local name global coverage July 25, 2018 vol. 9 // issue 30
Freaks and Comic Cons draw lgbt film junkies, gaymers, and more! Pages 9, 24
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July 25, 2018 • Volume 9 • Issue 30
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Bon Voyage! Local Hoops Player Headed To Gay Games John McDonald
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here will be games to be played this difference between the Gay Games and the time. Chris Manning World OutGames. guarantees it. Although the two Manning, 30, is an American organizations share the same basketball player scheduled message, they are not affiliated. to participate in the 2018 Gay “After the fiasco in Miami, Games held next month in I think the OutGames are Paris. through,” Manning said. “I’m excited,” said Manning The OutGames, a much when asked about his hyped LGBT sporting event upcoming trip to France. planned for Miami last year, The 2018 Gay Games take never got off the ground. An place Aug. 4-12. audit by the Miami-Dade State “The Gay Games do happen Attorney’s office is still open. and will happen,” Manning Reports of mismanagement are said. “It’s a legit tournament. widespread. - Chris Manning There are actual medals and a On the contrary, the Gay MEMBER medal ceremony.” Games appears ready to thrive. The Texas native said there is a Now in its 10 edition, the Gay Games is
“It’s a legit tournament. There are actual medals and a medal ceremony.”
MEMBER
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bringing together athletes and equalityminded people from around the globe. In a few weeks, Manning will travel from Fort Lauderdale to Philadelphia and then on to France’s City of Light to compete. At last count, more than 345 participants have registered for basketball at the 2018 Gay Games in Paris. Manning played college ball at Texas A&M University before moving to south Florida where he met his partner Bruce Howe, general manager of Hunters Nightclub Wilton Manors. For Gay Games 2018, Manning is teaming up with the Los Angeles Heat. For more information, visit www.Paris2018.com
Cover: A stellar cosplayer at Supercon. Photo by J.R. Davis. MEMBER
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NLGJA Journalist of the Year South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs. Copyright © 2018 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.
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NEWS online
Action Online
Don't miss the
Star Ryan Reynolds Would ‘Love’ to See More Queer Representation in ‘Deadpool’ Films
AIDS Drugs Show More Promise for Preventing New Infections
Study Reveals Half of Coupled Gay Men Were Abused by Partner
California Mediator: No More Discrimination from Adoption Agencies
CVS Apologizes to Transgender Woman for Prescription Denial
6. Watch: LGBTQ Aussie Water Polo Team’s ‘Shade Video’ Goes Viral Photo Via Sydney Stingers Facebook
7. Transgender Student Seeks Injunction in Bathrooms Lawsuit 8. California Resolution Seeks to Celebrate Intersex Community Hans Lindahl, communications director for interACT, (center) at the Assembly Health committee hearing in May. (Photo by ER de Grey)
9. Latest Ruling Could Give Supreme Court Crack at Trans Military Ban 10. Food: Do the Hokey Poke
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Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Facebook
Gays Go On Strike In Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reneges on pledge to support gay fathers Associated Press
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housands of Israeli LGBT advocates police said two people were detained and and their supporters went on then released. strike across the country Sunday, The protest has grown into a general protesting the exclusion of gay men from call for equality, following other recent a recently passed surrogacy law. controversial legislation that appeared to Protesters marched in Tel target Israeli liberalism. Aviv and other Israeli cities on The protest has generated The protest Sunday, waving rainbow flags widespread support and and briefly blocking a major hundreds of employers said has generated highway. they would allow employees The community is outraged widespread support to observe the strike without that after Prime Minister penalty. and hundreds of Benjamin Netanyahu pledged A major rally in Tel Aviv’s to pass legislation supporting central Rabin Square is employers said scheduled later in the day. surrogacy for gay fathers, he then voted against it, Israel has emerged as one of they would allow apparently under pressure the world’s most gay-friendly employees to from his ultra-Orthodox travel destinations in recent Jewish coalition partners. in sharp contrast to the observe the strike years, Hundreds protested near rest of the Middle East where Netanyahu’s residence in without penalty. gays are persecuted and even Jerusalem. killed. Eyal Lurie Pardes, a In Israel, homosexuals protester draped in a rainbow flag, serve openly in Israel’s military and chanted: “We will not remain silent!” parliament, and many popular artists and “Look me in the eyes and tell me I don’t entertainers are homosexual. deserve to be a father!” he said. However, leaders of the gay community Footage aired on Israeli TV later showed say Israel still has far to go in promoting police pushing him into a police car. Israeli equality. 7.25.2018 •
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LGBTQIA bites Lesbian
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32-year-old Study on Children with Lesbian Parents challenges ‘traditional’ beliefs
By Hope Benson
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Non-binary
‘Steven Universe’ Creator Rebecca Sugar Comes Out as a Non-Binary Woman
Rebecca Sugar via Twitter
The longest study on children of sexual minorities has released a new report on the now adult subjects, finding that their mental health is the same as children raised by lesbian parents. Other spheres of life were also examined — relationships, education and job experience, behavioral and emotional health — and the U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study found no difference between the two groups in these statistics. The data challenges the traditional belief that children need a
male parent to develop correctly, which was especially prominent in 1986 when the study began, lead author Dr. Nanette Gartrell said to the Williams Institute. “These findings demonstrate that claims that it is harmful for children to be raised by same-sex couples are completely unfounded,” co-author Dr. Henny Bos concluded. “There is no justification to restrict child custody or placement, or access to reproductive technologies, based on the parents’ sexual orientation.”
Rebecca Sugar, the creator of the prominent LGBT-friendly cartoon “Steven Universe,” came out as a non-binary woman in a recent podcast interview with NPR 1A. Gems, the alien characters that make up much of the show’s cast, take female forms but are not necessarily female themselves. This structure was inspired by Sugar’s own gender experience. “To make a show about a young boy who was looking up to these female-coded characters — they appear to be female, but they’re a little more representative of
non-binary women,” Sugar said. “They wouldn’t think of themselves as women, but they’re fine with being interpreted that way amongst humans. And I am also a nonbinary woman, which has been really great to express myself through these characters because it’s very much how I have felt throughout my life.” Recent episodes of “Steven Universe”have made history by including a same-sex proposal and wedding between two of the major characters, Ruby and Sapphire. This is the first time these events have been shown in a children’s show, said Pride.
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LGBTQIA bites
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Transgender
Transgender Activist to Play TV’s First Trans Superhero
Nicole Maines, a transgender woman and activist, will be on the popular CW show “Supergirl” as Nia Nal — the first trans superhero to ever be portrayed in television. Maines hopes that she will be able to reverse stereotypes about the transgender community through her role. Past television has mainly featured transgender characters as cisgender men playing drug addicts or sex workers in dresses, which painted the wrong picture, she said. “Having trans people play trans roles [shows] that we are valid in our identities
and we exist … We can be whoever we want, we can do whatever we want, we can be superheroes, because in many ways we are,” she told Variety. Maines was banned from using the female bathroom at her school in 2013, which began a case that would end in the Maine Supreme Court allowing transgender people to use the bathroom of their choice. She would later be the subject of Amy Ellis Nutt’s novel “Becoming Nicole” in 2015 and a part of the 2016 HBO documentary “The Trans List.”
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NEWS local Trantalis at Stonewall Pride. Photo by JR Davis.
Dean Trantalis is One of the Most Prominent Gay Mayors in America Here are 4 others around the country John McDonald
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ean Trantalis captured the City of day Saints (LDS). A native of Minnesota, Fort Lauderdale mayorship in March, Biskupski, 52, earned a criminal justice knocking off a longtime police chief degree from Arizona State University and to lead the popular South Florida resort city. has tackled issues such as homelessness “My promise is to make sure we have and climate change in her first term in a quality of life that is the best it can be,” office. Trantalis is often quoted. The 64-year3. Pete Buttigieg, South Bend, Indiana: old attorney was born in Buttigieg is a successful Connecticut and claims Greek mayor of a city of more than heritage; joking he is Fort 100,000 people. He is a gay “My promise Lauderdale’s first “openly man and an Afghanistan is to make Greek mayor.” Trantalis’ war veteran who married his sure we have partner last month, tweeting, longtime LGBT activism was recognized with an “Excellence “Life is short, and we do not a quality of in Achievement” Award at this have much time to gladden life that is year’s South Florida Gay News the hearts of those who travel anniversary party. with us; so be quick to love, the best it SFGN takes a look at four make haste to be kind, and go can be,” other big city gay mayors in peace to follow the road of from around the country from good blessing.” The 36-year- Dean Trantalis progressive cities like Seattle old Buttigieg campaigned for Fort Lauderdale to locales like South Bend, the chair of the Democratic Mayor Indiana. Party – eventually giving way 1. Jenny Durkan, Seattle: to Tom Perez. He is rumored to Durkan is the lesbian mayor of Seattle, be considering a U.S. presidential campaign a Pacific Northwestern U.S. city of 725,000 in 2020. residents. A Democrat, Durkan, 60, assumed 4. Robert Garcia, Long Beach, California: office in November of 2017. She has stated Garcia is leading a revival in this a key priority is to reform the city’s police Southern California Oceanside city. Garcia’s department. Seattle is a major American administration is implementing plans port city with significant ties to Asia and to curb emissions, diversify community is home to top Fortune 500 companies boards and ban harmful plastic straws and Amazon, Starbucks and Nordstrom. styrofoam containers in Long Beach, a city 2. Jackie Biskupski, Salt Lake City: of 462,257. A former Republican who was A married lesbian and mother of two, born in Peru, Garcia won his first campaign Biskupski serves as mayor of Salt Lake City, for Long Beach mayor with 52 percent of the capital of Utah. The city of an estimated the vote. He recently announced wedding 190,000 is home to the world headquarters plans for his 10-year relationship with Dr. of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Matthew Mendez.
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NEWS national
Flame Con 2018 Celebrates the Best of LGBT Artistic Culture Chuck LaChance
Cosplayers from Flame Con 2017 via Facebook
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he fourth annual Flame Con comes to New York City in August. This two-day convention highlights writers, art performers, and entertainers from every corner of the LGBT world. The convention features panels, exclusive performances, movie screenings, cosplay, drag performances, and more. Michelle Rose Micor, the PR administrator of Geek Out, who sponsors the convention, states that the gathering brings together the best of diversity and creativity in today’s LGBT culture. Flame Con was created as a nonprofit organization to rally, empower, and promote the queer/geek community. Artists and entertainers scheduled to be in attendance are: Erin Nations (Gumballs), Dan Parent (Archie), Kevin Wanda (Iceman),
James Tyrion IV (Batman), Magdalene Visaggio (Eternity Girls), Steve Orlando (Supergirl, Midnighter), Kris Anka (X-Men), and Brittney Williams (Patsy Walker). Also in attendance will be actor Kaitlyn Alexander and Shadi Petosky, producer and creator of Amazon’s Danger and Eggs.
Flame Con will be held held Aug. 18-19 in New York City at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel. Tickets run from $25 to $65 and can be obtained at www.flamecon.org.
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NEWS international
Violence, Discrimination Prompts LGBTI Hondurans to Migrate Michael Lavers Washington Blade
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embers of Colectivo Unidad Color Rosa, an LGBTI advocacy group in the Honduran city of San Pedro Sula, on July 11 were sewing a transgender Pride flag for an upcoming march. On the wall behind them were against lingering outrage over President the pictures of 19 local activists and Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration community members who have been policy, which included the separation of killed over the last decade. migrant children from their parents once “You can be killed at any moment in they entered the U.S. this extremely violent country,” a lesbian Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen activist told the Washington Blade during Nielsen last week met with the foreign an interview with three others affiliated ministers of Honduras, El Salvador, with Colectivo Unidad Color Rosa who Guatemala and Mexico in Guatemala City. identify themselves as transsexual She announced the creation of an office women. within her agency that will advise their Honduras has one of the world’s highest governments about the reunification of per capita murder rates migrant children who because of violence that is have been separated from frequently associated with their parents. “You can be gangs and drug traffickers. The activists with Violence and discrimination whom the Blade spoke killed at any based on gender identity and said violence and a lack of sexual orientation remains economic opportunities moment in commonplace in the are the primary reasons Central American country that prompt lesbian, this extremely that borders Guatemala, El gay, bisexual, intersex Salvador and Nicaragua. and especially trans violent One of the activists with Hondurans to leave the whom the Blade spoke at country. country.” Colectivo Unidad Color Statistics from Rosa has previously received Cattrachas, a lesbian - Anonymous death threats. feminist network that is lesbian activist She and her three based in the Honduran colleagues asked the Blade capital of Tegucigalpa, not to publish their names or indicate 15 people have been take their pictures because of concerns reported killed in the country so far this over their personal safety. One of the year because of their sexual orientation activists — a trans woman — said or gender identity. “nothing has changed” in San Pedro Sula A gay Honduran man seeking asylum since the Blade last reported from the city in Mexico told the Blade on Tuesday in February 2017. during an interview outside a refugee “What has increased and has changed center in Mexico City that he fled San is migration,” she said. “There are more Pedro Sula earlier this year after gang trans girls migrating from the country.” members attacked him. The man said the gang members also raped his friend Trans women ‘always have before they killed her in front of him. poverty, insecurity’ “The situation therefore never changes for the community,” said the trans activist The activists spoke with the Blade in San Pedro Sula who has previously
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A picture of Roxana Hernández, a transgender Honduran woman with HIV who died in ICE custody in May, hangs on a wall inside the offices of Colectivo Unidad Color Rosa, an LGBTI advocacy group in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on July 11, 2018. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
received death threats. “We always have poverty, insecurity for trans girls. This is the main reason for migrating.”
Trans woman who died in ICE custody ‘represented a struggle’ The death of Roxana Hernández — a trans Honduran woman with HIV who died at a New Mexico hospital on May 25 while in ICE custody — sparked outrage among advocates in Honduras and in the U.S. Hernández, who was from the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa, was in San Pedro Sula before she joined a 300-person caravan that traveled to the U.S. border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection took her into custody on May 9 when she asked for asylum at the San Ysidro Port of Entry near San Diego. Hernández’s picture is among the 19 that are on the wall at Colectivo Unidad Color Rosa’s offices. The four activists with
whom the Blade spoke were quick to point out other trans Hondurans have also been killed after leaving the country. “Roxana’s case is being politicized at the moment,” said the lesbian activist. “It is being politicized in the sense that she represented a struggle when we were looking for martyred colleagues.” “Roxana became a colleague as a result,” she added. “There are many other colleagues as well.”
Activist: Honduras government has no socio-economic plan Honduran first lady Ana García earlier this month visited a detention center in McAllen, Texas, after Trump issued an executive order that ended the separation of migrant children from their parents. CNN reported García urged Hondurans to remain in the country and said, “let’s look for solutions to support you.” García on June 19 made a similar plea on
NEWS international her Twitter page. protections for trans Hondurans and “Don’t migrate, don’t risk the lives of their inability to legally change the name your children on that route,” she said. and gender on their ID cards has also “Avoid traumas because with the U.S. ‘zero made them increasingly vulnerable to tolerance’ policy, you will be separated discrimination and violence. from your little ones when you arrive One of the trans activists noted the illegally.” Honduran government “does not have a More than 30 peopled died in violent plan” to help LGBTI migrants. U.S. Rep. protests that took place David Cicilline (D-R.I.) last across the country after month told the Blade after President Juan Orlando he and other members of “Avoid traumas Hernández’s disputed reCongress traveled to South because with election last November. Texas, he realized there are the U.S. ‘zero The activists in San Pedro no policies in place that Sula with whom the Blade tolerance’ policy, specifically address the spoke said it is possible needs of LGBTI migrant you will be the Honduran government children who the Trump has not explicitly criticized administration separated separated from Trump’s immigration policy from their parents. your little ones because it does not want to All four of the activists when you arrive lose U.S. aid. with whom the Blade spoke The U.S. Agency for said they have no plans to illegally.” International Development leave Honduras in spite of - Ana García reports Honduras received the rampant violence and Honduran first lady $127,506,634 in U.S. foreign discrimination that exists in aid in the 2016 fiscal year. their country. Full figures from fiscal years 2017 and 2018 One of the trans activists told the Blade are not yet available. she traveled to Mexico City three years The lesbian activist with whom the Blade ago to undergo cosmetic surgery. She said spoke said the Honduran government has she returned to Honduras because her not implemented a socio-economic plan experience in the Mexican capital was “to benefit the population.” “very ugly.” She said the government has increased The lesbian activist said she will stay in funding of the country’s Military and Honduras because she has “stability.” National Police, which have been accused “I would think about leaving, about of human rights violations. The lesbian migrating, if I didn’t have the stability that activist also told the Blade a lack of legal I have,” she added.
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Abolish ICE sign at immigration rally in Washington D.C. Credit: Mallory Simon/CNN
7.25.2018 •
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NEWS local
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Photo: Facebook
Fundraiser for Sunshine Cathedral Aug. 5 Denise Royal
O
Accounting and Tax Services Timothy S. Hart, CPA Managing Partner
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n Sunday, August 5, the Gay Men’s The fundraiser promises to be an Chorus joins forces with the New amazing performance. The Chorus is River Orchestra for a performance one of the region’s largest and most benefiting the Sunshine Cathedral. Tickets successful community-based choruses are $20. The musicians in the orchestra celebrated for outstanding musicianship, and chorus members donate their creative programming, and effort and time to perform this community outreach. Each Historically, concert. year GMCSF reaches over Sunshine Cathedral is a 12,000 audience members Sunshine progressive, positive, spiritual with its messages of love and Cathedral’s community that is affiliated inclusion. with Metropolitan Community The New River Orchestra primary Churches. Historically, Sunshine is the collaboration of a constituency has group of musicians for Cathedral’s primary constituency has consisted of same-gender continued study and consisted of same- the loving and gender nonperformance of classical gender loving conforming people and their music. It was founded in allies. The Reverend Dr. Durrell with a vision to be an and gender non- 2005 Watkins is Sunshine Cathedral’s elite local orchestra. Today, senior minister. conforming people it has grown into a group of Summer is a time when over 50 members. and their allies. attendance and giving tend to Attendees are invited decrease, but the needs of the to bring non-perishable Sunshine Cathedral remain constant. Also, food items to support the Sunshine summer is when strong storms tend to Cathedral Brown Bag Outreach Ministry. hit, and when giving is down for four or Sunshine Cathedral is located at 1480 five months, having depleted funds can SW 9th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. devastate the finances of the church.
For tickets, visit www.easytithe.com/f/?k=CILDU9C80RDCY5CR or go to SunshineCathedral.org.
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NEWS local
The Criminal Defense Law Center of South Florida
The Practice Of Law Is No Practice. Four Decades of experience. A lifetime of trust.
Collins via Broward Sheriff’s Office.
Clarence Collins Still in Jail
The Pride Center janitor was fired and arrested in April once the community learned he was a convicted sex predator Jason Parsley
C
larence Collins, a sex predator who SFGN publisher, disagreed with the group’s worked at the Pride Center for 15 years decision saying the money should have and was arrested in April for failing to already been used to get him out of jail. re-register as a sex offender, is still behind bars. “The present situation for Mr. Collins is It’s unclear why though. Collins has a bond unconscionable and suspect,” Kent said. of $2,500, which means all he needs is $250 to “Every penny of the $2,460 raised should get out of jail. immediately go to posting bond and getting “The entire bail system is designed to him released.” incarcerate poor people – not dangerous Sex offenders face severe restrictions in people,” said Broward’s Public Defender terms of where they are legally allowed to Howard Finkelstein. “The live. Collins was also charged whole basis of using money is with failing to notify law wrong headed from the get go. enforcement of a change of It allows dangerous people to address. According to his sex get out and non dangerous poor offender profile his address people to remain in.” was listed as transient for years. Collins was recently assigned The Pride Center, and its a new public defender, Theresa CEO Robert Boo, came under Freitas, who has yet to meet fire when it was learned Boo with her client. allowed Collins to work at “I will prioritize getting him the Center despite his history out of jail,” she said. as a sex offender. In 2015 the But money should not be the Center installed a playground issue. on its campus making Collins’ After Collins was fired employment illegal. After and then arrested a member Collins was initially charged - Michael Gagne of the community started a with the two counts listed GoFundMe page raising $2,460. above, he was later charged with a third count “Our plan is for someone local to be the of illegally working at the Pride Center. That custodian of the money once Clarence is charge, however, has since been dropped. It’s released,” Michael Gagne said. “Then Clarence unclear why. can decide what to do with the money we When the Collins story became public many raised.” parents in the community were outraged. Boo According to Gagne the money is still in the was ultimately suspended without pay for two account waiting to be claimed. The issue, he weeks, while six board members of the Pride said, is housing. Center resigned. “[There is a group] of us trying to get “I have deposited a few hundred dollars from Clarence released [but we] seem to be spinning my own pocket into Clarence’s Commissary our wheels,” he said. “We found housing, but account throughout the last couple of months,” have been unable to get confirmation that it Gagne said. “I also have everything I need to can be a legal residence for Clarence. Until we bail Clarence out via a local bail bondsman. do, we are at a standstill.” Again, there is nothing more we can do to get Norm Kent, criminal defense attorney and that [housing] confirmation.”
“[There is a group] of us trying to get Clarence released [but we] seem to be spinning our wheels,”
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Convictions
Seeing In The Dark
Women’s March Oakland takes a stand for Disability Rights Belo Cipriani
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ccording to the news agency Vox, the Women’s March on Washington, on January 21-22, 2017, was one of the largest gatherings of people with disabilities in U.S. history -- exceeding demonstrations by disability advocates, after the Senate passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Now, more than a year later, Women’s March continues to advocate for women from all backgrounds through their global platform in several cities. But for San Francisco resident Robin Wilson-Beattie, a queer disability advocate and writer, not all chapters of Women’s March are inclusive of people with disabilities. “I was disappointed, but not surprised,” she shared, “that San Francisco’s Women’s March did not have this. Nowhere did I see advertised any disability inclusivity or any acknowledgement of the importance of recognizing disability as a women’s rights issue.” Wilson-Beattie, who is 40, and manages a spinal cord injury, as well as a diagnosis of ADHD and depression, traveled out of her city and crossed the bay to Oakland to find the chapter of Women’s March that fits her needs. “I signed up to march and volunteer, because the Oakland Women’s March was the Bay Area event that made a concerted effort to involve people with disabilities as an inclusive part of the event,” she said. “Also,” she continued, “The LightHouse [for the Blind and Visually Impaired] was organizing it, so I knew it would be legit.” Lisamaria Martinez, 37, LGBT ally, and director of Community Services for the San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind, mentioned her organization was contacted to help make Women’s March Oakland more accessible. “Immediately, we jumped in and we helped to coordinate a 2018 pandisability contingency for the March,” she shared. Martinez, who is blind, had participated in the march in 2017, when she was pregnant, as a community member. Now, she was elated to march among her community, and to come full circle. “This time around, I marched with my
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almost 1-year-old daughter and about 50 other people with disabilities or allies,” she said. “It was an amazing day and I was so excited to share it with other people who have disabilities…” Cathereine Kudlick, history professor and director of the Longmore Institute on Disability at San Francisco State University, marched in the 2018 Women’s March disability contingent. Kudlik, who is 60, blind, and bisexual, feels disability often gets left out of broader political organizing, and she found the disability contingent empowering. “We were pretty much at the front of everyone,” Kudlick shared, “which was great for our being visible. At a couple of points, I ended up with the megaphone; I helped come up with a couple of chants to link us to the issues of the day.” “These are tough times,” continued Kudlick, “for anyone who identifies in any way with being marginal -- queer, disabled, person of color, and, surprisingly, in 2018, being a woman.” Alison Mata, director of Operations for Women’s March Oakland, stated inclusion has been a priority of the chapter since its inception, and they have partnered with several disability advocates and agencies to ensure they honor their commitment to accessibility. “Our peace ambassador trainings include disability etiquette, and our upcoming activism trainings will dive further into this topic,” said Mata. Mata, 33, and an event planner in the San Francisco Bay Area, was inspired by the Women’s March on Washington, but felt she should respond to the movement locally. In addition to planning the march, she has been involved in organizing several clinics and events over the past six months through Women’s March Oakland. “We released a toolkit on removing barriers to voting in the East Bay for International Women’s Day in March, held a voting workshop in May, and hosted the Oakland stop of the Women’s March Power to the Polls tour in June,” she said. In fall 2018, Women’s March Oakland
Photo: Facebook.
will be hosting more voting clinics, launching an activism training series, and holding an event on building bridges across differences. To get involved or volunteer, visit www. womensmarchoakland.org. Following Robin Wilson-Beattie’s feedback about Women’s March San Francisco, the Bay Area Reporter reached out to the organization for a comment. The public relations team replied immediately with the following: “First, we hear Wilson-Beattie’s feedback and frustration and are glad she was able to find a march that best served her needs. Women’s March San Francisco organizes
around the Women’s March Unity Principles, among which Disability Rights features prominently. From our inception, we’ve considered the needs of our disabled community, providing trolleys for those with mobility issues, locating actions along accessible transportation routes, carving out an ADA area at the front of the stage, and providing ASL interpreters for all our actions.” Women’s March San Francisco is a volunteer organization and welcomes referrals for individuals and organizations that could help them improve their services. The organization said, “we consult and also know we can always improve.”
Belo Cipriani is a disability advocate, an award-winning journalist, the prize-winning author of "Blind: A Memoir and Midday Dreams," and the spokesperson for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Learn more at www.belocipriani.com.
7.25.2018 •
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Convictions
Mombian
A Threat to Our Children Dana Rudolph
O
n June 30, hundreds of thousands of people across the country rallied against the Trump administration’s policies of child separation and family detention. These policies are only the latest of several moves by the administration and by individual states that show an appalling disregard for the well-being of children. No, these are not all LGBTQ-specific issues (although I don’t doubt there are LGBTQ people and families impacted by all of the policies). They are human issues, however, and as humans, we should care and act. The threats to our children right now are far too many. Even as school shootings continue with tragic frequency, the Trump administration’s response has not been a call for stricter gun-control laws—in particular, stricter background checks and a ban on the assault weapons used in most mass shootings—but to suggest that putting more guns in schools by arming teachers could help. A string of other federal policy changes—from shifts in health care coverage that chip away at provisions of the Affordable Care Act, to tax cuts that benefit only the wealthy—will also negatively impact many children, especially those from less financially secure families. LGBTQ children and youth are among those particularly targeted by the administration. The U.S. Department of Education said in February, for example, that it is no longer investigating civil rights complaints from transgender students whose schools are not letting them use school bathrooms consistent with their gender identity— in contrast to guidance from the Obama administration that had said such actions by the school were a form of sex discrimination prohibited under Title IX. On the state level, Oklahoma and Kansas in May became the eighth and ninth states to allow taxpayer-funded child welfare agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ prospective parents, LGBTQ youth, or any others, such as single or divorced people or those of different
religions, if providing services to them goes against the agency’s religious or moral beliefs. This puts them in the company of Alabama, Michigan, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia. The harm is both to LGBTQ children in care, who could get placed in homes that try to “pray the gay away,” and to non-LGBTQ ones, whose pool of possible homes is reduced. And bills are being considered in Delaware and Ohio that would require schools to notify parents if a student asks for the school to recognize the student’s transgender or gender creative identity. This could cause emotional or even physical trauma for students whose parents are not accepting of these identities. These policies, laws, and bills all show a distinct lack of understanding about children’s needs, both emotional and physical. They seem particularly ironic coming from a part of the political spectrum that has long claimed to be about “family values.” Maybe, though, part of stopping these policies— and shifting the political balance in November—is to emphasize exactly that: how they combine into a frightening picture of harm directed at the most vulnerable members of our society. Showing this threat is more than just a political strategy, though. It is a necessity on behalf of our children—all the children of our country. Governmental threats to our children are sadly not new. Our country has separated families as part of the institution of slavery, removed indigenous children from their parents in order to “assimilate” them, and interred children with their families because of racially based fears during World War II. This is all the more reason to keep fighting, however. Our democracy is an evolving entity, and it is up to us, the people who comprise it, to shape its direction. As a queer parent, knowing what it is like to fight unjust laws on behalf of my family and child, I feel compelled to take action to help other parents and children when their
The Trump administration said Friday that it may need more time to reunite the immigrant families it separated. Credit: CNN
When I feel overwhelmed or helpless, I will think about how the children targeted by the above policies must feel, and know I need to keep trying.
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family connections, safety, and rights are threatened. I will speak out, call and write to my elected officials, donate to organizations working on the above issues, and keep myself informed. I will also pledge to vote in November and to encourage others to do so. When I feel overwhelmed or helpless, I will think about how the children targeted by the above policies must feel, and know I need to
keep trying. I hope that many others will do the same, both queer parents and otherwise, for it is as a unified voice for all our country’s children that we will succeed. Children may be the most vulnerable part of our society, but they are also the most important, for they are our future. If we do not care for them, what future do we have?
Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of Mombian (mombian.com), a GLAAD Media Award-winning blog and resource directory for LGBTQ parents.
“AS GOVERNOR, I WILL PROTECT
OUR LGBTQ COMMUNITY FROM TRUMP
Donald Trump threatens to reverse the progress we have made toward equality. Trump’s Supreme Court has already ruled in favor of bigotry, but Jeff Greene will fight to ensure Florida is protected from the dangerous Trump agenda.
and his Supreme Court.”
• Pass state level protections for LGBTQ rights, including marriage equality, adoption, and anti-discrimination laws. • Pass the Florida Competitive Workplace Act to protect LGBTQ workers from being discriminated against or fired. • Protect our children by establishing strict penalties for bullying based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
FIGHTING AGAINST HATE AND BIGOTRY
VOTE DEMOCRAT JEFF GREENE FOR GOVERNOR Paid by Jeff Greene, Democrat, for Governor.
7.25.2018 •
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Convictions
Jesse’s Journal
In Praise of Vitambi Springs Jesse Monteagudo
A
few months ago Ric Reily, who in my opinion is the leading authority on the matter, wrote his annual review of gay or gay-friendly campgrounds in North America for South Florida Gay News’s magazine The Mirror. Reily based his piece on personal experience and on a survey of gay campers who picked their favorites from among 24 campgrounds. Four camps topped the 11 categories: The Woods Campground, PA (Facilities, Amenities, Activities); Sawmill Camping Resort, FL (Entertainers, Entertainment); Freedom Valley Campgrounds, OH (Appearance, Accommodations, Community); and Jones Pond Campground & RV Park, NY (Fun, Staff, Food). Though I am not as knowledgeable or as experienced as Ric Reily, I have been to my share of gay-friendly campgrounds. One of my favorites is Vitambi Springs Florida Wilderness Resort & Camp. A members only, all male, year-round wilderness camp and resort near Clewiston (82 miles from Fort Lauderdale), Vitambi served as a camp for wayward boys before business partners Steve McCloud and Martin Ruddock bought the land. The partners, McCloud told me shortly after Vitambi opened, “set out several years ago to find a suitable camp/resort to better meet the needs of South Florida’s gay population. The gay community should have a place with good food and good drink in a natural secluded location that allowed us to be us. We all need a nearby escape and a place to meet likeminded friends and make new friends. Traditional gay bars, restaurants and
gathering spots are not always the best for meeting new people, quiet conversation, star gazing, long walks holding hands and the chance to cuddle in a cabin in the woods. We wanted to create a country club setting and an overnight option away from home.” McCloud described Vitambi Springs as a “private members only, gated, 21 and over, all male, year-round resort camp set on 269 tropical forest acres below Florida’s frostline.” Vitambi Springs is open seven days a week, though most of its activities occur on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Members can come in on a day pass or stay for the weekend in a variety of accommodations: The Pine Tree Inn, private homes, secluded cabins, military barracks or, if they so choose, bring their own RV - Vitambi provides water and 30 amp power - pop up or tent. Among Vitambi’s more popular amenities are the Bongo Bar, Bolo Café and Tropical Pool. Women are not allowed at Vitambi, except during two all-women’s weekends held during the spring and fall. On the other hand, pets are welcome, as long as they are well-behaved and kept on a leash. Membership in this private club is required for everyone, even for holders of day passes. Like other gay resorts, Vitambi Springs has a clothing-optional policy. Though clothes are required in all public buildings and designated areas (the North Loop); the pool area and campgrounds (the South Loop) are clothing-optional. During special N-VS (Naturist Vitambi Springs) weekends, nudity is permitted everywhere except inside the Big Oak Lodge, which houses Registration, Bolo Café, Bongo
The gay community
should have a place with good food
and good drink in
a natural secluded
location that allowed us to be us.
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Bar, Safari Outfitters General Store and administrative offices. During its five years of existence, Vitambi has gained a following from locals and tourists alike, and even from
one reporter. Last year, Vitambi Springs was chosen by RoverPass as one of the top 5 gay campgrounds in the country, a worthy achievement if I may say so.
Vitambi Springs Florida Wilderness Resort & Camp is located at 28280 Etumakee Way, Clewiston, FL 33440. For more information, visit www. vitambi.com, phone (863) 983 8488 or email: info@vitambi.com. Visit SFGN.com/2018campingissue to read more about the top camping sites across Florida and the rest of North America.
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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web JohnKnoxVillage.com JohnKnoxVillage John Knox Village is committed to compliance with all federal, state and local fair housing laws. It is our policy to offer senior living to those that qualify without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, familial status, or handicap. The employees of John Knox Village have a legal obligation to treat each individual in a consistent and equally fair manner. In order to assist you with your decision on your new home, we are providing a list of guidelines used to qualify residents for tenancy in our community. Please note that this is our current rental/ownership criteria; nothing contained in these requirements shall constitute a guarantee or representation by John Knox Village that all residents and occupants currently residing at the community have met these requirements. There may be residents and occupants that have resided the community prior to these requirements going into effect. Additionally, our ability to verify whether these requirements have been met is limited to the information we receive from various credit and screening services used.
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Convictions
The Rare Reporter
The Suicide Epidemic LGBT youth are at particular risk
David Webb
S
uicide has become an epidemic in America. It is at a 30-year high, and it is the second-leading cause of death in the U.S. behind motor vehicle accidents, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The recent tragic deaths of fashion icon Kate Spade, 55, and travel and food guru Anthony Bourdain, 61, catapulted the catastrophe to the consciousness of the nation, but people from all strata of society — especially the LGBT community — face the risk as well. Most of what is known about suicide in the LGBT community comes from the research of youth issues because the latest information, a 2016 statistical analysis of that year’s 44,965 victims by the American Association of Suicidology, contains no data based on sexual orientation. The various agencies studying suicidal behavior in LGBT youth maintain that suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24, and that lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are three times more likely to seriously consider suicide and five times more likely to have attempted killing themselves than their heterosexual counterparts. A study of transgender people revealed that 40 percent had made a suicide attempt and that 92 percent of them tried to kill themselves before age 25. Researchers, psychologists and others involved in mental health care believe that LGBT youth are more susceptible to suicide because of bullying that includes verbal and physical abuse, little support from family and friends, low self-esteem and the stress associated with minority status. As a result, LGBT youth are more likely to turn to alcohol and other drugs to tackle feelings of chronic hopelessness and worthlessness
that exacerbate their problems. All of these factors can be translated to older groups of LGBT people who remember experiencing the same treatments and feelings in their youth and may still suffer the consequences as adults. In a report on June 7 of this year, the Centers for Disease Control reported that the 2016 statistics reflected a 30 percent increase in suicides among Americans age 10 or older since 1999. The release of the report announcing the spike ironically coincided with the deaths of Spade on June 5 and Bourdain on June 8. The 2016 analysis of suicides showed that white men in their middle-ages (45 to 64) made up the largest percentage of deaths, and that group has shown the largest increase in suicides in recent years. Of the 44,965 deaths, the breakdown was as follows: Males, 34,727; Females, 10,238; Whites, 40,164; Non-whites, 4,801; Older Adults (65plus), 8,204; Middle-Ages (45-64), 16,196 and Young People (15-24), 5,723. All of the states reported significant numbers of suicides with California in the lead at 4,294, followed by Texas at 3,488 and Florida at 3,143. The District of Columbia had the least number of suicides at 40, and Vermont and Delaware leveled out the bottom with 118 and 119 respectively. Regionally, the South had the most suicides with 17,593, and the Northeast had the least with 6,078. The West showed 11,516, and the Midwest showed 9,778. The use of firearms, 51 percent, represented the most common method of suicide in 2016, followed by hanging and other suffocation, 26 percent, and poisoning, 15 percent. Suicides by hanging and suffocation showed a dramatic increase of 52 percent compared
Researchers, psychologists and others involved in mental health care believe that LGBT youth are more susceptible to suicide because of bullying.
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1,841 more suicides than expected were reported in the four months after the actor’s death. Credit: Warner Bros. Feature.
to other methods in a study of statistics from 1999 to 2010, according to a U.S. National Library of Medicine report. Firearm use remained level during those years while poisoning increased by 19 percent. Both Spade and Bourdain committed suicide by hanging, and their deaths could be expected to spark an increase in the suicide rate if trends noticed in previous years continue. Crisis prevention hotlines are already reporting more calls. A study by Columbia University noted that when actor Robin Williams, 63, hung himself in 2004 suicides rose by 10 percent in four months. A similar increase was noted in 1962 when actress Marilyn Monroe, 36, died as a result of barbiturate poisoning. The phenomenon is known as “suicide contagion,” and it is believed to be spread by massive media coverage of celebrity suicides. Most U.S. newspapers and other media abstain from publishing news about suicides unless it involves celebrities or politicians at least in part because of the danger of copycat suicides. In the days following massive media coverage of suicides, people who are
thinking about suicide may be more likely to act on the impulses. Research by mental health professionals shows that suicide victims often showed no signs of despair, nor did they have a history of mental illness. The suicides of both Spade and Bourdain took family and friends by surprise. LGBT youth are arguably the most vulnerable group to suicide because they are less likely to know of resources or to be able to access them. Youth who lack strong support from family, peers or adults such as school officials are particularly at risk. Research indicates crisis prevention services such as hotlines can be effective interventions for youth in trouble. Any youth experiencing suicidal thoughts can call the Trevor Project at 1-866-4887386. Anyone who is aware of a youth in crisis can also call counselors for advice. A compassionate trained counselor will answer, “What’s going on?” Adults who are in crisis can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Adults concerned about other adults also can speak to the counselors.
Editorial Cartoon
Convictions
Editorial Cartoon By Mike Luckovich
HOME | AUTO | BUSINESS
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1975 E. Sunrise Blvd, Suite 602 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 www.WeInsureFTLaud.com 7.25.2018 •
21
LIFESTYLE photos
Bartenders, boxers & Briefs Bartenders and bidders descended on Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar July 23 for Tuesday’s Angels’ annual fundraising event. J.R. Davis Bill and Richard with Taran
Chuck Nicholls and Peter Burleigh of Tuesday’s Angels
Lee and Adam
Arman, Miss BW, Angel, Alyson and Victor from Boardwalk-Beefcakes
Hostesses Nikki Adams, Dame Edna and Miss Kitty
To see many more photos, visit South Florida Gay News on Facebook. 22
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7 .25.2018
Monday thru Thurs:
4 p.m. - 12 a.m. Fri, Sat:
2 p.m. - 2 a.m. Sunday:
11 a.m. - 12 a.m.
Contemporary Dining in an Urban Setting — Featuring — Five Course Dinners and Sunday Brunches Full Liquor Bar and Happy Hour Discounts Daily Specials and Nightly Entertainment Prjvate Parties and Catered Affairs Spacious seating and Valet Parking Generous Portions and Friendly Servers
2000 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, Florida | (954) 530-3361 7.25.2018 •
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lifestyle photos
Cosplayers And Stars People flocked to the Broward Convention Center July 13-15 for South Florida’s largest Comic Con of the Year – Supercon 2018 Carina Mask Professional Cosplayer Rick Stafford dresses up as Aquaman at every convention.
Two cosplayers dressed as Sophie and Howl from Studio Ghibli's "Howl's Moving Castle" and competed in SuperCon's Costume Contest on July 14th 2018.
At SuperCon last weekend, John Barrowman of Arrow, Torchwood, Legends of Tomorrow and Dr. Who dressed in a Tardis dress and sparkling heels as he had a Q&A on Saturday, July 14th 2018 at the Broward Convention Center.
LGBT cosplayers dressed up for the Lolita Fashion show on Sunday, July 15th 2018.
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To see many more photos, visit South Florida Gay News on Facebook.
lifestyle homo history
‘Queering the Redneck Riviera’
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11TH, 2018
10:30AM–12:30PM
JOIN US AT OUR HOUSE! Yello Elite Performance Dance Troupe Auditions (Ages 8+): 1:30pm–2:30pm ENROLL at our Open House and your registration is FREE!
The LGBT history of Florida’s panhandle Graham Brunk
W
hat do Wilton Manors, South Beach and Key West all have in common? They’re universally known as gay meccas in Florida all with a rich and vibrant history. But beyond the borders of South Florida other parts of this state have a gay history as well, including what’s known as the state’s bastion of conservatism – Florida’s panhandle, also known as the Redneck Riviera. Jerry Watkins III’s new book, “Queering the Redneck Riviera: Sexuality and the Rise of Florida Tourism” chronicles the history of the panhandle’s LGBT community and its impact on Florida’s emerging tourist economy. The book begins with a brief history of post World War II Florida, a time when Florida’s tourism industry began to skyrocket. Disney World was still far from reality, but families flocked here from all over for the many festive side street tourist attractions, sandy beaches, everglades, and delicious orange juice. For many people, the panhandle was the first piece of Florida they saw and naturally the first place many gays coming to the state would see as well. Awareness of gays in Florida came to light with the “Homosexual Panic of 1954,” when police in Miami revealed that there were in fact thousands of gays in Florida. This awareness echoed throughout the state including the panhandle. Watkins’ book shares with us for the first time the many first hand accounts, in great detail, of gay men navigating a gay lifestyle in Florida’s panhandle. From stories of hot cruising spots such as Panama City’s infamous downtown public restroom to the local railway station, Watkins reveals the unfair treatment a lot of gays suffered as a result of the panic. Much of Watkins’ research comes directly from the Johns Committee records in the state archives, which detail the repression many men in the panhandle
faced. He describes how homosexuality was often used as a scapegoat for local law enforcement. Watkins told SFGN in an interview he began to see the trend that when a politician or city needed an image boost in the “tough on crime” or family friendly area, LGBT folks were often easy targets and the public loved to shame them. Still, some of the first hand accounts reveal that on many occasions people were left alone and still did as they pleased and many of the stories in the book are as entertaining as they are educational and informative. An entire chapter of the book describes the Emma Jones Society. Every Fourth of July, the society was able to draw thousands of gays and lesbians to various beach parties and conventions throughout Pensacola. Watkins said that if the attendance numbers are to be believed, the amount of queer people present would rival the numbers of the well known Christopher Street Celebrations held around the same era in various cities throughout the country. “The Advocate” in a 1975 retrospective even once called the Emma Jones Society parties some of the largest gay organized events in the country. Like many people in small-town U.S, Watkins initially assumed his hometown of Panama City had little impact on the LGBT scene historically and that in order to “be gay” you eventually would have to move away. Sitting in Panama City’s legendary Fiesta Room Lounge in the late 1990s, Watkins soon began to realize the treasure trove of information many of his elders around him had. Watkins said he realized it is important to know that there are people like himself that are all apart of this larger history and that he wanted to chronicle what he could about LGBT history in his surrounding area and it is from that inspiration he drew the title. “The people who lived it did the queering, I just reported on how they did it,” he said.
JOIN US at our second annual Open House! Enjoy live performances from our talented students and staff, food, giveaways, tours, and more! Plus, take advantage of FREE registration when you enroll at Open House. Auditions for the Yello Elite Dance Troupe (ages 8+) will follow immediately after Open House.
7.25.2018 •
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lifestyle food Restaurant interior.
Via Facebook.
The Thrill of the Grille
Rick Karlin
T
he Grille on the Drive, Wilton Manors’ newest restaurant, is owned by Paul Hugo who owns The Manor and the recently closed Eat. In fact the chef and many of the staff from Eat can now be found at The Grille. The place has undergone a complete face lift. Gone is the nursing home lobby look - it now features a chic and vibrant décor. The main focus, as you might guess from the name, is on steaks, chops and seafood, but there are also pasta dishes, burgers and sandwiches. At first glance prices appear quite high ($28.95 for filet mignon, $27.95 for a veal chop), but when you take into account that entrees come with a choice of side and salad bar the prices are actually quite reasonable. Steaks and chops are in the $20-$30
range, seafood entrees average $25. Pasta dishes are less than $20 and also include the salad bar. Sandwiches come with fries, and average $15; add the salad bar for $3.95. There are also apps (although my favorite from Eat, the Shrimp Boat, is missing) and desserts. The Summer Sunset Specials are proving to be especially popular. Available Tuesday through Thursday from 4-6 p.m., it features a choice of six entrees for $9.95. Diners must be seated by 6 p.m., and no menu substitutions are allowed. The special menu features a char-grilled boneless pork ribeye served with a cranberry infused demi-glace and mashed potatoes. The pork was moist but could have used a bit more of a char, but the cranberry reduction was delightful.
The place has undergone a complete face lift. Gone is the nursing home lobby look - it now features a chic and vibrant décor.
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The potatoes were flavorless, and I overheard another table inquire if they were instant potatoes, which the waiter denied. Instant or not, they could have benefited from the addition of salt, butter and cream – none of which was on our table or I would have doctored them up myself. A classic creamy vodka sauce coats perfectly cooked penne. The dish is usually augmented by peas and diced prosciutto, which was eliminated at a request by my vegetarian husband. Meat eaters can add chicken or grilled shrimp for an additional charge. Chicken Dijon coats tender sauteed breast tenderloins with a sherry grain mustard cream sauce. Other options on the Summer Sunset Specials include lasagna with Bolognese, a 14-ounce chopped steak sirloin with mushrooms, onions and brown gravy
or meatloaf with mashed potatoes, mushroom gravy and fried onion strings. Diners may add the salad bar (which includes two types of soup) for $3.95. At Eat I usually asked to be seated at my favorite server Jamie’s station, but my friends arrived before I did, and we ended up with Anthony, who may lack the experience Jamie has, but he makes up for it in his willingness to please and a dimpled smile that makes you just want to pinch his cheeks. Hands off, boys, he’s only 19! It appears that The Grille will be able to retain much of Tropics’ crowd and build on it with its own following. There is entertainment every night of the week and the remodeled cabaret room, called The Tropics Room, has been reconfigured and features an entirely new sound and light system.
The Grille on the Drive 2000 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors 954-530-3361 thegrilleotd.com
Aventura Adventure A chic culinary experience Rick Karlin
I
Visit
2018
f your idea of the food court at the mall is Panda Express and Sbarro’s, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the new Treats Food Hall at Aventura. In 2017, the 2.8-millionsquare-foot mall underwent a $214 million renovation that included transforming its humble food court, where pigeons often flew from rafter to rafter, into a chic food hall.
SFGN.com/FOOD to read the rest of this article.
If you’re looking for a delicious way to treat yourself, search no more! We’ve got the hot tips you need. We know you have fine taste... so come treat yourself.
7.25.2018 •
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SFGNITES
F O R T H E W E E K O F J u l y 2 6 - J u l y 3 1 , 2 0 1 8 • W W W . S F G N . C O M J.W. Arnold
Oops, she did it again!
jw@prdconline.com
THU
7/26
Theater MNM Theater Co. presents “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” the second-longest running Off Broadway hit, tonight through Aug. 12 in the Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. The musical comedy addresses “everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit.” Tickets are $55 at Kravis.org.
THU
7/26
Film The Stonewall National Museum and Archives hosts a screening of the documentary “Paragraph 175” tonight at 6 p.m. at the Wilton Manors Gallery, 2157 Wilton Dr. Oscar winners Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman explore the thriving gay community in 1920s Weimar, Germany and how the rise of Hitler and the Nazis resulted in tragic consequences. A $5 donation is suggested. Info at Stonewall-Museum. org.
x
Friday
7/27
Concert
If you missed her in Las Vegas, here’s your chance: Pop icon Britney Spears is bringing the exclusive limited tour of her award-winning, record-breaking show, “Britney: Piece of Me,” to Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood for a three-night engagement at the resort’s sparkling new Hard Rock Event Center tonight through Sunday at 8 p.m. Believe it or not, tickets are still available, starting at $180. Tickets at MyHRL.com. Photo Credit: Facebook.com.
7/27 FRI
FRI
7/27 FRI
7/27 SAT
7/28
Concert
Opera
Television
Music
There are lots of great concerts to pick from this weekend. In Miami Beach, queer singer/songwriter Janelle Monae is bringing her “Dirty Computer” tour to the Fillmore. It’s an appropriate theme since Monáe once told the press that she “only dates androids,” a reference to her musical alter-ego found in many of her songs. Alexa, order us some tickets right now. Tickets start at $45 at FillmoreMB.com.
Join Palm Beach Opera at Elizabeth Avenue Station in West Palm Beach’s trendy Warehouse District for Summer Opera Nights tonight from 6 – 10 p.m. Enjoy riveting performances by bass-baritone Neil Nelson while snacking on bites from food trucks and sipping on cool cocktails. Held on the last Friday of the month, Summer Opera Nights will return on Aug. 24 and Sept. 28. Tickets are $10 at PBOpera.org.
First, out actor Zachary Quinto tackled Leonard Nimoy’s iconic Mr. Spock in the “Star Trek” reboot. Now, he’s stepping into another role made famous by the late actor as host of the History Channel’s “In Search Of,” tonight at 10 p.m. If you missed last week’s premiere, catch up on demand for a weekly dose of spaceship sightings and unexplained phenomena. Check local listings for channels and show times.
Singers of all abilities are invited to the Master Chorale of South Florida’s Summer Sing beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, 5555 N. Federal Hwy. in Fort Lauderdale. Tackle choral masterworks by Haydn, Berlioz and Bernstein, along with more than 100 singers in this fun sing-along under the direction of Brett Karlin. Free, more information at MasterChoraleOfSouthFlorida.org.
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ENROLL TODAY! SPACE IS LIMITED!
MUSICAL THEATER INTENSIVE with Tony Award Winner Eugene Brancoveanu Kids: Aug 6th–Aug 11th
Adults: Aug 11th–12th, 2018
Kids learn vocal and performance technique, choreography, and more. Daily and Final Showcase! Adults learn vocal technique through this summer intensive. Group and individual coaching focuses on strengthening the voice and enhancing overall vocal quality. Final Showcase!
Palm Beach County Human Rights Council
summer soirée In a few weeks, elected officials, candidates and PBCHRC donors will mix and mingle at our biennial Summer Soirée. Sandy James Fine Food & Productions is catering and the event will feature passed heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar. Attire is Palm Beach Casual.
Saturday, August 4, 2018 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. National Croquet Club 700 Florida Mango Road West Palm Beach Visit http://www.pbchrc.org/ events to buy your tickets
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A&E television
Hannah Gadsby. Photo Credit: Facebook.
Hannah Gadsby: Seriously Funny A new must watch comedy special on Netflix
David-Elijah Nahmod
T
H E R LO G O O P T I O N S - PAG E 2
Stonewall Pride Festival
1
BROWARD LAMAR Honoring FOR COUNTY All Those Who COMMISSION 4 FISHER Led theDISTRICT Fight for Equality.
“ Our commitment 2
Lamar Fisher
to equality and respecting diversity isn’t measured by what we say – FOR BROWARD COUNTY COMMISSION • DISTRICT 4 it’s measured by what we do.
“
3
LAMAR
FISHER
FOR BROWARD COUNTY COMMISSION • DISTRICT 4
www.FisherforDistrict4.com
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Political advertisement paid for and approved by Lamar Fisher, Democrat, for Broward County Commissioner District 4
asmanian born Australian comic Hannah Gadsby has much to be angry about. She’s been a major star in her home country for years, and she’s dealt with a number of issues that might have broken a weaker person. In “Nanette,” her new, envelope pushing Netflix special that’s grabbing a great deal of attention, Gadsby shares stories from her life that, on the surface, might seem anything but funny, yet Gadsby mines clever humor from topics such as homophobia and misogyny. Tasmania--Gadsby describes the island as being in “Australia’s arse”--is a place where homosexuality was a crime until 1997. It was in this environment that Gadsby came to terms with her lesbianism. “I don’t need to know that” she recalls her mom having said. She also recalls not coming out to her grandmother, admitting that she felt a little shame in who she was. “I’m a little bit lesbian,” she says, as she admits to being overwhelmed by the spectacle and partying that is Sydney Australia’s Mardi Gras. Gadsby refers to herself as a “quiet gay,” saying that she prefers the sound of a teacup being placed on its saucer to the sounds of Mardi Gras. Gadsby also quips about being taken for a man due to her butch appearance. She recalls an incident where she was talking to a woman at a bus stop. Along comes the woman’s boyfriend who calls Gadsby a “faggot,” thinking that she’s a straight man hitting on his lady. While watching “Nanette”--the special is named after a woman who was in Gadsby’s life briefly--viewers are left with the impression that Gadsby has lived a hard life. She’s a graduate of the school of hard knocks, yet through it all she retains her dignity and
her sense of humor. Throughout “Nanette” Gadsby exudes a quiet strength, even as she keeps her live audience at the Sydney Opera House bowled over in laughter. There are portions of “Nanette” that aren’t funny, nor are they meant to be. Gadsby holds a degree in art history. “Nanette” includes a fairly lengthy section where she discusses the inherent sexism and misogyny of Pablo Picasso, who seduced a 17-year-old girl when he was 42. Picasso was married at the time. “You’re painting flesh vases for your dick flowers,” she angrily says of Picasso, as the live audience applauds. “Separate the man from the art, that’s what I keep hearing.” She points out that art history is hardly a staple of comedy shows, noting that most stand-up is about “priests being pedophiles and Trump grabbing the pussy. You know who used to be an easy punchline? Monica Lewinsky. Maybe, if comedians had done their jobs properly and made fun of the man who abused his power then perhaps we might have had a middle-aged woman with an appropriate amount of experience in the White House, instead, as we do, a man who openly admitted to sexually assaulting vulnerable young women because he could!” The audience cheered. Is Gadsby angry? Yes. Does she have good reason to be? Yes. But don’t we all have reason to be angry during these troubled times? Yet through it all, Gadsby keeps her audience laughing, even as she gives them much to think about. “Nanette” is no ordinary stand-up show, it’s comedy for the Trump era. It’s rough, daring, brilliant and insightful. There’s never been a stand-up show quite like it. “Nanette” is now streaming on Netflix.
A&E circus Daredevil ice skaters are one of the highlights of Cirque du Soleil’s newest production, “Crystal.” Photo Credit: Matt Beard.
Review: Cirque du Soleil Skates into Sunrise J.W. Arnold
A
fter more than three decades and 40 productions, how does Cirque du Soleil keep its quirky lineup of acrobats, aerialists, contortionists and clowns fresh, especially in a market that welcomes the company on practically an annual basis? In recent years, the Quebec-based creative team turned to shows based on the music of the Beatles, steampunk and the sci-fi movie “Avatar,” and further diversified last year by incorporating daring extreme sports like BMX bike riders. Cirque du Soleil’s newest arena production, “Crystal,” which opened last week at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, adds figure and speed skaters to their tried and true mix. The title character, Crystal, is a dreamer who struggles to fit into her surroundings. One day, while feeling misunderstood and out of sync with her world, she ventures out onto a frozen pond and falls through the thin ice. In this underwater reality drawn from her own imagination, she discovers a reflection of herself, an alter ego who guides her through a bizarre, distorted version of her own life and helps her realize her own potential. The various performers represent schoolmates and chums she encounters in the classroom and playground, businesspeople robotically going about their daily routines in the city and an imaginary friend, a clown who accompanies her personal journey, often pointing the direction. These characters take the form of acrobats performing tricks on the swing set, skaters jumping from ramp to ramp, jugglers cleverly tap dancing on ice skates, aerialists propelled with the help of a skater on the ground and, of course, world-class solo and couples figure skaters who flawlessly jump, flip and spin. At some point, every performer displays proficiency both on the ice and on
some circus trick simultaneously, especially the skaters who portray Crystal and her reflection. Trapeze work is difficult enough, for example, but imagine attempting those dangerous moves 30 feet in the air while wearing clunky skates. Cirque du Soleil typically travels the world performing in its signature blue and yellow big top tent, but arena productions have also been a staple for many years. Since many of these arenas also host ice hockey, it’s a surprise the hockey-crazed Canadians hadn’t tried this sooner. The skating sequences shine in this setting, but unfortunately, the traditional circus acts that captivate in the intimate Grand Chapiteau easily get lost in a cavernous sports arena. Forget the lone acrobat who balances atop a tower of precariously balanced chairs, let’s see more of the team of speed skaters slide down the steep ramps, jump over obstacles and race around the ice. Watching this production is reminiscent of Olympics opening ceremonies, thanks to brilliant projection cameras that not only simulate 3-D landscapes on the ice but also respond to the performers’ actions in real time. The story is also punctuated with a snappy score that pays homage to Eastern European folk music, jazz and big screen cinematic scores. Unlike most original Cirque du Soleil scores, “Crystal” features songs and narratives sung and spoken in English, rather than the company’s trademark meaningless “Cirquish” language. Make no mistake, “Crystal” cannot and should not be mistaken for the Ice Capades of past or any of the children’s ice shows that pepper the schedule at the BB&T Center. It’s a sophisticated and satisfying show with more than a few thrills thrown in, too.
Cirque du Soleil presents “Crystal” at the BB&T Center in Sunrise through Sunday, July 29. Tickets start at $34 at CirqueDuSoleil.com/Crystal.
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July 25 - July 30
Datebook
Theater Tucker Berardi
The Rocky Horror Show
Calendar@SFGN.com
Top
Picks
Five Women Same Dress
Wearing
the
July 20 to August 12 at Main Street Players, 6766 Main Street, Miami Lakes. An irreverent and funny look at the intricacies of friendship and the power of similar dressing. Tickets available at MainStreetPlayers.com
The Rocky Horror Show
July 26 to 27 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive. This premiere teen performance of the classic, ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show.’ Tickets are $9 for the 1:30 p.m. showing and $18 for the 7 p.m. showing. Visit thecentercs.com or call 954-344-5990.
*Hearts Beat Loud
broward county
July 25 & 26 at the Lake Worth Playhouse, 709 Lake Ave. A single dad and record store owner, played by Nick Offerman, is preparing to send his daughter off to college while being forced to close down his vintage store. Hoping to stay connected through their mutual love of music, the father urges his daughter to turn their weekly “jam sesh” into a live act. Tickets $6 to $9. Visit lakeworthplayhouse.org/
July 26 to 27 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive. This premiere teen performance of the classic, ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show.’ Tickets are $9 for the 1:30 p.m. showing and $18 for the 7 p.m. showing. Visit thecentercs.com or call 954-344-5990.
Aunt Jack
July 19 to August 12 at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Dr., Fort Lauderdale. This part comedy, part coming of age story follows a multigenerational family of prominent gays as they learn about love, acceptance, identity and sexuality. Tickets $35. Call 954-678-1496.
Friday Night Sound Waves Music Series
Fridays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Hub, Las Olas Boulevard and A1A in Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy live, outdoor music spanning genres and tributes every Friday evening through November. Free. Visit FridayNightSoundWaves.com
palm beach county *First Reformed
July 25 & 26 at the Lake Worth Playhouse, 709 Lake Ave. A solitary, middle-aged parish pastor in Upstate New York at an old church turned tourist attraction is living in the shadow of a neighboring megachurch and finds himself plunged into his tortured past and daunting future as an act of grandiose violence sets a
Photo via Facebook.
series of events in motion. Tickets $6 to $9. Visit lakeworthplayhouse.org/
$35 to $45. Visit artsgarage.org.
*Hearts Beat Loud
July 13 to August 5 at Palm Beach Dramaworks, 201 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach. A show featuring music inspired by America and the people who fought to find meaning in their lives. Call 561-514-4042.
July 25 & 26 at the Lake Worth Playhouse, 709 Lake Ave. A single dad and record store owner, played by Nick Offerman, is preparing to send his daughter off to college while being forced to close down his vintage store. Hoping to stay connected through their mutual love of music, the father urges his daughter to turn their weekly “jam sesh” into a live act. Tickets $6 to $9. Visit lakeworthplayhouse.org/
*Avery Sommers: Sentimental Reasons
For
Saturday, July 28 at 8 p.m. at the Arts Garage, 94 NE 2nd Ave, Delray Beach. Enjoy a selection of songs from Broadway musical veteran Avery Sommers. Tickets
Woody Guthrie’s American Song
Free Friday Concerts
Fridays at 7:30 p.m. at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts, 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach. Enjoy live music from the comfort of your picnic blanket or lawn chair every week, for free! Returns in October. Call 561-243-7922 or visit DelrayArts.org.
miami-dade county Five Women Wearing the Same Dress
July 20 to August 12 at Main Street Players, 6766 Main Street, Miami Lakes. An irreverent and funny look at the intricacies of friendship and the power of similar dressing. Tickets available at MainStreetPlayers.com
Outdoor Music Series
Third Thursdays at the Perez Art Museum Miami, 101 W. Flagler St. in Miami. Come out for live music from DJs and musicians by the bay. Drink specials available. Free with museum admission. Call 305-375-3000 or visit PAMM.org.
Full Charge Bookkeeping Services
The Big Show
Fridays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. at Just the Funny Theater, 3119 Coral Way in Miami. A collection of comedy mixing the likes of improvisation and sketches. Tickets $12. Call 305-693-8669 or visit JustTheFunny.com.
* Denotes New Listing 32
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community announcement
Chamber Chat
Photo via Facebook.
GFLGLCC Hosts ‘Diversity in the Workplace’ The event was used to educate the business community on LGBT issues
Ana Beatriz Goncalves
L
ast week the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce hosted a first of its kind, Diversity in the Workplace event, at the Embassy Suites in Fort Lauderdale. One workshop included a panel with speakers from TD Bank, Northwestern Bank, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Gina Duncan from Equality Florida. Keith Blackburn, the event organizer, said, “They talked about some success stories and how it was sort of a win-win when you when you include everyone in the community in your company, and your policies, and things like that.” The all day event began at 9:30 a.m. and was divided into different sections, starting with some networking before moving into two sessions about inclusion taught by Equality Florida. The previous year, GFLGLCC hosted a similar event focused on Transgender inclusion called “Trans-forming the Workplace.” Then, it was just a panel after work, but this workshop included much more and allowed people to connect with each other as well. “I thought we should do an all day event. So when you do something like this it is a challenge to get people who are able to take a day off of work and basically the entire day and dedicate to this,” he said. The main goal of the event is to educate
employers on what exactly they are, how to treat LGBT people with respect, and what questions to ask and which to avoid. And Blackburn feels that this training and education is especially relevant with today’s politics. “I think in a lot of ways that the business community has always been a leader,” he said. “I mean before the government or before the Supreme Court ruled on same sex marriage, leading companies, corporations offered benefits to same sex partners and things like that.” One aspect that he said many people seemed to connect to was the personal story of one woman in attendance who spoke about her transgender child. “It put a human face on it for the people attending which was nice,” Blackburn said. According to Blackburn, there might be things for people to fear regarding religious freedom rulings and laws and the rights of the LGBT community, but it’s his hope that business can lead the way into protecting them. The event hosted representatives from 29 different companies and Blackburn said that more said they wanted to attend, but had planned their vacations during this time. The GFLGLCC said they’re planning on doing another Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace workshop next year around early September.
7.25.2018 •
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Datebook
Community
July 25 July 30
Tucker Berardi Calendar@SFGN.com
Top Picks
Broward Support Services PFLAG
*Uno Tournament
Monday, July 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Compass, 201 N. Dixie Hwy, Lake Worth. For longterm survivors of HIV — join us for an evening of Uno and enjoy friends and free refreshments! Email chris@mccpb.org or call 561-775-5900 to RSVP.
‘Paragraph 175’
Thursday, July 26 at 6 p.m. at the ArtServe Auditorium, 1300 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale. Weimar, Germany was a homosexual Eden in the 1920s: gay and lesbian nightclubs and magazines flourished, the first homosexual rights movement was born...and then the Nazis came to power. Suggested donation of $5, refreshments provided. Visit stonewallmuseum.org.
Voices of Pride
Meets at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Join the Gay Men’s Chorus as they practice every week. Free. Call 561-533-9699 or visit CompassGLCC. com for rehearsal details.
Tuesdays in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and Southwest Ranches. A support group for parents of LGBT youth 13 to 21. Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com for dates and locations.
SunServe Youth Group
Tuesdays and Thursdays in Fort Lauderdale, Southwest Ranches, Coral Springs and Hollywood. A support group and night of fun for LGBT youth 13 to 21. Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com for dates and times.
Survivor Support
First and third Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Broward Health Imperial Point Hospital cafeteria, 6401 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. Find support from counselors and peers who have lost loved ones to suicide. Call the Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention at 954-384-0344 or visit FISPOnline.org.
broward county *Uno Tournament
Monday, July 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Compass, 201 N. Dixie Hwy, Lake Worth. For long-term survivors of HIV — join us for an evening of Uno and enjoy friends and free refreshments! Email chris@mccpb.org or call 561-775-5900 to RSVP.
*GFLGLCC August Mixer
Tuesday, August 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the B Ocean Resort, 1140 Seabreeze Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy one complimentary Reyka vodka drink, cash bar with happy hour specials and complimentary Hors D’oeuvres. Visit gogayfortlauderdale. com
‘Paragraph 175’
Thursday, July 26 at 6 p.m. at the ArtServe Auditorium, 1300 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale. Weimar, Germany was a homosexual Eden in the 1920s: gay and lesbian nightclubs and magazines flourished,
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the first homosexual rights movement was born...and then the Nazis came to power. Suggested donation of $5, refreshments provided. Visit stonewallmuseum.org.
Lunch With Art
Every Wednesday from 12:15 to 1:15 pm at 41 NE st 33060, Pompano Beach. Indulge your creative side in this free hands-on program. Bring your own lunch or grab a bite to eat at the in-house cafe.
Voices of Pride
Meets at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Join the Gay Men’s Chorus as they practice every week. Free. Call 561-533-9699 or visit CompassGLCC. com for rehearsal details.
Life Coaching
Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Latinos Salud Clubhouse, 2300 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Get one-on-one
July 25 - July 30 life coaching from certified CRCS coaches. For guys living with HIV, their partners, and anyone who identifies as transgender. Free. Call 954-765-6239 or visit LatinosSalud.org.
Lauderdale Bridge Club Lessons and Games
Mondays at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 401 SE 15th St. in Fort Lauderdale. Join the club for bridge lessons and try your hand at some games. Cost $4. Call 610-4016475 or visit MarpleBridgeClub.com.
Care Resource Recovery Group
Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Care Resource, 3160 NW Ninth St. in Oakland Park. A weekly meeting with licensed behavioral clinical counselors on healing one’s entire being in the recovery process. Visit CareResource.org.
palm beach county Brain Sparks — Neuroscientists
Meet
FAU
July 7, August 4 & 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the STEM Studio, 1209 Main St. #112, Jupiter. Learn about neuroscience and brains from FAU neuroscientists. Register at
sfsciencecenter.org/brain-sparks
LGBTQ Teen Support Group
Tuesdays from 6 pm to 7 pm at the Falk Center for Couseling, 22455 Boca Rio Road, Boca Raton. Join experts in a support group that addresses discrimination, coming out, depression, PTSD and how to deal with these stresses as an LGBTQ teen. Call 561483-5300 to register in advance.
Transcendence
Meets at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. A closed transgender youth support group for teens ages 12 to 19. For more information, email youth@compassglcc.com.
Zumba Fitness -- SUSPENDED FOR THE SUMMER
Mondays at 6 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Get moving with a certificated Zumba instructor for an infusion of exercise and dance moves. Donation of $5 or more. Call 561-324-1626 or visit CompassGLCC.com.
miami-dade county Karaoke for Conservation
Friday, July 20 at 8 p.m. at John Martin’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, 253 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. Enjoy food, drinks, singing and prizes at this fundraiser to increase education and conservation for elephants. Visit zoomiami.org
Arsht Center Farmers Market
Mondays from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza for the Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Purchase fresh food from local farmers, including fruits, vegetables, meats, prepared foods, as well as chefs, live music, and cooking demonstrations. Tickets $45 to $75. Free. Visit ArshtCenter.org/en/Visit/Dining.
POZCONNECT Support Group for Spanish Speakers
Mondays 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Pridelines, 6360 NE Fourth Court in Miami. A support group for HIV+ people, in Spanish. Free. Call Eddie at 305-571-9601, ext. 105 or visit Pridelines. org.
Yoga
Tuesdays from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at Jose Marti Park, 362 SW Fourth Ave. in Miami. Yogis 18 and older of all levels are invited to a practice led by a certified instructor. Bring your own yoga mat, water, and towel. Free. Call 305-
358-7550 or visit BayfrontParkMiami.com/ Yoga.html.
key west *Taco Brunch and All Day Happy Hour
Every Sunday (opening at 8 a.m.) at Mellow Cafe and Gastropub, 1605 N. Roosevelt Blvd, Key West. Spend the day drinking and downing tacos at this all-day happy hour, each week on Sunday!
The Tea Dance After Party
Sundays from 7 p.m. until close at Mangoes, 700 Duval St. Upstairs Ricky Ricardo Room. Boogie the night away with a little help from delicious drinks, great music and free admission.
Comedy Key West
Thursday and Friday at 8:30 pm at the Bottlecap’s Blue Room, 1128 Simonton Street, Key West. Come enjoy drinks and jokes at the weekly comedy nights! Local talent sure to get you laughing is showcased each week. Tickets $15 at the door. Visit comedykeywest.com
* Denotes New Listing
7.25.2018 •
35
THE
GUIDE
Business Directory
attorney
attorney
Law office of george castrataro 707 NE 3rd Ave #300, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954.573.1444 Lawgc.com
law office of Gregory Kabel 1 East Broward Blvd #700, Fort Lauderdale, 33301 954.761.7770 gwkesq@bellsouth.net
Law office of Robin bodiford 2550 N Federal Hwy #20, Fort Lauderdale, FL 954.630.2707 Lawrobin.com
law office of Shawn Newman 710 NE 26th St, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954.563.9160 Shawnnewman.com
To place an ad in the Business Directory, call our sales team at 954.530.4970 barber
Trantalis & Associates attorneys Dean J. Trantalis, Esq. 2301 Wilton Drive Suite C1-A, Wilton Manors, 33035 954.566.2226 TrantalisLaw.com
a&e
Ft Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus PO Box 9772, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33310-9772 954-832-0060 www.theftlgmc.org Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida 2040 North Dixie Hwy, #218, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-763-2266 Gaymenschorusofsouthflorida.org
a/c repair
mortgage lender
Licensed & Insured
954-725-3633
custom alarm contractors, Inc.
Est. 1989 “Experience Matters” Service after the sale! ▶ residential security ▶ commercial security ▶ closed circuit tV www.customalarmcontractors.com 36
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7 .25.2018
Every homeowner who is at least 62 years of age should know about Reverse Mortgage loans! ~ Purchase & Refinance ~
Call Today: Crissy
Your Hometown Specialist Phone: 954-290-1243 kcrissy@firstbankonline.com NMLS# 447937 Borrowers must pay taxes and required insurance. Must meet underwriting requirements. FirstBank Institution ID 472433.
www.sfgn.guide chiropractic
final arrangements
professional services
Kalis-McIntee Funeral & Cremation Center
2505 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-566-7621 Kalismcintee.com
sfgn.guide handyman
Miami/Broward/Palm Beach Paint/Caulk/Remove Grout/Yard Work Fix Drips & Switches/Debris removal Assembles Furniture & Appliances Repair or Fix Call "Avrom" Keith 786-227-9981
getaway
dental Oakland Park Dental 3047 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 954.566.9812 Oaklandparkdental.com
furniture
professional services
Taylor & Turner Pest and Termite Control, Inc
William D. Turner
call us to reserve space! financial services
taylorandturner@yahoo.com 2520 North Dixie Hwy Wilton Manors, FL 33305
health insurance Medicare/MedicaID Florida Blue / Blue Cross Blue Shield 2765 West Cypress Creek Road Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Call Steve Herbstman @ 954-554-7074
health American Pain Experts 6333 N. Federal Hwy, Ste. 250, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 954-678-1074 Americanpainexperts.com
post your listing online! www.sfgn.guide fish & seafood market
954.630.2627
WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR
FINANCIAL NEEDS Taxes IRS Issues Accounting
Bookkeeping Small Business Advising
954-667-9829 ACCOUNTING@STERLINGACCOUNTING.COM
2435 North Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 7.25.2018 •
37
THE
GUIDE Business Directory
To place an ad in the Business Directory, call our sales team at 954.530.4970
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sports Tennis Lessons at Hagen Park in Wilton Manors. Individual or group lessons. Call Robert 732-604-0362 for more information.
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social
transportation RAINBOW RIDES-SAVE MONEY ON YOUR RIDE! - We treat you like family! SPECIALIZING IN AIRPORT RIDES! Need a ride to FLL, MIA, or PBI? (or anywhere else?) I'm a friendly driver with a nice, clean Chevy Malibu. My fixed-rate pricing beat all ride sharing - apps every time. Call or text me to schedule a ride, I'll be there early and I'll text you when I arrive. No 'surge" prices, no hassles. Call or text Nikki at 954-600-3133.
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Helping Buyers, Sellers, Renters, and Investors for over 18 years in South Florida.
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SFGN Classified$ To place a Classified Ad, call us at 954.530.4970
help wanted dog runner sought (with references) - Victoria Park, Fort Lauderdale. Call Norm 954-661-3361
oakland park real estate sales
OAKLAND PARK 6PLEX - Great Opportunity Listed at $550,000. Michael Tublin United Realty 561 703 5533
attorney
home health care
Injury or illness? - Unable to work due to injury or illness? Call Bill Gordon & Assoc., Social Security Disability Attorneys! FREE Evaluation. Local Attorneys Nationwide 1-855-643-2430 [Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL (TX/NM Bar.)]
COMPANION AIDE - Strictly Professional, TBI, PCA, and NHTD certified Over ten years’ experience. Provide light personal care, light cleaning. Laundry and major meal prep. Respite for caregiver. Serious inquires call Karl 954-616-8952
automotive HEADLIGHT RESTORATION - Headlights dull, cloudy or yellow? We make them clear again! Mobile Service. Call Joe for FREE ESTIMATE 954-494-0366
electrician
HARRY’S ELECTRIC RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL - Additions, renovations, service upgrades, breaker panels,FPL undergrounds, code violations, A/C wiring, ceiling fans, recessed, security & landscaping, lighting, pools, pumps, Jacuzzis, water heaters, FREE PHONE ESTIMATES 954-522-3357 Lic & Ins. www. harryelectrician.com
employment wanted SPECIAL HIRE NEEDED - Earn $45,000 per year. Experienced, self-motivated professional salesman needed. Work competitively in a highly flexible and relaxed LGBT-friendly environment. Fax resume to 954-530-7943.
employment positions wanted Male-Caregiver - 10+ Experience, Certified in State of Florida. Call Antonio 954.599.3265
seeking employment WPB Personal Chef / House Man - Chef Daniel, prof with neat personality 25 years experience; Looking for full time job Cooking, food shopping, house maintenance, running errands, etc. CV avail on demand, adanielg26@aol.com
handyman
HUSBAND FOR RENT - Is he procrastinating home repairs? He says he will do it tomorrow?? After the football game?? We fit right in - in the house or the yard, small or big jobs: tile, dry wall, paint, plumbing, roof leaks, broken furniture, irrigation, fences, and more! It doesn't cost to hassle us to see the work - so why wait? Neat, clean work for a reasonable price. Call Haim at 954-398-3676, sidnalll@yahoo.com
men’s health/fitness Penis Enlargement - Gain 1 to 3 inches permanently & safely. Resolve ED. Licensed medical vacuum pumps, surgical & supplements. For free brochures/consultation call: Dr. Joel Kaplan 888-978HUGE (4843). www.getbiggernow.com
CREEP OF THE YEAR
FREE Information Kit
855-407-8729
www.dental50plus.com/SouthFL
internet AT&T - High Speed Internet Starting at $40/month. Up to 45 Mbps! Over 99% Reliability! Bundle AT&T Digital TV or Phone Services & Internet Price Starts at $30/month. Call 1-855-830-9658
cowork office space ALL INCLUSIVE OFFICE - 2201 Wilton Drive address and mailbox, parking space, shared conference room, high speed internet, furnished. Monthly or Annual Lease available. Text 954.801.5850.
palm aire apartment for rent 2/2 Second Floor Beautiful Unit, Renovated. No pets. 1st and Security $1,200/ month. Call Angelo 954770-6540.
piano WANT TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE PIANO? Learn from an experienced teacher. All levels and ages welcome. Learn to play classical, popular, jazz, or show tunes. Visit www.edwinchad.com or call 954-826-9555 for more information.
pool service
COOL POOLS- RELIABLE POOL SERVICE Professional pool service.Covering Wilton Manors, Lighthouse Point, and eastside of Pompano Beach. 15 years experience. Licensed and insured.Free estimates. Call 954-235-0775.
painting
GREGG'S PAINTING - I paint both interior and exterior. Great rates, free estimates. I am detailed-oriented, friendly, reliable, punctual, and neat. No job too small. Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Call Gregg at 617-306-5694 or 954870-5972 Email: gmanbenn44@gmail.com
vacation rental
creep of the week
paid for by anonymous
RENTAL - 2B2B chalet in the mountains of Western NC, 45 min from Asheville. Elegant, with panoramic views and privacy. Escape the heat and traffic. Make new friends and see new places. 3 day (min) $300, Weekly $900. 49 Pinnacle Rd, Burnsville, NC 28714. Contact Red – 954496-9000, redroosterchalet@gmail.com.
television DIRECTV SELECT PACKAGE! - Over 150 Channels, ONLY $35/month (for 12 mos.) Order Now! Get a $200 AT&T Visa Rewards Gift Card (some restrictions apply) CALL 1- 888-597-7205
rentals fort lauderdale
Victoria Park 1BR/1BA - Renovated, Terrazo Floors, 2 A/C Units, New Kitchen Appliances, Large Walk-in Closet, Shared Washer & Dryer, Safe Area, 5 Unit Building. $1100 per month, Call 305-608-5877
Aaron’ s
Low Cost Cremation & Funeral Exceptionally High Quality at Low Prices Complete Direct Cremation
$555*
Graveside Burial
$1855
Includes Basic Casket
We Operate Our Own Off-Site Crematory
2201 Wilton Drive | Wilton Manors
833.227.6671
AaronsCremation.com * Death Certificates Additional
Free Notary Services 7.25.2018 •
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LGBT CRUISES & TOUR EVENTS
17th Annual
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Halloween Cruise
Oct 28- Nov 4, 2018 7 Day Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston
Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas Ports: Galveston, Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel
from $2,283 from $3,999
Aug 13 - 20, 2019 7 Nights – Labor Day Castles on The Rhine River Cruise Aquafest Hosted Group of LGBT Travelers September 5-17, 2019
Exclusive LUXURY LGBTCruise Tour Vietnam, The Mekong River, and Cambodia (Angkor Wat) with #1 Tour Operator Abercrombnie & Kent
More In African Safari, Vietnam & Cambodia, Alaska, Baltic, Caribbean, Danube More In Machu Picchu & South America, Mediterranean, Canada Fall Foliage 2019 2019
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