SFGN 05/20/21 V12iss20 by South Florida Gay News

LOCAL NAME GLOBAL COVERAGE

MAY 20, 2021 VOL. 12 // ISSUE 20

WHERE LGBT DISCRIMINATION IS A PLEASURE PAGES 14 - 15

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NEWS HIGHLIGHT

SouthFloridaGayNews.com

REP. DEUTCH CALLS ON CONGRESS TO HONOR LGBT ELDERS

Online now! 2

• 5. 20.2021

Norm.Kent@sfgn.com

Associate Publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com

Senior Feature Columnists

Brian McNaught • Jesse Monteagudo

Special to SFGN Steve Rothaus

Correspondents

Donald Cavanaugh • John McDonald Deon Jefferson • David-Elijah Nahmod Denise Royal • John Hayden • Elliot Rodriguez Kendall Little • Everitt Rosen • Corey Rose

Contributing Columnists

Congressman Ted Deutch. Photo via Facebook.

“Our elders endured indignities and violence and yet they still laid the groundwork for the equality movement. Now the next generations must pause to honor our elders and to learn from them. Our rich history will inform a more just and equitable future.” “Every day, we strive to honor the LGBTQ+ elders in our community through vital, engaging services that celebrate, nurture and empower,” said Robert Boo, CEO of The Pride Center at Equality Park. “The largest weekly gathering of LGBTQ+ Seniors in the United States is at The Pride Center with our Tuesday morning ‘Coffee and Conversation.’ Over the past few months, we’ve watched beautiful Active Agers fill The Residences at Equality Park. The new 48-unit development on our campus represents Florida’s first affordable housing community with customized

Pier Angelo • Terri Schlichenmeyer Rick Karlin • Dana Rudolph • Ric Reily

supportive services for the LGBTQ+ active aging community. This joyous culmination of a seven-year process means these local seniors now have a safe, welcoming home where they can be their authentic selves. Our staff continues to triage the needs of countless Active Agers struggling through a pandemic. And plans are underway for our 12th Annual Virtual Active Aging Expo on October 16. This provides LGBTQ+ adults with a unique, comprehensive overview of community resources, with exhibits and resources reflecting health, finance, insurance, legal, travel, entertainment, retirement, and a number of helpful community organizations. Honoring our elders means not only celebrating — but meeting real needs in ways that lift and connect people to supportive communities.”

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Editorial

John McDonald ongressman Ted Deutch introduced a resolution Friday celebrating LGBT elders. The motion comes on National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day. Deutch (FL-22) chairs the House LGBT Elders Task Force. He shared statistics from SAGE noting there are three million LGBT American adults over the age of 50 and that population is expected to grow to seven million by 2030. Older LGBT Americans, Deutch said, carried the banner for many years, oftentimes under hostile circumstances, and are largely responsible for the gains the community enjoys today. “The elder generation of the LGBT community helped our country make significant strides toward equality, and they continued that fight in the face of decades of bigotry and, too frequently, violence,” said Deutch. “We should celebrate this population for who they are and what they have accomplished to help bring about incredible change for all LGBT people. As we strive for greater equality for the LGBT community and a more robust safety net for older Americans, it is important that we ensure LGBT older Americans have access to culturally sensitive and clinically competent services and care.” In a press release, LGBT elders service providers praised Deutch’s efforts. “I am very grateful to Representative Deutch for this historic resolution for National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day,” said Sam McClure, executive director of The Center for LGBTQ Health Equity of Chase Brexton Health Care.

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May 20, 2021 • Volume 12 • Issue 20

COVER: Photo via Adobe, edited by Brendon Lies.

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NLGJA Journalist of the Year SOUTH FLORIDA GAY NEWS.COM, INC. — — FOUNDED, DECEMBER, 2009 BY PIER GUIDUGLI AND NORM KENT 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 or gender identity of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations in SFGN. SFGN contracts with independent entities for stock images. 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.

5. 20 . 20 21 •

NEWS LOCAL

J.R.’s SNAPSHOTS

OF THE

From your life... into our pages! SFGN takes a weekly look at a community that has stood together through countless trials and victories in the past year alone.

Find Achi Divers Director Katia Gabino and Head Instructor Arturo Chirinos on Wilton Drive.

Our Funds President and CEO David Jobin with husband Angel Burgos, executive director at FIU.

• 5. 20.2021

WEEK Photos by J.R. Davis

Rhythm Cafe WPB owners and partners Chef Ken Rzab and Dennis Williams.

Goodbye to Matt after seven years at Twist and Roosters before that. Off to Texas! Saying goodbye here is Carlton of Twist.

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LGBTQIA BITES

BY KENDALL LITTLE

IT’S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE G Non-Binary

OWEN HURCUM BECOMES WORLD’S FIRST NON-BINARY MAYOR The people of Bangor, Wales, elected Owen Hurcum as their mayor recently. Hurcum is making history as the world’s first non-binary mayor at only 23 years old. “When I came out two years ago I was so worried I’d be ostracized by my community or worse,” they said on Twitter. “Today my community elected me Mayor of our great City. The youngest ever Mayor in Wales. The first ever openly Non-Binary Mayor of any city anywhere.” Hurcum previously worked as a local councillor and deputy mayor in Wales. News of their election spread fast and received plenty of positive feedback. “Good for Bangor, good for Wales and good for Owen. Before we’re gay / straight / other, male/ female / other, black / white / other we’re all just people. This has made

Owen Hurcum. Photo via Twitter.

me very happy this morning. Acceptance. Inclusion. Normalcy,” one Twitter user wrote.

... HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN THE LGBTQIA COMMUNITY

Queer

DISNEY STAR JOSHUA BASSETT COMES OUT AS QUEER

“High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” star Joshua Bassett came out as queer during an interview posted on YouTube. “I think he’s a nice guy,” Bassett said about Harry Styles during the interview. “He’s just cool. Who doesn’t think Harry Styles is cool? Also, he’s hot, you know? He’s very charming too. Lots of things.” After this statement, he came out. “This is also my coming out video, I guess,” Bassett said. He reiterated his coming out on social media as well. “Love who you love shamelessly,” Bassett said in a statement on Twitter. “It’s ok to still be figuring out who you are.”

Joshua Bassett. Photo via Facebook.

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LESBIAN PROM QUEEN AND KING CROWNED IN OHIO

A lesbian couple in Kings Mill, Ohio, broke barriers during their prom when they were crowned prom king and queen this year. Annie Wise and Riley Loudermilk were surprised when their names were called, but were appreciative of the support. “I didn’t think that we would’ve won because prom king and queen just seemed like a popularity thing,” Loudermilk said. “It was definitely so exciting to know we had so many people who had supported us.” The couple made an impact within the student body when they were selected as prom king and queen. “There are some students that have told me that they’re comfortable being gay at Kings and they’re more comfortable with themselves now that they feel they have an accepting and supportive student body behind them,” Wise said.

Photo via the Kings Local School District, Facebook.

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he race for North Miami’s District 2 council seat is in a run-off and the rhetoric is heating up. Kevin Burns, a gay man and former twoterm North Miami mayor, advanced to the second round of voting. Burns received 334 votes, garnering 24% of the ballots in the field of seven candidates. He trailed Kassandra Timothe by 142 votes. Burns said he was proud of the efforts from campaign supporters and other groups offering assistance. With such a large field, a run-off was expected, he said. “I had great support from all ethnic groups within the district and I didn’t play negative or racial politics,” Burns said. “My previous work as mayor and my continued involvement with the community was recognized and appreciated by the voters.” The run-off election is slated for June 1. Timothe, 31, a Black woman, has spent the last five years serving as a public information officer for the city. Timothe led the District 2 pack with 477 votes for 34%. “Our city needs change,” Timothe said. “Young, fresh and vibrant change. Kevin Burns had his time, now it’s time for strong, progressive leadership.” Burns, 62, said Timothe doesn’t want to put in the sweat equity needed to improve North Miami’s future. “I have done the work and have a proven track record with successful results as opposed to my opponent who thinks you can give everybody what they want for free just because they are young and entitled, without the work,” Burns said. “There is nothing for

“MY PREVIOUS WORK AS MAYOR AND MY CONTINUED INVOLVEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY WAS RECOGNIZED AND APPRECIATED BY THE VOTERS.” - Kevin Burns FORMER TWO-TERM NORTH MIAMI MAYOR

Kevin Burns. Photo via Facebook.

Kassandra Timothe. Courtesy photo.

free when spending the taxpayers’ hardearned money.” In a telephone call to SFGN, Timothe responded by saying she sacrificed her $70,000 PIO job to campaign for the council seat. Timothe said her story is far from entitled. At 18 she lost her father and has since devoted much of her time to caring for her mother, she said. “Nothing has been given to me,” Timothe said. “I know what it feels like to struggle.” Timothe said LGBT residents of North Miami should be treated equally, adding, “I have family and friends who are LGBTQ.” Burns has the endorsement of SAVE and Equality Florida. Only 18% of registered voters in North Miami voted in the May 11 election. District 2 has six precincts and Burns topped the field in vote by mail. “I have always done very well with absentee ballots, and on the day of elections,” said Burns. “We spent most of our efforts getting in front of the voters who preferred to vote by mail.” A realtor and owner of a Christmas tree business, Burns has criticized the city for overspending. Timothe said Burns should get his own finances in order first, describing the former mayor as “someone else looking for a paycheck.”

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NEWS STATE

GAY ACTIVIST ANNOUNCES

FLORIDA STATE HOUSE CAMPAIGN John McDonald

odd Delmay is a new type of candidate the State of Florida has yet to see. While voters have elected a handful of openly LGBT politicians, Delmay would be the first married gay man and parent elected to the Florida legislature. This month Delmay announced his candidacy for Florida House District 100. “It’s time we speak up boldly and is a way of life for Todd, who serves as the passionately for our progressive values,” said Chairman for the Board of Directors for Delmay. Pridelines, a South Florida LGBT youth Delmay believes he is uniquely situated organization. for this moment, having fought and won in “When you think about LGBTQ families the public arena for marriage and adoption in general there are still things where we are rights. not treated the same,” Delmay said. “We still “We had to put our life out there and on run into these instances where you fill out a trial to get what we really school form and it says ‘mom’ deserve and everyone in and ‘dad.’” our community deserves,” Getting Florida’s public Delmay said. schools open following Todd and his husband the coronavirus pandemic Jeff were the first gay men and free from harmful married in Florida. They were restrictions such as the married in Miami in 2015 and trans youth sports ban is a shortly after attended former campaign priority. President Barack Obama’s “This session has proved State of the Union address more than ever that it’s as guests of Congresswoman important that we have Debbie Wasserman Schultz. voices that are pushing back The Delmays have an aggressively and strongly,” 11-year-old son, Blake, who Delmay said. they adopted from Jeff’s The race for the District second cousin in 2010. At 100 seat is wide open. Delmay that time, Jeff was the only is one of three Democratic parent listed because Florida candidates who have publicly banned same-sex adoptions. announced. Representative Todd recalled having to pose Joe Geller is term-limited. alongside Jeff as “friends” The coastal district straddles during court adoption the Broward-Miami Dade proceedings. County line where sea level - Todd Delmay “This whole charade that rise is an issue that Delmay CANDIDATE we were putting on was this has studied during his necessity to accommodate an tenure on the Hollywood unjust law,” Delmay said. “I’m more offended sustainability advisory committee. by it today than I was back then. You’ll do Delmay describes the Hollywood area as anything for your kid, but how blatantly a bridge between the LGBT communities offensive and gross that was.” in Fort Lauderdale and Miami with a lot to The Delmays created a storybook for Blake offer. As a business owner, he knows the about their family and how he came to be. importance of striking a balance between Educating and supporting future generations residents’ concerns and tourism dollars.

“THIS SESSION HAS PROVED MORE THAN EVER THAT IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE VOICES THAT ARE PUSHING BACK AGGRESSIVELY AND STRONGLY.”

• 5. 20.2021

Todd Delmay (right) with his husband Jeff and their son Blake. Photo via Facebook.

“My background is in tourism,” Delmay said. “Tourism is an important part of Florida’s economy. There are ways in which tourism touches every square inch of the district and we have to think about how we can welcome visitors and keep in mind there are people who live here year-round.” “Todd is focused,” said Jeff Oliverio, a close friend and fellow gay parent. “He’s got his eyes on it and I feel confident. He’s a natural leader who is as compassionate as he is smart.” Oliverio, the father of a 13-year-old son, said times are changing and with more and more LGBT parents comes increased demand for quality schools. Last summer Hollywood raised the progress pride flag outside city hall. The

flag recognizes the Black, Brown and transgender communities and Delmay is hoping Hallandale Beach and Dania Beach will follow suit. Delmay notes Hollywood has made steady gains on the Human Rights Campaign’s municipal equality index scorecard, rising from a 49 to its current score of 83. Those gains, Delmay said, were the result of putting in the time to have conversations with city officials who were receptive to changing course. “Hollywood’s image is evolving and it took having those conversations with the city in places where we didn’t think we needed to have it,” Delmay said. “You need to be in the room. Having an LGBTQ person in the room changes the conversation.”

5. 20 . 20 21 •

NEWS NATIONAL

BY COREY ROSE

THE COUNTRY ACROSS

GEORGIA

ATLANTA MAYORAL RACE ADDS BLACK LGBT CANDIDATE

Atlanta could find its first openly LGBT mayor in city council member Antonio Brown, who announced his candidacy on Friday. Brown, 36, is the first Black LGBT member of Atlanta’s city council, and has championed progressive measures like police reform and loan opportunities for local small business owners. His announcement comes days after current Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced she wouldn’t be running for re-election. Brown joins the race against fellow city councilmembers Andre Dickens and Felicia Moore, as well as attorney Sharon Gay. In July 2020, Brown was indicted on fraud charges by a federal grand jury. The case is still pending, but Brown has pleaded “not guilty” and made a court appearance on April 19.

Antonio Brown. Photo via Instagram.

“I am absolutely innocent,” Brown told 11Alive News, “I would not be running for mayor if I felt like I would not be vindicated from these charges.” Voters will make their choice for mayor on Nov. 2, with a runoff election scheduled for Nov. 30.

OREGON OREGON TO BAN LGBT ‘PANIC DEFENSE’ The Oregon House of Representatives voted 54-0 to ban what is known as the “LGBTQ Panic Defense” in state court proceedings. In a submitted testimony, Oregon Department of Justice Legislative Director Kimberly McCullough wrote, “The data that we have collected from our Bias Response Hotline points to a startling presence of anti-LGBTQ bias crimes and incidents throughout Oregon. Since January 2020, there have been 287 reports of bias crimes or incidents perpetrated against LGBTQ community members.” The bill, SB 704, doesn’t name any specific victims, but lawmakers cited the 2020 murder of Aja Raquell RhoneSpears in Portland as yet another reason to protect the trans community. Executive Director of Basic Rights

• 5. 20.2021

Photo via PxHere.

Oregon Nancy Haque wrote in a statement, “This bill is a simple but impactful act of clarity that’s important for supporting and protecting our LGBTQ community.” The bill is currently headed to the desk of Gov. Kate Brown, America’s first openly bisexual governor. Once signed, Oregon will become the 14th state to ban the panic defense.

COVERING LGBT NEWS SWEEPING THE NATION

NEW YORK NYC PRIDE BANS NYPD PRESENCE UNTIL 2025

The organizers of New York City Pride have banned the NY Police Department from its annual parade and associated events for the next four years. In a statement released May 15, event organizers said, “The sense of safety that law enforcement is meant to provide can instead be threatening, and at times dangerous, to those in our community who are most often targeted with excessive force and/or without reason.” The decision comes after increased calls to reform and defund police departments nationwide, as some communities across the country begin to invest in alternative ways to protect their citizens. Heritage of Pride spokesperson Dan Dimant told CNN, “There’s always been aggression by law enforcement and

NYPD vehicles. Photo via Pixabay.

it’s been an issue in the community for years. The events of last year, with protests over George Floyd, there have been a lot of run-ins with the NYPD, so we began to think long and hard about this decision.” This year’s NY pride events will occur between June 14 - June 28, with the annual pride march taking place on June 27.

ALABAMA ALABAMA OVERHAULS SEX EDUCATION CURRICULUM Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has officially signed off on major revisions to the state’s sex education curriculum, updating information to reflect today’s advancements in medicine, and human rights. HB 385, sponsored by Rep. Laura Hall (D-Huntsville), removes requirements that teachers emphasize “that homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the state.” The bill also requires that information regarding health and sexually transmitted infections is medically accurate, and mandates that parents are given “advanced, written notification of the teaching of any sex education or of the human reproductive process.”

Southern Poverty Photo via Pexels. Law Center Action Fund Regional Policy Director Shay Farley wrote in a statement, “With these changes, we’re encouraged that all youth, regardless of their sexual orientation, will receive an education that empowers them to make healthy, informed decisions about their relationships and their bodies.” In late April, Ivey signed a bill banning transgender girls from playing on sports teams that affirm their gender identity. One of the last bills in Alabama’s legislative session is HB 1, which would penalize doctors who provide puberty blockers or hormone treatments to minors with fines up to $15,000.

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

BY EVERITT ROSEN

THE WORLD AROUND

EXPLORING LGBT NEWS EVENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE

ASIA

EUROPE

JAPANESE PARTY ACCEPTS WORDING AGAINST DISCRIMINATION OF SEXUAL MINORITIES

UK HOSTS FIRST GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON LGBT RIGHTS

Since the governing Liberal Democratic Party agreed to a “maximum” agreement on legislation to shield sexual minorities from harassment, conservative members of the party could still vote against the bill due to their opposition to same-sex marriages. According to The Asahi Shimbun, an LDP committee proposed a revision bill with the summary “discrimination is unacceptable” May 7. However, the largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, has requested that the LDP specify that the bill aims to abolish discrimination and to provide laws prohibiting discrimination against sexual minorities in public offices and companies. According to The Asahi Shimbun,

LDP Headquarters in Japan. Credit: Junpei Abe, via Flickr.

the governing party stayed away from the opposition lawmakers’ draft bill to end discrimination because some LDP officials were concerned that prohibiting discrimination would lead to the legalization of same-sex marriages.

The U.K. government will hold the first-ever global conference on lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, and transgender rights in London next year, as ministers rush to meet promises made to the universal Equal Rights Coalition of 42 countries. According to The Guardian, this event is expected to be the largest of its kind and will invite elected officials, activists and policymakers from across the world to participate over two days in June 2022. This will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first official London Pride marches. Nicholas Herbert, a Conservative MP for Arundel and South Downs, has been announced as chair of the event and as the Prime Minister’s special envoy on LGBT rights.

Nicholas Herbert. Photo via the UK Home Office.

“It will be the first time that a global event on this scale — including parliamentarians — has been held, and I hope it will help to drive collective action for real change,” said Herbert to The Guardian.

AFRICA

OCEANIA

HIV DRUGS RUN SHORT IN KENYA AS PEOPLE SAY LIVES ARE AT RISK

AUSTRALIAN GAY MAN THREATENED FOR PAINTING HIS HOME LIKE A RAINBOW

Kenyans infected with HIV complain their lives are in danger as a result of a lack of antiretroviral medications donated by the U.S. due to a disagreement between the U.S. relief agency and the Kenyan government. According to AP News, the delayed arrival of drugs sent to Kenya late last year is due to the government slapping an $847,902 tax on the donation and the U.S. aid agency having “confidence” issues with the graft-tainted Kenya Medical Supplies Authority. “We are assuring the nation that no patient is going to miss drugs. We have adequate stocks,” Kenya Medical Supplies Authority customer service manager Geoffrey Mwagwi said to AP News. According to Mwagwi, those drugs would cover two months.

Photo via Facebook.

By far the U.S. is the biggest donor to Kenya’s HIV response.

Hairstylist Mykey O’Halloran wanted to do something distinctive to his beige home after saving enough money to buy one on Phillips Island in Australia, so he went for rainbow colors, much to the chagrin of several of his new neighbors. O’Halloran is the proud owner of Unicorn Manes, a salon that specializes in rainbow-like hair designs, so he thought it fitting that his house would reflect his work and himself. “I had five men aggressively banging the front door, one threatening to kill me if I paint my house rainbow and calling me homophobic things like ‘you gay c***,’” O’Halloran recalled to Daily News. Daily News reports that a fundraiser for O’Halloran raised nearly $8,000 that would benefit the Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre that

Mykey O’Halloran. Photo via Instagram.

is a non-profit that provides services to members of all ages.

5. 20 . 20 21 •

NEWS STATE

PUBLIX’S HISTORY OF DISCRIMINATION

AGAINST LGBT WORKERS Christiana Lilly

hen the abuse by her colleagues at Publix was enough to send her to the hospital, Kevin Whitter, a transgender woman, had enough.

Photo credit: Josh Hallett, via Flickr.

• 5. 20.2021

Over 16 pages in her complaint, she period and the size of his bra, and told to “act recounted being told to dress like a man, more like a man instead of a ‘bitch.’” called a “he-she,” “shim,” and coworkers “The extremely degrading and abusive grabbing her buttocks. discrimination and harassment got so severe “Whitter felt isolated and victimized … and constant that the Plaintiff would regularly however Whitter compiled because she was cry [including during work] and have anxiety in fear of losing her job,” according to the and fear at work, and even was not able to complaint. sleep,” according to the complaint. Unfortunately, Whitter’s experience is When HR allegedly did nothing to stop the not an isolated incident — Publix has a abuse, Pastran filed a discrimination suit with long history of discrimination against LGBT the EEOC and the Florida Commission on workers. In writing this story, Human Relations, but it only SFGN reached out to half a made the work environment dozen lawyers, most of whom more hostile. Shortly after, he IN WRITING THIS were unable to speak because was suspended without pay. STORY, SFGN REACHED they were either in litigation Whitter’s complaint was OUT TO HALF A with Publix or had signed filed in November 2020. She DOZEN LAWYERS, non-disclosure agreements in alleges that even though past cases. Publix supervisors at the MOST OF WHOM WERE Publix’s media relations Brickell store knew her UNABLE TO SPEAK team did not respond to gender identity, she was told BECAUSE THEY WERE requests for an interview or a to cut her hair and wear a statement for this story. men’s uniform. She was also EITHER IN LITIGATION “Publix has a concerning told she could not use the WITH PUBLIX history with the treatment women’s restroom because OR HAD SIGNED of its LGBTQ employees,” “you look like a man and you NON-DISCLOSURE Brandon Wolf, the media are a man.” Her colleagues relations manager for bullied her, calling her “heAGREEMENTS IN Equality Florida, wrote in an she” and “shim,” making PAST CASES. inappropriate comments email. “Everyone deserves to about her body, grabbing or be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of how they identify or rubbing her buttocks, showing her pictures of who they love. It is estimated that, for fear of penises, and told her to wear a compression facing discrimination, nearly 50% of LGBTQ top, saying “Why can’t you be like other gay people here? Be gay and keep it to yourself.” Americans are not out at work.” Whitter did as she was told for fear of losing her job, and when she reported the A HISTORY OF DISCRIMINATION harassment to her supervisors, they did not In 2017, Juan Pastran filed a complaint do anything about it. Another employee told against Publix, alleging that staff at the Miami her, “We don’t tolerate homosexuals in my store where he worked would call him gay country.” Whitter yelled back at them, leading slurs in English and Spanish, posted a photo to Publix security escorting her out of the in the lounge of an overweight woman with building and telling her, “Get the fuck out of his name written on it, asked when he gets his Publix you sissy he-she.”

NEWS STATE Mediation is set for this June. Her lawyer did not respond to an email for comment. MISGUIDED POLICIES

surveyed as they are too small. “We saw in 2018 that Publix was willing to hear from the LGBTQ community and take action to reverse a damaging policy regarding HIV prevention,” Wolf said. “It’s our hope that Publix again takes the concerns of its LGBTQ employees seriously, sets an inclusive table to hear their concerns, and takes meaningful action to create safe, affirming workplaces for all.”

companies in Florida, tend to only really focus on what’s illegal and addressing stuff that’s illegal. So as the laws change, then they act.” “One of the things that was really interesting was when gay marriage became legal, employers were still allowed to discriminate against people for being gay, and so you had those two things butting up against each other,” Ballman said. “I was running into a lot of cases where people would get married and that was how the employer found out they were gay or lesbian and that generated a situation of some sort of discrimination or retaliation.” “There was so much resistance and it took a while for employers to catch up and realize they were screwing up,” she said. There is only one state that protects employees from bullying in the workplace: Tennessee. Florida is also not known for passing pro-employee laws, including an employer’s ability to fire someone without cause. But while bullying is allowed in Florida, specifically targeting someone in a protected group — such as gender identity and sexual orientation — is not. “Bullies tend to think they’re immune, but they aren’t,” Ballman said. “And I’ve never understood why employers don’t just institute zero tolerance for bullying policies. Even though there’s no laws right now, why allow that? It’s distracting, it affects morale, people are obviously not working when they engage in this behavior — why not?” Wolf adds that advocating for LGBT employees and customers is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also a good move for business. “An overwhelming majority of Floridians support protection from discrimination for LGBTQ people and business leaders have identified that safe, affirming workplaces attract a bigger, more diverse customer base,” he said. “People want to spend money where they know employees are cared for, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

The introduction of PrEP as a medication to prevent HIV/AIDS was a huge turning point in LGBT health. But in 2018, a Georgia doctor at a PrEP clinic reported that a patient who worked at Publix was unable to get a prescription for Truvada filled at the pharmacy, even after an appeal. Truvada is an FDA-approved daily pill RESPECT AND DIGNITY that provides nearly 100% prevention of HIV in HIV-negative people who are exposed to It’s not lost on Donna Ballman that the virus. The doctor discovered Publix was Publix’s behavior goes against one of its refusing to cover it. founding principles: respect the dignity of “Annually, we evaluate the individual. A lawyer for benefits covered under our 35 years, she has represented health plans,” a spokesperson employees in cases against for Publix at the time told their employers and is also another media outlet. “There an arbitrator and mediator. are numerous medications In her decades of experience, covered by the plan used in she has taken cases involving the treatment of HIV.” Publix — not LGBT cases, Of the 400 patients but she has represented who were prescribed the LGBT clients against other medication by the doctor, this companies. patient was the only one who But while Publix is usually had issues getting it filled. It responsive to complaints harkened back to the scandal from employees, Ballman of Hobby Lobby refusing to says LGBT issues are “one of cover birth control pills for those things they’ve been - Donna Ballman its employees on religious very backwards on.” Now that ATTORNEY grounds. After a meeting with discrimination against LGBT Publix, Florida Rep. Carlos G. people is no longer allowed Smith reported his findings, — the Supreme Court ruled including that the store wouldn’t cover in June 2020 that gay and transgender medications that prevent future illness — people are protected by the Civil Rights Act however, they cover birth control pills. — companies are being forced to treat their Less than 24 hours later, Publix decided employees fairly. they would start covering Truvada. “I think they try to paint themselves as Publix also has a zero on the Human Rights being very pro-employee and addressing Campaign’s annual corporate equality index issues promptly. I think the reality is that as — not because of its poor performance, but with any other HR department, HR represents because the company has refused to fill out the company and not employees and so the survey every year. because Florida’s laws are so anti-employee to The annual report showcases how begin with, I think Publix — and most large companies rank in terms of their “corporate policies, practices and benefits” as it relates to their LGBT employees. In an email to the Miami New Times, a spokesperson said that they are “inundated with survey requests across multiple industries,” and the HRC survey is one they have opted out of. At the time of the article, the spokesperson noted that in the five states where they have stores, gay marriage is not legal and that “we follow all laws in the cities and states in which we operate.” At the same time, other companies that sell groceries have taken the time to fill out the survey year after year. In 2021, Costco got a 90 and Walmart was one of more than 700 companies to receive a perfect 100 score. Other competitors, such as Aldi, Trader Photo credit: Brian Hart, via Flickr. Joe’s or Fresh Market, are not eligible to be

“... I’VE NEVER UNDERSTOOD WHY EMPLOYERS DON’T JUST INSTITUTE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR BULLYING POLICIES.”

HOW TO REPORT DISCRIMINATION Donna Ballman shared the steps to advocate for yourself if you’re being discriminated against at work.

Report it in writing to human resources. You want to have proof that you reported the incident and what happened. Make sure you mention in the complaint how you are being singled out or treated differently, whether it be due to your age, race, sex, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

It’s HR’s duty to address the situation in a reasonable amount of time, whether it be talking to the employee or even firing them (but they are not obligated to do this). “It’s their duty to make it stop,” Ballman said. If the discrimination happens again, continue filing complaints in writing.

If you feel you’ve exhausted your options internally, file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In Florida, you have 300 days from the date of discrimination to do so. Visit eeoc.gov/filing-charge-discrimination.

EEOC has a mediation process that both parties may agree to. If you agree, the case may settle at mediation. If it doesn’t settle or if both sides don’t agree to mediate, the case will go to an investigator. An investigator will determine whether there is cause or if they are unable to determine that cause exists. Regardless of the findings, you have the right to sue, but Ballman said, “A lawsuit is the nuclear option.” If the investigator finds cause, you are also able to go through conciliation to try and settle the case. It is completely up to you whether to sue the company or not, and people make different decisions based on what is best for them. Note that if you choose to go this route, the suit will be public record. Filing with EEOC is not a public record, so will not show up in a background check.

5. 20 . 20 21 •

NEWS STATE

WEEKLY TRACKING OF COVID-19 IN SOUTH FLORIDA Sean McShee

CUMULATIVE KNOWN COVID-19 CASES IN Cumulative COVID-19 Cases in THREE SOUTHKnown FLORIDA COUNTIES: Three South Florida Counties: MAY 12 THROUGH MAY 18 May 12 through May 18

Percent Increase in cumulative COVID-19 cases from 5/12 to 5/18 Palm Beach 0.8%, Broward 0.7%, and Miami Dade 0.7%

146,329

146,146

145,850

5/12

241,765

241,476

241,132

240,790

5/13

Palm Beach

5/14

242,199

242,014

5/15

5/16

Broward

242,417

146,951

146,833

146,715

146,538

495,921

495,367

494,903

494,374

493,723

493,007

492,232

5/17

5/18

Miami-Dade

Source Fl DOH Dashboard

Source: Florida DOH Dashboard.

CUMULATIVE KNOWN COVID-19 DEATHS IN THREE SOUTH FLORIDA COUNTIES: Cumulative Known Deaths in Cumulative KnownCOVID-19 COVID-19 Cases in Three South Florida Three South Florida Counties: Counties: MAY 12 THROUGH MAY 18 May 12 through May 12 through May May 18 18

Percent Increase in cumulative COVID-19 deaths from 5/12 to 5/18 Percent Increase in cumulative COVID-19 cases from 5/12 to 5/18 Palm Beach 0.7%, Broward 1.6%, and Miami Dade 0.9% Palm Beach 0.8%, Broward 0.7%, and Miami Dade 0.7%

2,978 2,808

240,790

145,850

5/12 5/12

3,002

2,986 2,810 241,132

2,815 241,476

241,765 2,816

146,329

146,146

5/13 5/13

Palm Beach

2,816 242,014

5/15 5/15

Palm Beach Broward Broward

3,026

3,012

2,827 242,417

2,826 242,199

146,951

146,833

146,715

146,538

5/14 5/14

3,011

5/16 5/16

495,921

495,367

494,903

494,374

493,723

493,007

492,232

6,333

6,319

6,304

6,302

6,290

6,278

6,275

5/17 5/17

Miami Dade Miami-Dade

5/18 5/18

Source Fl DOH Dashboard

Source: Florida DOH Dashboard.

• 5. 20.2021

and

Norm.Kent@sfgn.com•954-530-4970 5. 20 . 20 21 •

PA L M B E A C H

news

PALM BEACH PRIDE REIMAGINED The annual event returns as an open-air market June 5 Deon C. Jefferson PALM BEACH PRIDE IS MAKING A HUGE RETURN AFTER IT TOOK A BREAK DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS.

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The staff at Compass Community Center have worked tirelessly to bring this event back, but because the world has been on lockdown for a year, Pride is being brought to you in a different way with a new concept. The Open Air Market will be held June 5 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at John Bryant Park. Vendors will be socially distanced from each other, and the emphasis is on shopping versus socialization. Attendees must wear masks and are encouraged to shop quickly. “This will be the first LGBTQ in-person event we have hosted since last March, and our community is very excited to have something to look forward to,” said said Julia Murphy, Compass’ chief development officer. “We are thrilled to be able to partner with the City of Lake Worth Beach to produce the Palm Beach Pride Market. It is going to be a reunion of our friends and chosen families.” Compass is pulling out all the stops to make sure this is a memorable event for Palm Beach County. Attendees can expect to see some of their familiar Pride vendors, in addition to several new ones. There will be 75 in total. The vendors will be on hand to offer quality products, prepared foods, arts, plants, animal treats, handicrafts and so much more. In the mood for brunch while you shop? There will be rose, mimosas, and coffee for purchase, along with many other delicious foods available for you to purchase. This will be a safe family-friendly event. Barky Pines Animal Rescue will be onsite with animals for you to adopt. Pride Market will also feature a Kids’ Zone, and just like years in the past, Compass’s Youth Department staff and their newly launched Transgender Economic Empowerment Program staff will manage the Kids’ Zone. They will be there in collaboration with Macy’s Fashion Truck and Starbucks. Pride is nothing without music, so there will be a DJ on stage entertaining the crowd and providing the perfect soundtrack to your shopping experience. Compass has also called upon a few good drag queens to

Julie Seaver at Palm Beach Pride in 2019. Photo via Compass, Facebook.

help with hosting duties. Melissa St. John, RaeJean Cox, Rianna Petrone and Velvet Lenore will host the festivities. If you know anything about Velvet and Rianna, you can expect to see glamour, sequins, big hair, and maybe a cartwheel. There will be no parade this year. Palm Tran will be getting in on the Pride action as well. Their rainbow-wrapped Pride Bus will be circulating throughout Palm Beach County for the entire month in honor of Pride. “The biggest challenge in planning this year’s Pride Market was the fact that our planning started in January,” said Murphy. “While we were planning a safe experience for all, South Florida looked very differently in January as the county’s positivity rates were still hovering between 9-11% and the vaccine rollout was still a bit of a hot mess back then.” She feels confident about the Pride Market returning to Bryant Park in June because of the extra precautions and COVID protocols that have been put in place. “Working with the City of Lake Worth Beach has been beneficial in that we are utilizing more space in the park than ever before,” she said. “People are ready to attend events and celebrate Pride again and we are filled with hope as more folx are getting vaccinated, reconnecting with others and living life again.” Hand sanitizer will be placed throughout the market.

For more information on how to attend Palm Beach Pride, visit compassglcc.com.

NEWS LOCAL

Full Charge Bookkeeping Services Pedro Zamora’s name on the AIDS quilt. Photo credit: Ted Eytan.

NATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL HONORS PEDRO ZAMORA WITH SCHOLARSHIP FOR YOUNG LEADERS John Hayden

t’s been nearly 30 years since Pedro HIV has many fronts, and this year’s group of Zamora came into our lives and changed scholars are each changing their community the way Americans looked at people in their own way. fighting HIV and AIDS. Though he was born “What stood out this year was the in Cuba and gained fame on “The Real World: increasing diversity of issues around which San Francisco,” he grew up in South Florida they are engaging and forging solutions,” and died here in 1994. Ciasullo said. “Just some of their amazing Even before he appeared on Real World, work: establishing mentoring programs Pedro was an AIDS educator, and today his to help reduce homelessness, providing work is carried on by a new counseling to help people generation of activists. living with HIV through the EVEN BEFORE HE National AIDS Memorial challenges of COVID-19, (NAM), an organization helping people navigate the APPEARED ON dedicated to empowering criminal justice system, and REAL WORLD, people in the fight against working to mitigate the impact stigma, denial, and hate, honors of HIV/AIDS in marginalized PEDRO WAS AN Pedro by helping develop young communities.” AIDS EDUCATOR, leaders. Ciasullo believes the AND TODAY HIS “The Pedro Zamora Young scholarships are an extension Leaders Scholarship is WORK IS CARRIED of “Pedro’s legacy — as an HIV/ dedicated to continuing Pedro’s AIDS educator, activist and a ON BY A NEW legacy by supporting and breakthrough figure in reality GENERATION OF promoting the work of young TV — is one that demonstrates activists taking up social justice the powerful impact that young ACTIVISTS. work in its many forms,” NAM people can have when they are Board Member Eric Ciasullo inspired and relentless, and said. “The $5,000 scholarships help defray when decision makers respect them enough the academic expenses of young people to follow their lead in addressing problems who, like Pedro did 30 years ago, have truly that affect them.” dedicated themselves to addressing the If Pedro was still with us today, Ciasullo most pressing issues of our time, and who says the activist would still be front and embody their activism in ways inspired by center in the fight. their own passions, insights, originality, and “I know that he would still be finding ways conviction.” to elevate youth voices, and to encourage From specialized health needs to young people to fight for the kind of world homelessness to addiction, the fight against that they want to live in.” To learn more about the scholarship program and NAM’s work, you can visit their website at AIDSMemorial.org.

5. 20 . 20 21 •

CONVICTIONS

THE

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Trans Talk

TRANS EXISTENCE IS RADICAL. TRANS JOY IS REVOLUTIONARY Atticus Ranck

t’s not easy to be a person who is LGBT. Especially when you’re young. There’s so much pressure to succeed. Where are you going to live? What will you do for work? How will you survive? Will you be safe? When I was in college and then entering the workforce, I felt so much pressure to be successful. This pressure was mainly self-imposed. I didn’t just want to succeed, I wanted to be the best, the brightest, the hardest-working, the most-deserving. When you’re a white, cisgender, heterosexual male, the bar is set low. You can do the bare minimum and be seen as successful. This is not the case for LGBT people, particularly LGBT people of color. We have to do more and work harder and run ourselves ragged, and still, we won’t be as successful as our peers. When I was younger and came out as lesbian, it was really hard. But I tried to be a good student and a good person, because maybe then, I would earn the love of my family. If I was successful enough, maybe then they could overlook the fact that I was a lesbian. When I came out as trans, I thought, I have to be even more successful so that my family will know that trans people can succeed. Maybe then I will earn their love. And I did my best to succeed. At my first “real” job after entering the workforce, I worked no less than 50 hours a week trying to prove myself — to prove that I deserved this job. That I was worthy of being hired. That I was worthy. My hard work was paying off — I was giving training and presentations all over the state and sometimes the country — telling

Photo via Pixabay.

my story and what it means to be trans and all the issues that arise because of it. I was featured on two different magazine covers. I received a few awards. I was happy with my work, but I was tired. It was exhausting work, both physically and emotionally, and I was working a lot and trying to turn hobbies into money so I could help make ends meet. The job I thought I really wanted, the one I thought would make me seem more successful, was at a bigger institution with a higher salary. I felt like my salary was tied to my worth as a human, especially as a male in a patriarchal society. The more money I made, the more worthy I was. So I got a job near Boston at a liberal university. This was the job I was really after and I thought I had finally made it. I was ready to finally start being happy. The story doesn’t end here. Stay tuned for Part II.

I WAS HAPPY WITH MY WORK, BUT I WAS TIRED.

Atticus Ranck (he/him/his pronouns) works in the Education and Training Program of the AIDS Institute for the New York State Department of Health. Atticus identifies as a trans man and he is married to a trans woman. Together, they are raising two puppies and a cat and happily live in rural upstate NY. Previously, he was the Director of Transgender Services at SunServe in Wilton Manors.

• 5. 20.2021

5. 20 . 20 21 •

JOURNALISM IS THE

FIRST DRAFT OF HISTORY.

CONVICTIONS

EDITORIAL CARTOON By Mike Luckovich

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• 5. 20.2021

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CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOR, MCC Church of Our Savior, MCC 2011 S. Federal Hwy. Boynton Beach. churchofoursaviormcc.org | 561-733-4000 Sunday Service 10AM TEMPLE BAT YAM 5151 NE 14th Ter Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 954-928-0410 Friday Night & Saturday Morning Streaming Online at templebatyam.org

5. 20 . 20 21 •

LIFESTYLE SHOP WITH PRIDE

KEEP YOUR HOME SMELLING FRESH

WITH BOHOMA SCENT Kendall Little

ikki Borrego-Hogan always wanted to start a business, but had many reservations and self-doubts about making the jump into the small business lifestyle. When the pandemic struck, Nikki decided to take a leap into the unknown and create BoHoma Scent Co. with her wife, Cindy. “We decided to go with creating Freshies and candles because we love when our home smells nice, so why not spread that feeling to everyone?” Cindy said. The couple sells a variety of scented air fresheners from candles to hanging car freshies. “We have created cactus and cow Freshies that are just adorable and are two of best sellers,” Cindy said. “We are about to release a scent for our candles that we formulated ourselves that we are very proud of as well, but honestly, since we make a lot of custom items, our favorite is when we make the item that someone dreamed up and they love it!” Nikki and Cindy say that their favorite part of owning a small business is the positive impact they make in other people’s lives. “Our motto is ‘Keeping y’all fresh and lit!’ which is in reference to us selling Freshies and candles. We want to make sure that everyone’s life smells great, and give back along the way if we can,” they said. The married couple is grateful for the support they’ve received during their business journey and plans to give back to their community. “The community here is so receptive to supporting local and

Nikki Borrego-Hogan with her wife Cindy. Photo courtesy of BoHoma Scent Co.

small businesses and even more so when it comes to women-owned businesses,” Cindy said. “We plan to have some pride Freshies coming up with some of the proceeds going to a local center for LGBTQ youth.” While the business has been rewarding, Nikki and Cindy weren’t always so confident in their company. “There’s so much uncertainty when going out on your own and you don’t know if you will fall flat or succeed,” Nikki said. “We have to keep reminding ourselves that you miss 100% of the chances you don’t take.” The couple has big goals to grow their business in just about every way — from products to networking. “We just hope to expand, expand, expand!” Cindy said. “We recently had a purchase from a local boutique, we hope to get into more local and small businesses as time goes on.”

To support this LGBT-owned small business, check out their Instagram page @BoHomaScentCo.

Got the itch to shop for more? Visit SFGN.com/ShopWithPride.

• 5. 20.2021

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5. 20 . 20 21 •

LIFESTYLE CELEBRITY

BY ELLIOT RODRIGUEZ

GAY VINE THE

KEEP UP WITH THE CELEBRITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY

MUSIC

CELEBRITY

TURN UP!

HUNGRY FOR LOVE!

JADEN SMITH TO OPEN ‘I LOVE YOU’ RESTAURANT

GAGA, XCX AND SAWAYAMA COLLAB Fans of Lady Gaga rejoice! The pop star icon has teased a possible collaboration with Charli XCX and Rina Sawayama. The speculation is brewing with tweets from XCX and Sawayama. Each talking about certain projects that they have been working on. Pride wrote that she teased her track at the Brit Awards: “The wish is on the internet, and I’ve done my bit, let’s just say that. So, it’s in the works … It’s a song that was hard to sing with my new braces.” Fans should keep their eyes peeled for any more tweets that lead to more clues about the potential collaboration with these three pop superstars. While not much is known at this particular moment, one thing is known

Lady Gaga. Photo via Facebook.

for sure. Whatever we get from these three artists, will be something from out of this world. The smell of award nominations is in the air for this project.

Jaden Smith is opening an “I Love You” restaurant to sell free vegan food for the homeless and it’s brilliant. Smith opened up the “I Love You” food truck two years ago, in order to help the people of Skid Row and all other people who are hungry and could not afford a meal. Smith told Variety, “It’s for homeless people to get free food … But if you’re not homeless, not only do you have to pay, but you have to pay for more than the food’s worth so that you can pay for the person behind you.” Smith hasn’t stopped there with trying to make the world a better place. His leadership in the 501cthree.org’s Water Box project is helping to provide clean water to communities.

Jaden Smith. Photo via Facebook.

The project is also featured in his New Balance video campaign. This 22-year-old is breaking boundaries and setting examples, the sky’s the limit for Smith and his ideas.

FILM

BACK TO SCHOOL! ‘HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL’ FOR ALL

Fans of the “High School Musical” movies can rejoice and prepare for the second season of Disney’s Plus original “High School Musical” series. While the first season was a huge hit, fans of the series had to wait a year for the second season, making the anticipation for the new season even that much more valuable. “Much like the first round, this newest batch of episodes continues to deliver bops while bringing a new generation of HSM fans,” Pride reported. The franchise brought an all-inclusive vibe with the first season, and is ready to bring more diverse representation with more inclusion of the LGBT community. One of the show’s leads, Joshua Bassett told Pride, “I think that the beautiful thing about theater in

• 5. 20.2021

general is it’s supposed to be, and is a lot of the time, a sort of ‘come as you are’ medium where people are accepted and seen for who they are and celebrated.” The show tries to make sure everyone has someone they can relate to. Like Matt Cornett, co-star of Bassett, said in his interview, “No matter what you’re going through, no matter who you are, no matter anything, I feel like there is somebody in our show for each person to relate to and to really look at and see themselves in. And that’s something that I hope happens for the course of the show, from season one ‘til the end.” “High School Musical” continued to break barriers with its all-inclusion mentality for the first generation; it’s only fitting that they do so with the next generation.

“High School Musical: The Series.” Photo credit: Disney.

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LIFESTYLE FOOD

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he other night some friends and I went out for drinks and afterward decided we needed a workout, so we headed to the Gym. Anyone who reads my column on a regular basis would realize that there is so much wrong with that first sentence. The last time I set foot in a gym it was for a sock-hop and that was many generations ago. There are two types of people: those that like to work out and the rest of us. Some of you that push yourselves, do so for health, or vanity, and some people really do get that endorphin rush that physical activity supposedly brings. Personally, I’ve never experienced that. For me there are only two reasons to run: either someone is behind me with a knife, or in front of me with a cheesecake. So, I’m not the type to hang out in a gym, or a bar called Gym, but my friends wanted to stop there because on Monday night they offer $3 appetizers. We shared a bunch of apps and a round of drinks and still were able to get away with spending about $10 a person, tip included. Let’s start with the chicken tenders: waferthin slices of chicken breast in a crunchy panko-style coating. Crispy, lightly seasoned, and without the slightest hint of grease. The four-piece serving was perfect for sharing. In a nod to Gym Bar owner Rick Schmutzler’s Midwestern roots, our next apps featured a generous portion of fried cheese curds, accompanied by a marinara dipping sauce. If you haven’t tried this delicacy yet, you’re in for a treat, and Gym Bar’s version is as good as I’ve had at the Wisconsin State Fair. Guacamole and chips and hand-cut fries aren’t that much of a bargain (they’re only a couple of bucks more when not on special) and weren’t anything to write home about. They weren’t bad, just not remarkable. The onion rings, on the other hand, were

HUNGRY FOR MORE? 

delicious (even if I suspect they, like many of the apps, were pre-packaged). They were well-prepared; crispy outside and steaming inside. The smoked paprika aioli was the perfect accompaniment. The only thing wrong with the Southwestern chicken egg rolls was that I had to share them. I could drink a cup of the sweet chili dipping sauce served alongside them. There are additional apps, such as fried pickles. On Wednesdays, all hamburgers are discounted 50% off. With the average price of an a la carte burger just a little over $10 before the discount, that’s not bad. So, we headed back for dinner two nights later. You can start with the build-your-own burger, with a choice of a hefty beef, turkey, or vegetarian patty topped with a choice of cheese and toppings (bacon-onion jam, chipotle mayo, catsup, mustard, and lettuce or tomato) for $10.25, just over $5, after the discount. There are several house specialties, each more delicious-sounding than the next. I tried the Gym Signature Burger, dripping with beer cheese, and resting on a bed of black pepper bacon and topped with crispy onion rings. The cheese sauce had broken (separated), making it a bit of a greasy mess, but it was still tasty. My hubby had a veggie version of the ‘Shroom, topped with aged cheddar cheese, sauteed mushrooms, truffle oil, and garlic mayo. As veggie burgers go, it was one of the better ones I’ve tasted. Other special burgers include the Cowboy, with cheddar cheese, bacon, smokey barbeque sauce, and crispy onions, the Big Easy tops the burger with cheddar cheese, bacon, and a fried egg, while the Big Blue combines bleu cheese and bacon. You place your order at the bar and are given a pager. When your food is ready you pick it up at the bar. It’s a no-frills affair with everything coming in little cardboard baskets. I found the bartenders delightful and sexy, and the street-side tables provide for some fun people watching. I had such a good time, and the food was so good I may just become a Gym (if not gym) regular.

VISIT SFGN.COM/FOOD!

Rick Karlin is SFGN’s food editor. Visit SFGN.com/Food to read his previous reviews. Have a culinary tip to share? Email Rick at RickKarlinFL@gmail.com.

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A&E APPOINTMENTS

Miami fared well recently in a national survey of artist-friendly cities. Credit: Arsht Center.

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ARTSBEAT SURVEY SAYS! ARTISTS THRIVE IN MIAMI J.W. Arnold REAL ESTATE WEBSITE ANNOUNCES 2021 RESULTS Miami finished in the top half of the Best 50 cities in the U.S. for artists, according to Rent.com. The consumer website proclaimed “No starving artists here: These cities are the best places for artists to live well and practice their craft,” in an announcement of the annual rankings. Researchers rated each city across a number of factors, including a vibrant performing arts scene, number of museums per capita, average studio rents and walkability. Hartford topped the list, followed by Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Seattle, Philadelphia, Berkeley, Chicago, St. Louis and Baltimore. The best Florida finisher, Miami, came in at 23rd, ranking 3rd in performing arts, but 52nd in walkability and a dismal 113th for studio apartment rent. Coral Gables was 31st (129th for studio rent) and Fort Lauderdale was 42nd (136th for studio rent). Maybe artists are still starving in South Florida. For more information, go to Rent.com/blog/best-cities-for-artists.

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ARSHT CENTER ANNOUNCES THEATER UP CLOSE SEASON Live theater will be returning to the Arsht Center this fall, just in time to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Theater Up Close series with five productions from Zoetic Stage and City Theatre. Carbonell Award-winning juggernaut Zoetic Stage, helmed by Artistic Director Stuart Meltzer, will present the South Florida premiere of Nick Dear’s “Frankenstein,” October 14 – 31, 2021 and the world premiere of Hannah Benitez’s “Gringolandia,” January 13 – 30, 2022. They will follow those plays in the Carnival Studio Theater with another Stephen Sondheim musical, “A Little Night Music,” March 17 – April 10, and the Florida premiere of Alexis Scheer’s “Our Dear Dead Drug Lord.” City Theatre’s artistic director Margaret Ledford will direct the contemporary holiday classic, “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” by Tom Mula, December 2 – 19, 2021. Subscriptions and more information are available at ArshtCenter.org. Individual tickets will go on sale at a later date.

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Our Fund Foundation, South Florida’s only LGBT community foundation, announced its Arts & Culture Fund will award 18 grants totaling $226,500 to support innovative LGBT-specific programs in Broward, MiamiDade and Palm Beach Counties. Individual grants range from $5,000 - $20,000. “With so many worthy grant applications to evaluate, our review committee prioritized agencies whose goal was building new, post-pandemic programs with expanded capabilities,” said David Jobin, president and CEO. “Our Fund believes that success for arts and culture agencies in the post-pandemic environment will be defined by an ability to pivot and continue adapting to evolving situations.” Grant recipients include ArtServe, ArtsUnited, Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, Island City Stage, OutShine LGBTQ Film Festival, Plays of Wilton, South Florida Symphony Orchestra and Thou Art Woman. Awardees will be recognized during a socially distanced grant reception on Monday, June 7 at 6 p.m. at Our Fund’s headquarters, 1201 NE 26th St Suite 108 in Wilton Manors. For more information, go to Our-Fund.org.

3/19/2021 11:17:50 PM

A&E IN MEMORIAM

LOCAL PLAYWRIGHT’S WORK WILL LIVE ON J.W. Arnold

he South Florida theater community is reacting to the death of critically acclaimed playwright Michael Aman, 56, who lost a three-year battle with cancer on Saturday, May 15. “He is going to be missed,” said Andy Rogow, artistic director of Island City Stage. “He was a playwright with a unique voice who had a great sense of humor.” Island City Stage produced two world premieres of Aman comedies: Carbonellnominated “Poz” (2014) and “Feeding the Bear” (2015), and Rogow starred in the latter as a troubled gay son with body dysmorphia who struggles with an elderly father suffering from dementia. “He loved writing quirky characters with whom audiences could always empathize. He always saw the positive side and never wrote things that were too heavy, because his outlook on life was always optimistic,” added Rogow. “This is a real loss for South Florida theater and especially LGBT theater,” said producer and Plays of Wilton artistic director Michael Aman. Courtesy photo. Ronnie Larsen. “Michael always told our community’s stories from such a distinct Aman grew up in Ontario, New York, a perspective.” Aman’s husband of 21 years, director and small town outside Rochester. He completed his master’s degree and met his longtime collaborator Michael future husband at Brooklyn Bush, said the playwright nearly College, where Bush was always managed to write daily. teaching his American musical “He fought a hard battle. theater history class. Aman There were good times and later earned his doctorate from bad,” Bush said, especially the City University of New in the last year. “As a writer, York and taught at the College Michael would sit and figure of Westchester. The couple out exactly what the best words moved to South Florida in 2015 should be, especially when he after Bush accepted a faculty was writing lyrics. It would position at the University of drive him nuts when other Miami. writers’ rhymes didn’t quite Bush said a memorial service work. He especially loved that - Ronnie Larsen will be held for family on June it drove [Stephen] Sondheim PRODUCER 26 in Rochester, but he has crazy, too. They shared that.” special plans to remember In recent years, Aman and Bush collaborated on several productions, Aman this summer: “Michael wanted to including the Off Broadway hit “Muscle Bears make sure his work was done and I’m taking the Musical,” “Stalker Bob and His Mother,” that seriously. As artists, we create to ward off the darkness around us.” and “Looking for Dick, Finding Jane.”

“THIS IS A REAL LOSS FOR SOUTH FLORIDA THEATER AND ESPECIALLY LGBT THEATER.”

Bush will direct “Off Balance,” one of Aman’s previously unproduced plays at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale, July 8 – 25. Following the final performance of the “charming comedy,” a celebration of life event for friends and colleagues in the theater community is planned in Wilton Manors.

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