'DRAG
CAN HEALTH STILL WAITING ON REFUND FROM PRIDE FORT LAUDERDALE
John HaydenPride Fort Lauderdale’s financial health is questionable. One of those questions is: when will they repay money owed to CAN Community Health? The answer is: not soon.
This week, CAN received an email that $50,000 owed to them will not be arriving on a previously agreed upon schedule. CAN/ Midland Health pulled out as a sponsor of Pride of the Americas (POTA), an event produced last month by Pride, citing a lack of transparency by, and questionable management of, the organization. They were a major sponsor and had committed $100,000 for this year and each of the next two years.
At the time they withdrew, CAN and Midland Health had already sent $75,000. In addition to refusing the final installment and pulling funds earmarked for Pride in 202324, they also asked for their money back. At the time, both Pride and CAN/Midland (they are now one entity but made separate donations) said a repayment would happen
and a tentative schedule was set.
Now it appears that Midland’s $25,000 will be repaid but CAN’s $50,000 is up in the air.
TALK TO OUR ATTORNEYS
SFGN reached out to Roger Capote, CAN’s Chief Communications Officer, shortly after receiving the notice.
“We have no comment on the issue,” he said. “All requests should be directed to our in-house counsel.”
Pride’s president, Miik Martorell, said they are working it out.
“CAN/Midland are great people that we appreciate wholeheartedly and we will work with them.”
The state of Pride’s finances are unclear. Originally predicted to lose money, sources close to POTA said they managed to make money. Martorell also said the organization has no plans to file bankruptcy. However, the revelation of delays to CAN/Midland are raising eyebrows.
Pride and CAN/Midland’s relationship has been tense for some time. SFGN published reports about chaotic internal relationships and a lack of planning for an event years in the making. CAN/Midland was unhappy with the way Pride responded to the stories and eventually severed the relationship. CAN’s decision to refer everything to their legal team marks a distinct deterioration of their relationship.
March 16, 2023 • Volume 14 • Issue 11 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943
Publisher/Editor • Jason Parsley Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com
Associate Publisher • Justin Wyse Justin@sfgn.com
Editorial Assistant to the Editor • Kimberly Swan Webmaster@sfgn.com
Social Media Director • Christiana Lilly
Graphic Designers • Julie Palmer Kyle Willis • Craig Tuggle
Graphic Design Consultant • Brendon Lies Artwork@sfgn.com
Arts/Entertainment Editor • J.W. Arnold JW@prdconline.com
Food/Travel Editor • Rick Karlin
HIV Editor • Sean McShee Community Editor • John Hayden john.jmhcreative@gmail.com
Senior Photographer • J.R. Davis JRDavis12000@hotmail.com
Senior Feature Columnists Brian McNaught • Jesse Monteagudo Special to SFGN
Steve Rothaus
Correspondents
John McDonald • Everitt Rosen • Sean Conklin Deon Jefferson • David-Elijah Nahmod Aurora Dominguez • Denise Royal Austen Erblat • Jessica Abramsky • Benjamin Manning • Mary Rasura • Christian Walden Christopher Flores
Contributing Columnists
Pier Angelo • Terri Schlichenmeyer Gregg Shapiro • Dana Rudolph
Associate Photographers Carina Mask • Steven Shires
Sales & Marketing
For ad placement in SFGN, contact 954-530-4970
Director •Justin Wyse Justin@sfgn.com
Senior Advertising Associate • Edwin Neimann Edwin@sfgn.com
Distribution Services Coordinator • J.R. Davis Distribution Assistant • Juan Manzano National Advertising Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com
Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping Printing by Stuart Web Inc. Owner Norm Kent
SOUTH FLORIDA GAY NEWS.COM, INC.
FOUNDED, DECEMBER, 2009 BY PIER GUIDUGLI AND NORM KENT
whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, Jason Parsley at Jason.Parsley@SFGN.com. SFGN is owned by Norm Kent and represented legally by Russell Cormican. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs.
Copyright © 2023 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.
WEEK, CAN RECEIVED AN EMAIL THAT $50,000 OWED TO THEM WILL NOT BE ARRIVING ON A PREVIOUSLY AGREED UPON SCHEDULE.
IT’S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE G
Lesbian
MARTINA NAVRATILOVA CREATES THE LESBIAN PROJECT
Tennis star Martina Navratilova founded a new lesbian rights group, The Lesbian Project. The non-profit is dedicated to the understanding and enhancement of lesbian lives in the U.K.
To mark the launch, Navratilova said, “At a time when lesbian rights in many countries are being eroded I am proud to be a patron of The Lesbian Project, an organization dedicated to the wellbeing of U.K.-based lesbians – a force for good.”
The organization was co-founded by Kathleen Stock, a former university professor who resigned after being targeted over her views on gender identity, and Julie Bindel, a feminist author. Stock previously received an OBE for her services to higher education from Queen Elizabeth II before stepping down.
... HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN THE LGBTQIA COMMUNITY
Transgender T
HEATHER DUBROW’S YOUNGEST CHILD COMES OUT AS TRANS
For International Sons Day on Mar. 4, Heather Dubrow and her husband, Terry, announced that their youngest child has come out as transgender.
“It’s International Son’s Day! We love you, our youngest son, Ace.”
“I think there are many more issues to talk about for lesbians than just the issue of gender identity,” said Stock to BBC's Woman’s Hour.
Stock named some of these issues as a lack of academic research, funding, and gender identity culture wars. Stock said the project will not be a "single-issue group."
Dubrow shared this tribute for her 12-yearold via Instagram and revealed his name as Ace. Ace marks the third of four of the Dubrow children to identify as members of the LGBT community.
“Our job as parents is to give our kids a safe and supportive environment so they can grow up as healthy, happy, confident, independent humans,” Dubrow wrote. “Since Ace is a 12-year-old child, with a long life ahead of him - we will let him tell his own story someday if he chooses to do so. All we can say is Ace, we love you so much and we are proud to be your
parents. Your brother and sisters love and support you, too."
After receiving mostly positive comments, Terry wrote back, “Thank you all for spreading the love.”
Troy Germain
I’ve been using Pallant since 2014 and they have provided great service and guidance while navigating all of the insurance challenges that Florida residents encounter.
Nonbinary
UPENN HONORS NON-BINARY AUTHOR AS FIRST SCHOLAR FOR NEW RESIDENCY
The University of Pennsylvania announced a commitment to creating the first LGBT residency at any university in the country. The residency is dedicated to “championing LGBTQ+ communities and scholarship” and is made possible by an anonymous $2 million donation.
The LGBTQ+ Scholar in Residence provides new resources to bring prominent leaders to Penn. The residency will launch this April with inaugural scholar ALOK who will be guest teaching and leading various aspects of campus life.
ALOK is an internationally acclaimed non-binary author and creator of #DeGenderFashion, an initiative to degender fashion and beauty industries.
“It’s a profound honor to be the Inaugural LGBTQ+ Scholar in Residence at the University of Pennsylvania,” said ALOK to PennToday. “In the face of escalating malalignment, we see a widening chasm between the reality of LGBTQ+ lives and
the misrepresentation of our communities in media and society. As LGBTQ+ scholars and artists, we must continue to debunk anti-LGBTQ+ misinformation while also harnessing the power of LGBTQ+ storytelling to create a more inclusive and magnificent world.”
THE COUNTRY ACROSS
MMA FIGHTERS OFFER SECURITY AFTER DRAG BRUNCH IS CANCELED
According to NBC News, after threats led to the cancellation of a drag brunch in a West Virginia restaurant, mixed martial arts coach Jonathan Haught volunteered himself and his trainees as security guards in a Facebook post. The drag bunch was scheduled for Feb. 26 at Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar in Triadelphia, West Virginia. Haught’s MMA studio is about six miles from the restaurant. People made threats towards the restaurant, performers and patrons, leading to the event cancellation and Haught’s offer.
“I’m not afraid to stand up to people, and I train to fight people all day, every day, so if somebody really wants to attack somebody, let them attack me instead,”
STATE BANS DRAG; OLD PHOTOS OF GOV IN DRAG SURFACE
On March 2, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill calling for restrictions on “adult cabaret entertainment,” according to NBC News. This bill, taking effect on April 1, defines “adult cabaret entertainment” as “topless dancers, gogo dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators, or similar entertainers.” The bill makes it a criminal offense for these events to take place on public property or outside of agerestricted venues. First-time offenders will be charged with misdemeanors while repeat offenders will face felonies and jail time up to six years.
Lee faced controversy in the days leading to the bill signing after photos of him in high school dressed in a cheerleading outfit and wig resurfaced on social media.
“What a ridiculous, ridiculous question that is,” Lee told The Tennessee Holler after being asked about the photo. “Conflating something like that to sexualized entertainment in front of children, which is a very serious subject.”
PROPOSED BILL SEEKS TO BAN ALMOST ALL GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE
Texas Republican State Sen. Bob Hall filed Senate Bill 1029 on Feb. 17, according to CBS News. The bill aims to ban public funding for gender-affirming care as well as restrict the ability of health insurance companies to cover it. It would also increase legal liability for providers.
CBS News spoke with Texas Health Action CEO Christopher Hamilton, which is a LGBT health nonprofit.
“This bill would have a chilling effect, halting all best practice medical care for all trans people in this state, regardless of age,” Hamilton said. “If this bill passes, insurers will no longer cover genderaffirming care, malpractice insurers will not provide malpractice insurance to providers, and physicians will not assume a personal financial lifetime
liability for providing gender affirming care, affecting nearly 100,000 trans people in the state.”
THE AROUNDWORLD
ASIA EUROPE
MARRIAGE EQUALITY MOVES FORWARD IN JAPAN
To put pressure on the administration before Japan holds the G7 conference in May, Japan’s biggest opposition party introduced a measure to parliament to approve same-sex marriage.
Because the ruling coalition has a sizable majority and has found it difficult to even come to terms with legislation banning discrimination against sexual minorities, the bill, which would update the Civil Code of laws, is essentially only a symbolic gesture.
According to South China Morning Post, the only member of the Group of Seven nations, Japan, does not recognize same-sex unions, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has recently come under increased pressure over LGBT rights.
The 1947 constitution of Japan states that “marriage shall only be with the mutual consent of both sexes,” however recent polls show that most Japanese people support legalizing same-sex unions.
WEST AFRICA
PROPOSED LAW IN UGANDA WOULD SEND GAYS TO PRISON FOR 10 YEARS
In defiance of condemnation from human rights organizations, Ugandan legislators submitted legislation to the parliament that calls for severe additional punishments for same-sex relationships in a nation where homosexuality is already prohibited.
An accelerated process to pass the bill was initiated by Speaker of the House Anita Among, who forwarded it to a parliamentary committee for review.
According to Africa News, in a speech before parliament that was laden with homophobic language, she stated that there would be “a public hearing” in which sexual minorities would be permitted to participate.
“Let the public come express their views — including the homos — allow them to come,” she said.
The bill is being introduced at a time
THERE’S MORE ONLINE!
POLISH MINISTER BLAMES ‘LGBT IDEOLOGY’ FOR CHILD SUICIDES
The Polish education minister, Przemysław Czarnek, claims that the “brainwashing” of “LGBT, neo-liberal, and neo-Marxist ideologies” is to blame for the surge in child suicide attempts, according to Notes From Poland. His suggested remedy is to promote traditional values, such as going to church, to aid young people in making a better distinction between right and wrong.
Poland has witnessed its largest even number of minor suicide attempts over the past two years, with 1,496 in 2021 and 2,031 in 2017. The latter figure was more than twice as high as the average for the years before 2021.
The problem’s root is the “powerful crisis of the family, the attack on it, on
Christianity, on the church, on religion, on everything that distinguishes good from evil,” said Czarnek.
when in conservative Uganda, rumors on social media are spreading that shadowy international forces are encouraging homosexuality.
Anyone who partakes in same-sex conduct or “holds out” as LGBT might be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison under the new law.
The length of the parliamentary procedure is unknown.
LAST WEEK'S COVER
YOU CAN VIEW THE ISSUE AT HTTPS://RB.GY/USSYT0
GOP LAWMAKER
NO TO PRIDE FLAGS, YES TO CONFEDERATE BANNERS
John HaydenAn audible gasp of shock and surprise could be heard through the audience at Tuesday’s city commission meeting in Wilton Manors. It happened when Vice Mayor Mike Bracchi announced that a proposed bill in Tallahassee would ban the flying of Pride flags on any government property, but that Confederate flags would be allowed.
The city is drafting a resolution opposing House Bill 1011 (HB 1011). The bill doesn’t specifically ban Pride flags, but issues a very limited list of flags that may be flown. Included in the original bill was the U.S. flag, Florida Flag, and the POW-MIA flag.
In the state Senate, Sen. Jay Collins (R-Tampa) introduced Senate Bill 668 (SB 668) which calls for “a certain protocol ... with specified requirements.” Collins also filed an amendment to his own bill that expanded the list of flags that could be flown. Some were practical, like including beach warning flags. But it was the inclusion of the Confederate flags that sparked outrage.
The public condemnation was swift with Collins already withdrawing his amendment. But the two original bills are still making their way through the legislative process. Neither bill would allow the rainbow, or Pride, flags.
“Clearly our community, as are others, is
under attack,” Commissioner Paul Rolli said. “I would like to make the resolution language stronger.”
His suggestions included giving priority to First Amendment rights and home rule arguments, and were adopted. “I think these are strong points to make at the outset.”
“We need to make sure that we’re heard,” Commissioner Chris Caputo told SFGN after the meeting. “Cities are supposed to have some ability to govern themselves. We’re going to send this to other cities and look for them to sign on – shows we’re taking leadership as a city.”
WE’LL DIE FIRST
Brandon Wolf of Equality Florida quickly denounced the move to resurrect and give government imprimatur to the disgraced symbol of hate. “The amendment to exempt Confederate flags, the symbol of those who tried to tear the United States apart in defense of slavery, sends a clear message that right-wing politicians would sooner prop up racist relics of traitors past than allow LGBTQ Floridians and other communities to see themselves publicly celebrated in their communities by way of flags,” he said.
Former Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner (D-Tampa) thought this battle had been won. She worked to remove the confederate flag from the state Senate’s seal in 2015 and told FloridaBulldog.org she thought this was finished.
of slavery and hatred to be flown after all that has been done in America. It just appears now that there is a move afoot to take us back to slavery. But we’re not going. We’ll die first.”
Moves to remove confederate flags and monuments have been going on for years, and gained steam in the last decade. States removed the confederate iconography from flags and statues to traitors were dramatically defaced and removed across many cities.
These bills may find other opponents as well besides the LGBT community.
Scott Herman, a veteran and a former president of the Dolphin Democrats, was irked that the initial bill did not include military flags either.
National Guard, city and county flags, college and university flags, the United Nations flag, and the Olympics flag.
A senate staff review of SB 668 said the proposed law may limit free speech. Even though Collins’ amendment was withdrawn it could be re-inserted into the final bill if SB 668 and HB 1011 pass and go to a joint committee.
- Scott“The confederate flag is a relic of the past. It represents and is a symbol of the worst of this country’s racism and hate and evokes anger and fear and trauma in Black people for sure. Back then we had a different kind of Republican Party, people who respected where America was and where it ought to be. It is abhorrent that he would allow this symbol
“Republicans are for freedom except if you are LGBTQ, or served in the military,” he said. “Then your military branch flag, Pride flag, Christian flag, or other flag is wrong. Also if you’re from another country, or any other state then, your respective flags are also not allowed under this bill.”
In addition to the confederate flag and beach warnings, the withdrawn amendment also included the flags of foreign nations, the flags of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Florida
“This law is just a continuation of the right-wing assault on free expression in classrooms. The law appears to apply to university level classrooms, so it not only impacts the rights of children, but adults as well. It raises serious constitutional concerns about the first amendment rights of both students and teachers,” said Russell Cormican, a first amendment rights attorney in Fort Lauderdale. “By prohibiting the display of certain flags, the law not only allows lawmakers to prevent flags that honor certain groups, like the Pride flag, but also flags that tell the story of our state’s history, like the Spanish, French and British flags. Flags are an important way of conveying ideas and learning about history and therefore they should be afforded protection as a form of expression.”
“REPUBLICANS ARE FOR FREEDOM EXCEPT IF YOU ARE LGBTQ, OR SERVED IN THE MILITARY, THEN YOUR MILITARY BRANCH FLAG, PRIDE FLAG, CHRISTIAN FLAG, OR OTHER FLAG IS WRONG."
Herman
VETERAN AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE DOLPHIN DEMOCRATSJason Parsley contributed to this report.
PROVIDING OF EXPERIENCE
in the treatment and prevention of HIV, STD and Viral Hepatitis.
WECKER DR. JESSICA ALTAMIRANOFORT LAUDERDALE
1726 SE 3rd Ave. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (754) 701-6920
MIAMI GARDENS
13936 NW 7th Avenue Miami, FL 33168 (786) 800-5631
PLANTATION
4101 Nw 3rd Court, Suite 9 Plantation, Fl 33317 (754) 701-6911
(844) 922-2777
CANCOMMUNITYHEALTH.ORG
WALK-INS WELCOME AT ALL LOCATIONS
SOUTH BEACH
427 Washington Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 514-0813
LAKE WORTH 201 N. Dixie Hwy Lake Worth, FL 33460 (561) 867-9991
LESBIAN MAYOR OF TAMPA WINS REELECTION BY LANDSLIDE
Jason ParsleyJane Castor, Mayor of Tampa and an out LGBT woman, easily won reelection March 7 with 80% of the vote. But there’s one caveat. She didn’t have an opponent except for a blank line where voters could fill in whomever they wanted.
According to the Tampa Bay Times some of those write-ins went to Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady; Tampa’s strip club king Joe Redner; Mickey Mouse; Santa Claus; and Spongebob Squarepants.
“It is clear the Tampa community is allin for Jane – across all party lines. She has ushered in a new level of prosperity and equity for the city by delivering real results and passing smart policies for the community she loves,” said Annise Parker, President of Victory Fund, in a press release. “While today’s result is a victory for all Tampa residents, it is also a meaningful victory for Florida’s LGBTQ+ community. With anti-LGBTQ hate
FLORIDIANS READY TO GET ‘HIGH’ POLL SHOWS STRONG SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA
Anew poll shows 70% of Floridians supporting a proposed constitutional amendment in the state that would legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and up. This is down from 76% in Spring of 2022, but from 64% in November of 2019.
Voters approved an amendment legalizing medicinal marijuana in 2016 with 71%.
The poll from University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab shows 45% strongly supporting this issue and 25% somewhat supporting. The support ranges across the political spectrum including Republicans (57%), Democrats (76%), and Independents (78%).
spreading like wildfire in Florida, Jane has consistently fought back. We are confident Jane will continue making Tampa a bastion for LGBTQ+ rights and equality in the state.” Castor is a Democrat and former Tampa police chief.
“Efforts to put recreational marijuana in front of voters in 2024 are in the beginning stages, but support for it is high across the political spectrum,” said Michael Binder, PORL faculty director and professor of political science, in a press release. “If it makes it onto the ballot next year, and that’s
abig ‘if,’ it has a good chance of reaching the 60% supermajority needed to pass.” Photo by Cannabis Training University, via Wikimedia Commons.
DESANTIS BLAMES MAJOR BANK COLLAPSE ON DIVERSITY
Jason ParsleySilicon Valley Bank collapsed March 10 after depositors panicked and attempted to pull $42 billion out of the bank on March 9 alone, creating a run on the bank.
But Gov. Ron DeSantis pointed to another reason why the bank failed: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
“I mean, this bank, they’re so concerned with DEI and politics and all kinds of stuff. I think that really diverted from them focusing on their core mission,” DeSantis said on Fox News Channel’s Sunday morning show.
There is no evidence DEI played a role in the bank’s collapse.
Financial experts said SVB failed because of bad investments. On March 8 the bank announced it had sold a lot of securities at a loss and would need to raise $2.25 billion to shore up its balance sheet. That triggered a panic among venture capital firms, who advised companies to withdraw their money from the bank. On March 10 federal regulators took the bank over.
Michael Steele, a Black man and former chair of the Republican National Committee Chairman, slammed DeSantis on Twitter.
“Would you stop with your ‘woke’ BS @GovRonDeSantis You know damn well DEI had nothing to do with the collapse of #SVBBank. Have you seen their executive team? So you’re saying bringing people of color into executive leadership caused the bank to fail. You’re just unserious,” Steele tweeted. “...how about poor fiscal management, an inability to raise capital, miscalculating the impact of higher interest rates on its portfolio and the collapse of crypto being a better cause for #SVBank to fail than trying to diversify its
board. Good grief.”
SVB is a regional bank in California catering to the tech industry. Federal regulators also took over a second bank in New York on March 12 after facing a “crisis of confidence,” according to the Wall Street Journal. This the second and third largest bank failures in the U.S.
Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus, a major donor to DeSantis’ re-election campaign, echoed the governor’s faux concerns about DEI.
“I feel bad for all of these people that lost all their money in this woke bank. You know, it was more distressing to hear that the bank officials sold off their stock before this happened,” Marcus told Fox News. “It’s depressing to me. Who knows whether the Justice Department would go after them? They’re a woke company, so I guess not. And they’ll probably get away with it.”
SVB’s website features a page on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with the tagline “We believe inclusion ignites innovation.”
“We embrace diverse perspectives and foster a culture of belonging,” the webpage reads.
“We also know that diverse perspectives and inclusive environments ignite new ideas to power innovation.”
The New York Post also ran with the “woke” narrative in a story Saturday, “While Silicon Valley Bank collapsed, top executive pushed ‘woke’ programs.”
The article detailed all the ways in which SVB supported the LGBT community including its “first month-long Pride campaign and a new blog emphasizing mental health awareness for LGBTQ+ youth.”
POLL: DESANTIS BEATS TRUMP IN FLA.
In a new poll Gov. Ron DeSantis bests former President Donald Trump in Florida for the Republican nomination for the 2024 election.
The survey from the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab showed DeSantis winning with 52% with Trump taking 27%. The rest of the candidates are in the low single digits.
In a head-to-head matchup 59% support DeSantis with 28% supporting Trump.
“It’s not too surprising to see DeSantis take the lead among Republicans in his home state of Florida,” said Michael Binder, PORL faculty director and professor of political science, in a press release. “But it is interesting to see how his lead jumps up from 25 to 31 points ahead, once you winnow the field from 10 to two. DeSantis is much better compared to Trump at
GOP VOTERS OPPOSE EFFORTS TO BAN ABORTION, EXPAND GUN RIGHTS
consolidating votes if the field were to narrow.”
While this may be good news for DeSantis there are a slew of states that will vote before the March 19, 2024 primary in Florida. In the first primary of the election season, New Hampshire, Trump enjoys a 41-point lead.
Anew poll published March 9 shows Floridians are opposed to GOP lawmakers’ efforts to further restrict abortion access and expand gun rights in the state.
The survey from the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab showed 61% Republicans being opposed with 75% in total opposed.
But there’s an asterisk.
The wording of the question includes “with no exceptions for rape or incest.” The survey was conducted before GOP lawmakers filed a new abortion bill that bans it at six weeks, but includes exceptions for rape, incest, life of the mother or serious physical damage to the mother.
Another bill, if passed, would allow Floridians to carry a concealed weapon without a permit or license. Republicans were strongly opposed to the bill with 62% against. In total 77% oppose the bill. Only 21% support the proposed legislation.
Meanwhile on March 9 the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld in a 3-0 ruling a gun restriction law passed after the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The law in question raised the minimum age to purchase a gun from 18 to 21.
“Not only is there bipartisan opposition to this ‘constitutional carry’ bill, but folks seem to feel passionately about it with the majority [67%] saying they strongly oppose the bill,”
said Michael Binder, PORL faculty director and professor of political science, in a press release. “Even among Republicans, most people are against carrying weapons without a permit.”
A small majority of Republicans, 51%, also oppose a proposed constitutional amendment that would make school board races partisan. Currently they are nonpartisan, meaning the officials do not run as Democrats or Republicans. In total 65% oppose it.
Respondents were also asked what the most important problem facing Florida was.
“Affordable housing has been an issue of rising concern for Floridians, shooting up to top problem this year at 25% from just 2% last Spring,” Binder said. “Among the major themes in the ‘something else’ writein category is politicians and divisive politics with about 6%, and property insurance has a notable presence as well.”
After housing the responses were as follows: economy (17%); Education (12%); immigration (10%); environment (7%); gun policy (7%); divisive politics (6%); something else (6%); crime (5%); and healthcare (5%).
For Democrats and Independents, housing topped their list while the economy topped the list for Republicans.
The survey was conducted from Feb. 25 to March 7, with a total of 1,452 respondents. The poll’s margin of error was 2.57 percentage points.
FLORIDIANS OPPOSE ELIMINATION OF COLLEGE DIVERSITY PROGRAMS
Jason ParsleyAnew poll shows Floridians oppose a GOP-led effort to prohibit public colleges and universities from supporting campus activities or programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and critical race theory.
The survey from the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab shows 61% opposing the efforts with 35% in support. Republicans though support the legislation with 56%, while Democrats oppose it with 79% and Independnets with 68%.
“Despite elevated support among Republicans, many voters we spoke to are not so thrilled about some of [Gov. Ron] DeSantis’s most recent proposals in his war on ‘woke’ culture,” said Michael Binder, PORL faculty director and professor of political science, in a press release. “A notable chunk of Republicans (38%) don’t like the
THIEL PLAYS KEY ROLE IN BANK COLLAPSE
Jason ParsleyPeter Thiel, a gay man, played a key role in the Silicon Valley Bank collapse that happened March 10.
Thiel is a founder of Founders Fund, a venture capital firm. On March 9 the fund advised their portfolio companies to pull money from the bank. SVB is a regional bank in California catering to the tech industry.
restrictions, but the 56% in support reflects the likely outcome in Florida’s Republicancontrolled legislature.”
The survey was conducted from Feb. 25 to March 7, with a total of 1,452 respondents.
The poll’s margin of error was 2.57 percentage points.
Financial experts said SVB failed because of bad investments. On March 8 the bank announced it had sold a lot of securities at a loss and would need to raise $2.25 billion to shore up its balance sheet. That triggered a panic among venture capital firms, including Thiel’s, who advised companies to withdraw their money from the bank. On March 10 federal regulators took the company over.
Thiel is best known for being a founder of PayPal and early investor of Facebook.
TRUMP FLOATS NEW NAMES FOR DESANTIS
THE FORMER PRESIDENT IS HUNTING FOR THE PERFECT NICKNAME TO HUMILIATE HIS ARCHRIVAL
Ron DisHonest. Ron DeEstablishment.
Tiny D. Ron DeSanctimonious.
Shutdown Ron. Meatball Ron.
These are some of the names former President Donald Trump has been floating for Gov. Ron DeSantis to prepare to attack the governor when he announces for president.
DeSantis is widely expected to announce his candidacy after the legislative season wraps up in May. Trump has already accused DeSantis of being disloyal to him for even considering a run for the White House.
But Trump hasn’t waited to go on the attack.
Publicly he’s already given him the moniker Ron DeSanctimonious, but media outlets have reported privately he’s been trying out other names mentioned above.
On Feb. 7, Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to even accuse DeSantis of “grooming.”
ACCORDING TO MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA:
“Trump reposted a picture that appeared to show a young DeSantis — from when he was a teacher at a preparatory school — drinking and in the arms of several of his students. The picture was captioned “Here
is Ron DeSanctimonious grooming high school girls with alcohol as a teacher. While the authenticity of the photos is unverified, reports from former students appear to confirm DeSantis socialized with high schoolers at parties while employed as a teacher.”
In another attack media outlets reported Trump was privately calling DeSantis “Meatball Ron.”
Trump denied the reports by calling him posting on Truth Social “I will never call Ron DeSanctimonious ‘Meatball’ Ron, as the Fake News is insisting I will.”
In another post Trump wrote: “His loyalty skills are really weak. It would be totally inappropriate to use the word ‘meatball’ as a moniker for Ron!”
But According to Bloomberg Trump still favors “Ron DeSanctimonious,” – the first name he came up with.
During his initial run for president in 2016 Trump branded many of his rivals with disparage nicknames including “Low Energy Jeb” for former Florida governor Jeb Bush; and “Little Marco” for Florida Senator Marco Rubio.
He’s come up with so many nicknames Wikipedia has a whole page, List of nicknames used by Donald Trump, dedicated to the subject.
SANTOS DENIES MASTERMIND ROLE IN CREDIT CARD SKIMMING SCHEME
John McDonaldDisgraced U.S. Congressman George Santos denied being the mastermind behind a 2017 credit card skimming scheme that resulted in the imprisonment and deportation of a Brazilian man, who claims to be the gay Republican’s ex-roommate.
In a sworn affidavit, obtained by Politico, Gustavo Ribeiro Trelha alleges Santos, going by the name Anthony Devolder, instructed him on how to clone ATM and credit cards. Santos said the story is false.
“I’m innocent. I never did anything of criminal activity and I’m no mastermind of anything,” Santos told Capitol Hill reporters March 10.
Trelha served seven months in prison and was deported to Brazil. He told authorities he rented a room in Santos’ Florida apartment and traveled to Seattle to operate the scam with profits to be split evenly between the two men.
Trelha was arrested April 27. He said Santos visited him in jail, telling him to keep quiet or things would get worse.
Santos can be heard telling a judge he is a “family friend” in an audio recording from Trelha’s May 15 arraignment in King County Superior Court. Santos also tells the judge he works for Goldman Sachs inNew York, one of his many admitted fabrications.
The latest scandal adds to a laundry list of headaches for Santos, currently under a House ethics investigation for “unlawful activity” during his 2022 campaign and alleged sexual harassment of a former volunteer aide. Santos is also the subject of federal and state probes into his campaign finances.
CHASTEN BUTTIGIEG RESPONDS TO PENCE’S 'HOMOPHOBIC' JOKE
Jason Parsley"Where would you be?
That’s the question Chasten Buttigieg had for Mike Pence after he made a “homophobic” paternity joke towards his husband Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
Pence, the former Vice President, made note of the widespread flight disruptions and other travel issues in recent months, joking that Pete “is the only person in human history to have a child and everyone else gets postpartum depression.”
Chasten pushed back against Pence on Monday on Instagram, captioning a photo of Pete in the hospital.
“An honest question for you,@mikepence, after your attempted joke this weekend. If your grandchild was born prematurely and placed on a ventilator at two months old –their tiny fingers wrapped around yours as the monitors beep in the background – where would you be?”
Pence made the joke at the annual Gridiron dinner for journalists on Saturday in Washington.
In 2021, Pete and his husband welcomed twins into their family. Soon thereafter the twins were hospitalized with a respiratory virus infection.
In a Medium post last August Pete reflected on his one year of parenthood.
“We started hearing words like ‘serious’ and then ‘critical,’ and soon the doctor was recommending we immediately transfer Gus to a full-scale children’s hospital in
Grand Rapids, about a hundred miles away, and place him on a ventilator. Next thing we knew, the doctor had determined that the ventilator couldn’t wait — Gus would need to be intubated now and then transferred. To spare our emotions, he encouraged us to step outside the room while they did the procedure, saying ‘it’s not a pleasant thing.’ We clutched each other in a long hug in the hallway standing just outside the door, trying through tears to reassure each other over the sounds coming from inside his hospital room.”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre slammed Pence on Monday and called for him to apologize. She called jokes “homophobic” and “inappropriate.”
“The former vice president’s homophobic joke about Secretary Buttigieg was offensive and inappropriate, all the more so because he treated women suffering from postpartum depression as a punchline,” she said. “He should apologize to women and LGBTQ people, who are entitled to be treated with
dignity and respect.”
Marc Short, Pence’s former chief of staff, called Jean-Pierre’s remarks “faux outrage.”
“The White House would be wise to focus less on placating the woke police and focus more on bank failures, planes nearly colliding in mid-air, train derailments, and the continued supply chain crisis,” Short Tweeted
Pete was the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana while Pence was governor of the state.
Pete continued in the Medium post.
“Parenting is lots of things, and one of those things is terror. You watch your infant, sedated and surrounded by wires and tubes and monitors and medical personnel coming and going constantly, and wonder how we could live in a universe where a few weeks could be all that a child gets on this earth. Sometimes it felt like the whole world had become the four walls of this hospital room. But the rest of the world, and its needs, hadn’t stopped, starting with our daughter. We alternated taking time at the hotel to take care of Penelope.”
“THE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT’S HOMOPHOBIC JOKE ABOUT SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG WAS OFFENSIVE AND INAPPROPRIATE, ALL THE MORE SO BECAUSE HE TREATED WOMEN SUFFERING FROM POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AS A PUNCHLINE.”
- Karine Jean-Pierre WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY
MIAMI 'KAREN' TO LESBIAN: ‘YOU RAPE CHILDREN’
Jason ParsleyA RECENTLY POSTED TIKTOK HAS GONE VIRAL SHOWING A WOMAN INSIDE A MIAMI STARBUCKS ACCUSING A LESBIAN OF RAPING CHILDREN.
“Is lesbianism ok?” the woman asks
“Yeah,” the person behind the phone says. “No it isn’t,” the woman responds back.
“Why?” the cameraperson asks.
“Because you touch children,” she said. “You rape children.”
It’s unclear from the video what started the altercation.
The TikTok got reposted on Twitter where it went viral with over 13 million views on one tweet.
Another account, Miami Against Fascism, retweeted the post with this caption: “Let’s make this homophobic Karen famous. Spotted in the wild at a Miami Starbucks harassing a lesbian couple — she’s just begging the internet to name her.”
No one immediately came forward to reveal who the woman is.
DESANTIS TARGETS MIAMI HYATT OVER DRAG SHOW
HOTEL’S LIQUOR LICENSE REVOKED
In later tweets, MAF writes: “A clue: We believe she’s known and has been spotted at anti-Planned Parenthood protests. Update 2: Social media rumors suggest this homophobic Starbucks Karen is a Miami attorney. Does anyone have a name?”
Later in the video the woman tells the cameraperson “you’re all evil,” “do you know who I work for?,” “do you know who I am?,” and “you ought to be ashamed of yourselves.”
THE DESANTIS ADMINISTRATION IS REVOKING THE HYATT REGENCY MIAMI’S ALCOHOL LICENSE AFTER HOSTING “A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS’’ AT ONE OF ITS FACILITIES.
The complaint alleges there were minors present in the audience.
“Once again, Governor DeSantis is selectively weaponizing state agencies against businesses for allowing parents to make decisions about what entertainment their families consume, targeting venues that host drag performances,” said Brandon Wolf, press secretary to Equality Florida. “How far will he take this crusade in his desperate attempt to outrace his inevitable presidential primary opponents? Will he raid movie theaters because parents take their teenagers to see R-rated movies? Will he punish electronics stores because parents buy their children certain video games? How many businesses will DeSantis target, how many families will he force to co-parent with the government in his quest to manufacture right wing hysteria that he can monetize and weaponize?”
The show in question required people under 18 to be accompanied by an adult as a condition of being allowed to attend.
But even so, the complaint doesn’t offer up any proof there were children under 16 in the audience.
“Ron DeSantis is moving to suspend the liquor license of the Hyatt Regency for hosting a drag queen Christmas in December and allegedly having minors present. They couldn’t even substantiate the allegations. This is the only evidence they have. It’s pathetic,” tweeted civil rights attorney Alejandra Caraballo. “They are launching a case based on speculation that someone “appearing” to be under the age of 16 was present. Even if they were, it’s not grounds for removing a liquor license. Drag is not lewd, nor is it a public nuisance as the state claims.”
The complaint states “including children appearing less than 16 years of age.”
On Tuesday, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation filed a 17-page complaint against James L. Knight Center, which is affiliated with Hyatt.
“A Drag Queen Christmas” was a holidaythemed drag show that went on tour around the holidays in 36 different cities and featured stars from the reality show “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
According to Business Insider Hyatt Regency Miami is allowed to keep selling alcohol until the department makes a final decision.
Similar complaints have been filed against other venues across the state. The state also promised to investigate others including the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
PALM BEACH COUNTY PANEL ADDRESSES RECENT ANTISEMITIC ACTS
Christiana LillyOCTOBER,
LGBT COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL STAR FINDS LOVE IN LOUISVILLE
In January, hundreds of fliers were distributed throughout South Florida with the claim that Jewish people were behind the COVID-19 response and included hate speech. At the end of February, a “day of hate” was planned to target the Jewish community in South Florida.
Unfortunately, antisemitism isn’t going anywhere, and to address recent incidents Palm Beach County Mayor Gregg K. Weiss hosted a No Hate in Palm Beach County panel of experts and advocates on March 2.
“It scares people because they don’t believe it can happen here, that it can happen to them,” said Alan Poland, community security director of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County.
“You need to understand and get out of this mindset that it can’t happen here.”
And while it feels like there’s an uptick in antisemitism, Patrick Franklin, the president and CEO of the Urban League of Palm Beach County, said it’s been here for years. However, what has changed is that the behavior has become accepted and “without any retribution from anyone else because it’s OK.”
“Good people need to stand up and say, ‘I have had enough of this,’” he said. “What I see right now is good people being quiet, sitting on their hands.”
Aiko Jones declared they couldn’t possibly date when she first met her future wife. Jones believed that coming out would never be possible for her because she was a top-tier collegiate athlete from a famous sports family in conservative Jamaica, where homosexuality is still against the law.
So much was at stake and everyone stood to lose too much. Then, though, something unexpected occurred.
After falling in love, Aiko is currently happily engaged to Carolann. To show she was committed to their relationship for the long term, Aiko proposed to Carolann on her birthday. They have already met the parents of each other and frequently post on social media.
“I found this amazing partner,” Jones told Outsports. “I know I want to spend the rest of my life with her, and it’s not fair to ask her
to live in secret. I think she’s great. It’s not fair for the world to hide her from the world, either.”
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT SFGN
Jason ParsleySFGN is free: Our weekly newspaper; our articles online; our newsletters; and our bi-monthly magazine. There is no cost.
But just because there is no cost to you –there is a cost to us. We have to pay salaries, freelancers, delivery drivers - pay to print the paper, keep the website running and so on.
So we ask that in return, look through these pages and peruse the ads. Visit our advertisers. Use their services. From doctors and lawyers to healthcare and the arts – we’ve got it all.
Please make sure to tell them SFGN sent you.
You’re also welcome to donate directly to us from time to time here: SFGN.com/ donate
Thanks for reading.
COLUMN DON’T SAY GAY WATCH
PARENTAL RIGHTS BILLS FAIL IN WYOMING, VIRGINIA
Amid a record-breaking number of antiLGBT bills being passed this legislative season, it’s a relief to see some states holding out.
Virginia proposed a Parental Rights bill in January that, besides requiring school staff to report to parents if their child comes out as LGBT, would ban transitional healthcare to those 21 years old and under.
The Virginia Senate also introduced two bills, SB 791 and SB 1203, which would ban medical transitioning for minors.
In February, the Senate Health Subcommittee “recommended killing” all three. The bills are passed by indefinitely, meaning that they will not be moving past the Senate.
Wyoming’s own Parental Rights bill, which mimicked Florida’s in prohibiting the discussion of gender and sexuality through the third grade, cleared its Senate. So did Senate Bill 0111, which would ban transitional
FLORIDA ON THE ROAD TO FASCISM
healthcare for minors.
The House considered neither for introduction.
The Human Rights Campaign has reported over 300 anti-LGBT bills introduced this legislative season. But NBC reports that only 10% of the 300 anti-LGBT bills introduced in 2022 passed into law.
The work of organizations and local communities fighting for LGBT rights has successfully pushed back against conservative efforts to criminalize gender and sexual diversity.
Thank you for publishing the letter from Marc Paige about the growing threat in Florida to anyone who is not part of the myth-making DeSantis Groupthink. Our governor resorts to all sorts of shenanigans to convince Floridians that he’s only doing what they wish, but it’s all done with rhetorical smoke and mirrors to mask his true aims.
As a retired Foreign Service Officer living in Wilton Manors, I am aghast at the willingness of the Florida legislature to bow down to every whim of our tyrannical leader.
As someone who has worked abroad in autocratic societies (the United Arab Emirates, Syria, Morocco) I can tell you that all the signs are there for Florida to tumble into fascism.
I moved to Florida in 2017 after my retirement because I thought of the state as a hospitable place to spend my twilight years, enjoying the sun and the ocean. But what DeSantis is doing is transforming the state into a modern gulag where there are few freedoms for anyone who is not a white, straight male. It’s an Orwell world where he talks about freedom while stripping away the rights of many citizens.
Keep sounding the alarms about what the subtext of DeSantis’ crusades are attempting: to make sure white supremacy is paid homage in holding down the aspirations of African-Americans, the LGBT community, women, and educators. His attempt to rewrite history will have deleterious effects on the ability of Florida students to function knowledgeably outside of Florida.
Sincerely,
Michael Varga, U.S. Foreign Service, retiredCHEWS NEWS
SAVOR SOFLO RETURNS TO HOLLYWOOD BEACH
Rick KarlinThe third annual SAVOR SOFLO FESTIVAL takes place Saturday and Sunday, April 1-2 on Hollywood Beach, behind host hotel Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. The popular two-day festival invites local and visiting foodies, wine enthusiasts, and craft beer aficionados to hit the beach for a weekend full of good eats, beats, and arts while celebrating the local culinary and hospitality community of South Florida.
Taking place under two giant tents spanning 25,000 square feet, SAVOR SoFLO is a feast for the senses. The event will feature dozens of chefs, culinary personalities, restaurants, wine and spirits producers, and craft breweries. Festival goers will also be able to enjoy numerous interactive cooking demonstrations on the San Pellegrino Cooking Stage featuring local and national chef talent throughout the weekend.
Tammy Gail, Savor SoFLO founder and producer said, “We look forward to our best year yet, with new and exciting offerings and participants, plenty of food, drinks, and music. We cannot wait for a fabulous weekend of wine in our hands and toes in the sand.”
Tickets to the Festival are all-inclusive, offering guests unlimited access to food, wine
and beer samplings, and live DJ entertainment and a limited-edition wine glass + lanyard and a custom tote bag. General Admission is priced at $95 per person and gives guests access to the event from 1-4 p.m. VIP tickets are available for $135 per person and include early entry to the event at noon, as well as exclusive access to the VIP Spirits Lounge, featuring a premier spirits lounge. Tickets may be purchased online at www.savorsoflo.com, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Broward Health Foundation. For a full lineup of participants and weekend happenings, please follow the Festival on social media @savorsoflo.
MIDWESTERNER’S REJOICE
Wisconsin cheeseheads are thrilled that a CULVER’S has opened in Margate on Copan’s Rd. just east of State Rd. 7. That means that they can get fried cheese curds (the Wisconsin state vegetable) and Culver’s yummy fried fish sandwiches in addition to its famous frozen custard… Chicagoans, if you’ve been craving the kind of stuffed pizza, you can only get from Giordano’s, have I got news for you IL BARETTO RISTORANTE, 220 S. University Dr. in Plantation has a Chicago-trained pizza maker, and his
pizza is as good as, if not better than, Giordano’s. It’s a small storefront, so make reservations at 954-473-9400; IlBarettoRistorante.com. BTW, our server was movie-star handsome, and didn’t change the rating of the pizza, but it sure was a bonus.
NEW OR COMING SOON
The cookie monster is coming! CHIP CITY COOKIES is scheduled to open five new storefronts in South Florida by this fall. The company, founded in 2017, has 17 locations in New York and New Jersey. Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer made a $10 million investment to add the South Florida locations. Its enormous cookies weigh in at just under six ounces and include a dairy-free chocolate chip, as well as standard confections with flavors such as chocolate peanut butter, and unusual seasonal offerings including blueberry cheesecake,
HUNGRY FOR MORE?
hot honey cornbread, and a pistachio-laden cannoli cookie. Also expanding into Florida by way of Canada is MOXIE’S. The chain has opened an enormous two-story dining room seating nearly 400 at 201 E. Las Olas. It offers everything from traditional steakhouse fare to beef vindaloo, miso ramen bowls, pot stickers, Thai chili chicken, French onion soup, baby back ribs, and short-rib Bolognese. After being delayed by the pandemic, VOODOO BAYOU, a southern Cajun cafe is expected to open on the Las Olas sometime this spring, replacing the former Café de Paris. Its flagship opened in Palm Beach Gardens in 2020.
ONE LAST THING
Congratulations to APT. 9F, one of the few restaurants in the county to get a perfect score from the health inspectors. Kudos to Carol Moran and the gang.
‘RETRO’
Aurora DominguezIf you’re interested in thrillers with secrets and betrayals that have Riverdale vibes, then check out “Retro” by Jarrod Shusterman and Sofía Lapuente.
WHAT DOES “READING WITH PRIDE” MEAN TO YOU?
Sofía: For me Reading with Pride means you’re reading with an open mind. It’s reading without judgment, no matter what color, class, creed, sex, or gender your characters may be representing. And it’s closely related to the sensation I feel when I write with pride. It’s about having the courage to be unabashedly yourself, whatever that may mean. It’s about not putting characters in boxes, or typecasts. They always say that writing is the art of “exclusion;” where there are a thousand ideas you could have and you have to choose the right few. And all though that may be true technically, I like to see it as the art of "inclusion" where everyone should read and feel represented in some way in our work! Writing is raising your unique voice — and that’s why there’s much Hispanic representation and LGBT representation.
WHY DO YOU FEEL REPRESENTATION OF A VARIETY OF PEOPLE IS SO IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO WRITING BOOKS?
Sofía: For us it is cardinal. Instead, because the very diverse world that I live in is LGBT and Hispanic rooted I felt an obligation to bring my culture to YA literature, because it is just so underrepresented. I love to break stereotypes, and I hate it when people try to categorize me or put me in a box. And as an adult it’s nice to be seen and heard and feel like you’re there in the pages or included in the conversation. But where it really matters is for young people. To believe that they can be that superhero. Because as authors, it’s our job to make you empathize and connect with characters, and we have many tricks to get you to do it. That way the character becomes a conduit for your experience, and you really feel like that is you. When we cut adults off from that it’s sad because it’s a failed opportunity to connect and communicate (which is our main job) but when you go out of your way to deprive young people of the chance to connect and feel represented, it’s just cruel. This is why in "Retro" we feature characters across the entire spectrum of life!
WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT FROM “RETRO”?
Jarrod: You can expect a really light-toned, FUN thriller with twists and turns, lies, secrets, and betrayals. But you can also expect to fall in love with a ton of characters.
SPIRITUALITY
CHORUSES PERFORM CONTEMPORARY, CLASSICAL MASTERPIECES
J.W. Arnold‘SONGS OF THE PHOENIX,’ GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA
The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF) will present the regional premiere of “Songs of the Phoenix” on March 24 at the Parker in Fort Lauderdale.
The song cycle, co-commissioned with several other gay men’s choruses across the country, was curated by Broadway composer Andrew Lippa and features individual movements created by 10 composers, according to Artistic Director Gabe Salazar.
“Each of the movements is very different in style and yet they fit together beautifully with an uplifting message,” Salazar explained. “It’s so fitting, given the [political] climate in our country and our state. We are rising from the ashes and not going anywhere.”
GMCSF audiences will remember a performance of another major choral work by Lippa, “Unbreakable,” performed last spring during a Pride month concert. And
like that work, Salazar said “Phoenix” is a “message piece,” not unlike musical theater.
And yet, Lippa’s broad opening and closing frame more intimate movements featuring soloists and a smaller chamber orchestra than past productions, while offering touching perspectives from diverse voices in the LGBT community.
A full season into his tenure and the disruptions of the pandemic forgotten, Salazar is confident about the future of the 150-voice ensemble, which merged this year with the former Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus.
“My approach to any new job is to go in and not rock the boat too quickly,” he said. “I did a lot of listening and observing, and now a year later, they trust me and my vision.”
VERDI’S ‘REQUIEM,’ MASTER CHORALE OF SOUTH FLORIDA
a decade event, according to Brett Karlin, artistic director of the Master Chorale of South Florida.
Karlin’s 120-voice chorus will present the masterwork in three performances, March 30 – April 2 in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton.
“The reason that this is a rare performance is because of the sheer scale and size of the performing forces required. The requiem is built for a very large chorus, as well as a large orchestra,” explained Karlin, noting the requirement for four bassoons, four trumpets onstage and four offstage, and four powerful operatic soloists.
While Verdi was not known to be particularly religious, the genesis of the work began following the death of another iconic opera composer, Giaccomo Rossini. Verdi reached out to a group of leading
composers to assemble a fitting musical tribute, but was unsuccessful. Later, when a prominent author and novelist died, Rossini took one of the movements he wrote for the earlier project and completed the monumental mass.
“In the 1800s, you would be hard pressed to name a composer who composed a symphony,” added Karlin.
“What was happening in Italy was the composers were writing vocal music. While the [requiem] presents challenges, it was built for singers.”
Karlin, who is celebrating a decade on the Master Chorale podium, had originally planned the work for the 2020-21 season, but it was postponed due to the pandemic.
“That was the virtual season for everyone and we just had to delay because it’s not a piece we’re going to do with masks on,” he added.
Dvořák Masterworks
Featuring GRAMMY Award-winning Cellist Zuill Bailey
Mar. 22 • The Parker, Fort Lauderdale
Mar. 23 • New World Center, Miami
Mar. 25 • Tennessee Williams Theatre at The College of the Florida Keys
OSCARS 2023
DRAG IS A THREAT TO NOBODY
Jason ParsleyDrag took center stage March 12 at the Oscars when Daniel Scheinert won the award for Best Director and declared during his acceptance speech drag “is a threat to nobody.”
Scheinert, who is not gay, won for his work on “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” which also features a queer subplot.
“This one is dedicated to the mommies of the world, to our moms, specifically my mom and dad, thank you for not squashing my creativity when I was making really disturbing horror films or really perverted comedy films or dressing in drag as a kid, which is a threat to nobody,” he said to cheers from the crowd.
Dan Kwan, who is not gay and who won the directing award along with Scheinert, told the Windy City Times last year he had been harassed growing up for his perceived sexuality.
“When I was growing up, people were convinced I was gay. They would even [throw] slurs at me. I am not comparing myself to a gay person who had to deal with that because there is no comparison, but because of that, I feel comfortable within spaces where people are allowed to express their gender or sexuality in whatever way they want to,” he said. “We have so many friends in the queer community and don’t belong in masculine or patriarchal worlds.”
The movie is about an average woman who owns a laundromat but ends up having to save the entire multiverse. Her daughter in the story is queer.
Stephanie Hsu, who plays the daughter, was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, but the award went to Jamie Lee Curtis, who plays another character in the film. Collectively the two directors are known as “The Daniels.”
There’s also a drag scene in the movie. “I love drag! There is a gender switch where a guy ends up in a salsa dancer’s dress,” Scheinert told Windy City. Kwan joked, “Daniel is very convincing in drag when he wants to be.”
Besides that moment Lady Gaga, who identifies as bisexual, took the stage to perform Hold My Hand, which was nominated Best Achievement in Music, which was featured in the movie “Top Gun: Maveric.” The award though went to Naatu Naatu
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” was the big winner for the evening taking home seven awards including Best Picture. The film was produced by A24 studio. This is their second movie to win Best Picture after taking home the top prize for Moonlight, a Black queer movie, at the 2017 ceremony
SFGN's SWAPSHOP!
Call our sales team at 954.530.4970
husband for rent
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
home improvement
THE BATHROOM OF YOUR DREAMS FOR AS LITTLE AS $149/MONTH! BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Limited Time Offer - FREE virtual inhome consultation now and SAVE 15%! Call Today! 1-954-459-3049
tv/internet services
GET DIRECTV FOR $64.99/MO FOR 12 MONTHS WITH CHOICE PACKAGE.Save an additional $120 over 1st year. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix included! DIRECTV is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some restrictions apply. Call 1-866-406-0210
home improvement
ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-535-1023