3/30/16 V7i13

local name global coverage March 30, 2016 vol. 7 // issue 13

s o u t h

f l o r i d a

g a y

n e w s

t r sta

The end of the

rainbow f or r e ti ri ng g a y s , t he s t o ry i s n't o v e r supreme court nominee • Page 14-15

SouthFloridaGayNews

Anti Trans Bills • Page 18-19

Pages 29-34

kathy griffin • Page 51

soflagaynews

SFGN.com

The Opening Line Photos: Facebook.

Singer Steve Grand Haunted By Good Looks Kenneth Averett-Clark –

I don't hate Steve Grand he's great looking and admits freely to being a narcissist.

Comments from SFGN’s

online outlets

Compiled by John McDonald

Angry Bears Expose 'Beach Bear Weekend' Fraud Anthony A Brautigam – Not to mention them bad-mouthing Bears of All Colors and telling everybody their event was canceled to sabotage. It sucks how many can't play well in the sandbox.

David Brakebill –

Just hate him because he's shallow.

Daniel Firestone –

Didn't their parents teach them to never poke a bear with a stick?

Mario Gerardi –

I find him attractive but he thinks everyone finds him attractive .... lol

Luimar Zibetti –

Garza good lord....the entire LGBT Community just goes about cannibalizing themselves at every turn...... arrrrrgggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

North Carolina Governor Shreds LGBT Protections We are back to the bathroom issue. I do understand the complaints that girls shouldn't have to shower with boys but I think the issue here is that they are using the chance to attack the LGBT community at large and take away basic rights that have nothing to do with bathroom preferences. Also I don't think trans posed a risk for women. Somehow we need to make everyone comfortable in a private bathroom/locker/shower setting.

Larry Kraft –

Photo: Christopher Free

In last week’s OUT50 edition we mistakenly referred to Paul Smith as the coordinator of the Fort Lauderdale EMBER Brothas Speak. Instead Mwe should have said “he once helped coordinate the Fort Lauderdale Brothas Speak.”

We regret the error.

I often have to travel through NC ... In the future I will make sure there is enough fuel in my car before I enter NC and will drive through without spending one penny. I hope that many companies presently located there move and that most companies stop doing business there.

Marshall R. Krug –

BOYCOTT ANYTHING FROM NC.

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• 3.30.2016

Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com

Chief Executive Officer • Pier Angelo Guidugli

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

Editorial

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

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In Memoriam

Dennis Jozefowicz Internet Director 2010 - 2016

SFGN Winner of

& 3 Florida Press Club Awards And runner-up for

NLGJA Journalist of the Year

Associated Press

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March 30, 2016 • Volume 7 • Issue 13

Jesse Monteagudo • Tony Adams

Daniel Nistal –

CORRECTION

SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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.

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news highlight

Chubs Migrate To Ramada Inn John McDonald

T

he chase is on.

After being rejected from two different locations, the “Chubs In Paradise” group has found a new home in Fort Lauderdale for its annual gathering.

Ramada’s Fort Lauderdale Oakland Park Inn, 3001 North Federal Highway, is hosting this year’s “Chubs In Paradise,” event coordinator David Dilts confirmed to SFGN Monday. The event takes place March 31 to April 2 and weekend packages are available for $150 per person.

Chubs, Dilts said, is a general term used to describe slightly overweight people. He cautioned, however, past attendees have included a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

“We’ve had chubs, bears and chasers at this event,” Dilts said.

This year marks the 9th annual Chubs weekend.

Previously, Chubs partied at the Hotel Lush Royale and the year before at the Schubert Resort. Dilts said the Schubert gave his group notice they were transitioning into a family resort, a decision that prompted the Chubs to move to the Hotel Lush Royale. In planning for this year’s event, Dilts said Hotel Lush Royale upped the cost of fees, ultimately forcing the Chubs to look elsewhere.

The Ramada, Dilts said, has been “very

welcoming” and thus far, Chubs are showing their support.

“Response is pretty good,” Dilts said. “We’re not expecting thousands of people but there is always a last minute push for the pool party. Last year we were expecting between 40 to 50 and about 70 showed up.”

Rumors Bar & Grill in Wilton Manors is a Chubs sponsor and site of a Friday evening “Belly Contest” in which Chubs show off their best attributes.

The pool party is Saturday, April 2 from noon to 4 p.m. Tickets are $30.

For a complete listing of events and more information, visit ChubsInParadise.com

3.30.2016 •

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Compiled by Jillian Melero

Trans Woman Shot Dead on LA's Skid Row

S

tate Court: S.C. Domestic Violence Law Unfair to Gay Couples

(AP) A law that perhaps unintentionally failed to protect domestic violence victims in same-sex relationships appears to be unconstitutional, and now South Carolina's high court is trying to decide what to do.

The court was asked on Wednesday to weigh in after a woman tried to get a protective order against her former fiancĂŠe, also a woman, and was denied. The state's domestic violence law defines "household members" as a spouse, former spouse, people with a child in common, or specifically men and women who are or have lived together - but not unmarried same-sex couples.

The issue has come up in at least one other state since the U.S. Supreme Court's decision last summer legalizing gay marriage nationwide. Earlier this month, the Ohio Supreme Court adopted the use of gender-neutral references in family court cases, a ruling that covers divorce, child support and domestic violence. Other states, such as California and Massachusetts, proactively changed the language in their laws, according to Beth Littrell, a senior attorney with Lambda Legal.

South Carolina Chief Justice Costa Pleicones said the handling of domestic violence situations isn't as clear as the gay marriage ruling from the higher court case.

"The only people who are not protected under this statute right now are same-sex cohabiters or former cohabiters, is that it?" Pleicones said in court Wednesday, according to a video of arguments archived on the court's website. "This statute is pretty clearly unconstitutional in its discriminatory impact upon same-sex couples. So tell me, what's the remedy?"

Bakari Sellers, an attorney for the woman who brought the case, argued the domestic violence provision can be changed to include all couples.

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According to Nelson, Yochum was walking her two dogs when a gunman approached her and shot her in the head.

"It is mind-boggling; it happened out in the open," Nelson told the newspaper. "I'm heartbroken. Our residents are traumatized, our staff is traumatized. Everybody loved her.

She was very popular."

The suspect was apprehended by a security guard until police arrived at the scene and arrested him. The alleged gunman is described as a man in his 20s but his identity will not be released until he is formally booked, Im told the LA Times.

According to Autostraddle.com, Yochum is the seventh trans person murdered in 2016.

Photo: Facebook.

J

udge Backs Nebraska's Funeral Picketing Law Against Westboro Lawsuit

(AP) A federal judge has ruled in favor of Nebraska state officials in a lawsuit that challenged the state's law requiring picketers to stay at least 500 feet from funerals.

U.S. District Judge Laurie Smith Camp said in her decision Wednesday that the law does not infringe on the constitutionallyprotected free speech rights of Westboro Baptist Church members.

Shirley Phelps-Roper, a prominent member of the TopekaKansas based church, sued in 2009. She argued, among other things, that the Nebraska law is selectively enforced.

The church protests at funerals throughout the country using anti-gay chants and signs because it believes God is punishing U.S. military members and others for defending a nation that tolerates homosexuality.

Prohibits Limits Delaware Transgender Health Coverage

on

(AP) Insurance companies in Delaware will be prohibited from limiting health care coverage for transgender individuals.

The News Journal of Wilmington (http://delonline. us/1RzuU9M ) reports that Delaware has become the 15th state in the country to prohibit private insurers from denying, canceling, terminating or refusing to issue plans based on a person's gender identity.

Additionally, companies will not be allowed to impose different premiums or rates based on a person's identity. The policy also applies if a person is undergoing a gender transition.

Delaware Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart issued a bulletin Wednesday, stating that a denial or cancellation will now be considered a violation under Delaware's Unfair Trade Practices Act. The move comes three years after the Gender Identity Nondiscrimination Act was signed into law.

to Allow Clergy to Refuse Gay BillMarriage Fails in Tenn. House

(AP) A bill seeking to underscore the right of Tennessee clergy to refuse to perform marriages based on religious convictions has failed in the House.

The House Civil Justice subcommittee on Wednesday defeated Rep. Andy Holt's bill on a voice vote. The Dresden Republican said he wanted to pass the legislation he had dubbed the "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" in light of the Supreme Court's gay marriage ruling of last year.

Committee members said that pastors are already allowed under state law to refuse to perform marriages for anyone they want.

Gay rights advocates raised concerns that Holt's bill could have extended beyond clergy to allow businesses to deny services based on their religious beliefs.

Similar legislation elsewhere has drawn a wave of opposition from big-name corporations and sports Photo: Facebook organizations.

Rep. Andy Holt

Photo: Facebook.

(EDGE) Los Angeles police said a transgender woman was fatally shot Wednesday afternoon on the city's downtown area skid row, which is one of the largest stable populations of homeless people in the United States.

The shooting took place just before 2 p.m., L.A. Police Officer Tony Im told the Los Angeles Times. He added that the suspect approached Kourtney Yochum, 32, and opened fire. She was pronounced dead at the scene. A gun was also found at the scene.

Though police could not identify the victim, Anita U. Nelson, chief executive of SRO Housing Corp., confirmed the victim was Yochum, who lived in a housing project for formally chronically homeless people, the LA Times notes.

N

(AP) With the blessing of Kentucky's Republican governor, the state House passed a bill to create one marriage license form for gay and straight couples in an effort to defuse controversy over gay marriages.

The proposal is a response to Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, who spent five days in jail last year for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Davis said she could not issue the licenses because they had her name on them.

The bill that cleared the Democratic-led House without debate Friday proposes that a marriage license applicant would have the option of checking "bride," ''groom" or "spouse" beside their name.

It would not have the clerk's name on it.

The next step for the measure is a return to the Republican-led state Senate, which passed a starkly different version last month that proposed separate marriage license forms for gay and straight couples.

Gov. Matt Bevin, a social conservative elected last year, publicly entered the debate this week by endorsing the single-form version in a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Darryl Owens, a Democrat from Louisville.

"I offer my support for a single form and look forward to signing this legislation and allowing our county clerks to follow the law without being forced to violate their own conscience," the governor wrote.

Soon after taking office, Bevin ordered the state to prepare new marriage licenses that do not include the names of county clerks. The executive order was an attempt to protect the religious beliefs of Davis and other local elected officials.

Both pieces of legislation moving through the General Assembly would remove the names of county clerks from marriage licenses.

Members of the Kentucky County Clerks Association have endorsed the single-form version, according to Democratic Sen. Morgan McGarvey of Louisville, one of its chief advocates.

Gov. Matt Bevin

Photo: Facebook.

K

entucky House Passes Bill for 1 Marriage License Form

Continued

ebraska Senators Revisit LGBT Employee Discrimination Fight

(AP) A Nebraska senator says public support and backing from the business community for a measure banning workplace discrimination against members of the LGBT community will ensure a stronger showing for the idea in the Legislature, despite staunch opposition from a conservative majority and Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Hundreds of supporters filled the Capitol rotunda in Lincoln on Tuesday to celebrate the measure by Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln to prohibit discrimination against employees based on gender identity or sexual orientation. Debate was scheduled to begin Tuesday but was delayed.

Morfeld is gearing up for a second showdown after the bill failed to gain enough votes from lawmakers last year.

"We are gathered here in a building emblazoned with inscriptions of freedom and justice to finish what has not been completed: equality for all Nebraskans," he said.

Morfeld said he has crafted a compromise amendment with Republican Sen. Colby Coash of Lincoln that he said he expects to bring additional votes this time around.

Similar ordinances already exist in Omaha, and 21 other states and the District of Columbia have laws banning LGBT employment discrimination.

Both the Lincoln and Omaha Chambers of Commerce have backed the bill, saying that Nebraska already struggles to recruit and retain young talent and that anti-discriminatory policies would draw talented employees.

Linda Dugan, vice president of global operations for PayPal in La Vista, said the company "furiously and passionately" supports the measure.

"Businesses are desperate for talent," she said. "We need to keep the best and brightest in the state, and we need to bring the best and the brightest to the state. We need to be able to ensure that they and their families are equally protected."

HOMEOWNERS

HURRICANE

Photo: Facebook.

News Briefs

Sen. Adam Morfeld

FLOOD

FREE Policy Review FREE Quotes Fast and Courteous Call or Come In Today

954.522.3800 www.PallantInsurance.com 1800 N.E. 26th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305 3.30.2016 •

5

News Briefs

A

Continued

IDS Foundation of Chicago and The AIDS Institute Recognize Ambetter for Increasing HIV Medication Coverage

(EDGE) The AIDS Foundation of Chicago and The AIDS Institute report that national health insurance provider Ambetter Health has agreed to expand the list of medications it covers to daily treatments for people living with HIV. This change is effective immediately and benefits Ambetter Qualified Health Plan (QHP) enrollees in Illinois, Florida and 10 other states in which the insurance provider operates (AR, GA, IN, MA, MS, NH, OH, TX, WA, WI).

Over the past two years, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and The AIDS Institute assessed the various health insurance plans for people living with HIV in Illinois, Florida and other states.

The groups found that Ambetter only covered one single-tablet regimen (STR), Atripla. There are currently six approved STRs from which providers may choose in tailoring individual patient care for people living with HIV: Atripla,Complera, Stribild, Triumeq, Genvoya, and Odefsey.

Ambetter's previous coverage policy denied people living with HIV access to the newer approved life-saving therapies, such as Stribild, Triumeq, and Genvoya, which are three of

the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)"Recommended Regimen Options." Atripla, the oldest STR, is listed only as an "Alternative Regimen Option" and is less effective and has more serious side effects than the newer medications.

"After our plan review, we sent a letter to Ambetter stating that excluding these lifesaving treatments from coverage constitutes discrimination under the Affordable Care Act, which sets clear standards for essential health benefits," said Carl Schmid, Deputy Executive Director of The AIDS Institute. "Furthermore, the federal government has instructed that plans cannot deny beneficiaries acceptable clinical treatments, such as STRs, because it may discourage enrollment by those who need the medications."

(SFGN) Plans for a LGBT focused rental community in Fort Lauderdale are on track, say developers.

Judd Chapman and Phil Quattrone, owners of Pineapple Point Guesthouse, tell SFGN they are moving forward with plans to build a housing complex with independent living apartments, assisted living units and rooms for special needs assisted living (SNAL) and dementia-care tenants.

Chapman and Quattrone said acquiring permits for the project at 501 N.E. 3rd Ave., Fort Lauderdale

takes time but investors remain committed to the $58 million deal.

P

ineapple House Moving Forward

L

awsuit Challenges North Carolina AntiDiscrimination Law

(AP) Opponents of a new North Carolina law blocking local governments from passing antidiscrimination rules and requiring transgender students to use bathrooms assigned to their biological sex wasted little time challenging the measure, filing a federal lawsuit Monday morning.

Two transgender people, a law school professor and civil liberties groups filed the lawsuit. They want the new law to be declared unconstitutional, and they want to prevent its enforcement.

The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal and Equality North Carolina scheduled a Monday news conference in Raleigh to discuss the lawsuit.

The law was approved last week by the legislature and signed by Republican Gov. Pat McCrory. GOP lawmakers wanted to overturn an impending Charlotte ordinance that allowed transgender people to use the restroom aligned with their gender identity. But the new law also prevents all cities and counties from extending protections covering sexual orientation and gender identity at restaurants, hotels and stores.

Corporations have criticized the law, but

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• 3.30.2016

McCrory and allies are defending it.

The Charlotte ordinance would have enabled transgender people to legally use restrooms aligned with their gender identity, and would have provided broad protections against discrimination in public accommodations in the state's largest city.

North Carolina is the first state to require public school and university students to use only those bathrooms that match their birth certificates, according to the National Conference on State Legislatures.

Advocates for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights say state legislators demonized them with bogus claims about bathroom risks.

Supporters say the new law protects all people from having to share bathrooms with people who make them feel unsafe.

If you’re living with HIV, you may face another clinical challenge to healthy aging

Help Curb Excess Abdominal VAT Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) isn’t regular fat. VAT is a hard fat that surrounds organs, may be associated with serious health issues, and can be difficult to control with diet and exercise alone.

EGRIFTA ® (tesamorelin for injection) is the only FDA-approved treatment for excess HIV-related abdominal VAT EGRIFTA ® was shown to reduce VAT in 2 clinical trials of 816 total adult patients who received 2 mg of EGRIFTA ® or placebo (26-week Main Phase and 26-week Extension Phase).a Trial 1: 18% average reduction. Trial 2: 14% average reduction.

For additional trial details, see the full Prescribing Information at EGRIFTA.com.

a

EGRIFTA® is not indicated to treat health issues beyond the reduction of excess abdominal VAT.

SELECTED RISK INFORMATION What is EGRIFTA ®?

• EGRIFTA ® is an injectable prescription medicine to reduce the excess in abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. The impact and safety of EGRIFTA ® on cardiovascular health has not been studied.

• EGRIFTA ® is not indicated for weight loss management.

• It is not known whether taking EGRIFTA ® helps improve compliance with anti-retroviral medications.

EGRIFTA ® may cause serious side effects including: • Serious allergic reaction. Stop using EGRIFTA ® and get emergency help right away if you have symptoms such as a rash over your body, hives, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, swelling of your face or throat, fast heartbeat, and feeling of faintness or fainting.

• Swelling (fluid retention). EGRIFTA ® can cause swelling in some parts of your body.

• Increase in glucose (blood sugar) intolerance and diabetes.

• Injection site reactions. Change (rotate) your injection site to help lower your risk for injection site reactions. The following symptoms around the area of the injection site can occur: redness, itching, pain, irritation, bleeding, rash, and swelling.

The most common side effects of EGRIFTA ® include: joint pain, pain in legs and arms, swelling in your legs, muscle soreness, tingling, numbness and pricking, nausea, vomiting, rash, and itching.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Please see brief summary of full Important Patient Information on next page.

Learn more at EGRIFTA.com

A Transformation From Within

3.30.2016 •

7

IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION The following is a brief summary only. See complete Prescribing Information at EGRIFTA.com or request complete Prescribing Information by calling 1-844-347-4382. This information does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment.

What is EGRIFTA ® (tesamorelin for injection)?

• EGRIFTA ® is an injectable prescription medicine to reduce the excess in abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. The impact and safety of EGRIFTA ® on cardiovascular health has not been studied.

• EGRIFTA ® is not indicated for weight loss management.

• It is not known whether taking EGRIFTA ® helps improve compliance with anti-retroviral medications.

Do not use EGRIFTA ® if you: • have pituitary gland tumor, pituitary gland surgery or other problems related to your pituitary gland.

• have active cancer or are receiving treatment for cancer • are allergic to tesamorelin or mannitol.

• are pregnant or become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop using EGRIFTA ® and talk with your healthcare provider.

Talk to your doctor to find out if EGRIFTA ® is right for you.

How should I use EGRIFTA ®?

These are not all the possible side effects of EGRIFTA ®. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

EGRIFTA ® may cause serious side effects including:

Manufactured by: Jubilant HollisterStier General Partnership, 16751 Trans-Canada Highway, Montreal, Québec, Canada H9H 4J4

Stop using EGRIFTA ® and get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms: • a rash over your body • shortness of breath or trouble breathing • hives • fast heartbeat • swelling of your face or • feeling of faintness throat or fainting

• 3.30.2016

The most common side effects of EGRIFTA ® include: • joint pain • nausea • pain in legs and arms • vomiting • swelling in your legs • rash • muscle soreness • itching • tingling, numbness and pricking

• Read the detailed “Instructions for Use” that comes with EGRIFTA ® before you start using EGRIFTA ®. Your healthcare provider will show you how to inject EGRIFTA ®.

• Use EGRIFTA ® exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

• Inject EGRIFTA ® under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach area (abdomen).

• Change (rotate) the injection site on your stomach area (abdomen) with each dose. Do not inject EGRIFTA ® into scar tissue, bruises or your navel.

• Serious allergic reaction. Some people taking EGRIFTA ® may have an allergic reaction.

8

• Swelling (fluid retention). EGRIFTA ® can cause swelling in some parts of your body. Call your healthcare provider if you have an increase in joint pain, or pain or numbness in your hands or wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome).

• Increase in glucose (blood sugar) intolerance and diabetes.

Your healthcare provider will measure your blood sugar periodically.

• Injection-site reactions. Change (rotate) your injection site to help lower your risk for injection-site reactions. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice if you have the following symptoms around the area of the injection site: • redness • bleeding • itching • rash • pain • swelling • irritation

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

You may also report side effects to 1-844-EGRIFTA (1-844-347-4382).

®

toll-free at

For more information about EGRIFTA ®, go to www.EGRIFTA.com or contact toll-free at 1-844-EGRIFTA (1-844-347-4382). ®

Distributed by: Theratechnologies Inc., 2015 Peel Street, Montreal, Québec, Canada H3A 1T8.

EGRIFTA® and EGRIFTA ASSIST ® are registered trademarks of Theratechnologies Inc. © 2016 Theratechnologies Inc. All rights reserved. 190-01-12/15

March Issue

Visit sfgn.com to see where to find your copy

3.30.2016 •

9

lgbtqia bites

L

Lesbian

Women's Basketball Coach Fired for Suspending Gay Players

B

Compiled by Jillian Melero

Bisexual

CDC Reports More US Men and Women Identify as Bi

Photo: Sphilbrick

(EDGE) The suspension of two gay players from a college women's basketball team landed one head coach on the unemployment line and placed one university in an awkward Catch 22.

According to WDAM, Dawn Brown, head coach of the women's basketball team at Prairie View A&M University in Texas, was relieved of her duties following her decision to suspend two players from her team for dating each other.

According to the University, when Brown suspended her players, she was in violation

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• 3.30.2016

of Title IX, which guarantees equality in education.

According to Brown, the university's Title IX office signed off on her policy that bans players from having "non-professional" relationships with each other.

"Clearly, I feel betrayed and unjustly penalized by this action," Brown told USA Today Sports.

Sporting News says this issue seems headed for court, given the complaints by the players and Brown's unhappiness with her dismissal (she plans to appeal).

(SFGN) The Center for Disease Control released results from a study earlier this year, indicating that more American men and women are identifying as bisexual.

A 2011-2013 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) included 9000 interviews with men and women between the ages of 18 and 44. Of those interviewed, 5.5 percent of women and 2 percent of men identified as bisexual, compared to 3.9 percent of women

and 1.2 percent of men surveyed in 2006 – 2010, reports GayStarNews.

Even of those who identified as heterosexual or straight, 12.6% of women and 2.8% of men said they had engaged in same-sex sexual contact. Conversely, 16.4% of women and 11.4% of men who identifies as homosexual or bisexual said they had never had any same-sex sexual contact.

lgbtqia bites

continued

Transgender

T

Transgender Day of Visibility

(SFGN) Thursday, March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility. Whereas Transgender Day of Remembrance memorializes trans lives lost, TDoV recognizes trans activists and raises awareness about trans issues.

TDoV was started by head of transgender Michigan, Rachel Crandall. The social media movement received support across the US, Canada and the UK. The TDoV theme for 2016

is #MoreThanVisibility, and participants are encouraged to spread awareness on social media through the hashtag #tdov, and to take action in their communities by hosting panels, or group talks.

Trans Student Educational Resources, or TSER, host a list of events, available on their website at http://www.transstudent.org/ tdov2016. .

3.30.2016 •

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news local

Submitted Photo

Charity Dog Washes Will Now Have to Pay Fee Michael d’Oliveira

T

he next time Hunters wants to hold a charity dog wash or other event in its parking lot, it will have to pay a fee to the landlord.

The $200 fee has been instituted by Rivercrest Realty Investors, which owns The Shoppes of Wilton Manors, where Hunters is located.

“It just defeats the purpose [of fundraising],” said Bruce Howe-Herrera, Hunters’ general manager. “It’s very frustrating. We’re not even open for business [to benefit from the dog washes].”

Rivercrest is based in North Carolina and purchased the shopping plaza in 2007.

The dog washes, which benefitted The Pride Center’s Florida AIDS walk team, were held in front of Hunters earlier this month and in January. “The first one wasn’t an issue,” said Howe-Herrera.

Hunters provided the hose and towels and paid for the water. Pride Center provided the manpower. “They were kind enough to let us use their hose,” said

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• 3.30.2016

Robert Boo, CEO of Pride Center.

But Howe-Herrera, general manager of Hunters, said the fee is new.

He said a fee is required by Rivercrest for the dog wash but no fee is required when Art Walk artists set up for that monthly art event.

Howe-Herrera said he was told the difference is that the dog washes don’t benefit the entire community.

He sees both as benefitting the community.

“I don’t know why they look at it as separate.”

One shopping center business owner, who declined to have his name published, said he thinks it might have something to do with the dogs possibly biting someone and Rivercrest having to take out extra insurance in case they are sued for the incident.

Brooke Conn, Property Manager for Rivercrest, declined to be interviewed.

politics out on the trail

FAU Student Challenges Moraitis

PEACE PIPE Over 1,000 SQ FT. GLASSROOM!

I

ncumbent State Representative Republican George Moraitis is being challenged for his seat in the Florida House by a 22-year-old college student.

Say hello to Doug Oberman, a junior at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, who says he intends to defeat Moraitis to represent district 92 in Tallahassee. In a telephone call to SFGN on Monday, Oberman, who’s running as a Democrat, said he was confident he could win the seat, describing Moraitis as a clone warrior of Governor Rick Scott’s administration.

“He’s another cog in the machine,” Oberman said of Moraitis. “All he’s going to do is vote the party line and rubber stamp everything that comes out of Scott’s office. The voters of this district are too smart for that and are waking up to the truth.”

First elected in 2012, Moraitis, 45, is a Fort Lauderdale native, husband, father and decorated U.S. Navy veteran. A practicing real estate attorney, Moraitis represents a district that stretches from Boca Raton to Hollywood.

Oberman, however, is undaunted.

Submited Photo

“I’m standing for true progressive values,” said Oberman, who is pursuing a degree in public safety administration.

Oberman said that while he personally does not identify as LGBT, that is not stopping him from fighting against discrimination in all its forms.

“LGBT rights are a huge part of my ticket,” Oberman said. “The oppression that goes on in Florida against LGBT people has to stop.”

Oberman said he has marched in gay pride parades in his native Chicago. He moved to South Florida two years ago and lists Deerfield Beach as his campaign’s address in papers filed with the state.

Oberman is running thus far unopposed for the Democratic Party’s nomination. Likewise, Moraitis has no opposition on the Republican ticket.

The general election is scheduled for November 8.

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Photo: Senate Democrates

news national

A Closer Look at Judge Merrick Garland Lisa Keen Keen News Service

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Where will he stand on LGBT rights?

udge Merrick Garland, President And that seems to be the growing assessment Obama’s nominee for the U.S. Supreme of Garland: that, despite a relatively moderate Court, has ruled against gay plaintiffs to conservative record, he would become part three times. This is the kind of record that of the Supreme Court’s liberal bloc. might usually guarantee that Republican New York Times legal reporter Adam Liptak senators would be eager to confirm him. says political scientists believe Garland would It might also be the sort of record that be “well to the left” of Justice Anthony Kennedy. would prompt LGBT groups to urge a more Kennedy is the justice who has provided the cautious review. key swing vote for the Supreme Though the Human Rights Court’s most historic decisions Campaign expects to support in favor of equal rights for LGBT I cannot Garland’s nomination, it people. imagine that and other LGBT groups and “He would be the fifth the Republicanleaders, such as U.S. Senator member of a liberal bloc on the Tammy Baldwin, are taking majority Senate, court,” said Liptak, in a video some time to study his record accompanying his March 17 even if it were before endorsing him. But article. University of Chicago soon to be a most Senate Republicans are, Law Professor Eric Posner minority, would for the moment, standing said he thinks Garland “seems firm in their refusal to want to confirm a liberal” on civil rights. consider the nomination –at Much of this speculation judge that would appears least, not until they calculate based on an analysis move the court that Garland would be a that found justices tend to better nominee than the vote based on the ideology of dramatically to next president might select. the president who appointed the left (Senate Majority Leader them. Garland, who has served - Mitch McConnell on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Mitch McConnell promised recently said “that’s not going D.C. for 19 years, was appointed to happen.”) by Democratic President “I cannot imagine that Bill Clinton. But that’s not the Republican-majority Senate, even if it foolproof conclusion. Justice Kennedy was were soon to be a minority, would want to appointed by President Reagan. And Justice confirm a judge that would move the court William Brennan, one of the Supreme dramatically to the left,” McConnell told Court’s most liberal justices, was appointed Fox News anchor Chris Matthews.

by President Eisenhower. (And Garland

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clerked for Brennan from 1978-79.)

On the day President Obama announced Garland’s nomination, the Human Rights Campaign issued a statement, calling him “highly qualified.” But the group stopped short of an endorsement. A spokesperson said HRC would make an official endorsement decision after it does its own examination of his record and after Garland gets a hearing from the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“President Obama has a history of appointing pro-equality Supreme Court Justices,” said the spokesperson, referring to Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.

“We are confident that, in Judge Garland, we will find another Associate Justice to the Supreme Court who stands on the side of fairness and equality.”

Garland has an extensive record. He has participated in thousands of cases. Three of those cases had gay plaintiffs, but all three failed to get the relief they sought from threejudge panels that included Garland.

The first case involved an Ohio man, Jerry Szoka, who operated a low-power FM radio station in 1997 specifically to reach gay men and women and the arts community in Cleveland.

But the Federal Communications Commission had banned the operation of such small stations –known as microbroadcast stations— because they were causing interference with major radio stations that served the broad general public.

Szoka operated the radio station in defiance of the ban and without ever applying for a

radio operator’s license. The FCC ordered him to stop broadcasting and to pay an $11,000 per day fine for every day in defiance. In Grid Radio v. FCC, Szoka filed suit in federal court to challenge the order, and jurisdictional issues brought the case before the D.C. Circuit. Szoka said the ban on microbroadcasting violated the Communications Act of 1934 and his First Amendment rights to serve a community that was “not adequately served” by full-power stations. The panel rejected his first claim, noting that Szoka never applied for a license, then rejected his First Amendment claim.

“Valuable as Grid Radio’s broadcasts may have been,” stated the 2002 panel decision penned by Judge David Tatel, “we think it clear that the Commission had no obligation to consider the station’s individual circumstances before shutting it down.” The panel said the FCC was simply enforcing a ban on microbroadcasting.

“Permitting Szoka or anyone else to operate without a license as a means of challenging the microbroadcasting ban…could produce the very chaos…the licensing regime was designed to prevent.”

In the second case, Turner v. Department of the Navy (decided in 2003), Petty Officer Jim Turner sued the Secretary of the Navy to overturn his “other than honorable” discharge.

In 1994, when the military’s policy of banning openly gay people was still in place, several of Turner’s male peers on the USS Antietam accused him of making sexual advances. The ship’s captain and an administrative board declared him guilty and discharged him. A

news national

news local

Photo: Flickr/BR

Save The Date!

Upcoming Miami events offer something for everyone Anthony Martinez Beven

M

Board for Correction of Naval Records said there was insufficient corroboration of the charges and recommended his record be cleared. But a deputy assistant Secretary for the Navy rejected that recommendation.

Turner sued in federal court, echoing the BCNR’s finding that the evidence against him had been insufficient. Turner also argued that his captain violated the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” regulations by initiating an investigation without “credible evidence” and that an investigator violated the policy by asking one of the sailors about his sexual orientation.

The appeals panel, which included Garland, noted that Turner had “a respectable record of seven years of military service” and that the charges against him initially seemed more like “inflamed” interpretations of “horseplay.”

But it upheld a federal district court, saying proper procedures had been followed. The decision was written by Senior Circuit Judge Stephen Williams.

In the third case, Garland was on a panel with then appeals court Judge John Roberts Jr., who now serves as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The case was International Action Center v. U.S. The 2004 decision addressed a lawsuit filed by a coalition of groups and individuals who opposed “racism, sexism, oppression of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people.” It sued federal and local law enforcement personnel for injuries inflicted on protesters at President George W. Bush’s first inaugural parade.

The protesters said that, while engaging in “lawful, peaceful activity” along the parade route, undercover officers struck them and sprayed them with pepper spray. The lawsuit alleged that supervisors of the undercover officers should be held personally liable for their injuries. The supervisors argued they had qualified immunity and a three-judge panel that included Garland agreed. Roberts wrote the panel opinion, saying plaintiffs failed to establish that the police supervisors were guilty of misconduct in their training and supervision of police, rather than “mere negligence.”

Jon Davidson, national legal director for

Lambda Legal, said the three gay-plaintiff cases “don’t tell us very much about his judicial philosophy or views of constitutional and legal issues relating to sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status.”

Lambda and many groups and court enthusiasts are poring over Garland’s record now, and many will likely find details that will encourage or encumber their support for the nominee. For instance, the Boston Globe reported that Garland, “under pressure from a leftist group” during the 1970s’ Vietnam protest era at Harvard undergraduate school, asked a student-faculty committee to consider having a campus referendum on whether the school should allow ROTC back on campus. He then later voted against holding a referendum. That left the existing ban intact. Without predicting how Republican senators might react, the Globe noted that “any whiff of an antimilitary record will raise red flags for Republicans….”

More likely, it will prompt Republicans – if they ever give Garland a confirmation hearing -- to quiz him over a similar ROTC flap that emerged six years ago during the confirmation hearing for the last new justice, Elena Kagan.

Kagan had been dean of Harvard Law when Harvard had a policy of barring recruiters from campus because of the military’s policy of banning openly gay people. During her confirmation hearing, Republican senators grilled her about it. Kagan said she found a way to let military recruiters have “full access” to students while still enforcing the school’s ban against sexual orientation discrimination.

The military’s ban no longer exists and most campuses no longer bar military recruiters but, if Kagan’s confirmation can be somewhat of a guide, Garland or the next justice nominee can expect to field questions from Republican senators asking whether he is a “legal progressive,” whether he thinks the Supreme Court was right to strike down state bans on marriage for same-sex couples, and religious objections to anti-discrimination laws that protect LGBT people. And if history can be a guide, the nominee’s answers will likely leave everyone guessing until they’re on the high bench.

iami is a hotspot for gay events, and the coming weeks are a testament to that. From fundraisers to community get-togethers to arts and entertainment, here’s some events to save-the-date for.

Path 2 Parenthood LGBT Family Building talk at the LGBT Visitor Center in Miami Beach on April 12, 6-9 p.m.

The 7th Annual Miami Beach Gay Pride kicks off the gay pride season with its annual festival April 8-10. The three-day event features a parade and booths from hundreds of LGBT and saidfriendly businesses, as well as musical performance, celebrity appearances, food and a family-fun area. For the complete list of events and other information, visit www.miamibeachgaypride.com.

AIDS Walk Miami will be held on Sunday, April 24, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. and the walk starting

at 9 a.m. The goal this year is to raise $225,000. So far, $50,000 has been raised.

To register for the walk itself or sponsor a participant, visit www.aidswalkmiami.org.

The MiFO LGBT Film Festival happens April 22-May 1. The MiFo LGBT Film Festival is committed to its mission to inspire, entertain, and educate the public, encourage a sense of community through international and culturally diverse film, video, and other media that offer historical and contemporary perspectives on the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender experience. For tickets and other information, visit www.mifofilm.com.

3.30.2016 •

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news national

White House Taps Trans Group to Help Gather Information on HIV/AIDS Michael d’Oliveira

A

rianna Lint is a minority within a minority – a transgender woman with HIV. Unfortunately, it’s a minority that’s growing.

According to the latest information published by the CDC, the highest percentage of newly identified HIV-positive test results was among transgender individuals. A Lancet article, highlighted at the Fifth Annual Transgender Medical Symposium in Fort Lauderdale last May, reported an HIV infection rate of around 20 percent among trans people in the U.S. The percentage may also be higher.

The CDC also reported that accurately assessing HIV/AIDS rates, within current data systems, among the transgender community is a challenge because “some transgender people may not identify as transgender due to fear of discrimination or previous negative experiences.”

In New York City alone, from 2007 to 2011, there were 191 new diagnoses of HIV infection among transgender people, 99 percent of which were among transgender women. Among those, 90 percent were black or Latina, 52 percent were in their twenties and 51 percent had documentation of substance use, commercial sex work, homelessness, incarceration, and/or sexual abuse as compared with only 31 percent of other people who were not transgender.

The CDC also found that other risk factors for HIV infection were higher among transgender individuals – attempted suicide, unemployment, lack of familial support, violence, stigma and discrimination, limited health care access and negative health care encounters.

Photo: Facebook

In the Obama Administration’s National HIV/ AIDS Strategy, transgender women, Latinas, drug users, gay men, bisexual men, young people and black women are among the groups prioritized for assistance because of their higher risk of contracting the disease.

To help gather more data on transgender HIV/AIDS rates, the TransLatina Coalition has National been tapped by the White House.

Lint and other transgender individuals were recently invited to the White House to talk about HIV/AIDS. Lint said her organization will have a survey ready by March 24.

“The transgender community is the most affected,” Lint said. She said her organization and others have been charged with gathering information for the next administration. “In 11 months maybe we’re not going to change anything but maybe we can with the new administration.”

The biggest challenge, she said, is separating transgender individuals so that issues that are specific to her community can be addressed, such as being denied healthcare. “It’s a population that’s underserved. It’s like they invite us to a house but we’re just put in the kitchen.”

For more information on the survey, visit TransLatinaCoalition.org.

March Issue

Visit sfgn.com to see where to find your copy 16

• 3.30.2016

news local Photo: Facebook

Pride Factory Celebrates 20 Years In Business Michael d’Oliveira

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ver its 20-year history, much like the community it sells to, the Pride Factory has changed and evolved.

“The gay community has grown and we’re growing with it with nice products, unique fashions,” said Pride Factory owner Matthew Deak. To celebrate, Pride Factory hosted a 20-year anniversary party on March 20.

Pride Factory was previously located near Sears Town at Federal Highway and Sunrise Boulevard but relocated to Northeast 13 Street in Fort Lauderdale about 10 years ago. Lori Deak, wife of Matthew and vice president of the company, said the current location has more space, more parking and is closer to Wilton Manors. She said it’s possible the company could move into Wilton Manors one day but it would have to be a very good deal. “We’re really happy here.”

Besides the location, store manager Rocky Bowell, who has been with the company for 17 years, said the store has gone through drastic changes. “We were more of a book store. Clothing is our main focus . . . most of our brands [including Addicted and Pump!] are loyal to us and, in Broward, only sell to our store.”

Along with clothing, they also sell swimwear, health and beauty products, sunglasses, hats, birthday cards, condoms, lubricant and adult toys. Bowell compared

Pride Factory to Macy’s because it has a little bit of everything. “I’m just thankful to the community for the support. This is a destination store.”

What Pride Factory stopped selling has also helped define it.

Formerly a purveyor of adult DVDs, and VHS years before, for which Pride Factory won an SFGN Best Of in 2011 and 2012, Deak said he stopped providing those items as the gay community become more accepted and more mainstream.

One thing that hasn’t changed, he said, is listening to customers. “I think Pride Factory is a cornerstone [of the gay community]. We try and stay involved and listen to what they say. We don’t tell them [what to wear].”

Apparently, sexy is what a lot of customers want.

Pride Factory has a large selection of tight, revealing and sexy swimwear. That, said one customer who identified himself as G.R., has a huge appeal to many in the gay community. “You’re not going to find that at Sears,” he said as he pointed to a very colorful and very revealing piece of swimwear.

“It’s sexy clothing,” said customer William Braemer. “I buy in all types of places. I think it’s good to have choices.”

“Sexy does [sell],” Matthew said.

3.30.2016 •

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news national

Photo: Facebook

Gov. Nathan Deal

Anti-trans Bill Sweeping Through Conservative States Lisa Keen Keen News Service

L

Georgia rejects anti-gay bill; NC enacts one

ambda Legal and the ACLU filed though it also required transgender people a lawsuit in federal court Monday to use a “single-occupancy” restrooms or to challenge the locker rooms to use. constitutionality of a law On March 22, Kansas’ passed by North Carolina Republican Governor Sam Some of those last week to prevent Brownback signed an antiin the religious LGBT bill that prohibits local governments from protecting LGBT people colleges and universities from community against discrimination. denying to any “religious who support The announcement came student association” any the same day Georgia’s this bill have benefit available to other Republican governor student groups because the resorted to vetoed a bill that claimed religious group requires to protect the freedom members to “comply with insults that of religious officials to the association’s sincerely question decline to perform a held religious beliefs” and my moral marriage ceremony that “standards of conduct.” violates their religious More than a dozen states convictions and have beliefs. considered or are still my character considering ACLU Advocacy and legislation Policy Counsel Eunice Rho directed against LGBT people.

- Nathan Deal said there are “more antiTwo bills seeking to limit LGBT bills this year than use of public bathrooms in any other time.” She by transgender people estimated that “almost 200” have been failed in the Virginia legislature last introduced. month, including one that sought to The North Carolina and Georgia laws fine students $50 if they used the wrong are part of a concerted effort nationwide bathroom. Similar bills died in Kentucky to pass state legislation that disadvantages and Tennessee. The Illinois legislature LGBT people. has a similar bill pending before a House Earlier this month, South Dakota’s committee. Other states considering laws Republican Governor Dennis Daugaard relating to gender identity and/or religious vetoed a bill similar to North Carolina’s, justifications for discrimination against

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LGBT people include Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Massachusetts is considering a protrans bill; to provide “equal access to public places regardless of gender identity.”

The North Carolina law, by far, received the most attention, largely because of its scope. The law, which takes effect April 1, prohibits transgender people from using a public restroom for the gender they are living and bars any local government from having an ordinance that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

North Carolina’s Republican Governor Pat McCrory signed two-punch law on March 23 and the reaction was immediate and widespread.

The National Basketball Association and the National Collegiate Athletic Association both issued statements saying the state’s new law might prompt them to withdraw upcoming major events from Charlotte. Carolina’s National Hockey League team issued a statement saying it is “devoted to providing a welcoming and respectful environment for all fans.”

American Airlines, which has its hub in Charlotte, said, “Laws that allow such discrimination go against our fundamental belief of equality and are bad for the economies of the states in which they are

enacted.”

The board of aldermen of the town of Carrboro, North Carolina, passed a resolution reaffirming its support for LGBT people and called for the rainbow flag to be raised over town hall Monday.

The Mayor of San Francisco has banned city employees from any publicly funded travel to North Carolina on city business.

The Lambda-ACLU lawsuit says the North Carolina law violates the right of two transgender persons and a lesbian to equal protection.

ACLU attorney Chase Strangio said during a telephone press conference Monday that “this has been a really hard year” for the trans community, climaxing in the North Carolina bill attacking the rights of all LGBT people.

Lambda attorney Tara Borelli noted that Charlotte’s human rights ordinance was carefully debated and considered “in stark contrast” to the state legislature’s “rush to target the LGBT community.”

Borelli said the law violates the right to privacy of transgender people and violates various federal laws.

The Georgia bill passed on close votes in the House and Senate March 16. Since then, said Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, he has been hearing “insults” and “threats” from both supporters and opponents of the bill, including major corporations

news national doing business in the state.

"Some of those in the religious community who support this bill have resorted to insults that question my moral convictions and my character,” said Deal. “Some within the business community who oppose this bill have resorted to threats of withdrawing jobs from our state. I do not respond well to insults or threats. The people of Georgia deserve a leader who will made sound judgements based on solid reasons that are not inflamed by emotion. That is what I intend to do.”

In his statement Monday, Deal suggested he was concerned that the legislation might “give rise to state-sanctioned discrimination” and that he does not believe the legislation is needed to protect the faithbased community.

Lambda Legal, the ACLU, and Equality North Carolina issued a press release Sunday night, saying they would challenge the law in federal court.

The Carolina law requires that all public schools facilities have bathrooms or changing facilities “designated for and used only by students based on their biological sex.” Biological sex is defined by what gender is indicated on a person’s birth certificate.

It also declares that state law concerning “discriminatory practices” will “supersede and preempt any ordinance” or regulation of any local government. North Carolina state law does not prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

“This outrageous new law not only strips away the ability of local jurisdictions to protect LGBT people from discrimination, but it goes further and targets transgender students who deserve to be treated equally at school -- not harassed and excluded,” said Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin.

Lambda’s Borelli said it’s not yet clear how the transgender bathroom provision in North Carolina will be enforced, but that many transgender students have made school officials aware of their special needs and legal activists have heard that some school officials are calling parents of transgender students to warm them that they will not be able to use the bathroom most appropriate to their gender identity.

North Carolina Governor McCrory allowed the state legislature to hold a special session just to consider the measure aimed

specifically at an ordinance approved by the Charlotte City Council in February. The city sought to prohibit discrimination based on their gender identity. But the new state law, “Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act,” prohibits any local government from passing non-discrimination ordinances.

HRC said legislators had only five minutes to review the bill before voting on it and that Democrats in the Senate walked out, rather than vote on the measure.

In a statement released Wednesday, McCrory called Charlotte’s ordinance a “radical breach of trust and security under the false argument of equal access” and said it endangered the “basic expectation of privacy in the most personal of settings, a restroom or locker room.”

Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, said 76 percent of transgender people do not have an updated birth certificate.

Jenny Pizer, law and policy director for Lambda Legal, said the law makes it impossible for transgender people to stay in school, hold jobs, or access public services because “as a practical and safety matter” they are barred from using bathroom facilities.

The legislature’s debate echoed remarks heard frequently during the recent battle over a non-discrimination ordinance in Houston. A referendum in Houston overturned a non-discrimination law there that prohibited numerous categories of discrimination, including race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity. But in Houston, the referendum simply repealed the ordinance. In North Carolina, the new law repeals all existing local ordinances that prohibit sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination and forecloses any future local ordinances.

According to HRC, North Carolina is the first state “to enact such a law attacking transgender students.” Kansas is bucking to be next. Kansas legislators on March 16 introduced bills to the House and Senate that call for all public schools to label restrooms by gender and enables students who encounter “a person of the opposite sex” in their restroom or locker to sue the school for $2,500 for “each instance” and monetary damages for “all psychological, emotional, and physical harm suffered.”

Gov. Pat McCrory

3.30.2016 •

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news national

Wisconsin Takes Center Stage John McDonald

T

he Midwestern state of Wisconsin takes its turn in the spotlight as the U.S. Presidential campaign comes calling.

Both Democrats and Republicans have primary elections scheduled April 5 in Wisconsin with the contests becoming increasingly competitive by the day.

On the Democratic side, front-runner Hillary Clinton holds a 1,712 to 1,004 delegate lead, but is reeling from five losses to U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Last week, Sanders claimed caucus victories in Utah, Idaho, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii.

The socialist’s luck was so good he was visited by a small bird during a campaign speech in Portland, Oregon which produced wild cheers from the crowd and earned a pause and smile from the candidate.

Clinton, meanwhile, won Arizona and amped up her attacks on Republican front-runner Donald J. Trump. The former Secretary of State tweeted on Monday, “Donald Trump didn’t come out of nowhere – what Republicans have sown with their extremist tactics, they’re now reaping with Trump’s candidacy.”

Trump’s insurgent campaign lands in Wisconsin at a time when the GOP establishment is desperately attempting to stave off the billionaire businessman’s takeover of the party.

Trump currently holds a 749 to 468 delegate lead over U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. A Republican candidate must procure 1,237 delegates in order to win the party nomination.

“I have millions more votes/hundreds more dels than Cruz or Kasich, and yet am not being treated properly by the Republican Party or the RNC,” Trumped tweeted on Tuesday.

Wisconsin, known for its dairy farms and Green Bay Packers football team, is traditionally a blue state in Presidential elections, but controlled by Republicans at the state level. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, an out lesbian, has endorsed Clinton.

Meanwhile, Tad Devine, a campaign manager

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Tad Devine

Photo: John Mcdonald

in the Bernie Sanders campaign, tells SFGN, his man is in it for the long haul.

“We believe Bernie has the most powerful message,” Devine said in a "spin room" interview following the DNC debate in Miami.

“It’s a message that centers on an economy in America that is rigged and sending almost all of the new wealth to the top and that rigged economy is being held in place by a corrupt system of campaign finance.”

Devine, who has worked on past Presidential campaigns for John Kerry and Al Gore, said Sanders is an authentic candidate.

“It’s not just the words of the message but the credibility of the messenger and we think by far we have the most credible messenger to deliver the most powerful message,” Devine said.

Elsewhere, Cruz picked up the endorsement of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and is banking on aid from Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Governor Scott Walker to win Wisconsin.

“Who cares what Donald is tweeting late at night?,” Cruz told a press conference on Monday.

“We need real solutions to the real problems in this country.”

From Wisconsin, the campaign moves to New York where Clinton and Trump hold advantages in their home states.

passages

Key West Loses a Local Legend in Gregory R. McGrady Andrew Printer

O

ne of the benefits of living in a small town is that fellow citizens become as close, if not closer than family.

So, when a friend or neighbor or someone who has simply always been there suddenly disappears their absence is felt immediately, painfully, profoundly.

Disappearance of course is an easier way to describe a death in the family. On March 15, longtime Key West resident Gregory R. McGrady died suddenly due to complications from a kidney infection. He was 51.

Of course every death is tragic but Gregg “GGG” McGrady’s passing has shaken Key West society, particularly a network of locals who, along with Gregg, have been central to at least two decades of community building, philanthropy and fun.

The news of McGrady’s passing is still reverberating, not quite sinking in. Not just its suddenness (after all, many saw Gregg dancing energetically at a Sunday tea dance just days before). What’s harder to fathom for those who have lived here for some time is the thought of Key West without him, without his mischievous eyes, his very particular personality.

Gregg McGrady hailed from Massachusetts. With a career in the U.S. Army and in merchandising behind him he followed one of his three brothers to this tiny tropical tourist spot on the map, making it home in 1995.

Some called McGrady a renaissance man, others have pointed out a tireless generosity with friends as they pursued challenging goals that he had some familiarity with.

A particularly common refrain on Facebook and in the bars and restaurants up and down Duval Street was Gregg’s

instinct and ability to connect adjacent networks of people, distinct circles of activity in order to strengthen community.

The local Arts scene, the Florida Keys SPCA, AIDS Help as well as many high and low profile fundraisers all benefitted from this charming, accessible man’s skill at making things happen.

McGrady’s most indelible contribution to this Island City that he loved so much is the vivid 1.25-mile-long Sea to Sea Rainbow Flag that unfurled along Duval Street in 2003, stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. Legend has it McGrady left the popular 801 Bar wondering how to make Key West a more emphatic LGBT destination. Perhaps it was the fresh air, perhaps it was his formidable marketing ability, perhaps it was something else.

Regardless, a permanent symbol for Key West was borne.

For all intents and purposes McGrady had retired from professional life, splitting his time between Hawaii, Illinois and Key West with John Nolte, his partner of seven years. Despite the love that is universally felt for Gregg most admit that he could be a handful, a bit of a wild child, quickly adding that he had settled into a very enjoyable and rewarding life, one where making art, making friends and dancing seemed to be of the highest priority.

A memorial for Gregg McGrady is tentatively planned for April 24 at Aqua nightclub on Duval Street.

A Facebook page for the event will be created once details are final. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Gregg’s name to AIDS Help or the Florida Keys SPCA. 3.30.2016 •

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column letter to the editor

Letters to the Editor SFGN Editorial ‘Misses Ball’ on MLB Partnership Dear South Florida Gay News, Pardon the pun, but the recent editorial in South Florida Gay News, The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Strikes Out, missed the ball entirely.

Through this new partnership between the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and Major League Baseball (MLB), our organization, American Meetings, Inc. (AMI), has already successfully participated in the Major League Baseball Diversity Summit held last week in Phoenix, Arizona. There we were able to meet with officials from the MLB Corporate Office and representatives from all of the teams. Additionally, we are now in discussions with several teams regarding opportunities to partner with them on future events. For us, and many other Certified LGBT Business Enterprises, this partnership will no doubt be a “home run”.

The National Gay Media Association (NGMA) does a tremendous service for the community.

Long before LGBT stories were part of national news, NGMA and its thousands of loyal writers, editors, and readers were promoting the successes and triumphs of LGBT businesses and advocates. That tradition continues today, and the community is grateful for it.

There is so much positive momentum for our community that it’s more important than ever that our LGBT media be supportive of the efforts our hard-working national organizations are doing on our behalf. If it wasn’t for the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce advancing LGBT economic opportunities, our community would never have been recognized by over 1/3 of the Fortune 500, which gives us clout to be recognized by the likes of Fortune and the Walls Street Journal.

No one is doing more to help the LGBT community gain economic strength and equity than NGLCC. Major national publications covering them is proof that our business interests are just viable and powerful as any other minority in America. For years we’ve all been demanding that ‘attention must be paid’ to our businesses—and now it is. That should be celebrated for the visibility it’s brining us, the jobs it’s creating, and the seat at the table our community never had before NGLCC and their partners made it happen.

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When their conference was in Fort Lauderdale last year, it attracted hundreds of business owners and corporate reps looking to do business with us in South Florida. We heard their conference made a $4 million impact on the local economy. The local LGBT media benefitted greatly from that impact. Just as our business, American Meetings Inc. (AMI), has from being involved with NGLCC. Since we got certified in 2012, our business has grown over 40%. SFGN knows how powerful the LGBT family can be for connections and opportunities, and that’s what we and our nearly 1,000 certified LGBTBE colleagues around the country—and the world—find through NGLCC every day.

We remember Suze Orman being on the SFGN cover during their conference like it was yesterday. In fact, some of the most exciting coverage of NGLCC’s work we’ve seen has come from NGMA papers and websites in recent years. The more that our esteemed LGBT press can amplify and localize the wins of great groups like NGLCC, the better we’ll all be.

More positive coverage will help more business owners like us come out, get certified, and scale rapidly so they can continue advertising in your outlets and hiring brilliant LGBT talent here in South Florida.

Local LGBT press is a part of the fabric of our local communities. Just like the NGLCC local affiliates Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC) and Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC), local press makes the personal, at-home connection to the major national movements our organizations are leading for us.

We think we should be celebrating this historic partnership with Major League Baseball as a home run for all of us--- because now we’re not just spectators at the game, our LGBT businesses are all-stars on the field. Stories like this, and the many more ahead, have so much impact to our local communities and we hope to great papers like SFGN will keep sharing them for the positive sign of growth and opportunity ahead that they truly are.

Sincerely, Andy McNeill, Principal & CEO Todd Bludworth, Principal & President American Meetings, Inc. (AMI)

Photo: Alan Diaz

feature

Obtaining police emails can take months, cost thousands

Associated Press

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hen the editor of a gay-oriented newspaper in Florida requested records that he thought should be public, he cast a wide net, asking that the email of every employee of the Broward County Sheriff's Office be searched for specific gay slurs over a fivemonth period.

The sheriff's office initially told Jason Parsley that his request would cost $399,000, take four years and require the hiring of a dedicated staffer.

The response set off a public-records marathon that lasted nearly a year. The Associated Press featured Parsley's effort last year during Sunshine Week, a national government-transparency initiative that takes place each March, and then decided to join forces with his newspaper, the South Florida Gay News.

The goal was to determine whether such police emails were indeed public and, if so, how the public and media could obtain them in a timely and cost-efficient way.

After making multiple records request to four Florida law enforcement agencies, the two news organizations have at least a partial answer, which could provide a blueprint for other news organizations reporting on police accountability.

As law enforcement agencies have come under increased scrutiny in recent years, media organizations, watchdog groups and others have become more vigilant about filing public-records requests for emails and documents, particularly after police shootings. Police agencies have not always complied, and those that do sometimes put up obstacles, charging fees that many opengovernment advocates say are excessive and aimed at keeping hidden information that should be public.

"They throw up ridiculous costs, ridiculous delays as a roadblock," said Barbara Petersen, head of Florida's First Amendment Foundation.

"If you throw out a humongous number, the person is going to walk away," particularly private citizens who often do not have the money to hire lawyers or the know-how to challenge inflated fees.

In many states, including Florida, government agencies can waive records fees if they deem releasing the information in the public interest.

While it is routine for media organizations and others to seek such waivers, it is rare for agencies to grant them.

Other examples of excessive fees abound in Florida and elsewhere.

After the fatal 2014 shooting of Michael Brown by a Ferguson, Missouri, police officer, the city hired an outside firm to handle the requests for police officers' and city officials' emails, saidAdam Marshall, a lawyer with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

The firm charged requesters $500 plus $135 an hour. If done by Ferguson clerks, the cost would have been $13.90 an hour. In one example, he said, a search for emails containing any of seven key words cost $1,375. Two Ferguson police officers resigned after they were found to have sent racist emails.

"Anyone who uses modern email programs knows you can find any email containing a key word in about a half a second," Marshall said.

"The practical effect is that it is inhibiting the public's right to know. ... That shouldn't depend on an individual's ability to pay thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, particularly when it comes to law enforcement, which has the power to shoot and arrest people."

The AP and Parsley decided to press the issue in Florida, rather than let his original request die after he received the estimate for $399,000 in fees.

Last May, the AP asked two other Florida

sheriff's offices, in Hillsborough and Orange counties, to search for employee emails containing any words on a list of specific racial and gay slurs.

Hillsborough County said the search would cost $2,668, a cost that was prohibitive.

Orange County originally said the search would cost $37, an amount the AP paid. In November, six months after the request, Orange responded and said it was mistaken — the search would cost $1,224. When AP questioned the jump, Orange County responded by saying it again had provided a mistaken figure: The actual cost to search its officers' emails would be $44,360.

After negotiations between the Orange County sheriff and lawyers for the AP, the request was modified to delete a gay slur that contains the word "she," because sheriff's officials said "she" was causing the system to capture too many emails. The cost dropped last month, nine months after the original request, to $349, a cost the AP and South Florida Gay News paid. Officials with the Orange County Sheriff's Office say those emails are now being processed.

Parsley, meanwhile, made fresh requests to both the Broward County sheriff and the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. After discussions with officials at the agencies and information technology experts, both news outlets ultimately asked only for more recent emails that would still be on the law enforcement agencies' servers.

Older emails that reside on backup systems are more cumbersome to search, requiring more time and expense.

Parsley has yet to receive the emails he requested from Broward or Fort Lauderdale. But local prosecutors decided to pursue the same information on their own, filing a request for derogatory emails with Fort Lauderdale police.

The police department acted relatively swiftly, fulfilling prosecutors' request within months.

Prosecutors wanted to make sure no arresting officers had a bias against minorities or gays that could be exploited by defense attorneys at trial, said Ron Ishoy, spokesman for the Broward County state attorney's office. The office did not have to pay for the information because it was for a law enforcement purpose, he said.

It is common practice to provide information to other law enforcement agencies without charging a fee, according to Detective Keven Dupree.

After being tipped off, Parsley paid $5 to get a copy of the Fort Lauderdale police emails that were shared with prosecutors. They revealed that two department employees used a racial slur and another used a gay slur. Two officers were recommended for short suspensions, while a civilian employee received a one-day suspension.

In an emailed statement to the AP, a Fort Lauderdale police spokesman said the department is waiting to hear back from Parsley after giving him the cost estimate.

Parsley said he has no confidence he will ever get the information from the two agencies.

"In Fort Lauderdale, the price tag for our request came out to be $1,215, significantly less than the $399,000 we got from (Broward).

But even that price is a lot of money for a small publication," he said. "I've looked into narrowing my search even more to continue to bring down the cost."

David Herzog, an associate professor of journalism at the University of Missouri, said such conflicts could be avoided if law enforcement agencies simply posted relevant emails and documents to their websites when a major case develops.

"That way," he said, "the department doesn't have to go through repeated public records requests."

3.30.2016 •

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The Mind Riot

Convictions

The LGBTQ Faces of Faith

Jae Kanella

Muslims, Jews, Pagans, and Christians talk about their experiences

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GBTQ People of Faith are people within the LGBTQ community who identify with a religious or spiritual movement. I had a couple of people weigh in on their experiences. Note: This doesn’t describe all experiences, but simply individuals and their own specific thoughts, opinions, and life experiences.

Islam Q: How do you identify?

Person 1: Bisexual and non-binary.

Q: How does being LGBTQ and a Person of Faith affect your life?

P1: I can't dress as I wish to as I still live with family. Also, my religion requires female-assigned people to wear hijabs and ankle-length dresses/skirts.

Q: How often do you hear positive words regarding the LGBTQ community in your place of worship?

P1: Sometimes.

Q: Does your gender or sexuality ever come in conflict with your faith?

P1: Yes. Q: What do you think is the biggest obstacle facing LGBTQ people of faith?

P1: Old-world traditions.

Q: What do you think the next step towards progress for LGBTQ members who are People of Faith?

P1: Understanding.

Judaism

Q: How do you identify?

Person 1: Queer and non-binary.

Q: How does being LGBTQ and a Person of Faith affect your life?

P1: I am a reform Jew so we tend to be open to queer folk. It's getting people in general to accept non-binary identities that has been my main struggle.

Q: Does your gender or sexuality ever

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come in personal conflict with your faith?

P1: No. Q: If you are openly LGBTQ, how often do you get verbally harassed, threatened, or otherwise confronted for your gender or sexuality?

P1: My gender and sexuality are ignored completely. Like it's invisible.

Q: What is the most important part of your faith?

P1: Culture. I don't believe in the idea of a singular, humanoid God, so the worship itself isn't all that important to me. It's mostly about keeping traditions to keep the culture alive.

Q: What do you think the next step towards progress for LGBTQ members who are People of Faith?

P1: There are so many ways to interpret the ancient text, as the Talmud demonstrates.

It's important to learn the different interpretations of the passages that are used against queer people.

Paganism

Q: How do you identify?

Person 1: Bisexual and trans.

Person 2: Polysexual and non-binary.

Q: How does being a Person of Faith affect your life?

P1: I've had to find my own way a fair bit, as most Pagans that I've interacted with have had a very binary view on gender (Which is reflected in the Gods and Goddesses).

P2: As someone who comes from a minority sexuality, a minority gender, and a minority religion, I find it difficult to fit in anywhere.

Q: What is the most important part of your faith?

P1: Having the freedom to follow the path I choose.

P2: Serving my deities and my connection to nature.

Q: How often do you hear positive words regarding the LGBTQ community in your place of worship?

P1: I don’t have a place of worship.

P2: Frequently in regards to sexuality, rarely in regards to my gender.

Q: What do you think the next step towards progress for LGBTQ members who are People of Faith?

P1: Declined to answer.

P2: Locally, to expand the meaning of "People of Faith" to include more faiths than the most common ones.

Christianity

Q: How do you identify?

Person 1: Queer cis woman.

Person 2: Pansexual and a trans guy.

Person 3: Asexual and a trans man.

Q: How does being LGBTQ and a Person of Faith affect your life?

P1: Both are aspects of my identity, in the way I view the world. The former inspires wonder at the many variations of human gender and sexuality. The latter inspires

wonder at the amazing world around me.

P2: Ostracized from both sides of the fence.

P3: Well, my faith has affected how I feel about myself. There are times when I feel like I'm sinning because of my gender and romantic/sexual orientation. I've also been called slurs by members of my church.

Q: How often do you hear positive words regarding the LGBTQ community in your place of worship?

P1: Not at all.

P2: Frequently.

P3: Not often.

Q: Does your gender or sexuality ever come in conflict with your faith?

P1: It did in the past, but I moved past it.

P2: Yes. P3: Yes. Q: What do you think the next step towards progress for LGBTQ members who are People of Faith?

P1: It would be nice if I stopped getting told that the people I love and I are going to hell.

P2: Tolerance.

Person 3 declined to answer.

The above answers were gathered from a survey created by the author. All participants gave explicit consent to publish the above.

Furthermore, the article’s contents are directly submitted from the answers received, thus the reason why certain faiths have more participants.

Jae Kanella is a South Florida native, cat parent, and writer. Jae's pronoun preference is they/them/theirs. Jae is 19-years-old and radically queer.

3.30.2016 •

25

Convictions

Guest

Substance Abuse Treatment for the LGBT Community: The Importance of Family Support Helen Calder

S

ubstance abuse treatment today differs vastly from decades past, above all because of the great advances in recovery-oriented behavioral therapy. Recovering addicts know that despite the tough nature of addiction, they can overcome it and can lead happy, fulfilling lives surrounded by a strong support system. Modern therapeutic techniques have proven successful for many reasons, not the least of which is their focus on family support. Recovering patients who know that they can find a sense of connectedness through family and friends, it has been discovered, have a much better chance of success than those facing their battles, alone.

For the LGBT community, however, family support can be difficult to obtain. Going further than this assertion, studies have shown that psychological distress caused by rejection and isolation because of one’s gender and sexual identity during childhood, can lead to mental health and substance abuse issues in adulthood.

LGBT persons often do not have sufficient support; in many cases, rejection from families can actually be a significant trigger for substance abuse or relapse.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, studies have shown that LGBT community members are more likely to use alcohol and drugs, have higher rates of drug addiction, continue heavy use of alcohol in later life, and not stop their alcohol and drug use. Sometimes, alcohol and drug use are a reaction to violence and homophobia, which is linked to both physical and mental health problems.

During recovery, therapists work to help patients battle anxiety and depression – two mental conditions which tend to be the most powerful triggers for relapse. It is therefore vital for families of patients to take part in therapy, to learn how to make their recovering family member feel supported and accepted unconditionally.

Family members should understand and accept the way recovering addicts see themselves.

Matters such as birth, chosen gender and sexual identity must not be swept under the rug; therapy can help educate each family members about the importance of embracing the user’s sexual and gender identity, in an aim to foster unity and unconditional love and support.

Once a family member stops using drugs, whole new mechanisms must emerge. The family will have to learn new rules and roles, accepting each

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other’s limits and learning to communicate without using language that expresses blame, shame and rejection. The recovering person benefits greatly when steps are taken to correct negative dynamics.

Issues such as co-dependency and trust need to be addressed and new behavioral patterns created, to foster a healthy new atmosphere between family members.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, there are four major dimensions that support positive recovery: Health (making good choices that support our physical and mental wellbeing).

Purpose (finding a meaningful way to fill one’s day through work, volunteering, caring for loved ones, being creative, earning an income, studying, etc.).

Community (building a healthy social network and embarking on relationships which support hope and positivity. It is vital to keep toxic persons or those who can form triggers to our recover, at bay).

Home (having a stable, peaceful home).

If the recovering addict lives with other family members, it is clear that family is involved in two of the four major dimensions (Home and Community). Indeed, family can also help the recovering person find purpose, by encouraging them to take part in useful activities and by assigning them fruitful family duties.

While a patient should make the greatest effort to involve their family in their recovery, if family members are reticent to show acceptance and support, they can still find support from a wider social network, comprising friends, coworkers, etc.

Since all relationships benefit health. Research has shown that those with strong social ties are likely to live longer and better than those who are isolated. Social connections have been found to reduce the risk of mortality, illness and relapse, since they control our health habits.

Supportive friends help us make better health choices, often monitoring, inhibit, regulating or facilitating our behavior in a way that promotes health. They also reduce the impact of stress and help us find meaning or a sense of purpose in life.

The importance of family support during recovery for all patients (and particularly for the LGBT community) cannot be stressed enough; recovery is possible without support, yet no person should have to undergo this difficult process alone.

Jesse’s Journal

Photo Facebook

Convictions

Gay-Rating The World Spartacus International Gay Guide a valuable resource Jesse Monteagudo

I

n 1999 the Guide - the late, great magazine of gay male travel, politics and sex - called gay men “the free radicals of social life” and the world’s most active tourists (sex and otherwise). Even today, when ISIS threatens one hemisphere and the Zika virus threatens the other, gay men continue to travel the globe in search of sex, love and adventure.

For many gay travelers, the Spartacus International Gay Guide is the essential tool.

Founded in 1970 by John D. Stamford, the Spartacus Guide is currently published in Berlin by Bruno Gműnder Verlag. Published in book form or as an app, it provides gay travelers with the legal and social status of homosexuality and homosexual people in most of the world’s nations as well as a list of gay bars, hotels, saunas, restaurants, shops, beaches and cruisy areas within each particular country.

Since 2013 the editorial staff of the Spartacus International Gay Guide has compiled the Spartacus Gay Travel Index, which lists the most and least “homo-friendliest countries worldwide.” The 2016 Index, just released, gives us “the legal situation of gays and lesbians in more than 190 countries.”

It was compiled by the Spartacus editorial

team “in regular contact with the German Foreign Office, the foreign embassies in Germany as well as LGBT activists from around the world.” Countries are ranked according to 14 categories, including anti-discrimination legislation, marriage or civil partnership, adoptions allowed, LGBT-marketing, equal age of consent, religious influence, HIV travel restrictions, anti-gay laws, sodomy laws, Pride events banned, hostile locals, prosecutions, murders and death sentences.

Not surprisingly, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Canada are the top three countries on the Travel Index. Equally unsurprisingly, Somalia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates are on the bottom of the list (nos. 194-92). For the record, USA is no. 46 in the Index, below Nepal but above Colombia.

(The Index can be found at SpartacusWorld. com/GayTravelIndex.pdf).

In the press release Bruno Gműnder mailed to announce the publication of the 2016 Gay Travel Index, several recent developments are detailed. The recent decision by the United States Supreme Court to legalize same-sex marriage is mentioned, as well as the fact that “the narrow majority decision of the judges is controversial and is also a subject of dispute

in the current presidential election campaign with the Republican candidates.”

The Maldives, though “a fantastic holiday destination,” is rated no. 171 by the Index, and with good reason: “Here the Sharia law applies and theoretically gay men can be sentenced to death. The Maldives repeatedly presented active opposition, as one of the few countries, to public UN decisions on the recognition of LGBT rights.”

Ironically, Germany, where Spartacus is published, “falls back in the ranking” to no.

17, though still higher than most nations (including the U.S.). “The great political debate on the introduction of marriage between homosexuals in Germany … ultimately led to no political progress. German Chancellor Angela Merkel remains firmly against the expansion of LGBT rights. … It is very possible that other countries such as Switzerland or Portugal (nos. 25 and 19, respectively) pass Germany in the Index ranking.” On the other hand, Nepal went up 50 positions (to no.

44), Puerto Rico 41 positions (to no. 39) and Mozambique 37 positions (to no. 41).

The Spartacus Gay Travel Index includes a separate listing for all 50 American states, ranging from California at no. 1 to Mississippi at no. 50 (again, there are no surprises here).

Florida, a popular LGBT destination in spite of itself, is no. 21 on this list, thanks in part to the repeal of this state’s antigay adoption ban. Like the worldwide Index, the U.S. state ratings are likely to change depending on political or legal circumstances. The current wave of “religious freedom” and “transgender bathroom” bills in the various state legislatures are certain to affect their states’ standing in next year’s Index.

For almost half a century, the Spartacus International Gay Guide has served as the Bible of gay travel and tourism. The Spartacus Gay Travel Index is another valuable resource for the LGBT communities around the world and an important tool in our ongoing fight for rights and equality.

Jesse Monteagudo is a freelance writer and journalist. He has been an active member of South Florida's LGBT community for more than four decades and has served in various community organizations.

3.30.2016 •

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Seeing in the Dark

Photo: Facebook

Convictions

Oakland’s AXIS Dance Company: The Rhythm of Disability Belo Cipriani

W

hether you love it or hate it, dance is universal and at the core of just about every social function. And while some may claim not to be born with the gift of rhythm, the truth of the matter is that what sets nondancers apart from those who enjoy swaying and spinning is desire.

So, whether someone has two left feet, no sight or hearing, or are missing limbs, if they wish to shake it and shimmy, they can do it with ease.

Judith Smith, Artistic Director of the AXIS Dance Company, an Oakland-based organization that is changing the face of dance and disability, believes that one of the biggest fallacies the general public has about the disabled and dance is that people with physical impairments have no rhythm.

“A big misconception is that people with disabilities can’t dance,” Smith shares. “Another is that we wouldn’t want to dance.”

Smith, who identifies as a lesbian and disabled, thinks these outdated perspectives exist everywhere – even in the eclectic LGBT community. And often the first reaction from audience members that attend AXIS shows is that they found the performance mind blowing.

Another unique attribute about AXIS is the dance company features dancers with and without disabilities together -- a style known as physically integrated -- which makes for a truly diverse dance experience.

Smith says, “It’s not just about seeing dancers who are disabled. It’s about seeing both dancers with and without disabilities moving together powerfully and creating a vocabulary that could not exist with just non-disabled dancers or with just disabled dancers.”

AXIS offers an array of workshops for adults and children, creates one to three new repertory

pieces each year, and generally travels to between eight and fourteen cities per year. Additionally, they perform at several conferences that showcase inclusivity and innovation.

“I often say,” Smith shares, “we’re the dance company that goes where no dance company has been before or since.”

AXIS holds workshop-style auditions and Smith is constantly scouting for new talent.

She admits the pool of trained disabled dancers is extremely small. In the past, many AXIS dancers have come through their dance classes and summer intensives, as it gives her the opportunity to get to know them in a less stressful scenario. Also, AXIS offers job training through an apprenticeship program. And while some disabled dancers may want special equipment to dance, it is not required.

“Some dancers are able to have a chair or prosthetics specific to dance, but a lot of us have to rely on our everyday equipment. It’s a money thing and it’s difficult to get sponsorships for dance compared to sports,” Smith says.

In May, AXIS will host a national convening in New York City on the future of physically integrated dance in the U.S., followed by six regional gatherings around the country. “We are touring a fair amount and preparing for our 30th anniversary,” says Smith.

AXIS will be performing at Stanford’s Live Context: Art plus Ideas series on April 23, 2016.

They will also be performing in Sean Dorsey’s Fresh Meat Festival in San Francisco, June 16-18, 2016. And for those who may be interested in joining AXIS, they will be auditioning for new dancers on July 29 and 30, 2016.

For more information, please visit www. axisdance.org, or find them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

Belo Cipriani is a freelance journalist, the award-winning author of Blind: A Memoir and Midday Dreams, and a spokesperson for Guide Dogs for the Blind. He was voted “Best Disability Advocate” in the Bay Area in 2015 by SF Weekly.

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feature retiring gay

Photo: Facebook

Groundbreaking LGBT Senior Housing Development Still A Success Christiana Lilly

I

t was just over two years ago that the John C. Anderson Apartments in Philadelphia celebrated its grand opening, with confetti and rainbows.

Today, the LGBT friendly apartments for seniors have been a roaring success with hundreds of people on a waiting list.

“We've done very little about our seniors,” Mark Segal said. “Many of the seniors who fought for all those issues are being moved out of various gayborhoods because they can’t afford the rent, and many of them are being forced into homes which aren’t gay friendly. Therefore they’re being forced into the closet or being verbally or physically abused in some of these affordable buildings.”

“It’s time for the LGBT community to step up and do what it’s supposed to do help the members of its community.”

Segal is the president of the Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund, which partnered with Pennrose Properties to make the building happen. He is also the editor of Philadelphia Gay News and was a gay rights activist in the ‘70s.

Open to seniors 62 years old and older, the LGBT friendly apartment building has 57 one-bedroom units, as well as a community room, outdoor patio, events and services for residents, and more. Rent starts at $633 a month, a steal for Center City Philadelphia (home to the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House, the Franklin Institute, and other places of note).

The apartment is home to people of different races, and “we even have a few of those people called heterosexuals living there,” Segal joked.

There are more than 300 people on a waiting list, leading of talks to possibly

opening a second building.

The apartments are named for the late Philadelphia City Councilman John C. Anderson, who died at the age of 41 in 1983. An out political leader, he died after months of battling sarcoidosis, according to the Philadelphia Daily News. Sarcoidosis is a respiratory disease that leads to the formation of nodules in the lungs.

Segal noted the importance of affordable housing for out seniors -- many who were out in the ‘60s and ‘70s were unable to get high paying or even decent jobs, as they were banned from many professions. He pointed out that many of the residents in the apartments were a part of the LGBT liberation movement.

Segal and others started throwing around the idea of LGBT friendly housing in the ‘90s, and after moving through the bureaucracy, planning, and building, the John C. Anderson Apartments opened in 2014.

Many were against opening an affordable housing building in the neighborhood, believing it would bring down property values, Segal said. Instead, it won the housing award in specialized housing from the American Institute of Architects last year and people are coming from out of state to move into the apartments.

Also, the courtyard has turned into a sort of community center, playing host to fundraisers and events. Many young LGBT people also come to the apartments to meet residents and participate in programs and cross-generational learning.

“It has rejuvenated the neighborhood, which is very surprising,” Segal said.

“We’ve spurred the neighborhood into development … it’s been an overwhelming success.”

3.30.2016 •

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feature retiring gay

Coffee and Conversations A Boom At Pride Center John McDonald

T

he weekly “Coffee and Conversations” program facilitated by Pride Center at Equality Park drew its customary large crowd on Tuesday morning, March 22. Cars were parked all over the grass as folks squeezed inside for a chance to mix and mingle.

Attendees listened to presentations from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Broward House and various other civic, business and community-based organizations. There was a raffle and quick-witted exchanges between friends. In summary, a good time was had by all.

“It’s a vibrant and self supporting group,” said Bruce Williams, Pride Center Senior Services Coordinator, who oversees the program.

Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., people gather in the center’s main hall for the program, which begins with personal one-on-one talks before speakers take the mic. Each week’s program is sponsored by a local business with a message of importance to the senior population.

“What we do enhances the aging process,” said Williams, who has worked in retirement facilities before and has a keen understanding of what older adults require.

He is, however, sensitive to terminology

used to describe clients he serves.

“It’s really boomers, seniors and their friends,” Williams said.

At the March 22 program, Anthony Johnson, representing Broward House, spoke of the organization’s efforts to combat drug use among gay men and explained a new initiative to deal with body issues among the LGBT population.

After the speakers finish, a 50/50 raffle drawing takes place after which some people head for the exits while others remain on campus to have lunch with friends or move upstairs in the building to play cards.

“We consistently draw 200 people each week,” Williams said. “This is one of the strongest LGBT senior programs in the nation.”

For the April 5 program, Anne Kirchoff of United Healthcare is the scheduled sponsor.

For more information, contact Williams at 954-463-9005, ext. 109.

Photo by Steven Shires.

OUT 50

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‘Queer As Folk’ star has become a champion of LGBT elders

John McDonald

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’

VISIT SFGN.COM/2016OUT50

ADL Honors Gant elevision watchers may remember Robert Gant from his role as professor Ben Bruckner, an HIV positive gay man, in the groundbreaking Showtime series “Queer As Folk.” A decade later, Gant’s performance still prompts words of gratitude.

“It was a real gift to get to be a part of it,” Gant said in an interview with SFGN during his recent visit to Miami Beach.

“It was an amazing experience across the board. It’s a special thing that after all this time continues to reverberate and have such an impact.”

Gant, 47, was in South Florida as one of the honorees of the Anti-Defamation League’s Miami In Concert Against Hate.

Founded in 1913, the ADL, a Jewish service organization working against anti-Semitism is broadening its focus to take on hate in all of its forms.

Gant’s story of pursuing an acting career while generously donating time and energy to philanthropy efforts was told by legendary newsman Larry King.

“Robert’s story, like all our honorees, gives us hope and inspires us to make Miami – and the world – a better place, free from hate,” said Lonny Wilk, ADL Associate Regional Director for Florida.

Gant grew up in Tampa, but now calls New York home where, among other activities and projects, he works with

Sage – Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders.

“By working on ‘Queer As Folk’ I got involved more philanthropically in a broader way,” Gant said. “I was really drawn to the issue of aging in the gay community. I recognized it was getting the least attention and I personally felt the most fear about it myself.”

Ironically, Gant’s visit to Miami coincided with the National LGBTQ Task Force’s Winter Party Festival, an event known for its throngs of young, muscled, tanned participants. Before accepting his award from the ADL at New World Center in Miami Beach, Gant expressed the difficulties with aging in the gay community.

“Given our focus on youth and beauty in our culture, the concept of aging is a particularly scary one for gay people,” Gant said. “The core misconception is that we become unlovable.”

In New York, Gant said he served on the board of a Sage-affiliated group that founded the first affordable low-income care facilities for gay and lesbian elders.

Michael Adams, Chief Executive Officer for Sage, confirmed Gant’s philanthropic work to SFGN at a panel discussion on LGBT issues last week in Coral Gables.

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feature retiring gay

Photo: PROJeffrey Beall

Palm Beach Prime Timers: Aging with Grace

IS A KILLER HIDING UNDER YOUR NOSE?

Social group celebrates 4 years

Brittany Ferrendi

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he Palm Beaches Prime Timers is a social community of older gay and bisexual men — as well as their admirers. They engage in a number of social activities within the community such as bowling, movie going, dinners and more. They host monthly meetings in the Compass Gay and Lesbian Community Center, 201 N Dixie Hwy in Lake Worth. Their meetings are every second Saturday of the month from 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., and often have guest speakers to present new information to members.

Although the chapter was initially created in 2011, the first meeting in Palm Beach was on March 3, 2012 and became the official start date. Four years later, PBPT has 120 members and growing, quadrupling from their original member base.

“The Palm Beaches Chapters is actively looking to expand our membership by recruiting younger and more diverse members, expanding our scope, and extending our geographical reach to adjacent counties where there is no local chapter,” said Vinnie Primerano, the President and Communications Director of the PBPT. “We make it known that we are a natural progression from other gay and bisexual groups such as youth groups and coming out groups.”

According to the Prime Timers main website, “No single definition can describe Prime Timers, as they come from all walks of life. But one thing is true of all Prime Timers. They enjoy the opportunities and friendships that develop with other Prime Timers throughout the world.”

Every Monday, PBPT hosts an event at Strikes@Boca, a bowling alley on Commercial Trail in Boca Raton. People are welcome to come and go as they like, and are highly encouraged to socialize. The next event is March 21 at 6:45 p.m.

“I think the Palm Beach Prime Timers should be extremely proud of what they are accomplishing,” said Julie Seaver, Program Finance Director of Compass GLCC. “As they continue to reduce isolation in the community by hosting a busy monthly calendar and newsletter of lunches, museum visits and walking tours, members of the group are sharing resources and attracting new members every single week.”

Palm Beaches Prime Timers is just one branch of a larger Prime Timers network that spans across the world. It began in 1987 when Woody Baldwin, a retired professor, noticed the gay community focused almost exclusively on the younger generation. He planned the first event, which had over 40 attendees. Since then, the Prime Timers have expanded through North America as well as Australia and Europe with over forty chapters across the world.

The organization’s mission as they continue to expand is to provide support and help solve the needs and concerns of the senior gay and bisexual community. One way they do this is to provide a resource for local and gay-friendly doctors using the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. They also provide memorials on their website for PBPT members that have passed away.

“We come together from all walks of life looking to enrich our social lives, engage in diverse activities, and take advantage of opportunities to make friends with other Prime Timers locally and around the world,” Primerano added. “We are a leading force in the GBLT community with our 80 chapters worldwide; eight in Florida alone.”

Just entering its fourth year, Palm Beaches Prime Timers remains a valuable resource for the local gay community as new members continue to join and participate. “Community members that have just moved into the area, or perhaps recently lost their partner, continue to join the growing membership of the Palm Beach Prime Timers and we couldn't be happier the group continues to call Compass their home,” Seaver said.

In addition to the Palm Beaches Prime Timers, there are other Florida chapters in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Central Florida, Tampa Bay and Sarasota.

To join Palm Beach Prime Timers, fill out the application on their website. There is a membership fee of $25 per term.

For more information, contact Larry Jordan via email at LarryJay@mac.com or by calling 561-9514163. You can visit the Palm Beach chapter website at PrimeTimersww.com/PalmBeaches.

E

ach year in the U.S. alone, approximately 48,250 individuals are diagnosed with oral cancer. Unfortunately, most of these cases are diagnosed at a late stage and have a high death rate. It kills one person every hour of every day in the US. We used to think that smoking and alcohol were the major causes of oral cancer. This is no longer true. The fastest growing population is now young, healthy, non smokers and this is due to the growing exposure to HPV16, a sexually transmitted virus. Many of us also think that smokeless tobacco is a safe alternative to cigarettes but users face a 400% greater chance of oral cancer than non-users.

For more information about oral cancer, please visit www.drjohnsondds.com

The good news is that oral cancer can be detected early by your dentist or hygienist. It just takes a simple, painless and quick screening. Every adult should be screened annually. In honor of April being Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we at Premier Smile Center are offering free oral cancer screenings. Your dentist or hygienist will look out for any white and/ or red patches in your mouth. If you have any mouth sores that do not seem to be healing, see your dentist to evaluate them. Some common signs can be: hoarseness that lasts for a long time; difficulty in swallowing or a feeling that something is stuck in your throat; a lump or thickening in your mouth; unexplained numbness in the mouth; ear pain that is on 1 side only.

Premier Smile Center 2717 E Oakland Park Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 (954) 566-7479 3.30.2016 •

31

feature retiring gay Congressman Ted Deutch

Photo: Facebook

Local Lawmakers Work to Get Federal Funding for Aging LGBT Population Anthony Martinez Beven Editor’s note: This is part of a series on retiring gay. This article covers efforts to get federal funding for older LGBT adults. Other articles can be found at www.sfgn.com/RetiringGay.

represents South Florida’s 21st District (this includes portions of Palm Beach and Broward counties), is one of the founding • 40 percent of LGBT people say their members of this effort. He said it’s Three million. support networks have become smaller important to shed light on the needs and That’s the number of LGBT people in the over time as compared to 27 percent of priorities of LGBT Americans of all ages U.S. age 55 and older, according to SAGE non-LGBT people. and explore policy solutions.

(Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders), the “We wanted to make more members country’s largest and oldest organization • 25 percent of transgender older adults of Congress mindful of the needs and dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT report discrimination when seeking concerns of LGBT seniors and create a housing. older adults. dialogue around issues where there is Additional findings from a report currently none,” Deutch said, adding that Properly addressing these concerns and the needs of the LGBT community are recently released from SAGE include: • 50 percent of single LGBT older people others, as well as ensuring this population often ignored in a “conservative” Congress. believe they will have to work well beyond has its needs met in other ways on a long- He is also vice chair of the House LGBT retirement age as compared to 27 percent term and permanent basis, are the goals Equality Caucus. of advocacy organizations and lawmakers of single, non-LGBT people.

“In the coming years, our aging in Washington D.C. who represent population will present us with new • 42 percent of LGBT people fear they will congressional districts in South Florida. challenges with respect to care-giving, The LGBT Aging Issues Task Force, a health-care costs and the economic impact outlive the money they have saved for retirement as compared to 25 percent of congressional effort part of the LGBT of so many people leaving the workforce.

Equality Caucus, is working alongside The sheer size of America’s aging non-LGBT older people.

SAGE, the Human Rights Commission population means that millions of LGBT • 40 percent of LGBT older people, ages 60- and National LGBTQ Task Force to initiate Americans are also growing older. Many of 75, say their health-care providers don't change. them have faced enormous discrimination Congressman Ted Deutch, who over the course of their lifetimes, leaving know their sexual orientations.

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them more vulnerable to abuse, isolation and poverty in old age,” Deutch said.

Congresswoman Lois Frankel, who represents South Florida’s 22nd District (that runs from Riviera Beach down through Fort Lauderdale), is also taking a leadership role within the task force to bring issues faced by the older LGBT population to the forefront. She said there two major tasks at hand right now.

The first is getting a classification for this population under The Older Americans Act (OAA), originally enacted in 1965, supports a range of home and community-based services, such as mealson-wheels and other nutrition programs, in-home services, transportation, legal services, elder abuse prevention and caregivers support, according to the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

These programs help seniors stay as independent as possible in their homes and communities. In addition, OAA services help seniors avoid hospitalization and nursing home care, and, as a result,

feature retiring gay save federal and state funds that otherwise would be spent on such care.

“If you are classified, and minorities are classified, they get additional supportive services like meals-on-wheels, mental health services and employment opportunities,” Frankel said.

The other is to continue lobbying the Administration for Community Living (ACL), an organization created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to maximize the independence, well-being, and health of older adults, people with disabilities across the lifespan, and their families and caregivers.

ACL brings together the efforts and achievements of the Administration on Aging, the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and the HHS Office on Disability to serve as the federal agency responsible for increasing access to community support, while focusing attention and resources.

Deutch stressed that more data, like the recent report from SAGE, on the LGBT

older adult population is essential to moving these efforts forward.

“We can’t tackle these problems without better data, so the first action of the task force has been to work with the Administration on Aging in the hopes that they will mandate better tracking of LGBT seniors along with their great work tracking other, at-risk minority populations,” he said.

Deutch said that he makes a point to connect with LGBT seniors in South Florida to get a first-hand account of the issues being faced by this population.

“I recently visited the Fort Lauderdale Pride Center, where I met with dozens of LGBT retirees and had a terrific time discussing the issues that mattered to them,” he said.

Frankel added, “This initiative is not a be-all and end-all. There are a lot of aspects, such as financial issues, emotional issues. We will start to look for different opportunities where we can make some progress… I'm for the cause.”

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215 North Olive Avenue, Suite 130 West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Ph: 561-355-4884 www.co.palm-beach.fl.us 3.30.2016 •

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lifestyle books

Photo: Facebook

feature retiring gay

The Basics of Investing

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.

W

e go to school and despite all that education many gays have never been taught the basics of investing. Rule number one is get started. Now! Young gay men and lesbians have the power of time, a benefit that decreases significantly after age thirty and is effectively nonexistent after age fifty.

The power of time is such that someone right out of college or beginning their first real job can effectively retire on lunch money. Retiring on lunch money means you pack a healthy lunch each day, save the $10-$15 a day or about $300 each month, earn a return of 5 percent and in 45 years you will have over $600,000; just from lunch money.

At fifty, with fifteen years to retirement you will have to save $2,300 per month to achieve the same $600,000. Missing out on the gay gossip over burgers is worth $600,000 right?

Your investments are never spent. Not for the newest gay trending car, or fashion, or destination vacation. Never spent! Your investments are built over a lifetime to return income when you no longer work. The sooner the former is done, the sooner the latter can occur.

Saving is the foundation to all wealth. Before you even consider investing it’s critical you know the best investing in the world won’t grow quickly if you're not saving regularly. Investing is a matter of returns as demonstrated in the power of time example above and your returns won't have a real effect if you don't have a regular savings habit as the foundation of your investing.

Investing consistently through savings generates better returns. Once you have learned the lingo, processes and risks, which is not that difficult, boosting the amount of money you save will produce better results than chasing the next big thing.

Investing is not gambling. Investing is making an informed decision, to the best of your ability and current knowledge. Then having the courage to stick with your decision through the good and bad and having the courage to sell a bad investment before its worthless, regardless of your loss. Investors have losses. Successful investors have more wins than losses.

There is nothing wrong with average results.

If you earn the market average, or close, your investment can grow quite quickly. For example, if you had invested $10,000 in any of the various low cost funds that track the Standard & Poor's 500 index 20 years ago you would have more than $50,000 today. That's an annualized return of 8.4 percent.

Could you have done better in that same period? Maybe, but many of those who outperformed did so only because they took extra risk. If you stick to broadly diversified stock and bond funds, especially index funds or ETFs that track the broad market averages, you will do much better in the long run than investors who are constantly on the lookout for the next big thing.

Invest without emotion. Markets work in cycles and when they are roaring, overconfidence reigns, and it becomes easy to underestimate risk. My rule is that when every conversation over drinks, or with the barber or Uber driver is stocks, sell. When everyday people, vs. investors, are plowing huge sums into the equity markets with little or no real knowledge, don’t.

Conversely, after a major market correction such as 2007-2008 investors become fearful and run from equities for the perceived security of cash, even though stocks are then on sale at huge discounts to their prior prices making a perfect opportunity to reduce your portfolio’s average cost per share.

Long-term investing by diversifying into a portfolio of equities, bonds and cash and periodically selling some of the big winners to take some profits will get you better long term returns and a better nights sleep.

Watch the costs. Stick with funds that have a proven record of good returns and low fees. The biggest threat to your portfolio over time is not market cycles, but fees. Know what they are, where they are and why you are paying them.

If one day you want some help and decide to go the route of an investment advisor begin by knowing that the advisor works for a living and will charge you either a flat fee or a percentage of your wealth on an annual basis. Weight the real benefits of hiring and paying an advisor vs. continuing to manage your wealth. No one will ever care more about your money than you do.

Missed a week? Don’t worry. Catch up at SFGN.com/RetiringGay to follow the series online.

Ric Reily is the author of two books, Money Is The Root Of All - Skip The Debt Habit, and Gregory’s Hero.

You can reach him at ricreily@gmail.com

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A Gay Man’s Guide to Sex and Recovery

Sean McShee

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his book contributes to our understanding of meth addiction and sexual health among gay and bi men.

Fawcett identifies internalized shame and isolation as social determinants of meth addiction among gay and bi men. A social determinant refers to those shared conditions that pre-dispose members of a group to poor health outcomes.

Fawcett rejects “shaming” meth users. If internalized shame predisposes gay men to meth addiction, continued shaming will only make matters worse. It may make shamed people more rigid in their behavior.

The first third of this book concerns the physical effects of methamphetamine. People at most stages of meth use and their significant others would find this section valuable.

Brain cells communicate by exchanging chemicals called neurotransmitters. When brain cells in the reward system of the brain exchange the neuro-transmitter, dopamine, we experience pleasure. Brain cells, however, misidentify meth as dopamine. Dopamine has a short lifespan but meth can stay active for up to twelve hours. This extended presence of meth in the reward system throws the entire reward system off balance.

According to Fawcett, meth exploits key vulnerabilities among gay and bi men.

Whether conscious or not, internalized heterosexist values lead many gay and bi men to unacknowledged, but felt shame. Meth has great appeal for these men.

Fawcett accepts the concept of “process addictions,” whereby rewarding activities such as sex can become an addiction without the intake of psychoactive drugs. Meth and sex both involve dopamine in the reward system.

When repeatedly done together, sex and meth fuse into one drive. Meth has hijacked the reward system.

The second third of this book concerns how we organize erotic attractions and relationships. This section would have value for many gay and men seeking to improve their understanding of erotic patterns.

We experience meth and sex on emotional, relational, and social levels. Most of us have a type, a sexual template. Relatively fixed by the time of puberty, this template structures our lifelong patterns of conscious and unconscious arousal.

Most of us have “stuff“ buried beneath consciousness, ranging from internalized heterosexism to leather fantasies and beyond.

Meth tends to cause that “stuff” to break out into consciousness, but without conscious processing. If processed consciously, someone can challenge the reasons why it was buried.

Without conscious processing, unintegrated “stuff” explodes into behavior in dangerous ways.

The third part of the book concerns recovery.

This section would be useful for someone with a significant other undergoing recovery, graduate students studying addiction, or addiction professionals. A recovering addict in early recovery would probably lack the concentration to read this book, however.

As meth addiction among gay and bi men fuses sex and meth, Fawcett stresses that recovery has to work these two tracks simultaneously. For the severely addicted, this entails abstinence from drugs and sex to allow healing to occur. People can recover, but recovery requires resources.

According to Fawcett, recovery has distinct stages in the recovery process. For the first two weeks without meth, the physiological effects of withdrawal will be most intense.

The next 90 days will involve unlearning old cues, “triggers,” and establishing new routines.

The brain will take about 18 months to repair its damaged reward system. Eventually, the recovering addict can re-introduce sex into his life, but he can never re-introduce meth.

While this book focuses on meth addiction, Fawcett discusses ways of thinking about sex and relationships that many would find valuable. Other parts can generate community debate.

This is a much-abbreviated review. To read the full review, please visit http://HowStandardIsYourDeviation. blogspot.com/

lifestyle cars D R I V E N

2016

x

2015 Lexus F-Sport

RC

Photos: Lexus.

Base Price: $47,700 Power: 5.0-liter V-8 (306 hp, 277 lb-ft of torque) Transmission: 8-speed automatic Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg (EPA est): 15/25

2015 Lexus RC350 F-Sport

Steve Siler

Y

Emotion and Lexus: No Longer Mutually Exclusive

ou may have seen ads for the sexy new 2015 Lexus RC coupe, the ones where a cute little remote control car slides around with uncanny precision, threading through chains, parking against a wall, even striking a match with its rear bumper. We have just spent some time driving a real RC F-Sport on real roads (and definitely not sideways) and I don’t care how much fun it is to play with toys, and as the saying goes, there’s nothing like the real thing, baby.

The RC is basically the coupe version of Lexus’ tight little IS sedan. Right now, it’s available in two potencies: fast (RC350) and stupid fast (RC-F); the F-Sport is a blend of both, basically an RC350 with some slick body addenda, an adaptive suspension, and gorgeous 19-inch “F” mesh wheels.

Now, admittedly, Lexus’ current “spindlegrille” face isn’t for everyone, but in the case of the RC, controversy becomes it.

The rest of the body is no less shapely, with the wide rear stance in particular making me think dirty thoughts.

No less arousing is the sumptuous interior, which, based as it is on the IS, fits an average-to-above-average sized guy like a pair of perfectly tailored, gourmet brand jeans, complete with perfectly

placed contrasting stitching. The futuristic instrument cluster is cool as hell, but the rest of the dashboard is a bit busy, and the touch pad interface used to access all but the most basic vehicle systems is rather fussy, but it can be learned, and if all else fails, it offers voice activation for most controls. As for the rear seat, well, it’s best left to pocket gays. We’ll just leave it at that.

Happily, it drives as good as it looks.

While it doesn’t offer the turbocharged rush of some of its competitors, the 306hp V-6 certainly pulls hard when you keep your right foot buried. Steering and brakes are also highly responsive and feel delightfully natural, engaging the driver in a wholly organic way, a character we don’t always get from cars these days. Or people, for that matter.

Alas, nothing this good comes cheap; indeed, the F-Sport’s base price or $47,700 is rather startling considering that it doesn’t include navigation or a moonroof.

Then again, its six-cylinder-powered competitors are priced in the same neighborhood, and not all of them are as emotional as this car. That’s right, this is both an emotional car and a Lexus, an idea that until recently, has been pretty much oxymoronic.

Or you could buy:

BMW 4-Series Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe Cadillac ATS Coupe

Renowned automotive journalist Steve Siler pioneered automotive writing for the GLBT community in 1998 and currently contributes auto news and reviews to Car and Driver Magazine, Yahoo Autos, The New York Daily News, Autoblog, Details, and many more. You can follow his adventures on Twitter/Instagram: @silerroad.

3.30.2016 •

35

lifestyle history

Homo History 101 THE SCIENTISTS EDITION Pier Angelo

History was never as straight as we are told.

Recording our history means reporting the truth.

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NormKent.com 36

• 3.30.2016

oday, lesbigaytransqueer people are making contributions in every branch of the physical, social, natural, engineering, and computer sciences. Many noted scientists of the past have also had extended homoerotic or homosexual relationships throughout portions or all of their lives. Some examples:

his colleagues developed a calendar showing the complicated and irregular schedule of polarity changes in the earth’s past, and discovered evidence of plate tectonics. His work brought him many honors, including election to the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Geophysical Union’s Fleming medal.

Raymond Tomlinson (1941 –2016) was a pioneering American computer programmer who implemented the first email program on the ARPANET system, the precursor to the Internet, in 1971 It was the first system able to send mail between users on different hosts connected to ARPANET. Previously, mail could be sent only to others who used the same computer. To achieve this, he used the @ sign to separate the user name from the name of their machine, a scheme which has been used in email addresses ever since.

The symbol “@” has become so ubiquitous in our culture that the MoMa”s Department of Architecture and design added the symbol into its collection in 2010.

Tomlinson was born in Amsterdam, New York. He attended Broadalbin Central School. Later he attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York where he participated in the co-op program with IBM. He received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from RPI in 1963. He then entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to continue his electrical engineering education. At MIT, Tomlinson worked in the Speech Communication Group and developed an analog-digital hybrid speech synthesizer as the subject of his thesis for the master's degree in electrical engineering, which he received in 1965. He is internationally known and credited as the inventor of the email. Tomlinson said he preferred "email" over "e-mail", joking in a 2010 interview that "I’m simply trying to conserve the world’s supply of hyphens" and that "the term has been in use long enough to drop the hyphen”. In 2002 Discover magazine awarded him its Innovation Award.

In 2004, he received the IEEE Internet Award.

In 2009, he was awarded the Prince of Asturias award for scientific and technical research.

In 2011, he was listed 4th in theMIT150 list of the top 150 innovators and ideas from MIT. In 2012, Tomlinson was inducted into the The Internet Hall of Fame which in its account of his work commented "Tomlinson's email program brought about a complete revolution, fundamentally changing the way people communicate".

He lived in Massachusetts and raised miniature sheep with his partner.

Jim Pollack (1938- 1994) – American astrophysicist, senior space research scientist at NASA Ames Research Center. Pollack was a world-renowned expert in the study of planetary atmospheres and particulates whose work led to many advances in our understanding of the solar system. He and Carl Sagan postulated that the seasonal color variations on Mars were caused by wind storms and dust, rather than plant life. He specialized in evolutionary climate change of terrestrial planets, and evolution of the giant gas planets.

Allan Cox (1926-1987) – American Geophysicist, specialist in paleomagetism, and author of two well-known books on plate tectonics. Cox and

Bruce Voeller (1934- 1994) – American biologist and AIDS researcher who pioneered the use of nonoxynol-9 as a spermacide and topical virus-transmission preventative. He established the Mariposa foundation to conduct human sexuality research, placing special emphasis on reducing the risks of sexually transmitted diseases.

At the time of his death, Voeller’s research centered on the reliability of various brands of condoms in preventing the spread of diseases, and on viral leakage studies for the then-recently approved “female condom”.

Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) – British Nurse, organized the world’s first school for nurses, expert and reformer for hospital hygiene, sewage treatment, and regularized medical practices, as well as making advances in the graphical presentation of statistical data. She became the first woman ever to be awarded the Order of Merit by the British government.

Nightingale played a vital role in the opening up of legitimate careers for women outside the home and, in this way, helped create the social and economic conditions that made the modern lesbian (and heterosexual working woman) possible.

Margaret Mead (1901-1978) – American anthropologist and psychologist, author of Coming of Age in Samoa, and Curator of Ethnology at the American Museum of Natural History. While President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1975 she presided over the passage of a AAAS policy statement deploring discrimination against gay and lesbian scientists. Mead helped pioneer, through crosscultural studies, greater understanding for the natural variety of sexual behaviors that occur in human societies.

lifestyle minding your wilting manners

My Wife’s Name is Bob

Jay Remer

I

was recently visiting a friend in the convention with his female boss. They were states. During our conversations, we dining with a group of colleagues, and during were struck by a couple of incidents that the dinner table conversation, she mentioned occurred in our lives. They are an unfortunate that George had recently become engaged. commentary on what continues to linger in One of the dinner guests asked, “Oh, what’s society today as something that can only be your bride’s name?” He quietly answered that termed as insensitivity. he was marrying a man whose In one case, my friend found name is Paul. The awkward himself at a hospital where moment that followed was a One of the he was seeking treatment deafening silence. for an injury. The female Shortly thereafter the dinner guests receptionist who takes down conversation resumed with the preliminary information apologies and a newfound asked, “Oh, came to the section on the sensitivity. Here is yet another what’s your form dealing with insurance example of just how ingrained coverage. He explained that he bride’s name?” society still seems to be around was covered under his spouse’s the subject of equal marriage He quietly insurance plan. despite the agonizing, fearful Without any hesitation, and revolutionary years answered that the woman asked if he shared devoted to marriage equality he was marrying that has flooded the news his spouse’s last name. He indicated that yes indeed that headlines around the world. a man whose was the case. She then asked, Last winter, Florida name is Paul.

“What is your wife’s name?” legalized gay marriage. I This instantly became an happened to be in Florida awkward moment as he stated at the time and two close that he was married to a man. friends were being married.

The woman became flustered, I witnessed this ceremony stating, “Oh, that’s OK”, and continued to fill and as such was required to sign the marriage out the forms leaving an awkward tension certificate. between patient and nurse. For there to be I could not help but notice that the State insufficient sensitivity training in handling of Florida had not yet managed to have clients that leaves both parties feeling certificates printed with the word ‘spouse’ uncomfortable is troubling to say the least. replacing the words ‘husband’ and ‘wife.’

In another case, a friend was attending a As a result, Bob had no choice but to sign on

the wife’s line. This could perhaps be written off with the excuse that there was no time to reprint the forms because the law was passed so recently.

I would suggest, however this law had in no way been arrived at quickly or unexpectedly.

Someone should have had the foresight and sensitivity to have the proper forms in place in advance.

Is this lackadaisical attitude a sign of the times or is it just an isolated incident? Judging from the above examples, one could argue that it is indeed a sign of the times. I wonder if there is not a lesson here in just how long it takes for such fundamental issues as human rights can take to finally sink in?

I recall a time twenty years ago when my partner and I were attending a wedding in Maine at a well-known resort. Prior to the wedding, the bride phoned a local bed and breakfast to make a reservation for a room for us. The hostess, realizing that we were a male couple, stated that this was a family oriented establishment, implying that two men sharing a room would be inappropriate.

The bride, without missing a beat, said, “Wonderful! They’re family.” The hostess reluctantly took the reservation.

This example shows the sensitivity one

generation can have over another. The young bride never considered a male partnership anything unusual or abnormal. The hostess, on the other hand, was not comfortable, but did acquiesce. By the time we checked in, she had softened considerably and we had a lovely stay.

There is no doubt that time is required for change to become established behaviour.

Factor in that there will always be an element of society who will be steadfastly resistant to change.

Those of us in the trenches, some of whom have devoted a good portion of their lives to fighting for human rights, compassion and patience have been our steady allies. By quietly going about our lives, contributing to society in ways before unheard of – primarily that of charting new territory for equality on many levels, we lead by example and help sceptical members of society realize that they have nothing to fear.

For it is fear that has taken them to this dark place of doubt, and it is only through experiencing life with different rules, and to realizing that there is nothing to fear, that the world in which we live can change for the better.

Jay Remer is a published social commentator, specializing in etiquette and civility as it applies to everyone's life. A transplant from Rockland, DE, Jay lives and works in St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick, Canada where he writes a weekly column for a major daily newspaper.

3.30.2016 •

37

lifestyle food

Photo: SWARM

Sprung! Miami Beer Festival

Best of the Fests Rick Karlin

U

Wine and seafood and beer…Oh my!

p north they’re still freezing and dreaming of summer, when they can get out and hit the street fairs and neighborhood festivals. Yet another reason life’s better in the Sunshine State; we get to have festivals all year round.

This year’s Las Olas Wine & Food Festival, on Friday, April 29, will feature five blocks of sips and samples from nationally recognized wineries and top restaurants.

General admission tickets are $100 and include entrance into the festival as well as all food and beverage sampling from more than 60 restaurants and 45 wineries. For more information, go to LasOlaswff.com.

The Pompano Beach Seafood Festival, April 22-24, was founded in 1984 by the Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce to support local charities in the Pompano Beach Area. Running along Atlantic Ave., from AIA to 3rd on Friday, April 22 at 5 p.m. to Sunday Apr. 24 at 8 p.m., the event features 180 arts and crafts vendors, drinks and entertainment (this year’s “name” act is The Guess Who, best known for the boomer hits, “These Eyes,” and “American Woman”) but the main reason is the food.

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The heart of the festival at the Pier features more than 30 seafood booths featuring fish, shrimp, lobster, crab, clams, mussels, conch, oysters and stone crab in salads, fritters, paella, and just about any other dish you can imagine; whether fried, steamed, pickled, poached or grilled. The fun starts on Friday evening and continues through Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $10 on Friday, $15 on Saturday and Sunday, or $30 for a three-day pass. Go to PompanoSeafoodFest.

SquareSpace.com for more information.

What’s better on a hot summer day than a cold glass of beer? How about dozens of cold glasses of beer? Check it out at the South Florida Beer Fest on Saturday, July 23 at the South Florida Fairgrounds in Palm Beach.

The event features entertainment, food and, of course beer tastings. As soon as you enter the fair grounds, you’re offered a four ounce pilsner, and each brewer in the show will pour two ounce samples.

Among some of the brewers offering samples are; Saltwater Brewery, Goose Island, Twisted Trunk, Cisco Brewers, Butternuts Beer & Ale, Woodchuck Cider, Blond Ale Face, Lagunitas, Magic Hat Brewing, PBR

and dozens of others. Tickets are $40 for advance general admission, $55 day of show.

General admission tickets include all craft beer sampling, concerts, all gaming and entertainment areas. V.I.P. tickets are $75 in advance ($100 day of show) and include; designated entrance line, special brews, free food buffets and a swag bag with an event tee shirt, souvenir glass beer mug and cigar.

“Designated Driver” tickets are $10 for those not consuming alcohol.

Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood is the home for “Sprung! Miami Beer Festival” on Saturday, Apr. 2 from 4-7 p.m., and the following day, Sunday, Apr. 3 is “Grillin’ & Chillin.”

“Sprung” brings together thousands of craft beer fans to taste more than 300 craft beers. General admission is $40; The “Socialite” package is $70 and gets you in one hour before the crowds as well as a backpack and souvenir pint glass. V.I.P. admission is $90 and includes access to a VIP lounge with specialty beers, complimentary appetizers, an air conditioned bathroom and souvenir glass and t-shirt. Food vendors are on premises, but only the VIP tix include any free food.

“Grillin’ & Chillin’” celebrates the best in BBQ from Memphis, Texas and Kansas City as well as Brazilian churrasco and Argentine parrillada. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 the day of and include entrance, cooking workshops and live music. Food and beverage are available for purchase.

There’s nothing that says Florida better than a big slice of Key Lime pie, unless it’s a nice Key Lime martini. Try either (or both!) when Key West celebrates its namesake fruit with the Key Lime Festival, July 2-4.

The highlights of the weekend include the annual baking of the world’s largest Key Lime pie and a chance to sample five different versions of the area’s dessert during the Key Lime Pie Hop. For more information, go to keylimefestival.com.

If you can’t wait that long, head on down to ‘Taste of Key West’ On Apr. 18. The event, held at Truman Waterfront, and is a benefit for AIDS Help of Monroe County. General admission tickets are $25 and include $20 in food tickets and a wine glass. For more information go to aidshelp.cc

TAPAS...

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www.angeloeliapizza.com 3.30.2016 •

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lifestyle tonys talks

Photo: Mark Horton

Tony Cicalese (L) Rev. Joel Slotnick and Brian Steele (R)

Dumped From the Florida Marriage Equality Suit

Cicalese and Steele vow to never marry each other again

T

he following is an edited-for-SFGN chapter of the forthcoming book by Tony Adams “Ending Anita – How Two Key West Bartenders Won Gay Marriage In Florida” Tony Cicalese and Brian Steele, both 44 years old and living in Oakland Park, Florida, have been together for ten years, and more or less married, coupled, joined, committed, partnered or you pick the word for nine years.

Their road to the altar(s) involved a strange twist in the Florida fight for marriage equality that had them dropped as plaintiffs in the Huntsman v Heavilin Monroe County case that became the first Florida suit to win in court.

Are they bitter about that?

Hardly.

Cicalese, owner of We Got The Beats record store on Federal Highway just north of Commercial Boulevard, and Steele who is in management in the food service industry, are both karaoke fiends. The men say that the friends you do karaoke with are almost always “sisters” rather than lovers, so their mutual attraction surprised them.

Also, Cicalese, a bartender at Boom when they first met, resisted the possibility that Steele could become a boyfriend, saying, “I was telling anyone who would listen that I was on a serious break from romance and that I

was absolutely not interested in anyone for a relationship. After a few weeks with Brian, my coworkers were doing an imitation of me saying ‘Hi, I’m Tony Cicalese and this is my nota-boyfriend Brian.’”

On September 9, 2007, they entered into a civil union in New Jersey. The ceremony was attended by supportive relatives from both sides. Cicalese and Steele still consider this to be the day they became married, even though it was not legally or literally a marriage.

When marriage equality became law in California, Cicalese spotted an $11 Spirit airfare to Los Angeles. He says, “I called Brian and told him to drop everything. We flew out there, got married by a Justice of the Peace with two friends I had from a gay rights chat room as our witnesses. We went to Disneyland for our second honeymoon.”

Gay bartenders all know each other, and because Aaron Huntsman had been a bartender at Cathode Ray in Fort Lauderdale when Cicalese was tending bar at Alibi, they were friends. Cicalese began to follow Huntsman’s Facebook posts about his plans to file a marriage equality lawsuit in Monroe County.

“When I saw what Aaron was doing, it went straight to my heart. This is what I myself always wanted to do, have our marriage

They say third time’s the charm

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recognized by Florida,” Cicalese said. “I didn’t think we could afford a lawyer to help us do that. When I left some supportive comments on Aaron’s posts, he contacted me, asking if we would be interested in being part of their case by joining the suit. Of course we said yes.”

A conversation with Huntman’s Attorney Bernadette Restivo and a quick trip to the law offices of Attorney Dean Trantalis to have notarized the documents adding them to what would become the landmark Huntsman v Heavilin case were all that was needed for Cicalese and Steele to become part of Florida gay rights history.

“Aaron and Bernadette were saying ‘The more the merrier! We can use another couple.’

They described their strategy and their plans to raise funds for the expenses to come. Brian and I knew we would be a good addition to their suit even though we were not wealthy because we were a solid and very traditional type of couple,” Cicalese said. “We began to hear that there was some blow back from Equality Florida about Aaron’s initiative, and we knew that Bernadette was trying her best to structure her suit in a cooperative way with what Equality Florida was doing elsewhere.

We were told that Equality Florida advised Bernadette to take us off the suit because we were already married in another state, and that if a married couple was part of the suit it would leave it open to the possibility of appeal.

So, we had to go back and get our names legally removed from the suit.”

Cicalese and Steele admit that they may have

Tony Adams

not understood correctly the strategic reasons for their being dropped from Huntsman v Heavilin but they accepted the premise that their exit would help the case win. What followed, however, is important because it demonstrates the true valor and dedication of the two couples involved, Cicalese/Steele and Huntsman/Jones.

“Aaron went out of his way to keep us informed and involved in the suit. When it came time for the hearing, Brian and I booked a hotel room in Islamorada for the night before the court date. We shared that room with Aaron, Lee, their eventual best man MiKey Hudson, a photographer and our dog,” Cicalese said. “During the hearing, Brian and I were in the front row of the courtroom. It felt great to be there, but two weeks later when I read Judge Garcia’s decision, I was very disappointed to read that the decision would not apply to couples married out of state. All I could think was that we had been right there in the front row. If we had been part of the suit, maybe we would have been part of the victory.”

With their California marriage made valid and recognized at home because of the Supreme Court decision that followed, Cicalese decided to surprise his husband with a private renewal-of-vows ceremony. When Steele arrived home from work, Cicalese led him into their backyard which he had decorated and where a clergyman friend Joel Slotnick awaited them. Cicalese promised Steele that this would be the very last time he would ever marry him.

They say third time’s the charm.

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theater Based on the Oscar-winning film, “Silence of the Lambs,” playwright Jamie Morris’ parody, “Silence of the Clams,” comes to Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive¬¬ in Fort Lauderdale, tonight at 8 p.m. through April 24.

Butch FBI agent Clarice Starling is assigned to save Nancy Pelosi’s missing daughter from “Beaver Bob,” a serial killer who skins his victims “down there.” Tickets are $20 – 30 at EmpireStage.com.

FRI

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Television Did you notice the camera crews around town over the past few months? Tune into Bravo tonight for the premiere of “Real Housewives of Wilton Manors.” Yes, you heard us right, the gay-friendly network has extended its popular franchise from Beverly Hills, New York, New Jersey and Atlanta to the drama-ridden neighborhood many of us call home.

Sounds like a great idea, anyway.

Happy April Fool’s Day!

Virtuoso concert organist Christopher Houlihan performs works by Bach, Franck and Vierne at Royal Poinciana Chapel in Palm Beach on Sunday, April 3. Credit: Ali Winberry.

Photo Credit: Submitted photo.

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Opera

Concert

Nightlife

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Composer Mieczyslaw Weinberg’s “The Passenger” gets an epic regional premiere tonight by Florida Grand Opera at the Arsht Center.

The story of a former Auschwitz prison warden who travels to a diplomatic post in Brazil with her husband is sung in eight languages, one of the most important musical events of the year. Also performed on April 3, 5, 8 and 9. Tickets and more information at FGO.org.

Virtuoso concert organist Christopher Houlihan performs tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Royal Poinciana Chapel, 1015 Philadelphia Ave. in Palm Beach.

The recital, a rededication of the church’s restored Austin organ, will include works by J.S. Bach, Cesar Franck and Louis Vierne. Houlihan, who has performed around the world, is considered one of the great young organists. More info at RoyalPoincianaChapel.org.

Who will be the next reigning queen of Miami Beach? Head down to Score, 1437 Washington Ave., tonight at 9 p.m. for the Miss Pride Miami Beach competition and find out who is the fairest of them all. While there, put in a bid on one of the silent auction items. Proceeds benefit Miami Beach Gay Pride. General admission is $20 in advance, $25 at the door. For more information, go to MiamiBeachGayPride.com.

The South Florida Symphony presents “Spring is in the Air,” featuring Aaron Copland’s ballet, “Appalachian Spring,” performed by principal dancers from the legendary Martha Graham Dance Company. The program also features Carter Brey, principal cellist with the New York Philharmonic. Tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center. Tickets at SouthFloridaSymphony.org.

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community announcement

paid content

Honorees Announced For The Second Annual Diversity Honors Gala

D

iversity Honors, the highly touted event to be held this year at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 13, 2016, will showcase those who are transforming lives by living authentically and advancing inclusiveness as a kick off to Harvey Milk Day events across the nation.

The impressive roster of honorees will be: Peter Clark, publisher of Hotspots Media Group; Rae Franks, lawyer and LGBT advocate; Robert Runcie, Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools and Judge David Young, plus the annual Milk Foundation Milan Rosza Award will recognize Ryland Whittington.

"It is such a privilege to host this annual event where we come together to honor men and women who, in their extraordinary lives remind us all of the diversity of the human spirit, the values that define us as not only as the South Florida community, but as a nation, and the potential that lives inside of all of us," said Stuart Milk, co-founder of the Harvey Milk Foundation and global human rights advocate. "We are thrilled to join together again with The Pride Center and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino to present this ongoing celebration of those who exemplify the best examples of authenticity, leadership and courage in our community."

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, as the presenting sponsor, will again be the host site for Diversity Honors, which coincides with celebrations around the globe for Harvey Milk Day (May 22), an official state holiday in California that celebrates Milk’s enduring legacy of hope and example of courage. Guests at Diversity Honors will enjoy a lively cocktail reception with the North American premiere of the Levi’s X Harvey Milk Foundation Pride 2016 Collection, a seated three-course dinner and live entertainment featuring Tony Award-winning actor/singer Levi Kreis. An inspiring awards presentation hosted

by Omar Lewis, WSVN weekend morning news anchor, will include Stuart Milk’s 2016 “State of the Global Equality” address.

The annual Milk Foundation Milan Rosza Award will recognize Ryland Whittington. Eight year old Ryland Whittington's powerful, moving story—which has already touched more than eight million through a viral video created by the Whittington family—is transforming lives across the world via the family's first-hand account of the emotional choice to simply embrace their transgender child.

When Hillary and Jeff Whittington posted a YouTube video chronicling their five-year-old son Ryland’s transition from girl to boy, they didn’t expect it to be greeted with such fervor.

Ryland and his family will travel from the west

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coast to Florida at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino to accept the award. "Harvey Milk is and has been the key inspiration for Ryland and for the family," says, Ryland's mother Hillary.

"We are all so excited to be with the Harvey Milk Foundation, their partners and their supporters in May." In telling the family’s story, the Whittingtons hope to educate the world in accepting that even children as young as five can have profound and impactful things to say and share.

Although Ryland has been featured on CNN, Ellen, 20/20 and in dozens of international news broadcasts on this powerful story of unconditional love, this May 13 will mark the second live appearance by Ryland and his family to participate in Diversity Honors.

“As a leading LGBT organization in South Florida, we salute the honorees and fully support the mission of the Harvey Milk Foundation,” said Robert Boo, chief executive officer at The Pride Center at Equality Park. “This event had a huge impact on our community last year so we are fully committed to another successful program.”

Last year, Diversity Honors raised more than $50,000 while paying tribute to Judy and Dennis Shepard, LGBT civil rights activists and co-founders of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, who received the Harvey Milk Honors Medal award.

The event also recognized recording artist Deborah Cox, President and Founder of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Rand Hoch, celebrity entertainer Elaine Lancaster (James Davis), CEO of Planned Parenthood of South Florida Lillian Tamayo, 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida Miami Judge William Thomas and Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Dean Trantalis.

Nationally recognized teen advocate, Jazz Jennings, received the Milk Foundation’s Milan Rosza Youth Award. Two lifetime achievement awards were presented to publisher Norm Kent and cabaret performer Joey Arias.

Sponsors of Diversity Honors 2016 include: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino as presenting sponsor, Levi’s, Mark Griffis, DMK, Goodman Public Relations, Stoli Vodka, Alpine Jaguar, Miami Foundation, Vitas Healthcare, Palm Beach County Human Rights Council and Lightship Media.

Media sponsors are Florida Agenda, Gold Coast Magazine, Hotspots Magazine, Mark’s List, Next, South Florida Gay News and WSVN. Tickets are $175 per person and available at www.DiversityHonors.com.

Pioneering Gay chorus leader founds youth chorus Ft Lauderdale GMC 30th Anniversary Show Features LGBTQ Youth and Allies Fred H. Johnson, Jr

T

his is not the first time Dr. Gary Keating has broken new ground. Thirty years ago he founded the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus as the first gay men’s chorus in Florida, indeed the first gay performing arts organization in the state. (The original name, the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, was changed a few years later to show support for other choruses being founded in South Florida. Another chorus has since taken the name.) Now he is founding the LGBTQ and Allies Youth Chorus.

Membership efforts for the Youth Chorus were undertaken throughout Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties, and members have been drawn from high schools throughout the latter two. Keating was inspired by the highly successful example of the Pride Wind Ensemble’s Youth Band, now in its fourth year. Keating asked himself why there should not be a similar organization for young gay singers and their allies. He reasoned that there should be a musical outlet for self expression and support for gay youth beyond those who play an instrument.

The Youth Chorus will join the Men’s Chorus at the latter’s 30th Anniversary show, Loud and Proud, to be presented at 8 p.m. at the acoustically exquisite All Saints’ Episcopal Church in downtown Fort Lauderdale on April 16th. This show is a wonderful celebration of the anniversary of the original emergence of

the gay choral movement in Florida and its expansion into a new generation.

Some numbers will be sung by the Youth Chorus, some by the Men’s Chorus, and some by the combined choruses.

The program will include several numbers with special significance in the gay liberation movement of the period since the founding of the Men’s Chorus. Examples include “Everything’s Possible,” made famous by the gay quintet (later quartet) The Flirtations; Sondheim’s beautiful song declaring that this is “Our Time,” the delightful patter song, “The Rhythm of Life”; and “Not My Father’s Son,” the poignant solo from Kinky Boots, to name but four. As always with the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus, the evening will include delicious comedy, two examples being the previously mentioned “The Rhythm of Life,” or the hilarious “Lambscapes,” in which “Mary Had a Little Lamb” is set to the styles of four famous classical styles or composers.

Tickets for the show will soon be available at the Chorus website, www. theftlgmc.org, $25 general admission, $40 VIP seating.

The venue, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, is located at 333 Tarpon Drive just off Las Olas in downtown Fort Lauderdale. (Tarpon Drive veers off Las Olas towards the south nearly opposite where 12th Ave. goes off towards the north.) Plenty of free parking is available at the church.

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An early self portrait of photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, the subject of a new documentary premiering on HBO.

Photo: HBO Films

a&e film

Documentary Focuses on Controversial Photographer J.W. Arnold

I

’ll never forget the first time I saw photographer Robert Mapplethorpe’s controversial photographs while on a college field trip to Kansas City. In the late 1980s. My professor—one half of the only gay couple in the tiny Missouri college town—pointed out a large volume tucked on a shelf in the gift shop of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. I’d never discussed my sexual orientation with him but I suspect he knew, as he knew about so many students. As I flipped through the book revealing increasingly risqué photographs of male genitalia and sadomasochistic acts, he asked, “It’s all very homoerotic, isn’t it?”

Yes, the photographs were homoerotic and I was secretly titillated, but could never make that admission at the time, because the photographer’s works were mired in the political discourse of the day, labeled pornographic and lewd.

Watching Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato’s new documentary, “Robert Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures” brings back vivid memories of that experience nearly 30 years ago. The film premieres on HBO on Sunday, April 4 at 9 p.m.

Before the title rolls, the viewer is confronted with Mapplethorpe’s most confrontational image, “Self Portrait with Whip.” What follows is a somewhat conventional documentary, presenting the photographer’s life chronologically, but peppered with the images that continue to provoke, seduce and enrage.

Like so many LGBT people, Mapplethorpe grew up in a religious household in the suburbs of Queens. In an interview he says, “Suburbia is a good place to come from and a good place to leave.”

The film delves into his years at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where he met his

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muse, Patti Smith, the first in a line of lovers who would influence his creative process.

His art really takes shape after he moves into Manhattan and he begins to explore his homosexuality and dark side in the BDSM scene.

Jack Fritscher, editor of “Drummer” magazine and one of those lovers recalls, “The problem with the ‘70s was everybody was having sex. Photographers weren’t shooting, painters weren’t painting, writers weren’t writing, but Robert was functioning.”

At the onset of his career, photography was still not viewed by society as proper art.

Gallery owner Holly Sullivan notes, “I was convinced he was an artist, convinced he could manipulate people. And I use the word, ‘manipulate’.”

As Mapplethorpe began to gain fame, he began glamorizing the penis (the infamous “Mr. 10 ½,” an extremely large African-American penis protruding from the fly of a pair of polyester slacks) and incorporating more religious symbology into his photographs, drawing the ire of Sen. Jesse Helms and other cultural conservatives.

“Taking pictures of sex is no different than taking a picture of a flower,” Mapplethorpe says in another interview, and he took many exquisite pictures of flowers during his career. But it was his evolving self-portraits that were most telling.

The many friends and colleagues interviewed for the film paint a picture of a driven artist, one noting he was only interested in people for one of three reasons: money, models and/or sex. Mapplethorpe relentlessly pursued fame until his death of complications from HIV/AIDS in 1989 at the age of 42.

Ultimately, the outrage his work generated would secure his fame—or infamy. Just as he wanted.

Photo: Facebook

a&e music

Symphony, Dancers “Spring in the Air” with Copland Masterpiece J.W. Arnold

“It just didn’t seem possible,” admitted South Florida Symphony Artistic Director Sebrina Maria Alfonso about her orchestra’s collaboration this week with principal dancers from the legendary Martha Graham Dance Company.

The symphony’s program, “Spring Is In the Air,” featuring Aaron Copland’s masterpiece of classical Americana, “Appalachian Spring,” had already been scheduled when a friend, Maurizio Nardi, a principal dancer with the dance company, suggested the music be performed as a ballet, as it was originally conceived.

“We jumped on it,” said Alfonso.

Most music fans are familiar with the orchestral suite arranged by Copland in 1945, but the lilting tunes were originally music for a ballet choreographed by Graham and performed by a small ensemble of 13 musicians.

“Even though it’s similar to the suite, the ballet was written for dancers and its missing a few measures here and there, just enough to be annoying,” explained Alfonso.

The symphony and three dancers will perform selected vignettes from the ballet first, along with readings from the many letters Graham wrote to Copland outlining her storyline and expectations for the work. Local actress and philanthropist Beth Holland will read the letters, which offer great insight into the creative processes of both artists.

“It’s quite wonderful,” said Holland. “In these marvelous letters, she eloquently explained her vision for the piece and then he would write it.

They never dreamed it would be so successful.

They never knew what they had.”

Graham frequently quoted the words of American philosophers, including Henry David Thoreau, in her directions to Copland.

“She wanted (Appalachian Spring) to be really American,” added Holland. “The real deal.”

Set in 19th century rural Pennsylvania, the ballet chronicles the activities of American pioneers, including a bride, groom, preacher, congregation and townspeople, and is organized into eight scenes or musical movements.

While the most famous is a set of majestic variations on the Shaker hymn tune, “Simple Gifts,” concert audiences will also get a chance to hear movements that Copland did not include in his suite, including a folksy revival featuring an energetic preacher.

After the readings and dance performance, Alfonso will conduct the full symphony in the complete 22-minute orchestral suite.

The collaboration “just seems appropriate and matches what we’re doing,” said Alfonso. “I’m very excited this is coming about.”

In keeping with the “spring” theme, the program will also include the New York Philharmonic’s principal cellist, Carter Brey, performing William Schumann’s poetic Cello Concerto, and the remarkable Symphony No. 4 by Johannes Brahms.

The South Florida Symphony performs “Spring is in the Air” on Saturday, April 2 at the Tennessee Williams Theatre in Key West; Sunday, April 3 at the Kaye Auditorium on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton; and Tuesday, April 5 at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale. For tickets and more information, go to SouthFloridaSymphony.org.

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Datebook

Theater Christiana Lilly

Calendar@SFGN.com

Top

Picks

Kathy Griffin March 31 at 8 P.M. the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.

The raunchy redhead is back for another round of laughs. Tickets $37.50 to $95. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream April 1 to 3 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. George Balanchine’s interpretation of the Shakespeare romance is performed by Miami City Ballet.

Tickets $20 and up. Call 561832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

The Hammer Trinity April 2 to May 8 at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Casper Kent discovers he is in line to the throne and must defend the precious hammer from pirates.

The three-part play is performed over 6.5 hours. Tickets $150.

Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.

broward county 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 954462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.org. * Diego and Drew Say I Do March 31 to April 10 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy dinner and a show -the interactive wedding of Diego Torres and Andrew Boudreaux III. Tickets $59.50. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org. * Silence of the Clams March 31 to April 24 at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive in Fort Lauderdale. FBI Agent Clarice Startling is in search of serial killer Beaver Bob, who skins his victims “down there.” To help catch him, she interviews Dr.

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Mar. 30 to APR. 5 Hannibal Lichter. Tickets $30. Call 954-6781496 or visit EmpireStage.com. * Ry Cooper, Sharon White, and Ricky Skaggs’ “Songs for the Good People” Tour April 1 at 8 p.m. at Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. The trio performs country, gospel, and bluegrass standards. Tickets $37.50 to $77.50. Call 954462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.org.

palm beach county

* Kelly Carlin: A Carlin Home Companion March 31 to April 2 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The daughter of the infamous George Carlin, Kelly tells the audience all about growing up in the Carlin household. Tickets $39. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

* Morgan Heritage with Maxi Priest and Junior Marvin’s Wailers April 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy a night of reggae, from Bob Marley and beyond. Tickets $35 to $125. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

* I Only Have Eyes For You: A Tribute to Harry Warren April 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The two perform a tribute to the first major American songwriter for film. Tickets $35. Call 561832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

* Old Jews Telling Jokes April 3 at 4 and 7:30 p.m. at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs. Inspired

by OldJewsTellingJokes.com, a comedy revue of life’s observations. Tickets $39.2 to $49.82. Call 954-344-5990 or visit CoralSpringsCenterfortheArts.com.

* Legendary Ladies of Song April 1 to 3 at Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave. in Lake Worth. Meri Ziev, Kelly Dilorenzo, and Nikki Lee perform popular songs from Barbra Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Liza Minelli, and others.

Tickets $25. Call 561-586-6410 or visit LakeWorthPlayhouse.org.

Spring Awakening Through April 3 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. A group of German students in the 19th century explore adulthood through rock and roll. Tickets $45. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

* Haochen Zhang April 4 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The Chinese pianist performs works by Chopin, Schubert, and Prokofiev. Tickets $25 and up. Call 561-8327469 or visit Kravis.org.

* Living Colour April 5 at 7 p.m. at Revolution Live, 100 SW Third Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The band is joined by Kaleido. Tickets $23.50 in advance, $25 the day of. Call 954-449-1025 or visit JoinTheRevolution.net.

* Avery Sommers: I Love Being Here With You April 5 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Sommers returns to the center after performing in “Chicago” 20 years ago. Tickets $29. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

* South Florida Symphony: Spring is in the Air April 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The symphony performs Brahms Symphony No. 4. Tickets $35 to $75. Call 954462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

Fifty Shades of Hillary Through April 3 at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs. A hilarious satire of the “Fifty Shades of Grey” erotica novel together with the sexual escapades of Hillary Clinton.

Tickets $39.22. Call 954-344-5999 or visit CoralSpringsCenterfortheArts.com.

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

* Chris Botti April 6 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The trumpet player has performed with the likes of Lady Gaga, Frank Sinatra, Sting, Barbra Streisand, and more.

Tickets $25 and up. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

Little Shop of Horrors Through 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.

Free Friday Concerts Fridays at 7:30 p.m. at the Delray Beach

Center for the Arts, 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach. Enjoy live music from the comfort of your picnic blanket or lawn chair every week, for free! Call 561-243-7922 or visit DelrayArts.org.

miami-dade county * Jeremy Denk in Recital March 31 at 8 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The pianist’s recital includes compositions by Beethoven, Schubert, Bach, Haydn, and other greats. Tickets $50 to $135. Call 305949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org. * Brenda Braxton March 31 at 8 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. The Broadway veteran has been in “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” “Chicago,” “Cats,” “Dreamgirls,” and more. Tickets $40 to $45. Call 305-466-8002 or visit AventuraCenter.org. * The Two-Character Play March 31 to April 24 at the Miami Theater Center, 9806 NE Second Ave. in Miami Shores. A brother and sister are ditched by their theater company while touring the nation, and they must deal with their own personal problems while also trying to keep their careers afloat. Tickets $45. Call 305-751-9550 or visit MTCMiami.org. * Cabaret Follies April 2 at 8 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. See a sneak peek of “Viva Paris International Show” and “Burlesque Magnifique.” Tickets $37.50 to $47.50. Call 305-466-8002 or visit AventuraCenter.org. * The Passenger April 2 to 9 at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. A woman is on her way to South America with her husband where she sees who she thinks is an Auschwitz survivor -- when she served as an SS officer. Tickets $16 to $139. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org. * Jennifer Holliday April 6 at 8 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. The “Dreamgirls” star performs Broadway hits. Tickets $40 to $45. Call 305-466-8002 or visit AventuraCenter.org.

PAMM Outdoor Music Series Third Thursdays at the Perez Art Museum Miami, 101 W. Flagler St. in Miami. Come out for live music from DJs and musicians by the bay. Drink specials available. Free with museum admission. Call 305-3753000 or visit PAMM.org.

* Denotes New Listing

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Mar. 30 to APr. 5

Datebook

Community Christiana Lilly Calendar@SFGN.com

Top Picks LGBT Senior Competency 101

Cultural

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.

Drag Bingo

April 1 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 100 N. Palmway in Lake Worth.

Enjoy rounds of Bingo at this fundraiser with drag queens and performances

by Voices of Pride. Tickets $25, $5 for additional game books.

4th Annual Miss Miami Beach Gay Pride Pageant & Silent Auction

April 4 from 8 to 11 p.m. at Score Nightclub, 1437 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach.

Drag queens duke it out on the stage vying for the title of Miss Miami Beach Gay Pride.

Ticket $20 to $300 benefiting Miami Beach Gay Pride. Visit MissMBGP2016.

BrownPaperTickets.com.

* Denotes New Listing

broward county * GLLN Social Luncheon

April 7 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Tee Jay Thai Sushi, 2245 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. The Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Network hosts a luncheon open to the public.

Cost $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers.

Email nkolner@igc.org.

Deep in the Dark Forest

Through April 7 at Studio 18, 1101 Poinciana Drive in Pembroke Pines. Artwork from South Florida artists exploring the dark side of one’s artistic inspirations. Free. Call 954-462-8190, ext. 206 or visit ArtServe.org.

Free In-Person Tax Preparation for Seniors

Tuesdays through April 12 from 11:30 a.m.

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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.

to 3:30 p.m. at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. People 50 and older can benefit from tax help from professionals. Free. Call 954-463-9005 or visit 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 954-786-7867 or visit AliArts.org.

Come On, Get Happy!

Third Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at SunServe, 2312 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. A discussion group designed around the mindbody connection and emotional balance. Free.

Call Katy Yankie at 954-764-5150 ext. 105 or visit sunserve.org.

palm beach county

* Annual Treasures Sale

Collectible

April 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real in Boca Raton.

Join the Friends of the Museum Auxiliary for sales of paintings, prints, sculptures, art books, picture frames, china, silver, jewelry, scarves, belts and more. Free with museum admission. Visit BocaMuseum.org.

* PFLAG - Boynton Beach

Fourth Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Temple Shaarei Shalom, 9085 Hagen Ranch Road in Boynton Beach. A meeting for friends and family of LGBT youth.

Zumba Fitness

Mondays at 6 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Get moving with a certificated Zumba instructor for an infusion of exercise and dance moves.

Donation of $5 or more. Call 561-324-1626 or visit CompassGLCC.com.

Sober Sisters

Mondays at 6:15 p.m. at Lambda North, 18 S. J St. in Lake Worth. A support and discussion group for female recovering alcoholics. Visit LambdaNorth.net.

Out of the Closet, Into the Light

Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at MCC of the Palm Beaches, 4857 Northlake Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens. AA for the LGBT community. Free. Call 561-775-5900 or visit MCCPalmBeach.org.

Coming Out Support Group

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

Queer Alternatives

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

Call 561-533-9699 or visit CompassGLCC.com.

Compass Entourage

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

miami-dade county * Bike305 Bike the Underline

April 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brickell Metrorail Station, Southwest First Avenue in Miami. Join Bike305 for a 10-mile ride through the city, stopping at the Brickell, Coconut Grove, and South Miami Metrorail stations for pop up events with yoga, spinning, art, food, tournaments, and more.

Free. Visit http://bit.ly/1pANJmx.

* Savvy Social Security Planning: What Baby Boomers Need to Know to Maximize Retirement Income

April 5 and 7 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Brockway Memorial Library, 10021 NE Second Ave. in Miami Shores. Learn more about Social Security and what you should be doing with it for retirement. Free. Call 305-751-8855, email info@davidtreece.com, or register at TreeceFinancialGroup.com.

* VIP Pride Kick-Off Reception

April 8 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at W South Beach - Outdoor Wet Deck Gardens, 2201 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach. Miami Beach Gay Pride Grand Marshal Elvis Duran plays host to the kick off with music, open bar, food, and fun. Tickets $85 to $100. Visit BrownPaperTickets.com/ event/2503206.

* Miami Beach Gay Pride Beach Party

April 9 from 1 to 10 p.m. at Lummus Park, 11th to 14th Streets on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach.

Celebrate pride with the annual party filled with music, vendors, dancers, drinks, food, and more. Free. Visit MiamiBeachGayPride. com

* Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade & Festival

April 10 from noon to 9 p.m. at Fifth Street and Ocean Drive north to 15th Street in Miami Beach. The community comes together for a parade with entertainment by Jordin Sparks, Elvis Duran, Miss Miami Beach Gay Pride, and more. Free. Visit MiamiBeachGayPride.com

* Drag Brunch

Sundays noon to 4 p.m. at Senor Frogs, 1450 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach. Enjoy unlimited cocktails while enjoying a meal with laughs from Elaine Lancaster, Adora, Angie Ovahness, TP Lords, and Ebonee Excell. Tickets $39.95.

Call 212-481-6203 or visit VossEvents.com.

Prayers For World Peace

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

a&e comedy

Comedian Talks Candidly About Career, Challenges J.W. Arnold

C

omedian Kathy Griffin has lots of issues.

Issues with politicians: “Donald (Trump) is finally showing his true colors… and I don’t mean orange.”

Issues with parents: “If you brought your f#@&ing kids, get out!”

Issues with straight men: “I have done two Seinfelds. That’s how they know me.”

Issues with her sexuality: “I have known I was a gay man since I was seven.”

Issues with her mother: “My mom thinks Judge Judy is the new Supreme Court justice.”

Her shows are peppered with stories about her celebrity encounters and digs on the Kardashians, Caitlyn Jenner and a host of other reality TV stars.

But Griffin has one issue that isn’t a laughing matter: “My biggest obstacle is being a 55-year-old female stand up comic who writes her own material,” Griffin told SFGN before taking the stage onboard Carnival Dream in Cozumel, making her the first comedian to headline

Comedian Kathy Griffin returns to the Broward Center on March 31.

the cruise line’s new Carnival LIVE series in February, a performance she equated with “a Carnegie Hall show on a boat.”

As a result of the not-so-subtle sexism and ageism of Hollywood, Griffin finds herself driven to succeed.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I don’t have a Lorne Michaels, a Judd Apatow, a movie company. I’m a grinder and that’s not a pun,” she said in a subsequent telephone interview.

“Nobody handed me a Dove campaign like Ellen (Degeneres) or a talk show like Chelsea (Handler) and I’m not Melissa McCarthy going to do my next multimillion dollar film franchise.”

An Emmy and Grammy Award-winner, Griffin is particularly proud of her upcoming book, “Kathy Griffin Celebrity Run-Ins: An Index from A to Z,” wishfully anticipating a Pulitizer Prize to join those trophies on the shelf.

“When I had the book idea, I called my agent and wrote the proposal myself. Instead of a month, I did it in an hour,” she recalled.

Photo: Carnival Cruise Lines

“I work harder, faster. That’s the mode that I’m in and I f#@&ing love it.”

This week, she’s back on the road, making another swing through the Sunshine State with appearances in Daytona Beach, Ft. Myers, Clearwater and on Thursday, March 31, the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale.

“I win the most prolific award,” she said of her act. “I give my audiences two hours of what I think is the funniest stuff I can possibly say” and virtually no topic or personality is sacred.

As always, Griffin’s act will appeal to “her” gays.

“What I really admire about the LGBT community—which I’ve been an ally of for decades—is when the chips are down you get things done,” she explained.

Kathy Griffin appears at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 31. Tickets start at $37.50 at BrowardCenter.org.

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Business Directory health

chiropractic Coast Chiropractic Injury & Wellness Center 2608 NE 16th Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33334 954.463.3036 www.coast-chiropractic.com

dental

Lane & Eriks Dental Associates 1831 NE 45th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 954.771.3331 Laneanderiksdental.com Oakland Park Dental 3047 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 954.566.9812 Oaklandparkdental.com Andrews Dental Care 2654 N Andrews Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33311 954.567.3311 Andrewsdentalcare.com

American Pain Experts 6333 N. Federal Hwy, Ste. 250, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 954-678-1074 Americanpainexperts.com Simply Men’s Health 5405 Okeechobee Blvd #205, West Palm Beach, FL 561.459.5356 Simplymenshealth.com Natura Dermatology 1120 Bayview Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 754.333.4886 Coolsculptingnaturadermatology.com Mark Engebretson Palm Beach & Boca Raton 561.400.9297 heartofthemystery.com

To place an ad in the Business Directory, call our sales team at 954.530.4970 legal

Law Robin 2550 N Federal Hwy #20, Fort Lauderdale, FL 954.630.2707 Lawrobin.com

professional services Barton & Miller Cleaners 2600 N. Dixie Hwy Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-566-4314 Kalis-McIntee Funeral & Cremation Center

2505 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-566-7621 Kalismcintee.com

restaurants

investments

Storks Bakery 2505 NE 15th Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 American Tax & Insurance Levitt Small Ad Gay Publication :Newspaper Ad 954.567.3220 Cont. 8/17/15 1:56 PM Page 1 Wilton Manors Dental 2929 E Comm. Blvd, 8th Floor Penthouse D, Fort Lauderdale, FL Storksbakery.com 2517 NE 9th Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954.302.3228 954-564-4746 Americantaxandinsurance.com Wiltonmanorsdental.com Island City Dental 1700 NE 26th Street, Ste. 2, Fort Lauderdale, FL 954-564-7121 Islandcitydental.com

health Emerald Elite 2301 Wilton Drive, Suite 3, Wilton Manors, FL 954.629.1377 Emeraldelitehomehealth.com

Dr. Tory Sullivan 2500 N Federal Hwy #301, Fort Lauderdale, FL 954.533.1520 Torysullivanmd.com The Florida House Experience 505 S Federal Hwy, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 800.778.6792 Fherehab.com

legal

Selzer & Weiss 1515 NE 25th St, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954.567.4444 Selzerandweiss.com Shawn Newman 710 NE 26th St, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954.563.9160 Shawnnewman.com Law GC 707 NE 3rd Ave #300, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954.573.1444 Lawgc.com

Gregory Kabel 1 East Broward Blvd #700, Fort Lauderdale, 33301 954.761.7770 gwkesq@bellsouth.net

spirituality

The Parish of Sts. Francis and Clare Where we welcome and appreciate diversity.

101 NE 3rd St Fort Lauderdale FL 33301 Mass Times: Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 10:30 AM Ecumenical Catholic 954.731.8173

www.stsfrancisandclare.org Baptisms • Weddings • Memorial Services

SFGN.com

Have you made your wishes known?

We’re here to help.

1-800-343-5400

www.levitt-weinstein.com

Pre-Arrangement Discounts For All Our LGBT Friends 52

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restaurants J. Mark’s 1245 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 (954) 390-0770 Jmarksrestaurant.com

Ernie's B-B-Q 1843 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 954-523-8636

Buy This Space FOR

$250 A Year retail Peace Pipe 4800 N Dixie Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 954.267.9005 Facebook.com/peacepipefl

Daoud’s 2473 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954.928.2437 Daouds.com Natural Sleep 3040 N 29th Ave, Hollywood, FL 33020 954.951.2678 Naturalsleepfd.com

The Best Cellar

Boutique Wine Shop & Wine Bar The Ultimate Wine Tasting Experience Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat., at 8:00 p.m.

ONLY $15 PER PERSON! 954-630-8020 1408 N.E. 26th St. Wilton Manors, FL 33334 MASTER HYPNOTHERAPIST AND LIFE COACH ADDICTIONS • SMOKING • WEIGHT LOSS • INSOMNIA • STRESS REDUCTION • ROAD RAGE • ANGER MANAGEMENT • PAST LIFE ANALYSIS • RELATIONSHIP COACHING Coach Bill For Life

WWW.COACHBILLFORLIFE.COM

954.641.8315

retail Estate Auction Co. 6 South Federal Hwy, Dania Beach, FL 33304 954-921-2828 Estateauctionco.com

theaters

Ft Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus PO Box 9772, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33310-9772 954-832-0060 www.theftlgmc.org Andrews Living Arts Studio 23 NW 5th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954.530.1879 Classcreations.com Kravis Center 701 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL (561) 832-7469 Kravis.org Adrienne Arsht Center 1300 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132 305.949.6722 Arshtcenter.org Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida PO Box 39617, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33339 954-763-2266 Gaymenschorusofsouthflorida.org

veterinarian

Dr. Pierre B. Bland, DVM 3225 N. Andrews Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 954-673-8579 Doctorblandvet.com

Income Tax Preparation •Individual •Small Business •Free Consultation Doug Turner, Enrolled Agent Best Books and Taxes 2201 Wilton Drive bestbooksandtaxes.com

954-565-1041

Call today for appointment

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

Accounting and Tax Services 618 NE 38th Street Oakland Park, FL 33334

FelixTaxL.Professional Fidelibus (954)691-6778

Felix@ctcapitaladvisors.com

landscaping

electrician

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

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

MIKE THE GARDENER - Lawn and Garden care.

Trim, cut, prune plants and trees, apply mulch, stone and flowers and more. Call Mike at (561)543-6337

licensed massage

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

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

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

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

employment full time

health & body WANTED RN.DON FOR NEW HOME HEALTH AGENCY - Are you a Florida licensed RN with Home Health supervisory experience?Are you interested in serving the LGBT community in PBC? If so, call Craig at 954-681-2209

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

home & garden

help wanted EARN $300+ PER DAY - Activists Needed To Collect signatures to get Medical Marijuana on ballot. Earn $300+ per day. 954-616-7736; 754204-0114 Make own hours. help wanted! - New full service gym located on E. Sunrise Blvd., looking for part time front desk help (Tues & Wed 5am- 10am and 8am-2pm every other Sat &Sun) and fill in as needed. Contact Julian via email julian@stamina1640.com.

Seeking Front Desk Person For Dental Office - Looking to hire full time 8-5 front desk person for receptionist, answering phones, filing, making appts. Full time position with benefits and fun, relaxed working atmosphere for the right person. No previous dental experience needed. Willing to train if you have good attitude and work ethic. To apply, email opdentalung@aol.com.

folow the action.

sfgn.com handyman HUSBAND FOR RENT - Is he procrastinating home repairs? He says he will do it tomorrow??

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

painting GREGG'S PAINTING - Interior/exterior,great rates, friendliness, reliability, neatness. No job too small.

Call Gregg at 617-306-5694 or 954-870-5972.

• • • • • •

Screen Room Enclosures Pool Enclosures Pavers Hurricane Shutters Sunrooms Pergolas

CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE

954.993.7477 Licensed & Insured • Residential & Commercial

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• 3.30.2016

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

pool service COOL POOLS- RELIABLE POOL SERVICE Professional pool service.Covering Wilton Manors, Lighthouse Point, and eastside of Pompano Beach.

15 years experience. Licensed and insured.Free estimates. Call 954-235-0775.

rentals MIKE THE RENTAL GUY - NE Lauderdale/Wilton Manors/Oakland/Victoria Park-1/1 from $950 2/1 from $1150. Credit & Income RequirementsPets okay with restriction. Call for Details Mike 561-703-5533

rentals fort lauderdale SOUTH MIDDLE RIVER - South Middle RiverPOOL- One bedroom garden apartment on lush grounds. Available 04/01 for tenant with prior rental references. Includes water. One pet welcome!

Washer/Dryer on premises. Don't miss this one! $850 (954) 200 0166

sfgn.com

pets/supplies

Daniel Ross NO

GET YOUR TAXES DONE

CPA, CFE

UPFRONT FEES

WITH A REFUND TRANSFER

Now Preparing 2016 Form 1040’s IRS Electronic Filing Available

attorney Reasonable | Reliable | Dependable Masters of Taxation: GA State University (1987) Masters in Forensic Accounting: FL Atlantic University (2010) CPA since 1987

CONVENIENTLY LOCATED

In The heart of Wilton Manors

954.612.9922 danrosscpa@aol.com

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New Office Location, We‘ve Moved...

Imagine zooming in on a single conversation in a noisy restaurant Join us for a Special In-Office Grand Opening Event

Through April 30th, 2016 Call to schedule an appointment today!

(954) 793-4348

40% OFF MSRP!

You’re eligible to participate in the following: § FREE hearing screening § FREE in-office technology demonstration § RISK-FREE 30 day trial § FREE year of batteries with purchase § FREE amplified telephone with qualifying hearing test § FREE wireless cellphone streamer with purchase of binaural premium Phonak technology

Wilton Plaza 1881 NE 26th Street, Suite 223 Wilton Manors, FL 33305 www.acutehearingandbalance.com Concierge services are available upon request.

Daniel Gibbons, Au.D.

NEW775 MS044046

Doctor Daniel Gibbons, Doctor of Audiology, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Hearing and Speech and Language Science from Southern Connecticut State University and his Doctoral Degree in Audiology from Salus University in Philadelphia.

Doctor of Audiology

Dr. Gibbons holds a Florida State license in Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology. He is certified to recommend and fit all levels of amplification.

$300 Value!

Dr. Daniel Gibbons has dedicated his life’s work to meeting the hearing health care needs of all ages. He has a strong interest in treating the adult population with hearing loss. Dr. Gibbons brings a passion and commitment to hearing health care that extends beyond the technology. Patient satisfaction with hearing instruments that fit their lifestyle is his top priority.