us from the 21st century and into the 22nd. We also have an aging population of Baby Boomers, and a generation of Millennials and GenZ who value access over ownership in terms of transportation. I agree that some property values will go up while others go down. I agree that some businesses will see more benefits from a TriRail station in Wilton Manors than others. Taxes, including mine, might go up in order to finance the rail station. My taxes also go to pay for a lot of other things, some of which I am in favor and some of which I am not. However, Wilton Manors has changed since I first opened Pallant Insurance, and needs to keep changing, growing, and become more inclusive. As much as some hate to admit it, we live in the 21st Century, and we face challenges that nobody even thought could exist as little as 20 years ago. If we have more opportunities and more freedoms, if we have a voice and a right to exist on our own terms, it’s because we didn’t let the NIMBYs win.

Joe Pallant

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SFGN Endorses Hillary Clinton In 2011 then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made this historic

In 2011 thenof Secretary State Hillary Clinton speech in front the Unitedof Nations. This speech, as wellmade as forthis other historic speech in front of the United Nations. This speech, us to endorse her in Tuesday's primary. After asreasons, well asprompted for other reasons, prompted us to endorse her in Tuesday's After reading the speech there should be reading the primary. speech there should be no doubt about commitment to the no doubt about her commitment to the LGBT community. LGBT community.

Palais des Nations Geneva, Switzerland • December 6, 2011 This weekend, we will celebrate Human Rights Day, the anniversary of one of the great accomplishments of the last century. Beginning in 1947, delegates from six continents devoted themselves to drafting a declaration that would enshrine the fundamental rights and freedoms of people everywhere. In the aftermath of World War II, many nations pressed for a statement of this kind to help ensure that we would prevent future atrocities and protect the inherent humanity and dignity of all people. And so the delegates went to work. They discussed, they wrote, they revisited, revised, rewrote, for thousands of hours. And they incorporated suggestions and revisions from governments, organizations, and individuals around the world. At three o’clock in the morning on December 10th, 1948, after nearly two years of drafting and one last long night of debate, the president of the UN General Assembly called for a vote on the final text. Forty-eight nations voted in favor; eight abstained; none dissented. And the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted. It proclaims a simple, powerful idea: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. And with the declaration, it was made clear that rights are not conferred by government;

Presidential Hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton

Free and Equal in Dignity and Rights 28

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they are the birthright of all people. It does not matter what country we live in, who our leaders are, or even who we are. Because we are human, we therefore have rights. And because we have rights, governments are bound to protect them. In the 63 years since the declaration was adopted, many nations have made great progress in making human rights a human reality. Step by step, barriers that once prevented people from enjoying the full measure of liberty, the full experience of dignity, and the full benefits of humanity have fallen away. In many places, racist laws have been repealed, legal and social practices that relegated women to second-class status have been abolished, the ability of religious minorities to practice their faith freely has been secured. In most cases, this progress was not easily won. People fought and organized and campaigned in public squares and private spaces to change not only laws, but hearts and minds. And thanks to that work of generations, for millions of inhome. dividuals whose lives were once narrowed by injustice, they Now, raising this issue, I know, is are now able to live more freely and to participate more fully in the political, economic, sensitive for many people and that and social lives of their communities. the obstacles standing in the way Now, there is still, as you all know, much more to be done to secure that commitment, that reality, and progress for all people. Today, I want to talk about the work we have left to of protecting the human rights of do to protect one group of people whose human rights are still denied in too many parts of LGBT people rest on deeply held personthe world today. In many ways, they are an invisible minority. They are arrested, beaten, al, political, cultural, and religious beliefs. So I come here before you with respect, understanding, and humility. Even terrorized, even executed. Many are treated with contempt and viothough progress on this front is not easy, we cannot delay acting. lence by their fellow citizens while authorities empowered to protect Like being a woman, So in that spirit, I want to talk about the difficult and important them look the other way or, too often, even join in the abuse. They issues we must address together to reach a global consensus that are denied opportunities to work and learn, driven from their homes like being a racial, recognizes the human rights of LGBT citizens everywhere. and countries, and forced to suppress or deny who they are to protect The first issue goes to the heart of the matter. Some have sugthemselves from harm. religious, tribal, gested that gay rights and human rights are separate and distinct; I am talking about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, but, in fact, they are one and the same. Now, of course, 60 years human beings born free and given bestowed equality and dignity, or ethnic minority, ago, the governments that drafted and passed the Universal Declawho have a right to claim that, which is now one of the remaining huration of Human Rights were not thinking about how it applied to man rights challenges of our time. I speak about this subject knowing being LGBT does not the LGBT community. They also werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t thinking about how it apthat my own countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s record on human rights for gay people is far plied to indigenous people or children or people with disabilities or from perfect. make you less human. other marginalized groups. Yet in the past 60 years, we have come Until 2003, it was still a crime in parts of our country. Many LGBT to recognize that members of these groups are entitled to the full Americans have endured violence and harassment in their own lives, measure of dignity and rights, because, like all people, they share and for some, including many young people, bullying and exclusion a common humanity. are daily experiences. So we, like all nations, have more work to This recognition did not occur all at once. It evolved over time. And as it did, we underdo to protect human rights at stood that we were honoring rights that people always had, rather than creating new or special rights for them. Like being a woman, like being a racial, religious, tribal, or ethnic minority, being LGBT does not make you less human. And that is why gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights. It is violation of human rights when people are beaten or killed because of their sexual orientation, or because they do not conform to cultural norms about how men and women should look or behave. It is a violation of human rights when governments declare it illegal to be gay, or allow those who harm gay people to go unpunished. It is a violation of human rights when lesbian or transgendered women are subjected to so-called corrective rape, or forcibly subjected to hormone treatments, or when people are murdered after public calls for violence toward gays, or when they are forced to flee their nations and seek asylum in other lands to save their lives. And it is a violation of human rights when life-saving care is withheld from people because they are gay, or equal access to justice is denied to people because they are gay, or public spaces are out of bounds to people because they are gay. No continued on next page

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Hillary’s historic remarks, continued matter what we look like, where we come from, or who we are, we are all equally entitled to our human rights and dignity. The second issue is a question of whether homosexuality arises from a particular part of the world. Some seem to believe it is western phenomenon, and therefore people outside the West have grounds to reject it. Well, in reality, gay people are born into and belong to every society in the world. They are all ages, all races, all faiths; they are doctors and teachers, farmers and bankers, soldiers and athletes; and whether we know it, or whether we acknowledge it, they are our family, our friends, and our neighbors. Being gay is not a Western invention; it is a human reality. And protecting the human rights of all people, gay or straight, is not something that only Western governments do. South Africa’s constitution, written in the aftermath of Apartheid, protects the equality of all citizens, including gay people. In Colombia and Argentina, the rights of gays are also legally protected. In Nepal, the supreme court has ruled that equal rights apply to LGBT citizens. The Government of Mongolia has committed to pursue new legislation that will tackle anti-gay discrimination. Now, some worry that protecting the human rights of the LGBT community is a luxury that only wealthy nations can afford. But in fact, in all countries, there are costs to not protecting these rights, in both gay and straight lives lost to disease and violence, and the silencing of voices and views that would strengthen communities, in ideas never pursued by entrepreneurs who happen to be gay. Costs are incurred whenever any group is treated as lesser or the other, whether they are women, racial, or religious minorities, or the LGBT. Former President Mogae of Botswana pointed out recently that for as long as LGBT people are kept in the shadows, there cannot be an effective public health program to tackle HIV and AIDS. Well, that holds true for other challenges as well. The third, and perhaps most challenging, issue arises when people cite religious or cultural values as a reason to violate or not to protect the human rights of LGBT citizens. This is not unlike the justification offered for violent practices towards women like honor killings, widow burning, or female genital mutilation. Some people still defend those practices as part of a cultural tradition. But violence toward women isn’t cultural; it’s criminal. Likewise with slavery, what was once justified as sanctioned by God is now properly reviled as an unconscionable violation of human rights. In each of these cases, we came to learn that no practice or tradition trumps the human rights that belong to all of us. And this holds true for inflicting violence on

• 3.9.2016

LGBT people, criminalizing their status or And it takes a willingness to see stark behavior, expelling them from their families differences in belief as a reason to begin the and communities, or tacitly or explicitly conversation, not to avoid it. But progress accepting their killing. comes from changes in laws. In many places, Of course, it bears noting that rarely including my own country, legal protections are cultural and religious traditions and have preceded, not followed, broader teachings actually in conflict with the recognition of rights. Laws have a teaching protection of human rights. Indeed, our effect. Laws that discriminate validate other religion and our culture are sources of kinds of discrimination. Laws that require compassion and inspiration toward our equal protections reinforce the moral fellow human beings. It was not only those imperative of equality. And practically who’ve justified slavery who leaned on speaking, it is often the case that laws must religion, it was also those who sought to change before fears about change dissipate. abolish it. And let us keep in mind that our Many in my country thought that commitments to protect the freedom of President Truman was making a grave error religion and to defend the dignity of LGBT when he ordered the racial desegregation people emanate of our military. from a common They argued that it source. For would undermine Now, the Marine Corps many of us, unit cohesion. And religious belief it wasn’t until he Commandant, who was one and practice is went ahead and did a vital source it that we saw how of meaning and strengthened of the strongest voices against the it identity, and our social fabric fundamental in ways even the [Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell] repeal, to who we are supporters of the as people. And policy could not says that his concerns were likewise, for foresee. Likewise, most of us, the some worried unfounded and that the Marines in my country bonds of love and family that that the repeal of have embraced the change. we forge are also “Don’t Ask, Don’t vital sources Tell” would have of meaning a negative effect and identity. And caring for others is an on our armed forces. Now, the Marine expression of what it means to be fully Corps Commandant, who was one of the human. It is because the human experience strongest voices against the repeal, says that is universal that human rights are universal his concerns were unfounded and that the and cut across all religions and cultures. Marines have embraced the change. The fourth issue is what history teaches Finally, progress comes from being willing us about how we make progress towards to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. We rights for all. Progress starts with honest need to ask ourselves, “How would it feel if it discussion. Now, there are some who say and were a crime to love the person I love? How believe that all gay people are pedophiles, would it feel to be that homosexuality is a disease that can be caught or cured, or that gays recruit others to become gay. Well, these notions are simply not true. They are also unlikely to disappear if those who promote or accept them are dismissed out of hand rather than invited to share their fears and concerns. No one has ever abandoned a belief because he was forced to do so. Universal human rights include freedom of expression and freedom of belief, even if our words or beliefs denigrate the humanity of others. Yet, while we are each free to believe whatever we choose, we cannot do whatever we choose, not in a world where we protect the human rights of all. Reaching understanding of these issues takes more than speech. It does take a conversation. In fact, it takes a constellation of conversations in places big and small.

discriminated against for something about myself that I cannot change?” This challenge applies to all of us as we reflect upon deeply held beliefs, as we work to embrace tolerance and respect for the dignity of all persons, and as we engage humbly with those with whom we disagree in the hope of creating greater understanding. A fifth and final question is how we do our part to bring the world to embrace human rights for all people including LGBT people. Yes, LGBT people must help lead this effort, as so many of you are. Their knowledge and experiences are invaluable and their courage inspirational. We know the names of brave LGBT activists who have literally given their lives for this cause, and there are many more whose names we will never know. But often those who are denied rights are least empowered to bring about the changes they seek. Acting alone, minorities can never achieve the majorities necessary for political change. So when any part of humanity is sidelined, the rest of us cannot sit on the sidelines. Every time a barrier to progress has fallen, it has taken a cooperative effort from those on both sides of the barrier. In the fight for women’s rights, the support of men remains crucial. The fight for racial equality has relied on contributions from people of all races. Combating Islamaphobia or anti-Semitismis a task for people of all faiths. And the same is true with this struggle for equality. Conversely, when we see denials and abuses of human rights and fail to act, that sends the message to those deniers and abusers that they won’t suffer any consequences for their actions, and so they carry on. But when we do act, we send a powerful moral message. Right here in Geneva, the international community acted this year to

strengthen a global consensus around the human rights of LGBT people. At the Human Rights Council in March, 85 countries from all regions supported a statement calling for an end to criminalization and violence against people because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. At the following session of the Council in June, South Africa took the lead on a resolution about violence against LGBT people. The delegation from South Africa spoke eloquently about their own experience and struggle for human equality and its indivisibility. When the measure passed, it became the first-ever UN resolution recognizing the human rights of gay people worldwide. In the Organization of American States this year, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights created a unit on the rights of LGBT people, a step toward what we hope will be the creation of a special rapporteur. Now, we must go further and work here and in every region of the world to galvanize more support for the human rights of the LGBT community. To the leaders of those countries where people are jailed, beaten, or executed

for being gay, I ask you to consider this: Leadership, by definition, means being out in front of your people when it is called for. It means standing up for the dignity of all your citizens and persuading your people to do the same. It also means ensuring that all citizens are treated as equals under your laws, because let me be clear – I am not saying that gay people can’t or don’t commit crimes. They can and they do, just like straight people. And when they do, they should be held accountable, but it should never be a crime to be gay. And to people of all nations, I say supporting human rights is your responsibility too. The lives of gay people are shaped not only bylaws, but by the treatment they receive every day from their families, from their neighbors. Eleanor Roosevelt, who did so much to advance human rights worldwide, said that these rights begin in the small places close to home – the streets where people live, the schools they attend, the factories, farms, and offices where they work. These places are your domain. The actions you take, the ideals that you advocate, can determine whether human rights flourish where you are.

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Insurance – Not Fun, But Necessary Ric Reily

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This multi-part series, Retiring Gay, primarily considers the financial steps to successful retirement. However, preparing emotionally for retirement is equally important to a happy, fulfilling and successful retirement. Planning for retirement is your opportunity to reconsider day to day living. Insurance, investments, spending, savings, socializing, residence and many other considerations change. Reaching retirement with a well executed plan makes your transition to a post work life easier and more fulfilling.

nsurance is a fact of life. As you accumulate assets it pays to have proper insurance as protection against the total loss of all you have worked to create and accumulate. Most states require that drivers buy auto insurance to drive on public roadways, enforced as a condition of legally registering your car. Lenders require insurance to protect them in the event that their collateral is damaged or lost. Medical service providers will ask for proof of your insurance coverage prior to providing care. Everywhere you turn there exists an opportunity to insure your every activity. Insurance transfers money from your pocket to the insurance company, so let’s take a look at what you get for your premiums. Policy holders pay monthly in the unlikely event some catastrophic event will happen and wipe them out financially. You want to have insurance. The coverage and rates are often government controlled. So where is your flexibility? First there is shopping among primary providers. Going with low level no name organizations only invites problems in the event of a loss; particularly a major or widespread loss that might force a small company out of the ability to cover losses. Most often, this possibility is overseen by governments that will step in when an insurer goes under, but why put yourself in the position of having to collect from a government agency? Go with the big guys, they are less expensive in the end; they can take care of everything because they know how and have the resources to do whatever is required in your situation. Once you have chosen a secure carrier the primary way to save on insurance costs is deductibles. Most insurance claims are small. Insurance companies know that and price coverage accordingly. Buy a policy with the highest deductible allowed by the insurer or the lien holder that you can afford in the event of a

loss. In reality you become the insurer of first risk and the insurance company doesn’t pay unless the loss exceeds the deductible. A benefit of high deductibles is that the insurance company doesn’t even know about incidents you self insure, eliminating the risk of premium increases based on claim history. When you are looking left and driving right and skim the back corner of another car you don’t need insurance for that. Know you were at fault, reach for your wallet and repair the other car. As you consider retirement consider where and how you will live. Even if your lifestyle doesn’t change a great deal take advantage of discounts for driving less, for taking a safe driver course, and combining auto and homeowner policies. Check rates before buying a new car which vary greatly by model, raise deductibles wherever possible and eliminate unnecessary insurance altogether. Higher deductibles lower premium costs. Presume that the premium for your automobile policy with a $100 collision deductible is $1,000 for a year. Your car cost about $25,000 and you have to pay $1,000 to insure it. What if the deductible was $500 and the premium was $800? You take on an additional $400 risk (the new deductible less the original deductible) and the premium drops $200. This example shows that the next $400 of risk is worth $200 to the insurance company. The cost of that additional $400 worth of coverage is $200, or 50 percent. The $100 deductible policy provides $24,900 coverage for your $25,000 automobile at a cost of 4 percent. The $500 deductible policy provides $24,500 coverage for your $25,000 automobile at a cost of 3 percent. Insurance, regardless of the coverage, is for catastrophic loss only. Carry the highest deductible you can pay in the event of a loss and let the insurance company insure the rest. The difference in premium is yours to keep and looks much better in your pocket than theirs.

Missed a week? Don’t worry. Catch up at SFGN.com/RetiringGay to follow the series online. Ric Reily is the author of two books, Money Is The Root Of All - Skip The Debt Habit, and Gregory’s Hero. You can reach him at ricreily@gmail.com

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feature local

Lynare Robbins

International Women’s Day

A Spotlight on Local Women Activists I

nternational Women’s Day is a global celebration that the United Nations marked as an official day to celebrate the accomplishments of women on March 8, 1975. The day was inspired by the work of women in labor movements across the U.S. and Europe in the early part of the Twentieth Century. As the movement of women’s activism grew so did support for women’s rights and gender equality in all spheres of life. International

Women’s Day seeks to celebrate the social, economic, and political achievements of women and also signals a call to action for unity and continued activism. The following are local LBT South Florida women who continue the legacy of International Women’s Day in their efforts to bring about change and empowerment in their communities.

Aryah Lester

Creator and Director of TransArt

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? International Women’s Day, and Women’s History Month, equate national recognition to the struggles and oppression women and the state of femininity face here in the United States. So many of the ‘fights for rights’ in our nation’s history remain unresolved even in the 2nd millennium of the Common Era. Women are, in the whole, still not seen the equal to men, as evident from wage inequality, stereotypes, and rights such as abortion, breastfeeding and even going topless. This day celebrates the strength of the feminine spirit in spite of what we face daily. Is there a historical woman that has inspired you? The strength of women is encapsulated in the heroism of leaders like Rosa Parks: a woman who helped push the fight for civil rights through her fortitude in uncomfortable situations. She has affected me by her steadfastness to deny conformity to a system designed to place her second, if not third, best in everyday environments. Her actions have fueled me in refusing to submit to patriarchy and systematic oppression in my own life and for my own community. I sit where I please and where I deserve a place at! What is your greatest achievement? In the pursuit of achieving that unselfish grace as Ms. Parks, I have devoted my life to lifting my sisters to their deserved positions as respected members of society in a myriad of situations. I feel most awed when I receive positive feedback from a workshop or training when a woman tells me that my words have moved her, or touched and exonerated the ignorance of those unaware of what we face. When I open my heart through writing and then hear how it inspires others are the moments I’m truly happy and almost content, until the general public agrees to see the light. How do you personally support or advocate women’s empowerment? I support and advocate for our empowerment in my everyday life, where it is most needed: exuding confidence, refusing to be unheard and looked-over. Utilizing my struggles to form battle gear to fight for others going through the same, if not more difficult, scenes. Showing the world a Transwoman of Color who smiles in spite of the pain, a Black Woman who succeeds beyond the doubt, and a WOMAN who lives in her truth.

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Katharine Campbell

Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Social Worker What does International Women’s Day mean to you? International Women’s Day to me serves as a day to reflect on the accomplishments of those before us have struggled to achieve, empower those around us to come forth and step into their power of womenhood and to inspire and motivate those who will come after us. It is a day to honor women, a group who has always played a significant role in the world. Is there a historical woman that has inspired you? I think two women whose story has always been significant in my life are Jane Adams and Helen Keller. Jane Adams was a woman who challenged social injustices and paved the way to what is now known as my profession of Social Work. She was a vigilante. She stood by her morals in the most difficult of times and helped those who were oppressed in spite of her own risks. She showed the true meaning of compassion and has always served as my role model for being an advocate. Helen Keller is a woman who has illustrated beyond all adversities you can make a significant impact on the world, not by grand actions but rather by the daily action of being authentic and pushing yourself beyond what others (and perhaps even you) think you are capable of achieving. She rose above whatever disability or label others placed on her to define herself. Something I work at every day in a world that wants to confine you into boxes. What is your greatest achievement? I would like to claim that my greatest achievement is that my 8 year old daughter is the most self-determined girl I have ever met, but I can’t claim that alone as she has other strong women role models in her life which I am forever grateful. I would say my greatest personal achievement is self- acceptance. I grew up in a poor community where getting my high school diploma and a job (any job) was the best really planned for me. But, I had a voice within me that yearned for more. And, finding the path to that ‘more’ was not an easy one. Through a lot of bad choices, bad relationships and bad decisions I somehow listen to the good voice within, the mentors around and the messages of hope that could be gently heard. Through that journey I came to accept my history and claim my own power to write my story. How do you personally support or advocate women’s empowerment? I support women’s empowerment in a variety of ways. First by giving myself not only permission but a requirement to be embrace my own power. Secondly by empowering my partner and daughter to embrace their power. I think to help empower others we have to be able to start with ourselves. I recently partnered with a few friends to begin Women’s CenterED Inc. a new nonprofit in the South Florida area that focuses on a women’s personal sense of self, cross cultural dialogue, intergenerational dialogue, and wealth literacy. You can read more about Women’s CenterED Inc at WomenScentered.org. I also offer Women Empowerment Groups and personal therapy for women as part of my private practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

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Olga Ucha

Social Media Consultant What does International Women’s Day mean to you? I support women every day of my life but this is a day where we recognize women’s achievements. Is there a historical woman that has inspired you? One historical woman that has inspired me would definitely be Anne Frank for having the courage to believe in humanity and leave a legacy thru her story. What is your greatest achievement? My greatest achievement is sponsoring children in South America and followed by adopting my daughter from China. I always felt I could help someone in need and live a better life. How do you personally support or advocate women’s empowerment? I personally support and advocate women thru my work for a nonprofit shelter for victims of domestic violence. I also hold leadership of a women’s social club.

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t has been 44 years since Lou Reed released his most famous song : "Walk on the Wild Side" from his solo album, Transformer, produced by David Bowie. The song received wide radio coverage, despite touching on taboo topics such as transsexuals, drugs, male prostitution and oral sex. The lyrics were groundbreaking and risqué for their time, telling stories not usually told in rock songs up till then. "I always thought it would be kinda fun to introduce people to characters they maybe hadn't met before, or hadn't wanted to meet," Reed said in an interview. In the U.S., RCA released the single using an edited version of the song without the reference to oral sex. In the UK, the reference slipped past the censors, who were apparently unfamiliar with the term "giving head." The term "colored girls" was also an issue in the U.S.; RCA provided radio stations with a version in which it was edited out. The single peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts in early 1973. After the announcement of Reed's death in October 2013, both the song and the Transformer album recharted via iTunes Each verse refers to one of the "superstars" at Andy Warhol's New York studio, The Factory. "Holly" is based on Holly Woodlawn, a transgender actress who lived in Miami Beach, Florida as a child. In 1962, after being bullied by transphobes, the fifteen-year-old ran away from home; and, as in the lyrics, learned how to pluck her eyebrows while hitchhiking to New York. "Candy" is based on Candy Darling, a transgender actress and the subject of an earlier song by Lou Reed, "Candy Says." She grew up on Long Island ("the island") and was a regular at "the back room" of Max's Kansas City. "Little Joe" was the nickname of Joe Dallesandro, an actor who starred in Flesh, a 1968 film about a teenage hustler. Dallesandro said in 2014 that he had never met Reed when the song was written, and that the lyrics were based on the film character, not himself personally.

"Sugar Plum Fairy" was a reference to actor Joe Campbell who played a character by that name in Warhol's 1965 film, My Hustler. The term was a euphemism for "drug dealer." "Jackie" is based on Jackie Curtis, another Warhol actor. "Speeding" and "crashing" are drug references. Curtis at one time hoped to play the role of James Dean in a movie; Dean was killed in a car crash.

Lyrics Holly came from Miami F.L.A. Hitch-hiked her way across the U.S.A. Plucked her eyebrows on the way Shaved her legs and then he was a she She said, hey babe, take a walk on the wild side, Candy came from out on the island, In the backroom she was everybody's darling, But she never lost her head Even when she was giving head She says, hey baby, take a walk on the wild side Little Joe never once gave it away Everybody had to pay and pay A hustle here and a hustle there New York City is the place where they said: Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side Sugar Plum Fairy came and hit the streets Lookin' for soul food and a place to eat Went to the Apollo You should have seen him go, go, go They said, hey Sugar, take a walk on the wild side Jackie is just speeding away Thought she was James Dean for a day Then I guess she had to crash Valium would have helped that bash She said, hey babe, take a walk on the wild side And the colored girls say Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo

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Rick Karlin

Getting Your Irish Up

here’s an old Irish proverb says; “Laughter is brightest in the place where the food is.” While that sentence may not be grammatically correct, the inspiration is true. The Italians are known for abundant feasts, the French for haute cuisine, the Irish have always been famous for…well not much beyond cabbage and potatoes. And that’s a shame, for while Irish cuisine may not be known for its exotic flavors (What’s an Irish spice rack? Salt and pepper!), there are a number of dishes that are quite interesting. While corned beef may be the best known entrée item, lamb is the predominate protein served (you think they kept those sheep just for wool?) in stew or ground and browned with onions, mixed with peas and carrots then topped with mashed potatoes as shepherd’s pie. It may be a cliché, but the main ingredients in many Irish dishes are potatoes and cabbage. One classic dish is colcannon; boiled potatoes and cabbage mashed together with leeks, cream and butter. Similar to mashed potatoes, the dish is often combined with sausages for “bangers and mash.” Since Ireland is an island, it’s no surprise that Irish cuisine also features plenty of seafood. In addition to fish and chips, Irish dishes often utilize salmon, scallops, lobster, mussels, oysters, eel and dulse (salty seaweed). With Saint Patrick’s Day around the corner, you might want to check out the menu at some of these Irish spots and expand your familiarity with Irish fare beyond green beer.

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Waxy O’Conner’s

1095 SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale 954-525-9299 Waxys.com Waxy’s specializes in what is often referred to as modern Irish cuisine, classic dishes that have been given gourmet twists. The menu features Irish sausage rolled in puff pastry, Irish mixed grill (lamb chop, Irish sausage and bacon served with black & white puddings, baked beans, sautéed mushrooms, grilled tomato and a fried egg) and chicken curry. Of course, classics such as shepherd’s pie, fish n' chips, bangers n' mash and corned beef and cabbage are available as well. Most entrees are in the $12-$15 range, and the menu labels items which are vegan and/or gluten free.

Stout

3419 N. Andrews, Oakland Park 754-223-5678 StoutBarAndGrill.com At Stout, it’s more about the drink. One look at the 60-foot long hammered copper bar makes that clear. Stout offers more than 60 different beers and an extensive list of whiskey (Irish and otherwise), including flights of either. Sports games blare from all 40 of the TV screens spread throughout the venue. While the selection of Irish fare isn’t as broad

as others, the few dishes on the menu; grilled salmon, an Irish Reuben, bangers and mash, fish and chips, shepherd’s pie are damn good and the lamb stew with Guinness sauce is exceptional. Entrees are between $15 and $20, sandwiches about five bucks less.

The Field

3281 Griffin Rd., Dania Beach 954-964-5979 TheFieldFL.com If your mother was Irish, the dishes coming out of the kitchen here would be like going home for dinner. It’s not fancy, but it sure is good. There are the usual suspects; corned beef and cabbage, lamb stew, bangers and mash and shepherd's pie. But, if you’re looking for something even homier, try the cabbage rolls or chicken pot pie. The majority of the entrees are in the $10-$15 range. If you’re feeling adventurous, order the traditional Irish breakfast; Irish sausage, Irish bacon, a potato pancake and black & white pudding.

Maguires Hill 16

535 North Andrews, Fort Lauderdale 954-764-4453 MaguiresHill16.com Maguires Hill 16, the oldest Irish pub in South Florida, is a family run operation. Jim and

Martina Gregory have been in the business for more than 40 years with restaurants in Ireland, New York, and Florida. Their son James and daughter Eugina have grown up in the business. The enormous portions, most priced less than $15, offer an opportunity to taste authentic Irish fare and have enough left to take home for a second meal. Specialties of the house include the Irish farmhouse grill (imported Irish bacon and sausage, grilled tomato, roast potato and two eggs-add a grilled pork chop if you like), Ballymaloe chicken (boneless breast stuffed with spinach and cream cheese and topped with Bailey’s and mushroom cream sauce), chicken curry or chicken pot pie. Classics such as lamb stew, bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie and corned beef and cabbage are available.

Kelly Brothers Irish Pub

3045 N. Federal Hwy. Fort Lauderdale 954-630-2856 KellyBrothersIrishPub.com This place claims to be an authentic Irish pub, but it’s kind of hard to take it seriously when under “Traditional Irish Food” it lists “Southern Fried Chicken”. Still, it does offer Irish coffee and as comic Alex Levine pointed out, “Only Irish coffee provides, in a single glass, all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.”

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THU

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concert The historic Bonnet House Museum and Gardens on Fort Lauderdale Beach continues its Concerts Under the Stars series tonight at 7 p.m. with the Dillard High School Center for the Arts Jazz Ensemble. The jazz band is one of the best in the nation and was the subject of a documentary screened last week at the Miami International Film Festival. More information at BonnetHouse. org.

FRI

3/11

theater The Maltz Jupiter Theatre, 1001 E. Indiantown Road in Jupiter, presents Cole Porter’s classic musical, “Kiss Me, Kate,” March 8 – 27. The show, which combines Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” with the gay composer’s witty lyrics and catchy tunes, is the ultimate backstage story, featuring feuding couples, gamblers and gangsters. Tickets start at $55. For show times and tickets, go to JupiterTheatre.org.

“House of Cards,” starring Kevin Spacey as President Frank Underwood, is just one of the Netflix original series premiering or returning this month. Photo Credit: Netflix.

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concert

television

comedy

Adam Lambert returns to South Florida tonight for one show at the Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino and Resort in Hollywood. Even though he came in second, Lambert has been one of the breakout successes of the television singing competition with his glam rock style. Anybody remember Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks or Lee DeWyze? Didn’t think so. Tickets start at $64 at Ticketmaster.com.

Seraphic Fire, South Florida’s Grammy-nominated professional chorus, presents, “A Single Rose: Modernism in the Americas,” with works by Lauridsen, Villa-Lobos and Ginastera, in Miami, March 9; Coral Gables, March 11; Fort Lauderdale, March 12; and Miami Beach, March 13. Julian Wachner of Trinity Church Wall Street is the guest conductor. Tickets and more information are available at SeraphicFire.org.

Binge watchers unite! Pull up Netflix on your browser or smart TV because there are plenty of new episodes available. President Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) was back on “House of Cards” last week and “Flaked,” a new comedy starring Will Arnett (“Arrested Development”) debuted Friday. Best of all, “Daredevil,” the blind Marvel crimefighter with amazing senses, returns on March 18. Find them at Netflix.com.

Did you vote in the Florida primary today? Well, no matter which candidate or political party you support, the Capitol Steps comedy troupe is going to win this election cycle with their hilarious show, “Mock the Vote,” playing tonight through Sunday, March 27 at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. You want straight talk? Check. Dirty politics? They’ve got that, too. Tickets start at $40 at Kravis.org.

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a&e music

Photo:Kasskara/Decca

Pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet.

CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA MIAMI WRAPS UP 10TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON Pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet to join orchestra for final concerts of the season

Edwin Neimann

t’s been an exciting season for The Cleveland Orchestra Miami. The orchestra performed to sold-out houses at the Knight Concert Hall throughout the season, and the 10th Anniversary Gala Concert with Renée Fleming raised over $600,000 for the orchestra’s community outreach and education programs. To end their triumphant season, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet (hailed as “one of the best pianists in the world”) will join the orchestra on three subscription concerts March 17–19th. Members of the orchestra are also performing free concerts at libraries across Miami-Dade County on March 19th. The program for the concerts on March 1719th includes the world premiere of “Siklòn” by Avner Dorman (a work commissioned by the Arsht Center for the Cleveland Orchestra Miami, to celebrate the ten-year partnership between the two), The Liszt 2nd Piano Concerto, one of the most thrilling and vibrant concertos in the piano repertoire, and Mahler’s epic First Symphony (“Titan”). Pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet has recorded over 50 albums and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. His repertoire spans from J.S. Bach to Duke Ellington & Bill Evans. Thibaudet has also had an impact on the world of fashion and film. His concert wardrobe is by celebrated London designer Vivienne Westwood, and he was the soloist for the film scores for “Atonement” and “Pride and Prejudice”. He and his partner Paul have homes in Los Angeles and Paris and often travel together. SFGN had the chance to speak with Thibaudet recently about the upcoming concerts with the Cleveland Orchestra Miami as well as some of his musical influences: Q. At what age or point in life did you realize you wanted to be a concert pianist? I knew I wanted to be a pianist from the time I started playing at age 5. Arthur Rubinstein was my idol. Around the age of 17 or 18 I started winning big competitions and I was certain this was the path I would take.

Q. Is there something you would like our readers to know about the concerto (Liszt No. 2) you are performing with the Cleveland Orchestra Miami? Franz Liszt was a mega rock star in his time. Women would throw their undergarments on the stage at his performances. The 2nd Concerto was quite modern for its time because it was cast in one movement and the themes return throughout the concerto. The piano part has all the virtuoso pyrotechnics that is common in Liszt, but there are also many sections that are lyrical and really beautiful. Q. What piano piece would you recommend someone listen to who is not a fan of classical music? Listen to a lot of music and you will discover what you like. I recommend starting with Liszt, Chopin & Rachmaninoff. Q. Who are your greatest musical influences? My last teacher, the late Aldo Ciccolini, was an incredible influence. Every lesson with him was so much more than just a piano lesson, more like a lesson on life. Arthur Rubinstein was one of my idols too. He had such a love for life and it showed in everything he did. I also learned so much from the many wonderful singers with whom I have collaborated. The voice is the only real instrument. On any other instrument the performer must try to make it sing like the human voice. Q. When you started your career you caused a lot of controversy by wearing colorful designer outfits for performances instead of the traditional tux and tie. This has now become common practice by young performers. Do you feel like classical music has relaxed a bit, and do you feel that you helped to bring about this change? Well I was the first to do it, but I cannot take credit for that change. I always thought it was ridiculous that we had to dress like penguins and look so stuffy at concerts, so I was delighted to do something different. I’m thrilled that it has become accepted now.

For tickets to the Cleveland Orchestra Miami concerts with Jean-Yves Thibaudet go to clevelandorchestramiami.com or call (305)949-6722.

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a&e theater

Photo: Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil’s newest arena production, “Toruk: The First Flight,” based on James Cameron’s sci-fi film, “Avatar,” comes to Miami this weekend.

“Toruk” Takes Flight at BB&T Center

J.W. Arnold

t’s been more than 30 years since Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil first became an international sensation with its European-style circus productions. Over the years, Cirque offered dazzling tumbling and aerial acts tied together by whimsical themes and new age music sung in an artificial language dubbed “Cirquish.” The imaginative company has explored mythology (“Varekai”) and ancient cultures (“Dralion”). More recently, incredibly popular shows have been staged in Las Vegas to the music of the Beatles (“Love”) and Michael Jackson (“One”). The company’s latest arena show, “Toruk: The First Flight,” which opened last weekend at the BB&T Center in Sunrise and moves to Miami’s American Airlines Arena on Friday, is inspired by James Cameron’s hit movie, “Avatar.” Set thousands of years before the arrival of humans on the planet Pandora, “Toruk” tells the story of two young Na’vi friends, Ralu (Jeremiah Hughes) and Entu (Daniel Crispin). Only a warrior who is pure of heart can save the Tree of Souls from an impending volcanic disaster, so the boys set out to collect five mystical items from the various Na’vi tribes. Along the way, Ralu and Entu are joined by Tsyal (Zoe Sabattle), a young female who defies her father to undertake the deadly journey. In turn, they are challenged by fierce viper wolves, six-legged horses and the other magical creatures of Pandora. Each encounter with the other clans is punctuated

by one of the typical circus acts that have become familiar in Cirque productions. But “Toruk” is much less circus than spectacle. There is plenty of acrobatic action, but the tricks take second place to the predictable story, told in English by a Na’vi narrator (Raymond O’Neill). It’s not necessary to have seen “Avatar” first, but still helpful since most of the dialogue occurs in the unintelligible native language. Thanks to high definition projections, the arena is transformed into the wondrous landscapes of Pandora. Realistic rivers and waterfalls flow, lava surges and performers fly amongst the clouds. The young warriors race through dense jungles and across desert plains. And the shadow of the fierce predator Toruk, the last sight for its victims, menaces all corners of the arena. Like Cameron’s movie, the show is one big metaphor for our planet’s own aboriginal cultures, their sacred relationships with nature and the struggle to survive the invasive arrival of Westerners, subtly and effectively preached in the narrator’s monologues. But if audiences don’t choose to think too hard, they will be more than satisfied with Cirque’s inventive—and big budget— costumes, animal puppets and technical effects. It’s not a circus or even “cirque” in the traditional sense, but the “Avatar”inspired story still serves as an impressive vehicle that will wow audiences in Miami and undoubtedly, around the world.

“Toruk: The First Flight,” based on James Cameron’s “Avatar” and performed by Cirque du Soleil, will be presented March 11 – 13 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. Tickets start at $55 at Ticketmaster.com.

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3.9.2016 •

Mar.9 to mar.15

Datebook

Theater Christiana Lilly

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Top

Picks

Toruk: The First Flight

March 10 to 13 at the AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Travel to Pandora in this exquisite show bringing together James Cameron’s “Avatar” and Cirque du Soleil. Tickets $55 to $695. Call 786-777-1000 or visit AAArena.com.

Fifty Shades of Hillary

March 11 to April 3 at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs. A hilarious satire of the “Fifty Shades of Grey” erotica novel together with the sexual escapades of Hillary Clinton. Tickets $39.22. Call 954-344-5999 or visit CoralSpringsCenterfortheArts.com.

LAST CHANCE: Inherit the Wind

Through March 13 at the Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave. in Lake Worth. When a science teacher attempts to teach evolution to his class, an explosion between science and religion threatens to tear the town apart in the Scopes Monkey Trial. Tickets $29 to $72. Call 561-5866410 or visit LakeWorthPlayhouse.org.

broward county Gold Coast Jazz: Ed Calle Big Band

March 9 at 7:45 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The saxophonist joins the jazz band for his influence of Latin, contemporary, and pop jazz. Tickets $50. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

* AC/DC

March 11 at 8 p.m. at the BB&T Center, One Panther Parkway in Sunrise. The Australian hard rock band continue their Rock or Bust Tour. Tickets $70.75 to $125.25. Call 800-7453000 or visit thebbtcenter.com.

* Medea

March 11 to 27 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Euripides’ tragedy of a woman whose husband falls for a younger woman is

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retold in a modern context. Tickets $30. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

* The Original Florida Follies

March 13 at 2 p.m. at the Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. Former New York and Las Vegas dancers ages 60 to 90 hit the stage to show they’ve still got it, benefitting Children’s Diagnostics and Treatment Centers and Family Central. Tickets $29.50. Call 954462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.org.

March 13 at 2 p.m. at the Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. Rock and roll favorites are performed in a unique fashion: with bagpipes! Tickets $23 to $43. Call 954462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.org.

March 9 to 13 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The small but mighty sex therapist’s story is told by Susan Greenhill, from surviving the Holocaust, serving in the Haganah as a sniper, and then a working single mother. Tickets $39. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

Janet Jackson

March 9 at 8 p.m. at the BB&T Center, One Panther Parkway in Sunrise. Jackson ends her Unstoppable Tour in Sunrise. Tickets $45.25 to $125.25. Call 800-745-3000 or visit thebbtcenter.com.

* Tony Bennett

March 15 at 8 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The musical treasure is joined onstage by his daughter, Antonia Bennett. Tickets $51 to $161. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

* Joe Satriani

March 16 at 8 p.m. at the Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. Sitriani has played guitar with the likes of Mick Jagger, Deep Purple, and Chickenfoot. Tickets $52.50 to $97.50. Call 954-462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.org.

Kinky Boots

* Itzhak Perlman: 20th Anniversary of ‘In the Fiddler’s House’

March 10 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. A celebration of the 20th anniversary of Perlman’s PBS special. Tickets $39 and up. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

* Tony Bennett

* Red Hot Chilli Pipers

Becoming Dr. Ruth: Unexpected Journey

palm beach county

Through March 13 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Charlie Price has taken over his father’s shoe business, and it’s in deep trouble -- until the flamboyant dancer Lola asks him to make a great pair of stiletto boots. Tickets $30 to $110. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

March 11 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The musical treasure is the winner of 18 Grammy Awards. Tickets $36 and up. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

* Joffrey Ballet

March 12 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The classical ballet company celebrates its 60th season. Tickets $30 and up. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

* Dudu Fisher in Concert

March 13 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Enjoy a show traveling through Fisher’s career as a Broadway star and Israeli artist. Tickets $25 and up. Call 561-8327469 or visit Kravis.org.

* Axiom Brass

March 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. A part of the Young Artist Series, a quintet of trumpets, the French horn, trombone, and tuba. Tickets $30. Call 561-8327469 or visit Kravis.org.

* Capitol Steps: Mock the Vote

March 15 to 27 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Congress has never been so funny, with song parodies and satire of the political process and the upcoming election Tickets $40. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

The Devil’s Music

Through March 20 at ArtsGarage, 94 NE Second Ave. in Delray Beach. The story of Bessie Smith, “Empress of the Blues,” set in 1937 Memphis. Tickets $30 to $45. Call 561450-6357 or visit ArtsGarage.org.

miami-dade county * Itzhak Perlman: In the Fiddler’s House

March 9 at 8 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. A celebration of the 20th anniversary of Perlman’s PBS special. Tickets $50 to $150. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.

* Flamenco Festival: Ballet Flamenco de Andalucia

March 9 and 10 at 8 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. See flamenco in its purest form. Tickets $25 to $95. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.

* Romance/Romance

March 10 to 13 at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. Two love stories, one in modern day Manhattan and the other in turn-of-the-century Vienna. Tickets $40 to $45. Call 305-466-8002 or visit AventuraCenter.org.

* Sinatra Sings Sinatra

March 11 at 8 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Frank Sinatra, Jr. sings his father’s music in honor of what would have been his 100th birthday. Tickets $25 to $130. Call 305949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.

* Flamenco Festival: Compania Rocio Molina

March 12 at 8 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Rocio Molina is joined by three male dancers and six musicians to demonstrate the struggle of survival. Tickets $25 to $95. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.

* Rihanna

March 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. First discovered by Jay-Z, the singer has created her own unique sound and style that has carried her through the years. For her North American dates, Travis Scott will be joining her. Tickets $31 to $151. Call 786-777-1000 or visit AAArena.com.

* Tones on Tales: A Night of Samuel Beckett

March 16 to 20 at 8 p.m. at the Miami Theater Center, 9806 NE Second Ave. in Miami Shores. Put on by the Mad Cat Theatre Company, an exploration of the diminishing light, space, and sound in life. Tickets $25. Call 305-751-9550 or visit MTCMiami.org.

* An Evening with Dudu Fisher

March 16 to 22 at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. Enjoy a show traveling through Fisher’s career as a Broadway star and Israeli artist. Tickets $50 to $100. Call 305466-8002 or visit AventuraCenter.org.

* Denotes New Listing

3.9.2016 â&#x20AC;¢

Mar.9 to mar.15

Datebook

Community Christiana Lilly Calendar@SFGN.com

Top Picks

Red Hat Brunch

March 10 from from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Celebrate National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day with the center’s annual brunch. Call 561-5339699, email patrice@compassglcc.com, or visit CompassGLCC.com.

Here & Now: Queer Geographies in Contemporary Photography

March 11 from 1 to 10 p.m. at Stonewall National Museum - Wilton Manors Gallery, 2157 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Three photographers explore the life of LGBT people across the United States and how this generation is redefining itself. The exhibit runs through April 1. RSVP to Chris Rudisill at chris@stonewall-society.org.

Arsht Con

March 12 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Arsht Center’s Ziff Ballet Opera House Peacock Foundation Studio, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. A day of video games, table top games, LAE Cosplay Photography, cosplay, and comic book signings by the authors of “The Hammer Trinity” and “The Legend of Zelda,” both of which will be performed as plays at the center. Free. Call 786-468-2888, email Gino Campodonico at gcampodonico@ arshtcenter.org, or visit ArshtCenter.org.

Broward Support Services

814 NE Seventh St. in Fort Lauderdale. Network over drinks and bites, benefitting Stonewall. Tickets $10 donation. RSVP to Karen Evans 305-810-9415.

Gender Bender Youth Group

* Movie Screening: Tangerine

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

PFLAG Tuesdays in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and Southwest Ranches. A support group for parents of LGBT youth 13 to 21. Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com for dates and locations.

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

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.

* SAGE Benefit: Honoring Tony

broward county Timiraos

* Pen like a Pro: Manga Workshop

March 12 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Tate’s Comics, 4566 N. University Drive in Lauderhill. Award-winning manga artist Kohei Nishino hosts a session about creating Japanese comic books. Free. Contact the Consulate-General of Japan in Miami and Miwako Patton at culture@mi.mofa.go.jp or call 305-530-9090.

* Get Lucky Bingo

March 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. Join the St. Patrick’s Day Bingo game. Game package $15. Visit PrideCenterFlorida.org.

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March 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 .m. at 2415 Middle River Drive in Fort Lauderdale. A benefit for SAGE USA in honor of Tony Timiraos. Tickets $100. Email Jerry Chasen at jchasen@sageusa. org or visit SAGEUSA.org/FLL.

* Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Network Gala

March 13 from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Venue, 2345 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Join others in the legal field for drinks and networking. Tickets $80 to $125 benefitting Latinos Salud and The Pet Project. Visit GLLN.org.

* Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce March Mixer

March 15 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Piazza Navona Luxury Town Homes Victoria Park,

March 15 at 7 p.m. at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. A transgender sex worker discovers that her boyfriend -- also her pimp -- has been cheating on her. Visit PrideCenterFlorida.org.

palm beach county * Creating Manga: An Artist’s Perspective

March 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road in Delray Beach. Free. Contact the Consulate-General of Japan in Miami and Miwako Patton at culture@ mi.mofa.go.jp or call 305-530-9090.

* Foster Parent Orientation Session

March 15 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Cayuga Center, 3155 Lake Worth Road Suite 1 in Palm Springs. Learn what it takes to be a foster parent and make a difference in a child’s life. Call Marta Gifford at 561-398-5330 or visit CayugaCenters. org/Become-Foster-Parent.

* Pride Business Alliance March Mixer

miami-dade county * Creating Manga: An Artist’s Perspective

March 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at MiamiDade College Wolfson Campus, 315 NE Second Ave. Build 8 in Miami. Award-winning manga artist Kohei Nishino hosts a session about creating Japanese comic books. Free. Contact the Consulate-General of Japan in Miami and Miwako Patton at culture@mi.mofa.go.jp or call 305-530-9090.

* Miami Beach Garden Tour

March 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Drive in Miami Beach. Take a tour of six beautiful gardens on the beach, meeting at the center. At the center, there will be a flower show, plant sale, and boutique until 5 p.m. Tickets $30. Call 305673-7256 or visit MBGarden.org.

Book Study

Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Drolma Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1273 Coral Way in Miami. Buddhist monk, Gen Kelsang Nurbu, will lead classes on learning the foundations of Buddhism. Call 786-529-7137.

Capoeira

March 16 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa, 2842 S. Ocean Blvd. in Palm Beach. Mix and mingle with other business owers in the area. Visit PBA-Mar. EventBrite.com.

Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Bayfront Park’s Tina Hills Pavilion, 1075 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Learn the Brazilian art of capoeira, a mix of dance and martial arts, with Mestre Ze Com Fome. Free. Call 305-989-6628 or visit mestrezeomfome.com.

Coming Out Support Group

Prayers For World Peace

Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. a Compass GLCC of the Palm Beaches, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Get support as you explore your sexual identity and be your true self. Call Forrest at 561-479-8313.

Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon at the Drolma Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1273 Coral Way in Miami. Buddhist teacher, Todd Ellenberg will lead prayers and meditation. Cost $10. Call 786-529-7137.

Queer Alternatives

Modern Buddhist Meditation

Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. An all encompassing social group, those 18 to 29 who consider themselves to be lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, questioning, or anything in between are welcome to join! Free. Call 561-533-9699 or visit CompassGLCC.com.

Compass Entourage

Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Free. Gay and bisexual men ages 18 to 29 are invited to socialize and meet new people with different planned activities, such as movie nights, volleyball games, discussion groups, nights out, and more. Free. Call 561-533-9699 or visit CompassGLCC.com.

Mondays and Tuesdays at the Drolma Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1273 Coral Way in Miami. Find inner peace with instruction on meditation with Buddhist monk, Gen Kelsang Nurbu. Cost $10 and $5 per class. Call 786-529-7137.

Yoga in the Park

Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m. at Bayfront Park’s Tina Hills Pavilion, 1075 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Yogis 18 and older are invited to a yoga session taught by a certified teacher. Classes will be moved indoors in the event of rain. Bring your own mag, water, and towel. Free. Call 305-358-7550 or visit BayfrontParkMiami.com/Yoga.html

I’m 26 and transitioning. I have a lot going on - I don’t need to be mocked, misgendered, or marginalized, and I don’t have time to hunt out news that matters to me. That’s why I read EDGE on my Android tablet. I’m being true to my future - and that’s where it will be.

The person depicted here is a model. Their image is being used for illustrative purposes only.

3.9.2016 •

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

attorney

landscaping

electrician

HARRY’S ELECTRIC RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL - Additions, renovations, service upgrades, breaker panels,FPL undergrounds, code violations, A/C wiring, ceiling fans, recessed, security & landscaping, lighting, pools, pumps, Jacuzzis, water heaters, FREE PHONE ESTIMATES 954-522-3357 Lic & Ins. www. harryelectrician.com

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

MIKE THE GARDENER - Lawn and Garden care. Trim, cut, prune plants and trees, apply mulch, stone and flowers and more. Call Mike at (561)543-6337

licensed massage

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

AFFORDABLE AWESOME MASSAGE BY JIM Offering Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports and LomiLomi Massage for Men; in a very comfortable, relaxed and Private Massage Studio, NOW conveniently located in Wilton Manors on NE 26th Street, with plenty of free parking. Same Day appointments are welcome; please call Jim, 954-600-5843 email: info@ massagebyjim.com or visit my website for testimonials, rates and more. GREAT OPENING SPECIAL NOW AVAILABLE! www.massagebyjim.com Licensed and Certified MM22293

CNA, HHA WANTED FOR FULL TIME POSITION - Accepting applications for certified CNA, HHA for full time position. Background check, verifiable references and current drivers license required. Call Antonio at 954-599-3265 for appointment.

INCREDIBLY AWESOME BODY WORK - In-calls at a private studio 15 minutes west of PBIA. Intuitive, experienced licensed massage therapist offers affordable rates 7 days, early to late. ASK ABOUT WEEKLY SPECIALS! Calls only 561-254-8065 for the very best massage experience you can get HANDS DOWN! Call for Spring Specials! #MA51008

employment full time

employment positions wanted

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

licensed massage

roommates ROOMMATE WANTED - 3bdr, 2.5 bath condo at the Tennis Club. $550 per month all inclusive. Must have job, transportation. No Smokers. Ideal for tennis player. Contact George.Alvan@yahoo.com

home & garden

• • • • • •

Screen Room Enclosures Pool Enclosures Pavers Hurricane Shutters Sunrooms Pergolas

folow the action.

sfgn.com help wanted EARN $300+ PER DAY - Activists Needed To Collect signatures to get Medical Marijuana on ballot. Earn $300+ per day. 954-616-7736; 754204-0114 Make own hours. help wanted! - New full service gym located on E. Sunrise Blvd., looking for part time front desk help (Tues & Wed 5am- 10am and 8am-2pm every other Sat &Sun) and fill in as needed. Contact Julian via email julian@stamina1640.com. Seeking Front Desk Person For Dental Office - Looking to hire full time 8-5 front desk person for receptionist, answering phones, filing, making appts. Full time position with benefits and fun, relaxed working atmosphere for the right person. No previous dental experience needed. Willing to train if you have good attitude and work ethic. To apply, email opdentalung@aol.com.

handyman

HUSBAND FOR RENT - Is he procrastinating home repairs? He says he will do it tomorrow?? After the football game?? We fit right in - in the house or the yard, small or big jobs: tile, dry wall, paint, plumbing, roof leaks, broken furniture, irrigation, fences, and more!It doesn't cost to hassle us to see the work - so why wait? Neat, clean work for a reasonable price. Call Haim at 954-398-3676, sidnalll@yahoo.com

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

piano

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954.993.7477 Licensed & Insured • Residential & Commercial

• 3.9.2016

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE PIANO? Learn from an experienced teacher. All levels and ages welcome. Learn to play classical, popular, jazz, or show tunes. Visit www.edwinchad. com or call 954-826-9555 for more information.

pool service COOL POOLS- RELIABLE POOL SERVICE Professional pool service.Covering Wilton Manors, Lighthouse Point, and eastside of Pompano Beach. 15 years experience. Licensed and insured.Free estimates. Call 954-235-0775.

rentals MIKE THE RENTAL GUY - NE Lauderdale/Wilton Manors/Oakland/Victoria Park-1/1 from $950 2/1 from $1150. Credit & Income RequirementsPets okay with restriction. Call for Details Mike 561-703-5533 $825/MONTH /DOWNTOWN/SAILBOAT BEND - Quiet, small complex. 1 BD/1 BA. Large walk-in closet, carpets, Living room,dining area,kitchen, FREE hot water, NEW A/C, LOW electric bills, assigned parking, F/L/S $825/Mo. 954-566-6251

rentals fort lauderdale

pets/supplies

SOUTH MIDDLE RIVER - South Middle RiverPOOL- One bedroom garden apartment on lush grounds. Available 04/01 for tenant with prior rental references. Includes water. One pet welcome! Washer/Dryer on premises. Don't miss this one! $850 (954) 200 0166

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3.9.2016 •

Welcoming the Zachariah Family Broward Health Imperial Point welcomes the Zachariah family―made up of three renowned cardiologists―to our growing team of dedicated, highly-skilled physicians to elevate world-class cardiac services right in the convenience of your neighborhood. Patients who come to Broward Health Imperial Point for their cardiac care will benefit tremendously from the Zachariahs' collective years of extensive medical training, cardiac health awareness, interdisciplinary approach and compassionate care. The newly expanding cardiac services will include cardiac catheterization, stent procedures and the building of a chest pain center which will expedite the assessment and treatment of those suffering from chest pain. This critical early intervention can improve patient outcomes and ultimately save lives. If you have cardiac concerns, Broward Health Imperial Point's multidisciplinary team of cardiologists are now here for you. To learn more, call 954.772.2200

They’re bringing even more heart to Broward Health.

6405 N. Federal Highway, Suite 200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308