3/23/16 V7i12 by South Florida Gay News

Broward Edition

local name global coverage March 23, 2016 vol. 7 // issue 12

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OUT 50 2016

S F GN 's ann ual ce l e brati o n o f co m m un i t y a c h i e v e r s

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SFGN Special Report: 'Baring the Truth 'bout beach bear weekend' â&#x2014;? page 52 - 54

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Publisher's Editorial

SouthFloridaGayNews.com

March 23, 2016 • Volume 7 • Issue 12 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

CHOOSING THE OUT 50

Norm Kent

norm.kent@sfgn.com

or the third year, SFGN lends notoriety and acclaim to 50 significantly selected members of the LGBT community. Our ‘Out 50’ has become newsworthy and noteworthy, and for good reason. We salute not just well-known champions for our causes but community members and common-place citizens whose daily deeds cements our standing in our neighborhoods, businesses, and government. By no means, is this a list of the “best of the best.” This list is a cross-section of who we are and what we do; LGBT representatives whose voice and vision denote our cumulative contributions to the world we live in. The annual SFGN ‘Out 50’ project is a yeoman’s task. We plan months in advance, sending out a team of reporters to line up the group photos and do the individual interviews. But I want to tell you why it is so important to all of us. The LGBT community has been growing up the past few years. We are no longer a group of party boys dancing the night away, nor are we lesbians living domestic partnerships in the shadows. We are out, we are proud, and we damn well have a right to be. Our representatives marry, raise families, run businesses, serve in government, and fashionably participate in our community. As your LGBT newspaper, it is our duty to illuminate those efforts, shine a light on the good deeds and great people who enrich our lives. Remember, there are presidential candidates still saying, sadly, here in 2016- that our love should be set by zip codes and determined by state legislators. We need to respond that our lives and our dreams are as viable as anyone else, anywhere else. We shall not be denied. MEMBER

SFGN has now over three years interviewed and selected 150 nominees for our ‘Out 50.’ But let me say this. I have lived and worked in South Florida for 40 years, from Margaret Street in Key West to Victoria Park in Fort Lauderdale. I have worked as a talk show host reaching Dade County and taught criminal justice at Florida Atlantic University in Palm Beach County. I have practiced law and sat as a traffic magistrate in Broward County. What I am trying to say is that I have some history here. I was around in 1978 when Anita Bryant was trying to squeeze oranges and gay people. I am still here in 2016 to hear a charlatan named Donald Trump say he wants to roll back last year’s Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriages nationwide. Not going to happen. Let me add this. I have met thousands of people within the LGBT community in, about, and around our shores. You all can’t be honored today, but so many of you have done so much to enhance the lives of our LGBT community. Be proud of your work. In days ahead, we hope we can find the space to record your history too. There are so many more than 150 people who deserve the honor we afford today. Sadly, many are no longer here to be so named. Our community never had a newspaper strong and diverse enough to give them the recognition they deserved, though we were so fortunate to have in years past the Weekly News and Express Gay News. As a gay community, we were lucky to have voices fighting for our lives against the ravages of AIDS. We were lucky to have early civil rights leaders campaigning for domestic partnership

ordinances and challenging laws discriminating against us simply for being gay. How bad was it? Well, just look at all the lawyer ads in our newspaper. In 1976, when I moved here, homosexuality was considered a mental illness, you were criminally deviant, and could be denied a license to practice law if you admitted you were gay. Today, amongst our honorees is a gay federal prosecutor. In the past, we have named gay federal judges. When you are 65, like I now am, Bob Dylan becomes your hero. He may have sung the ‘Times they are a changin’ in the 1960s. For the LGBT community, those times are here today, now and forevermore. Be proud, my friends. We have been tested and endured. We have come a long way. Thank you for being part of the journey. May we continue on our road together, fighting for social justice and equal rights for all, because, after all is said and done, gay rights are human rights.

•

In Memoriam Peter Sharp, a Fort Lauderdale resident, passed away last week. He was 79. Sharp is survived by his life partner of 47 years, Bill Coviello.

For more information, see www.sfgn.com

MEMBER

SFGN Winner of

MEMBER

& 3 Florida Press Club Awards And runner-up for

NLGJA Journalist of the Year

Associated Press

Art Director • Brendon Lies Artwork@sfgn.com Designer • Charles Pratt Editorial Assistant • Jillian Melero JillianMelero@gmail.com Internet Assistant • Andrew Fausnight webmaster@sfgn.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

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

Associate Photographers

Pompano Bill • Steven Shires

Sales & Marketing

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 Printing by Sun Coast Press

In Memoriam

Dennis Jozefowicz Internet Director 2010 - 2016

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 © 2016 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

• 3.23.2016

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For your HIV viral load,

The POWER to help you go from

• ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) has been proven TO LOWER VIRAL LOAD to undetectable* in approximately 8 out of 10 adult patients new to therapy through 48 weeks compared to approximately 7 out of 10 adult patients in the comparator group • ATRIPLA has been proven TO LOWER VIRAL LOAD to undetectable* in approximately 7 out of every 10 adult patients new to therapy through 3 years compared to approximately 6 out of 10 in the comparator group† • The most common (at least 5%) moderate to severe side effects in patients on ATRIPLA were diarrhea, nausea, tiredness, depression, dizziness, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infections, rash, headache, trouble sleeping, anxiety, and common cold. Each of these was reported in less than 10% of patients

Real ATRIPLA patient.

INDICATION INDICATION and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate [DF]) What is ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA is a prescription medication used alone as a complete regimen, or with other anti-HIV-1 medicines, to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and children at least 12 years old who weigh at least 40 kg (88 lbs).

Call your healthcare provider right away if you get the following signs or symptoms of liver problems:

ATRIPLA does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS and you may continue to experience illnesses associated with HIV-1 infection, including opportunistic infections.

- urine turns dark

See your healthcare provider regularly while taking ATRIPLA.

- don’t feel like eating food for several days or longer

What is the most important information I should know about ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA can cause serious side effects: • Some people who have taken medicine like ATRIPLA (which contains nucleoside analogs) have developed lactic acidosis (build up of an acid in the blood). Lactic acidosis can be a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get the following signs or symptoms of lactic acidosis: - feel very weak or tired - have unusual (not normal) muscle pain - have trouble breathing - have stomach pain with nausea and vomiting

- feel cold, especially in your arms and legs - feel dizzy or lightheaded - have a fast or irregular heartbeat

*Undetectable was defined as a viral load of fewer than 400 copies/mL. † In this study, 511 adult patients new to therapy received either the meds in ATRIPLA each taken once daily or Combivir® (lamivudine/zidovudine) twice daily + SUSTIVA® (efavirenz) once daily. ‡ Symphony Health Solutions, Source® PHAST Prescription Monthly, equivalized counts, July 2006 – June 2015.

• 3.23.2016

- skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice) - bowel movements (stools) turn light in color - feel sick to your stomach (nausea)

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

• Some people who have taken medicines like ATRIPLA (efavirenz/emtricitabine/ tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) have developed serious liver problems (hepatotoxicity), with liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) and fat in the liver (steatosis). In some cases, these liver problems can lead to death.

- have lower stomach area (abdominal) pain • You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or liver problems if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking nucleoside analogcontaining medicines, like ATRIPLA, for a long time. • If you also have hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and you stop taking ATRIPLA, you may get a “flare-up” of your hepatitis. A “flare-up” is when the disease suddenly returns in a worse way than before. Patients with HBV who stop taking ATRIPLA need close medical follow-up for several months to check for hepatitis that could be getting worse. ATRIPLA is not approved for the treatment of HBV, so you need to discuss your HBV therapy with your healthcare provider. Who should not take ATRIPLA? You and your healthcare provider should decide if ATRIPLA is right for you. Do not take ATRIPLA if you are allergic to ATRIPLA or any of its ingredients.

With over 9 years of prescribing experience, ATRIPLA is the #1 prescribed one pill, once-daily HIV treatment‡ SELECTED IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION • Some people who have taken medicines like ATRIPLA have developed build up of lactic acid in the blood, which can be a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. • Some people who have taken medicines like ATRIPLA have developed serious liver problems, with liver enlargement and fat in the liver, which can lead to death. • If you also have hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and you stop taking ATRIPLA, your hepatitis may suddenly get worse. ATRIPLA is not approved for the treatment of HBV. Please see below for more information about these warnings, including signs and symptoms, and other Important Safety Information. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Ask your doctor about ATRIPLA today. What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking ATRIPLA?

MEDICINES YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE WITH ATRIPLA

Tell your healthcare provider if you:

• ATRIPLA should not be taken with: Combivir® (lamivudine/zidovudine), COMPLERA® (emtricitabine/rilpivirine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), EMTRIVA® (emtricitabine), Epivir® or Epivir-HBV® (lamivudine), Epzicom® (abacavir sulfate/lamivudine), STRIBILD® (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir DF), Trizivir® (abacavir sulfate/lamivudine/zidovudine), TRUVADA® (emtricitabine/tenofovir DF), or VIREAD® (tenofovir DF), because they contain the same or similar active ingredients as ATRIPLA (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). ATRIPLA should not be used with SUSTIVA® (efavirenz) unless recommended by your healthcare provider.

• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant: Women should not become pregnant while taking ATRIPLA and for 12 weeks after stopping ATRIPLA. Serious birth defects have been seen in children of women treated during pregnancy with efavirenz, one of the medicines in ATRIPLA (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). Women must use a reliable form of barrier contraception, such as a condom or diaphragm, even if they also use other methods of birth control, while on ATRIPLA and for 12 weeks after stopping ATRIPLA. Women should not rely only on hormone-based birth control, such as pills, injections, or implants, because ATRIPLA may make these contraceptives ineffective. • Are breastfeeding: Women with HIV should not breastfeed because they can pass HIV and some of the medicines in ATRIPLA through their milk to the baby. It is not known if ATRIPLA could harm your baby.

• Vfend® (voriconazole) should not be taken with ATRIPLA since it may lose its effect or may increase the chance of having side effects from ATRIPLA. • ATRIPLA should not be used with HEPSERA® (adefovir dipivoxil).

• Have kidney problems or are undergoing kidney dialysis treatment.

These are not all the medicines that may cause problems if you take ATRIPLA. Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are taking or plan to take.

• Have bone problems.

Important Safety Information is continued on the following page.

• Have liver problems, including hepatitis B or C virus infection. Your healthcare provider may want to do tests to check your liver while you take ATRIPLA or may switch you to another medicine.

Please see Patient Information on the following pages.

• Have ever had mental illness or are using drugs or alcohol • Have ever had seizures or are taking medicine for seizures. Seizures have occurred in patients taking efavirenz, a component of ATRIPLA, generally in those with a history of seizures. If you have ever had seizures, or take medicine for seizures, your healthcare provider may want to switch you to another medicine or monitor you. What important information should I know about taking other medicines with ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA may change the effect of other medicines, including the ones for HIV-1, and may cause serious side effects. Your healthcare provider may change your other medicines or change their doses.

POWER TO HELP YOU BE UNDETECTABLE 3.23.2016 •

ATRIPLA (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) Important Safety Information (continued) What are the possible side effects of ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA may cause the following additional serious side effects: • Serious psychiatric problems. Severe depression, strange thoughts, or angry behavior have been reported by a small number of patients. Some patients have had thoughts of suicide, and a few have actually committed suicide. These problems may occur more often in patients who have had mental illness. • Kidney problems (including decline or failure of kidney function). If you have had kidney problems, or take other medicines that may cause kidney problems, your healthcare provider should do regular blood tests. Symptoms that may be related to kidney problems include a high volume of urine, thirst, muscle pain, and muscle weakness. • Other serious liver problems. Some patients have experienced serious liver problems, including liver failure resulting in transplantation or death. Most of these serious side effects occurred in patients with a chronic liver disease such as hepatitis infection, but there have also been a few reports in patients without any existing liver disease. • Changes in bone mineral density (thinning bones). Lab tests show changes in the bones of patients treated with tenofovir DF, a component of ATRIPLA. Some HIV patients treated with tenofovir DF developed thinning of the bones (osteopenia), which could lead to fractures. Also, bone pain and softening of the bone (which may lead to fractures) may occur as a consequence of kidney problems. If you have had bone problems in the past, your healthcare provider may want to do tests to check your bones or may prescribe medicines to help your bones. Common side effects: • Patients may have dizziness, headache, trouble sleeping, drowsiness, trouble concentrating, and/or unusual dreams during treatment with ATRIPLA. These side effects may be reduced if you take ATRIPLA at bedtime on an empty stomach; they tend to go away after taking ATRIPLA for a few weeks. Tell your healthcare provider right away if any of these side effects continue or if they bother you. These symptoms may be more severe if ATRIPLA is used with alcohol and/or mood-altering (street) drugs. • If you are dizzy, have trouble concentrating, and/or are drowsy, avoid activities that may be dangerous, such as driving or operating machinery. • Rash is a common side effect with ATRIPLA that usually goes away without any change in treatment. Rash may be serious in a small number of patients. Rash occurs more commonly in children and may be a serious problem. If a rash develops, call your healthcare provider right away. • Other common side effects include: tiredness, upset stomach, vomiting, gas, and diarrhea. Other possible side effects: • Changes in body fat have been seen in some people taking anti-HIV-1 medicines. Increase of fat in the upper back and neck, breasts, and around the trunk may happen. Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also happen. The cause and long-term health effects of these changes in body fat are not known. • Skin discoloration (small spots or freckles) may also happen. • In some patients with advanced HIV infection (AIDS), signs and symptoms of inflammation from previous infections may occur soon after anti-HIV treatment is started. If you notice any symptoms of infection, contact your healthcare provider right away. • Additional side effects are inflammation of the pancreas, allergic reaction (including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), shortness of breath, pain, stomach pain, weakness, and indigestion. This is not a complete list of side effects. Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you notice any side effects while taking ATRIPLA. You should take ATRIPLA once daily on an empty stomach. Taking ATRIPLA at bedtime may make some side effects less bothersome. Please see Full Prescribing Information, including “What is the most important information I should know about ATRIPLA” in the Patient Information section. Please see Patient Information on adjacent and following pages.

© 2015 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. ATRIPLA is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb & Gilead Sciences, LLC. SUSTIVA is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. 697US1500145-19-01 11/15

• 3.23.2016

Patient Information

ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtr Patient Information

ATRIPLA® (uh TRIP luh) Tablets

ATRIPLA® (uh TRIP luh) Tablets allowing your immune sys ALERT: Find out about medicines that should taken with ALERT: Find NOT out be about medicines that the should be lowers chanceNOT of death ATRIPLA (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). ATRIPLA (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). (opportunistic infections). Please also read the section “MEDICINES YOUPlease SHOULD WITH“MEDICINES ATRIPLA.” YOU alsoNOT read TAKE the section SHOULD NOTcure TAKE W Does ATRIPLA HIV-1

Generic name: efavirenz, emtricitabine and tenofovir fumarateemtricitabine (eh FAH vihand tenofovir Generic disoproxil name: efavirenz, ATRIPLAdisoproxil does not fumara cure H renz, em tri SIT uh bean and te NOE’ fo veer dyerenz, soeem PROX il FYOU marand ate)te NOE’ fo veer dye tri SIT uh bean soe PROX il FYOUwith marH illnesses associated

remain under theyou care of ata Read the Patient Information that comes with ATRIPLA youInformation start takingthat it and eachwith ATRIPLA Read thebefore Patient comes before start time you get a refill since there may be new information. This information doesmay not be takenew information. time you get a refill since there This informatio Who should not take ATR the place of talking to your healthcare provider about yourofmedical or treatment. the place talking condition to your healthcare provider about your medical condit Together with your You should stay under a healthcare provider’s when Do not Youcare should staytaking underATRIPLA. a healthcare provider’s care when takinghealt AT change or stop your medicine without first change talking or with your healthcare stop your medicineprovider. without firstright talking with your healt for you. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist ifTalk youtohave questionsprovider about ATRIPLA. yourany healthcare or pharmacist if you have any questions a Do not take ATRIPLA if yo What is the most important information I should Whatknow is theabout mostATRIPLA? important information I should know of about ATRIPL ingredients ATRIPLA are leaflet for a complete list of ∙ Some people who have taken medicine like (which contains nucleoside ∙ ATRIPLA Some people who have taken medicine like ATRIPLA (which conta

analogs) have developed a serious condition called have lacticdeveloped acidosis (build up of condition analogs) a serious called Ilactic What should tell myacido hea an acid in the blood). Lactic acidosis can be aan medical mayacidosis need tocan be a medical emergency a acid inemergency the blood).and Lactic Tell your healthcare prov be treated in the hospital. Call your healthcare away if you beprovider treated inright the hospital. Call get yourthe healthcare provider right away following signs or symptoms of lactic acidosis: following signs or symptoms of lactic acidosis: ∙ Are pregnant or plan taking ATRIPLA?”). ∙ You feel very weak or tired. ∙ You feel very weak or tired. ∙ You have unusual (not normal) muscle pain. ∙ You have unusual (not normal) muscle pain.∙ Are breastfeeding (see ∙ You have trouble breathing. ∙ You have trouble breathing. ∙ Have kidney problems ∙ You have stomach pain with nausea and vomiting. ∙ You have stomach pain with nausea and vomiting. ∙ Have bone problems. ∙ You feel cold, especially in your arms and legs. ∙ You feel cold, especially in your arms and legs. ∙ Have liver problems, in ∙ You feel dizzy or lightheaded. ∙ You feel dizzy or lightheaded. may want to do tests to another medicine. ∙ You have a fast or irregular heartbeat. ∙ You have a fast or irregular heartbeat.

Have ever had mental ∙ Some people who have taken medicines∙like ATRIPLA have serious Some people whodeveloped have taken medicines∙ like ATRIPLA have dev liver problems called hepatotoxicity, with liver (hepatomegaly) and with liverenlargement problems called hepatotoxicity, liver enlargement (hep ∙ Have ever had seizure fat in the liver (steatosis). Call your healthcare right away if you fatprovider in the liver (steatosis). Call get yourthe healthcare provider right away What important inform following signs or symptoms of liver problems: following signs or symptoms of liver problems: with ATRIPLA? ∙ Your skin or the white part of your eyes turns ∙yellow Your(jaundice). skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice). ATRIPLA may change th ∙ Your urine turns dark. ∙ Your urine turns dark. and may cause serious s ∙ Your bowel movements (stools) turn light in color. ∙ Your bowel movements (stools) turn light in color. medicines or change their ∙ You don’t feel like eating food for several days∙ orYou longer. don’t feel like eating food for several days or longer. ATRIPLA. For this reason, pharmacists know what me ∙ You feel sick to your stomach (nausea). ∙ You feel sick to your stomach (nausea).

∙ You have lower stomach area (abdominal) pain. ∙ You have lower stomach area (abdominal) pain. MEDICINES YOU SHOUL ∙ You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or may liver be problems if youtoare ∙ You more likely getfemale, lactic acidosis or liver problems if ∙ ATRIPLA also should very overweight (obese), or have been taking nucleoside analog-containing medicines, very overweight (obese), or have been taking nucleoside analog-conta ® COMPLERA , EMTRIV like ATRIPLA, for a long time. like ATRIPLA, for a long time. lamivudine), STRIBILD® ∙ If you also have hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection stop takingBATRIPLA, ∙ If you and alsoyou have hepatitis virus (HBV) infection and you stop al ta or VIREAD. ATRIPLA you may get a “flare-up” of your hepatitis.you A “flare-up” when theofdisease may get ais“flare-up” your hepatitis. A healthcare “flare-up”provide is wh your suddenly returns in a worse way than before. Patientsreturns with HBV stopway taking suddenly in awho worse than before. Patients with HBV ∙ Vfend (voriconazole) sh ATRIPLA need close medical follow-up for several months, medicalfollow-up exams for several months, including ATRIPLA needincluding close medical may increase the chanc and blood tests to check for hepatitis that could getting ATRIPLA is not that could be getting worse. and be blood testsworse. to check for hepatitis ATRIPLA not beth approved for the treatment of HBV, so you must discuss for your therapyofwith approved theHBV treatment HBV,your so you∙must discussshould your HBV healthcare provider. healthcare provider. It is also important to tell yo What is ATRIPLA? What is ATRIPLA? ∙ Fortovase, Invirase (s ® SporanoxEMTRIVA (itraconazol EMTRIVA3® medicines, (emtricitabine) and ® (efavirenz), (em ATRIPLA contains 3 medicines, SUSTIVA® (efavirenz), ATRIPLA contains SUSTIVA ® medicines need tenofovir DF) combined one pill.also called VIREAD® (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate also called (tenofovir disoproxil in fumarate tenofovir may DF) comb VIREAD EMTRIVA and VIREAD are HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus) nucleoside EMTRIVA and VIREAD are HIV-1 analog (human immunodeficiency with ATRIPLA.virus) nu reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and SUSTIVA an HIV-1 non-nucleoside analog reverseistranscriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and SUSTIVA is anchannel HIV-1 non-nu ∙ Calcium block reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). VIREAD and EMTRIVA are inhibitor the components reverse transcriptase (NNRTI).ofVIREAD and EMTRIVA are the Isoptin (verapamil) an ® ® complete regimen, or incan combination with as a complete regimen, or in c . ATRIPLA be used alone TRUVADA . ATRIPLA can be used alone as a TRUVADA immunosuppressant m other anti-HIV-1 medicines to treat people with other HIV-1anti-HIV-1 infection. ATRIPLA adults and with HIV-1 infection. ATRIPLA medicinesistofortreat people and others), Progra children 12 years of age and older who weigh children at least 12 40 years kg (at of least lbs). ATRIPLA age88and older who weigh at least 40 kg (at least 8 Mycobutin (rifabutin) is not recommended for children younger thanis12notyears of age. ATRIPLA has not been than 12 years of age. ATRIPL recommended for children younger Lipitor (atorvastatin), studied in adults over 65 years of age. studied in adults over 65 years of age. or the anti-depressa HIV infection destroys CD4+ T cells, whichHIV are infection importantdestroys to the immune CD4+ T system. cells, which are important theZyim Wellbutrin XL,toand The immune system helps fight infection. AfterThe a large number of T helps cells are immune system fightdestroyed, infection. After awhen large number of T cells these drugs are acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) develops. acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) develops. ∙ Videx, Videx EC (didan amount of didanos ATRIPLA helps block HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, a viral helps chemical in HIV-1 your body (enzyme) ATRIPLA block reverse transcriptase,the a viral chemical in you You may need toof be that is needed for HIV-1 to multiply. ATRIPLA that lowers the amount of HIV-1 in the blood is needed for HIV-1 to multiply. ATRIPLA lowers the amount HIV together. Al (viral load). ATRIPLA may also help to increase number of T cells (CD4+help cells), (viralthe load). ATRIPLA may also to increasedidanosine the number of T cel

ricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil ATRIPLA®fumarate) (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)

stem to improve. Lowering amount of HIV-1 theimprove. blood Lowering the amount of HIV-1 in the blood allowingtheyour immune systemin to with he ortaken infections that happen your immune is weakthat happen when your immune system is weak lowerswhen the chance of deathsystem or infections (opportunistic infections). WITH ATRIPLA.” 1 or AIDS? Does ATRIPLA cure HIV-1 or AIDS?

ate (ehinfection FAH vihor AIDS HIV-1 and you may to experience ATRIPLA does notcontinue cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS and you may continue to experience rHIV-1 ate) infection, including opportunistic You should including opportunistic infections. You should illnesses associatedinfections. with HIV-1 infection, aaking doctor when using ATRIPLA. remain under the care of a doctor when using ATRIPLA. it and each on does not take RIPLA? Who should not take ATRIPLA? tion or treatment. thcare provider, need towith decide ATRIPLA is you need to decide whether ATRIPLA is yourwhether healthcare provider, TRIPLA. Do not youTogether thcare provider. right for you. about ATRIPLA. ou are allergic to ATRIPLA any ATRIPLA of its ingredients. activeto ATRIPLA or any of its ingredients. The active Do notortake if you areThe allergic LA? e efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir DF. See end of emtricitabine, this ingredients of ATRIPLA are the efavirenz, and tenofovir DF. See the end of this f ingredients. leaflet for a complete list of ingredients. ains nucleoside

osis (build up of before althcare provider Whattaking shouldATRIPLA? I tell my healthcare provider before taking ATRIPLA? and may need to vider if you: Tell your healthcare provider if you: y if you get the nning to become pregnant (see “What I avoid while pregnant (see “What should I avoid while ∙ Are pregnant or should planning to become taking ATRIPLA?”).

e “What should I avoid∙ while ATRIPLA?”). Are taking breastfeeding (see “What should I avoid while taking ATRIPLA?”).

s or are undergoing kidney ∙ Havedialysis kidney treatment. problems or are undergoing kidney dialysis treatment. ∙ Have bone problems.

ncluding hepatitis B∙virus infection. Your healthcare provider Have liver problems, including hepatitis B virus infection. Your healthcare provider o check your liver while you ATRIPLA or may switchyour youliver to while you take ATRIPLA or may switch you to maytake want to do tests to check another medicine.

illness or are using ∙drugs orever alcohol. Have had mental illness or are using drugs or alcohol. veloped serious patomegaly) andmedicine es or are taking for seizures. ∙ Have ever had seizures or are taking medicine for seizures. y if you get the mation should I know taking other medicines What about important information should I know about taking other medicines with ATRIPLA?

he effect of other medicines, including thethe ones for HIV-1, ATRIPLA may change effect of other medicines, including the ones for HIV-1, side effects. Your healthcare may change your other and may provider cause serious side effects. Your healthcare provider may change your other doses. Other medicines, including herbal products, may affect medicines or change their doses. Other medicines, including herbal products, may affect , it is very importantATRIPLA. to let all For yourthis healthcare and reason, itproviders is very important to let all your healthcare providers and edications, herbal supplements, vitamins are taking.herbal supplements, or vitamins you are taking. pharmacistsorknow whatyou medications,

LD NOT TAKE WITH ATRIPLA MEDICINES YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE WITH ATRIPLA fdyounot are be female, used with Combiviralso(lamivudine/zidovudine), ∙ ATRIPLA should not be used with Combivir (lamivudine/zidovudine), aining medicines, ® COMPLERAEpzicom VA, Epivir, Epivir-HBV (lamivudine), (abacavir , EMTRIVA, Epivir,sulfate/ Epivir-HBV (lamivudine), Epzicom (abacavir sulfate/ ® lamivudine), STRIBILD®, Trizivir , Trizivir (abacavir sulfate/lamivudine/zidovudine), TRUVADA, (abacavir sulfate/lamivudine/zidovudine), TRUVADA, aking ATRIPLA, lso should not be used with SUSTIVA unless recommended or VIREAD. ATRIPLA also should notbybe used with SUSTIVA unless recommended by hen er. the disease your healthcare provider. who stop taking hould not be taken with since it mayshould lose itsnot effect or with ATRIPLA since it may lose its effect or ∙ ATRIPLA Vfend (voriconazole) be taken g medical exams ce of having side effects from may ATRIPLA. increase the chance of having side effects from ATRIPLA. ATRIPLA is not used with ∙® (adefovir ATRIPLAdipivoxil). should not be used with HEPSERA® (adefovir dipivoxil). herapy withHEPSERA your

our healthcare provider you are taking to any the following: It isif also important tellofyour healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following:

saquinavir), Biaxin (clarithromycin), Noxafil (saquinavir), (posaconazole), ∙ Fortovase, Invirase Biaxin (clarithromycin), Noxafil (posaconazole), le), Victrelisand (boceprevir), or Olysio (simeprevir); these(boceprevir), or Olysio (simeprevir); these Sporanox (itraconazole), Victrelis mtricitabine) d to inbeone replaced with another may medicine medicines need when to be taken replaced with another medicine when taken bined pill. ucleoside analog with ATRIPLA. ucleoside kers suchanalog as Cardizem or Tiazac (diltiazem), Covera ∙ Calcium channel blockers suchHS as or Cardizem or Tiazac (diltiazem), Covera HS or e components of nd others; Crixivan (indinavir), Selzentry (maraviroc); the Isoptin (verapamil) and others; Crixivan (indinavir), Selzentry (maraviroc); the combination with medicines cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, medicines Sandimmune, immunosuppressant cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, is for adults and af (tacrolimus), or Rapamune (sirolimus); Methadone; or Rapamune (sirolimus); Methadone; and others), Prograf (tacrolimus), 88 lbs). ATRIPLA ); Rifampin; cholesterol-lowering medicinesRifampin; such as cholesterol-lowering medicines such as Mycobutin (rifabutin); LA has not been Pravachol (pravastatinLipitor sodium), and Zocor Pravachol (simvastatin); (atorvastatin), (pravastatin sodium), and Zocor (simvastatin); ant medications bupropion Wellbutrin SR, bupropion (Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, or the (Wellbutrin, anti-depressant medications mmune system.(sertraline); ban) or Zoloft dose changes may beorneeded Wellbutrin XL, and Zyban) Zoloft (sertraline); dose changes may be needed se are destroyed, taken with ATRIPLA.when these drugs are taken with ATRIPLA.

nosine); tenofovir DF ∙(a component ATRIPLA) may increase Videx, VidexofEC (didanosine); tenofovir DF (a component of ATRIPLA) may increase in (enzyme) your blood, which result in more side effects. the could amount of didanosine in your blood, which could result in more side effects. ursine body monitored more carefully if you are to taking ATRIPLA and You may need be monitored more carefully if you are taking ATRIPLA and V-1 in the blood lso, the dose of didanosine may need to be changed. didanosine together. Also, the dose of didanosine may need to be changed. lls (CD4+ cells),

ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)

ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtricitab

∙ Reyataz (atazanavir sulfate), Prezista (darunavir) with Norvir (ritonavir), or Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir); these medicines may increase the amount of tenofovir DF (a component of ATRIPLA) in your blood, which could result in more side effects. Reyataz is not recommended with ATRIPLA. You may need to be monitored more carefully if you are taking ATRIPLA, Prezista, and Norvir together, or if you are taking ATRIPLA and Kaletra together. The dose of Kaletra should be increased when taken with efavirenz.

∙ Avoid doing things that can sp ∙ Do not share needles or ∙ Do not share personal it toothbrushes and razor ∙ Do not have any kind o using a latex or polyureth semen, vaginal secretions

∙ Medicine for seizures [for example, Dilantin (phenytoin), Tegretol (carbamazepine), or phenobarbital]; your healthcare provider may want to switch you to another medicine or check drug levels in your blood from time to time. These are not all the medicines that may cause problems if you take ATRIPLA. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take. Keep a complete list of all the prescription and nonprescription medicines as well as any herbal remedies that you are taking, how much you take, and how often you take them. Make a new list when medicines or herbal remedies are added or stopped, or if the dose changes. Give copies of this list to all of your healthcare providers and pharmacists every time you visit your healthcare provider or fill a prescription. This will give your healthcare provider a complete picture of the medicines you use. Then he or she can decide the best approach for your situation. How should I take ATRIPLA? ∙ Take the exact amount of ATRIPLA your healthcare provider prescribes. Never change the dose on your own. Do not stop this medicine unless your healthcare provider tells you to stop. ∙ You should take ATRIPLA on an empty stomach. ∙ Swallow ATRIPLA with water. ∙ Taking ATRIPLA at bedtime may make some side effects less bothersome. ∙ Do not miss a dose of ATRIPLA. If you forget to take ATRIPLA, take the missed dose right away, unless it is almost time for your next dose. Do not double the next dose. Carry on with your regular dosing schedule. If you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. ∙ If you believe you took more than the prescribed amount of ATRIPLA, contact your local poison control center or emergency room right away. ∙ Tell your healthcare provider if you start any new medicine or change how you take old ones. Your doses may need adjustment. ∙ When your ATRIPLA supply starts to run low, get more from your healthcare provider or pharmacy. This is very important because the amount of virus in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped for even a short time. The virus may develop resistance to ATRIPLA and become harder to treat. ∙ Your healthcare provider may want to do blood tests to check for certain side effects while you take ATRIPLA. What should I avoid while taking ATRIPLA? ∙ Women should not become pregnant while taking ATRIPLA and for 12 weeks after stopping it. Serious birth defects have been seen in the babies of animals and women treated with efavirenz (a component of ATRIPLA) during pregnancy. It is not known whether efavirenz caused these defects. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you are pregnant. Also talk with your healthcare provider if you want to become pregnant. ∙ Women should not rely only on hormone-based birth control, such as pills, injections, or implants, because ATRIPLA may make these contraceptives ineffective. Women must use a reliable form of barrier contraception, such as a condom or diaphragm, even if they also use other methods of birth control. Efavirenz, a component of ATRIPLA, may remain in your blood for a time after therapy is stopped. Therefore, you should continue to use contraceptive measures for 12 weeks after you stop taking ATRIPLA. ∙ Do not breastfeed if you are taking ATRIPLA. Some of the medicines in ATRIPLA can be passed to your baby in your breast milk. We do not know whether it could harm your baby. Also, mothers with HIV-1 should not breastfeed because HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in the breast milk. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding. You should stop breastfeeding or may need to use a different medicine. ∙ Taking ATRIPLA with alcohol or other medicines causing similar side effects as ATRIPLA, such as drowsiness, may increase those side effects. ∙ Do not take any other medicines, including prescription and nonprescription medicines and herbal products, without checking with your healthcare provider.

What are the possible side eff

ATRIPLA may cause the follow

∙ Lactic acidosis (buildup of emergency and may need to right away if you get sign information I should know abo ∙ Serious liver problems (hep fat in the liver (steatosis). Ca of liver problems. (See “Wha ATRIPLA?”) ∙ “Flare-ups” of hepatitis B returns in a worse way than ATRIPLA. Your healthcare pr stopping ATRIPLA if you ha treatment for your HBV. ATRI infection. If you have advan “flare-up” of hepatitis B may c ∙ Serious psychiatric proble depression, strange thoughts have thoughts of suicide and may occur more often in patie provider right away if you th healthcare provider can decid ∙ Kidney problems (including kidney problems in the past your healthcare provider s Symptoms that may be rela thirst, muscle pain, and musc ∙ Other serious liver probl problems including liver failu serious side effects occurred infection, but there have als liver disease. ∙ Changes in bone mineral d in the bones of patients treate patients treated with tenofovi could lead to fractures. If yo provider may need to do tes medicines to help your bone of the bone (which may co kidney problems. Common side effects:

Patients may have dizziness concentrating, and/or unusual effects may be reduced if you ta tend to go away after you have common side effects, such as d psychiatric problems, such as s Tell your healthcare provider rig bother you. It is possible that th with alcohol or mood altering (st

If you are dizzy, have trouble c dangerous, such as driving or op

Rash may be common. Rashes small number of patients, rash m provider right away. Rash may b healthcare provider right away if is taking ATRIPLA.

3.23.2016 •

rate)

ith Norvir (ritonavir), or ncrease the amount of which could result in more LA. You may need to be ezista, and Norvir together, dose of Kaletra should be

Tegretol (carbamazepine), to switch you to another me.

ms if you take ATRIPLA. s that you take.

n medicines as well as any d how often you take them. d or stopped, or if the dose ers and pharmacists every is will give your healthcare or she can decide the best

r prescribes. Never change ur healthcare provider tells

s bothersome.

PLA, take the missed dose not double the next dose. p in planning the best times macist.

ATRIPLA, contact your local

or change how you take old

m your healthcare provider of virus in your blood may e. The virus may develop

eck for certain side effects

RIPLA and for 12 weeks in the babies of animals LA) during pregnancy. It is your healthcare provider care provider if you want to

, such as pills, injections, or es ineffective. Women must dom or diaphragm, even if omponent of ATRIPLA, may refore, you should continue aking ATRIPLA.

the medicines in ATRIPLA know whether it could harm ed because HIV-1 can be lthcare provider if you are o use a different medicine.

ng similar side effects as ects.

nonprescription medicines provider.

ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)

∙ Avoid doing things that can spread HIV-1 to others. ∙ Do not share needles or other injection equipment. ∙ Do not share personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them, like toothbrushes and razor blades. ∙ Do not have any kind of sex without protection. Always practice safe sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.

Other common side effects include tiredness, upset stomach, vomiting, gas, and diarrhea.

What are the possible side effects of ATRIPLA?

∙ Skin discoloration (small spots or freckles) may also happen with ATRIPLA.

ATRIPLA may cause the following serious side effects: ∙ Lactic acidosis (buildup of an acid in the blood). Lactic acidosis can be a medical emergency and may need to be treated in the hospital. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get signs of lactic acidosis. (See “What is the most important information I should know about ATRIPLA?”) ∙ Serious liver problems (hepatotoxicity), with liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) and fat in the liver (steatosis). Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any signs of liver problems. (See “What is the most important information I should know about ATRIPLA?”) ∙ “Flare-ups” of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, in which the disease suddenly returns in a worse way than before, can occur if you have HBV and you stop taking ATRIPLA. Your healthcare provider will monitor your condition for several months after stopping ATRIPLA if you have both HIV-1 and HBV infection and may recommend treatment for your HBV. ATRIPLA is not approved for the treatment of hepatitis B virus infection. If you have advanced liver disease and stop treatment with ATRIPLA, the “flare-up” of hepatitis B may cause your liver function to decline. ∙ Serious psychiatric problems. A small number of patients may experience severe depression, strange thoughts, or angry behavior while taking ATRIPLA. Some patients have thoughts of suicide and a few have actually committed suicide. These problems may occur more often in patients who have had mental illness. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you think you are having these psychiatric symptoms, so your healthcare provider can decide if you should continue to take ATRIPLA. ∙ Kidney problems (including decline or failure of kidney function). If you have had kidney problems in the past or take other medicines that can cause kidney problems, your healthcare provider should do regular blood tests to check your kidneys. Symptoms that may be related to kidney problems include a high volume of urine, thirst, muscle pain, and muscle weakness. ∙ Other serious liver problems. Some patients have experienced serious liver problems including liver failure resulting in transplantation or death. Most of these serious side effects occurred in patients with a chronic liver disease such as hepatitis infection, but there have also been a few reports in patients without any existing liver disease. ∙ Changes in bone mineral density (thinning bones). Laboratory tests show changes in the bones of patients treated with tenofovir DF, a component of ATRIPLA. Some HIV patients treated with tenofovir DF developed thinning of the bones (osteopenia) which could lead to fractures. If you have had bone problems in the past, your healthcare provider may need to do tests to check your bone mineral density or may prescribe medicines to help your bone mineral density. Additionally, bone pain and softening of the bone (which may contribute to fractures) may occur as a consequence of kidney problems. Common side effects: Patients may have dizziness, headache, trouble sleeping, drowsiness, trouble concentrating, and/or unusual dreams during treatment with ATRIPLA. These side effects may be reduced if you take ATRIPLA at bedtime on an empty stomach. They also tend to go away after you have taken the medicine for a few weeks. If you have these common side effects, such as dizziness, it does not mean that you will also have serious psychiatric problems, such as severe depression, strange thoughts, or angry behavior. Tell your healthcare provider right away if any of these side effects continue or if they bother you. It is possible that these symptoms may be more severe if ATRIPLA is used with alcohol or mood altering (street) drugs. If you are dizzy, have trouble concentrating, or are drowsy, avoid activities that may be dangerous, such as driving or operating machinery. Rash may be common. Rashes usually go away without any change in treatment. In a small number of patients, rash may be serious. If you develop a rash, call your healthcare provider right away. Rash may be a serious problem in some children. Tell your child’s healthcare provider right away if you notice rash or any other side effects while your child is taking ATRIPLA.

8 172003524_v1_RS.indd • 3.23.2016 172003524_v1.indd 5 5

Other possible side effects with ATRIPLA: ∙ Changes in body fat. Changes in body fat develop in some patients taking anti HIV-1 medicine. These changes may include an increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), in the breasts, and around the trunk. Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also happen. The cause and long-term health effects of these fat changes are not known. ∙ In some patients with advanced HIV infection (AIDS), signs and symptoms of inflammation from previous infections may occur soon after anti-HIV treatment is started. It is believed that these symptoms are due to an improvement in the body’s immune response, enabling the body to fight infections that may have been present with no obvious symptoms. If you notice any symptoms of infection, please inform your doctor immediately. ∙ Additional side effects are inflammation of the pancreas, allergic reaction (including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), shortness of breath, pain, stomach pain, weakness and indigestion. Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you notice any side effects while taking ATRIPLA. Contact your healthcare provider before stopping ATRIPLA because of side effects or for any other reason. This is not a complete list of side effects possible with ATRIPLA. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a more complete list of side effects of ATRIPLA and all the medicines you will take. How do I store ATRIPLA? ∙ Keep ATRIPLA and all other medicines out of reach of children. ∙ Store ATRIPLA at room temperature 77°F (25°C). ∙ Keep ATRIPLA in its original container and keep the container tightly closed. ∙ Do not keep medicine that is out of date or that you no longer need. If you throw any medicines away make sure that children will not find them. General information about ATRIPLA: Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information leaflets. Do not use ATRIPLA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give ATRIPLA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. This leaflet summarizes the most important information about ATRIPLA. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about ATRIPLA that is written for health professionals. Do not use ATRIPLA if the seal over bottle opening is broken or missing. What are the ingredients of ATRIPLA? Active Ingredients: efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate Inactive Ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate. The film coating contains black iron oxide, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, red iron oxide, talc, and titanium dioxide. Revised: November 2015 ATRIPLA is a trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb & Gilead Sciences, LLC. COMPLERA, EMTRIVA, HEPSERA, STRIBILD, TRUVADA, and VIREAD are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. SUSTIVA is a trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company. Reyataz and Videx are trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Pravachol is a trademark of ER Squibb & Sons, LLC. Other brands listed are the trademarks of their respective owners. 21-937-GS-015 ATRC0130

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news highlight

Plant Fair This Weekend Michael d’Oliveira

ita Oglesby’s reason for attending the Equality Park Plant Fair is an old fashioned one: she makes money. “I’ve done twice it. I sell a lot of orchids,” said Oglesby of Greenhouse Orchids. “The people are not fussy about what you’re selling. They love what you have. I asked a high price on one orchid, $350, and I got it.” She will be one of over 30 vendors to set up booths at the free event, held March 26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and March 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Equality Park, located at 2040 N. Dixie Highway, in Wilton Manors. Now in its fourth year, the Plant Fair began when its founder, Chuck Nicholls, looked around and noticed that almost all the plant fairs weren’t really in Fort Lauderdale. So, he decided to change that. “I realized most of the plant fairs are not urban plant fairs. They’re usually out in the suburbs. We didn’t really have an urban east Fort Lauderdale plant fair,” said Nicholls. “There’s the Bonnet House [Orchid Festival] but they charge $15 per person. So we decided that Equality Park would be an appropriate place.” Vendors will be selling different varieties,

including orchids, bromeliads, palms, aeroids, heliconias, and other exotic species. “We’re going to have, for the first time, because it’s a tropical plant fair, someone selling tropical birds as well.” Author Georgia B. Tasker will attend and sign her book, "Florida Getting Started Garden Guide: Grow the Best Flowers, Shrubs, Trees, Vines & Groundcovers." Horticulture experts will also be available to answer questions. For those who wants a new man’s best friend to go with their new plant, a pet rescue adoption organization will set up a booth.

For more information or to become a vendor, call 954-561-3535.

• 3.23.2016

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Submitted Photo

Frank To Spend A Evening With Friends

John McDonald

ormer U.S. Congressman Barney Frank is headlining the annual A Celebration of Friends gathering, organization founder Tom Pence announced this month. “No other person has done more to advance the rights of gays and lesbians in the United States than Barney Frank,” said Pence, aka Tomcat, in an exclusive interview with SFGN over coffee at Stork’s Bakery in Wilton Manors. Frank is scheduled to attend the 15th annual A Celebration of Friends event, taking place July 14-17 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld. A Celebration of Friends bills itself as a 501(c)4 non-profit organization that caters to elder gay men and their admirers with a tag line “maturity matters.” “Our mission is to provide warm, comfortable, safe and engaging gatherings recognizing and promoting self-worth, dignity, kindness and friendships of and within our senior population,” said Pence. This is the second year Orlando has hosted

the event. Last year, screen acting legend Ed Asner was the special guest, dining with members and participating in a question and answer segment with event attendees. Frank, Pence said, is contracted to do the same. Frank, 75, served in Congress from 19812013, representing Massachusetts. He served openly as a gay man for much of his career and is perhaps best known for co-sponsoring the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, a sweeping reform of the U.S. financial system.

Registration for the event is underway with individual fees $130 through April 30. For more information or to register, visit www.celebrationoffriends.org

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politics out on the trail Photo: John McDonald.

Herman Narrowly Loses Oakland Park Bid

John McDonald

cott Herman, an openly gay man running for a seat on the Oakland Park Commission, conceded defeat last week but hinted his political future is far from over. Michael E. Carn, sitting city commissioner, won a special election held March 15, defeating Herman and former mayor Layne Dallett Walls. With 16 of 16 precincts reporting, Carn, a civil engineer, collected 2,418 votes compared to 2,303 for Herman and 2,122 for Walls. Two days after the election, Herman stated he was still optimistic he could gain ground in the race with overseas ballots that had yet to be counted, but ultimately acknowledged the defeat. “We came within 80 votes and thank you,” the Herman campaign stated in a text message to supporters. “November is just around the corner and a much better game can be in place with name recognition. Who knows what can happen as I was already asked to run for one of

• 3.23.2016

the three seats.” This was Herman’s third attempt to win elected public office in Broward County, having previously campaigned for the Florida House of Representatives in 2012 and 2014. A disabled combat veteran of the Gulf War, Herman, 45, campaigned on a platform of putting “principles over politics.” Unofficial vote totals show 6,843 people cast their ballots in the citywide, non-partisan election. In it’s July 2014 report, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated Oakland Park to have a population of 43,800. In the Presidential primary election, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton easily carried Broward County, collecting 134,328 votes to 49,054 for U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. On the Republican side, real estate developer Donald J. Trump won Broward with 53,319 votes compared to 30,786 for U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of West Miami.

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Saving – Pay Yourself First

Ric Reily

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.

once saw a billboard that said something saving is required, unless you consume some of it. Capital savings is the most fun because capital very simple. So simple in fact that it appeared virtually impossible. The billboard said, ‘Pay savings grow and grow. Like operating savings, Yourself First.’ The sign was an ad for a bank yet it capital savings are funded regularly from each paycheck. The difference between operating and gave me an important lesson. Their statement meant that I was allowed to emergency savings and capital savings is that you never spend capital savings. Did I say never? If keep some of my hard earned money. Paying me first was an idea I could live with. I had been given there is any confusion here let me repeat, capital savings is never spent. Never. permission to save. So what’s the purpose of capital savings? Paying yourself first is easy. Simply designate Capital savings is for the creation of wealth. a small amount of money to begin saving. The The money is never used for everyday expenses amount must be small; try five dollars each that you failed to plan for, nor is paycheck. Anyone can find five it used for emergencies. Capital dollars a week in their spending savings is only used to generate to divert to saving; skip one beer Too many income. at the gay bar. The object is to Too many people work all their create a habit. The object is not to people lives and retire dependant on build wealth, yet. You only need work all Social Security. Even if you forget to save the same amount twentyall the hype about Social Security one times and you will be on your their lives going broke in the future, today way. Once your saving habit is and retire Social Security benefits do not established you can rapidly add to provide a high level of security. dependant the initial amount and include any The benefits might keep a roof raises and unexpected income that on Social over you head, or food on the comes your way. Security. table, but not much else. There are three types of savings That’s the job of your capital and you need a separate account savings: to grow throughout your for each. For simplicity I term them operating savings, emergency savings and capital lifetime and provide you income when you chose to no longer work or are unable to work. So the savings. Be certain to understand the difference, rules are clear, right? Capital savings is never it’s crucial to your long-term financial success. Operating savings is money you put away spent. Capital savings is used to earn, not spend. A house may be purchased using capital on a regular basis that you intend to use for savings, or stocks and other investments. When normal or unusual expenses such as a gay cruise, college, furniture, a car. Operating savings are you invest in a house, even with a mortgage, you built through disciplined, regular planned are investing in an asset. In most markets, over most time frames a house is an appreciating contributions to your savings account. Operating asset, appreciating on average at the rate of savings are spent for things that you have defined. Emergency savings is money set aside for an inflation. You can use your capital savings for the down payment on your house, or better yet for unexpected repair, accident, illness or job loss. A the outright purchase of your house. good rule of thumb for the total amount necessary Capital savings will grow and grow and is three months of usual expenses. Once this savings level is achieved no more emergency generates your retirement income.

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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

SFGN’S PICKS FOR THE TOP 50 PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO DESERVE RECOGNITION

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Past Out50 Winners

2014 Andy Amoroso Richard Alalouf Anthony Timiraos S.F. Makalani-MaHee Robin Bodiford Cindy Brown Charlie Fredrickson Craig Stevens Deidre Newton Dean J. Trantalis Emilio Benitez Elizabeth Schwartz William F. Collins George Castrataro Michael C. Gongora Glen Weinzimer Rand Hoch John Castelli Joe Pallant John Paul Alvarez Lisa Porter Jowharah Sanders Ken Keechl Kim Ehly Kristofer Fegenbush Lea Brown

Robert Lee Lillian Tamayo Leslie Tipton Miriam Richter Michael McKeever Meredith Ockman Michael Rajner Mike Silver Nikki Adams Chuck Nicholls Noah Kitty Pat Burnside Tony Plakas & Jaime Foreman Pompano Bill Ralph Wolfe Cowan Robin Schwartz Sebrina Maria Alfonso Steve Rothaus Steve Stagon Toni Armstrong Jr. Tony Finstrom Tony Lima Victor Diaz-Herman William Green

Photos: Steven Shires.

2015 Steve Adkins Jessica Aguilar Roya Amirniroumand Dan Bassett Nick Berry Vanessa Brito Brice Brittenum Mark Budwig Kerensa Butler-Gile Marsharee Chronicle Peter Clark Enbar Cohen Andrew Eddy Electra Stephen Fallon Luigi Ferrer Justin Flippen Debbie Frazier Jorge Gardela Jason Gibson Robert Griffin Ron Gunzburger Steve Haas Sabrine Johnston Brett Karlin Andrew Kato

Jason King Nate Klarfeld Lea Krauss Aryah Lester AL Magdaleno Carol Moran Michael Murphy Penny Johnson and Julie Seaver Gary Richmond Gordon Roberts Luiz Rodrigues Rick Rose Lee Rubin Ted Scouten Victoria Sigler Carla Silva Theo Smith Will Spencer Melissa St. John Karen Stephens Nicole Waters Bruce Williams LJ Woolston Heather Wright

View 2014 honorees online at sfgn.com/out50

Read their stories, and see how this year's winner selection compares.

View 2015 honorees online at sfgn.com/2015out50

Visit sfgn.com/out50nominations

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South Florida’s OUT 50 • March 2016 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

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Welcome to SFGN’s Out 50 Welcome to SFGN’s third OUT50 list. When we decided two years ago to come up with this list we thought it would be difficult putting together enough names. It turned out the difficult part was narrowing it down to only 50 individuals. For our third list we still face the same dilemma. The hard part isn’t gathering names, it’s cutting them out. Again this year we found ourselves having to narrow the list down. There are just too many LGBT people in South Florida that are making a difference. SFGN is proud to tell these folks’ stories and honor them in this year’s OUT50 list. Stories of business leaders like Phil Quattrone and Judd Chapman, owners of Pineapple Point, a gay guesthouse in Fort Lauderdale, and Brenda Hartley, local vice president of Bank United; trans activists like Arianna Lint and Atticus Ranck; lawyers like Dan Hall and Randy Katz; and other leaders like Shanna Ratliff, an HIV activist, and Carly Cass, an LGBT youth advocate. These folks aren’t important because they are LGBT, they’re important because of their accomplishments and the work they do. But because they are LGBT they serve as role models for our community — and for future generations. These individuals prove that we are no longer a sideshow, but nowadays, the main show. Editing these stories once again inspired me and I hope their stories will inspire you as well. So welcome to the SFGN 2015 South Florida OUT50, a list of activists, business leaders, organizers, and other out and proud members of the local LGBT community.

Photography by Michael Cushman

Associate Publisher, Jason Parsley (R), with his partner Aydin Koymen

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LGBT Leaders Are

Self-Made Jesse Monteagudo During the seven decades struggle for LGBT rights and equality, many of our more effective leaders were not office holders or heads of organizations but “ordinary” women or men who stood up for themselves and their community. As Equality Florida’s Nadine Smith once said, what our movement needs, and gets, is not one Martin Luther King, Jr. but thousands of Rosa Parks. Like the Civil Rights activists who integrated the schools in Little Rock and the lunch counters in Greensboro, many LGBT activists did what they did because their lives, and those of the ones they loved, depended on it. Most LGBT leaders are self-made, not born into their job. From the beginning of our movement, many LGBT people became activists as a result of an incident in their lives: an arrest, an act of violence, the loss of a job or of a family member, the impact of AIDS. The people who fought at Stonewall rebelled against police harassment. AIDS activists fought against an epidemic that killed their loves ones and threatened their lives and a government that did nothing. Lesbians, gay men and bisexual people in uniform - like Leonard Matlovich, Grethe Cammermeyer, Jose Zuniga and Dan Choi - just wanted to serve our country while the plaintiffs in celebrated marriage equality cases - like Edie Windsor and Jim Obergefell - valued their love relationships so much that they demanded & (and eventually got) equal treatment under the law. Like other activists, many of SFGN’s “OUT 50” leaders were people

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who saw a wrong - done to themselves or to others - and did something to correct it. Attorney Miriam Richter (2014) became an activist because she needed health insurance: “My partner of 20 years worked for the City of Fort Lauderdale and I could not get coverage on her policy at that time. So I kept calling Mayor Jack Seiler until I got him on the phone. He asked me what was involved and what it would cost the city. I spent the next six months gathering information. I sent the report to the Mayor and he put it on the agenda for the next meeting. City Commissioners and the City Manager were in favor so they made it happen. It was very exciting to see how local government can be so responsive.” Richter later became Education Director and Trademark Counsel for the Harvey Milk Foundation. In 2009 Jowharah Sanders (2014) founded National Voices for Equality, Education and Enlightenment (NVEEE) as a communitybased, non-profit organization whose mission is to prevent bullying, violence, and suicide among youth, families and communities. “NVEEE came out of my desire to help prevent bullying and suicide among our young people. After two suicide attempts of my own (as a teenager) I knew all too well that it could be prevented, and that perhaps by sharing my experiences it may help someone else. NVEEE’s goal is providing signature programs to schools and establishing bonds with youth and families in need of support dealing with bullying and suicide ideation.” Seven years later, Sanders continues to lead NVEEE and do the job she does so well.

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Many gay and bisexual men, including some “OUT 50” luminaries, became activists as a result of an AIDS diagnosis. Steve Stagon (2014) moved to South Florida shortly after he was diagnosed, where he joined support groups and worked on his recovery. He led the group POZitive Attitudes since 2006 and was a founder of the World AIDS Museum and Educational Center in Wilton Manors. Glen Weinzimer (2014) is another gay man who took the lemon of an AIDS diagnosis and made activist lemonade out of it. Weinzimer’s creation, the SMART Ride, a 165 mile bicycle ride from Miami to Key West, is one of our community’s most popular and successful AIDS fundraisers. All these people did what they did not to win fame or fortune or because they were born to lead but because they faced a situation that needed to be solved. They could have walked away, as so many others did, or deal privately with their own personal issues. Instead, they took their challenge as an opportunity to do what needed to be done, not just for themselves but for their community. This earned them a spot in SFGN’s “OUT 50” list, as well as our admiration and our gratitude.

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Orlando Castellano The Events Manager

As the manager of the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando Castellano sometimes comes across groups he politically disagrees with. But unlike most members of the LGBT community, when those groups decide to rent the War Memorial, it’s his job to work with them and make sure their needs are met. The experience, he said, can be frustrating. But he believes in separating his work from his personal life and he believes in letting everyone speak their mind – even if the group’s message “does not bode well for the LGBT community.” “I have to deal with it right up front and face-to-face. The bottom line is everybody is entitled to say what they wish. Sometimes, you

– MDO

Katharine Campbell The Doctor Ever since she started doing social work at the age of 18, Dr. Katharine Campbell says she’s “always been in the field of wanting to help other people.” Now, with her own private practice in Wilton Manors after working at SunServe, she’s continuing her life’s work of helping others, including women and the LGBT community. Her work involves helping her patients with medical conditions, such as chronic illness and pain, as well as trauma, victim advocacy and domestic violence. She also does consulting and helps non-profits answer important questions about the viability of their programs. In 2015, she helped found Women’s CenterED, “a safe,

have to bite your tongue and let things roll.” Previously the auditorium manager for the Miami Dade County Auditorium, Castellano said his sexual orientation is actually part of the reason he’s so open. “I’m more open to a wider variety of people and accepting of all types of events. This profession is pretty open minded.” It’s also one that provides him with a rare look into the sexuality of others. “Through the years, I’ve met a lot of people in the entertainment industry who still aren’t out. Each person has to make their own determination for what’s best with them.”

affirming and empowering space for women to come together, learn from one another, share and grow.” Campbell, who has been with her partner for two years and has an 8-year-old daughter, said she was lucky to have an accepting community when she came out years ago, but her sexual orientation still helps her assist those who aren’t as accepted as she was. “It can help me relate in different ways. Through diversity also comes resiliency. And I help others through their resiliency. Knowing yourself is very freeing. It’s empowering to know who you are.” – MDO

Lorenzo Robertson The Black Activist Being visible in a community often marginalized is an integral part of leadership. “There’s a need to empower black men to be better,” said Lorenzo Robertson. Robertson, an emerging interventions manager for the Pride Center, said his focus is nurturing the next generation of gay and bisexual black men to live an open and authentic life. “Too many of our men are still hiding or ashamed,” he said. To help decrease stigma and shame in black same gender loving men, Robertson coordinates the Ujima Men’s Collective Conference and is the founder and facilitator of BrothasSpeak, a discussion group that meets regularly in West

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Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. Diagnosed with HIV in 1997, Robertson works tirelessly to advocate on behalf of those living with the virus. He often uses his creative skills as a coping mechanism, writing poetry and acting in a one-man show that weaves the themes of sex, drugs and love into a compelling story. His newest work, “Eclectic Essence,” are words, Robertson says, “that will speak to your soul.” Robertson, who holds a B.A. in Public Administration and Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida, resides in Coconut Creek with his husband, Derald. – JMD

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4 Phil Quattrone and Judd Chapman The Power Couple

Where did Phil Quattrone and Judd Chapman meet? Why, Pineapple Point, of course. The owners of what is largely considered Fort Lauderdale’s best all male guesthouse, met on the property 27 years ago and turned their attraction for each other into a successful and thriving business. “We are very, very proud of Pineapple Point,” Chapman said. “We have a high end place with high end service and clientele, where people can come and be themselves.” Before starting Pineapple Point, Chapman worked marketing for BellSouth and Quattrone trained flight attendants at U.S. Airways. “Opposites attract,” Quattrone said. “How else do you describe a good ol’ boy from

Kentucky and a New York Italian getting together?” In their travels, Quattrone and Chapman, who were married last September in a ceremony in Palm Beach, saw a need for gay men who enjoy the finer things in life. “So many of the gay guesthouses we visited were dumps,” recalled Quattrone of his early exploration into the marketplace. “It doesn’t have to be like this, we thought.” And Pineapple Point, with its lush tropical setting and luxurious amenities, is certainly not your run of the mill guesthouse. TripAdvisor.com rates Pineapple Point No. 1 out of 570 Fort Lauderdale hotels. – JMD

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Arianna Lint The Trans Activist As a member of the transgender community, Arianna Lint says the T in LGBT very much feels like it’s on the outside of the LGBT community. But that hasn’t stopped her from founding the TransLatina Coalition. A refugee from Peru who came here in 2000, she said her time here has included the struggle to get access to the services she and others need. “We provide services to all transgender people [regardless of race or color] in Broward County. “That is the population that never gets attention from other services. It’s a very hard job but it’s something my community needs.” The problem she and other transgender

Jacqueline Lorber The Symphony President Jacqueline Lorber doesn’t perform on stage with the South Florida Symphony—that’s the job of her wife, Maestra Sebrina Maria Alfonso—but she is involved in virtually every other aspect of the orchestra’s operations. In fact, her title, President and CEO, is deceiving because she’s also the chief fundraiser, event planner and grant writer. At some point in the organization’s busy operations, she probably also should add janitor and bottle washer to her resume. Under her leadership, the symphony has expanded its annual concert season with performances in Key West and Broward and Palm Beach Counties. After the success of the recent collaboration with the Master Chorale on Beethoven’s “Choral” Symphony, the Arsht Center has added the orchestra to its roster of resident companies. But, it’s all a labor of love for Lorber, who

– JWA

Heidi Siegel The City Manager When Heidi Siegel, formerly Heidi Shafran, left Wilton Manors to become the city manager of Biscayne Park in Miami in 2013, she came to a city much like the LGBT-friendly one she left. “We have a very quiet bedroom gay and lesbian community here. We’re 100 percent residential so it’s a pretty quiet community when it comes to that. From a residential perspective, it is very similar to Wilton Manors. A lot of the groundwork [on LGBT issues] was done before I got here.” Although Biscayne Park’s residents are already getting the benefit of LGBT-friendly policies and practices, Siegel said she’s still able to offer

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considered herself a “social philanthropist” before accepting the position with the symphony in 2009. She built a successful bus company that was later sold and devoted years to advancing a number of local non-profits and philanthropies. Lorber and Alfonso started dating about a year after Lorber joined the symphony and they were married in 2014 in Provincetown. “I get great joy out of working with Sebrina,” she said of their personal and professional collaboration, “helping her make music and then sharing it with so many people.” When she does find time to relax, Lorber enjoys working in the couple’s yard, playing with their dogs and spending time with her family, especially her grown son from a previous marriage.

individuals have, she said, is that people fail to understand the differences between lesbian and gay individuals and transgender individuals. In reality, whereas gay and lesbian individuals are defined by their sexuality, transgender individuals are mainly defined by their inner desire to have their bodies match their minds. Even some doctors, she said, have trouble understanding her community. “We are individuals and we need to have a place, a voice. Martin Luther King had a dream. The transgender community has a dream too. We’re trying to break barriers all the time.”

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something positive as city manager. “I don’t think it impacts my job but I think being gay makes me a little conscious of inequities and justice and I think that’s a good quality to have as a city manager.” Married last year, Siegel is glad the law has changed but she also thinks there are other ways to change minds about the LGBT community. “I hope I’m seen as a professional with interiority. Just through my actions, it might change people’s opinions without having to get into political debates.” – MDO

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8&9 Andy Rogow and Michael Leeds The Artistic Dream Team

Island City Stage’s Andy Rogow and Michael Leeds are a dream team in South Florida’s regional theater scene. Together, they have taken the scrappy LGBT-centric theater company and made it a force in just a few short years. In 2014, the company’s powerful production of Dan Clancy’s “The Timekeepers,” directed by Leeds, swept the Carbonell Awards and expectations are high again in 2016 for a repeat with Island City’s world premiere of gay playwright Michael McKeever’s “Daniel’s Husband.” Rogow, a Chicago native, got an early start in theater, beginning acting school when he was just nine years old. “I can't remember a time when I didn’t want to be in theater,” Rogow said. He completed his studies at New York University and the University of Nevada – Las Vegas before taking another shot at an acting career in the Big Apple. “I spent seven years as an actor/waiter, well, more waiter than actor,” he recalled. Rogow came to South Florida with a production at the old Hollywood Playhouse and soon was hired to be the artistic director. He spent nearly six years there and gained Carbonell recognition before the playhouse was forced to close. After a short hiatus, he recognized the need for an LGBT-centric theater company and started Island City Stage. Leeds, grew up on Long Island, the son of singers and grandson of a professional trumpet player. He also got

an early introduction to the theater, accompanying his parents to Broadway shows. Leeds got his start performing as a dancer, working with many of the biggest names in the business. After a few years, he began choreographing productions and eventually began directing and writing. “My next door neighbor was a writer and producer for films and encouraged my writing,” Leeds said. His musical, “Swinging on a Star,” earned Leeds a Tony Award nomination and an Off-Broadway production of “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah,” landed him a Drama Desk Award nomination. He moved to South Florida a decade ago to help care for his mother and father and was soon in demand as a director at theaters across the vast region. “There’s lots of great talent here to work with,” he said, “but the biggest challenge is how spread out (South Florida) is—from Coral Gables all the way up to West Palm Beach.” Leeds was named Best Director by the Carbonell judges for his spectacular production of “Mack and Mabel” at Broward Stage Door and “The Timekeepers” for Island City Stage, along with numerous other nominations. His hit play, “Who Killed Joan Crawford?” recently completed an extended run at the theater’s new home at Abyss Stage in Wilton Manors. – JWA

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Terry Stone The CEO At 65, Terry Stone does more traveling than most people in for profit organizations. As CEO of CenterLink, he has his work cut out for him supporting some 170 existing community centers and fostering new memberships to expand visibility, and provide support and resources as needed. Terry was born and raised in Texas in a religious family. When he reached adulthood he married a woman and they had two daughters, both of whom are very close to Stone and his partner, Mike Bush. Bush and Stone have been together for 15 years. During his stay in the closet, a

Ken Evans The Democrat For most of his life, Ken Evans wasn’t out. As someone who worked at children’s summer camps beginning in 1982, Evans felt coming out would have negative impacts. “Then I got involved in politics.” Starting in 2008, Evans became more and more involved in politics. He’s served in multiple state and local Democratic organizations and is currently the LGBT volunteer constituency lead for the Hillary Clinton Florida campaign. “For so many years, I kind of hid who I was.” But getting more and more involved made him more aware of just how honest

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he could be. “I just said, ‘I don’t have to hide from this anymore. The world’s changing. People just accept it now.” Vice President Biden’s 2012 support of gay marriage was one particular moment. “I think it’s interesting how things can just happen. Simple words from important people can mean a lot. It’s really just made me feel comfortable to tell people. It’s just a better place to be open and be out.” As he found, things have changed all over, even in the world of summer camps. “We have families of all lifestyles in the camps.” – MDO

student in the Sunday school class he taught asked if he was gay. “I decided right then and there that the façade was over,” he explained. “So I said, ‘Yes.’ “The following week I was called before the congregation and officially expelled from the church.” With over 20 years in LGBT nonprofits, Stone became ED at CenterLink in 2006 and moved it to South Florida in 2008. To anyone still closeted Stone says, “We’re doing ourselves and our community a favor by being visible and integrating into the fabric of society.”

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Mark Kent the Chorus Executive Mark Kent is passionate about the arts. For the past 25 years, the Florida native has guided nationally recognized arts organizations in West Palm Beach and, more recently, Atlanta. Following a nationwide search last year, he has brought his expertise back to South Florida as executive director of the 170-voice Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida. “I thought it would be a great way to take what I have been doing and bring it back home,” he recalled. Kent, who spent his early years in Homestead and later Plant City, completed his education at Florida State University before joining the staff of the newly organized Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, where he helped open the popular venue. He then moved to Atlanta, where he also held key positions with the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center, Children’s Museum of Atlanta and Hands On Atlanta. One of Kent’s first challenges was to deal with the

chorus’ enormous popularity. Most of the ensemble’s regular concerts at the Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale sold out weeks before the performances, frustrating many music lovers who could not get tickets. “Isn’t that a great problem to have?” he asked, pointing out that most classical music organizations struggle to draw audiences and sell tickets. He sought out opportunities to perform in additional venues and established partnerships with other groups, like the very successful series with the Symphony of the Americas at the Broward Center. The chorus also added a performance last year at the 1100 seat Bailey Hall on the campus of Broward College in Davie. Most recently, he has provided stability to the organization as it conducts a national search for a new artistic director. – JWA

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13 Shanna Ratliff The STD Specialist

As a lesbian whose clients are a majority gay or bisexual, Shanna Ratliff can still draw amongst her own experiences to help serve them. “It really allows me to be empathetic to what they’re going through and just really kind of understand their experience, walk in their shoes,” said Ratliff, the prevention with positives manager at The Pride Center in Wilton Manors. She overseas HIV and other STD prevention programs. “These men really teach me. I guess I look at it in that regard. They teach me by sharing their experiences with me.” Starting as an intern at The Pride Center

seven years ago, Ratliff has worked her way into administration and was hired in her current position in September of last year. “ “I’m definitely an out lesbian [out since she was 19 and with her current partner for 10 years] but I’m part of the community. I’ve been here at The Pride Center for so long and I’ve just built a rapport with the community.” “Definitely the best part of my job is the relationships I get to build with people. It’s really important that when people come to visit us they feel like this is a second home to them.” – MDO

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Leland Kolbert The Trans Caretaker

Way before the word transgender became well known, Leland Kolbert knew he wasn’t a she. “I know that I should have been born male. I’m just in the wrong body. You have these two protruding things on your chest you can’t relate to.” Kolbert, co-founder of New Beginnings in Davie, said he’s always been hyper masculine. Now, armed with a professional background in nursing and an intimate understanding of the challenges faced by transgender individuals, he runs New Beginnings. It’s a facility designed to care for transgender individuals who have had surgery. And, he said, it costs nothing for

Listron Mannix The Public Health Specialist Listron Mannix says he is a rolling with the punches kinda of guy. When asked what gets him of bed everyday, he playfully responds, “the sunrise – I should invest in black out shades. But once I am up, I am excited about the unknown factors of my day.” In his role as Expanding Testing Initiative Manager, Mannix, 30, oversees testing and outreach efforts for the Pride Center at Equality Park. It is a challenging position for many reasons, but Mannix is more than equipped to handle the job. Last year he earned his Ph.D. in clinical sexology, writing a dissertation on the importance of sexual self awareness for HIV

– JMD

Mark Silver The Jeweler As a resident of South Florida, Mark Silver is appreciative to live in an area that is so welcoming of LGBT individuals. As the owner of Argenti Jewelers in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, he sometimes gets customers from other areas of the country who remind him that not every place is so LGBT-friendly. He usually meets them when they come in for marriage bands. “They tell me they went to [their hometown jeweler] and they looked at us like we had three heads. This is how I attain a lot of my clients.” Fortunately for Silver, he came to South Florida from another part of the country that is generally accepting of the LGBT community – at least nowadays – New York City.

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testing counselors. “Working at the Pride Center has certainly allowed me to fulfill my goal to work in the field of HIV/AIDS and to be part of a vehicle for change,” Mannix said. Mannix has worked in the field of HIV/ AIDS since 1996 when he started a peer program focusing on self esteem issues while living on the Caribbean island of Antigua. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., Mannix received his bachelor’s in psychology and master’s in social work from Florida Atlantic University. He currently resides in Fort Lauderdale with his partner, Scott Belding.

those who stay. “I’ve got a 9,000 square foot mansion. I just completely take care of them. I’ve been a nurse since 1983 and my partner does pain management and life coaching.” Compared to the way things were in the past, Kolbert’s amazed at how open people can be about being gay and/or transgender. “Back then, you didn’t even talk about being gay.” But there’s still a lot of progress to be made. The evidence of that was the assault he sustained just two weeks ago. “No matter what community you live in, there's always someone who doesn’t want you.”

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“I went all through that Stonewall episode. It was that whole Fire Island and Studio 54 and that whole '80s thing, which was the beginning of our history. It was a lot of partying and the whole AIDS epidemic was just beginning.” After the good and the bad of those first years as a vocal group, including the deaths of many of his friends and the friends and family members of other LGBT individuals, Silver said the LGBT community emerged stronger. “Everybody was proud of who they were and now it’s a rule of thumb.” – MDO

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17 Paul Smith The Therapist

Paul Smith lives in Fort Lauderdale with Gerry Kennedy, his partner of 37 years and his husband of three. They were married in Los Angeles where Smith’s two children and five grandsons make their homes. Smith said that he never really thought much about being gay as a child and later as an adult. “I didn’t come out until I was in my mid-30s and living the lie became too much,” he said. Smith and Kennedy met at a gay bar in Washington, DC where Smith worked at the Pentagon and Kennedy was an accountant. They

retired to Florida where Smith, who had become a therapist has engaged with SunServe and the Center focused on social work and HIV/AIDS issues. He also coordinates the Fort Lauderdale Brothas Speak. About coming out today, Smith is circumspect. “You still have to be cautious,” he said “People are in the closet for all sorts of reasons and we have to respect that. But coming out is a powerful act of strength and courage and it helps straight people know we are part of the fabric of this society.” – DC

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18 Carol Lynn Smith-Madison The Online Publisher

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Carol Lynn Smith-Madison wants to give voice to LGBT individuals still struggling to find theirs. She gives it to them through her online publication, That Girl About Town. “It’s a voice to write within the community . . . a voice for things that matter. I allow people to publish different writings. People who are still building their confidence.” An author of four published books, including “The Journey to Peace: A Woman's Guide to Finding Inner Peace,” Smith-Madison is very much concerned with authentic identity. “It’s about just getting back to ourselves. The things we would be able to do if people didn’t tell us we couldn’t do them.”

The site, www.ThatGirlAboutTown.com, includes poems, essays and other writings. In particular, she’s concerned with the suicide rate amongst LGBT individuals – a problem, she said, is caused in part by people not reaching their full potential by hiding their true sexual orientation. “They’re not able to live authentic lives. Their partner becomes their ‘roommate,’ their ‘buddy,’ their ‘best friend.’ I’m not a psychologist or licensed therapist but it’s my personal belief . . . the link to depression is in not being able to be authentic.” – MDO

Bryan Wilson The Queer Activist Queer is a word a lot of people might not self-apply. But Bryan Wilson isn’t one of them. Wilson, director of community relations for SunServe in Wilton Manors, said he views queer as a word that “gives honor to the identity of a sexual orientation spectrum. Not just the tertiary of gay, bisexual, straight.” For Wilson, sexual orientation is not just personal, it also drives his professional life. “They are one in the same. My livelihood and born sexual orientation and what I consider to be my job, my career. I am very grateful I’m able to be say I was born gay for my destiny. I use destiny lightly.”

His only regret? He didn’t come out sooner to his friends and family. “I was nervous how they’d react. I wish I had come out when I was 12, 13, 14 because they would have helped with my religious struggles.” Now, in the midst of his career, he said he feels fortunate to be able to devote himself fully to the LGBT community. “It’s really empowering to make our world a better place. To be able to serve my friends and family here in South Florida and [my hometown in] Texas.” – MDO

Christopher H. Bates The HIV/AIDS Expert As he reflects on a lifetime of service, memories and moments run deep for Christopher H. Bates. However, when asked to pinpoint the pinnacle of his career, there is no doubt. For 10 years, Bates traveled the nation as a deputy director in the Office of HIV/AIDS policy for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, promoting the federal government’s policies and prevention plan for HIV/AIDS. “To serve as the director of AIDS policy,” Bates said. “There’s nothing else I’ve done or nothing that I will do that will be more meaningful.” In his current role with the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, Bates is primarily responsible for developing men’s health, wellness and prevention programs.

Chris Rudisill The Historian For Chris Rudisill, the new executive director of the Stonewall National Museum and Archives in Fort Lauderdale, the position is “the culmination of everything I’ve done in my career.” A North Carolina native, Rudisill began working in the museum industry for a short time after college, then wrote an LGBT column for “The Sun News” in Myrtle Beach, S.C., before settling in the Tampa Bay area for five years, where he served as executive director of St. Pete Pride and most recently, director of LGBT community center services for Metro Wellness and Community Centers. “I was a ‘voice’ for the community at the paper, worked ‘with’ the community at Pride and then worked ‘for’ the community (at the center),” he said. In this new position, Rudisill hopes to continue expanding the Stonewall Museum’s mission and outreach nationally, working for “the” LGBT community.

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He also administers the congressionally appropriated funds for the Minority AIDS Initiative. No small tasks, he admits. “We have got a yeoman’s job of just having a mature conversation with everybody that is sexually active about the ongoing threat of sexually transmitted diseases of which HIV is one,” Bates said. Bates, 65, grew up in Philadelphia, attended high school in Miami, and received his B.A. at the University of Michigan and his M.P.A. at Southeastern University in Washington, D.C. He has served on numerous agency boards, committees and commissions, globally and locally. – JMD

In the wake of landmark advances in recent years, he warns the LGBT community cannot become complacent and, instead, must preserve our history. Rudisill said the community must also be mindful that today’s headlines will become a part of future history. “Young people, especially, need to see how far we’ve come in such a short time, but also appreciate that more advances are on the horizon,” Rudisill added. He’s particularly excited about the museum’s education project and plans to encourage the continued development of interesting curriculum, not just to tell the history of the LGBT movement, but rather perspectives of the community’s place in the greater arc of human history. – JWA 3/23/2016

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Suzi Hollis The Salt Queen After about 20 years in the construction industry, Suzi Hollis never thought she’d be the owner of a health related business. But a construction accident in 1996 in her hometown of Chicago helped define her, in good and bad ways. “I’ve known I was gay since I was 5. I came out when I was 21. In the construction world it was very difficult, obviously. But other than that, I haven’t had any problems.” The accident lead to health problems as well as her eventually owning a business dedicated to helping with those problems: Salt This Way. Salt This Way uses salt air to help

22 Randy Katz The Prosecutor Over the course of his decade-long career, U.S. attorney Randy Katz has prosecuted different kinds of crimes. But his favorite have been those involving fraud. “I really enjoy doing the economic crimes because it’s a very intensive investigation where individuals are trying to perpetrate frauds on victims . . . working with FBI, Secret Service and other agencies to bring the wrongdoers to justice. I also enjoy working with the victims and trying to make it right for them.” For his efforts, he has been awarded multiple times: the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for his role in Florida’s largest health care fraud prosecution;

the Timothy Evans Memorial Award, given to the top federal prosecutor in the Southern District of Florida and Prosecutor of the Year by the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators for dismantling a major mortgage fraud organization. He’s also been named a Top 40 Under 40 Lawyer by the National LGBT Bar Association. Asked if being gay impacts his work at all, Katz said no but “I think it’s good to have in any organization individuals with diverse perspectives. LGBT individuals should be judged on their merits, as it should be. Not who they fall in love with.”

Rob Shore The PrEP Educator To his peers, Rob Shore is known as “Dr. PrEP” It’s a moniker he happily accepts as Shore’s chief role at the Florida Department of Health is to educate the public about safe sex practices. “The nice thing about science is it’s right even if you don’t believe in it,” Shore said when asked about the debate involving PrEP, a once a day pill prescribed to prevent contracting HIV. Shore presses even further, asking “What are we doing all this research for, if we cannot implement our findings?” Shore knows what he is talking about, having spent eight years at the U.S. Food & Drug

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treat problems such as emphysema and eczema. “Sometimes, you need pharmaceuticals but you can’t rely on them for the rest of your life,” she said. Asked why she chose Wilton Manors, she said she saw a lack of healthcentered businesses in a community with a lot of bars and nightlife. “It just seemed like there was a real need for a wellness center. I’m someone that cares tremendously about other people and really didn’t get into it to make a quick buck. You’ve got to pay it forward and leave a holistic footprint.”

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Administration, working as pharmacologist, reviewing data from drug studies and making recommendations for approvals of new drugs. In 2004, he was hired by Microsoft as a business analyst, eventually being promoted to account executive where he managed sales, coordinated teams and met corporate goals. Retirement brought Shore to South Florida in April of 2014, moving to Bal Harbour to be with his mother, while volunteering at Pride Center. He didn’t stay on the sidelines long as the FDOH hired him to oversee condom distribution in Broward County and focus on PrEP education. – JMD

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25 Rod Hagwood The Arts Reporter

Rod Hagwood has been working at the Sun Sentinel for as long as he’s been in South Florida — 25 years. As Senior Columnist and Critic, Hagwood covers entertainment and fashion for the newspaper, SouthFlorida.com and WSFL TV station. While Hagwood reports on entertainment, he does notice how the LGBT community is reported. “I do like the way the coverage of the LGBT and progressive communities at the Sun Sentinel is not the responsibility of one or a handful of

reporters,” he said. “We are all expected to be as inclusive in our reporting as possible.” While the strides the LGBT community have made are encouraging, Hagwood still sees downfalls. “In many neighborhoods, many schools, [and] many families, it is still very dangerous to be out.” Hagwood still hopes for more recognition within the community. “I think that we will continue to break stereotypes and redefine what our lives can be,” he said. – DZ

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Atticus Ranck The FTM Trans Activist

When a transgender individual comes into Atticus Ranck’s office, he doesn’t need to guess at what they’re dealing with. As someone who has transitioned, he knows exactly what they’re dealing with. It’s just a matter of learning the specifics. “I was born female and have since emerged as male. It makes me more empathetic for my clients. I understand their struggles because I’ve been there,” said Ranck, director of transgender services for SunServe. “I think you constantly have to defend yourself about who you are. There’s no place in the world for trans people. The world is made for two genders: men and women. Even your body is against you.”

But Hartley, also on the board of directors for Stonewall and The Pride Center, knows others who aren’t as confident in being out. “I know a woman. She’s got a very prestigious job downtown and she is not able to come out. I think it affects them. Whenever you’re not able to be who you are, it affects your work. There’s always something holding them back. There’s got to be a lie there somewhere.” – MDO

Sue Gallagher The Child Advocate As Chief Innovation Officer for Children’s Services Council (CSC) of Broward County, Sue Gallagher’s duty is providing opportunities for all children “to realize their full potential, their hopes and their dreams, supported by a nurturing family and community.” Gallagher, in her ninth year as CIO, leads efforts to support community partners to collaborate on improving programs, service systems and communities so young people and their families can thrive. One of these collaborations, the LGBTQ Youth Task Force of the Broward Children’s Strategic plan, she says, creates “a cadre of Lambda Legal trainers on LGBTQ youth issues for local non-profits and established data systems to improve life outcomes for LGBTQ youth.” Gallagher also mentors emerging LBT women

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Brenda Hartley The Business Woman For Brenda Hartley, identity isn’t just about who she is. It’s also important to her professional well-being. “I think identity’s important in any field you are in. You’ve got to be who you’ve got to be.” Hartley, the vice president/branch manager at BankUnited in Wilton Manors, said she’s lucky to be with a company that’s so accepting of her and her wife. “I’ve been with my wife 20 years now. We were married a year ago in March. BankUnited is a great employer. They know my wife. They’re fully supportive.”

Transgender individuals, he said, face discrimination in healthcare, the workplace and familial rejection. It’s a combination that can lead to depression, drug and alcohol abuse and, finally, suicide. In recovery himself, Ranck came out as a lesbian at 17 before his transition. “And then the feelings happened when I was in graduate school.” He started on hormones at age 23. Those who come to Ranck receive help with record changes, accessing hormones, homeless assistance, job issues and more. “Anything I can do to help them.”

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for the Aqua Foundation Scholars program. She has been out for her entire career working in nonprofits and serving people with developmental disabilities as well as at CSC. Gallagher says her work is “grounded in the sacred worth of each person and the need for individual and collective healing,” lessons from her degrees in religious studies and pastoral ministry. An upstate New York native, Gallagher is also an adjunct professor at Florida International University where she teaches organizational and community strategic planning in the College of Education graduate school. She lives in Broward County with her partner of four years. – JMD

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29 Cathy Pareto & Karla Arguello The Trailblazers

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For Cathy Pareto, the excitement of finally marrying her longtime partner, Karla Arguello, has largely passed. And that’s what she wants: a sense of normalcy. To have a marriage that is equal in the eyes of society. No better. No worse. Pareto and Arguello were the first LGBT couple to tie the knot in Florida in January of 2015, thanks to an already scheduled court appearance before a judge the day samesex marriage became legal in Miami-Dade. “It was kind of a circus that day. What led to our getting married first is our hearing scheduled asking the judge to lift the case [Pareto v. Ruvin]. We were a ball of nerves in court

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that day,” Pareto said. “It was mind-numbing, exhilarating. So many emotions.” And after 16 years together, Pareto said their relationship has felt like a marriage for a while. They are also in business together, Cathy Pareto and Associates in Coral Gables, and have a family, including the recent arrival of twins. “We had been together for so long and lived our lives so much like a married couple. But we still weren’t legal in the eyes of the law. You just feel safer as a family. You feel more unified. That underlying threat, that’s gone now.” – MDO

Chad Matthews The TV News Director NBC 6’s Assistant News Director Chad Matthews has been in South Florida for four years but has been making an impact since his very first day. “One of the first things I did after taking my position was to partner NBC 6 with Miami Beach Gay Pride,” he said. “I am very proud that we were the first local TV station to march in that parade that has grown tremendously in recent years.” Matthews, 44, is also proud of the support given to the LGBT community from local journalists. “Just look at the positive stories done in the past year after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage,” he

said. “The level of support we get from journalists and LGBT publications in South Florida rivals any big American city.” For the future, though, Matthews hopes others will be able to experience more acceptance across the country. “Growing up, I never thought I would see the day same-sex couples could legally marry,” he said. “In big cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale, our community flourishes and is largely accepted. That is not the case in many rural areas. My hope would be that in five years that changes.” – DZ

Danny Eguizabal The Good Samaritan Danny Eguizabal is all about giving back. It may sound cliché, but he works hard to make the world a better place. Early this year, he competed in the Miami half marathon. Through two years of fundraising with this event, he raised more than $10,000 to support the fight against pancreatic cancer. It was in honor of his good friend and coworker who had recently passed away from the disease. The money was donated to a nonprofit organization started by her children. “Martha Serra was like a mother to me,” he said. “She set a precedent in me to continue to shine a light in a dark place.” In 2015, he raised more than $6,000 for the Smart Ride, the 165 mile bike ride from Miami to Key West. That money came from a bar crawl through Wynwood that Eguizabal put

Juan F. Sanchez The Detective Behind Miami Beach’s blue line is an officer working in the best interests of all the colors of the rainbow. Meet Detective Juan F. Sanchez, Miami Beach Police Department’s LGBT liaison to the Chief of Police. Sanchez joined the force in 1987 and is currently assigned to the Special Victims Unit. Through the course of his tenure, Det. Sanchez has spearheaded and implemented several programs to protect and serve the LGBT community. He developed the department’s Hate Crimes Reporting training, which is now taught to all police department members and the city’s 911 center. Working closely with the State Attorney’s Office, and with MBPD backing, Sanchez traveled to Washington, D.C. to provide input for the creation of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Law

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together and thousands in donations from local businesses. When he’s not running or riding, Eguizabal is an elementary school music teacher at St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School in Coconut Grove. He said his students encourage him to live his life by setting an example for others. He’s also a singer and piano player and gigs around at different churches such as Unity of Hollywood and Unity Ft. Lauderdale. These days, he’s not playing as much because he’s hitting the books – pursuing his master’s in mass communication. Eguizabal is thankful for being recognized this year. “I’m beyond grateful to be nominated.” Eguizabal was nominated by a reader for this year’s OUT50 list. – DR

Enforcement and Transgender Community training module. With assistance from the Center for Transgender Equality, Sanchez authored MBPD’s Transgender Interactions Standard Operating Procedure, a policy that has been distributed as a model for other departments nationwide. “Det. Sanchez has dedicated a large part of his career to making Miami Beach a safer place for LGBTQ residents and tourists, and he has played a major role in many of the advancements that have transpired,” said Michael Bath, Events Director for the National LGBTQ Task Force. The Task Force recently honored Sanchez with a reception atop the New World Symphony as part of the annual Winter Party festivities. – JMD 3/23/2016

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33 Keith Hart The Sportsman

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Keith Hart recently retired from American Express. His was a 21-year career that concluded with responsibility for 1 million pieces of mail, daily. Hart and his partner Nelson have been together for 32 years. They are the proud parents of a son and grandparents to their son’s daughter Samantha. You’d think those were some comfortable laurels to rest upon but that is not the retirement Hart has chosen. Instead, he is continuing a lifelong commitment to community (both the Hollywood area of South Florida and the LGBT community) by serving as Chief Operating Officer of the World OutGames to be held in Miami in 2017. Not to be confused with the Gay Games, the World OutGames is a ten-day celebration founded on the three pillars of Culture, Human Rights and Sport. Both gay and straight members of the community are welcome to participate, although the games are oriented toward LGBT rights. Beating out Reykjavik, Miami’s OutGames will include all manner of cultural events and competitions in 37 different sporting disciplines. The human rights component of Miami’s

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OutGames will consist of a three-day conference that will discuss topics ranging from sex trafficking to LGBT seniors. Hart’s role is daunting. He is ultimately responsible for the complete oversight of all operational components of the event, and, as he puts it “making sure that 15,000 projected attendees have a fantastic time and want to return to Miami!” Making a positive difference in a hands-on way, often through cultural and sporting enterprises is nothing new to Hart. It has been a lifelong vocation, one fueled by passion and personal reward. Over the past 40-years, Hart has held many key positions including board president of Miami Gay Men's Chorus; president and founding member of the International Gay & Lesbian Football Association – IGLFA, president (‘91-‘92) of the Hotlanta Soccer Association and also while living in Georgia helping the Georgia State Soccer Association secure the first appearance of Women’s Soccer in the Olympics (Atlanta '96). – AP

Jeff Lehman The Hospitable Guy Jeff Lehman knows hospitality. As managing director at the Betsy South Beach he oversees guest relationship management, operations, asset management, quality control and a staff of nearly 200. Under Lehman’s leadership, The Betsy is undergoing a major change with a new wing opening, called the Art Deco Wing, which is the former Carlton Hotel on Collins Avenue. In addition to those responsibilities, this year is Lehman’s 13th serving on the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (VCA.) The VCA is charged with improving the tourist experience in Miami Beach. Lehman is also the co-owner of Roots & Roots Corporation, an event and floral company that handles the interior landscaping and flowers for many of

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Miami’s best & most luxurious businesses, including the Setai, Acqualina, all of the Menin Group Hotels (Shelbourne, Gale, etc.) and residences throughout Miami & Miami Beach. “After decades of business and service in and to Miami and Miami Beach, it is an honor to be included in the OUT50 edition of SFGN,” Lehman said. “Miami Beach in particular is a special destination to live in or vacation for the LGBT person. Our world has changed so much in the past few decades. It continues to evolve, and the dedication of so many people in various and creative ways is so important to our future as we ride into the 21st century!” – DR

Mimi Planas The Republican

Mimi Planas is a native daughter of Miami. She is of Cuban descent and works full time at Dolphin Products, a company devoted to manufacturing apparel designed to protect workers in the hazardous pharmaceutical, industrial and food industries. It’s an important responsibility but, according to Planas, the most important position she holds, by far, is mom to her 9-year-old son Aidan. In addition to Aiden Planas lives with her wife and her 88 year old mother. Miami’s Cuban American community is known for its political activism and Planas embraced that civic responsibility in 2007 becoming heavily involved in the local community. Over the years she has helped people dealing with drug addiction, she has raised funds and corralled supplies for the needy and she has involved herself in disaster relief, a constant burden in a part of the country with environmental concerns and a regular hurricane season. In 2010 Planas stepped up her commitment by running for Commissioner of Miami Dade County. In 2012 she was elected to Community Council District 10 and has since been voted in as Vice Chairwoman of the Council. In 2013 Planas was elected to serve as Committeewoman for District 26 for the Republican Executive Committee. Thanks to

Leticia Carrazana The Generous Banker It may be Leticia Carrazana’s years of experience in banking that make her so good at giving, especially when it comes to volunteering and community leadership. In 2015, she joined Sabadell United Bank as Market Executive. She’s also worked at BB&T, Bank Atlantic, HSBC and Citigroup where Carrazana established herself as a trusted advisor to a diverse group of commercial, corporate and small business clients. Carrazana serves on the board of the Women’s Fund of Miami Dade and for the second year in a row she’s co-chair for the group’s ‘Mujeres Giving Back’ event. Carrazana is also on the board of the Lions Club of Hialeah Pan American, where she once served as president and vice-president. She volunteers with the MDGL Chamber of Commerce, the Miami Gay

and Lesbian Film Festival and recently received the prestigious "Melvin Jones Fellow Award" and was asked to be on the Women's Advisory Committee for World Outgames Miami 2017. “I believe in giving back to the community,” she said. “This is just a bit of what I have done and continue to do for our community and the legacy I leave my daughter Natalia.” Carrazana’s daughter is picking up the leadership torch. Natalia recently organized an event titled "Break the Silence" for LGBT community members to share how they have overcome obstacles and become great leaders in the community in order to empower our youth.

her influence and with a good amount of political capital amassed over the years Planas was able to get a chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans off the ground in Miami. She has helped build the organization from then until now. For many in the LGBT community a gay republican is a bit of an oxymoron. But for many others, however, there is a clear identification with that party’s core principles: free markets, individual liberty, limited government, a strong national defense and equality under the law for all. As such, lesbian and gay Log Cabin Republicans aim to challenge and change the party’s historically unwelcoming approach to the gay community from within. Planas is clear about this. “To me, being a Republican is about individual liberty and personal freedom, and that means people must be allowed to be themselves and to love who they love.” In 2015 Rick Scott appointed Planas to the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. Clearly hers is a political profile that continues to grow and she is someone to watch in coming elections. – AP

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37 Josue Santiago The Change Agent

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In his management role at Florida Power & Light, Josue Santiago ensures changing currents is done the proper and respectable way. “For me, it is very important to pay it forward,” said Santiago, when asked about some of his guiding principles. Santiago has demonstrated just that in South Florida, editing publications, leading committees and organizing events for the LGBT community. Born in Hialeah and raised in a Jehovah’s Witness family, Santiago credits Pridelines Youth Services for awakening his inner spirit. “I had been going to the clubs but that just wasn’t fulfilling me,” he said. “Pridelines opened doors for me and broadened my horizons. They showed me

another circle to the gay community that someone coming from a sheltered existence does not see.” Recently, Santiago, 34, took the next step in life by proposing to his boyfriend, Matthew Dzwonkiewicz. He popped the question, in surprise fashion, in front of 700 attendees at the National LGBTQ Task Force’s Miami Gala. “That was so nerve racking,” he admited. “It was so hard to keep that a secret.” Matthew said yes and the evening was a further testament to Santiago’s community building skills as the gala raised more than $630,000 for the Task Force. – JMD

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38 Ruthie and Connie The Lifetime Activists

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Ruth Berman, 82 and Connie Kurtz, 79 are lovers. Proudly lesbian, proudly out, and proudly demonstrative. They hold hands and kiss in public and don’t care who sees them. These ladies are OUT. Born and raised in Brooklyn, the two met as neighbors when both were raising children as married heterosexual women. “Who knew from lesbian?” asked Connie. “We were housewives and mothers and we became great friends.” After Connie’s family moved to Israel she returned to Brooklyn for a visit and realized that she was in love with Ruthie. It turned out that the feeling was mutual and the two women began the process of coming out. They lived together for 36 years before they could marry which they did in New York in 2011. “Some people, friends and family members were ok with it,” Ruthie said. “Some couldn’t deal with it. So what? We had our lives to live.” They have double digits of offspring , some in Israel, some in Brooklyn, some everywhere.

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Ruthie was a New York City guidance counselor. Connie was a bookkeeper. As a couple, they won partner benefits from the New York City School District; they created a counseling center to help gay people come out; they appeared on the Phil Donahue show; they starred in a documentary “Ruthie and Connie Every Room in the House;” and most recently, three members of Congress have submitted a bill to protect aging LGBT people and have named it the Ruthie and Connie LGBT Elder Americans Act. Can you get more out than that? “You have to respect yourself and your relationships,” said Ruthie about coming out. “We’re all entitled to equal treatment if you’re not being treated equally you’re not respecting yourself.” “Come out. Stay in. Do what you want and what you need to do,” Connie said. “If you’re OK with the pain and being sick that living a lie can bring, have it. But not me.” – DC

Rodney Briguglio The Restaurateur Rodney Briguglio grew up in West Hampton Beach, Long Island, “a small town where everyone knew everyone else’s business,” he said. Social pressure to conform to the heterosexual “norm” kept him closeted for many years during which time he dated women and kept up the façade. He finally came out at 30 and says it was a wonderful experience, releasing pent up anger and experiencing a lot less worry that someone would figure it out. Briguglio moved to Florida when he was 22, taking a job as events coordinator at the Breakers. “South Florida is less seasonal than the Hamptons,” Briguglio said. “It seemed like a good move and so it was.”

He left the Breakers and became a consultant on event planning. He and a business partner created Mara, a night club on Dixie Highway in Lake Worth which was later launched as Blue Front Barbecue Restaurant where he hosted a weekly drag show. His latest project is Lilly Catering and Events. Briguglio is a big supporter of gay events and programs including Compass and the annual Pride Festival. He encourages people to come out and “be proud of who you are. And surround yourself with others like you.”

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Davilyn (Davy) Whims The Democrat West Palm Beach native, Davy Whims was born Davilyn and isn’t sure why but she’s happy being “Davy.” Like many LGBT people of her generation she didn’t realize that she was a lesbian until age 17 or 18 when she had her first experience with another woman. Her family was extremely religious so she didn’t share her information with them. “They knew,” Davy said. “But we just didn’t talk about it.” Whims met Rusty Gordon (d. 2009), her life partner of 22 years, at a gathering of women called Single Women in Motion (SWIM). “It wasn’t love at first sight but it grew to be a wonderful, loving relationship,” she said.

Velvet Lenore The Drag Queen At 43, Velvet Lenore has been doing drag for almost half her life. “I started 21 years ago,” she says proudly. “And I’ve never come out in the traditional sense,” she continued anticipating the next question. Born and raised in Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce, Velvet avers, “I was born out. People knew from the start that I wasn’t your regular boy and nobody cared.” She attributes some of her good fortune to being raised by her grandmother. “She just let me be who I was and didn’t give a care who didn’t like it.” Velvet and Michael Cushman have been together in a committed relationship for nine years. “We’re not legally married, but we

“Rusty was very out,” Whims said. “She was involved in Democratic politics, National Organization for Women (NOW) and more.” I got involved, too. There was no way to stay in the closet when Rusty was your partner.” Today she’s on the Democratic Executive Committee of Palm Beach County, the Mid-County Democrats, the State LGBTA Democratic Party and the Rusty Gordon LGBTA Democratic Caucus. “It’s good to be out,” she said. “You may be surprised at how many people already know your sexual orientation and that it doesn’t bother them.” – DC

consider ourselves married,” she said. “That’s what counts.” An award-winning female impersonator, Velvet raises a lot of money for charities and supports the Compass youth group among many others. She has also performed at the last 11 Pride Festivals held at the end of March. Her advice to people still in the closet is to “…respect yourself and other people will respect you as well. Readers can learn more about Velvet and find out where she’s performing at her Facebook page. – VL

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Dan Hall The Attorney

Attorney and financial advisor, Dan Hall was born in Pittsburgh and raised in McLean Virginia. He studied law at Washington and Lee as well as George Washington University. Hall moved to Florida in 1976 to take a position with Bessemer Trust Company. He retired in 1994 and started his own firm, noting, however, that “My being gay was never an issue at Bessemer." Like many gay men of his generation, Hall’s closet included a heterosexual marriage. “My wife and I divorced because she became aware of my orientation,” he said. “I have a wonderful relationship with my adult children and my only grandchild. My ex wife

Carly Cass The Young Advocate Carly Cass may be 25 years old, but she’s been advocating for LGBT rights for the last eight years — since she was a freshman in college at Florida Atlantic University. Cass is the Youth and Regional Organizer for Planned Parenthood of South, East, and North Florida and regardless of her title, she advocates for LGBT rights. In her current role at Planned Parenthood, Cass helps educate and advocate for sexual health education in Palm Beach County. “We care passionately about helping women, men, and young people lead healthy lives, no matter who they are and no matter where they live,” Cass said. “Planned Parenthood believes that

reproductive rights are deeply connected to LGBTQ rights.” But Cass doesn’t limit the strides of the LGBT community to just her employer. Location plays a part in it, too. “I feel that there is a good amount of support from local elected officials as well as community members, which is evidenced by the passing of nondiscrimination policies,” she said. Cass doesn’t plan on stopping her work anytime soon. “I would like to continue my work helping to mentor and activate the next generation of young progress activists within South Florida.”

and I are good friends and I am lucky in that regard.” Well known in and out of the Palm Beach County LGBT community for his role as the first point of contact for Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, Hall has worked with a variety agencies in the county including The Hope House, the Palm Beach Democratic Club, Found Care, Compass, CAP and others. “There’s no shortage of organizations doing good work and needing financial and volunteer help,” said Hall. It’s a good way to meet people with similar interests.” – DC

– DZ

Tom Hantzarides The Radio Show Host There’s a strong likelihood you’ve heard Tom Hantzarides. Maybe not by name, but most definitely his voice. Hantzarides has been on South Florida airwaves for the last 15 years. Currently he’s a producer and co-host of “GET OUT! South Florida,” Florida’s only LGBTQ radio show. The show is less than a year old, but Hantzarides has been in radio for the last 40 years. “There is no other live and local radio show serving the LGBTQ community in South Florida,” Hantzarides said of GET OUT! “I have always said that I would like a radio show to let people know what a positive impact the LGBT community has on the Florida community.”

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The show has done remote broadcasts all over Palm Beach County, including the Kravis Center, Palm Beach Opera, Maltz Jupiter Theatre and Compass Gay and Lesbian Center. This year, look for the show at PrideFest. Even though Hantzarides believes there can always be improvement, he is proud of what the local community has accomplished. “Who would have thought two years ago that we’d have same-sex marriage in Florida? Certainly not me.” he said, but thinks there can be more. “It doesn’t end with a marriage license. It only begins.” – DZ

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45 AJ Wasson The Nightclub Owner

AJ Wasson was born in New Jersey and moved to Fort Lauderdale when he was 10 years old. Although he knew very young that he was attracted to males, he didn’t come to grips with it until he was a teen. He came out to his parents when he was 17 or 18. “They were very accepting,” he said. “Mom was a nurse and she had a lot of gay friends. So there was no problem,” Wasson has been together with Randy Christensen for five years. Wasson is the owner of HG Roosters, the oldest gay bar in Palm Beach County, and he’s

the Florida Region Manager for Live Nation. “It keeps me busy,” he said. Wasson uses Roosters as a focal point for fund raising, and supports Compass, CAP, The Ride and many other organizations and programs. “We’ve expanded our reach to include programs that aren’t specifically gay,” he said. “We raised $27,000 and were the number one fundraiser for the annual Breast Cancer Walk.” To people who are still in the closet, AJ offers this advice. “Look in a mirror and love yourself. Then you can come out and love someone else” – DC

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PJ Lay Marya ng and The Pa n lm Bean McCarthy ch Pow er Cou ple

PJ Layng and Maryann McCarthy have been leaders in LGBT rights issues for many years. Both were born and raised in the Northeast. McCarthy attended Boston University while Layng studied at George Washington University. Both pursued graduate degrees and Maryann is a Doctor in Oriental Medicine and an acupuncturist. Layng’s first foray into gay visibility was marching in the 1976 Washington DC Pride Parade as a member of the University’s Gay Peoples Alliance. McCarthy’s was in the 1978 San Francisco Parade with Harvey Milk. “Those were exciting times,” Layng said. “scary but exciting.” “Then came the AIDS crisis, just when I started my practice, said McCarthy.” She worked with a colleague and developed an acupuncture regimen that helped alleviate some of the suffering. “We couldn’t cure them but we could help them feel better,” she said. The women met in Provincetown over

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– DC

Bruce Presley The Documentarist Need help putting together a documentary for your LGBT group? You’ll want to meet Bruce Presley. Presley has been in South Florida for 10 years. In 2007 he founded Downtown Loft Studio after he sold his computer textbook company, Lawrenceville Press. Since then he’s helped produce videos for LGBT organizations like the Pride Center, Broward House, CenterLink, and Compass. “Our videos focus on the work that each organization offers, heightening awareness of resources available to the LGBT community,” Presley said. Presley was born and raised in New York and graduated from Yale University in 1959. Before starting Downtown Loft Studio, he was a physics and computer science professor for 24 years at the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. Despite the great strides the LGBT community has made in recent years, he still

20 years ago They got married in the Bay State as soon as it was legal in 2004. Their officiant was “Lady Di,” the drag name of the Town Clerk. “We almost had to go out of town,” Layng said. “There was such a big demand for marriage licenses all the officials were booked. But we managed.” The women live in West Palm Beach. McCarthy is a member of a group of holistic practitioners and Layng is the Vice President of Philanthropy and Strategic Relationships for the Girl Scouts of South Florida. They are involved in a variety of local and national rights organizations. “It’s very important to be honest about who you are,” said Layng about coming out. “Then people get to know the real you and it gets safer for the next person.” McCarthy added, “Come out (shouting)! Be yourself; be engaged and joyful. If you‘re joyful, other people will join you.”

thinks there is work to be done. “Many do not realize that Florida is one of 29 states that has no protection for LGBT residents,” he said. “We have already seen efforts by the Florida legislature to deny our equality under the guise of protecting religious people who are already protected by the First Amendment.” Regardless of where our society is right now, that won’t stop Presley from his work. “I know that the videos my company produces will continue to support the LGBT community in an effort to secure equality.” Presley serves on the board at the Stonewall National Museum and Archives and is creating an archive of coming out stories of LGBT leaders. Look for the Bruce Presley Oral History Project Fund at Stonewall. – DZ

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The Keys

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Steve K. Smith The Tourist Guru

It was a trade show in Berlin nearly 20 years ago where Steve Smith decided to take a stand. “We had a rainbow flag on our table and the organizers wanted us to take it down,” Smith recalled. “Well, I said no. The flag stayed up and that was that.” And the rest is history. Smith continues to tout the rainbow colors when promoting Key West as an international and inclusive vacation destination. “Gay life is totally woven into the fabric of this community,” he said. “The whole island is a gayborhood. It is a welcoming, safe place for all. There’s definitely a certain magic here.” In addition to his role as travel agent

Lacey Ginger Camper The community organizer Two years ago Lacey Ginger Camper quit drinking. Drinking played a big part of her eight-year stint in the Navy and goodness knows it can be central to life in Key West, a tourist destination known for its partying. Since then Camper has become laser focused on a set of goals that are enriching her life and the island community she has made home. “Sobriety has been a blessing” Camper said. “Now, everything I do has intention; I’m not just drifting.” Like many Key West locals, Camper has a couple of jobs, necessary to make ends meet in a place where affordable accommodation in particular can be hard to find. So, by day, Camper works security at the local courthouse. But, she is also office manager at the Key West Business Guild, an inviting drop in center in the heart of town where locals and visitors alike can find info and access to LGBT resources.

– AP

Heather Carruthers The Politician Monroe County Commissioner Heather Carruthers moved to Key West 16 years ago. As with many people who relocate to the Keys, her decision was spontaneous. She travelled here for a vacation, envisioned her future back in New York City and, despite a stable career in marketing, realized that she wanted something more comfortable than the Big Apple could offer. Six months later she moved. That doesn’t mean to say Carruthers slowed her pace once she made a tropical island home. Right off the bat she and her partner at the time purchased a guest-house and became hands-on managers. It was a lot of work and a lot of fun, but in time Carruthers sold the business and became involved in public service like never before. Carruthers is currently one of five commissioners representing a county that stretches from the Everglades to Key West, the southernmost point in the continental

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During her down time Camper, along with Equality Florida, has become an advocate for the transgender community. In 2014 she organized the first local Transgender Day of Remembrance in Key West, an occasion that helps shed more light onto a community that suffers disproportionate levels of aggression and suicide. The turnout more than tripled in its second year. If that isn’t enough, Camper recently put years of self doubt behind her and began putting a modeling portfolio together. At 6’2” she sees herself fitting nicely into the burgeoning niche market of female models with demonstrably masculine characteristics. It’s a look that has become increasing popular with advertisers. Online presence DapperQ profiled Camper in the fall of 2015 so it’s a hunch that is already paying off.

extraordinaire -- Smith has served as past president, treasurer and on the board of directors for the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association -- he continues to play a major part in shaping mosquito policy. Now in his fifth term as a member of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control Board, Smith said he remains ever vigilant in the agency’s mission of “protecting public health and eliminating nuisances.” A native of Daytona Beach, Smith married his husband, Paul Murray, in Provincetown in 2004 shortly after Massachusetts legalized gay marriage.

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U.S. It’s a job that is responsible for a range of significant projects not covered by federal or local government: disaster relief, transportation and a recent billiondollar waste-water project - not particularly sexy, but incredibly important to the region. Carruthers is particularly proud of her role reining in county spending. Like many local officials a pressing goal is ensuring that Key West remains an affordable place to live, particularly for the elderly and those working people needed to sustain a burgeoning tourist industry. Nowadays Carruthers balances those responsibilities with family, a partner of 11 years and a 3-year-old daughter. She’s enjoying time on the water and resuming classical singing performing with the Key West Masterworks chorale. – AP

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3.23.2016 •

feature beach bear weekend

Photos: Facebook.

Angry Bears Expose

‘Beach Bear Weekend’ Fraud Norm Kent

Latest Post from Facebook Site Says Organizer is Canceling Events

n January, SFGN revealed that the organizer of this “ I am not looking for any credit. All I have done is gather year’s Beach Bear Weekend, Craig Jungwirth, was the source material and post it for everyone to read, asking the target of civil restraining orders by circuit courts in community to be aware of it.” Black downplays his role, but three states, had been evicted by his landlord in Wilton as a fundraiser for many organizations, who served on the Manors, and arrested for stalking charges in Broward Board of Directors for Atlanta Gay Pride for ten years, he County. knows of what he speaks. But Jungwirth then told SFGN that he had Black’s email has inspired others to pay dropped out of the group, and had “nothing attention. Qweerty.com ran an online post "it is awful to do with it anymore.” Nothing could be declaring that Jungwirth was “unhinged,” what further from the truth. Since the original quoting the SFGN expose from last January. article appeared raising issues over the The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Jungwirth group’s actions, Jungwirth has orchestrated and Visitor’s Bureau cancelled a scheduled has done. an Internet selling campaign furiously meeting with the promoter, and has since promoting the weekend. But some say pulled the listing of Beach Bear Weekend He is fraudulently would be more like it. from its website. Last week, the Florida hurting our “What Jungwirth is doing,” local resident Agenda ran an editorial column about the Jeff Black said last week, in an email sent to controversy. community." media and local officials, “is perpetrating The cumulative effort of concerned a fraud and theft on unsuspecting people community leaders has revealed that - Bob Young thinking they are going to come to Fort Jungwirth’s marketing plan was less than Former Organizer for Lauderdale for a great weekend…but the credible. He was selling online room Beach Bear Weekend truth is he is tainting our community, accommodations and hotel packages acting alone, not part of an organization, without entering into partnerships with and doing it with bullying and threats.” the hotels, restaurants, and bars he purportedly was Black is the owner of 12 Design, a local graphic design, partnering with. and screen-printing and embroidery company. His Not a single establishment confirmed contracts were in concerns were echoed by a host of local businessmen who place. In fact, a few, like the Village Pub and Hunter’s, have have now recanted or redacted any proposed partnerships gone online and disavowed them. with Jungwirth and the ‘Beach Bear Weekend.’ “If someone, anyone, is fraudulently inducing another

• 3.23.2016

party to send money via the Internet for products and services that do not exist, that person can rightfully be charged with federal crimes for wire money fraud,” remarked Russell J. Williams, a noted Broward County criminal defense attorney. The Beach Bear website controlled by Jungwirth is even reportedly trying to sell private beach chairs and umbrella reserves. However, the site is a public beach with a licensed vendor authorized to rent these amenities, and they are neither allowed to nor authorized to enter into contracts for such sales. What’s worse, Black has argued on his Internet post, Jungwirth has now compounded the fraud by harassing and intimidating those persons who have attempted to acquire refunds, “serving them with fictitious trespass notices” and “banning them from the venue grounds.” Black listed over a dozen people so targeted in his open letter. Despite the allegations, there is no police investigation. When Captain William Schultz, the former public information officer of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department was contacted, he only knew that Jungwirth asked to reserve beach properties for the Bear Events in May. “Jungwirth was told no, that wasn’t happening; that the beach was reserved for the Air and Sea Show that weekend.” It did not stop him from advertising the same on his website, though. Captain Schultz added that at this point if people wanted to file individual complaints against Jungwirth they would

feature beach bear weekend have to call the city’s non-emergency number at 954-828-5700. Any complaints would then be assigned to detectives. “On a local and personal level, this individual [Jungwirth] is a threat… at this point it’s become too large an impact on our community to allow this one person to keep this up unchallenged,” Black said. No one is more frustrated with the turn of events for Beach Bear Weekend, than Bob Young, who ran it for the past few years until he sold it to Jungwirth for $100. Young has even sent out Facebook posts apologizing for selling the event. “Jungwirth has no authority to ban people from events. I wish I could get it back,” Young said. When Young sold the site to Jungwirth earlier this year, in a simple one page agreement, it was only for a “hundred bucks, but I never even got that money. He never paid.” Young continued, “it is awful what Jungwirth has done. He is hurting our community. Not only has he ruined this event for 2016, he harasses and demeans the businesses and bars that attempted in good faith to work with him.” One of the early "trespasses" was issued against Christian Albert Lewelsheim. Christian came to the aid of the Bear promoters last year and donated a large sum of money to help them underwrite their shortfall in funds. He was credited with pretty much paying for the one anchor event, the main pool party. “This year, however, it seems Jungwirth reached out to Christian and demanded he continue his financial support of the event and when Christian declined, Jungwirth started the "trespass" notices and slanderous attacks online,” Black said. Apparently, the harassment on Facebook may come under many names. Angry Bears have stated on Facebook that Jungwirth is using many aliases and phoney profiles. Bear members angry over Jungwirth’s actions even started a separate Facebook site entitled ‘Boycott Beach Bear Weekend,’ and their posts on Facebook have been going viral. When Peter Bisulto learned of what was going on, he said he had to block the promoter Jungwirth from all of his social media. ”I have no idea who he is and I’ve never met him. But whenever there is another Bear event going on, he spreads rumors that our event the other event is cancelled,” Bisulto said. “The list of [Jungwirth’s] bullshit goes on and on. This is not what being a Bear is all about.” Bisulto ended his own post declaring, “Nobody should support beach bear weekend. NOBODY.” Bisulto was not alone. Last week, Beach Bear’s website also announced that it has banned the popular group, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. No one can say why, but Qweerty.com’s editor posted a note stating that Jungwirth’s actions are “giving them nausea.” Qweerty concluded its story with the admonition that Jungwirth’s acts of “amplified grotesqueness cannot stand.” The popular bar, Hunter’s in Wilton Manors, has also announced to the LGBT community that they have pulled out of sponsoring any events for the “reasons Peter Bisulto noted.” But that has not stopped Jungwirth from falsely advertising Hunter’s continued sponsorship on Internet feeds. “And now he is harassing us,” said Hunter’s co-owner Patrick Volkert. “But everyone who has been dealing with Jungwirth is pulling out, or removed themselves, of any deals with him.” Despite these revelations, Jungwirth’s Beach Bear website continues to promote partnerships with a variety of bars and hotels, including the Ritz Carlton, the Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, the Village Pub, Casablanca, the Burlock Coast, and the Snooze Hotel. However, the Village Pub also, on its Facebook page, has disavowed the event, and any alleged partnership with Jungwirth. “Just to be clear, while we continue to support the Bear community, we have withdrawn our support from this year’s event. Despite this, Mr. Jungwirth has refused to remove our name from his website,” their post reads.

3.23.2016 •

feature beach bear weekend The closing parties for the weekend also promote complete nudity at South Beach locations “to be determined” and “weekend passes to the Fort Lauderdale Air and Sea show,” which, by the way, are free and open to the public. Further, Jungwirth’s attempts to secure private spaces for Bear weekend were rebuffed by city of Fort Lauderdale officials. “It is all false advertising,” Black said. “It’s up to the responsible people in our community to put an end to it.” Black’s Facebook post also revealed that Jungwirth is even advertising online that the City of Fort Lauderdale has issued a proclamation ceremoniously backing the event. But Black quickly disposed of that falsehood by posting online all the minutes of the city’s conference and regular commission meetings for the last few months. No such proclamation was ever placed on the agenda or issued. The South Florida Gay News first uncovered this story in January when Jungwirth requested funds from the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB. Researching his background, SFGN uncovered a checkered past that included numerous criminal prosecutions and civil restraining orders. On January 29, we ran a story revealing Jungwirth was the target of a permanent injunction and restraining order entered against him by a former

• 3.23.2016

employer, for conduct alleged to have been apartment in Fort Lauderdale. "threatening, erratic and violent,” according In the past, the group has petitioned the to court filings. He reportedly threatened Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB for financial a colleague with a “power tool,” returning support. Under its present leadership to her place of business after he had been however, CVB liaison Richard Gray will not discharged and banned from the facility. even meet with them. Three years later, after the restraining Shane Stiel, a popular DJ in the Bear order had expired, one of the victims, a community seemed to capture and woman, Kristina H., encountered Jungwirth summarize everyone’s feelings in this March at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. In court 11, 2016 post: documents, she alleged that Jungwirth “As someone in this industry stalked her “continuously for four days.” and one who was asked to He was eventually charged again, with new play last year, I'm disappointed criminal stalking charges. A year later, they to hear the direction this new were dismissed. But he ran into more trouble organizer has chosen to take. again. Disrespecting those within your SFGN also discovered that circuit courts own community is never right from three different states (Florida, Ohio and is frowned upon greatly. It and Massachusetts) have entered restraining just makes it even more justified orders against Jungwirth for threatening to boycott an event. I will no behavior. They include representations longer consider playing this that Jungwirth would “bankrupt” his exevent and I will encourage all employers, and they would soon be facing DJs to boycott this event. If you “heart attacks.” turn against your community, it Additionally, at least four former will turn against you.” colleagues from his job in Massachusetts, and his former lover, had successfully filed Meanwhile, the BeachBearWeekend.com individual petitions for restraining orders against Jungwirth, expressing fear for their site is up and running online, selling weekend packages for the Hilton Fort Lauderdale personal safety. Those were not the only legal issues that Beach Resort for a Queen Studio Package for $1,581.00. However, Jungwirth has faced. Last year, because the Fort Lauderdale Jungwirth, 48, was charged Air Show is happening the with a ‘Dine and Dash’ from same weekend, there are the Courtyard Café at 2211 "If the no rooms available at the Wilton Drive in the Manors. behavior can Hilton. Picked up on a $500 bond Attorney Russell earlier this year for ‘defrauding be verified, Williams, interviewed by an innkeeper,’ he pled out last it is clearly SFGN, said, “that if the month, on February 3, and was behavior can be verified, allowed to enter into a court both civil it is clearly both civil and diversion program. and criminal criminal fraud.” While SFGN previously Jungwirth did not reported that Jungwirth had fraud." respond to SFGN’s attempts been evicted in 2014 from a to reach him. But the latest Wilton Manors apartment - Russell Williams news off their website, on Northeast 23rd street for Attorney posted Monday afternoon, non-payment of rent, court is they are ‘canceling their records now reveal a second, events.’ newer eviction proceeding. “Whether Jungwirth goes forward or not, Less than two weeks ago, James Ostryniec, sued Jungwirth for eviction, alleging he he has done irreparable damage and harm has defaulted on a $1,100 payment for his to the LGBT Bear community,” Young said. Alhambra Street rental for a beachside

3.23.2016 â&#x20AC;¢

March issue

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F O R

T H E

SFGNITES W E E K

O F

m a r c h

2 4

m a r c h

2 9 ,

2 0 1 6

W W W . S F G N . C O M

J.W. Arnold

jw@prdconline.com

THU

3/24

theater The World AIDS Museum and Educational Center, 1201 NE 26th St. in Wilton Manors, presents a staged reading of Harvey Fierstein’s 1987 play, “Safe Sex,” tonight at 8 p.m. Written during the height of the AIDS crisis, the play offers a frank look at the effects of the disease and the steps the community took to come to terms with the epidemic. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling 954-390-0550.

FRI

3/25

theater Actors Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables presents “Sondheim on Sondheim,” an intimate multimedia portrait of the father of the modern musical, Stephen Sondheim, through April 3. The composer and lyricist’s own words and melodies provide the framework for this catalog of theatrical hits from “West Side Story” (1957) to “Road Show” (2008). Tickets available at ActorsPlayhouse.org.

Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman return to the big screen this weekend in the highly anticipated blockbuster, “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.” Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures.

SAT

3/26 SUN

3/27 MON

3/28 TUE

3/29

comedy

nightlife

celebrity

cinema

Don’t miss the opportunity to see funnyman Don Rickles tonight at 8 p.m. at the Broward Center. Whether you may know him for his hilarious stand-up and signature rapid-fire insults, his many “Tonight Show” appearances or his voice work as Mr. Potato Head in the “Toy Story” movies, you’ll laugh throughout this special appearance by the spry 89-year-old. Tickets are $55 - $150 at BrowardCenter.org.

It’s Easter Sunday and a perfect day to join the parade on Wilton Drive. Well, not a literal “parade,” but you can expect that many of the denizens of this quaint island city will be strolling up and down the drive in their elegant—or not so elegant— Easter bonnets. Several of the bars will be holding competitions with serious prizes, too, so put on your thinking caps, get out your hot glue guns and get to it, pronto!

Synonymous with grace, beauty and artistry, Oscar-winning actress Sophia Loren will captivate the audience tonight at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach in “An Evening with Sophia Loren.” The legendary starlet will share intimate stories and her favorite film clips, and answer questions from the audience later in the evening. Bill Harris will moderate the candid discussion. Tickets are $39 at Kravis.org.

If you didn’t purchase your tickets weeks ago, the first shot you’ll get to see the epic matchup, “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” will probably be tonight. Henry Cavill returns as Superman and Ben Affleck is the latest actor to take on the role of caped crusador. Personally, we’re most excited about the big screen debut of Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. Check local listings for theaters and show times.

• 3.23.2016

Slow Burn Theatre Co. Presents

KATHY

Slow Burn Theatre Presents

GRIFFIN Music by Duncan Sheik Book and Lyrics by Steven Sater Based on the play by Frank Wedekind Directed by Patrick Fitzwater

NOW–APRIL 3

MARCH 31

Amaturo Theater

Au-Rene Theater

Two Grooms and Broward Center Present the World Premiere of

A fantabulous interactive wedding comedy with dinner and dancing!

MARCH 31–APRIL10 Abdo New River Room Promotional Partners

Funds raised at each performance benefit

APRIL 13 • Parker Playhouse TICKETS at BrowardCenter.org • Ticketmaster | 954.462.0222 Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Oﬃce • Group Sales | 954.660.6307 Follow us:

BrowardCenter

3.23.2016 •

a&e theater

Star of Broadway

April 6 • 8 PM An Incredible singer and Tony-Award Winning Actress. She first started her career on Broadway, most notably with the musical Dreamgirls.

Submitted photo.

Jennifer Holliday

Matt May and Jennifer Sierra-Grobbelaar are the creative team behind “Diego & Drew’s Wedding,” an interactive show opening next week at the Broward Center.

Broward Center Hosts Wedding of the Year J.W. Arnold

TICKETS at aventuracenter.org Box Office 877.311.7469 Groups 954.660.6307 #aventuracenter

St. Ambrose welcomes you to the

2016 Easter Service

10 a.m., Easter Sunday March 27 ● Every last Sunday we bless and give the food to the poor and those in need ● Spanish Service (Servicio in Español) begins April 3, 11:30 a.m.

St. Ambrose Episcopal Church 2250 SW 31st Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 (954) 583-0603

he way Matt May and Jennifer SierraGrobbelaar finish each other’s sentences, you’d think they were an old married couple. “No, we’re more like Will and Grace,” chuckled May, who is a fixture in the South Florida theater community. The two longtime friends are still headed to the altar—as the co-writers and producers of “Diego & Drew Say I Do,” a new show premiering in the Broward Center’s Abdo New River Room next week—and their show is definitely a love child. “When we first started crafting the show, we spent so much time together, night after night after night, writing, writing, writing until it was done,” said Sierra-Grobbelaar. “Not only do we spend most of our free time together, (the show) has become a fabric of our being.” The audience at the Broward Center will participate in the theatrical ceremony, dance the night away, sample a fusion Southern/ Puerto Rican feast and taste the wedding cake, too. While it may be easy to draw comparisons with other popular audience-participation shows like “Tony & Tina’s Wedding,” May and Sierra-Grobbelaar promise an unique experience for the audience. “This is a departure,” she said. “There is a purpose to the story and we’re not just focusing on the negative aspects of families. It’s really about celebrating love.” Celebrating love with two handsome grooms, their two eccentric families, an uptight wedding planner, an ex-boy band crooner and a diva in drag, all the essential components for a fabulous gay wedding. The opportunity to partner with the Broward Center arose at a dinner last year with programming executive Jill Kratish.

Over the past two seasons, the center has expanded offerings in the flexible Abdo New River Room space and developed a new audience base as a result. Fort Lauderdale’s sizable LGBT community has long been supportive of the Broward Center and gay-themed programming does well there. May and Sierra-Grobbelaar also credit good timing. “I’ve had this idea in my head for a while and three days later, the ideas started flowing and we said let’s give it crack,” recalled May. “We had the majority of the script completed when the Supreme Court came down with the marriage equality decision.” The duo is feeling the pressure as the premiere approaches. “I think it’s both exciting and scary. We’re not just the writers, but also a part of the producing team. We’re on the hook to make this successful and pay all the bills,” said Sierra-Grobbelaar, who coordinates marketing for Neil Goldberg’s Cirque Productions in Pompano Beach and was an associate producer of the Broward County centennial production, “We.” “The Broward Center is a phenomenal facility with great people,” May added. “We’ve bounced lots of ideas by them and it’s been a collaborative effort across the board, which is comforting that we’re all in it together.” They’re also thankful for their director, who Sierra-Grobelaar called, “the miracle that is John Manzelli.” The producers are equally enthusiastic about their cast, including Mike Westrich, Jeffrey Bruce, Sharyn Peoples, Merry Jo Cortada and Daniel Gil and Christian Vendepas in the title roles. One thing is certain, there are no prenuptial agreements involved because this marriage is guaranteed to be a success.

“Diego & Drew Say I Do” will be presented in the Abdo New River Room of the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale, March 31 – April 10. Tickets start at $59.50 at BrowardCenter.org.

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Datebook

Theater

Christiana Lilly

Calendar@SFGN.com

Top

Picks

Friday Night Sound Waves Music Series Fridays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Hub, Las Olas Boulevard and A1A in Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy live, outdoor music spanning genres and tributes every Friday evening through November. Free. Visit FridayNightSoundWaves.com Little Shop of Horrors March 26 to April 10 at the Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 NW Ninth St. in Delray Beach. Seymour Krelborn works aimlessly as a flower shop clerk on Skid Row when he encounters aliens set to take over Earth. Tickets $30. Call 561-272-1281, ext. 4 or visit DelrayBeachPlayhouse.com. A Minister’s Wife March 26 to April 24 at GableStage, 1200 Anastasia Ave. in Coral Gables. A reverend and his wife seem to be in the perfect marriage, but all the troubles bubbling beneath come to a head when a handsome young poet comes to town. Tickets $60. Call 305-445-1119 or visit GableStage.org.

Mar. 23 to mar. 29

broward county

* Don Rickles March 26 at 8 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. At 89, the stand up comedian and insulter still has it as “Mr. Warmth.” Tickets $55 to $150. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org. * The Three Tenors (Who Can’t Sing) Ft. Vic DiBitetto March 26 at 8 p.m. at the Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. Nicknamed “The Godfather of Comedy,” DiBitetto is joined by fellow comedians Richie Minervini and Fred Rubino. Tickets $37.50 to $57.50. Call 954-462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.org. * Bill Engvall March 28 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs. Engvall is well known for his Comedy Central specials, as well as being a part of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour with Ron White, Larry the Cable Guy, and Jeff Foxworthy. Tickets $27.56 to $62.54. Call 954-344-5999 or visit CoralSpringsCenterfortheArts.com. * The Weight March 29 at 8 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Former members of The

Band come together to tribute their music. Tickets $39 to $69. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

Headliner Everclear is joined by Candlebox and Sister Hazel. Tickets $25 to $100. Call 561-243-7922 or visit OldSchoolSquare.org.

* Robin Trower March 30 at 8 p.m. at the Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. The guitarist lead Procol Harum and was considered “The White Hendrix” back in the ‘70s. Tickets $37.50 to $57.50. Call 954-4620222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.org.

* Smoke 2016 March 26 to April 17 at Arts Garage, 94 NE Second Ave. in Delray Beach. James, a college student, and Julie, a wannabe artist, come together in a twisted relationship filled with mind games. Tickets $40 to $45. Call 561-4506357 or visit ArtsGarage.org.

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* Chicago and Earth, Wind, and Fire March 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansburys Way in West Palm Beach. The two bands come together for a unique night on their Heart & Soul tour 2.0. Tickets $51 and up. Call 561-795-8883 or visit WestPalmBeachAmphitheatre.com. * Outside Mullingar March 25 to April 24 at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre, 201 Clematis St. in West Palm Beach. Set in Ireland, Rosemary and Anthony Reilly have hated each other since they were children and refuse to give in to love -- even when their hearts are telling them something different. Tickets $64. Call 561-514-4042 or visit PalmBeachDramaworks.org. * Rock the Square March 26 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach.

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* Savannah Jack March 24 at 8 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. The Nashville band is made up with singer Don Gatlin, bassist Jay Darby, and fiddler and guitarist Matt Thomas Schumacher. Tickets $40 to $45. Call 305-466-8002 or visit AventuraCenter.org. * The Cannoli and the Macaroon Comedy March 24 at 8 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. The comedians grew up in New York on opposite sides of the track and come together for a night of hilarity. Tickets $34.50 to $39.50. Call 305-466-8002 or visit AventuraCenter.org.

* Denotes New Listing

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Datebook

Community Christiana Lilly Calendar@SFGN.com

Top Picks

An Evening With Sophia Loren March 28 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The Italian beauty has enjoyed five decades as an actress, and has created an intimate evening with question-and-answer, film clips, and conversation with the audience. Tickets $39 and up. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org. Transgender Collabor-ACTIVE Education Series March 29 at 7 p.m. at FUSION, 2304 NE Seventh Ave. in Wilton Manors. Explore self-awareness, self-advocacy, educational resources, and health wellness for transgender people. Free. Call Judith Reichman at 954-4639005, ext. 205 or visit PrideCenterFlorida.org. The Flying Trapeze School Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 4 to 6 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Bayfront Park, 1075 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Soar through the air like a member of the circus with trained trapeze experts. Call 786-239-8775 or visit TheFlyingTrapeze.net

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

Mar. 23 to mar. 29 broward county Florida Renaissance Festival Every weekend through March 27 from 10 a.m. to sunset at Quiet Waters Park, 401 S Powerline Road in Deerfield Beach. The Middle Ages comes to life with knights, kings, queens, faeries, artisans, and more. Tickets $21 with $1.50 park fee. Call the park at 954-357-5100, the festival at 954-776-1642, or visit Ren-Fest.com. * LGBT Senior Cultural Competency 101 March 31, April 13, May 19, and June 15 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. Learn how your business can better serve the LGBT senior community during one of these classes, with options to book a longer session for staff. RSVP to Bruce Williams at 954-463-9005, ext. 109 or email BWilliams@PrideCenterFlorida.org. * Prince Aderele Through April 14 at Ali Cultural Arts, 353 Hammondville Road in Pompano Beach. Witness the artwork of Nigerian Prince Aderele, artist-in-residence at Osun’s Village & African Caribbean Cultural Arts Corridor. Call 954-7867867 or visit AliArts.org.

palm beach county * Grunge & Glamour’s Casino Royale March 25 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at ArtsGarage, 94 NE Second Ave. in Delray Beach. Celebrate the

* Denotes New Listing

fifth anniversary of the performing arts center with live music, craps, roulette, blackjack, poker, slots, and more. Tickets $100, includes 5,000 gaming chips. Call 561-450-6357 or visit ArtsGarage.org. Yoga Among the Orchids Wednesdays at 9 a.m. at the American Orchid Society, 16700 AOS Lane in Delray Beach. Practice your yoga in the presence of beautiful, calming orchids. $20 a class. Call 561-404-2011 or visit OrchidWeb.org.

miami-dade county Wine Appreciation Classes Mondays at 6 p.m. through March 28 at Books and Books, 265 Aragon Ave. in Coral Gables. Patrick Alexander, an author, connoisseur, and bon vivant will lead students through the world of wine in this six-week course. The last class will be a dinner served by Chef Allen Susser. Tickets $299. Email emailing Irving Fields Irving@booksandbooks.com or visit BooksAndBooks.com. Arsht Center Farmers Market Mondays from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza for the Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Purchase fresh food from local farmers, including fruits, vegetables, meats, prepared foods, as well as chefs, live music, and cooking demonstrations. Free. Visit ArshtCenter.org/en/Visit/Dining.

An Undersea Tribute to Life

The Neptune Reef is a unique and affordable destination to establish a lasting legacy, while creating life after life. Now being offered by Ask about Package Pricing specials that include cremation. * Denotes New Listing Call 954-731-4321 for more info. www.browardburial.com

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