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Gazette Wilton Manors

May 18, 2016 vol. 7 // issue 20

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n e w s

Diversity Honors AN N U A L EVENT HOS TE D B Y HA RVEY MILK FO U NDATIO N AND PRIDE CENT E R R E T U R N S

SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS

SOFLAGAYNEWS

Pages 20, 32 - 33

SFGN.COM 5.18.2016 • 1

WHAT IS GENVOYA®?

GENVOYA is a 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years and older. It can either be used in people who are starting HIV-1 treatment and have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. These include having an undetectable viral load (less than 50 copies/mL) for 6 months or more on their current HIV-1 treatment. GENVOYA combines 4 medicines into 1 pill taken once a day with food. GENVOYA is a complete HIV-1 treatment and should not be used with other HIV-1 medicines.

GENVOYA does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses, you must keep taking GENVOYA. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to reduce the risk of passing HIV-1 to others. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about GENVOYA? GENVOYA may cause serious side effects: • Build-up of an acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include feeling very weak or tired, unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain with nausea or vomiting, feeling cold (especially in your arms and legs), feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat.

• Serious liver problems. The liver may become large and fatty.

Symptoms of liver problems include your skin or the white part of your eyes turning yellow (jaundice), dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored bowel movements (stools), loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach pain.

• You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking GENVOYA for a long time. In some cases, lactic acidosis and serious liver problems have led to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of these conditions.

• Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. GENVOYA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV and stop taking GENVOYA, your HBV may suddenly get worse.

Do not stop taking GENVOYA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

Who should not take GENVOYA? Do not take GENVOYA if you take: • Certain prescription medicines for other conditions.

It is important to ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with GENVOYA. Do not start a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider.

• The herbal supplement St. John’s wort.

• Any other medicines to treat HIV-1 infection.

What are the other possible side effects of GENVOYA? Serious side effects of GENVOYA may also include:

• Changes in body fat, which can happen in people taking HIV-1 medicines.

• Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking GENVOYA. • Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking GENVOYA. • Bone problems, such as bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones.

The most common side effect of GENVOYA is nausea. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or don’t go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking GENVOYA?

• All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection.

• All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Other medicines may affect how GENVOYA works. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe to take GENVOYA with all of your other medicines.

• If you take antacids. Take antacids at least 2 hours before or after you take GENVOYA. • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if GENVOYA can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking GENVOYA. • If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Important Facts about GENVOYA including important warnings on the following page.

Ask your healthcare provider if GENVOYA is right for you, and visit GENVOYA.com to learn more.

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GENVOYA does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

SHOW YOUR

POWER

Take care of what matters most—you. GENVOYA is a 1-pill, once-a-day complete HIV-1 treatment for people who are either new to treatment or people whose healthcare provider determines they can replace their current HIV-1 medicines with GENVOYA.

5/4/16 3:58 PM 5.18.2016 • 3

IMPORTANT FACTS This is only a brief summary of important information about GENVOYA and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

(jen-VOY-uh) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GENVOYA

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF GENVOYA

Genvoya may cause serious side effects, including:

GENVOYA can cause serious side effects, including:

®

• Build-up of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical

emergency that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: feeling very weak or tired, unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain with nausea or vomiting, feeling cold (especially in your arms and legs), feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat.

• Severe liver problems, which in some cases can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice), dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored bowel movements (stools), loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach pain.

• Worsening of Hepatitis B (HBV) infection. GENVOYA is not approved to treat HBV.

If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking GENVOYA. Do not stop taking GENVOYA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking GENVOYA for a long time.

ABOUT GENVOYA

• GENVOYA is a prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years of age

and older who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before. GENVOYA can also be used to replace current HIV-1 medicines for some people who have an undetectable viral load (less than 50 copies/mL of virus in their blood), and have been on the same HIV-1 medicines for at least 6 months and have never failed HIV-1 treatment, and whose healthcare provider determines that they meet certain other requirements.

• GENVOYA does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. Ask your healthcare provider about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to others.

Do NOT take GENVOYA if you:

• Take a medicine that contains: alfuzosin (Uroxatral®), carbamazepine (Carbatrol®,

Epitol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®, Tegretol-XR®, Teril®), cisapride (Propulsid®, Propulsid Quicksolv®), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal®), ergotamine (Cafergot®, Migergot®, Ergostat®, Medihaler Ergotamine®, Wigraine®, Wigrettes®), lovastatin (Advicor®, Altoprev®, Mevacor®), methylergonovine (Ergotrate®, Methergine®), midazolam (when taken by mouth), phenobarbital (Luminal®), phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®), pimozide (Orap®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifamate®, Rifater®, Rimactane®), sildenafil when used for lung problems (Revatio®), simvastatin (Simcor®, Vytorin®, Zocor®), or triazolam (Halcion®).

• Take the herbal supplement St. John’s wort.

• Take any other HIV-1 medicines at the same time.

• Those in the “Most Important Information About GENVOYA” section.

• Changes in body fat.

• Changes in your immune system.

• New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure.

• Bone problems.

The most common side effect of GENVOYA is nausea.

These are not all the possible side effects of GENVOYA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking GENVOYA. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with GENVOYA. BEFORE TAKING GENVOYA Tell your healthcare provider if you:

• Have or had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis infection.

• Have any other medical condition.

• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

• Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:

• Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

• Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with GENVOYA.

HOW TO TAKE GENVOYA

• GENVOYA is a complete one pill, once a day HIV-1 medicine.

• Take GENVOYA with food.

GET MORE INFORMATION

• This is only a brief summary of important information about GENVOYA. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

• Go to GENVOYA.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit GENVOYA.com for program information.

GENVOYA, the GENVOYA Logo, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.

All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Version date: November 2015 © 2016 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. GENC0026 04/16

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5/4/16 3:58 PM

news local

Photos: Facebook.

MeDIA WArS hOtSpOtS SUeS AgeNDA Peter Clark accuses Bobby Blair of unlawful acts Staff Report

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ultimedia Platforms Worldwide, which bills the president of MMPW’s ‘print division,’ abruptly itself as the “world’s largest LGBTQ media resigned, renouncing both his role as a member of the publishing company,” was dealt a right cross company’s board of directors and its news operation.

Friday afternoon in Broward Circuit Court, when the “I have no further comment,” he told SFGN. A week Hot Spots Media Group filed a 15 page, 7 count ago, however, Jackson in an complaint against them for misappropriation of internal memo to staffers had trade secrets, tortious interference, conversion given them an ultimatum to of confidential business information, and “clear out their desks” if they MMPW and breach of contract and fiduciary duties. could not accept not being paid. its principles The lawsuit also names Bobby Blair, the “I need to know who is with us have been CEO of Multimedia personally, along with and who is not as the company one of his employees, the principle in the struggles to meet its current embroiled in non-compete action, Scott Spar. The focus of financial obligations,” Jackson controversy the action involves Spar’s alleged misdeeds wrote, adding that “my hope and in going to work for Blair while he was still intention as the president is to for weeks under a non-compete from HotSpots, and then keep our brands alive during this now, from converting for his own use proprietary account storm.” information to promote sales for Blair and his Jackson’s letter then explained coast to coast. company. that he needed to put into place The lawsuit represents a major blow for an emergency operation plan Multimedia, whose principles have been to continue publishing the embroiled in management struggles for the past few Company’s magazine, Next, and it’s newspaper, the weeks. Just last week, Peter Jackson, who had been Agenda. Both have continued distribution. first acting as the publisher of the Agenda, and then MMPW and its principles have been embroiled in

controversy for months now, from coast to coast.

Last month, MMPW was the target of age discrimination complaints, when its west coast publication, Frontiers Magazine, terminated one of its most tenured employees, Karen Ocahm, a distinguished lesbian writer, claiming the Magazine had to target ‘millennials’ and a younger demographic.

Blair vigorously defended MMPW’s determinations, asserting there was no ageism or sexism, just a necessary reorganization of all practices that were implemented routinely as part of their acquisition.

Meanwhile, representing Peter Clark, and his company, HotSpots Media Group, is the law firm of George Castrataro. He is asking for emergency injunctive relief, demanding that Blair and Spar turn back over to them a vast amount of proprietary information that was inappropriately acquired and used, including customer lists, contracts, booking sheets, and price quotes.

“We also believe and can prove that Blair hired Spar to work for him and MMPW while he knew that Spar was inhibited by a legally enforceable non-compete contract,” Castrataro told SFGN. When reached by phone, Blair said, “We will be hiring counsel. No comment at this time.”

5.18.2016 •

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the OpeNINg LINe Photos: Facebook.

StONeWALL OrgANIZerS AIM tO BOOSt CONFIDeNCe IN FeStIvAL Lore Bernier –

It’s a corporate event, not a community one. If they want people to care, they should probably try caring more about people.

kevin Burke –

Corporate or community event. Semantics. Someone has to put it together & it cost money.

Liam hodgson –

Lori Bernier could you explain to me in greater detail? I was looking today for who the entertainment would be.

Thinking you may have more info than I do.

Comments from SFgN’s

online outlets

Compiled by John McDonald

‘eX-gAy’ therApISt prAISeS teNNeSSee’S ‘tUrN AWAy the gAyS’ COUNSeLINg LAW Steve Johnson – Who would want to go to a therapist who was biased against them because of their sexual orientation? or trans-gender status? or for any other reason?

Ditto for buying wedding cakes and all the rest.

Why would you want to give bigots your money, when there are abundant alternatives?

New Beginnings recovery Center –

Christopher Doyle is clearly a potato

Jeffrey Alman –

Therapy is overrated

SouthFloridaGayNews.com

MAY 18, 2016 • VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 20 2520 N. DIXIE HIGHWAY • WILTON MANORS, FL 33305 PHONE: 954-530-4970 FAX: 954-530-7943

PUBLISHER • NORM KENT NORM.KENT@SFGN.COM

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER • PIER ANGELO GUIDUGLI

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER / EXECUTIVE EDITOR • JASON PARSLEY JASON.PARSLEY@SFGN.COM

Editorial

ART DIRECTOR • BRENDON LIES ARTWORK@SFGN.COM DESIGNER • CHARLES PRATT EDITORIAL ASSISTANT • TUCKER BERARDI TBERARDI2014@FAU.EDU INTERNET ASSISTANT • BRITTANY FERRENDI WEBMASTER@SFGN.COM ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR • JW ARNOLD JW@PRDCONLINE.COM NEWS EDITOR • JOHN MCDONALD JOHN.MCDONALD@SFGN.COM MIAMI-DADE REPORTER • ANTHONY BEVEN FOOD/TRAVEL EDITOR • RICK KARLIN GAZETTE NEWS EDITOR • MICHAEL D'OLIVEIRA SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER • J.R. DAVIS JRDAVIS12000@HOTMAIL.COM

Senior Features Correspondents

JESSE MONTEAGUDO • TONY ADAMS

Correspondents

DORI ZINN • ANDREA RICHARD • DONALD CAVANAUGH CHRISTIANA LILLY • DENISE ROYAL • SEAN MCSHEE ALEX ADAMS • GARY KRAMER • DAVID-ELIJAH NAHMOD

Contributing Columnists

“FAggOt” “SAND NIggA” & “DICk rIDer” getS rApper AZeALIA BANkS BANNeD FrOM tWItter Dustin Anderson – She is vile.

Martin talbot –

A bigoted mouth and expensive taste are a formula for bankruptcy! LOL

BRIAN MCNAUGHT • DANA RUDOLPH • WAYNE BESEN RIC REILY • STEVE SILER • BIL BROWNING TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

Associate Photographers

POMPANO BILL • STEVEN SHIRES

Sales & Marketing

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING • MIKE TROTTIER MIKE.TROTTIER@SFGN.COM SALES MANAGER • JUSTIN WYSE JUSTIN.WYSE@SFGN.COM ADVERTISING SALES ASSOCIATE • EDWIN NEIMANN EDWIN.NEIMANN@SFGN.COM ADVERTISING SALES ASSOCIATE • CINDY CURTIS CINDY.CURTIS@SFGN.COM SALES ASSISTANT / CLASSIFIEDS • TIM HIGGINS TIM.HIGGINS@SFGN.COM DISTRIBUTION SERVICES • BRIAN SWINFORD NATIONAL ADVERTISING RIVENDELL MEDIA 212-242-6863 SALES@RIVENDELLMEDIA.COM ACCOUNTING SERVICES BY CG BOOKKEEPING PRINTING BY SUN COAST PRESS

MEMBER

Jeffrey Alman – Untreated alcoholism.

Cover: Robert Boo and Harvey Milk stand on stage with the Whittington family at Diversity Honors. Photo: J.R. Davis.

In Memoriam

MEMBER

SFGN WINNER of

MEMBER

& 3 FLORIDA PRESS CLUB Awards And runner-up for

NLGJA Journalist of the Year

Associated Press

DENNIS JOZEFOWICZ INTERNET DIRECTOR 2010 - 2016 South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations.

Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs.

Copyright © 2016 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

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MEMBER

5.18.2016 •

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Compiled by Brittany Ferrendi & Tucker Berardi

Oklahoma lawmaker delivers anti-gay farewell speech

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angladesh police arrest suspect in killing of gay activist

(AP) Police in Bangladesh said Sunday that they have arrested a suspected Muslim militant for his alleged involvement in the killing last month of a gay rights activist and his friend in the capital.

Police identified the suspect as Shariful Islam Shihab, a former member of the banned Islamic group Harkatul Jihad.

They said he joined another militant group, Ansarullah Bangla Team, in mid-2015.

Shihab, 37, was arrested in the southwestern district of Kushtia, Munirul Islam, head of a newly formed police counterterrorism unit, told a news conference. He did not give any further details.

There have been a series of recent attacks targeting atheists, moderates and foreigners in Bangladesh. Only one of 15 such killings has been prosecuted since 2013.

Islam said that Shihab allegedly killed Xulhaz Mannan, who worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development, because he was a gay rights activist and promoted the gay community’s cause through a magazine as an editor.

He said Shihab told police during questioning that he took part in stabbing to death Mannan and his friend as ordered by his group’s high command. There was no independent confirmation of the police officer’s claim.

Police earlier said they identified at least five people who took part in the killings on April 25 from video footage collected from buildings near the crime scene in Dhaka’s Kalabagan area.

“We are checking the footage to determine whether Shihab is visible there,’’ Islam said.

The Bangladeshi branch of al-Qaida had claimed responsibility for the April 25 killing of Mannan and his friend, Tanay Majumder. Mannan was also a cousin of former Foreign Minister Dipu Moni of the governing Awami League party.

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“Same-sex marriage has been forced on every single state by the courts, when 31 of our states voted overwhelmingly to define as God has always defined it,” Kern said. “All across the nation, children are being encouraged to try the homosexual lifestyle and even to play like the opposite sex, because they could be a transgender.”

“I didn’t apologize in 2008 and I don’t apologize today either, because God’s word has not changed.”

“The representatives’ final speech before her colleagues was shameful and will be remembered as the capstone of a career built on hatred and discrimination. For that I pity her,” said Troy Stevenson, executive director of Freedom Oklahoma.

Stevenson’s group is hosting a $35-per-plate “Farewell Sally” fundraiser later this month. The proceeds will go toward advocacy efforts for LGBT rights.

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arvey Milk street signs installed in Utah

(AP) Salt Lake City has installed signs for a downtown street that’s been named in honor of pioneering gay leader Harvey Milk.

Salt Lake City mayor Jackie Biskupski helped mount signs Friday morning in preparation for a dedication celebration taking place Saturday.

Biskupski is the city’s first openly gay mayor.

Salt Lake City’s Council voted unanimously last month to rename part of 900 South after Milk.

Milk won a seat on San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors in 1977, becoming one of the first openly gay people elected to public office in the U.S. In addition to Salt Lake City’s first openly gay mayor, Utah’s capital city recently elected its second sitting gay councilman, creating an increasingly friendly atmosphere for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Mayor Jackie Biskupski

Photo: facebook

(AP) Rep. Sally Kern, a conservative Oklahoma Republican who’s sparked fierce criticism for disparaging remarks about gays and other minorities, doubled down on her anti-gay remarks this week as she closed her 12year career in the state House with a farewell speech to her colleagues.

A former schoolteacher and wife of a Baptist preacher from a suburban enclave in northwest Oklahoma City, Kern is term-limited and can’t run for re-election. Her retirement is being celebrated by gay rights advocates who have worked to oppose Kern’s legislative agenda for years and who sponsored a “Farewell Sally” fundraiser.

Kern, 69, drew national attention in 2008 after saying at a political forum that the “homosexual agenda” poses a greater threat to the U.S. than terrorists, comments she stood by on Wednesday when she took to the House well to deliver her speech, a ritual for outgoing lawmakers.

Rep. Sally Kern

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oster at Lithuanian Eatery: Trump Locking Lips With Putin

(AP) A street artist in Lithuania has adorned a barbecue restaurant with a poster showing Donald Trump locking lips with Vladimir Putin.

Restaurant owner Dominykas Ceckauskas said Saturday the presumptive U.S. Republican presidential nominee and the Russian president both have huge egos “and they seem to get along pretty well.”

He said the image is “an ironic view of what can be expected.”

Local artist Mindaugas Bonanu created the wheat paste poster for the eatery in the capital Vilnius on Friday. It’s on the outside of the Keule Ruke restaurant- Lithuanian for “Smoking Pig” - along with the text “Make Everything Great Again” - a play on Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again.”

Ceckauskas said the poster was a nod to a 1979 photograph of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev kissing East German ally Erich Honecker on the mouth - once a customary greeting between Socialist leaders. The iconic shot was later painted on the Berlin Wall.

There have been no calls to remove the more than 2-meter (6 ½-foot) poster.

Berlin once was the symbol of the Cold War, Ceckauskas noted.

“We think that the border now is not in Berlin, but somewhere here in the Baltic states, between (the) East and the West,” he told The Associated Press.

Lithuania - and its Baltic neighbors Estonia and Latvia regained its independence in the early 1990’s after nearly five decades under Soviet occupation and the 1991 Soviet collapse.

More than a dozen people were killed and scores were injured in a Soviet crackdown on Lithuania’s independence drive in January 1991.

All three Baltic nations have since joined NATO.

News Briefs

igh School Students Granted Social Justice Awards

Three local high school students have been selected to receive this year’s Daniel S. Hall Social Justice Award. The award is named after Daniel S. Hall, a local attorney who manages a financial counseling company. Hall is a father of three, an activist and a mentor of gay youth who has a strong interest in education.

The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, awards the annual scholarship to local college-bound high school seniors who have demonstrated an interest in advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ community.

The three students selected were Daniel Brassloff from Atlantic Community High School in Delray Beach, Victor Espidol from Boynton Beach Community High School, and Melanie Camejo Coffigny from Lake Worth Community High School.

Brassloff is the founder and president of We the People, an equality club at his high school that created a website to help transgender people, and will be attending Babson College to study social entrepreneurship.

Espidol is the founder of his school’s Gay Straight Alliance, and traveled to to Talahassee in 2014 to urge legislatures to defeat a bill that would have banned transgender individuals from using their self-identified bathrooms. He will be

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Photo: Facebook.

H

Continued

studying biology at the University of Florida.

Coffingy is founder and president of her school’s GSA, and marched alongside policemen and women employed by the School District of Palm Beach County in conjunction with the 2016 PrideFest of the Palm Beaches. She will be studying neuroscience at Duke University.

“These three students exemplify the new generation of LGBTQ activists, who help bring our nation together on our issues, which, unfortunately, divide America today,” said Hall in a news release from the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council.

High school officials from Nashua, N.H. have suspended a teacher after he was accused of sending nude photos of himself to students via the gay hook up app Grindr, local ABC-affiliate WMUR 9 reports.

Nashua police said Bruce Lanctot, 40, sent nude pics to students and asked them to met with him in order to engage in sexual conduct. The authorities said they received a single report from the Division of Children, Youth and Families, but cops later discovered multiple victims.

Lanctot turned himself in to police Wednesday and faces a number of charges, including two felonies related to a using a computer to lure teens for sex, the news station reports. He has since been released on bail.

Lanctot has been employed by the Nashua School District for nearly 15 years where he taught social studies.

Superintendent Mark Conrad said he immediately put Lanctot on leave, calling the allegations surprising. Conrad added Lanctot has always been highly regarded and has had no issues.

“For those students who are in classes that he was teaching, we have placed school counselors and administrators into those classrooms to talk to students, and we sent a message out to students early this

Photo: Nashua Police

eacher Suspended For Allegedly Sending Nudes to Students Via Grindr

morning,” Conrad said.

Police claim Lanctot sent nude photos of himself along with sexually explicit texts to students. Investigators said he also asked the victims to meet to engage in sexual acts.

“It’s troubling any time you have a situation like this with juveniles,” Lt. Kerry Baxter told WMUR 9. “It’s more troubling that it’s a teacher involved at this point.”

Police are currently investigating whether any sexual contact actually occurred.

5.18.2016 •

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news national

Photo: Nephron

viral hepatitis Advocates gather at New york’s City hall

On the eve of May 15, National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day 2016 (NHHAD 2016) a diverse group of viral hepatitis advocates came together at the steps of City Hall to raise awareness about this “silent epidemic” of Viral Hepatitis. The event took place in the context of National Hepatitis Awareness Month.

Viral hepatitis disproportionately affects the Asian, African, African American, and Latino communities, as well as the LGBT community, people who inject drugs, and formerly or currently incarcerated men and women.

Between 3.5 and 5.3 million Americans, and 245,000 NYC residents, are living with chronic (lifelong) viral hepatitis, and most of them do not know that they are infected. Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplantation in the United States.

In addition, it is a leading infectious cause of death in the U.S., claiming the lives of 12,000-18,000 Americans each year.

In recognition of National Hepatitis Awareness Month, NYC community-based organizations will be hosting hepatitis screening events and educational workshops in conjunction with other events taking place throughout the country.

Representatives and advocates from affected communities -- consumers, health workers, city officials, community workers, friends and families -- shared their stories today in hopes of encouraging action among New Yorkers to get tested and to demand better access to prevention and treatment.

“This month, we remind all New Yorkers that it is now easier than ever to get tested and treated for viral hepatitis,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “We have made progress in identifying cases and connecting New Yorkers to treatment, but we must continue to work with communities across the city to dedicate more resources to addressing a disease that disproportionately affects communities of color and LGBT New Yorkers.”

“As co-sponsor of legislation that was signed into law requiring the City to issue a comprehensive annual report on Hep. B and C to help focus funding and resources to fight these diseases, I know that increased awareness and education saves lives.

That is why I enthusiastically join this effort to commemorate National Hepatitis Awareness Month,” said Councilmember Margaret Chin. “I

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thank the Latino Commission on AIDS and all the partners in this fight for taking a leading role in promoting prevention and education, not only in May, but throughout the entire year.”

“We’re gathering to shed light on a silent epidemic affecting over 245,000 New Yorkers, many who don’t even know they have Viral Hepatitis,” explained Councilmember Darlene Mealy. “Many groups are disproportionately affected, including the African, African American, Asian and Latino communities, as well as Baby Boomers, the LGBTQ community, people who inject drugs, and formerly or currently incarcerated men and women. Only through more testing, prevention and access to treatment will we be able to fight this epidemic, and NBLCA is joining this coalition in calling for the attention and resources to make it happen.”

“Hepatitis B affects a disproportionate number of Asians, Africans, and Pacific Islanders in this city and around the globe,” says Chief Medical Officer Dr. Perry Pong of the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center. “It is estimated that 100,000 people living in New York City have chronic hepatitis B, and 67 percent of those newly reported cases are Asians.”

Testing for hepatitis C is important because “You don’t need to die a statistic; this is one virus we can cure,” expressed Marlene Taylor, Primary Care Physician at Montefiore Hospital.

“We have the tools to end hepatitis C, including treatments that are close to 100 percent effective.

Now all we need is the political will, and necessary financial resources by city and state government,” said Carlos Rosario, organizer for VOCAL-NY who has been leading a statewide process to develop a blueprint to end hepatitis C as an epidemic in New York State.

“It’s unconscionable that hepatitis C, a preventable and more importantly, curable disease, kills more people every year than all other infectious diseases combined, including HIV. New Yorkers deserve better and we’re committed to increasing awareness, testing and access to treatment for all,” said Jose M. Davila, President & CEO of BOOM!Health.

Paul Bolter, from the American Liver Foundation extends an invitation to the public: “Get Tested. Get Treated. Get Cured.”

News Briefs

M

cCrory: Instead of protests, talk needed on LGBT matters

(AP) North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory says that instead of protests and demonstrations over laws about LGBT rights, there needs to be more discussion.

Local media outlets report McCrory was at the Governor’s Western Residence in Asheville on Saturday where he was met with demonstrators both supporting and opposed to a law limiting LGBT rights in North Carolina.

On Friday the Obama administration issued a directive saying that public schools must permit transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their chosen gender identity. That directive comes amid a court fight between the state and the federal government over North Carolina’s House Bill 2.

McCrory, who was hosting an open house at the Western residence, told WLOS-TV that he wants demonstrators to be respectful and said he would be respectful of them.

“This a very complex issue. It’s an emotional issue for people of all sides, and I think instead of having threats and boycotts and protests, we need to have more discussion,’’ McCrory said.

There were also demonstrations Saturday by environmentalists concerned about another issue - what the protesters said is a corrupt relationship between McCrory and Duke Energy CEO Lynn Good.

Members of nine local groups protested against HB2, chanting and holding up signs reading such

things as “love is unstoppable’’ and ``love does not discriminate.’’

“It’s not just about civil rights, but human rights,’’ Sue McQueen told The Citizen-Times of Asheville. ``I’m here to support common sense.

I’m against anything that puts North Carolina back 150 years. We need to look forward.”

Continued

P

astor Drops Lawsuit Against Whole Foods for Anti-Gay Slur on Cake

The Texas pastor who filed a lawsuit against Whole Foods in April, alleging that the high-end supermarket wrote an anti-gay slur on a cake he ordered, announced Monday that he dropping the suit, KLEW TV reports.

“Today I am dismissing my lawsuit against Whole Foods Market. The company did nothing wrong,” wrote openly gay Pastor Jordan Brown in a statement. “I was wrong to pursue this matter and use the media to perpetuate this story. I want to apologize to Whole Foods and its team members for questioning the company’s commitment to its values, and especially the bakery associate who I understand was put in a terrible position because of my actions. I apologize to the LGBT community for diverting attention from real issues. I also want to apologize to my partner, my family, my church family, and my attorney.”

In April, Brown said he ordered a cake from Whole Foods in Austin, Texas with the personalized message “Love Wins.” He alleged when he received the cake it read, “Love Wins Fag.” Brown filed a lawsuit against Whole Foods, but according to WOKV, the supermarket quickly fired back, releasing surveillance footage of the minister purchasing the cake as evidence that he was lying. They filed a $100,000 counter-suit against him for defamation.

“We’re very pleased that the truth has come to light,” said officials from Whole Foods in a

HOMEOWNERS

statement released today. “Given Mr. Brown’s apology and public admission that his story was a complete fabrication, we see no reason to move forward with our counter suit to defend the integrity of our brand and team members.”

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11

community announcement

news highlight

SCOtUS reFUSeS tO heAr CONtrACeptION ChALLeNge tO OBAMACAre John McDonald

T

he Affordable Care Act, President Obama’s crowning piece of legislation, was sent to a lower court for a review of the law’s contraception mandate.

U.S. Supreme Court observers called Monday morning’s decision a victory for an order of Catholic nuns known as “the Little Sisters of the Poor.” The nuns joined with other religious groups and challenged the law’s contraception mandate, objecting that groups must provide “abortifacients and contraceptives” to their employees.

The Little Sisters of the Poor claim the contraception provision of the ACA is an unfair burden.

The Supreme Court is currently operating with just eight justices following the death of Antonin Scalia in February. President Barack Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland to fill the vacancy, but Senate Republicans are blocking a confirmation hearing.

A six-page opinion, the high court indicated a compromise could not be reached following oral arguments last March. Objectors, such as the Little Sisters of the Poor, claim their religious beliefs will be infringed upon if employees are offered free birth control.

“Given the gravity of the dispute and the substantial clarification and refinement in the positions of the parties, the parties...should be afforded an opportunity to arrive at an approach going forward that accommodates petitioners’ religious exercise while at the same time ensuring that women covered by petitioners’ health plans ‘receive full and equal health coverage, including contraceptive coverage,’” the court wrote.

“This is a game-changer,” said Mark Rienzi, senior counsel at The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a Washington-based group that has provided the order’s legal representation. “The court has accepted the government’s concession that it can get drugs to people without using the Little Sisters.”

Closer to home, U.S. Congressman Ted Deutch (D-Boca Raton) said contraception coverage is an essential element of the law.

“It’s important that the Affordable Care Act continue to include contraception coverage. It can do so without violating an individual’s religious freedom, and today’s Supreme Court decision recognizes that this balance is achievable,” Deutch said.

ChAMBer ChAt Networking tips

By Jorge Richa

(Marketing & Programming Director; Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC))

T

he Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC) is the largest not-for-profit corporation in the county for gay and lesbian businesses. With membership of close to 700 companies and 1,300 individuals, the Chamber's mission is to promote a unified and thriving, gay and gay-friendly, business and professional community throughout Miami-Dade County.

Since one of our goals is to promote

networking within the existing gay and gay-friendly business and professional community, we incorporate in all of our events components that allow those in attendance to connect, engage and interact with each other with the hope that this translates into business opportunities. Networking is not a science and following these fours tips could be of great benefit and value before you enter a room full of potential clients:

Set gOALS Bring plenty of business cards and set goals of what you want to accomplish. This can be as simple as identify 4 new prospects or meet 12 new people.

prACtICe yOUr INtrODUCtION Practice your 30-second intro. to capture your audience’s attention, present who you are, what you do and the value of your product or services.

eNgAge yOUr AUDIeNCe Target companies & individuals who have a need for your products or services, take the initiative to personally meet them or ask others to assist with introductions.

FOLLOW-Up Organize your contacts using a spreadsheet or Customer Relationship Management system (CRM) sending an e-mail, making a phone call or connecting through social media.

We invite you to put these tips into practice attending the biggest LGBT business networking event of the year in Miami, the 15th Annual Gala & Awards Celebration: The Amethyst Gala on May 21 at the Hilton Miami

Downtown. From an interactive silent auction to a moonlight networking soiree, the flow of the event is done on a way that encourages networking, make contacts, and meet & greets among guests.

For more information on the The Amethyst Gala please visit GayBizGala.com.

12

• 5.18.2016

Brian had his HIV under control with medication. But smoking with HIV caused him to have serious health problems, including a stroke, a blood clot in his lungs and surgery on an artery in his neck. Smoking makes living with HIV much worse.

You can quit.

CALL 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

#CDCTips

HIV alone didn’t cause the clogged artery in my neck.

Smoking with HIV did.

Brian, age 45, California

5.18.2016 •

13

lgbtqia bites

L

Compiled by Brittany Ferrendi & Tucker Berardi

Lesbian

ANIyA WOLF, LeSBIAN, WAS ASkeD tO AppeAr ON ‘ALWAyS SUNNy’ AFter BeINg kICkeD OUt OF prOM. (PGN) The lesbian who got kicked out of her prom near Harrisburg for wearing a suit may well appear on an episode of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”

In a Twitter exchange yesterday, Rob McElhenney, the show’s creator and a Philadelphia native, mentioned Aniya Wolf in a tweet that said, “Aniya, I love your suit. Would u like to wear it on Sunny?”

“You are kidding right??” Wolf responded.

McElhenney, who plays Mac on the show, said the crew would be in Philadelphia the last week of June.

“We need a little extra style and class,” he tweeted. “Can you help us?” “yes!!! I would love to help you!” Wolf replied.

Wolf was kicked out of her prom at Bishop McDevitt Catholic High School.

The school said parents were informed of the prom dress code requiring formal dresses for girls months in advance. Wolf’s mother has said she received a last-minute email about it.

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• 5.18.2016

Aniya Wolf (right). Facebook.

B

Bisexual

BISeXUALS FOUND tO Be MOre DepreSSeD thAN gAy peOpLe Or LeSBIANS

In a recent Drexel University study it was found that young bisexual women tend to have much higher rates of suicidal thoughts than both straight and lesbian women.

Bisexual people face “unique stressors such as stereotypes that bisexuals are promiscuous or that bisexuality is ‘just a phase,’” according to Annie Shearer, an assistant of the Drexel study.

Feeling alienated not only from heterosexuals, but from the gay and lesbian community as well could be a major contributor to the mental health

differences between bisexuals and other sexual minorities. “[S]ome people still refuse to acknowledge bisexual and other nonbinary identities as legitimate, which I think can be very harmful to those who can’t — and shouldn’t have to — identify as exclusively heterosexual or homosexual,” said Shearer.

The Drexel researchers concluded, “Invisibility and a lack of community support may contribute to the higher incidence of mental health problems among bisexual persons.”

lgbtqia bites

continued

transgender

trANS rOCker BUrNS BIrth CertIFICAte DUrINg NC ShOW

t

Photo Credit: Jan Brauer.

The punk rock band Against Me! held a concert in Durham, N.C., Sunday night to protest the state’s controversial antiLGBT law, which prohibits transgender people from using public facilities (like bathrooms) that correspond to their gender identity.

The band’s lead singer Laura Jane Grace, who came out as a trans woman in 2012, previously promised to “create an event around the show.” During the concert,

the singer burned her birth certificate on stage, according to the Washington Post.

“Goodbye, gender,” she said.

When Grace revealed she would not cancel her performance in North Carolina, she told BuzzFeed in an interview: “I’m going to create an event around the show as a form of protest to say that despite whatever stupid laws they enact, trans people are not going to be scared. They are not going to go away.”

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15

news local

Local AIDS Activist Meets With Clinton

Michael d’Oliveira

W

ilton Manors resident and HIV/AIDS increasing the number of people with access to activist Michael Rajner regularly treatment and reform laws that stigmatize and criminalize those with the disease. speaks to the city commission about “This issue matters to me deeply. I know issues involving the disease. But on May 12, many of us have lost friends and loved ones to Rajner joined a coalition of 19 other HIV/ AIDS,” she said.

AIDS activists in a meeting with former Secretary of State Rajner said Clinton Hillary Clinton at her Brooklyn responded to the group’s campaign headquarters.

“We do have the proposals and concerns in a “It’s a coalition that is pragmatic way and says she tools to end representative of many did not “just hastily make organizations . . . 70 or more,” promises.” this epidemic Rajner said.

“I feel very confident [she once and for In a video of the meeting can help fight HIV/AIDS if all, but we need elected]. One of the things that posted on YouTube, Clinton said, “We do have the tools to is very exciting is we spoke to rededicate end this epidemic once and for about the impact of stigma and ourselves to all, but we need to rededicate really how no president has ourselves to fighting HIV done a campaign on stigma.” fighting HIV and and AIDS and leaving no one went on to say that the AIDS and leaving Rajner behind.” stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS According to the United prevents many people from no one behind.”

Nations, 37 million people seeking treatment in the early globally are living with HIV/ stages of the disease.

- Hillary Clinton AIDS, which, Clinton said As for Senator Bernie disproportionately impacts Sanders, Rajner said a gay and bisexual men, African meeting has been scheduled Americans, transgender individuals and young with him on May 25 in Los Angeles. “I look people. forward to being at that meeting.” Sanders had Clinton outlined her goals for fighting the previously scheduled a meeting with the group pandemic: increased research, expansion of the but postponed. Rajner said Donald Trump’s use of medications such as PrEP, capping out of campaign has shown interest in a meeting but pocket expenses and drug costs, building on they wanted to wait until they have a policy President Obama’s national HIV/AIDS strategy, team formed.

To find out more information on HIV criminalization, please visit the Sero Project at SeroProject.com.

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• 5.18.2016

5.18.2016 •

17

news national Photo: Shawna Shepherd/CNN.

Obama Steps Up For Trans Rights Lisa Keen

Keen News Service

T

he National Center for Transgender Equality called it “one of the biggest victories of the transgender community ever,” referring to the May 13 announcement by the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice that discrimination against transgender students violates a federal law against sex discrimination.

But last week saw two additional historic victories for transgender people, as well as one somewhat stilted step forward on sexual orientation discrimination in health care.

In one, DOJ announced on May 9 that it would sue the state of North Carolina, and perhaps cut federal funding to its schools and highways, if the state implements a new law restricting the use of public restrooms by transgender people.

In the other, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued regulations last Friday stating that the Affordable Care Act’s prohibition on sex discrimination in health coverage and care includes a prohibition on discrimination based on gender identity.

All three developments received widespread media attention. And while national LGBT legal and political groups hailed the advancements, several governors promised a fight on at least two of the issues.

In a much less noticed development, the HHS guidelines declined to take a

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• 5.18.2016

Called ‘one of the biggest victories of the transgender community ever’ position that the ACA’s prohibition on discrimination based on sex includes sexual orientation. Instead, it said it would cover instances “where the evidence establishes that the [sexual orientation] discrimination is based on gender stereotypes.”

Human Rights Campaign Spokesman Stephen Peters said Friday that, while HRC is “disappointed that the regulation does not provide sufficient clarity” around sexual orientation discrimination, the prohibition around sex stereotyping “will provide significant protections” for LGBT people.

Shannon Minter of the National Center for Lesbian Rights concurred, saying the rule “recognizes that sexual orientation discrimination is inherently based on gender stereotypes, so we view it as providing comprehensive protection.”

The metaphorical truckload of legal developments around rights for transgender people came in three major areas: education, health, and public accommodations. * In education: The Departments of Education and Justice issued to schools a “Dear Colleague Letter on Transgender Students” on what existing federal laws require of the schools receiving federal funding. The administration prepared the letter in response to an “increasing number of questions” from schools about what Title

IX (prohibiting sex discrimination) of the Education Amendments Act requires.

The departments’ letter says Title IX “encompasses discrimination based on a student’s gender identity….” It identifies four areas in which schools should make efforts to ensure that transgender students have equal access to educational programs: ensuring a safe environment free of harassment; showing respect for the student’s gender identity “even if their educational records or identification documents indicate a different sex;” allowing transgender students to use the restrooms and locker rooms and single-sex classrooms consistent with their gender identity; and ensuring the privacy rights of transgender students are protected. * In health care: The Department of Health and Human Services published in the Federal Register the final regulations for implementation of a provision of the 2010 Affordable Care Act that prohibits discrimination in certain health programs and activities. The provision, known as Section 1557, prohibits discrimination in health care on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability.

The HHS rules state that discrimination based on “gender identity” is a form of discrimination based on sex. The final regulations define “gender identity” as “an individual’s internal sense of gender” and

note that this “may be male, female, neither, or a combination of male and female.” And they define “transgender identity” to be when gender identity is different from the person’s physical sex attributes at birth.

The final regulations cover many issues, including abortion, religious exemptions, and tribal health plans and allows private lawsuits to remedy violations. And it covers all health care delivery entities –including doctors— that receive federal funding, including Medicaid and Medicare dollars.

The final rules go into effect July 18, but health plans have until January 1 to put the changes into effect. * In public accommodations: As reported early last week, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it would sue North Carolina and do “everything we can to protect [transgender people] going forward.” U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch made the announcement just hours after North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory said his state was filing a lawsuit asking a federal court to declare valid House Bill 2 (HB2). The law, passed in March, requires people use public restrooms based on the gender indicated by their birth certificate.

HB2 also limits local non-discrimination laws to protected categories included in the state law (which does not protect against sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination).

news national Walking some very narrow lines

Photo Credit: CNN.

In explaining its final regulations concerning non-discrimination under the Affordable Care Act, HHS noted that “Some religious organizations … strongly supported a religious exemption, arguing that faith-based health care providers and employers would be substantially burdened if required to provide or refer for, or purchase insurance covering, particular services such as gender transition services.”

HHS noted that “none” of these religious organizations “asserted that there would be a religious basis for generally refusing to treat LGBT individuals.” Instead, they said “particular services, such as services related to gender transition…are inconsistent with their religious beliefs.”

HHS noted that its final regulations do not displace existing federal law, such as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, with respect to religious beliefs. While Section 1557 does not contain a blanket religious exemption, says the rule, “Claims under RFRA” would be examined on a “case-by-case basis.”

HHS noted that “many” people and organizations that commented on the proposed regulations asked that the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Others, it said, argued against that. HHS said that it supports inclusion of sexual orientation “as a matter of policy.” It noted that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins held that it was unlawful sex discrimination to treat a person differently based on his or her “failure to conform to gender-based stereotypes about how men or women should present themselves or behave.”

HHS specifically declined to say whether discrimination based on “sexual orientation alone” –absent discrimination based on gender stereotyping— is sex discrimination under the ACA’s 1557.

The Human Rights Campaign said last November it delivered more than 13,000 comments from its members and supporters about the proposed new regulations. HRC noted then that it was concerned the rules did not adequately protect against sexual orientation discrimination.

Lambda Legal Senior Counsel Jenny Pizer said that, while the HHS guidelines are “leaving for a future day whether sexual orientation discrimination per se is sex discrimination,” it indicated “that further guidance may well be forthcoming” as additional case law develops.

“Our view is that the protection afforded by the final rule released [Friday] is robust, legally solid, and will be a powerful tool for challenging—and deterring— discrimination,” said Pizer.

“It will make a transformative difference as a practical matter. The key is in the definition of ‘sex stereotypes’ which says: ‘Sex stereotypes also include gendered expectations related to the appropriate roles of a certain sex.’”

LGBTQ Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders attorney Jennifer Levi noted that “lots of groups and individuals” have been working with federal agencies on transgender issues for “many years.”

But for many in the general public, the issue is somewhat new. The Washington Post reported Sunday that dictionary searches of the word “transgender” “spiked more than 600 percent” on May 13 and is now at the top of Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s list of top trending searches.

The dictionary says the word has been in use since 1970.

5.18.2016 •

19

Photo Credit: J.R. Davis.

CONVICTIONS

publisher's editorial

DIverSIty COMeS IN MANy COLOrS Norm Kent

norm.kent@sfgn.com

T

he South Florida LGBT community South Florida tri-county LGBT community. was enormously empowered last It bridges and transcends county borders, week with another spectacular Milk unifying leaders from Coral Gables to North Foundation event, courtesy of the Seminole Palm Beach.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood.

A number of the moments were riveting The second annual and emotional. Bollywood Diversity Honors dinner actress Celina Jaitly was honored awarded known and with a Global Championship In two short unsung heroes, all of Medal, which she dedicated to years, the whom have enriched the two Bangladesh activists who Diversity lives of our community have been murdered fighting for with contributions that Honors dinner gay rights. We lose sight of the have made our lives more fact that 76 countries around the has become healthy and inspired. world still discriminate against a signature It is not often you get LGBT populations legally and members of the United lawfully. event for the Nations Human Rights As a former Miss India, and South Florida Commission at your Miss Universe runner-up, she is tri-county LGBT a visible and vocal international doorstep, but Charles community.

Radcliff, the chief, was spokesperson for human rights. there, just as Judy Sheperd She came from halfway across was last year. The event has the globe to be there. Harvey clout and class, and awards men and women Milk’s name brings that unifying spirit, just of distinction and dignity. as it down adorns a boulevard in front of a In two short years, the Diversity Honors Mormon Church in Salt Lake City. dinner has become a signature event for the Harvey Milk was from where I grew up,

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• 5.18.2016

Woodmere, New York. He taught Math at Hewlett High School in the Five Towns, on Long Island, but today his legacy stretches across continents. He spoke out for universal equality, and that passion cost him his life.

We are fortunate that his nephew, Stuart Milk, a Wilton Manors resident, has kept that torch alive.

The Milk Foundation has emerged to become a force for transgender advocacy as well. In a touching video tribute already seen by 7 million views on YouTube, the story of 8-year-old Ryland Whittington’s transition was showcased to the audience at Diversity Honors. Then Ryland took the stage with his parents, Hillary and Jeff, and his sister by his side.

As Jazz Jennings of Boca Raton did last year, a young adult held a crowd of older adults enraptured with their personal story.

We learn in life that the things we consider intimately most personal are universally most common. The dynamics of sexuality most of us have dealt with in life. We have seen how difficult it can sometimes be for so many.

Harvey Milk used to stand on cars with a bullhorn in hand and shout, “I am from Woodmere, and I am here to recruit you.” He was demanding authenticity; that we own up to who we are.

It’s been nearly forty years since the bullets of that false revenge took his life, but the Long Island high school math teacher who went on to become one of the world’s first openly gay elected officials, city commissioner of San Francisco, would be proud of how far we have come. Dinners like this though, remind us of how much further we still have to go.

You leave the event, walking past the slot machines and realize that while life is a gamble and a game, playing it out for goodness rather than greed can be an enriching experience.

We create the world we live in by each and every choice we make every day. Normal people can accomplish superhuman things.

Ryland Whittington is doing it. Harvey Milk did as well. So too can we all. The future may be beyond our vision, but it is not beyond our control.

vitamin t

CONVICTIONS

A trANSItION IN SOCIety

Brendon Lies

From "you're a what" to "so what,” how quickly times have changed

I

was ten years old the first time I learned the name of what I am — transgender. An aged documentary was playing on the television, and it spoke about trans and intersex people as strange anomalies, using grotesque photos to drive its point home.

At age ten, I already believed that society would never accept me.

So even now, as a twenty-five year old who has been out for several years and long since accepted myself as male, I still squirm when a group of new friends begins to pass around their phones to find each other on social media.

As a very well ‘passing’ male, it’s not obvious that I’m transgender, especially to new groups of people.

I never hesitate to share details of my life on social media.

After all, that’s exactly what it is — my life. At what point do you tell friends about your gay husband, your father’s cancer or the dog you just adopted?

Sure I live openly, but like those other details, it’s not always guaranteed to come up in a live conversation. It doesn’t have to be a secret for it to be unknown.

Yet in the back of my mind, being transgender still feels like taboo. There are politicians fighting as we speak to put me in the women’s room (whether or not they realize that’s what they’re fighting for).

Every visit to the doctor is a nightmare, and there’s not a week that goes by that I don’t hear hate speech towards transgender people in one way or another, whether in person or online.

For that reason, in situations like this where we pass our cellphones around, I feel the need to ‘come clean’ as trans before they’ve accepted me into their online life.

Often times I get shock and awe, while now and again I get a bigoted comment that warns me to change the subject before they even know my full name. Yet the last few times this has happened, As a very I’ve gotten a surprising new reply. well “So what?” ‘passing’ In both situations, I’ve male, it’s been left speechless for a number of reasons. not obvious After all these years of that I’m walking a tightrope, hiding transgender, my true identity because I feared the slurs and hatred especially of those around me, I can’t to new help but wonder which one has changed more — me, or groups of society. people.

On one hand, I’ve considered being

disappointed. My transgender journey is something I’m proud to have survived. Even as trans kids are being chased out of their homes with fists waving, the trans movement has done an incredible job of spreading a message of pride among our younger transgender generation especially using the internet.

After decades of struggle, our community is facing a transition of its own as we translate pain into pride, and I’m no exception — pride is an incredible motivator to share our stories and further normalize our lives.

But what shocks me is how quickly that has already coaxed society from “you’re a what?” into an off-handed “so what?”

I might argue that this is the best reaction one could possibly receive. Sure, it doesn’t leave a lot of room for further discussion on gender diversity, but at that point, what really is there left to discuss? I’m a man; nothing has changed.

It doesn’t matter that I wore a dress to my senior prom, that I’m a proud former Girl Scout troop leader, or that I went from being an only daughter to an only son.

I suppose it also doesn’t matter that there’s still an epidemic of murder, sickness, and suicide smudging

itself across the trans community, fueled by conservative politicians who have used us to replace the lost war on gay marriage.

In that moment, all that matters is that as I handed my new friends a cellphone to add me on Facebook, there was no doubt in their eyes as they typed the name ‘Brendon’ into the Facebook search bar.

After a lifetime of constantly needing to prove either to myself or to other people that I’m normal, I think an occasional “so what” is a reminder that the times have truly changed — perhaps even more quickly than I have.

I suppose the point to remember is that no matter how you identify, it’s your life — so what. And the more that trans people like myself are open, the more that casual acceptance will be possible.

Brendon Lies is a 25-year-old trans man originally from Fargo, North Dakota, and the current Art Director of South Florida Gay News. Ever since he began his transition in 2013, he has been using art in every form to express and share his journey with others.

5.18.2016 •

21

Seeing In the Dark

Photo: The Missing Generation. Youtube.

CONVICTIONS

the MISSINg geNerAtION

Belo Cipriani

W

A tribute to the early AIDS epidemic

hile some parts of our LGBT intimate storytelling and part highlypast have been well documented physical theater, “The Missing Generation” and have made their mark in places us back into the loss and chaos American history, there are still several that was that time, while painting a LGBT events and stories that have not mesmerizing tribute. been given the attention and dedication “The Missing Generation project is they deserve by our society about attuning ourselves at large. One of these oftento and attending to these overlooked segments of longtime survivors -- lovingly Disability LGBT history is the early witnessing and holding and interpretation listening and connecting,” AIDS epidemic of the 1980s in the arts and 1990s.

Dorsey said.

“Our culture has turned The 25 transgender and is something its back on the early AIDS LGBT survivors featured in that greatly epidemic,” says Sean Dorsey, the production took time to matters to the founder and Artistic find, and Dorsey spent a year Director of Fresh Meat traveling the country looking Dorsey, and Productions, the nation’s first influenced some for early AIDS activists, early transgender arts nonprofit. workers and of the artistic healthcare “Young people simply aren’t leading trans AIDS activists. decisions for being taught about this “Every single person I incredibly important period asked said a resounding the show. in American history.”

‘YES’ to being interviewed,” Dorsey, a San FranciscoDorsey said. based trans man and award-winning Some conditions, such as HIV and dancer, has put together a thought- AIDS, can lead to other disabilities, and provoking and gorgeous production Dorsey definitely found this to be true as that gracefully captures the experiences he collected the 75 hours of oral history of survivors of the AIDS epidemic. Part in which survivors shared their own

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experiences, as well as the experiences of close friends, on the physical implications of the virus in their bodies. Dorsey shares, “In the early years, many people developed cytomegalovirus (CMV), which often led to blindness.”

Disability interpretation in the arts is something that greatly matters to Dorsey, and influenced some of the artistic decisions for the show. He explains, “It was an important task for me as a choreographer to find ways for us to move, partner, and speak onstage and embody and express these stories in a way that was authentic … without, of course, pretending that we ‘are’ the people we interviewed. It became about being deeply vulnerable as performers and finding the most truthful gesture, breath, every moment. Being true to these people that honored us with their stories.”

Dorsey is also looking into providing

audio description services for the blind and close captioning for the hearing impaired for the shows, as well as for the places where the production will be archived.

“The Missing Generation” project is a true labor of love and was funded by several cities and communities, such as Bates Dance Festival, Queer Cultural Center (SF), Dance Place (DC), 7 Stages (Atlanta), and The Theater Offensive (Boston).

Additionally, during the production of this project, Dorsey became the first transgender dance artist to be awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which also supported the production.

“The Missing Generation” is going on a two-year and 20-city tour. In San Francisco, they will be playing at Z Space from May 5 to May 7.

For other locations, please visit FreshMeatProductions.org.

Belo Cipriani is the Writer-in-Residence at Holy Names University, a spokesperson for Guide Dogs for the Blind, the “Get to Work” columnist for SFGate.com, and the author of Blind: A Memoir. Learn more at BeloCipriani.com.

Gazette Wilton Manors

Volume 3 • Issue 10 May 18, 2016

Twice-Monthly Neighborhood Outlook

Business

Community

ArtsBunker Launched in Wilton Manors

Former FATVillage artists flee higher rents

Metropolitan: Manors Gets Modern New Development

By Michael d’Oliveira

By Michael d’Oliveira

ArtServe President Jaye Abbate calls ArtsBunker a “classic boom and bust” story played out countless times in the art world.

Artists move into an area and improve it but rents are eventually raised higher than many artists can afford, forcing them to move out and start the whole cycle all over again.

The most recent episode involves FATVillage in Fort Lauderdale and the foundation of Arts Bunker at Equality Park in Wilton Manors.

Arts Bunker is a collaborative between Chuck Loose, Jim Hammond and Jessie Melero. They sublease one of the buildings located in the back of the property from SunServe and that organization rents it from the Pride Center.

“We opened three years ago but it’s only been the last year it has taken off,” said Loose, who owns Iron Forge Press, a screen printing business.

Jessie Melero, owner of Phoenix Productions, which produces props and costumes, said ArtsBunker offers him plenty of space to work and plenty of interaction with other artists.

“There’s just so much diversity here.

It’s just so overwhelming sometimes. I meet more creative people here than I have anywhere else.” And more events

Years after the last of its residents left, the former Middle River Trailer Park has new tenants.

Now known as The Metropolitan, a 179-unit apartment complex next to Colohatchee Park, residents recently began moving in – 10 families as of May 13.

“It’s a thrill for us. We’re moving in two or three families a day. We’ll probably have 20 families by the time you print this. We’re up and running,” said Dean Borg, principal at Ascend Properties, the Boca Raton company which built and operates The Metropolitan. Borg added that 40 leases were signed based on blueprints alone. “We hope and expect to own this asset for a long, long time.”

The development includes studio, one, two and three bedroom units that range from $1,400 to $2,900 a month and includes a clubhouse, resort-style pool, fitness studio, yoga studio, private garages, dog park, herb garden, car wash area, private board meetings, cyber café, business center and car charging station.

It consists of three residential buildings and one clubhouse. Borg said the north building and clubhouse are finished and the central and south buildings will be done in 25 to 40 days. “We’re just doing a little more enhancement.”

“We turned a blighted, dilapidated mobile home park into a gem. This was really a win/win,” Borg said. Before Ascend bought the property, another developer wanted to build “G Resorts,” a gay-themed hotel. That proposal ran into a lot of resistance from local residents. By contrast, The Metropolitan did not receive any serious opposition.

Before that, the trailer park had become an

at ArtsBunker, like “I Was There 2,” which took place May 14 and featured gig posters of rock bands, bring in even more people.

Loose said ArtsBunker hosts at least one art show a month, workshops and a monthly art sale – Bunker Bazaar is held the first Saturday of every month from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features handmade and local items for sale.

Most of it is free, part of ArtsBunker’s community engagement, and way “to give back,” said Jim Hammond, who owns Puppet Network, a design, consulting and production firm that specializes in puppets. He also recently started Live Animation Studios, which produces mostly mobile-based content.

Currently, he says he has 30 productions under development and is in talks with PBS and the Travel Channel.

Hammond is confident ArtsBunker won’t be priced out of its non-profit controlled building but asked local leaders to do more to help other artists stay in the areas they improve and keep gentrification from forcing them out. “While I love going to Starbucks, you don’t need a Starbucks on every corner.” WMG

Visit Facebook.com/ArtsBunker for more information.

eyesore that racked-up hundreds of thousands of dollars in code fines over the years. The one benefit came through its use as a filming location for the 1996 film “Striptease” starring Demi Moore.

Former mayor John Fiore remembers when the film’s producers came looking to use the trailer park. They were looking for one that was run down but told Fiore that Middle River would have to be improved slightly because it was “too run down.”

Borg said Ascend, which includes founder Michael Wohl, principal Richard Finkelstein and Kenneth Sanchez, director of business operations, wants to be the opposite of what the trailer park was: a benefit to the community. “We have a local team. We welcome our neighbors and we welcome our community. We’re planning a lot of community events.”

There’s also an art park built for use by the public.

Local artists are invited to display their work there.

Ascend is also promoting nearby businesses and The Pink Flamingo, an electric car service that operates in the city. The closeness of Eucalyptus Gardens, which includes a restaurant and coffee shop, and Stork’s, a bakery and coffee shop, is a selling point on the company’s website. Borg said Ascend is forging partnerships with these businesses.

“We’re very much oriented to supporting the community . . . and to make it convenient and apparent to our residents that it’s a half a block stroll [from their homes]. These wonderful, vibrant amenities are half a block from them.”WMG

For more information, visit WiltonMetro.com or email ks@wiltonmetro.com.

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Community

Commission Considers PACE Home Improvement ProgramRegulations

By Michael d’Oliveira

Wilton Manors homeowners may soon be able to make major home improvements without having to take out a huge loan or pay the entire cost upfront.

City officials are looking into allowing the PACE program [Property Assessed Clean Energy] to be used here. If approved, a qualified homeowner could borrow money and pay it back as part of their annual tax bill. In effect, the amount owed would be attached to the property through a long-term assessment and make it more affordable for homeowners to pay back the loan.

There’s also no risk to the city. Funding would be supplied by a third party.

The only stipulation is that the improvements must be done to make a home more energy efficient or to make it safer against wind damage, such as a new roof or new water heater.

Vice Mayor Scott Newton said he brought up the program because some residents had

asked him about it.

He said it could help residents make repairs and improvements they otherwise would be unable to afford, benefitting them and the city by making properties look nicer. “It really makes the city look bad.

Now they can afford it and it’s not costing them $25,000 or $20,000 at that moment to buy a roof.”

Several Broward cities already utilize the program, including Pompano Beach, Tamarac, Lauderhill and Coral Springs and Hollywood.

City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson said the city is waiting to see if Broward County institutes the program it has been working on. “We’re waiting for the dust to settle,” she said about an effort by county officials to set up a PACE program here. A call to the Broward County Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division was not returned in time for publication.WMG

Politics

Commissioners Continue to Struggle Over Trans Inclusive Healthcare

By Michael d’Oliveira A Wilton Manors Commission resolution advocating that federal and state governments require health insurance plans cover transgenderrelated was supported but highlighted previous criticism over the commission’s failure to approve transgender benefits for city employees.

At the May 10 meeting, both Commissioner Julie Carson, who unsuccessfully proposed adding transgender benefits to the city’s health plan, and resident Michael Rajner criticized the commission for not approving the transgender benefits.

“It’s unfortunate that a body of mostly gay white men never took up the initiative to support the rest of the LGBT community,” Rajner said.

Rajner, who offered to pay for a transgender flag if the city would fly it with the Pride flag it plans to raise permanently at Jaycee Park, said the city is not being looked upon favorably in other parts of the country. He called the resolution “the chest pounding of just doing a simple resolution that doesn’t bring about any resolution.”

Last month, commissioners failed to pass Carson’s motion to add transgender

Gazette Wilton Manors

MAY 18, 2016 • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 10 2520 N. DIXIE HIGHWAY • WILTON MANORS, FL 33305 PHONE: 954-530-4970 FAX: 954-530-7943

PUBLISHER • NORM KENT NORM.KENT@SFGN.COM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER • PIER ANGELO GUIDUGLI ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER / EXECUTIVE EDITOR • JASON PARSLEY JASON.PARSLEY@SFGN.COM

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ART DIRECTOR • BRENDON LIES ARTWORK@SFGN.COM EDITORIAL ASSISTANT • JILLIAN MELERO JILLIANMELERO@GMAIL.COM NEWS EDITOR • MICHAEL D’OLIVEIRA

Correspondents

NATALYA JONES • JOHN MCDONALD • JAMES OAKSUN

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DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING • MIKE TROTTIER MIKE.TROTTIER@SFGN.COM

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

Associated Press surgery and medication costs to the city’s employee healthcare plan. The cost would have been $32,500 for just the rest of the fiscal year, even if no employee had utilized the coverage.

At the time, commissioners said they couldn’t justify spending money on a service that wasn’t used. Mayor Gary Resnick said that the employees themselves should be the ones to request it.

Commissioner Justin Flippen defended the commission as he advocated for the resolution.

“How we approach an issue doesn’t necessarily mean that we leave it behind when it is presented to us in a very narrowly articulated way. I have appreciated the continued discussion initiated

on transgender healthcare.”

He said the commission has not been silent on supporting the transgender community but said that people criticizing the commission “have missed the boat. While we have not addressed this issue one way we are certainly addressing it in another.”

“What a sad moment we have. You have completely missed the point . . . absolutely off base,” responded Carson.

She went on to say that the city had “every opportunity to provide healthcare to its employees with the inclusion, not exclusion of care” and to “put our money where our mouth is. This resolution is a statement well needed

Copyright © 2014 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

but more than that our commission needed action.

We either stand for equality or we don’t.”

She also questioned the assumption that no city employee needs the benefits right now. “How many employees do we know would come forward and share information of a private matter? These communities are marginalized. It’s a life or death issue.”WMG

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A Sea of Information, A Thimbleful of Knowledge

Real Estate Geek

By James Oaksun Recently the CEO of Google said that more information is created every two days than was created from the dawn of time through the year 2003. Some have disputed this. I also saw someone say that 90 percent of all the information that has ever – ever – been created, has been created in the last two years. And there is likely to be 10 times as much information available in the next seven years, than is available today.

Clearly we are awash in information to the point where psychologists often recommend tech and social media holidays to their patients to re-center them. We become obsessed with FOMO – the fear of missing out – so we are plugged in 24/7. Want to learn something? Just go to Google, and within a second you'll have access to more than any reference librarian had 10 years ago. Or if you want to get some information on real estate, you can go to Realtor.com or Zillow and learn a great deal about properties.

If you're a Realtor, you have access to even more specific information through your local, state and national organizations.

But here's the thing.

Information is plentiful. It is also, essentially, free.

Knowledge, on the other hand, is not free. Knowledge has great value. It is knowledge that takes the information and is able to synthesize it into action, to put meaning around

it. And the only way a person can develop knowledge is by becoming a subject matter expert in the field in question.

There are 65,000 Realtors here in the three counties of South Florida. How many of them do you think have information for customers, and how many have knowledge?

(And how many have neither?)

Over the next few years, pretty much everything about the real estate purchase and sale process that can be taken online, will go online. Much of it already has. Often customers will have seen homes on Zillow or Trulia before even contacting a Realtor. (Sometimes those homes are even available for purchase! (Realtor inside joke.))

The Internet is awash in information. What it cannot offer is knowledge, and custom strategies for acting on that knowledge. Having that knowledge, developing those strategies, and possessing the ability to communicate them with clients, represents the future of the real estate industry.

The Realtors who can provide that, will succeed. Those who can't, won't.WMG James Oaksun, Broward's Real Estate GeekSM, is a Realtor with the Wilton Manors office of RE/MAX Preferred. In addition to having degrees from Dartmouth and Cornell, he is a graduate of the Realtors Institute (GRI).

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Community

Chief Predicts Reaccreditation for Police Department

By Michael d’Oliveira Six years after first attaining accreditation, Wilton Manors Police Chief Paul O’Connell is confident his department will earn reaccreditation once again.

The process, held every three years, is a review of the police department, its personnel and policies by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.

This year, the commission visited Wilton Manors April 19 through April 21 and invited O’Connell and his team to the June 20 to 24 conference in Orlando – where the award will be presented.

The review board makes a recommendation but O’Connell said it’s almost always approved by the Commission. “They said they would recommend [reaccreditation]. It’s a slam dunk. I feel very confident that we’ll get it when we go up to the statewide conference in June,” said O’Connell.

Every three years, Wilton Manors has to submit to the process all over again in order to receive reaccreditation. The process is voluntary.

Members of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Commander Chris Willet, Altamonte Springs Police Department and Rockledge Police Department comprised the review team.

While here, the review team interviews personnel, reviews defensive and pursuit tactics, equipment, procedures for personnel,

record keeping, vehicles, equipment and other aspects of the police department. About 260 standards are reviewed.

“The standards set by the commission are high standards. By us achieving that accreditation, it allows us and the public to have the confidence that we’re maintaining a high level of service to our residents,” said Commander Gary Blocker. He credited Accreditation Coordinator Doug Robertson and other personnel with getting the department through the process. “[Robertson] worked tirelessly so we could achieve this. By bringing all those folks together and working hard we were able to accomplish reaccreditation,” Blocker said.

Other benefits cited, on the police department’s webpage, include more efficient use of staffing and equipment through best practices adopted through the accreditation.

“In addition, accreditation helps in our recruiting efforts as the best police candidates are drawn to the best police departments. finally, those police departments which are accredited tend to have a higher success rate in securing grant awards because of the status that comes with being accredited. A police department which attains such designation is the functional equivalent to a doctor or a lawyer being ‘board certified’ and it means that we meet or exceed the highest standards of our respective professions.” WMG

Opinion

Community Spirit

By Sal Torre This past Saturday was a great day for community spirit here in Wilton Manors. A group of Westside residents came together in the morning to help clean up Snook Creek Boat Ramp, then later that day, the city hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, honoring those who serve on various city boards and organizations here in Wilton Manors.

The Snook Creek Boat Ramp is a small city park on Powerline Road right before you cross the bridge into Fort Lauderdale. Three months ago, the Westside Association participated in the Broward County Waterway CleanUp. As part of that event, WAWM volunteers visited two parks with water access on the Westside to pick up trash and clear debris from the banks of the waterways.

Due to the use of this park by area homeless, WAWM volunteers had their work cut out for them. Four bags of trash later, we called it a day; but all agreed that the Westside should continue this clean-up on a monthly basis as one of our organization’s Neighborhood Beautification Projects. Last month we had only three volunteers, but we energetically went about picking up the trash. This past Saturday ten people arrived ready to join neighbors and help make our community a better place. Our esprit de corps definitely got a boost from our growing numbers, but also by corrective actions taken by city staff that seemed to make a huge difference in the amount of trash present in the park. WAWM volunteers will be out again next month, hopefully with even more volunteers and a continued decrease in trash and debris.

It’s a good feeling when neighbors come together to

make a difference.

Later that day, it was off to the city’s Volunteer Luncheon at Hagen Park Community Center. Once again, one cannot help but notice how lucky we are as a city to have so many wonderful and committed volunteers who serve on city boards, committees, and organizations.

City staff did a great job hosting the event, and big thanks to our elected officials, Mayor Gary Resnick, Vice Mayor Scott Newton, and Commissioner Tom Green for taking part in the festivities. Commissioners Justin Flippen and Julie Carson could not attend, but sent their thanks to the volunteers.

Leaving the luncheon and feeling very content and happy about living in this community we call Wilton Manors, I was hopeful that this feeling of camaraderie might be a bit infectious and work its way to our next city commission meeting. At the last meeting, Commissioner Carson seemed to let anger and frustration boil over into personal attacks on other commissioners. Living and working together as a community often takes a lot of compromise, understanding, frustration and, yes, disagreements with others; but we still must respect one another and the different opinions that make up this wonderful community. Big kudos to Commissioner Flippen, who responded to the attacks in a truly professional manner, a manner one would expect from a City Commissioner sitting on the dais at a public meeting.

Community involvement takes a huge commitment, but most volunteers do not even recognize their efforts

Snook Creek. Photo: Facebook.

as a commitment. They do it because they want to make a difference.

They want to build a better place to call home, and to work with others to make dreams a reality. Let’s take a moment and use the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon this past Saturday as a beacon, showing us the way as we move forward to a better Wilton Manors.

‘Cause life is just better here ….WMG

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Business

City Hosts Vacation Rental Assistance Meetings Regulations take effect May 23

By Michael d’Oliveira Before the city’s new vacation rental regulations take effect, city officials held two meetings to answer questions and help owners with the application process.

“It was just our way of doing outreach,” said Roberta Moore, director of Community Development Services.

The new regulations were passed after residents complained that many vacation rental rentals are the source of loud noise and night and contribute to parking and litter problems on their streets. Some called for tougher regulations but commissioners said they were limited in what they could do because the state had prohibited local governments from preventing vacation rentals from operating in the city.

A vacation rental is defined by the city as a dwelling that is rented more than three times a year for periods of less than 30 days or one calendar month, whichever is less. Units that are advertised as regular rentals are also defined as vacation rentals. Time shares

and establishments like Ed Lugo Resort are not included in the new regulations.

To register, the registration fee is $750 with a late fee of $187.50. The cost is also $750 to renew. Owners who register will have to have their property reviewed by five inspectors – fire marshal, structural inspector, electrical inspector, mechanical inspector and code compliance.

Moore said all five will be scheduled at the same time so owners won’t have to have each inspector come out on a different day.

Officials don’t know how many vacation rentals are in the city. In a previous interview with The Gazette, Jeffrey Hill, who owns some vacation rentals and manages 18 of them, estimates there at least 120 in the city. WMG

Community

Latinos Salud Asks for Permanent Display of HIV/AIDS sign

By Michael d’Oliveira

Displaying Latinos Salud’s HIV/AIDS testing sign is a matter of life and death.

That’s why the organization, located on Wilton Drive, has asked the city to amend its code to allow for the permanent display.

Okan Gunay, communications and administrative assistant for Latinos Salud, made the request at the commission meeting on May 10. Gunay said that when the sign was temporarily removed a “considerable drop” occurred in the number of individuals coming in for testing.

“We found two more infections just this month from the sign. We prevented them from infecting others and they’re getting treatment. I implore you to please help us out. [Not having the sign is] going to be detrimental to the public health. When we’re not allowed to put our sign out, something’s wrong.”

The sign is being allowed to remain in place temporarily. Roberta Moore, director of Community Development Services, said she is reviewing the code to try and find a permanent solution. WMG

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May 18, 2016

A ptSD DIAry

CONVICTIONS

David-Elijah Nahmod

F

the ShOCk OF My LIFe

or about a year or two I’ve been dealing with memory loss issues. I’ve been late with press deadlines. I’d forget to be ready for interview appointments.

“We already talked about that yesterday,” my closest friend would tell me.

“Don’t you remember?”

“No, I don’t,” was my reply.

It was getting out of hand. I knew I had a serious problem when a few of my editors told me that I needed to be more mindful of deadlines and that my constant tardiness had become an issue.

My first thought frightened me: was I in the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease? I had recently turned sixty years old, a little on the young side for Alzheimer’s, but certainly in the age bracket where this was a possibility. Fortunately, thanks to the Affordable Care Act (Bless your heart, President Obama) I now have the best health coverage I’ve ever had, and so I went to see a neurologist.

Alzheimer’s was ruled out at the first meeting. The doctor asked me if I ever forgot my address, names of my friends, or how to get from one place to the other. “No to all of the above,” I told her. She began to ask me a lot of

questions about my physical and mental health history, and of course my PTSD diagnosis came up. The doctor asked me many questions about my PTSD symptoms and what caused it to develop.

As I recounted in the very first edition of this column, my PTSD was originally caused by my having been subjected to gay conversion therapy during childhood. My parents, horrified that I might not be straight, had me committed when I was 8 years old. While in the hospital I was given drugs – like Thorazine – which are now banned from use in children.

My “doctor,” who wore a Yarmulke at all times, quoted the Torah (the Hebrew version of the Old Testament) to me during “therapy.” This was the beginning of many years of religious mental abuse in which I was regularly assured about how “sick” I was – the abuse continued until I moved out of my parents home at age 19. It never fully stopped until I cut them out of my life when I was thirty. When I was around 15 I had an allergic reaction to one of the drugs I was given – I was left temporarily blinded.

The result of this horrific childhood was a

My parents, horrified that I might not be straight, had me committed when I was 8 years old.

forty-year battle against the psychotic episodes, which PTSD can cause. My symptoms, which had been dormant for a few years, came roaring back when, in between 2008-2010, a series of gay and lesbian bloggers inflamed anti-gay and anti-Semitic hate against me for nothing more than a cheap thrill. As I recounted in Times of Israel, gay activists laughed when I needed police intervention and was left in a suicidal state as a result of their behavior. As recently as 2014, which was four years after the police intervened on my behalf, gay activists continued to forward their own inflammatory lies to my editors, hoping to take my livelihood away from me – I was told that I’m an “anti-gay bigot” for not supporting their abominable conduct.

Concurrent with that horror, I was forced to endure a five-year campaign of bullying and slander at the hands of a psychotic fan of the classic TV series “Dark Shadows.”

The result of all this abuse, possibly hundreds of incidents over a period of years caused so much stress that I now have brain trauma. This is the cause of my memory loss issues.

Bullying has consequences. Many kids have killed themselves after being subjected to the same kind of abuse that I was targeted for.

Bullying also affects adults: in 2014 Australian TV personality Charlotte Dawson committed suicide at age 47 after she endured years of cyberbullying. Yet social media companies such as Facebook, Wordpress, Twitter and Google continue to knowingly look the other way while their platforms are used for these purposes.

It’s particularly disheartening to see so many gay and lesbian activists gleefully and recklessly inflicting these abuses on other LGBT people.

In May I’ll begin treatment for my newly diagnosed condition. I’ll be an outpatient at the Ray Dolby Brain Health Center at Davies Hospital in San Francisco. My doctor has already ordered an MRI, after which I’ll be placed on a memory boosting drug. Though the condition is not life threatening, it is chronic, and I may have to live with it for the rest of my life.

Bullying destroys lives. Bullying kills.

David-Elijah Nahmod is an American/Israeli half-breed who has lived in New York City and Tel Aviv. Currently in San Francisco, his eclectic writing career includes LGBT publications, SF Weekly & monster magazines. A survivor of childhood gay conversion therapy, he lives with PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

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Photos: J.R. Davis.

feature diversity honors

Stuart Milk, nephew of slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk; SFGN “Straight Ally” Susan Renneisen, Vice President of Community Affairs & Special Events for Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; Indian actress and singer Celina Jaitly; and Pride Center at Equality Park CEO Robert Boo.

GLAM WITH A CAUSE COMES TO HARD ROCK

John McDonald

I

t was a glamorous night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood on Friday night as the stars of South Florida’ s LGBT scene came out to celebrate diversity.”

Organized by the Harvey Milk Foundation in cooperation with Pride Center at Equality Park, the evening honored those taking bold steps in allowing every section of society a place at the table.

Stuart Milk, taking the podium for his late uncle Harvey, said the Milk Foundation’s message is visibility.

“We must be visible,” Milk said. “If we are not visible, we will not be included and if we are not visible and authentic then we will not be able to fulfill our true potential.”

Milk, who had a lot of stage time on Friday, paid special recognition to a group from Russia who he said were “brilliantly claiming their authenticity against tremendous societal pressure not to.” Milk said he had the privilege of working with the Russian LGBT network on the ground in Belarus and Ukraine. The group was one of many tables inside the Hard Rock decorated with guitars under low neon lights. To promote a new partnership with the Levi Strauss Company, live models wearing the popular garments were placed in boxes around the event.

Honorees for the evening included Celina Jaitly, from India, who accepted her award in memory of a magazine editor and his friend --- murdered last month in Bangladesh.

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“Around the world our LGBT brothers and sisters remain at risk,” Jaitly said.

“In 76 countries it is still a criminal offense to be gay. Every year, thousands of people are killed or badly hurt in hate crimes.”

Jaitly, who referred to her privileged background when speaking to the audience, said she hopes to be of “use” in her home country to decriminalize the status of simply being gay.

“You have to be the change that you want to see,” said Jaitly, describing her passion for LGBT rights.

Jaitly praised the work of the United Nations Free & Equal Council and condemned the killings of the Bangladesh activists.

Elsewhere in the program, local honorees included Enbar Cohen, a lesbian commissioner in Aventura, Broward County Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie, Hotspots Media Group Publisher Peter Clark, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge David Young, West Palm Beach attorney Rae Franks, fertility doctor Mark Denker and transgender youth Ryland Whittington. Last year SFGN publisher Norm Kent received a lifetime achievement award for his activism at the event.

Daisy Deadpetals opened the program with an elaborate entrance set to the 80s tune “Vogue” by Madonna. Deadpetals was carried into the ballroom on a throne by four strong men.

Dress for the evening was black tie optional with a seated dinner which marked the second year Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood hosted this event.

“We are very humbled to play host,” said Susan Renneisen, Vice President of Community Affairs and Special Events at the location.

Tony Award winner Levi Kreis, who donated his time for the event, closed the program on the piano.

Jaitly praised the work of the United Nations Free & Equal Council and condemned the killings of the Bangladesh activists.

feature diversity honors Openly gay Aventura City Commissioner Enbar Cohen

“In 76 countries it is still a criminal offense to be gay. Every year, thousands of people are killed or badly hurt in hate crimes.”

- Celina Jaitly

Ryland Whittington (left) with his family.

Daisy Deadpetals.

To see more photos from the 2016 Diversity Honors, visit SFGN on Facebook.

5.18.2016 •

33

lifestyle photos

A Look Back at Mifo: LgBt Film Festival J.R. Davis

18th ANNUAL MIAMI eDItION

Victor Gimenez (right center), President of Mifo, standing with actor Jai Rodriguez (right), actor and singer Juahn Cabrera (left), and director Casper Anreas (left center).

To see more photos, visit SFGN on Facebook!

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• 5.18.2016

SFgN

lifestyle books

the FIreBrAND AND the FIrSt LADy

by Patricia Bell-Scott

Terry Schlichenmeyer

You know your own mind.

$30.00 / $39.00 Canada

480 pages After thinking things through, you have your opinions and while you’re willing to listen to c.2016, Alfred A. Knopf what others say, you’re also willing to defend what you believe in. And, as in the new book “The Firebrand and the First Lady” by Patricia Bell-Scott, your friends don’t necessarily have that. Before she did, and because of that first to agree with you. protest note, the two corresponded for years Eleanor Roosevelt’s Camp Tera, nestled near in letters that offered guidance, outrage, and New York’s Hudson River, was initially meant rebuttal. The women didn’t always agree, but to be a temporary, leg-up place for Depression- they always seemed to attempt to understand era women who were destitute and totally one another’s take on issues. Murray supported without resources. Though she was young, Roosevelt in her widowhood. Roosevelt educated, and married, Pauli Murray was there encouraged Murray in her activism. because of ill health.

It was a support that Murray imagined she Recovery-time aside, Murray’s tenure at felt long after Mrs. Roosevelt’s death.

Camp Tera was beneficial: a friend had told her I would not, under the broadest of terms, call that Roosevelt answered all correspondence, “The Firebrand and the First and Murray took that to heart.

Lady” a pleasure read.

In 1938, a few years after she That’s not to say that this was kicked out of Camp Tera book isn’t a pleasure – it’s just for “disrespecting the first That’s not to not something you’d pick up lady,” she wrote a protest to relax with. Author Patricia say that this letter to Roosevelt, requesting Bell-Scott goes deep into the book isn’t a intercession in FDR’s stance on politics and work of both anti-lynching laws. Activism pleasure – Roosevelt and Murray (more was Murray’s passion and the latter than the former) it’s just not the answer she got wasn’t and that can be very dry. It’s what she’d wanted but it something you’d informative - Bell-Scott tells a did, as promised, come from story that’s been largely hidden pick up to relax Roosevelt. for decades, about a woman with.

Murray was born in 1910, who left her mark on social the feisty granddaughter issues in many ways - but it’s of a mulatto slave whose far from lively. Adding more stories of injustice she grew details of Murray’s personal life up hearing. Murray lost her might’ve helped; that’s what I mother when she was just three; a few years was hungriest for, but didn’t get enough of. later, her father was institutionalized, then I think this is an important work of history murdered; and her brother was lobotomized. and definitely worth reading but you’ll want She, herself, had health problems and was to be in the mood for it, particularly if you often severely underweight; during one of usually like lots of energy in your stories. If her hospitalizations, she finally admitted that you’re a scholar or historian reading “The she was attracted to women, which was then Firebrand and the First Lady,” though, the pace considered to be a mental health issue. is something you probably won’t mind.

It took awhile for Murray to tell Roosevelt all

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35

lifestyle cars D R I V E N

2016 c 2016 Cadilla

ATS-V

Photo: Jaguar

Base Price: $50,475 Power: Turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (240 hp, 250 lb-ft of torque) Transmission: 9-speed automatic with paddle shifters Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg (EPA est): 21/30

2016 LAND rOver rANge rOver evOQUe Steve Siler

Personality and Panache, for a Price

S

ome people don’t like this car. They say it particularly tall, but for folks of average height, looks squished. But that sort of concept- this is a fine fit, front or back. The cargo area car-for-the-road look is exactly what can now be accessed by waving one’s foot under Land Rover was going for when designing the the bumper, but make no mistake, this is no edgy Evoque. If it had a high roof, it would look Suburban in terms of space back there. This is a like, well, a little Range Rover, which would style statement first, utility vehicle second. look tall and awkward. Rather, it …And off-roader third. While is—pardon me—evoque-ative the Evoque does feature Land of its bigger brother in style and Rover’s trick terrain response For what premium (for the class) pricing, system and can do some good it’s worth, but it’s far sportier, smaller, and stuff off-road, it is not quite Land Rover more nimble. as deft as the larger Rovers The Evoque is not new, but it did once the road goes away. (Not does make just get a mid-cycle refresh that many vehicles are, frankly.) It something gave it new head- and tail lamps, a is, however, pretty fantastic new front bumper and new grilles. on the road, once you get used more With LED running lamps that to the four-cylinder engine’s traditionally double as the turn signal blinkers, turbocharged character. The Land Rover-y the Evoque is unmistakable as steering is precise, and body anything but a Range Rover from motions are more like a sports the front. And with a “floating” sedan than an SUV. roof treatment and oversized wheels, the Evoque For what it’s worth, Land Rover does make remains unapologetically severe, especially in something more traditionally Land Rover-y in two-door coupe form. And I for one, love it. this size/price class called the Discovery Sport.

The new bits continue inside, with more of Even cooler is the new Evoque Convertible, that the new soft-touch stuff, cushy new seats and replaces the Evoque’s roof with a fully-retractable a revised infotainment system that addresses soft top, both of which I hope to review soon. At one of the chief shortcomings of Land Rover $42,470 to start and easily topping $60K well (and partner Jaguar) products. It’s as snug as optioned, there are definitely cheaper ways to get you’d expect inside, so I wouldn’t put this on your cute-ute on, but none that say “Range Rover” your shopping list if you and/or your partner are across the hood. Make mine Yulong White.

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• 5.18.2016

OR YOU COULD BUY:

Audi Q3 BMW X4 Lexus NX200t F-Sport

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.

MAY ISSUE

MARRIAGE EDITION

VISIT SFGN.COM TO SEE WHERE TO FIND YOUR COPY 5.18.2016 •

37

lifestyle retiring gay

A peNSION IS ONLy A prOMISe 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 wellexecuted plan makes your transition to a post work life easier and more fulfilling.

NormKent.com

T

he big financial news recently is the bankruptcy of governmental entities. You may initially think, so what? How does a city, county or state going bankrupt affect a working gay man?

That may be a valid initial reaction if you don’t own bonds, if you are not a vendor or if you aren’t employed by the government. If you are dependant for employment, retirement benefits, welfare benefits, rent subsidizes, medial care particularly in the form of emergency room visits at city hospitals or a myriad of other benefits you could be very much affected by a governmental bankruptcy.

Jobs lost in a bankruptcy are often difficult to replace, particularly if you are older, less educated or have been in a trade position for many years.

And, never forget that it’s still legal in many states to fire you, or simply not hire you, because you are gay.

Unemployment is particularly pernicious to workers over fifty, a group that spends the longest amount of time looking for a new job.

Welfare and other social benefits are often backstopped by non-governmental organizations or even federal agencies, or you can move to a different area.

The big losers in a governmental bankruptcy will be retirees. Those who worked a career or even a lifetime for the city under the express promise of a monthly retirement check and maybe even the promise of medical care or insurance are those most hurt by a governmental bankruptcy.

Generally, those who know a pension awaits them at the end of a career save less on average than those who have no such benefit. Once retired and receiving retirement income it is particularly difficult to either find employment to make up for the lost benefit, or to trim expenses to cover the new shortfall.

These biggest losers are often past the age, and many even past the physical condition, to begin again and the loss of retirement benefits can be catastrophic. In reality, the federal Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation will seize the assets of the bankrupt retirement plan; and then may pay out only a portion of the original benefit amount to retirees, sometimes a reduction of up to 35 percent.

Though there has been increasing pressure for companies and for governments to fully fund their pension promises over the past several years, the reality is that most governments have found it impossible to fully fund their commitments which themselves are funded by shrinking tax bases. Cities such as Detroit have become a veritable shadow of their former selves. One need look no further than the United States Postal Service to see how a congressional requirement to fully fund its pension commitments in an era of declining revenues has forced the USPS to the verge of bankruptcy on more than one occasion.

The lesson in all this is that a government pension is no more secure than a private pension.

Governments can go broke just as companies can go broke. And when organizations do go broke retirees can be, and often are, the ones hurt most in that financial collapse.

It is incumbent upon each and every person to financially plan for the chance that when you need it most the organization will be unable, or unwilling, to fulfill their promises.

No matter where you work, including the United States Postal Service. No matter how strong your employer is financially, especially big rich companies like Enron. No matter how long your employer has lived up to its financial obligations, as General Motors did for most of a century. A pension is not money in the bank, it is only a promise.

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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• 5.18.2016

lifestyle tech addict

New Upgraded Game Systems Coming

Chris Ayala

T

hree years have passed since Microsoft and Sony blessed us with their new gaming systems. The Playstation 3 was replaced with the Playstation 4, which looks like Sony got the design idea from a Pink Pearl pencil eraser. The Xbox 360 was replaced with the Xbox One, which (after Microsoft went from Windows 8 to Windows 10) proved once again that Microsoft has no idea how to count. I purchased both video game systems because I’m an enormous geek. And it was the first threesome I have been pleased with in a decade.

PS4 had a vast amount of games at the system’s launch, such as Killzone: Shadow Fall, Warframe, and Call of Duty: Ghosts.

The PS4 promised to be the video game system with more games and a stronger performance chip. It even came with DC Universe online, a video game where you can play any custom-made superhero. For me, it was my first time playing a female without any concerns about which bathroom to use.

Xbox One had a smaller launch of video games because its focus was more about being an “entertainment” system. Apps like Netflix, Skype, Xbox Music, and Hulu gave you other options besides playing games. The system came with the Kinect, a microphone/video device that watched and listened to your commands. It’s similar to having your own houseboy from Spain.

Sure, he’s cute but it would be nice if he understood you sometimes.

But now these cool, hip upgraded systems are being…upgraded? I haven’t even finished playing all the content of Skyrim yet and there are already announcements of new systems? Most gaming systems last 10 or more years before an upgraded system became announced. Like most gaymers, I feel cheated. So this is what Beyoncé has

been singing about. At a $400 price tag, that’s a lot of money to spend on something already considered obsolete. Does this mean all that hard-earned money was a waste? Before we collaborate on a hit song about being cheated on, let’s look at the comparisons.

The new NEW PlayStation, to be named Playstation Neo, will have an upgraded GPU chip. This chip is capable of playing video and displaying pictures at high-resolution 4K. Notice that it’s only for video and pictures, NOT video games. So seeing the detail in Commander Shepard’s hairy chest will have to stay a fantasy. Also, 4K resolution can only be seen on televisions that support it. Those televisions cost $1,200 or more. If all this isn’t enough to max out your Best Buy credit card, Sony is also releasing a VR (Virtual Reality) headset that can connect to the Playstation Neo. The headset will make porn...I mean, video games...an amazing 360 degree experience.

The new NEW Xbox One hasn’t been officially announced, but it’s a strong rumor.

Since Microsoft doesn’t count correctly, we’ll name it the Xbox One Hundred. This new system should have the same 4K resolution update and possibly go on a much-needed Hollywood diet to get slimmer. Microsoft has already released details of their own VR headset, but they’re anticipating a much later release than Sony’s counterpart.

So far, these differences aren’t enough to toss your old system in the trash. Unless you have the money like…well, Beyoncé. I don’t foresee an iPhone-style line outside of GameStop opening day. So don’t fret, my fellow gaymers, because you won’t need to work a second job to replace your game system just yet. Now, get back to having fun and playing with your joysticks.

Chris Ayala studied screenwriting and worked in television in Los Angeles before pursing his dream of writing novels. He currently resides in Fort Lauderdale where he’s published two series: the fantasy saga “The Last Days” and the gay concentration camp novella “Confinement.”

5.18.2016 •

39

lifestyle food

Rick Karlin

T

Submitted Photo

tv DINNerS

he other night I dozed off in front to say about the episode in which Andrews of the television and woke up to the Diner is featured; “Drenched in Drama! cooking show “Carnival Eats!” I was Everyone from drag queens to senior a bit groggy, but I thought I recognized citizens call Andrews Diner in Wilton some of the folks. Then I realized it was Manors, home, but with trendy new the Florida State Fair. eateries popping up all over town, its drab The show, which focuses on the guilty decor and deep-fried dishes are leaving pleasures (c’mon, admit you love funnel a bad taste in everyone’s mouths! While cakes!) found at fairs and carnivals, owners Angelo and Gerri are away, Ty and spent two days at this Amanda plan to transform year’s fair filming scenes this diner from drab to fab.” for the episode. Among the Well, I don’t know about You may featured items; lobster fries, you, but I’ve never seen recognize Katie a drag queen in Andrews, a quarter-pound slab of bacon on a stick and bacon much less a bunch of them Lee from the popcorn. I might actually go on sky-high heels wielding Food Network t the fair next year just to try a paint roller, but it made show, “The the lobster fries! for fun television. The Kitchen” but You don’t have to go to the producers of the show did state fair to visit the site of a give the place a bit of a she’s not just televised food show. Wilton a talking head; facelift, which remains, but Manor’s own Andrews one of the menu items she’s got some not Diner was featured on Food introduced can be found on serious culinary the menu anymore. Did they Network’s “American Diner chops.

Revival.” The show features really think folks went to a ubiquitous reality star Ty diner for a granola parfait, Pennington and celebrity protein wrap, frittata, chef Amanda Freitag chocolate almond smoothie traveling across the country to spruce up or mahi mahi ceviche? Soon after the failing diners. show’s crew packed up their gear Angelo Here’s what the Network’s web site has and Gerri went right back to serving the

40

• 5.18.2016

favorites their customers have come to expect, and as usual, served with a side of Gerri’s sass.

The new show “Cheap Eats” debuted last week with host Ali Kahn visiting Miami.

He traveled the city sampling; empanadas, right-off-the-boat mahi sandwiches, a fisherman’s stew and a Latin-MiddleEastern-American fusion bowl that could only come from that city.

You may recognize Katie Lee from the Food Network show, “The Kitchen” but she’s not just a talking head; she’s got some serious culinary chops. Her first cookbook, “The Comfort Table,” was released in 2008, soon followed the next year by “The Comfort Table: Recipes for Everyday Occasions.” In addition to her comfort food cookbooks, she writes a column for Self. In her latest adventure, on Cooking Channel’s “Beach Bites with Katie Lee,” she crosses sand and surf in search of the best beach foods. During her gourmet getaways, Katie follows her taste buds to find delicious dishes, and along the way meets the chefs serving up the finest fare that the shores have to offer. From freshlycaught seafood to local twists on grilled favorites, Katie searches high and low for the most mouthwatering meals and gets a look at how they are prepared. The new

show premieres on Thursday, June 2nd.

While in South Florida Katie Lee snacked on pork and chicken Cuban pressed sandwiches at Tinta Y Café in Miami (with special guest Bobby Flay) and Azucar ice cream at Abuela Maria Ice Cream. After Miami, she headed down to the Schooner Wharf Bar in Key West for conch fritters and topped the trip off with a chocolate-covered Key Lime pie pop from the Key West Key Lime Pie Company.

She also makes stops in Hollywood Beach to sample the burgers at Le Tub Saloon and heads up to Deerfield Beach for the snapper Reuben at Ocean’s 234.

Future shows take her to Isla Verde, Puerto Rico for coconut shrimp arepas.

On Georgia’s coast Katie finds crab hush puppies with homemade pickles. In St. Barts there’s a touch of casual-island cooking with snapper chimichurri, while chile rellenos, and a pineapple raicilla cocktail are sampled in Puerta Vallarta.

Forget your passport; all you’ll need are flip flops and an appetite when you visit Cooking Channel’s Beach Bites.

If all that’s not enough for you, the competition show, “Next Food Network Star,” debuting May 22, features a “comeback” theme and features Ana Quincoces, from Coral Gables.

5.18.2016 •

41

F O R

T H E

SFGNITES W E E K

O F

M A Y

1 9

-

M A Y

2 4 ,

2 0 1 6

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

J.W. Arnold

jw@prdconline.com

THU

5/19

EXHIBIT ARTundressed, South Florida’s sexiest art festival, opens tonight and runs through Saturday at Eminent Domain, 9801 NW 7th Ave. in Miami.

In addition to displays of creative nude art, the festival also features sexy fashion, live performances and DJs. Tonight at R House in Wynwood, the opening party features burlesque performances by Moon River Cabaret. For more info and tickets, go to ArtUndressed.com.

FRI

5/20

TELEVISION The second season premiere of the compelling reality series “Secret Lives of Americans” airs tonight at 10 p.m. on Pivot TV with two special LGBT episodes. The first introduces a young HIV-positive man who plans to reveal his status to friends and co-workers.

The second episode features a 27-year-old Mexican-American who must come out to his conservative family. Check local listings for channels.

David Dillon’s comedy, “Party,” is playing at Empire Stage through June 12. The play takes place at a party where the guests end up revealing all.

Photo Credit: George Wentzler.

SAT

5/21 SUN

5/22 MON

5/23 TUE

5/24

THEATER

THEATER

FILM

COMEDY

MNM Productions presents the ‘60s rock musical, “Hair,” in the Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach through June 5.

The groundbreaking show put rock music and the culture that went with it on the stage with songs like “Aquarius,” “I Got Life” and “Let the Sun Shine.” The show still speaks to audiences of all ages in the era of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Tickets start at $45 at Kravis.org.

Relive the ‘90s with a group of Manhattan friends in David Dillon’s hit Off Broadway comedy, “Party,” currently playing at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Dr. in Fort Lauderdale.

An innocent game of “Facts and Fantasies,” a variation of “Truth or Dare,” has these six gay guys revealing all. Wednesday through Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets start at $35 at RonnieLarsen.com.

We all know Monday is the day to hit the Cineplex, especially on those weekends when big blockbusters hit the screens in South Florida. This week, head to your favorite theater for “Angry Birds,” the animated film based on the popular video game.

Join Red, Chuck, Bomb and the rest of Bird Island to discover what made them all angry in the first place.

Check local listings for theaters and show times.

It’s been about two years since comedian Tracy Morgan was nearly killed in a horrific traffic accident after a gig in New Jersey, but the “Saturday Night Live” alum is funnier than ever. Morgan is bringing his new show, “Picking Up the Pieces” to the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood tonight at 8 p.m., and he promises plenty of the madcap punch lines his fans have come to expect. Tickets start at $40 at MyHRL.com.

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Voices of Pride Presents

Live in Living C St Andrews Episcopal Church—Lake Worth Tickets for Live in Living Color available online at voicesofpride.org (561) 247-4554

Voices of Pride the Gay Men’s Chorus of the Palm Beaches, a 501 (c)(3)

VOP appears "Live In Living Color" this May as they launch into their spring season with their fabulous main concerts at St. Andrews Church, Lake Worth, where they are Artists in Residence. But hold onto your church hats, ladies! Yes, VOP raises church roofs too with their sassy takes on pop and show tunes as well as their classy renditions of standards from the American Songbook. Be prepared to spend time in church like you never have before with sets, lights, costumes (a singing deck of cards?) and lots of laughs.

This "ain't no church choir musicale" 5.18.2016 •

43

a&e publisher’s review

a&e music

A pLAy LIke NO Other It’s Beautiful

Norm Kent

The Miami Gay Men’s Chorus will perform the South Florida premiere of Andrew Lippa’s oratorio, “I Am Harvey Milk,” examining the life and accomplishments of America’s first openly gay elected public official.

“B

eautiful, The Carole King Musical” is a play like no other.

One reviewer called it a jukebox musical, but it was a lot more than that.

Carole King, born in Brooklyn, New York has become more than a songwriter. She is an American icon.

The songs she has written have put music in our hearts and smiles on our faces. Now in her 70’s, I once got to meet her at the White House.

At that event two years ago, Carole King was one of the artists who was being awarded with a lifetime achievement award.

There was a musical presentation in the East Room, along with a ceremony afterwards. I got to meet King, and we talked a little bit about Brooklyn, how it was in her roots always.

“Me, too,” I said. Roots matter.

The Broward Center is almost sold out for the remaining performances, which run through this Sunday, but if you can

Carole King.

get tickets, go. The playwriting is flawless, the actors are outstanding, the scenes are pleasantly surprising, and the music is enchanting.

One of the best lines was when King, experiencing self-doubt about her ability to transition from writing for others to performing herself, asked: “who would want to see a normal girl perform? I’m not a beautiful star.”

The cast member replies: “Who? Normal people, that’s who.”

“It is so imperative that works like ‘Not In My Town’ be shared to ensure that people understand the real impact of bias crimes in America... I am honored to be a part of NIMT...”

- Romaine Patterson

a GALA EVENING of OLD & NEW To Benefit the Production of

Not In My Town The New Musical Drama Based on the Life of Matthew Shepard

Produced by

Words and Music by South Florida’s own

Michael W. Ross

Major Scenes from Not In My Town together with Opera & Musical Theatre Favorites, Performed with Orchestra

Friday, June 17th, 2016 at 8 pm

The Walter Lawrence & Stephen Lewis Performing Arts Center, Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 SW 9th Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale 33315

For Tickets go to Operafusion.org

General Admission $38  6 PM Dinner & Open Bar plus 8 PM VIP Seating $100

An official Wilton Manors 2016 Stonewall Festival Celebration

design: anne djupedal, woodhilldesign.com

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• 5.18.2016

Photo Credit: Harvey Milk Foundation.

gAy MeN’S ChOrUS perFOrMS ‘I AM hArvey MILk’ J.W. Arnold

T

his weekend, music lovers in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties will have the opportunity to choose from two very different programs designed to educate and entertain.

The Miami Gay Men’s Chorus, under the direction of Anthony Cabrera, will perform the South Florida premiere of Andrew Lippa’s powerful choral work, “I Am Harvey Milk,” this weekend, ahead of Harvey Milk Day on May 22.

The 12-movement oratorio, Cabrera pointed out, has its musical roots on Broadway, written by the composer of “The Addams Family” and “Big Fish.”

“The music is extremely pleasing to the ear and melodic,” said Cabrera. “And after listening to it, you can’t help but think that message was beautiful … whoever walks into our concert should walk out with a sense of empowerment and motivation.”

In addition to the chorus, the performance features three soloists. Boy soprano Miguel Gonzalez portrays the young Harvey while tenor Tom Wyvill sings the part of the adult activist.

Soprano Michelle Caravia tackles the role of Milk’s mother, who encouraged him to pursue his dreams.

In addition to the oratorio, the program will also include a pre-concert talk with Ruth Shack, the member of the Miami-Dade County Commission who introduced the infamous gay rights amendment later overturned after a highly publicized campaign by singer Anita Bryant 40 years ago.

That referendum campaign elevated gay rights to the national discourse just months before Milk made the decision to run for office and become the first openly gay elected official.

“I’ve spent my entire life fighting discrimination

and I saw this as another step in that path,” said Shack, 84. “There was no such thing as a gay community and you took your life in your hands.

Teachers, designers, musicians — gays had to be completely closeted and if they expressed to the world who they were, they could lose their jobs, their friends and end up in jail.”

Given the rapid advances the LGBT community has made in recent years, young people have little understanding of how pivotal that battle in Miami would prove to be, added Shack.

Voices of Pride, the Gay Men’s Chorus of the Palm Beaches, presents “Live in Living Color,” at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Lake, where the chorus is artists-in-residence.

“This ain’t your grandma’s church concert,” promised artistic director Tom Pilecki, who has led the 18-member chorus since its formation 13 years ago.

The chorus has invested in a new set, lighting and some surprises to transform the church sanctuary into a vibrant theatrical setting.

The program includes a colorful selection of pops and show tunes, ranging from the Louis Prima big band number, “Sing, Sing, Sing,” and Liza Minnelli’s arrangement of “Basin Street Blues” to songs from “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical” and Bette Midler’s “It’s the Girls” album.

“We’re singing ballads, good pop, a little disco.

I think this is going to be one of those shows that people will leave the concert humming,” said Pilecki. “You can’t ask for anything more than that.”

Pilecki also praised his singers: “This group works so hard. Oh, my Lord, they work hard. It’s such a joy to work with them.”

The Miami Gay Men’s Chorus performs “I Am Harvey Milk” by Andrew Lippa on Friday, May 20 at Miami Beach Community Church, 1620 Drexel Ave., and Sunday, May 22 at Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ, 3010 DeSoto Blvd. Both performances begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 at MiamiGayMensChorus.org.

Voices of Pride presents “Live in Living Color” on Friday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 22 at 2 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 100 N. Palmway in Lake Worth. Tickets are $25 at VoicesOfPride.org.

Credit: Joan Marcus

a&e theater

Abby Mueller stars in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” playing at the Broward Center through Sunday.

revIeW: ‘BeAUtIFUL: the BABy BOOMer MUSICAL’ J.W. Arnold

J

ukebox musicals took over Broadway in a big way in the late ‘90s with the box office success of “Mamma Mia!,” a show based on the music of ABBA. Since then, the musical catalogs of Frank Sinatra (“Come Fly With Me”), Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (“Jersey Boys”), The Beatles (“Rain” and “Let it Be”), Billy Joel (“Movin’ Out”), Green Day (“American Idiot”) and, most recently, Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine (“On Your Feet”) have been mined by hopeful producers, just to name a few.

In fact, if you wanted to get technical, all those classic shows featuring popular tunes by the Gershwin brothers, Irving Berlin and Cole Porter would also qualify, but today they’re called the Great American Songbook. And, of course, “Rock of Ages,” “Motown the Musical” and countless other period compilations would make the cut.

The latest jukebox musical to make its way to South Florida is “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” playing at the Broward Center through Sunday, May 22.

Bookended by vignettes of the famed songwriter/singer’s 1971 Carnegie Hall concert, the bio-musical traces King’s life from a 16-year-old aspiring songwriter through the string of ‘60s hits she wrote with husband Gerry Goffin. The show culminates in the breakup of their marriage and King’s decision to move to Los Angeles and pursue a solo career.

King is well known (at least to gay men of my generation) for the iconic hits on her 1971 “Tapestry” album, including, “It’s Too Late,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “Beautiful,” “You’ve Got a Friend” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”

But, the show is a not-so-subtle reminder that she, along with Goffin, were the creative force behind a generation of classics, including “Some Kind of Wonderful,” “Take Good Care of My Baby,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “The Locomotion” (written for their babysitter, Little Eva) and “One Fine Day.”

From the first downbeat, the baby boomers in the audience were singing along and rocking in their seats as the story unfolded to a familiar musical backdrop. In the hands of book writer Douglas McGrath and musical arranger Steve Sidwell, King’s story has been deftly adapted for Broadway.

Even though King insists the show’s book is completely true, McGrath seems to take some big liberties: Goffin, the philandering husband, is portrayed as a sympathetic troubled man, perhaps bipolar, sometimes under the influence of alcohol and drugs. King is unwavering and resilient in the face of his transgressions. Rival songwriter Barry Mann (who wrote “On Broadway” and “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling” with partner and later wife Cynthia Weil) is the comic foil, a neurotic hypochondriac who could compete with any character created by Woody Allen. At times, the book slips into comic formula of a ‘50s sitcom a la “The Honeymooners” or “I Love Lucy.”

Abby Mueller owns the role of King from the first notes at a grand piano, offering just as strong a performance as her younger sister, Jessie, who originated the role on Broadway and took home a Tony Award.

Mueller’s appearance as the young Carol Klein is instantly suggestive of Peggy Olsen on “Mad Men,” a fictional character, who also breaks out of the traditional female stereotypes of the time to realize her own professional ambitions and personal potential. She nails King’s slightly nasal tone and the traces of Brooklyn accent that creep into the artist’s recorded performances. Liam Tobin is striking as Goffin and Ben Funkhauser keeps his Mann in check while still managing to milk every predictable one-liner in his script.

Not to be forgotten is the talented ensemble that gives stunning performances ranging from Neil Sedaka (who dated King in high school) to The Drifters, The Shirelles and The Righteous Brothers.

Don’t leave before the curtain call, because director Marc Bruni saves one of King’s best songs for last: “I Feel the Earth Move.”

“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” plays at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale through Sunday, May 22. Tickets start at $30 at BrowardCenter.org.

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Datebook

Theater Christiana Lilly

Calendar@SFGN.com

top

picks

Pride in Living Color

May 20 at 7:30 p.m. and May 22 at 2 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 100 N. Palmway in Lake Worth. A performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of the Palm Beaches. Tickets $25 in advance. Visit VoicesofPride.org.

PAMM Series

Outdoor

Music

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 305-375-3000 or visit PAMM.org.

LAST CHANCE: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Through May 22 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The story of Carole King, from her start as a girl with a dream in Brooklyn. Tickets $30 to $115. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

* Denotes New Listing

broward county * Pink Talking Fish with The Heavy Pets May 20 at 8 p.m. at Revolution Live, 100 SW Third Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.

A tribute band melding together the sounds and music of Pink Floyd, The Talking Heads, and Phish. Tickets $21.50 in advance, $23 the day of the show. Call 954-449-1025 or visit JoinTheRevolution.net. * Millencolin May 21 at 7 p.m. at Revolution Live, 100 SW Third Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The Swedish punk rock band has performed around the world for more than two decades. Tickets $20. Call 954-4491025 or visit JoinTheRevolution.net.

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MAy 18 tO MAy 24 * Tri-Rail’s Senior Stars 2016 May 22 at 2 p.m. at Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale.

Talented singer of South Florida’s 65-and-older set will perform for a grand prize of $500 and a year pass on the Tri-Rail.Tickets $12. Call 954-4620222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.com.

* Casey Raines Band May 28 at 7 p.m. at the Canyon Amphitheater at Canyon District Park, 8802 Boynton Beach Blvd. in Boynton Beach. The band has opened for Sheryl Crow, Steve Azar, Trailer Park Choir and The Wreckers. Free. VisitFacebook. com/CanyonAmphitheater

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.

* Party Through June 12 at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive in Fort Lauderdale. A night with friends turns risque when they play Facts or Fantasies. Contains male nudity. Tickets $20 to $50. Call 818-590-4448 or visit RonnieLarsen. com.

Satchmo at the Waldorf Through June 12 at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre, 201 Clematis St. Just months before his death in 1971, Louis Armstrong talks about his life and career. Tickets $64. Call 561-514-4042 or visit PalmBeachDramaworks.org.

The Big Show Fridays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. at Just the Funny Theater, 3119 Coral Way in Miami. A collection of comedy mixing the likes of improvisation and sketches. Tickets $12. Call 305-6938669 or visit JustTheFunny.com.

miami-dade county

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

palm beach county Catch A Rising Star Comedy presents DOM IRRERA May 19 at 8 p.m. at the Crest Theatre at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach. The one-man sketch is a performance of comedy and improv.

Tickets $45 to $65. Call 561-243-7922 or visit OldSchoolSquare.org Hair!

May 20 to June 5 at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Be a flower child for the day with a performance of this classic musical. Tickets $45. Call 561-8327469 or visit Kravis.org. * Black Coffee May 21 to June 5 at Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 NW Ninth St. in Delray Beach. In this Agatha Christie murder mystery, Hercule Poirot and Hastings visit physicist Sir Claud Amory -- and discover that he has been poisoned.

Tickets $30. Call 561-272-1281, ext. 4 or visit DelrayBeachPlayhouse.com.

Editorial by Mike Burke.

Contact Mike Burke: mike.burke99@aol.com

porn pulse

Photo: Twitter.

CZeCh StAr DIeS IN MOtOrCyCLe CrASh Hunter Houston

A

nother porn “star” has died, sadly.

If reports out of Prague are to be believed, Denis Reed, an adult actor from the Czech Republic, is dead. Several gay websites are reporting the passing. A rep for the 31-year-old told Pink News, a U.K. based organization; the death was a result of a motorcycle crash.

Reed, also known as Jan Velička, Pavel Matous, Ian Voight, participated in a wide variety of scenes involving both men and women. Some of his credits included “Young Libertines,” “Party Hardcore,” and “Older Woman Fun.” Authorities in the Central European nation are reporting Reed leaves behind a wife and young son. Pictures of Reed riding a Suzuki motorcycle have been circulated across the internet. He was a known sports enthusiast, friends say.

Meanwhile, as the Eurovision Song Contest took place last weekend and reports were swirling around a possible fetish porn past for Russia’s entry in the contest.

The British tabloid The Sun claims

Sergey Lazarev, 33, has appeared nude in staged fetish scenes. Russian news agencies deny these accusations, declaring the photographs in question are Lazarev posing in promotional materials highlighting domestic violence.

It is estimated some 180 million viewers watched the contest.

5.18.2016 •

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Datebook

Community Christiana Lilly Calendar@SFGN.com

Top Picks The Amethyst Gala

May 21 at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Miami Downtown, 1601 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. A night of dinner, networking, and honoring the HotSpots Media Group, Damian Pardo, Jackson Health System, and Raquel Matas. Tickets $200. Call 305-673-4440, email rsvp@gaybizmiami. com, or visit GayBizMiami.com.

Candy Land

May 27 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. LGBT youth are invited to this youth equality prom -- dress to impress in the Candy Land theme! All attendees are required to attend the pre-event meeting on May 25 at 5 p.m. Free. RSVP to Amanda at amanda@compassglcc. com or call 561-533-9699.

Archetype - Portraits by Blake Little

Through July 3 at Stonewall National Museum - Wilton Manors Gallery, 2157 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Little’s collection of portraits exploring what it means to be masculine -- all the while, all the subjects are gay. Free. Call 954-7638565 or visit Stonewall-Museum.org.

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 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.

broward county * Art of Fine & Food Series

May 19 at 6 p.m. at NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, One E. Las Olas Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Justin Davis Molis will lead a tasting and food pairing workshop of California Pinots. Tickets $25 for members, $40 nonmembers. Call 954-525-5500 or visit NSUArtMuseum.org.

Life Coaching

Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Latinos Salud Clubhouse, 2300 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Get one-on-one life coaching from certified CRCS coaches.

For guys living with HIV, their partners, and anyone who identifies as transgender. Free.

Call 954-765-6239 or visit LatinosSalud.org.

Introduction to Modern Buddhism

Mondays 6 to 6:30 p.m. at the Drolma Kadampa Buddhist Center, 140 W. Prospect

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• 5.18.2016

Road in Fort Lauderdale. Join a guided meditation and instruction with Western Buddhist teacher, Jay Radin. Free. Visit MeditationinFortLauderdale.com.

Man2Man Discussion

Mondays 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. A weekly informal discussion group among gay men of all backgrounds.

Contact John Beuscher at 954-319-4292 or email johnnybushwick@aol.com.

Toastmasters

Mondays 7 to 9 p.m. at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. Learn the art of public speaking with positive reinforcement and encouragement from your peers. Call Ted Verdone at 954-566-2074 or email tedverdone@comcast.net.

palm beach county * Fun Glow 5K

May 21 at 8 p.m. at Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park, 20405 Amphitheater Circle in Boca Raton. A 5K unlike any other, run with EDM music blasting while wearing glow-in-the-dark clothing, followed by a glow festival. Tickets $35 to $50, $10 parking fee. Visit FunGlow5K.com/BocaRaton.

* Compass Pride Business Alliance Mixer

May 25 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Honey Delray, 16 E. Atlantic Ave. in Delray Beach. Mix and mingle with business owners in the LGBT community. Admission free for members, $10 for nonmembers. Visit CompassGLCC.com.

* Canvas & Cocktails

Last Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at Creative Arts School at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach. Enjoy a drink with friends while creating a piece of art to take home. Call 561-243-7922 or visit OldSchoolSquare.org.

Transcendence

Meets at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. A closed transgender

MAy 18 tO MAy 24

youth support group for teens ages 12 to 19. For more information, email youth@ compassglcc.com.

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.

Voices of Pride

Mondays at 7 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Join the Gay Men’s Chorus as they practice every week. Free.

Call 561-533-9699 or visit CompassGLCC.com

Out of the Closet NA Group

Mondays at 7 p.m. at Lambda North, 18 S. J St. in Lake Worth. A support and discussion group for LGBT recovering addicts. Visit LambdaNorth.net.

miami-dade county * Compost Corral

May 21 from 10 a.m. to Noon at Miami Beach Botanical Gardens, 2000 Convention Center Drive in Miami Beach. Lean more about composting with Cassidy Fry and Melissa Salem. Email sanna@mbgarden.org or visit MBGarden.org.

* Meditation with Henry Brown

May 24 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Miami Beach Botanical Gardens, 2000 Convention Center Drive in Miami Beach.

Join Brown through a guided meditation in the Butterfly Room. Call 305-673-7256 or visit MBGarden.org.

Arsht Center Farmers Market

Mondays from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza for the Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Purchase fresh food from local farmers, including fruits, vegetables, meats, prepared foods,

as well as chefs, live music, and cooking demonstrations. Free. Visit ArshtCenter.org/ en/Visit/Dining.

Rainbow Circle

Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m. at the University of Miami Flipse Building #302, 5665 Ponce de Leon Drive in Coral Gables.

An open discussion about coming out, relationships, peer pressure, bullying, depression and more. Free. Visit Pridelines. org.

Yoga

Tuesdays from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at Jose Marti Park, 362 SW Fourth Ave. in Miami. Yogis 18 and older of all levels are invited to a practice lead by a certified instructor. Bring your own yoga mat, water, and towel. Free. Call 305358-7550 or visit BayfrontParkMiami.com/ Yoga.html.

Book Study

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

* Denotes New Listing

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49

SFGN Classified$ attorney

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

sfgn.com

To place a Classified Ad, call Tim Higgins at 954.530.4970 or email at Tim.Higgins@sfgn.com

licensed massage 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 INCREDIBLY AWESOME BODYWORK IN WPB - 1st TIME CLIENTS SAVE $25 PER SESSION. In-calls at a private studio 15 minutes west of PBIA. Intuitive, experienced licensed massage therapist offers affordable rates 7 days, early to late. Calls only 561-254-8065 for the very best massage experience you can get HANDS DOWN! #MA51008

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.

pets/supplies

MASSAGE RELIEF BY DENNIS - $60 per 90 min-Out calls higher. Swedish, Deep Tissue, Specialty Back, Lower Body and Feet. Couples Discounts. Seniors Welcome. Delray Beach. 22 years experience. MA18563 Call Dennis 561502-2628...

cleaning services CLEAN IT RIGHT! - The best cleaning for your buck. 1BD $60, 2BD $70, 3BD $80 and up.

Excellent rates & references. 10 years in business.

Serving Broward, North Miami-Dade & S. Palm Beach. Call Manny 954-560-4443

Place an ad in SFGN’s Classifieds

954.530.4970

roommates

entertainment JAZZ TRIO AVAILABLE - 25% DISCOUNT TO SFGN READERS!!!!!!! - Jazz vocalist with over 30 years experience performing in South Florida is available with her trio for your special event,party or corporate fundraiser.Booking now for the balance of 2016 and into 2017 so reserve today.Recent performances include JAZZ IN THE PINES and WALK ON WEDNESDAY MUSIC SERIES. I work with South Florida’s finest jazz musicians to make your special affair one to remember. Reasonble rates. 25% Discount when you mention you saw ad in SFGN CLASSIFIEDS.Call Cindy at 954-298-8158. www.myspace.com/cindycurtisandcompany I can’t wait to sing for you!

LOOKING FOR ROOMMATE IN OAKLAND PARK - 2 BR apt.to share.Furnished. Age 18 to 65 required. In “gated community.”$400/month plus 1/2 utilities.Call Brian at 954-529-3490

classified advertising works!

954.610.8816

Iris Seymour

Place an ad in SFGN’s Classifieds

954.530.4970

music lessons VOICE LESSONS & MUSIC THEATRE COACHING - Over 30 years experience. Students have performed on (and off) Broadway, in National & International tours, recorded solo albums & placed in prestigious competitions. www.kreutzmusic.com 617-967-0575

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.

personal concierge

A HELPING HAND - Do you require assistance with paperwork, shopping,getting to appointments, etc? Elementary school teacher with 10 Years + experience/Masters Degree. Available to help you with these tasks. Call/ text Mark at: 954-224-0632, or email: mds94@juno.com

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GAY WHITE MALE TO SHARE 2 BR/2 BA GATED CONDO - Furnished room, WI-FI, W/D, TV in room, pool, must have steady income and own transportation, 1st-Last $650/month, utilities included, no pets no drugs. Call Zack at 954-401-8431 or 954765-3665

rentals fort lauderdale

FORT LAUDERDALE RENTALS - Looking for a great rental in FORT LAUDERDALE? One bedrooms starting at $900. Two bedrooms starting at $1,000. 1st/last/security + good credit. Visit my website and call me today. www.mikesREteam. com 954-627-1222 ext. 901 Mike Trottier, Realtor @ Mike’s Real Estate (iHome Florida Real Estate)

rentals wilton manors RENTALS IN WILTON MANORS - Looking for a great rental in WILTON MANORS? One bedrooms starting at $1,000. Two bedrooms starting at $1,200. 1st/last/security + good credit. Visit my website and call me today. www.mikesREteam. com 954-627-1222 ext. 901 Mike Trottier, Realtor @ Mike’s Real Estate (iHome Florida Real Estate)

folow the action.

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rentals oakland park

x-terminator

OAKLAND PARK RENTALS - Looking for a great rental in OAKLAND PARK? One bedrooms starting at $1,000. Two bedrooms starting at $1,400. 1st/ last/security + good credit. Visit my website and call me today. www.mikesREteam.com 954-6271222 ext. 901 Mike Trottier, Realtor @ Mike’s Real Estate (iHome Florida Real Estate)

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 1/1 CONDO FOR RENT IN LAKERIDGE - Five

minutes to the drive and the beach. Entire property has been renovated. All new SS appliances and granite. W/D in unit $1275.00 a month Call Chris at 305-240-5422

Now HiriNg! Call 800-DiLigENT

rentals - vacation

BUNGALOW RETREAT IN BLUE RIDGE MTNS - Bungalow is nestled in the mountains of

North Carolina. Enjoy cool nights and comfortable days in this 2 BD cozy cabin.Hot tub, very private & rustic. Weekly- $800; monthly-$1600.Fully equipped and 45 mins. from Ashville. Call Steve (203) 7220558.

“FILL THE VACANCY RATES”

SUNDAY-THURSDAY - Need a last minute room?

Take advantage of our $79 dollar rates at the Calypso Inn, Wilton Manors. Walk in rates only. Not good for reservations. Valid major credit card required.

Phone Wes Leigh at 954-605-3561 to see if there is a vacancy.

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