SFGN 05/27/21 V12iss21

LOCAL NAME GLOBAL COVERAGE

MAY 27, 2021 VOL. 12 // ISSUE 21

DISGRACED HOW GEORGE CASTRATARO BECAME AN ACCUSED CRIMINAL PAGES 12 - 13

Latinos Salud Unveils New Home PAGE 10 SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS

Jesse Monteagudo Speaks on Florida PAGE 32

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NEWS HIGHLIGHT

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FORT LAUDERDALE TO HOST 44TH ANNUAL PRIDE FESTIVAL A

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• 5. 27.2021

Publisher • Norm Kent Norm.Kent@sfgn.com

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

Editorial

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

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

Associate Photographers Carina Mask • Steven Shires

A past Pride Fort Lauderdale. Photo via Facebook.

On Nov. 18, Pride will present the Pride Runway Fashion Show at The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which will include designs by alumni from Bravo’s Project Runway along with local designers.

On Nov. 20-21, Pride 2021 will be an epic two-day beach festival that will include a street parade down A1A, three stages of entertainment, 150 vendors, headlining performances, and sunset concerts. Pride 2021 has also partnered with AIDS Healthcare Foundation to feature an Afro Pride stage for performances during the weekend.

Trans Pride is a celebration within Pride Fort Lauderdale’s festival that will feature local trans-led organizations, businesses and

resources. This year, the festival will focus on highlighting local trans programs and services that can assist the LGBT community in recovering from the pandemic.

“While we still have the work to do making sure our trans and BIPOC [Black, Indigenous and people of color] communities are included and represented, our past accomplishments prove that we can do anything when we work together with love and sincerity,” said Martorell.

The opening ceremonies will be held on Monday, Nov. 15, in collaboration with the City of Fort Lauderdale, and will include the lifting of the rainbow flag high over our famed beach at Las Olas Boulevard.

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Everitt Rosen fter a long and difficult year and with all the damage that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to large gatherings and festivals, Fort Lauderdale has announced that it will be hosting its 2021 Pride Festival Nov. 20-21 on Fort Lauderdale’s beach.

In the announcement of the return of Fort Lauderdale Pride, they have announced that Pride Fort Lauderdale 2021’s theme will be “Glitter and Gratitude.”

“As we enter our 44th year as Floridas’ first LGBTQ Pride festival, we are reminded of how far we’ve come and how much we have to be grateful for,” said the president of Pride Fort Lauderdale, Miik Martorell, in a press release. “The LGBTQ community has seen significant changes in our community and in society and this year’s theme, Glitter and Gratitude, honors those accomplishments.”

With hundreds of gay-owned and operated businesses and the highest concentration of same-sex households in the country, Fort Lauderdale welcomes 1.5 million LGBT visitors annually. This tourism brings in a large amount of revenue for Greater Fort Lauderdale, with an average of $1.5 billion.

Greater Fort Lauderdale is Florida’s LGBT capital, with one of the country’s main Pride Centers, the world’s first AIDS museum, the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association’s (IGLTA) global headquarters, and the Stonewall Museum, one of the country’s few permanent spaces dedicated to exhibits related to LGBT heritage and culture.

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May 27, 2021 • Volume 12 • Issue 21

COVER: George Castrataro. Photo via Facebook, edited by Brendon Lies.

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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.

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NEWS NATIONAL

BY COREY ROSE

THE COUNTRY ACROSS

PENNSYLVANIA

EX-FRAT MEMBERS ATTACK LGBT SAFE HOUSE

Students at Bucknell University are calling on their administration to take permanent action after a physical attack on the campus LGBT affinity house earlier this month.

Fran’s House Residential Adviser Tyler Luong wrote in a letter that residents were preparing for finals as members of Tau Kappa Epsilon, a fraternity that was banned by the university in 2018 for violating hazing policies, surrounded the house, beating on doors and windows, urinating on the porch, and demanding that the students let them in. He also described how the campus Public Safety department arrived late, ignored the residents of the house and shook hands with the offenders.

In a May 14 letter sent to students, Bravman wrote, “We cannot erase the ugliness and subsequent trauma of last

Bucknell University. Photo via Facebook.

night’s transgression against the students of Fran’s House and, implicitly, many others, but we can commit to addressing it in a way that protects LGBTQ Bucknellians and better ensures their safety in the future.”

The university has banned the seniors who participated in the attack from the school’s graduation ceremony, but Fran’s House residents said they want to see the house become a permanent LGBT safe house.

ILLINOIS MAYOR LIMITS INTERVIEWS TO POC JOURNALISTS Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot drew mixed reactions after her unique decision to limit coverage of her twoyear anniversary as mayor to one-onone interviews with Black and Brown reporters.

Lightfoot, the city’s first Black woman mayor and first openly gay mayor, expressed disappointment in the lack of diversity among the press corps in a May 19 statement.

“There is almost no one in the editorial boardrooms or in the City Hall press corps who have themselves lived the experience of a woman of color in the city of Chicago,” Lightfoot wrote.

“It is impossible for this glaring lack in diversity to not be reflected in the daily coverage of government, politics, and city life.”

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Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Photo via Facebook.

Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University Dean Charles Whitaker told the Chicago Tribune, “I don’t necessarily know that it is the best way. We would never, ever in a million years allow that of a white politician.

And so it’s dangerous now to say we are going to allow that of a Black politician simply to make a point about the historic inequities in the media.”

COVERING LGBT NEWS SWEEPING THE NATION

INDIANA

STUDENT LAUNCHES PETITION AFTER SCHOOL BANS PRIDE FLAGS

Over 4,380 people have signed a change. org petition to allow Indiana teachers to fly the pride flag in their classrooms after three teachers at Pendleton Heights High School were reportedly told to take down the symbols in their classrooms.

Pendleton Heights Principal Connie Rickert told the Herald-Bulletin, “Teachers are legally obligated to maintain viewpoint neutrality during their official duties to ensure all students can focus on learning and we can maintain educational activities and school operations.”

The pride flag is widely seen as a way for both closeted and LGBT youth to know they are in a safe, affirming space.

After South Madison Board of Trustees President Bill Hutton inaccurately drew comparisons between the pride flag and flags that represent white supremacy,

Photo via PxHere.

LGBT students in the district sounded off.

Bryce Axel-Adams, who started the online petition, told the Indy Star, “We’re tired of having so little representation.

We’re tired of having people act like our feelings don’t matter, like our mental health doesn’t matter.”

The petition, Axel-Adams said, will continue until the flags are allowed in classes once again.

NEW YORK COPS UN-BANNED, THEN RE-BANNED FROM NYC PRIDE Just days after Heritage of Pride organizers announced that uniformed NYPD officers were banned from NYC pride until 2025, members voted to allow the Gay Officers Action League (GOAL) to march in uniform.

Shortly after, the executive board voted to overturn the decision, standing in their initial ruling to keep armed and uniformed offices out of the parade “in an effort to be mindful and focus on our mission of creating safe space for marginalized communities,” according to a letter sent to HOP membership.

The board wrote, “The NYPD, and policing across America, is fundamentally flawed. These are institutions that started as slave patrols, and continue to oppress Black, Brown, Indigenous, POC, LGBTQ individuals, and individuals who stand at

NYC Police. Photo via PublicDomainPictures.net.

the intersections of these identities.”

GOAL President Brian Downey told Gay City News, “We are still disappointed with the executive leadership of Heritage of Pride and their stance on our participation.”

The first pride marches were protests in response to violent attacks by NYPD officers on queer communities of color, and the board said the abuse hasn’t stopped, citing 2020 attacks on queer protestors last summer following George Floyd’s death.

The board plans to schedule another meeting to discuss the issue.

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

BY EVERITT ROSEN

THE WORLD AROUND

EXPLORING LGBT NEWS EVENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE

ASIA

EUROPE

LGBT CAMPAIGNERS ACCUSE JAPANESE LAWMAKERS OF VIOLATING OLYMPIC SPIRIT

ACTIVISTS URGE ITALY TO ADOPT ANTI-HOMOPHOBIA LAW

Rights campaigners have accused Japan’s leading politicians of betraying the Olympic spirit by making homophobic comments such as samesex marriages “resist the preservation of the species.”

Channel News Asia reported that, according to Jiji Press, at the closed-door conference, Liberal Democratic Party member Eriko Yamatani also slammed transgender athletes.

“Some people have stated an opinion that they have a male body but they are women. Therefore, they should be allowed to use the women’s restroom.

Or they participate in women’s sports and win medals. A number of ridiculous things are happening,” she reportedly said.

In a joint statement issued with

Photo via PublicDomainPictures.net.

Athlete Ally, a U.S.-based advocacy organization, Pride House Tokyo, a cultural center formally recognized as part of the Olympic program, slammed the remarks.

“These comments, if true, are in violation of the spirit of the Olympics and Paralympics which Tokyo is hoping to host,” they said, according to Channel News Asia.

A law proposed by Alessandro Zan, a Member of Parliament with the Democratic party, has been passed by the lower house and will go to the Senate for approval.

This law would punish discrimination and hate crimes against LGBT and disabled people as well as misogyny.

According to Euronews, both the church and extreme right politicians have opposed the measure, making claims that it will suppress opinion and religious beliefs.

While the Italian Bishops Conference has previously cautioned that the proposed bill could “suffocate’’ those who hold more conservative values, its president has encouraged policymakers to amend the legislation rather than repeal it.

Alessandro Zan. Photo via Facebook.

“This government will be in office only for another year and a half. There is not much time left, if the proposed law will be modified, it has to be sent back to the lower house for approval,” said Claudio Mazzella, president of the Circolo Mario Mieli project, according to Euronews.

AFRICA

SOUTH AMERICA

POLICE IN GHANA ARREST 21 LGBT ACTIVISTS

TRANS BRAZILIAN COUNCILWOMAN FORCED TO EXILE AFTER DEATH THREATS

Ghanaian police announced Friday that they had arrested 21 people for allegedly pushing an LGBT agenda at an illegal assembly in Ho, in the country’s southeast.

According to the police press release, the 16 women and five men were arrested May 20 at a hotel for nurses and midwives, where they allegedly met to promote LGBT events with books and leaflets titled “Coming Out” and “All about Trans.”

According to Reuters, all detainees will appear before a court June 4.

The group convened to exchange information about how to register and report human rights abuse faced by LGBT Ghanaians, according to Rightify Ghana.

“The press teamed up with the police to storm the meeting location, started

A police car in Accra, Ghana. Photo via Gkbediako, Wikipedia.

taking images, took their belongings, and arrested them,” the rights group said in a post on Twitter.

On May 13, it was announced that Benny Briolly, the first transgender woman elected to the City Council of Nitero in Rio de Janeiro, had fled her homeland after receiving death threats.

According to the U.S. Network for Democracy in Brazil, Briolly, a Black supporter of Brazil’s PSOL (Socialism and Liberty Party), won the most votes among the women elected to the city council in the 2020 municipal elections.

Her election was seen by many as a clear challenge to the oppressive, misogynistic, and homophobic Brazilian state. The threats that she has received include everything from threats to bodily injury to death threats, and others have even included her home address.

The councilwoman confirmed that she has filed formal charges with national

Benny Briolly. Photo via Facebook.

and international human rights groups, as well as reporting the attacks to law enforcement for investigation. Briolly will continue to serve as a councilwoman virtually.

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LGBTQIA BITES

BY KENDALL LITTLE

IT’S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE G Non-Binary

DEMI LOVATO COMES OUT AS NONBINARY Pop icon Demi Lovato came out as nonbinary May 19 through a Twitter video.

They also announced that they are updating their pronouns to they/them.

“I feel that this best represents the fluidity I feel in my gender expression, and allows me to feel most authentic and true to the person I both know I am and still am discovering,” Lovato said.

Fans flocked to Twitter to show their support for the singer.

“I see you, Demi. Congrats, hope you feel a lot more free now that you can be true to yourself as a non-binary person. Good luck with your journey of discovery!” one Twitter user wrote.

Lovato also linked informative profiles for their followers to look into.

“Thank you for your love & support

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NB

Demi Lovato. Photo via Facebook.

today Revolving hearts Here are a few great organizations and leaders who actively offer education and support Rightwards arrow @glaad @HRC @TrevorProject @LALGBTCenter @alokvmenon @mattxiv @them,” they tweeted.

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

T

Transgender

TYLER TITUS ON TRACK ON BECOMING THE FIRST TRANS COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Tyler Titus won the Democratic primary for county executive in Erie County of Pennsylvania. If they win the election, they will be the first out transgender person to hold such a position in the United States.

“My name may have been on the ballot today, but this victory is ours,” Titus said to Go Erie. “This victory belongs to the working people of Erie County. This victory belongs to those who want new leadership, who believe in Erie’s future.”

They prioritize healthcare for all, education, and economic justice, according to their website.

“Growing up in rural poverty, I experienced first-hand what it means to have an economy that only works for those at the top,” Titus said. “That’s why I’ve dedicated my career to working with those

Tyler Titus. Photo via Facebook.

who have been left behind.”

In November, Titus will compete against Republican opponent Brenton Davis to secure the position of county executive.

LGBTQIA BITES

Q

Queer

QUEER TV FESTIVAL TO PREMIERE JUNE 4

To celebrate Pride month, LGBT film festival Outfest is hosting a free panel discussion featuring stars, writers, producers, and directors of iconic queer TV shows.

The OutFronts launch June 4, with five days of digital panels on shows like “Love, Victor,” “It’s a Sin,” “L Word: Generation Q,” and more according to the Advocate.

The panel will discuss how feminism, race, HIV, and disabilities are shown on TV and the importance of representation.

“More often now it’s on television, streaming and digital content, making it much more accessible to various audiences,” Outfest Executive Director Damien S. Navarro said in a statement.

“Instead of fitting these shows into one of our film festivals, we recognized that fans should have the opportunity to come together and celebrate these stories as well as our filmmakers, alumni, and industry partners.”

“L Word: Generation Q” will be one of the shows featured. Image via Outfest, Facebook.

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NEWS LOCAL

LATINOS SALUD GIVES SNEAK PEEK OF NEW WILTON MANORS LOCATION John Hayden

A peek at the new location. Photo via Latinos Salud, Facebook.

T

he first goal of Latinos Salud has always been to make you feel at home and not at a clinic. Now they have a new home themselves.

After years of growth in community and need for services, they outgrew their spot on Wilton Drive and on May 19 took the public on a tour of their new location at 1401 NE 26th Street.

“Our grand opening was an amazing opportunity to re-engage in person as a group,” Executive Director Stephen Fallon said. “We saw friends from our early days on through to our newest members. Several staff members mentioned afterward how much they felt reinvigorated, feeling that bond to the community again.”

Despite the pandemic Latinos Salud continued its mission of serving the latinx community by providing full services including STD/HIV testing and counseling in a comfortable and timely manner.

But Fallon said the strain on their facilities

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“SEVERAL STAFF MEMBERS MENTIONED AFTERWARD HOW MUCH THEY FELT REINVIGORATED, FEELING THAT BOND TO THE COMMUNITY AGAIN.” - Stephen Fallon EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LATINOS SALUD

was becoming evident.

“We’re able to serve walk-in clients faster than most clinics or agencies can serve their clients who have appointments,” he said. “But we have noticed our times are getting a bit longer than we’d like. We simply haven’t had enough rooms, or enough staff, to keep up with the demand for HIV testing, STD screening, and now our free PrEP services.”

The new location doubles the number of rooms to see clients, and across all their locations they are expanding staff by 25%.

As recognition of their efforts, the Wilton Manors Community Affairs Advisory Board honored them with the Community Spirit Award for Organization of the Year and named May 5 as Latinos Salud Day. Latinos Salud has been around for about 12 years and has grown from a small “clubhouse” where Ethos restaurant now has its kitchen, to a large iconic building. When they opened their Wellness Clinic last year they knew a larger space would be needed sooner rather than later. In addition to helping more people free of charge, the clinic also made Latinos Salud eligible for more federal grants. That money was able to help secure the new 26th Street space without taking money set aside for helping clients.

“Over one-third of our clients come to us because of a referral from a friend who told them that this is a safe space, where they’ll be treated right,” Fallon said.

Latinos Salud’s new home means clients will feel right at home now more than ever.

“When community members come through our door, whether off the bus, out of their cars, or walking in, we want everyone to feel right at home, like they’re meeting a trusted friend for advice and connections,” he said.

To learn more about Latinos Salud, check out their website at latinossalud.org.

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NEWS LOCAL

GEORGE CASTRATARO

ONE YEAR LATER HOW A PROMINENT GAY ATTORNEY BECAME AN ACCUSED CRIMINAL Jason Parsley

George Castrataro. Photo via Facebook, edited by Brendon Lies.

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NEWS LOCAL

W

hen George Castrataro told Bill Roddy the post office lost all the inheritance checks supposedly mailed to family, friends, and charities, Roddy sensed something was fishy.

Roddy, who lives in North Carolina, had including his father and sister, Jan Blanton. hired Castrataro and his law office to oversee To this day, they have not received a his deceased son’s estate. penny of it.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly The ceiling crashed down on Castrataro with the case until September of 2019, when one year ago this month, when he was Roddy, 84, and his family, failed to receive arrested by the Fort Lauderdale Police the proceeds of their son’s will.

Department for defrauding multiple clients A Broward Circuit Court had ordered the out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. funds be distributed to them weeks before.

In November of 2020, based on a series of When the money never arrived, Castrataro complaints by a host of victims, the Florida first told them that all the checks were lost Bar disbarred Castrataro, taking away his law in the mail. license forever.

Subsequently, Roddy pressed Wayne Roddy’s sister Jan “I’M NOT A Castrataro for answers and Blanton, said she believes it his inheritance. Castrataro was her family’s complaints to YOUNGSTER followed through and sent the Florida Bar that initiated AND IT’S TAKEN Roddy a $12,000 check for the investigation that wound his portion of the estate. He up costing Castrataro his law A TOLL ON ME, promptly deposited the check. license — and may cost him ESPECIALLY The following day, when his freedom, if he’s found WHEN SOMEBODY guilty.

Roddy attempted to draw upon those funds, by using his debit Blanton does not believe she STEALS YOUR card at Walmart, to his surprise will ever see any money from SON’S ESTATE.” the card was declined. He Castrataro, so now her only rushed over to his bank, where option to get what is owed to - Bill Roddy he discovered Castrataro had her would be to make a claim FORMER CLIENT placed a stop payment on his through the Florida Bar’s check.

Clients Security Fund.

Roddy and his banker called Castrataro, This fund helps compensate people who who gave yet another excuse and promised have suffered a loss of money or property to overnight a cashier’s check. due to misappropriation or embezzlement It never happened, and that was the last by an attorney. However, the reimbursement he ever heard from Castrataro. But it was is minimal compared to the loss. the beginning of exposing a series of lies and deceptions that has led to Castrataro’s CASTRATARO’S DOWNFALL arrest and disbarment.

Before his arrest, Castrataro was a wellTHE TOLL ON THE VICTIMS known and reputable gay attorney, who had served on multiple nonprofit LGBT boards, Bill Roddy’s son Wayne died in 2019 from including Care Resource. He also launched pancreatic cancer. He was 57. Wayne had an unsuccessful bid for the city commission been a yoga and dance teacher. According in Fort Lauderdale four years ago. to his family, he also had background as a Castrataro’s criminal case has repeatedly paralegal. Thus, before he died, he made sure been postponed for a year due to the all of his affairs were in order. pandemic, deferring prosecutions for The simple estate should have been months. smooth sailing for an experienced lawyer to This month Castrataro was finally set for probate. It wasn’t. an arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty “I mean that’s what we’ve had to go to the charges, but not without incident. through so far,” Bill said. “I’m not a youngster Castrataro actually missed his court date and it’s taken a toll on me, especially when two weeks ago, and the judge issued a new somebody steals your son’s estate.” warrant for his arrest. However, last week the Wayne had left $49,111 to 12 beneficiaries court dismissed the warrant after Castrataro

argued that he had “inadvertently” missed the hearing, thinking it was at a different time.

Castrataro told SFGN yesterday that he believes his current predicament is just a big misunderstanding.

“I regret that given the pending case I am very limited in what I am able to say. This year has been difficult,” Castrataro told SFGN. He added, “I believe that the things that have been alleged and reported are inaccurate. I am confident that once the matter is resolved, I will be able to clear my name.”

Currently out of jail on a $32,500 bond, Castrataro faces first degree felony charges and is accused of stealing nearly $600,000.00 from the inheritances of his clients’ estates.

The charging documents accuse Castrataro of failing to pay heirs, but instead keeping the proceeds of the estates for himself and his own use.

Since other potential victims are not included in these criminal charges, the real amount of Castrataro’s alleged thefts could prove to be even greater.

MORE VICTIMS COME FORWARD For example, Donna Nunes, 74, who lives in California, has also accused Castrataro of ripping her off.

Castrataro handled her brother’s estate.

She told SFGN a story similar to that of Bill Roddy and Jan Blanton. When Nunes didn’t receive her funds, Castrataro used the same excuse that checks were lost in the mail.

When Nunes and her brothers finally received her checks, they all bounced as well.

The Florida Bar investigated these improprieties and found Castrataro guilty of unlawfully misappropriating his funds. “[My brother] really wanted to leave my brothers and I something and this happens.

It’s terrible,” said Nunes, 74.

Her brother Robert, 93, died in March of 2019.

“I’ve never really had time to grieve,” she said.

Castrataro owes her family $92,537. “[Castrataro] went through all of this schooling, then decides to do this and throw his life away,” she said. “It’s such a shame.

Florida has so many different crooks.”

SUMMARY The 2020 probable cause warrant for his arrest stated that Castrataro “engaged in a systematic and ongoing unlawful scheme … with the intent to defraud” lawful heirs out of their property.

The State of Florida claims that many of the clients who were allegedly Castrataro’s victims were and are elderly, and relied on his false representations that the estates were still open and being litigated.

The Florida Bar called that a lie and prosecuted Castrataro for the fraud. While Castrataro resigned from the Florida Bar initially last summer, the Bar conducted a further investigation and proved he continued to practice law without a license, prompting his permanent disbarment.

For Castrataro, not practicing law anymore could be the least of his many problems.

If convicted of all the felonies he is presently charged with, Castrataro is looking at a mandatory prison term of at least 42 months in jail.

George Castrataro’s mugshot. Photo via the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

5. 27. 20 21 •

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sFGn.com/FooD Kevin Hirsh (left) with his partner. Photo by Santy Martinez, courtesy of Kevin Hirsh.

LOCAL MAN TO APPEAR ON ‘JEOPARDY’ MONDAY John Hayden

T

MEDICARE AND PRIVATE INSURANCE ACCEPTED

he answer is: what it takes to be a contestant on “Jeopardy!” The question: what is a lot of knowledge and a little luck?

Kevin Hirsh is living the quiz show dream as a contestant on the show.

“I used to watch ‘Jeopardy’ a lot as a kid. It was a family bonding activity that I used to do with my dad in particular,” he said.

Hirsh said it’s been a long-time dream of his to be on the game show.

Getting past the first round is hard enough.

Hirsh took the computer test several times before he got called for a regional audition.

That doesn’t mean it took that long to get a good score, it just means it took that long to get lucky.

Thousands do well on the test each year.

From that group the show randomly chooses who moves on. He got the call nearly two years ago and was set to be a contestant in February 2020. Because of the pandemic, the set of “Jeopardy” shut down before Hirsh could do his shoot. Finally, he got his chance.

“A year passes and I figure I’ll email the producers and see what’s going on, and that’s when they scheduled me for this taping,” Hirsh said.

Hirsh spent his evenings watching old episodes using a pen for a buzzer.

“It was easy to watch two or three episodes a night and practice with a pen for the buzzer. That’s what’s important ultimately,”

he said. “It doesn’t matter if you have all the knowledge if you’re not good with the buzzer.”

He also studied how the clues are revealed.

“The thing about ‘Jeopardy’ clues is that they’re written in such a way that they give you a lot of hints as to how to answer them properly,” he said. “The writers have a certain way of writing clues that if you watch the show enough times you can figure out their line of thinking and you can probably figure out what the answer to the question is.”

The guest host next week will be Mayim Bialik from “The Big Bang Theory” and “Blossom.”

“I found her to be a wonderful host,” Hirsh said. “She did a really good job of keeping the pace going with the game. She was very approachable, very friendly. She took the time to get to know us when cameras weren’t rolling. She was really lovely and a very sweet person. I really loved having her as my host.”

Hirsh is an attorney who was born and raised in Miami Beach, and moved to the Wilton Manors area last year with his fiancé, Eric Scheiner. His very proud mother bought a new television and borrowed a projector for an optimal viewing experience.

“My mother is so excited about the whole thing,” he said. “She’s organizing a watch party at her house. She’s having the whole thing catered, she’s really outdoing herself.”

You can catch Hirsh on “Jeopardy” Monday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m. on WPLG channel 10.

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• 5. 27.2021

and

5. 27. 20 21 •

15

NEWS LOCAL

CONSERVATIVE SLAMS THE PALACE AFTER CHILDREN

DANCED WITH DRAG QUEENS Christiana Lilly

P

alace South Beach came under attack after a video from April posted by a right-wing influencer surfaced of children dancing with a drag queen and collecting money from the crowd.

Angela Stanton-King, who was famously Her followers applauded her, saying she pardoned by former President Donald Trump exposed child abuse, child trafficking, and and has 300,000 followers on Instagram, proclaimed that this is “Biden’s America.” In posted the video during a visit to the club on another post, she called on the Palace to “ban April 15 and claimed that the children were children from your x-rated establishment.” being sexually exploited.

Later, she shared that she is in need of an “What is the difference between these attorney and is in an “undisclosed location” two girls taking a photo and frolicking because her physical safety had been around fashion show runway style with a threatened. She shared her CashApp name drag queen or two girls being for donations and said that called on stage at Disney and reporter Christian De La dancing around with Elsa or Rosa, who reported the story Snow White? Homophobia for Local 10, the station, and and transphobia,” Anthony Palace “need to be sued for Michael, the director of Defamation and Slander.” operations at Palace, wrote in She has “EXPOSE CHILD an email.

TRAFFICKING” on her On her Instagram, she Instagram bio, and she shared two videos from her has posted numbers of trip to Palace — the first homophobic, transphobic, with the two sets of young anti-vaxxer and anti-mask girls dancing with the drag posts, as well as other QAnon queen outside and taking conspiracy theories such money from customers who as Melinda Gates being a were seated. The Ocean man. A popular QAnon Drive drag bar has been in theory grew over the Trump business for more than 30 presidency that politicians years with larger-than-life and Hollywood celebrities drag performers and dancers. are part of an underground Drawing a crowd every day, child trafficking ring; SFGN the performances often are reported on the Save the - Anthony Michael standing-room-only.

Children movement last year.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS But Stanton-King was not Stanton-King is an author, AT PALACE impressed by what she saw television personality, and during her visit — the two the founder of the American sets of girls joined the drag King Foundation; she is the queen for a matter of seconds and took bills goddaughter of Alveda King, the niece of from customers. One child gave the money the late Martin Luther King, Jr. She went to to the performer. According to Local 10, the prison for more than two years from a 2004 children were with their parents. federal conviction for her involvement in a “I feel very offended and disrespected by stolen car ring and was pardoned by Trump being a survivor of sexual abuse,” Stanton- in February 2020. She was an outspoken King told an employee in a second video, supporter of his and a 2020 Republican likening it to the children being at a strip candidate for Georgia’s 5th congressional club. district, challenging the late John Lewis. Her

“THE HORRENDOUS COMMENTS AND EMAILS AND REMARKS HAVE PUT EVERYONE ON UNEASY GROUND.”

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• 5. 27.2021

Screenshots of the post. Photo via @theangelastanton, Instagram.

platform was prison reform, anti-abortion, and uplifting the Black community.

“She came there with an agenda,” Michael continued in his email. “She is a convicted criminal who was pardoned not for innocence but for her rallying support of former President Trump. She was never rehabilitated but [came up] with a new method of stealing money very similar to the phone scams we receive — she finds a topic and creates lies and a scandal to raise Venmo and cash app monies. She preys on other right-wing extremists to help broaden her agenda.”

On social media, she continually shares homophobic and transphobic news stories and memes. In March 2020, she tweeted that the LGBT community is “confusion, pedophilia and sexual exploitation wrapped up in acceptance.” On May 18, she posted a photo on Instagram of 13-year-old Zaya Wade, the daughter of retired NBA basketball player Dwyane Wade, who recently came out as trans. She wrote, “They’re letting us know what their agenda is. IDC what y’all say, it’s not right. This is a man child.” She also shared a screenshot of a tweet from President Joe Biden showing his support for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, in which she asked, “Why do they keep leaving out heterophobia?”

Stanton-King has a transgender daughter, who she continually misgenders. She appeared on the “Dr. Phil” show on April 5, where she said, “I won’t accept my son as a woman.” However, she wasn’t happy with how her interview went and dragged the talk show host on Twitter, which led to the social media platform suspending her account.

“Twitter suspended my account because I’m BLACK,” she wrote on Instagram.

Michael criticized Instagram for not doing the same when Stanton-King’s posts lead Palace’s account to be inundated with spam and hate, including one person commenting, “I hope y’all end up like Pulse,” referring to the 2016 shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando that killed 49 guests.

“Why would she come to a famously known LGBT restaurant bar with [transgender] and drag entertainers, when she has a wellknown hatred for our community?” Michael asked. “The horrendous comments and emails and remarks have put everyone on uneasy ground. Our community has endured so much over the past century, but I can assure you that we will always rise up and defend ourselves, we are no longer allowing anyone to make us victims. We deserve our place at the table and we will have our voices heard.”

5. 27. 20 21 •

17

REMEMBERING PULSE |

FIVE YEARS LATER

PULSE ‘REMEMBRANCE WEEK’ EVENTS TO BE

IN-PERSON, VIRTUAL O

Damon Scott

fficials at the onePULSE Foundation have released the lineup of activities that will mark five years since the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando on June 12, 2016.

Unlike last year, the community-wide “Remembrance Week” events will be held in-person, but with many virtual options as well. The weeks’ worth of activities run from June 5 to June 12.

The week begins with the annual 4.9K CommUNITY Rainbow Run at Wadeview Park. The distance is representative of the 49 lives that were lost in the tragedy. To register for the in-person or virtual option, go to communityrainbowrun.com.

The week concludes with a remembrance ceremony June 12. Organizers said it is designed to bring together the families of those whose lives were taken and provide

them a space to remember their loved ones in peace.

The ceremony also honors all who survived as well as the first responders and trauma teams who were involved. The ceremony takes place at the Pulse interim memorial for a limited, invitation-only audience.

However, the public is invited to watch a live stream of the ceremony at the front lawn of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. More information is at drphillipscenter.org. The ceremony will also be accessible on the onePULSE Facebook page and on its YouTube channel.

Photo via the onePULSE Foundation, Facebook.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK INCLUDE: Straight Men Real Makeup benefit – June 6 at 6 p.m. at the HÄOS on Church restaurant. Eight straight men will step out of their comfort zone and individually perform a choreographed routine to a song of their choice while dressed in full drag. For tickets, go to https://bit.ly/2RQgUFW. An Evening of Reflection and Promise – June 7 at 7 p.m. at the Dr. Phillips Center. The One Orlando Alliance is hosting an interfaith opportunity to name the effects of the religiously based discrimination on the LGBT community and create pathways for healing, featuring a panel of LGBT people of diverse faith and thought backgrounds. Information is at oneorlandoalliance.org.

My Portraits of Pulse – An Orlando United Story – June 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Dr. Phillips Center. J.D. Casto, a professional photographer, captured thousands of images in the weeks and months after the Pulse tragedy, experiencing events like no other person. This is the story of Pulse as told through his eyes. More is at drphillipscenter.org.

49 Bells – June 12 at noon at the First United Methodist Church of Orlando. More is at firstchurchorlando.org.

Pulse Remembrance by DeLand Pride – June 12 at 2 p.m. at the Abbey Bar. Gathering begins at 2 p.m. From there the group will walk down to the corner of New York Ave. and Woodland Blvd. to read the names of the Angels lost and honor all those affected by the shooting at the Pulse nightclub. Participants are encouraged to bring signs and rainbow flags.

A past annual 4.9K CommUNITY Rainbow Run. Photo via Facebook.

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FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL ACTIVITIES, GO TO ONEPULSEFOUNDATION.ORG.

THE

GAZETTE VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 11 MAY 27, 2021

FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/WMGAZETTE COMMUNITY

OAKLAND PARK

Oakland Park Returning to Normal As COVID Cases Decline

By Christiana Lilly The coronavirus pandemic may not be over yet, but Oakland Park residents can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

During the city commission’s May 18 meeting, City Manager David Hebert made his final coronavirus presentation as well as announced updates on city programming.

“I just really want to say thank you to everyone,” Mayor Jane Bolin said. “I’m glad that this is our last presentation; it really highlights how we really stepped up as a team from some really remarkable leadership from this commission, the city manager, and senior leadership.”

For over a year, Hebert has made a presentation to the commission at each meeting to update them on coronavirus numbers locally and at the state level, as well as information about the city’s outreach programs.

As numbers continue to decline, he will no longer be giving these presentations but will still keep tabs on the virus.

The city will also be discontinuing its weekly drive-through food distribution events at Mills Pond Park in Fort Lauderdale on May 27. The events are a partnership with

the cities of Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors and largely staffed by city employees on a volunteer basis. Hebert said staff have been sharing resources to attendees of other places they can get assistance.

The city’s vaccination pod at Collins Community Center is no longer open; many locations have closed as the demand for vaccinations has decreased.

Some programs will continue, however, including rental assistance, water bill payment options, and help with Comcast bills.

“I think we’re just at the precipice of what’s going to impact our most vulnerable communities in Oakland Park,” Bolin said.

Hebert announced that the city’s Parade of Orchids program surpassed its $10,000; residents have the opportunity to adopt an orchid to be planted at Stunson Nature Trail Park for just $5 as a thank you to people who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic. The first 100 orchids were planted last summer by the Fort Lauderdale Orchid Club and Fairchild Botanical Gardens.

Proceeds from the fundraiser go to the Urban Farming Institute, the city’s community garden.

The city’s vaccination pod at Collins Community Center is no longer open; many locations have closed as the demand for vaccinations has decreased.

Oakland Park. Photo via Facebook.

Hebert also told the commission that the city will be opening up its summer programming for kids, including childcare, but in limited numbers. Some adult activities will also be opening back up.

“This rollout is being done cautiously and strategically until we get to a point where we get more comfortable,” he said. “We will learn as we go as we did on the front end as

www.WMGAZETTE.com

we rolled back on our operations.”

After the presentation, the commissioners gave a special thanks to city staffers who have volunteered their time and worked overtime to get the city through the pandemic.

Commissioners gave a special thank you to Commissioner Matthew Sparks, who served as mayor at the beginning of the pandemic, and Bolin.

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WILTON MANORS

WTF

OPINION

Marc Martorana’s outlandish claims on vacation rentals are absurd and laughable

By Sal Torre A recent Letter to the Editor titled, “Stop Attacking Tourism Here in Wilton Manors,” by local resident Marc Martorana has left me a bit perturbed and in need to respond.

Let me first say that I have always welcomed differences of opinion, encouraged dialogue between members of our community and always open to listen and learn.

If we all had the same opinions and beliefs, life would be pretty boring here in our Island City. However, my patience for misinformation, condescending attitudes, and adult hissy fits Photo via Pixabay. has run a bit thin over the past few years.

Marc’s main accusation is that those who oppose short-term rentals in residential all the other profit making business owners for and to deal with such issues all hours of the day and night, one begins to understand the gravity neighborhoods are anti-tourism and anti- paying their fair share of taxes in our society.

Typical of the privileged few, amongst us less of the situation.

LGBT. The second part of Marc’s letter was an I am a gay man, living in a predominately fortunate ones, to feel a sense of superiority gay neighborhood, in a predominately gay and high-mindedness on what they contribute attack on both Commissioners Paul Rolli and Gary Resnick – well the main take on this is city. Most of my friends, acquaintances, and to society. that Commissioner Chris Caputo better start Sorry to burst your bubble Marc, but many neighbors also identify as LGBT. Most, if not all, are opposed to operating businesses choose different ways to contribute to the watching his back.

Marc heavily supported the election of such as short-term rentals in our residential betterment of our community than just turning neighborhoods. How can all these LGBT a profit on their investment properties. But Resnick when he ran for mayor in 2016. In people be anti-LGBT? Marc’s comments heck, you’re making money and life is good, so 2018, Marc heavily supported Rolli for election as City Commissioner. Then in 2020 it was lack any awareness of all those who have a stop all the complaining.

Recent City Commission discussions Caputo’s turn. difference of opinion other than his own.

Fundraisers, financial support, campaign acknowledged the high cost Now on to the anti-tourism assistance and much more, Marc was right and budgetary demands claim. that short-term rentals pose there. Along the way Commissioners Rolli Many in our community Typical of the for our city. The cost of and Resnick stopped marching in step to the including myself have voiced additional code enforcement, same tune Marc was listening to and now strong support and worked privileged few, attorney fees, research, city both are vilified and attacked regularly by Mr. very hard over the years for amongst us less staff hours, inspections, Martorana. our Arts & Entertainment If history is any indication, and if I were Mr. magistrate hearings, and police District; voiced support for fortunate ones, department use up limited Caputo, I would be concerned when might the a hotel; special designated resources and all add up to tables turn on me next. Not to worry, your day to feel a sense of districts for Bed & Breakfast a substantial drain our city’s will come. There seems to be a pretty consistent establishments; and so many superiority and track record here on how Marc treats those he budget. other pro-tourism initiatives supports and calls friends.

Perhaps Marc’s higher taxes here in our Island City. high-mindedness Looking to end on a higher happier note, are not covering the true cost Many of these same people on what they life here in our Island City seemed almost a of his business ventures here are solidly opposed to vacation in our Island City, rather all city return to normalcy once again this past City home rentals in residential contribute to residents’ tax bills tell a much Commission meeting. neighborhoods.

Resident Paul Kuta was back in the more truthful story. society.

Once again, the operation of This week’s Public Commission chambers giving his public short-term rental businesses in Comments at our City comments at the lectern for the first time in our residential neighborhoods has nothing to do with being anti-tourism or Commission meeting were dominated by the over a year. We thank the City Commission, we anti-LGBT — it has to do with preserving the unsettling tales of the problems and concerns thank Paul Kuta and we thank all residents for that short-term vacation rentals have on our participating here in our Island City. nature of our residential neighborhoods.

This wondrous community we call Wilton Now on to the next bizarre statement in daily lives and quality of life in our residential Marc’s claims, that short-term rentals are neighborhoods. Add to those complaints the Manors is what makes life just better here… subsidizing the lower taxes that I and others demands placed on city resources to respond are benefiting from.

As with other individuals who contribute to The Gazette or SFGN, the views and opinions of columnists are Wow, where does one start with this one… exclusively their own, for purposes of discussion, debate and dissent, and do not in any way represent the opinions Well I guess I should be grateful to Marc and of The Gazette or South Florida Gay News, its staff or management.

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• 5. 27.2021

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MAY 27, 2021

THE

GAZETTE May 27, 2021 • Volume 8 • Issue 11 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com Associate publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com Webmaster • Kimberly Swan webmaster@sfgn.com

Editorial

Art Director • Brendon Lies artwork@sfgn.com Oakland Park Editor • Christiana Lilly Wilton Manors Editor • John McDonald

Correspondents

Christiana Lilly• Sal Torre • James Oaksun

Staff Photographers

J.R. Davis • Carina Mask • Steven Shires

Sales & Marketing For ad placement in the Wilton Manors Gazette, contact 954-530-4970

Sales Manager • Justin Wyse justin.wyse@sfgn.com Advertising Sales Associate • Edwin Neimann edwin.neimann@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.

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Copyright © 2021 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

A brown anole.

Photo via Pixabay.

OPINION

WILTON MANORS

Rep. DuBose Brushes Aside Calls For Resignation

By John McDonald Representative Bobby DuBose is staying in his lane.

Florida’s House Democratic Minority Leader brushed aside calls for his resignation.

“There’s more to it,” DuBose told SFGN in a telephone call from Tallahassee last week.

“I guess the political theater sounds good but technically there’s a structure of how this whole thing is set up.”

DuBose (D-Fort Lauderdale) has announced plans to campaign for the open seat in U.S. Congressional District 20. That decision has those seeking to follow his trail to Tallahassee asking for DuBose to resign as District 94 Representative.

“Due to Florida’s resign to run laws, all elected officials who will be running for the vacant congressional seat must submit irrevocable resignations at the time of qualifying,” reads a letter penned by Oakland Park Vice Mayor Michael Carn, Elijah Manley and Roderick Kemp, three candidates vying for the house seat. The letter was circulated widely on social media Wednesday.

DuBose said his resignation is a mere formality because no one can hold two offices

at the same time. However, the resignation is not imminent.

“We resign effective January 11,” DuBose said. “If I resign prematurely it leaves the district without representation. So there’s still work to be done. For example we’re just finishing up a special session. If I resign prematurely there will be no one there. There are still constituent services to do. They’ll still be committee weeks before the date is set. There’ll be deadlines to get bills in, appropriations and stuff like that we still have to represent.”

DuBose said a special election does not guarantee representation, noting the case of House District 97 when Jared Moskowitz was tapped by Governor Ron DeSantis to direct the Division of Emergency Management.

Moskowitz’s successor, Representative Dan Daley was not seated by the Speaker of the House until after the 2019 session.

“Once the election is held then it will shift from the governor to the Speaker of the House as well as the senate president on these special elections and it’s within their discretion whether they’re going to seat the

individuals that will represent … say District 94,” DuBose said.

The death of longtime Congressman Alcee Hastings caused a cascade of intentions in CD-20. DuBose, Senator Perry Thurston, Representative Omari Hardy and Broward County Commissioners Dale Holness and Barbara Sharief are all in the running for the Democratic nomination. DeSantis has set the special primary election for Nov. 2 with the general election scheduled for Jan. 11.

Manley said DeSantis is moving slowly leaving parts of Broward and Palm Beach Counties without representation in Washington, D.C. for nine months. He wanted DuBose’s resignation effective at the conclusion of this month’s special session, effective May 21.

DuBose, who defeated Manley in the 2020 Democratic primary, said he intends to fulfill his state duties, applying the same procedure that he did when he left the Fort Lauderdale Commission for Tallahassee in 2014.

“I plan to give the district as much representation as I can because when I ran for office initially in this cycle that’s what I

Rep. Bobby DuBose. Photo via Facebook.

signed up for,” DuBose said. “Whether or not there’s someone seated in the session it’s not necessarily in my power, that will be up to the Speaker of the House.”

NEWS

OAKLAND PARK

Human Remains Found In Oakland Park

By Christiana Lilly Human remains were found in Oakland Park, and the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are hoping the public can help identify the body.

In a release sent out by BSO May 19, the remains were found in the 4200 block of North Dixie Highway.

“Investigators believe the person’s death and burial took place sometime between 2014 and 2015. At that time, the area was undeveloped land,” according to the release.

The remains are being examined and an autopsy is being performed with hopes of identifying the body as well as the manner of death.

According to NBC6, the search began last week and reporters saw law enforcement use

Photo via BrowardCrimeStoppers.org.

a backhoe along the canal. Cheers were heard when articles of clothing were found.

This story will be updated as details are released.

Anyone with information should contact BSO Homicide Detective Andrew Gianino at 954-321-4376. To remain anonymous, contact Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or browardcrimestoppers.org.

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5. 27. 20 21 •

21

NEWS

OAKLAND PARK

WILTON MANORS

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Wilton Manors is Taking Action Oakland Park Against Problematic Vacation Rentals Commissioners Discuss Alcee Hastings Avenue Proposal

By Christiana Lilly The Oakland Park City Commission discussed a proposal to rename part of 21st Avenue to Alcee Hastings Avenue in honor of the late Congressman Alcee Hastings.

The idea was proposed by Vice Mayor Michael Carn, who is also running for a position in the Florida House. He recommended renaming the stretch of street from Prospect Road to Northwest 26th Street, then asking Fort Lauderdale to get on board to continue the name north to Commercial Boulevard and south to Sunrise Boulevard.

Commissioners Aisha Gordon and Mitch Rosenwald were both in favor of the renaming.

“As a representative, he had an extraordinary career,” Rosenwald said during the discussion.

Hastings served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1993 until his death from pancreatic cancer on April 6, 2021. He first represented the 23th District, then the 20th District. He also served as a judge of the 17th Judicial Court of Florida from 1977 to 1979, then was nominated by former President Jimmy Carter in 1979 as a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. That nomination made him the first Black federal judge in Florida.

As a judge and a representative, he stood by the LGBT community, voting to prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation, voting against banning gay adoption, and voting against defining marriage as only between a man and a woman, among others.

In fact, he issued a congressional proclamation celebrating the first issue of SFGN. “When HIV patients needed an advocate, or AIDS agencies needed a voice, he would be there, as the man who could stand up and be heard, fearless in his advocacy, demanding the government do more than the government had done,” SFGN publisher Norm Kent wrote in a tribute to Hastings.

However, his career did not come without controversy. In 2009, he was accused of spending more than $24,000 in taxpayer money to lease a Lexus, although the expenditure was found to be legal. He was also accused of sexual harassment in 2011 by a Winsome Packer, a former staff member, a claim he vehemently denied. In 2017, the federal government paid a $220,000 settlement, a move that Hastings disapproved of.

“At no time was I consulted, nor did I know

The late Congressman Alcee Hastings.

Photo public domain.

until after the fact that such a settlement was made,” he said in a statement. “I am outraged that any taxpayer dollars were needlessly paid to Ms. Packer.”

Commissioners said they did receive emails from residents who were not in favor of the resolution.

“Everybody has a past,” Carn said. “You go through the courts and you have your day in court to get done what you get done, but society is a society of redemption.”

Gordon agreed, saying his good deeds as a judge and congressmen outweighed possible impropriety.

Mayor Jane Bolin and Commissioner Matthew Sparks said that while they admire the legacy that Hastings left behind, they wondered if it was appropriate to rename a street in Oakland Park after him since he was not local.

“I guess what I want us all to be thinking about is when we think about renaming in Oakland Park, one of the things that came to me was we do that for residents — people who came from Oakland Park,” Bolin said. “I know he’s done a lot and brought a lot to our community and that isn’t to be ignored.”

Because of the late hour, the commission decided to table the discussion and continue it at a future meeting. City Manager David Hebert said he would investigate the cost of renaming a street, but he didn’t think it would be high.

Rosenwald’s proposal for an affordable housing/workforce housing plan was also moved to another meeting for a longer discussion.

As an LGBT tourism destination that lacks sufficient hotel beds to serve the number of tourists we welcome, properly run vacation rentals play a critical role in supporting our local business community and the residents they employ.

On the other hand, mismanaged and improperly run vacation rentals have no business being in our city. They are on notice; they are not welcome here!

As a commissioner, I have worked aggressively to increase enforcement on problem vacation rentals. I have made this a regular agenda item, under new business, since February (https://bit.ly/3wF0wY7) when I demanded a plan from our city staff on how they would identify unregistered vacation rentals and address them.

Those who regularly attend our commission meetings will recall that I petitioned my fellow commissioners to change our code to require all short-term rentals be registered with the city, and not just those that are not homesteaded.

At our most recent commission meeting, I requested that vacation rentals be made a recurring part of our reports from the city manager and/or police department during each commission meeting so we can understand the progress being made to address the problem vacation rentals that still exist in our city.

Here’s a few of the actions we’ve taken recently: • Our police department has been trained on new procedures for handling code complaints like noise, too many cars, etc. The new procedures ensure that owners of short-term rentals will receive a notice of violation, and, with the magistrate’s support, the maximum fine allowable by Florida law. These fines quickly escalate for repeat offenders.

• Our code compliance department is nearly complete with the review I requested at the February 23 commission meeting, resulting in many unregistered vacation rentals being identified and brought into compliance. Some of these unregistered short-term rentals have already had to appear in front of the special magistrate.

• We have hired a new code compliance supervisor and part time code officer. Our code compliance team has been woefully understaffed, and this additional staff will hopefully provide our residents with much needed relief.

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MAY 27, 2021

Photo via PxHere.

This is not an exhaustive list of all that we have done, and I certainly remain open to any additional measures we can legally take as a city to address problem vacation rentals. As a commission, we have asked our city staff and city attorney to evaluate our short-term rental ordinances and ensure we are doing absolutely everything we legally can.

While there were a number of suggestions recently from residents on how we might approach this problem, our city attorney reminded us that a number of them would potentially be against Florida law and result in our city being sued. Miami-Beach recently lost a very expensive lawsuit for trying to implement fines and regulations that were not allowable within Florida state laws.

I want to reiterate that I do support properly run vacation rentals. I have publicly disclosed that I manage a short-term rental. It is for that reason that I proactively reviewed my public statements and votes with the Florida Commission of Ethics to ensure I was acting ethically in my duties as a City Commissioner.

I believe in transparency in governance, and therefore, I will continue to seek their opinion anytime I have input (positive or negative) about short-term rentals.

If you are experiencing a problem with a vacation rental in your neighborhood, you can contact the police department or code compliance for immediate action. A small number of problem vacation rentals exist and I am confident we can work together as a city to ensure they come into compliance and change ownership for the better. As always, you can email me your thoughts at ccaputo@ wiltonmanors.com..

— Chris Caputo

WILTON MANORS CITY COMMISSIONER

NEWS

WILTON MANORS

Wilton Manors to Identify, Regulate Vacation Rentals in the City

By John McDonald The slow march to reign in vacation rentals the state constitution.

Police Chief Gary Blocker said 13 has begun.

Long a thorny issue for public officials to applications are in the department’s queue, navigate, Wilton Manors has taken steps to which increases compliance to 43%.

The big knock-on vacation rentals are the identify vacation rentals operating in the city. At the May 11 commission meeting, Kim impact on quality of life for full-time residents.

Holinko, acting code compliance supervisor, Commissioner Chris Caputo said it’s a few gave a presentation on the department’s bad apples spoiling the party. To mitigate those bad apples, Blocker proposed training regulatory efforts.

Holinko said the city’s software program on noise ordinances and parking regulations examined 359 properties, and of those with proper routing of road reports from numbers, 152 properties were not operating as officers in the field.

Blocker said complaints are often a vacation rental. Holinko said 207 properties required further research while 76 properties anonymous and it is important for those were licensed with the city and 43 properties negatively impacted to give their contact information to officers for a follow-up were registered as long-term rentals. investigation.

Four properties were multi“It’s beneficial to our family/business dwellings. investigation if they ask for On May 5, three properties the officers to contact them were cited by a special so we can interview them and magistrate for not registering see how these VHR operations as vacation rentals. Holinko at these homes are negatively said 75 properties remain impacting their quality of under investigation and life and a lot of times their notices have been sent to the testimony is key to fulfilling owners. Owners have 30 days the elements of an ordinance to comply or contest once put violation,” Blocker said. on notice by the city.

Blocker said anonymous If the owners live at the reports can spur action on vacation rental property, no capacity limits and parking registration with the city is violations, but if it’s a matter required. That was found in six of a loud party, then witnesses instances, said Holinko. must give their name to code Holinko said 21 properties compliance officers. have been licensed as vacation Mayor of Wilton Manors Peter Nasca is one resident rentals bringing the city’s who has consistently total to 97, a 28% increase in complained about vacation compliance since outreach rentals in his neighborhood. Nasca has efforts began.

Holinko described her efforts as very labor said the issue could potentially turn Wilton intensive as the department is short two Manors into an “upscale flop house” and proposes limiting stays for vacation rentals. employees.

“My wife, son and I have lived in Wilton Mayor Scott Newton advocated bringing in a representative from Broward County Manors for almost 13 years,” Nasca wrote in a Property Appraiser Marty Kiar’s office to shed letter to the Gazette. “We love it here but this light on the topic, particularly when it comes vacation [party] rental issue is out of control.

I realize that the city has limited control over to homesteaded properties.

“I think a lot of people don’t understand the issue but something needs to be done. We what you can or cannot do when you don’t oppose vacation rentals, but they need to have a minimum stay requirement like in homestead your home,” Newton said.

Commissioner Gary Resnick suggested the the Keys.”

Blocker said since January 2020, police city send its vacation rentals list to Kiar’s office to continue the investigation as required by received 157 calls for service at vacation home

“I think a lot of people don’t understand what you can or cannot do when you homestead your home.”

- Scott Newton

Photo via Pixabay.

properties with half involving a disturbance.

That’s roughly 13 noise complaints per month.

The Gazette reached out for data from Airbnb, one of the travel industry’s leading vacation rentals companies, for more information. Samuel Randall, public affairs spokesman for Airbnb, referenced the company’s guidelines for hosting but declined to share data on the number of Airbnb hosts in Wilton Manors.

Wilton Manors resident Marc Martorana warned cracking down on vacation rentals would have negative revenue consequences for the city.

“If these tourism rentals chose to leave our city, taxes for year-round homeowners would skyrocket and be unaffordable for many of our residents,” Martorana said.

Florida Representative Bobby DuBose has seen the vacation rentals controversy play out before.

“It was an issue when I was on the Fort Lauderdale Commission,” said DuBose, who

represents District 94 in Tallahassee, which includes the westside of Wilton Manors.

“Fort Lauderdale is the Venice of America so the marine industry has short-term rentals.

It’s one of those things, I come from the local government, I believe in home rule but I’m not going to say, hey it’s all or nothing because when I come up here in session sometimes the places I can find are short-term rentals.”

Bills in both the House and Senate to give the state greater control over vacation rentals died in committees this past session. The bills were largely seen as preemptions of local authority.

“I understand the desire for them, but we have to make sure we keep all the stakeholders at the table, hopefully moving forward it can pick up where they left off and really get something across the finish line,” DuBose said. “I get it people arguing about the quality of life. I’m a home rule guy. It’s not an easy thing. Next session, the issue will still be here.”

www.WMGAZETTE.com 5 •

MAY 27, 2021

5. 27. 20 21 •

23

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

WILTON MANORS

We Love Candy Hearts and Orange Slices The Progress of Public Art in Wilton Manors

In your May 13 edition of the Gazette, you gave a platform to a malcontent named Thomas Paul Severino, a self-proclaimed author, who proceeded to express his disagreement with the existing public art efforts being made in Wilton Manors in his article “Candy Hearts, Orange Slices, and a Rainbow Bridge.”

I must say that Mr. Severino shows skills in writing fiction, but no skills in public art, and it is incumbent upon me to correct the record.

Rather than express his support for the new public art efforts, he chose to cast aspersions, making light of a few sculptures such as “Slices of Heaven” and “Sweet Hearts” placed on Wilton Drive as well as others such as the painting of the Rainbow Bridge.

Those like Mr. Severino have posed one of the biggest obstacles to progress here in Wilton Manors, by setting lofty goals that are too high and unattainable with no practical, realistic solutions.

For decades, there has been “talk” of public art in Wilton Manors, but no action to back it up. The City of Wilton Manors itself had not made any concerted efforts towards placing public art around the City. Rather, it has been left to private 501(c)(3)’s to promulgate projects within the City.

An example would be the Wilton Art projects such as “Art in the Air” and “Art Sign.” Other examples would be the murals done by Claudia Castillo and the folks at Island City Art Advisory.

To my amazement, as with many, for a City with such an abundance of creative residents, the dearth of public art is shocking and is something that needed to be corrected.

Many of our neighboring cities have made so much more progress in this area.

Not content to wait any longer for the City to take steps, I proceeded in late 2019 to generate support for a Sculpture Walk program to deliver art to the Drive and other parts of the City to foster commerce in our City by attracting more visitors and resident involvement in the business district.

I presented a plan to the City in January of 2020, but no action was taken by the Commission.

What Mr. Severino does not realize, mainly because he failed to properly research this topic, is that as a result of the lack of City involvement, this has been a private, volunteer effort of Sculpture Walk Wilton Manors, a project of Art Walk Wilton Manors, Inc.

As a member of the Wilton Manors Community Affairs Advisory Board, I raised the concept of Sculpture Walk to that Board, and the Board funded the project with an initial $1,000 contribution which helped to launch the program sponsored by Art Walk Wilton Manors. By further raising funds through citizen donations and working with business owners who gave consent to displaying a sculpture on their property, we were able to by-pass the City’s complacency with the status quo and move quickly to install eight sculptures, despite a pandemic, in location along Wilton Drive.

The first two sculptures, “Talking Tubes” and “Slices of Heaven,” installed in March of 2020, served as our proof of concept, and following their installation, we received an overwhelming amount of support and praise. This project also fits perfectly within the goals of the Wilton Manors Business Association which has held workshops on how to generate more consumer traffic to support our businesses.

What Mr. Severino also fails to comprehend is the model we are using to achieve this success.

Based upon a template used in several cities, a non-profit undertakes a “lease, loan or donate” plan for acquiring the art. Thus, rather than having to raise a massive amount of funds for any one piece (such as the “Charging Bull” which Mr. Severino so adores at the New York Stock Exchange), which could cost tens of thousands of dollars, we are able to lease sculptures for a nominal amount for one-year terms. Such a plan makes a Sculpture Walk much more affordable and much easier by which to raised funds for multiple pieces. As such, with a budget of only $10,000 which could hardly purchase one such sculpture, we were able to rent four sculptures and were also able to attract donations of four other sculptures. There are many cities that have a City-sponsored public art program, which is generally funded through impact fees on developers of new construction in their cities.

As we know, Wilton Manors is a small city with a limited budget, and there has been no new construction by which to extract impact fees.

So, while Mr. Severino talks about his lofty goals from a perch, we are down in the trenches getting it done. You can understand my disgust when someone then takes a platform to minimize the Sculpture Walk efforts and to criticize the choice of art.

For decades, there has been “talk” of public art in Wilton Manors, but no action to back it up.

“Slices Of Heaven” by Craig Berube-Gray. Photo via Sculpture Walk Wilton Manors, Facebook.

Under this model, the choices are not as expansive as we would like, since we need to find artists who create public art sculptures, are willing to lease their art for one-year terms and assume liability for the art.

While we have endeavored to find local artists, this has been a challenge and we are always welcoming of these artists. If Mr. Severino is aware of any, we would love to get that information. I doubt he does. We have been combing the country looking for artists interested in our model and so far, have been successful in finding several who have given us wonderful sculptures that the residents of Wilton Manors have loved and embraced.

As to the meaning behind each piece or the suitability of the piece for Wilton Manors, that is a very subjective and individual matter.

I am sorry Mr. Severino does not understand the art. As to “Sweet Hearts,” Mr. Severino complains that it does not embody “true diversity” but I would differ even on that ancillary point, that piece embraces Unity, Love is Love, Hugs and Kisses which I would argue are very much values that reflect our community.

People such as Mr. Severino are a distraction, but Sculpture Walk will continue to make strides in bringing sculptural art to the Drive and in the next phase, to other parts of the City.

While we have not been able to engage the City in our program, just recently we were successful in having the City of Wilton Manors enter into an agreement with Art Walk Wilton Manors to

www.WMGAZETTE.com 24

• 5. 27.2021

6 •

MAY 27, 2021

permit sculptures to be placed on City-owned properties such as City Hall and the parks. This is a major breakthrough and a next step towards further progress.

Ultimately, I agree that the City of Wilton Manors needs to take on a public art program.

Mr. Severino may also not be aware that I submitted a comprehensive Public Art Policy to the City Commission to act upon, that would recognize a public art committee and seek to fund public art of all kinds.

Just recently, and most likely largely as a result of the popularity of the public art projects recently launched, the City Commission, with the support of Commissioner Caputo, is taking steps to engage itself more in this realm.

However, until such time as the City buys into a more comprehensive plan, I am fully content, unlike Mr. Severino, to take smaller steps to further public art in Wilton Manors, and I would appreciate those like Mr. Severino to embrace these efforts rather than minimize or mock the efforts.

If he would like to volunteer his services, rather than just write about it, we would welcome his input. In fact, we would appreciate any input and welcome volunteers and donations to Sculpture Walk Wilton Manors.

Please send me a message at msansevero@ wmeg.org.

— Michael Sansevero WILTON MANORS RESIDENT

7 •

MAY 27, 2021

5. 27. 20 21 •

25

ANNOUNCEMENT

WILTON MANORS

New Newsletter Launching In Wilton Manors

YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND US...

BUT WE MIGHT BE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.

Press Release Hey Islanders! Because Wilton Manors is one of the most vibrant, sunny places in Florida, we wanted to highlight the majesty of the Island City with its very own newsletter.

The Islander will launch into your inboxes on June 1 with three incredible issues every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The publication will be an all-new independent sister publication to The Gazette.

“I’m really excited with the direction we’re headed,” Editor Avraham Forrest said. “Even the first week is already feeling like a great issue.”

Expect to find local stories, amazing deals, original features and so much more. Sign up and, by all means, share it with friends, family and community!

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Share your events and listings to be included even before the first issue drops!

You can also share comments by emailing islanderwm@gmail.com.

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MAY 27, 2021

PA L M B E A C H

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PALM BEACH COUNTY CELEBRATES PRIDE MONTH WITH EVENTS Kim Swan

Photo via Adobe.

TO CELEBRATE PRIDE MONTH, PALM BEACH COUNTY IS INVITING THE PUBLIC TO JOIN THEIR EVENTS STARTING IN EARLY JUNE. To kick off the month, the Lake Worth Beach city commission is hosting a Pride Flag Raising and Proclamation Reading at the city hall on June 1 at 5 p.m. As the title suggests, they will raise the Pride Flag while reading the Pride Proclamation, and a photo will be taken to commemorate the event.

DELRAY BEACH IS CELEBRATING PRIDE MONTH AS WELL. THE CITY’S COMMISSIONERS APPROVED A LGBT PRIDE STREETSCAPE THAT WILL BE LOCATED AT THE CITY’S PINEAPPLE GROVE ARTS DISTRICT.

Later on June 1 from 8 - 10 p.m. is the Clematis By Light for LGBTQ Pride, in which the fountain will display Pride colors along with The Citizen’s Building and Palm Beach Dramaworks at Nancy Graham Centennial Square in downtown West Palm Beach.

Pistache, located next to the Fountain, will hold a Pride Happy Hour from 8 - 10 p.m.

Palm Beach Pride Market is an open air marketplace featuring Pride vendors offering products, food, plants, handicrafts and more at Bryant Park on the City of Lake Worth Beach Intracoastal. It begins June 5 at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s a family and pet friendly event.

The Boynton Beach LGBTQ Pride Intersection Dedication June 7 at 5:30 p.m.

Mayor Steven Grant and the Boynton Beach city commission will dedicate the LGBTQ Progress Pride street art at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and S.E. 1st Street in Boynton Beach.

Delray Beach is celebrating Pride Month as well. The city’s commissioners approved a LGBT Pride Streetscape that will be located at the city’s Pineapple Grove Arts District. The city is hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. June 12 at the intersection of Northeast Second Avenue and Northeast First Street. Refreshments will be available after the ribbon cutting.

The installment of the Pride Streetscape will take place from June 1 - 12, in which the area will be closed to traffic.

5. 27. 20 21 •

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CONVICTIONS

Trans Talk

PART II:

TRANS EXISTENCE IS RADICAL. TRANS JOY IS REVOLUTIONARY. Atticus Ranck

I

wasn’t happy at my new job at a liberal university near Boston. I missed my friends. I felt isolated.

I didn’t know anyone. I wasn’t near my family.

Through a series of unfortunate events, I was fired from that job. At the time, I was totally devastated. I had moved from Florida to Massachusetts just for this job and now I had nowhere to go, I had no one in my corner.

It turns out I just had to look a little harder to find the people who cared about me. My family stepped up.

My former professor and friend stepped up. My friends from far away stepped up. Maybe I could restart again.

When I was in college, I felt that happiness looked like a successful career, a happy marriage, some kids, a nice big house. I was groomed to think I would get all this and then I would be happy. I wasn’t going to be happy until I had it all. I was in the process of being happy, but I wasn’t there yet. You need to live in a liberal city where you’ll feel safe, you need to make this much money, you need this kind of job, you need this type of romantic relationship, and then finally, you can relax and be happy.

My life has not turned out the way I expected. After I lost that job, I found another one at a different LGBT nonprofit.

While I was enjoying the work, I was back to long hours and pay that made it difficult to move forward in life. My personal life was going well, though — my wife and I got married. We bought our first house with monetary assistance from our wedding gifts, and we got our first puppy.

But I wasn’t happy professionally and I didn’t know how to get there. I looked into starting my own LGBT Center, I considered starting my own business as an LGBT consultant, I even thought about leaving all that behind and trying to become a carpenter. I started to think about what I really valued in life. What made me happy? I wanted to be important. I wanted to be someone that people came to for guidance and advice.

I wanted to travel the country telling my story. But I also wanted to spend every night with my wife and

WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE, I FELT THAT HAPPINESS LOOKED LIKE A SUCCESSFUL CAREER, A HAPPY MARRIAGE, SOME KIDS, A NICE BIG HOUSE.

30

• 5. 27.2021

Photo via Pixabay.

our new puppy. I wanted to have time to learn new skills so I could fix up our house. I wanted to have lazy Sunday mornings with my wife. Suddenly, becoming important to everyone felt less important than being present with the person who was most important to me.

I felt pressure to find the ideal life.

When I finally gave up on pressuring myself to find someone else’s idea of an ideal life, I found my own.

I found a job at the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute creating and managing LGBT health-related curriculum. This was the perfect job for

me. I wasn’t going to travel the world and tell my story everywhere. I wasn’t going to be important all over the country. I gave up a little bit on feeling important to everyone. It’s not possible and it was stressful trying.

Instead, I get to work 9-5 five days a week creating LGBT trainings that are taught all over the country, making a good salary, and coming home to my wife.

Now I value slightly different things. I’m relearning things that excited me as a child that I have time to rediscover. I bought a metal detector and I’ve become an archeologist in my own backyard. I’m building a shed with my wife and my parents on the weekend. I’m retiling my kitchen backsplash.

The story doesn’t end here. Stay tuned for the final part of this story.

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.

CONVICTIONS

EDITORIAL CARTOON

By Mike Luckovich

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PRiDE All Are WelCOMe SFGN is here for you, no matter who — or what — keeps you going. Check out the Spirituality Section each week to stay in touch with your local religious LGBT community. The only requirement? Be yourself.

sEE moRE onLinE at sFGn.com/taBLE/nEWs/RELiGion 5. 27. 20 21 •

31

Jesse’s Journal

CONVICTIONS

THE TRUMPIEST STATE? Jesse Monteagudo

T

his is not an easy time to be a political progressive in Florida.

Though the Republican Party held the governorship and the legislature since the ‘90s, the Sunshine State was thought by many to be a “purple” state. After all, Florida gave its electoral votes to Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 and returned Bill Nelson to the U.S. Senate in 2006 and 2012.

This perception changed in recent years, as Rick Scott defeated Nelson in 2018 and Donald Trump carried our state in 2016 and 2020. Republican governor succeeded Republican governor and the GOP increased its hold on the Legislature. The GOP now holds 32 seats in the State Senate (to 16 Democrats) and 78 seats in the State House

(to 42 Dems). Florida, once purple, is now as red as a tomato, and as conservative as Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, or Oklahoma. Even Texas seems more likely to turn purple in the near future.

Most of Florida’s move to the right can be attributed to the influence and followers of Donald Trump, now a Florida resident.

Thanks to the Trumpy crowd, Florida’s GOP governors went from mild conservatives like Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist to right-wing radicals like Scott and Ron DeSantis, the incumbent.

DeSantis served several terms in the U.S. Congress, representing Daytona Beach, where he worked alongside fellow Trumper Matt Gaetz of Pensacola. DeSantis credited

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his narrow victory against Andrew Gillum would ban trans girls from competing in high of Tallahassee in 2018 to support from the school or college sports. master of Mar-a-Lago. Though DeSantis’s Tallahassee’s Trumpian majority also victory was slight, he went on to govern as if voted to restrict the power of city and county he had won a mandate. In this he was aided governments which might have Democratic and abetted by a supportive majorities. Through it all, state legislature and an DeSantis and the GOP increasingly conservative state THANKS TO THE TRUMPY legislators dealt with their Supreme Court.

Democratic opponents by CROWD, FLORIDA’S Even the COVID-19 ignoring them completely, pandemic, which proved brutal which in Florida they can do GOP GOVERNORS to other politicians, was used with impunity.

WENT FROM MILD by this Trumpiest of governors Ron DeSantis’s popularity CONSERVATIVES LIKE to his political advantage. among the GOP is based in Like other Republican to his ability to espouse JEB BUSH AND CHARLIE part governors and state legislators, Trumpian policies without CRIST TO RIGHT-WING Trump’s craziness. To his the Trumpy crowd in charge of the Sunshine State used RADICALS LIKE SCOTT credit, DeSantis does not go their power to propagate the on Twitter every morning and AND RON DESANTIS, lie that Joe Biden “stole” the send out crazy, nutty, kooky election and to pass legislation messages.

THE INCUMBENT. dictated from Mar-a-Lago.

On the other hand, Under DeSantis’s direction, DeSantis knows better than our GOP Legislature passed a brutal “law and to directly oppose the master of Mar-a-Lago, order” bill designed to discourage Black Lives who is very popular with his base and who Matter and other progressive protestors. still intends to reclaim his throne in 2024.

They also voted to punish BigTech, which Right now, the governor’s plan seems to be banned Trump from his Twitter account, to be re-elected in 2022 and then to run for tightened voting laws, to discourage African president (if Trump does not run again) or Americans and others who might vote for vice-president, as Trump’s running mate, Democrats and, in the first explicitly anti- in 2024. In either case, DeSantis hopes to LGBT move in decades, passed a bill that continue to carry the Trumpian torch.

at

Live streaming • wwnnradio.com 32

Image credit: DonkeyHotey, via Flickr.

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

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Join us for masked, socially distanced in person worship.

11 AM Sundays. Services also LIVE-streamed on Facebook and posted on website for safe at home viewing.

“Love without judgement” Holy Angels National Catholic Church 1436 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors. 33305 Facebook.com/HolyAngelsFL www.HolyAngelsFL.org

954-633-2987

A home for your spirit.

Mass Schedule: Sabado 6:00 PM misa en español • Sunday Mass at 11 AM in English • All are welcome!

SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS.COM

LISTINGS CONGREGATION ETZ CHAIM 2038 N. Dixie Hwy (Pride Center Building B), Wilton Manors 954-564-9232 - etzchaimflorida.org RabbiNoahKitty@etzchaimflorida.org Friday Night Shabbat Service 8p.m.

HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY 1436 NE 26th St Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-633-2987 - HolyAngelsFL.net Sunday Mass at 11AM

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

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LIFESTYLE CELEBRITY

BY ELLIOT RODRIGUEZ

GAY VINE THE

KEEP UP WITH THE CELEBRITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY

CELEBRITY

FILM

COZY!

IT FEELS SO GOOD!

‘FEEL GOOD’ SECOND SEASON TO AIR ON NETFLIX

BALENCIAGA RELEASING PRIDE JOCKSTRAPS? Balenciaga is releasing a line of Gay Pride clothes, and you guessed it — Jockstraps are on the menu.

This limited collection will only be available for a limited amount of time, where it is only available in certain stores and online.

This seemed to be a snowball effect from Calvin Klein, where according to OUT, they released the first batch of jockstraps in 2019 as part of their Pride collection.

Not long after, in 2020, Versace then followed along and dropped their own set of jockstraps, and now it seems like Balenciaga is the third company to do the same.

Creative Director for Balenciaga Demna Gvasalia, wants to use this

Photo courtesy of Balenciaga.

collection as a way to project his voice for the LGBT community.

“It’s important to push through against homophobia. I’m not someone who goes out in the street and shouts. But this is the political fashion activism I can do,” Gvasalia said.

New trailer for the short-lived series “Feel Good,” has been released by Netflix.

We were introduced to the main character Mae Martin, in the first season, and followed her around as a genderfluid member of the LGBT community.

Where fans instantly found a connection with the show’s dark comedy towards the life of Mae. According to Netflix, this second season follows Mae and Georgie as Mae struggles to come to terms with the ghosts from her past and Georgie tries to reinvent her present.

While the release of this second season will be the last and final season for the series, fans still got to get a bittersweet chance to make a connection with a new

“Feel Good.” Photo credit: Netflix.

character that they can relate to.

Season 2 of “Feel Good” premieres on Netflix June 4.

FASHION

ICONIC!

LAW ROACH MAKES HISTORY Law Roach is a must-know name in the stylist community, while he made history once by being the first Black stylist to be on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter’s Top Stylist list, he continues to break barriers by reaching the number one spot on that list.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, Roach’s hardwork has paid off. According to OUT, Roach appears on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter with Zendaya and Anya Taylor-Joy, two of his clients.

However this is just the tip of the iceberg for Roach. His list of clients ranges everywhere from Ariana Grande to Tom Holland and many more.

Even with this extensive clientele, Roach, like everyone, was still worried about job

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• 5. 27.2021

security when COVID-19 first hit.

“I run a global, multimillion-dollar business.

I did really well, even in COVID. So that part of it is great, you know. As a person, I just want to do the things that I’m doing now and figure out more ways to help other people. I created a fund during COVID to give back to Black-owned beauty and fashion businesses in Chicago,” Roach told The Hollywood Reporter.

Luxury Law’s Instagram paid respects to Roach’s achievement by uploading various pictures from a photo shoot.

One caption read, “STYLIST OF THE YEAR! The little black boy who wore couture.”

Look out Hollywood there’s a new top dog in town!

Law Roach. Photo via @luxurylaw, Instagram.

LIFESTYLE SHOP WITH PRIDE

JEWELRY, RESIN CRAFTS, AND MORE AT

ADVOCATE ART Kendall Little

G

abriel James Theo Doster wanted a way to combine his love for art and helping others, so when a friend suggested he start a business, Doster took the idea and ran with it.

He made sure not to limit himself to one kind of product, but instead experiment with many different art mediums.

“I do a lot of resin jewelry and other resin crafts [combs keychains, self-defense etc.]. I also do some wire wrapping and other jewelry with crystals. I sell watercolor and acrylic paintings and soft pastel drawings. I’ve also recently gotten into book binding and have one for sale right now,” Doster said.

Advocate Art now has over 100 followers on Instagram and Doster is looking forward to the future of the business.

“I’ve gotten very few orders as of yet and it’s discouraging, but it’s made me make some changes,” Doster explained.

He decided to learn valuable skills to help grow his business, such as product photography and wire wrapping.

“My current favorite thing I’ve made is a wire wrapped amethyst pendant,” Doster said. “My goal this year for my business is to expand more and start getting more consistent orders.”

Business growth isn’t the only thing Doster hopes to achieve this year.

“The purpose of my business is to reach people through art. My target audience is mostly LGBT, even though I don’t exclusively sell LGBT items,” he said.

Gabriel James Theo Doster modeling his art.

Photo via Instagram.

Doster is a bisexual and trans man, so it was important to him to advocate for his community.

“I also have a page on my site to sign petitions against anti-LGBT legislature.

I just want LGBT people, other people like me, to know they have people fighting for them,” he said.

Art is a powerful tool in helping others and himself according to Doster.

“My favorite art is art that changes someone’s life and I want to do that for someone else. If I can change just one person’s life with my art, I feel like I’ll have succeeded in this life,” he shared.

To support this LGBT-owned small business, visit www.advocateartbygabriel.com or check out the Advocate Art Instagram page @advocateart123.

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

5. 27. 20 21 •

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LIFESTYLE FOOD

PIECES OF DREAMS Rick Karlin

SUSHI BY BOU

1350 N. Ocean Blvd., Pompano Beach 954-937-7366 sushibybou.com/sushi-by-bou-pompano

I

f you love sushi, and that means you know not to drown it in soy sauce, you know each mouthful is meant to be savored. It is about appreciating the simplicity and beauty of the simple ingredients: a slice of raw (or at most slightly torched) fish atop a pillow of barely warm sticky rice. It is the epitome of quality over quantity.

Omakase is a Japanese phrase, used when ordering sushi in restaurants, that means “I’ll leave it up to you.” It is derived from the Japanese word meaning to entrust someone.

At an omakase meal, the sushi chef makes the decision what to prepare, although many ask your preferences beforehand.

For example, at our recent visit to the new Sushi by Bou Beach Club location in Pompano Beach, we told the chef that my husband doesn’t eat meat, so for the surf and turf special, his beef was replaced with tuna.

Most times an omakase meal consists of multiple pieces of individual sushi, so don’t expect rainbow and dragon rolls. It is about appreciating and savoring each portion served. Eating at a slower pace and savoring

each bit is very Zen and I can guarantee, you won’t go home hungry.

There are many places in the area offering omakase as a dining option. The newest is Sushi by Bou Beach Club, which just opened in the Residences Inn by Marriott in Pompano Beach, just a few blocks up from Stonewall Beach. Sushi by Bou Beach Club brings a high-end omakase experience to the people in a breezy outdoor environment.

The timed omakase (60 minutes) is served at an eight-seat counter where the sushi chef serves you directly, guiding you through the meal, and providing a truly exclusive experience, all while you glance out at the beautiful ocean. That is, if you can take your eyes off the handsome chef. In addition to the Pompano Beach location, there is another Sushi by Bou located in the iconic Versace Mansion in Miami.

On the day of our visit, we enjoyed more than a dozen courses (one piece of sushi for each course). Some kissed with a bit of flame from a blowtorch, but most served in the delicious, natural state, augmented by micro-herbs, flavored oils, citrus juice or other fresh seafood.

Most meals start with hamachi (yellowtail) simply served draped atop a mound of sushi rice. From that, you may move on to chu-toro (medium fatty tuna), and botan ebi (spotted prawn, the one dish I prefer cooked to raw).

OMAKASE IS A JAPANESE PHRASE, USED WHEN ORDERING SUSHI IN RESTAURANTS, THAT MEANS “I’LL LEAVE IT UP TO YOU.”

Photo via Sushi By Bou, Facebook.

Lovely marinated ikura (salmon roe) followed as did bincho (albacore). The raw hotate (sea scallop) allowed us to appreciate the buttery texture of the bivalve.

Another delight for the palate in both taste and texture was the generous portion of uni (sea urchin) in the following course. O-Toro (fatty tuna), sake (salmon), Wagyuni (surf and turf, seared Wagyu beef topped with tuna) and to cap off everything, unagi (BBQ eel). The cost for such a repast starts at $50 a person, according to Frank Bruno of Sushi

by Bou, but can go up from there, depending on add-ons.

Cocktail options are plentiful and exotic, although $14 for a glass that’s mostly ice and about four swigs of drink, is a bit much. Still, the Yuzu Honey Bee which combines Maker’s Mark bourbon with honey and yuzu juice balances a sweet-sour tang with a bit of bite from pink peppercorns. The Kyushu Cove, which they were kind enough to make virgin style (it usually features Cruzan rum) for my husband, was refreshing with hibiscus syrup and tea, juxtaposed against tangy lime juice and seltzer for fizz.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? 

If you want to sample an omakase meal and have trouble getting a reservation at Sushi by Bou, here are some other options.

KURO SEMINOLE HARD ROCK CASINO, HOLLYWOOD 954-327-7625 Offers Omakase at three price levels: $50, $75, $100

TAKATO 551 N. FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH BLVD. 954-414-5160 Omakase ranges from $75 to $150.

KAIZEN 5640 N. FEDERAL HWY, FORT LAUDERDALE 954-835-5610 At Kaizen, the chef’s choice is $90 per person, $180 a couple, or $250 for a three-way.

CASA SENSEI 1200 EAST LAS OLAS STE 101, FORT LAUDERDALE 954-530-4176 The 60-minute tasting menu is $100 per person.

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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• 5. 27.2021

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37

A&E APPOINTMENTS

Following a nationwide search, Gabe Salazar was recently named the new artistic director of the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida.

Courtesy photo.

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4

Gabe Salazar will be the new artistic director of the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida following a nationwide search, the chorus announced late last week.

Salazar, an enthusiastic and experienced conductor, singer and music educator skilled in fostering the artistic development of musicians from all backgrounds of life, brings more than 15 years of experience to the chorus.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Grand Canyon University, Master of Music from Lee University and a post-baccalaureate degree in music education from California State University – Fullerton. The last choral group he led doubled in size in one year and won numerous awards at festivals and competitions. Salazar made his Carnegie Hall conducting debut in March 2019.

“I am truly honored and excited to be chosen as the chorus’s next artistic director. I am passionate about the mission and excited to bring my talent together with those of the singers to create great music. Together, we will build the ensemble so that it becomes an even stronger force to serve our mission and the community,” said Salazar in the press release announcing his appointment.

Although he does not officially begin until July, Salazar is already engaged in conversations with chorus leaders and members about the 2021-2022 season and further announcements are expected over the summer.

For more information, go to GMCSF.org.

The Palm Beach Symphony unveiled its upcoming 2021-22 season, featuring a roster of top-tier soloists, including pianists Hélène Grimaud, Yefim Bronfman and Maria João Pires, violinist Midori and clarinetist Jon Manasse. Music Director Gerard Schwarz will again lead the symphony in a season of five Masterworks Series concerts at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach.

“Returning to performing before live audiences is something of a rebirth and we have put together a Renaissance season,” said Maestro Schwarz. “The season celebrates the enduring power of many of the great masterworks, including an entire concert devoted to Mozart’s brilliant compositions in the last year of his life, while we also rejoice in being together again with the shared thrill of discovery in seldom heard works.”

The Palm Beach Symphony season begins Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021 and runs through Sunday, May 22, 2022 at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. Five-concert Masterworks Series subscription packages begin at $100 and are available at PalmBeachSymphony.org.

3/19/2021 11:17:50 PM

A&E HISTORY

NEW EXHIBIT EXPLORES HISTORY OF LGBT MILITARY BANS J.W. Arnold

O

nly recently have LGBT people been able to serve openly in the U.S. military. “Don’t Ask, Do Tell,” a new exhibit at the Stonewall National Museum and Archives (SNMA) in Fort Lauderdale, explores the lengths the government has gone over the past 250 years to drum out gay soldiers who bravely served their country.

“I wanted to look at the recent changes in the government policy and the relationship between the military and the LGBTQ community, especially because there have been so many changes in the last few years,” explained SNMA Executive Director Hunter O’Hanian.

In 1994, the Clinton Administration instituted “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” a compromise that effectively kept gay and lesbian servicemembers in the closet for 17 years until former President Barack Obama and Congress ended discrimination in 2011.

Progress proved fleeting when former President Donald Trump announced his intention in a 2017 early morning tweet to remove transgender soldiers from the ranks, once again sowing fear and confusion.

President Joe Biden reversed Trump’s order within months of taking office this year.

“When you look at history, there were only brief periods — a small period of the entire relationship — where [LGBT servicemembers] were embraced,” said O’Hanian. “It’s easy to see how fleeting and recent and temporal the right to serve in the military is today. Another change in the political winds could force these people out of service again.”

Studies suggest that more than 65,000 LGBT people are currently serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

O’Hanian’s research led him to accounts in 1778 of the court martial of Continental Army General Frederick Gotthold Enslin on charges of sodomy. Due to the pandemic, he relied on documents and artifacts on hand

This 1937 New Yorker magazine is one of the items featured in “Don’t Ask, Do Tell,” on display at the Stonewall National Museum and Archives.

Courtesy photo.

in the archives, one of the largest LGBT collections in the world to assemble the exhibit and tell the stories of subsequent patriots.

He found a 1949 memo from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff detailing the procedures for charging soldiers believed to be homosexual. Newsletters from the Mattachine Society and other early activist organizations chronicled the era from a personal perspective. Guests can see the 1975 Time Magazine cover in which Air Force technical sergeant Leonard Matlovich came out to the nation, along with a fullpage USA Today ad from the Clinton era featuring General Colin Powell and warning that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” would “destroy the military.”

“The USA Today ad was indicative of the public media fight at the time. In every national newspaper, they literally used the word ‘destroy.’ No one wanted the military destroyed, they were simply asking for inclusion,” O’Hanian said.

“Don’t Ask, Do Tell” is currently on view through Friday, July 16 at the Stonewall National Museum and Archives, 1300 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Attendance is limited to 75 visitors at a time and social distancing and masks are required. For more information or to view a virtual version of the exhibit, go to Stonewall-Museum.org.

June 4-20 2021 713 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth Beach, FL www.lakeworthplayhouse.org | 561.586.6410

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If you would like to meet a pet at the Humane Society of Broward County, please visit www.humanebroward.com to complete a pre-adoption application. Visit www.humanebroward.com to learn more or call 954-989-3977 ext. 6. Appointments are not necessary for the vaccine clinic which is open Monday — Friday 9 AM — 4:30 PM credit cards only. The banners rotate so click on the one that says COVID-19 update adoptions and essential services update and scroll down a little bit. There you will find an application for adoption and other pertinent information. Complete the application (even if you have adopted before) and submit it. Adoptions are being done by appointment only now. For more information call 954-989-3977 ext. 6.

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