SFGN 9/10/20 V11iss36

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BEGINS IN CENTER

september 10, 2020 vol. 11 // issue 36

WMG

THE NEW

NORMAL SOUTH FLORIDA’S LGBT CENTERS ADAPT TO A VIRTUAL SOCIALLY DISTANCED WORLD PAGES 12, 13

OPINION

NORM KENT: 9/11 MEMORIES

JASON PARSLEY: A MURAL MISTAKE?

PAGE 22

PAGE 20

SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS

@SFGN

SFGN.COM SFGN. COM

NEWS HIGHLIGHT

SouthFloridaGayNews.com

TRANS MEDICAL CONFERENCE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS This year’s event will be held virtually Sept. 17-18 via Zoom Christiana Lilly

T

his year is a big one for the Transgender Medical Conference — it’s in its 10th year, it’s the first time partnering with Florida Atlantic University, and it will be going virtual.

“First of all, we are total novices at virtual.

But it is so important to continue this conference that we jumped at the chance,” said Jodi Reichman, the founder and CEO of the South Florida Transgender Medical Consortium (SFTMC), which hosts the conference.

The two-day conference will be hosted via Zoom on Sept. 17 and 18. Aimed at educating the medical community on issues impacting transgender patients, workshops will cover topics including mental health, trans and gender nonbinary youth, hormone therapy, sexual health screenings and more.

Due to the time constraints of hosting the conference online, there will be 12 workshops as opposed to the typical 30.

This is also the first year that the conference will be partnering with Florida

AIMED AT EDUCATING THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY ON ISSUES IMPACTING TRANSGENDER PATIENTS, WORKSHOPS WILL COVER TOPICS INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH, TRANS AND GENDER NONBINARY YOUTH, HORMONE THERAPY, SEXUAL HEALTH SCREENINGS AND MORE.

Publisher • Norm Kent Norm.Kent@sfgn.com

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

Editorial

Art Director • Brendon Lies Artwork@sfgn.com Webmaster • Kimberly Swan Webmaster@sfgn.com Arts/Entertainment Editor • J.W. Arnold JW@prdconline.com Food/Travel Editor • Rick Karlin Gazette News Editor • Sallie James HIV Editor • Sean McShee Senior Photographer • J.R. Davis JRDavis12000@hotmail.com

Senior Feature Columnists Correspondents

Dori Zinn • Donald Cavanaugh Christiana Lilly • John McDonald Denise Royal • David-Elijah Nahmod

Contributing Columnists

Pier Angelo • Terri Schlichenmeyer Dana Rudolph • Ric Reily

Associate Photographers Lucas O’ Ryan of Compass, left, speaking along with a panel of other trans activists at a past Transgender Medical Conference. Photo via the South Florida Transgender Medical Conference, Facebook.

Atlantic University’s Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work. Originally, the consortium was looking to host the event at the school, but due to COVID-19, the event has moved online. However, the partnership has stayed strong.

“I personally think that it’s just a really, really important topic for us to talk about,” said Sara Dochterman, the assistant director of the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work. “This is a community that is not served and not understood well enough yet, primarily from a lack of education by medical providers.”

Other collaborators include SunServe, Care Resource and the Pride Center, where Reichman is the transgender program coordinator. This year, there is also extra attention to trans youth. This includes trans youth on the autism spectrum, nonbinary identity, and pediatric gender dysphoria.

“We need to educate our providers on how

to treat our trans youth,” Reichman said. “Not only trans, but nonbinary. Today, that whole umbrella is gigantic, but it’s a good thing.”

There will also be a welcome speaker from FAU, but details have not been set yet. Every session will include a Q&A portion.

The conference was the brainchild of Reichman and the late Bishop S.F. MakalaniMaHee, who died in 2017. A Black trans man, he was a notable activist who worked with the Pride Center and the Broward County Department of Health. When she’s feeling overwhelmed, Reichman says she listens to the last voicemail Makalani-Mahee left on her phone.

“Every time I feel like I need a little helping hand here, I’m like ‘Bishop?’” she laughed.

“He always started with ‘How are you?’ It made you feel like you were the only person in the world. And he would just say, we’ve got this, we’re going to do this, we’ve come a long way.”

TO REGISTER AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SOUTH FLORIDA TRANSGENDER MEDICAL CONFERENCE, VISIT SFTRANSMED.ORG.

Associated Press • 9.10.2020

2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

Brian McNaught • Jesse Monteagudo

COVER: Photo via Adobe.

2

@SFGN

September 10, 2020 • Volume 11 • Issue 36

Carina Mask • Steven Shires

Sales & Marketing For ad placement in SFGN, contact 954-530-4970 Sales Manager • Justin Wyse Justin@sfgn.com Senior Advertising Associate • Edwin Neimann Edwin@sfgn.com Distribution Services • Noah Lebel Sales Consultant • Charles A. Reid National Advertising Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping Printing by Stuart Web Inc.

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NLGJA Journalist of the Year SOUTH FLORIDA GAY NEWS.COM, INC. — — FOUNDED, DECEMBER, 2009

BY PIER GUIDUGLI AND NORM KENT South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation 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 © 2020 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

Dr. Cunningham and his office are available for your needs during this crisis. Please call or email at OPdental@aol.com

9.10 . 20 20 •

3

NEWS NATIONAL

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

ACTRESS NIECY NASH COMES OUT WITH MARRIAGE ANNOUNCEMENT Kim Swan

C

oming up with a unique way of coming out to the world, actress Niecy Nash announced her marriage to Jessica Betts, with a wedding photo on Twitter.

Nash, who starred in “Claws,” “Reno 911,” “Scream Queens,” and “Mrs. America,” wrote on Twitter and Instagram that she is now “Mrs. Carol Denise Betts” with the hashtag “Love Wins,” followed by the rainbow and wedding ring emojis Aug. 31.

“I got a whole wife,” Betts wrote on Instagram.

Nash posted a more casual photo of her with Betts in an Instagram story with #PlotTwist and a rainbow flag on the picture, according to a post by Essential Times News.

Betts, a singer, played guitar while Nash sang “Catch Me” at Nash’s last wedding, as shown on an older post on Betts’s Instagram.

In the caption, Betts referred to her as a “woman of God” to honor her then longtime friend.

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• 9.10.2020

Kerry Kennedy presenting J.K. Rowling with the Ripple of Hope award. Photo via J.K. Rowling, Facebook.

J.K . ROWLING GIVES BACK HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD AFTER ANTI-TRANS COMMENTS Kim Swan

Image via Twitter.

L

ast year, J.K Rowling received the Ripple of Hope award from an organization that promotes human rights and social justice. Now she’s giving it back after the group’s president denounced the Harry Potter author’s anti-trans views.

Rowling made the announcement on her website Aug. 27, stating how “deeply saddened” she is about Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights President Kerry Kennedy’s stance on the trans rights movement and the rights of women.

The Ripple of Hope award honors those who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to human rights and for their work toward a more just and peaceful world.

Kennedy wrote on the RFK Human Rights website: “Women’s rights are not degraded by the recognition of trans rights.

On the contrary: A commitment to human rights demands a commitment to combat discrimination in all its forms.”

Kennedy wrote the statement Aug. 3 after Rowling’s tweets and essays in June, statements such as comparing hormone therapy to conversion therapy, claiming using inclusive language like “people with vulvas” is “dehumanizing and demeaning,” and predicting that a “medical scandal” will “erupt” regarding gender identity.

But not everyone is denouncing Rowling.

Holliday Grainger, who says Rowling had a “massive influence” on her acting career, stressed the importance of “listening” to people and “giving them space to air their own opinions.”

Grainger stars as Robin Ellacott in the BBC series “Strike,” which is based on the

crime novels published by Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. While speaking to the Radio Times, Grainger praised Rowling for being a “lovely” person who was “very supportive” whenever she came onto the set.

Grainger goes on to say, “I think no one can pretend to be in a position to understand someone else’s experience,” and explaining that she chooses not to use social media because she does not believe it allows for indepth discussions.

“The soundbites of opinions, it’s not always the deepest, most nuanced conversation,” she told Radio Times.

On July 25 on Twitter, Rowling referenced a letter written by “whistleblowers,” predicting a “scandal” erupting.

She refers to a post from the Transgender Trend website, tweeting, “The writers of this letter are just two of a growing number of whistleblowers. The bleak truth is that if and when the scandal does erupt, nobody currently cheering this movement on will be able to credibly claim ‘we couldn’t have known.’”

This all started on June 10 when Rowling published an essay titled “TERF Wars.”

Rowling explained why she decided to speak out on sex and gender issues. She did this in response to the backlash she received on Twitter on June 6 when she linked an article titled “Opinion: Creating a more equal postCOVID-19 for people who menstruate,” and responded with “‘People who menstruate.’

I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben?

Wimpund? Woomud?”

9.10 . 20 20 •

5

12th annual exhibition & fundraiser

EXP

SED Aug. 29 - Sept. 25, 2020

The Art and Culture Center/Hollywood’s 2020 Exposed Exhibition and Fundraiser features more than 80 contemporary artists. Ticket buyers at the closing-night draw on September 25th will take home an exhibited work of art!

To learn more about the artists visit

artandculturecenter.org/12th-annual-exposed

for the online catalog

Aug. 29 THROUGH

Oct. 25, 2020

OPEN DIALOGUES:

Stories From the LGBTQ Community This exhibition features a short documentary film directed by award-winning filmmaker Freddy Rodriguez, artifacts from the Stonewall Museum & Archive, and text by Broward-based author Julie Marie Wade.

ROSA NADAY GARMENDIA:

Not So Far Away - No Tan Lejos Aug. 29 - Oct. 25, 2020

Comprised of a large-scale mural, documentary work, photography, and objects, Not So Far Away - No Tan Lejos remarks on the longstanding historical divisions between Cuba and the United States and is relevant to larger conversations about the shared experiences linked to the global dispersal of refugees and asylum-seekers.

Visit ArtandCultureCenter.org

NEWS NATIONAL

HIV-POSITIVE SERVICE MEMBERS CAN PROCEED WITH LAWSUIT AGAINST PENTAGON John McDonald

H

IV-positive service members can still dream of rising in the ranks.

Becoming a commissioned officer in the United States military remains possible for HIV-positive service members, a federal judge ruled this week.

“There is simply no basis to hold that officers must be free from HIV even if they are physically capable of service and would otherwise be able to deploy,” wrote Judge Richard D. Bennett of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. “The military’s policy of withholding officer commissions from HIV-positive service members renders those service members second-class citizens.

That is precisely what the equal protection clause forbids.”

The court’s ruling on Wednesday rejected the Trump administration’s efforts to dismiss a lawsuit brought by service members Kevin Deese and John Doe against the Navy and Air Force. Lambda Legal worked with the Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) and pro bono co-counsel Winston & Strawn to challenge the Pentagon’s discriminatory policies on service members living with HIV. “Thanks to modern science, there is no legitimate reason to deny service members living with HIV the ability to continue to serve

“AS THE MILITARY STRUGGLES TO MEET RECRUITING GOALS, THE LAST THING THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SHOULD BE DOING IS REINFORCING HARMFUL STEREOTYPES AND DISCHARGING HIGHLY TRAINED SERVICE MEMBERS BASED ON OUTDATED SCIENCE.” - Peter Perkowski MMAA LEGAL DIRECTOR

Open Dialogues: Stories From the LGBTQ Community is funded by the following Funds at the Community Foundation of Broward: Richard Frisby and Edward Burkhart Fund, Leonard & Sally Robbins Fund, Frederick W. Jaqua Fund, James Bell-Greenbaum Charitable Fund. Rosa Naday Garmendia: Not So Far Away - No Tan Lejos is funded by a grant from the Mauer Family Foundation.

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• 9.10.2020

1650 Harrison Street Hollywood, FL 33020 954. 921. 3274 ArtAndCultureCenter.org

A soldier serving in the U.S. Army. Photo via Pixabay.

their country without arbitrary restrictions on their assignments and ability to deploy,” said MMAA Legal Director Peter Perkowski.

“As the military struggles to meet recruiting goals, the last thing the Department of Defense should be doing is reinforcing harmful stereotypes and discharging highly trained service members based on outdated science.”

In a press release, Deese, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, said: “I’m glad that I will get my day in court. It’s important that people with HIV be allowed to follow their dreams, including serving their country through military service. Some of the bravest, strongest, and smartest people I have ever met live with HIV, and our armed forces deserve to benefit fully from their resiliency and commitment to service, rather than being held back by outdated and prejudicial policies. There is not a job in the world that a person living with HIV can’t do. I hope that this case helps to reset expectations about what is possible for people living with HIV.”

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

PHILIPPINES PARDONS U.S. SOLDIER IN KILLING OF TRANS WOMAN John McDonald

A

U.S. Marine, convicted in the murder of a trans woman, was pardoned by The Philippines on Monday.

U.S. Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton was granted “an absolute pardon” by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte. Pemberton was convicted of killing Jennifer Laude in 2014.

Karapatan, a human rights alliance in The Philippines, denounced the pardon.

“This is a hard slap on the LGBTQ+ community and a blatant affront to our national sovereignty,” the alliance said in a statement.

Duterte said Pemberton, 25, of New Bedford, Mass., had behaved behind bars and should be allowed the good character presumption. He came to the southeast Asian island chain on exercises as part of a visiting forces agreement.

Then 19, Pemberton, an anti-tank missile operator, met Laude, 26, in a nightclub outside Subic Bay. They went to a motel where there

NEEL AMIN, MD

TOM MACEK, MD

Board Certified in: ANESTHESIOLOGY PAIN MANAGEMENT

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.

Credit: Ceslou, via Wikipedia.

was a scuffle and Laude was found dead with a broken neck.

A Philippine government official said Duterte’s pardon erases Pemberton’s original six to 12-year prison sentence, but does not reverse the conviction.

“He’s still a killer,” Harry Roque, Duterte spokesman, told the Guardian.

Karapatan declared Duterte’s decision as “mocking the Filipino people, who, through decades, have been violated by U.S. military intervention in the country.” A lawyer for the Laude family called the pardon “revolting.”

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9.10 . 20 20 •

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IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

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

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:  Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.  Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.  Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.  Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.  Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.  The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

 Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains:  dofetilide  rifampin  any other medicines to treat HIV-1

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you:  Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection.  Have any other health problems.  Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.  Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:  Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.  BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other.

Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at

MyDailyCharge.com

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(bik-TAR-vee)

BVYC0218_BIKTARVY_B_10X10-75_SouthFloridaGayNews_Hugo_r1v1jl.indd • 9.10.2020

All Pages

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

GET MORE INFORMATION  This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.  Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5  If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2020 © 2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0218 04/20

HUGO LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 1995 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT

KEEP CONNECTING. Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

See Hugo’s story at BIKTARVY.com.

Featured patient compensated by Gilead.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.

5/27/20 9.10 . 11:27 20 20AM •

9

NEWS LOCAL

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NEWS NATIONAL

NEW JERSEY MAN ARRESTED IN BOMBING OF LGBT GYM John McDonald

F

Photo via Pixabay.

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ederal agents have arrested a man Midway Specialty Care Center we are At Midway At Specialty Care Center we are At Midway Specialty Care Center we are suspected of trying to blow up an LGBT Ateveryone Midway able to start almost onSpecialty same day Care Center we are able to almost everyone onA.same same day MD community gym.

PrEP, those with and without ay able to start start almost on HOWARD GROSSMAN, able to startinsurance. almost everyone everyone on same dayday On Sunday, authorities in Gloucester City, PrEP, those without insurance.

JOSEPH TOJAR, PA-C PrEP, thosewith withand and without insurance.

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N.J. charged a man with the bombing of a South Jersey gym. The G-City Crossfit gym NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS. HOWARD A. GROSSMAN, MD was considered a safe space for LGBT people, CALL TODAY! JOSEPH TOJAR, PA-C reported the Shore News Network.

HOWARD A. GROSSMAN, MD NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS. The Camden County man, police said, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced CALL TODAY! Dwayne A. Vandergrift Jr., 35, was charged detonated a bomb in front of the gym — JOSEPH TOJAR, PA-C with malicious use of explosives, unlawful shattering its front door during the early 2608 NE 16th Ave. | Wilton Manors, FL 33334 possession of two destructive devices, and morning hours of Aug. 26. Prosecutors NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS. unlawful possession of a short-barreled rifle, said there is security camera footage of NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS. PATIENTS. 2608 NE 16th Ave. | Wilton Manors,CALL FL 33334TODAY! NOW ACCEPTING NEW Vandergrift fleeing the scene before the prosecutors said. bombing.

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9.10 . 20 20 •

11

COVER FEATURE

THE NEW NORMAL SOUTH FLORIDA’S LGBT CENTERS ADAPT TO A VIRTUAL SOCIALLY DISTANCED WORLD

SFGN Staff

W

hen the pandemic hit, LGBT centers, which provide a multitude of support services for the community, were forced to shut down and shift their operations online.

It’s been a challenging time for them to engage the community as well as raising the funds necessary to keep their operations and programs up and running. All of their major fundraisers were forcing them to quickly learn how to raise money in a virtual world.

SFGN takes a look at three of those centers: The Pride Center at Equality Park in Wilton Manors; Pridelines in Miami; and Compass in Lake Worth.

The HIV Prevention Team at Compass. Photo via Facebook.

THE PRIDE CENTER

2040 N. DIXIE HWY IN WILTON MANORS 954-463-9005 PRIDECENTERFLORIDA.ORG Serving Broward County in the heart of Wilton Manors, The Pride Center has always been active on social media. But when the coronavirus forced businesses and nonprofits to implement social distancing, they amped up their presence to continue connecting with the people they serve.

“We continue to work with the many programs, groups, and events that usually meet on campus to help identify virtual platforms to ensure they are able to connect with their participants,” the center said in a statement.

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• 9.10.2020

Thanks to Facebook Live and other social media features, the team at The Pride Center has been able to host online discussions, Q&As, and even provide weekly virtual tours of The Residences at Equality Park, the brand-new residential center for lowincome LGBT seniors. These meetings have allowed popular gatherings like Coffee & Conversation to continue, a program for LGBT seniors to meet others and discuss hard-hitting issues. With the digital format, guests such as Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis and Congressman Ted Deutch have

The Pride Center at a past Wilton Manors Pride. Photo via Facebook.

been able to participate.

Other notable members of the center have also taken to Facebook Live, such as Prevention Interventions Coordinator Lorenzo Robertson and Testing and Community Mobilization Coordinator Tatiana Williams, have hosted twiceweekly updates where they share news on food distributions, assistance programs in the community, testing sites for COVID-19 and more.

According to the center’s analytics, visitors viewed 50,000 minutes worth of

videos in the second quarter.

For HIV testing, the center refers clients to community partners that are able to do on-site testing for HIV and STIs. Staff and testing counselors are also always available by phone to answer questions about HIV, PrEP and other health topics. The annual LIFE program will virtual this year — a 12-week program starting Sept. 22 for gay, bisexual and same-gender-loving men with HIV. – Christiana Lilly

COVER FEATURE Pridelines in 2019. Photo via Twitter.

COMPASS

201 N DIXIE HWY IN LAKE WORTH 561-533-9699 COMPASSGLCC.COM Compass Community Center is one of — combined, everyone raised over $20,000 the most sought after organizations in Palm that month, and photos from people’s Beach County. One of the main ingredients individual dinner parties were so fun and to the success of Compass is the services heartwarming to see.” that they provide. As the world adjusts to The youth services have probably been the “new normal,” Compass has managed the biggest challenge for Compass. “Safer to continue its normal services. at Home” is difficult for some youth that “Staff are working mostly remotely, don’t have the best support or acceptance with a limited number of people in the at home. Therapists have provided over 20 building each day. This allows us to do the group therapy sessions and 150 individual work that we need to onsite for, while still sessions. limiting contact and reducing risk,” said In addition to offering therapy, regular Claudia Harrison Chief Communications get-togethers like virtual pizza parties and Officer at Compass. “So making sure we video cooking classes have been held. have someone assigned at the front desk Thanks to grants and generous support every day is still important, as we answer from regular Compass sponsors like Wells the door all day long to hand out condoms Fargo and Gilead, Compass has received and masks, provide resource information to funds that have allowed them to continue community members, and connect clients their programming and services without with their case managers for missing any interruption. check-ins in the lobby.”

They are still offering free THE YOUTH SERVICES Although access to the rapid HIV testing at the center building is limited Compass but by appointment only.

HAVE PROBABLY still offers social groups, youth Hours for appointments are BEEN THE BIGGEST services, grief and loss support Monday through Friday from CHALLENGE FOR groups, HIV positive support 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

COMPASS. “SAFER AT groups for men, and coming For 30 years, Compass out support groups. These has been a safe space for HOME” IS DIFFICULT support groups and services community members, FOR SOME YOUTH continue through online, whether it’s for those living THAT DON’T HAVE telephone, virtual video, and HIV, individuals looking for THE BEST SUPPORT in-person appointments. If HIV tests, or just by being visiting the building in person, a shoulder to lean on, or a OR ACCEPTANCE a mask is required and your nonjudgmental listening ear.

AT HOME. temperature will be taken.

“We know it’s the best One of the major events and wisest thing we can do, Compass had to cancel was Palm Beach to adjust to virtual services and limit the Pride, which generates thousands of dollars number of people who come inside, but we in revenue for the community center. miss the hugs we share with our beloved However, they did participate in Virtual volunteers and seeing people come in each Pride, as part of the South Florida Pride night for the life-saving support group Collective. The event raised money for gatherings,” Harrison said. “Since April, Miami Beach Pride, Pride Fort Lauderdale, we have used Zoom to host 450 therapy Gay8, Stonewall Pride, and Compass. sessions and support group meetings for Another event that was revamped was the over 2,650 people. We will continue offering Stonewall Ball in June. every service we can in a virtual way instead, “We re-envisioned it as the ‘Stay the as long as we need to in order to keep all of Heck Home Ball’ and encouraged our us safe. Compass’s strength has always been Compass communities to host virtual in creating safe spaces for our community, dinner parties with their friends, order in and we are committed to continuing that, from our supporting area restaurants, and even in virtual spaces.” make a pitch to raise funds for Compass,” Harrison said. “The result was tremendous – Deon Jefferson

PRIDELINES

6360 NE 4TH COURT IN MIAMI 305-571-9601 PRIDELINES.ORG With so much of their programming done in-person, Pridelines had to make a major pivot when COVID-19 forced the county into lock-down in March. People are now able to meet with support groups online via Zoom, and more sensitive and health-related groups are on HIPAA compliant platforms to ensure privacy.

“Thankfully we were able to move quickly enough at the beginning of this pandemic to move all of our programs, like our support groups, or LGBT youth — our peer life, online,” said Victor Diaz-Herman, the CEO of Pridelines.

However, not everything can be done on a computer. HIV testing and emergency services are available by appointment only, and Plexiglass shields were put up in the reception area. Only three staff members are at the center at a time and they must wear masks and shields. Clients leave once they have received their services; staff removed the furniture and art gallery area to encourage people to move on.

Clients can get tested for HIV with a shield separating them from the person conducting the fingerprick test. There is also an oral swab option where the client can swab their mouth themselves. There is also drive-through testing and for special cases, at-home testing.

Another program that is continuing on-site is emergency services, where people can wash their clothes, get clothing, and get survival kits filled

with socks, shoes, bras, wigs, binders, face masks, hand sanitizer and Latex gloves. Pridelines also gives out toothbrushes and toothpaste, bars of soap, and snack bars.

With Pridelines’ major fundraisers being rescheduled, the center has survived with Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and COVID relief grants.

Diaz-Herman explained that the center’s “unrestricted funds” are what fund the programs that aren’t covered by grants, which are mainly youth programs and the center’s overhead, like rent and electricity.

In June, Pridelines hosted a fundraising campaign that generated $67,000. There have been talks of a virtual gala, but donors have shared that they’d rather just donate the money.

Monetary donations are always welcome, and people can host fundraisers online in honor of their birthday or other special days. For those interested in in-kind donations, the center is always in need of gloves, masks and hand sanitizer. Companies can also partner with Pridelines to sponsor meal giveaways “I think everybody is kind of in the same boat; we’re all trying different things and hoping it works,” DiazHerman said. “There are still ways to volunteer for organizations even without having physical space, especially right now … every little bit helps.”

– Christiana Lilly

9.10 . 20 20 •

13

PA L M B E A C H

news

STUDIO 205 BECOMES THE HAUS LOUNGE Former owner Andy Amoroso opens the Tacky Tourist Donald Cavanaugh IN EARLY 2020, ADAM SESSA, A LOCAL REALTOR, PURCHASED ANDY AMOROSO’S STUDIO 205 FOR AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT. HE CHANGED THE NAME OF THE BUSINESS TO THE HAUS LOUNGE COFFEE SHOP AND BEGAN A MAJOR PROJECT OF REMODELING, WORKING NIGHTS SO THE SHOP COULD CONTINUE OPERATION DURING THE DAY. Sessa said that he was looking for a place to create a welcoming environment for people from the many diverse communities in South Florida to come together around common interests like art and music and food. He had stopped at Studio 205 just to get some ideas and he left with an entire business.

“I had not given any thought to selling,” Amoroso said. “We were doing well and

with the addition of an eclectic menu, including fresh smoothies, the business was steady and growing. But he made me an offer I couldn’t resist.”

Soon after Sessa took over though the pandemic ground his new business to a halt.

Now six months later Sessa said, “We were fortunate. Much of the business was take out and we had a number of regulars from the neighborhood. Jason Hanley who has worked for Amoroso for some 20 years is still the chief cook and smoothie maker and a known part of the business. We’re doing ok but nowhere near where we should be.”

He’s hoping business picks up as the weather gets cooler.

“Also, the heat of summer makes people hesitant to walk over from Lake. It will be much better later in the year,” he said.

Adam Sessa outside of The Haus Lounge. Photo courtesy of Adam Sessa.

14

• 9.10.2020

Andy Amoroso. SFGN file photo.

“Years of watching tourists visit Lake In the meantime the business will Worth have given me a good sense of what continue to evolve.

“I still plan to reduce the amount of they buy and why,” he said.

“I had the money from the sale and didn’t retail space and increase seating,” he said.

“I plan to expand the menu and follow have any plans when the owner of 630 Lake Andy’s commitment to fresh ingredients Avenue made me an attractive offer for the and interesting flavor combinations. I will space and things came together quickly, he said. “I had always wanted also apply for a beer and wine license in the near future.” to operate a business from SESSA ADDED Sessa added that he plans 630. That and Tacky Tourist were both on my bucket list. I to reach out to local artists to THAT HE took the offer.” display their work including PLANS TO He admits that business some murals. He anticipates REACH OUT TO is somewhat slow but it’s off having live performances and more. He plans to LOCAL ARTISTS season and the world is still reeling from the COVID-19 keep a selection of LGBT TO DISPLAY pandemic but he’s covering paraphernalia maintaining the THEIR WORK expenses and is optimistic.

Studio 205 claim of being the Adam Sessa, who identifies first and still only purveyor in INCLUDING as gay, is a 23-year-old native Palm Beach County.

SOME MURALS. Meanwhile, back on Lake Floridian. The Haus Lounge is located at 205 N Federal Hwy Avenue, Amoroso launched a new enterprise called the Tacky Tourist in Lake Worth, and is open seven days a which offers a wide selection of vintage week. Visit their Facebook page for days items and Florida collectables. and times.

City Commissioner Andy Amoroso is, among many other things, the first openlyelected LGBT person in Lake Worth. The Tacky Tourist is at 630 Lake Ave next to Dave’s last resort and most recently occupied by Artisans on the Avenue.

WMG Volume 7 • Issue 18 September 10, 2020

Wilton Manors Gazette FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/WMGAZETTE

COMMUNITY

Artist Chosen For The Pride Center Mural Project

By Christiana Lilly Even with the coronavirus, the Pride Center is abuzz. Seniors are moving into the newly opened Residences at Equality Park, improvements are being made around the campus, staff members continue to connect with the community via Facebook Live, and by the end of the month, a 3,000 square foot mural will be erected.

Steven Teller, originally from Fort Lauderdale and now living in St. Augustine, was selected to create Equality Park’s new murals, chosen from more than 90 artist applications.

“There’s a lot of impact in public art and what it can do in the community and the message it can create,” Teller said. “A lot of my stuff is using nature and bright colors and harmonious color schemes.”

Teller found out about the call for artists through friends and the art community, and he was drawn to how open the Pride Center and ArtServe — who are collaborating on the project — were to hearing ideas from artists. In his application, he shared his vision for a mural that would showcase growth, positivity and hope.

It resonated with the team.

“I am so incredibly excited to witness the positive and uplifting impact that Steven Teller’s signature style of bright and imaginative creativity infused with deep meaning will bring — not only to this space, but to the entire community,” Pride Center CEO Robert Boo said in a statement.

With the nation fighting against racial injustice and the White House’s attacks on transgender people, Teller feels it makes the mural he is working on even more important.

Ever since his proposal was accepted, he has been interviewing members of the LGBT community locally and across the country, as well as board members at the Pride Center, to help guide the mural. He said that as a straight man, he wanted to hear from the community who would be most impacted by the mural.

From sharing coming out stories, societal stigmas, and self-esteem, Teller found that something that resonated with everyone was the feeling of selfacceptance and acceptance by others for being yourself. This guided the use

IN HIS APPLICATION, HE SHARED HIS VISION FOR A MURAL THAT WOULD SHOWCASE GROWTH, POSITIVITY AND HOPE.

Steven Teller in the midst of creating a new piece of art. Photo courtesy of Steven Teller.

Turn to page 3 to continue reading.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • www.WMGAZETTE.com • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

9.10 . 20 20 •

15

OPINION

Unemployed Holiday Weekend

By Sal Torre  Photo via Pixabay.

As COVID-19’s devastating impact on our economy continues with no end in sight, this past Labor Day Holiday witnessed many residents of our Island City struggling to get by and unemployed.

Labor Day, a tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength and prosperity if our nation, now stands as a gutted and hollow remnant as more Americans find themselves out of work since the Great Depression.

While millions of Americans worried this past weekend about school for their children, unemployment, money for food and healthcare our president played golf and Rich Mitch along with his gang of Republican leaders raced home to enjoy their late summer recess before extending unemployment benefits for American families.

Thankfully our city, along with the Broward County Commission, has been a bit more concerned about residents in this time of need. Wilton Manors continues to support the much-needed food distribution event each and every Thursday at Mills Pond Park along with the cities of Fort Lauderdale and Oakland Park. Broward County has unveiled numerous programs aimed at helping residents with rental assistance, business assistance and other necessary measures.

All this hard work while also being in a state of readiness during the peak of hurricane season deserves our thanks and gratitude for a job well done. Area nonprofits are also stepping up helping needy families and residents of our Island City.

Volunteers and donations are always needed and one can go the city’s website to find out more information.

Now that September is well under way, my annual warning that the Holiday Season is just around the corner comes with a much different meaning this year. As events continue to be canceled with each tear of another page off my daily calendar, the uncertainty of the next few months leading up to the New Year is full of much unknown and much anxiety.

One thing for sure is that we will be celebrating the upcoming Holiday Season

WMG September 10, 2020 • Volume 7 • Issue 18 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

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

Editorial

Art Director • Brendon Lies artwork@sfgn.com News Editor • Sallie James

Correspondents

Christiana Lilly• Sal Torre • James Oaksun

Staff Photographers

J.R. Davis • Carina Mask • Steven Shires

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

without the usual celebrations at work, church, school and socially with friends and family as we move through what would normally be an exciting and busy three months leading up to the end of year holiday season.

With many of us not venturing out to a restaurant or bar with friends since the beginning of March, without having travelled to see family and aging parents, without work or the possibility of finding employment for the foreseeable future, many in our community are struggling to make sense of it all.

The upcoming election might be a good time to vent your frustrations.

Republicans, Democrats and Independents, you have the opportunity to make your frustrations heard by overwhelmingly rejecting the failed leadership of Donald Trump.

Speaking of elections, residents of our Island City can hear from all municipal candidates on Sept. 23 beginning at 7 p.m. when the three neighborhood associations of Wilton Manors host their virtual Candidates Forum. The three candidates for the Office of Mayor and the six candidates for two City Commission seats have all been invited to participate.

Many local issues affecting the future of our community will be discussed during the forum. Information on how to access this very important meeting will be sent out through the neighborhood association’s membership, city email blasts, social media and other sources. Be on the look-out and mark your

MY ANNUAL WARNING THAT THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER COMES WITH A MUCH DIFFERENT MEANING THIS YEAR.

calendar for this very important event.

Driving around town, one begins to notice the campaign signs showing up at various properties around town. Not sure how many candidates got permission from the property or business owners before placing their signage down. Two large campaign signs for Mayor posted on the old Science of the Mind Church property, located on NE 26th Street, has me a bit amused and frustrated. Both candidates were City Commissioners back in 2016 when a spectacular residential development was scraped due to a Commissioner’s opposition.

Four years later the property remains undeveloped, deteriorating and an enormous loss of tax revenue for our city. Then City Commissioners Julie Carson and Scott Newton voted to limit the number of units causing the developer no alternative but to pull the project.

One of those two candidates will most likely now become our new Mayor after Election Day. Let us hope they have listened, learned and are ready to make the tough decisions necessary to bring smart development to our city. Along with a new Mayor we will also have two new City Commissioners, so do your homework and VOTE! Good news on the renaming of Jaycee Park to honor our late Mayor, Justin Flippen. The first of two Public Hearings was held tonight at City Commission with many residents voicing support. At times emotions spilled out in the open, a testament of how strongly many residents, staff and elected officials support memorializing Justin’s legacy.

Working together, adapting to the new realities that challenge us and always looking towards tomorrow, while remembering those who got us to where we are today will continue to make life just better here… WMG

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

Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com.

SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs.

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Did you know? Gray foxes, also called tree foxes, are found all across Florida, including Broward County.

Good luck seeing one, though... they’re very shy!

Photo via PxHere.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • www.WMGAZETTE.com • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 16

• 9.10.2020

2 •

September 10, 2020

COMMUNITY

Artist Chosen For The Pride Center Mural Project Continued from page 1 of flowers, inspired by the colors of the rainbow and progressive flags. With help from the community, the flowers can be nurtured and continue to grow. He also is including birds flying free in the mural.

“I want that first emotion, the first impact, to be really representative of a welcoming, loving space for someone who has never been to the Pride Center before,” he said of the mural.

At 30, Teller’s work has been showcased in murals across the country, from Jacksonville and Orlando to Chattanooga, Memphis, New York City, Colorado and more. He’s especially proud of a piece he created in Chicago last summer outside of the Cornerstone Community Outreach transitional shelter for homeless families.

In “If Only You Knew,” a young Black

woman with beautiful dreads hanging to her waist looks out into the distance, surrounded by bright blue flowers.

While he’s gotten used to the pressure of creating public art, Teller says it doesn’t minimize the importance of the work he does.

“Some of the first walls that I ever painted that were upwards of 50 feet tall in the middle of a city, there definitely is that moment of an ego check where it’s like, ‘Is what I’m going to say worthy of this space and to see all these other people see and receive this work? Is what I’m saying worthy of impacting their day?’ A few years ago, I probably would have been crippled with pressure.”

For the Equality Park project, he will be painting the panels in his studio in

3 •

“The Future,” an example of Steven Teller’s artwork. Photo courtesy of Steven Teller.

St. Augustine, which will then be printed onto metal panels for longevity. The mural is expected to be installed at the end of September.

Teller has been given a stipend or $5,000 for the mural project, funded by the Community Foundation of Broward.

On Tuesday, Sept. 15 from 4 to 5 p.m.

ArtServe Live will present a virtual meet and greet with Teller. More info here. WMG See more of Steven Teller’s artwork at steventellerarts.com or follow him on Instagram @stevetellerarts

September 10, 2020

“I WANT THAT FIRST EMOTION, THE FIRST IMPACT, TO BE REALLY REPRESENTATIVE OF A WELCOMING, LOVING SPACE FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER BEEN TO THE PRIDE CENTER BEFORE.” - Steven Teller ARTIST

9.10 . 20 20 •

17

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CUMULATIVE KNOWN COVID-19 CASES IN THREE SOUTH FLORIDA COUNTIES: Cumulative Known COVID-19 Cases in Three South Florida SEPTEMBER Counties: 8 SEPTEMBER 2 THROUGH September 2 through September 8

Percent Increase in cumulative COVID-19 cases from 9/2 to 9/8 Palm Beach 1.9%, Broward 1.6%, and Miami Dade 1.6%

72,371

9/2

9/3

73,293

9/4

9/5

Palm Beach

73,556

73,426

43,187

43,067

42,905

42,762

42,643

42,518

73,112

72,880

72,634

162,026

161,637

161,363

161,018

160,469

159,978

159,400

9/6

43,309

9/7

Broward

9/8

Miami-Dade Source Fl DOH Dashboard

Source: Florida DEO Dashboard.

CUMULATIVE KNOWN COVID-19 DEATHS IN THREE SOUTH FLORIDA Cumulative Known COVID-19COUNTIES: Deaths Cumulative Known COVID-19 Cases in in

BrowardCenter.org/classes 954.414.6904

Three Florida Counties: 8 Three South Florida Counties: SEPTEMBER 2South THROUGH SEPTEMBER September 2 through September September 2 through September 88

Percent Increase Increase in in cumulative cumulative COVID-19 COVID-19 deaths cases from Percent from9/2 9/2to to9/8 9/8 Palm Beach Beach 3.2%, 1.9%,Broward Broward3/1%, 1.6%,and andMiami MiamiDade Dade4.4% 1.6% Palm 2,600

2,554

S O U T H

F L O R I D A

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160,469 2,632

159,978

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162,026 2,666

161,637 2,658

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• 9.10.2020

72,371 1,197 1,134

42,518

9/2 9/2

72,634 1,206 1,150

72,880 1,212 1,160

42,762

42,643

9/3 9/3

73,112

1,215 1,162

9/4 9/4

Palm Beach Palm Beach

42,905

9/59/5

73,293 1,215 1,166

73,426 1,220 1,168

43,067

43,187

9/69/6

Broward Miami Dade Broward

Source: Florida DEO Dashboard.

1,170

9/79/7

1,234 73,556

43,309

9/8 9/8

Miami-Dade

Source Fl DOH Dashboard

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DUE TO COVID-19, CLERGY ASK THAT YOU STAY SAFE AT HOME. PLEASE WATCH SERVICES ON FACEBOOK AND/OR ONLINE. FIND DETAILS ON HOW TO WATCH ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGES AND WEBSITES. THANK YOU AND BE WELL!

COVID separates us. Let KAVOD - honor, seriousness - bring us back together in ways that honor all of our contributions, unique origins, and identities. May we merit this greeting in our homes, cities and lives: Gladness and joy shall abide there, thanksgiving

and the sound of music.

Shabbat service Friday 8pm Our Facebook Page Live

Congregation Etz Chaim

2038 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, on the Pride Center campus www.EtzChaimFlorida.org / RSVP HERE: info@etzchaimflorida.org

Church of Our Savior, MCC 2011 s. Federal Hwy., Boynton Beach, FL 561-733-4000 www,churchofoursaviormcc.org

SPIRITUALITY

SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS.COM

Until further notice: Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, our worship services are streamed on Facebook Live every Sunday at 10 AM, rather than held at our church property. https://www.facebook.com/ ChurchofOurSaviorMCC. Visit our web site for more details & updates.

Join us for masked, socially distanced in person worship.

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

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

954-633-2987

A home for your spirit.

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

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

HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY 2917 NE 6th Avenue Wilton Manors 954-633-2987 - HolyAngelsFL.net Sunday Mass at 11AM

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

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www.NormKent.com 9.10 . 20 20 •

19

Letter From The Editor

CONVICTIONS

THE MURALS AT EQUALITY PARK An LGBT Artist Should Have Been Chosen

A concept image for the mural on The Pride Center. Photo via Facebook.

Jason Parsley

A

n artist was recently chosen for The the artist’s selection says: Murals at Equality Park. It’s an exciting “To fully absorb and invoke the essence venture. And I am confident it’s going to of The Pride Center and Equality Park in his look spectacular. creative process, the 30-year-old [artist] is But there’s one glaring issue with it — an currently interviewing diverse members of ArtServe-coordinated jury chose a straight the local LGBTQ+ community to educate male artist. himself on its impact and better understand The Pride Center at Equality Park is a historic the importance and relevance of LGBTQ+ LGBT space in South Florida. This could have community centers like The Pride Center, been an opportunity to showcase an LGBT which has been serving South Florida for more artist whose work would be covering a portion than 27 years.” of this iconic spot for decades to come.

This artist will never be able to authentically This column isn’t meant to knock the Pride represent the LGBT community no matter how Center, or criticize them. They didn’t make the much he educates himself, especially in an decision on the artist. Nor will I name the artist incredibly short period of time. I do, however, in this column because it’s certainly not about applaud his efforts at wanting to learn more him. He simply applied for a job. about the LGBT community.

Having said that, it’s The first OUT50 list from still important to point out SFGN was made up of mostly that authenticity matters. older white gay males. They were LET’S IMAGINE Representation matters. all deserving to be on that list. But IF THE WOMEN’S This isn’t just any building.

I did not do a good enough job CENTER CHOSE A This is the Pride Center — this searching beyond that bubble to MALE TO PAINT is our home, a safe space for our find those lesbians, LGBT people community. This doesn’t mean to of color, and trans heroes in our THEIR MURAL. suggest every vendor has to be a community. Each year that list IMAGINE IF member of the LGBT community. has gotten more inclusive, but THE AFRICAN But for a project this big, this only because I was determined to visible, this important — then make it so. It was incumbent on AMERICAN yes, I believe we should have me to make that happen.

MUSEUM CHOSE looked a little harder within the Let’s imagine if the Women’s A WHITE ARTIST LGBT community.

Center chose a male to paint their TO PAINT THEIR There were 90 applicants, mural. Imagine if the African and the decision makers chose a American Museum chose a white MURAL. cisgender, straight man who lives artist to paint their mural. in St. Augustine. He is talented – Now let’s imagine if a trans his work has been featured around the country. artist of color had been chosen for this project.

But I am also sure there are plenty of just as That would have been life changing for talented lesbian artists, gay artists, bisexual them. The doors such a project would have artists, LGBT artists of color, and trans artists opened would have been endless. But more here in South Florida. importantly, the LGBT community would be But maybe they didn’t apply, some might say. authentically represented on South Florida’s My response: look harder. most iconic LGBT campus.

I am sure the artist, who is originally from Before I wrote this column I spoke to three Fort Lauderdale, is LGBT friendly. artists to get their viewpoints. All agreed with But the only mention of his connection me. Of course that’s a very small representation to the LGBT community is his apparent lack of all the artists in our community. of knowledge about the Pride Center and its But here’s what one South Florida artist, meaning and importance. who identities as Latin and gay, said: Here’s what the press release announcing “You would think they would give ownership

20

• 9.10.2020

to the LGBT community and its main resource center; instead they handed out the ownership to a talented artist, but nevertheless not part of the LGBT community.”

Some will say we’re all equal therefore a straight artist should be considered. I would agree if this was the local Target or another insignificant building in the gayborhood. But this is the Pride Center, whose mission first and foremost is to serve the LGBT community. This is the heart and soul of the LGBT community.

This isn’t a straight vendor catering a monthly dinner. This is a 3,000 square foot mural.

Artistic expression is inherently personal. It has meaning. It’s symbolic.

Our fight for equality and representation is not over. Our struggles continue.

Another artist I spoke with — who is Latin and gay — said, “We live in a time where marginalized people are fighting to have their voices heard, and this project would have been the perfect way to elevate a local artist within our community.”

There’s a good reason why trans people get upset when cisgender actors take trans roles.

As LGBT friendly Hollywood appears to be, there are still limited opportunities for work for the trans community. So every time a cisgender actor takes a role, that’s one less opportunity for their community.

For activists, it’s about authenticity and representation, but for trans actors it’s more than that — it’s about working and putting food on their tables.

In 2018, Scarlett Johansson was chosen to play a trans character in “Rub & Tug,” a

story based on the story of Dante “Tex” Gill, a trans man who owned massage parlors in the 1970s. The backlash from LGBT community, especially the trans community, was swift.

At first she defended her decision, but later withdrew from the project.

“While I would have loved the opportunity to bring Dante’s story and transition to life, I understand why many feel he should be portrayed by a transgender person, and I am thankful that this casting debate, albeit controversial, has sparked a larger conversation about diversity and representation in film,” she told OUT. Johansson made the right decision. And that conversation isn’t over.

It was only two months ago when the Supreme Court decided federal law prohibits anti-transgender discrimination in employment.

Another artist I spoke with, who identifies as bisexual and trans, said: “When there are so many incredible LGBT artists who desperately struggle to be hired, I’m sad to see they instead selected an artist who has probably never been turned away from a project due to hatred.”

In the press release announcing the selection of the artist, it states: “The power [these murals] will have to create conversations, foster relationships and transform attitudes in the community cannot be underestimated.”

I wholeheartedly agree with that. I just wish an LGBT person would be the one creating those conservations and helping to transform attitudes.

Jesse’s Journal

CONVICTIONS

CORONAVIRUS JOURNAL VI A journal of a plague year Jesse Monteagudo

I

n 1722 Daniel Defoe, the author of “Robinson Crusoe,” wrote “A Journal of the Plague Year.” This was a semifictional account of the Great Plague, an outbreak of bubonic plague that struck London from 1665 to 1666.

In 18 months, the plague killed about 100,000 people, almost a quarter of the population of London. Though Defoe was only five at the time, this event was close enough in time for many to remember it, allowing Defoe to base his account on the memories of those who survived, including his uncle, Henry Foe (H.F.). Defoe wrote about specific neighborhoods, streets, and even houses where events took place. Fiction or not, Defoe’s “Journal of the Plague Year” did such a good job describing the horrors of an epidemic that even historians quoted from it: “From the first week in June the infection spread in a dreadful manner, and the bills [mortality records] rose high. All that could conceal their distemper did it, to prevent their neighbors shunning them, and also to prevent authority shutting up their houses.

In June the richest sort thronged out of town. In Whitechapel nothing was to be seen but wagons and carts, with goods, women, children, etc., besides innumerable numbers of men on horseback a terrible and melancholy thing to see.”

Like Defoe three centuries ago, coronavirus has inspired many writers like me: women and men of all ages, races, classes, and genders, who are now jotting down their own personal experiences with the pandemic.

Perhaps, half a century from now, future Defoes will take our reminiscences and use them to compile their own Journal of the Plague Year. Defoe’s bubonic plague killed 100,000 people.

COVID-19 already killed over 190,000 people in this country and almost 880,000 people worldwide. King Charles II, his Court and Parliament all left town for the duration,

Photo via PxHere.

at a time when people expected less from their governments than we do today. But not even the Stuart court was able to reach the levels of incompetence and mismanagement achieved by Trump and his Administration; or by Red State governors like Ron DeSantis.

Like Defoe’s fictional narrator, H.F., I live the pandemic one day at a time and, like H.F., I am grateful that my loved ones and I have survived this plague (so far). I keep trying to do my part to stop the spread of COVID-19 while at the same time doing my bit to eradicate the other horror of our age, Donald Trump.

But life must still be enjoyed, even in a plague year.

Soon Ron and I will head off for our first vacation of 2020, one that you might read about after we return. This, my friends, is a lesson that we should learn from this pandemic. We must do our best to proceed with our lives, while at the same time managing to conform to this New Normal.

May better days return.

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.

9.10 . 20 20 •

21

Publisher's Editorial

CONVICTIONS

19 YEARS LATER

9/11, MEET COVID-19 Norm Kent

norm.kent@sfgn.com

I

grew up and went to school in the shadow of the World Trade Center. The morning of September 11, 2001 is etched into my soul, now and forever. They blew up the place I called home.

The cataclysmic events of that day 19 years ago are saluted today not only in New York, but throughout our nation.

Time passes though, and history is short lived. New shocks shake our foundation.

The average student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, tragic victims of the Parkland massacre, were born three years after 9/11.

Each generation has an event or an episode which shapes our lives. If you are 70, as I now am, it was 9/11.

September 11, 2001, when I was publisher of the Express Gay News of South Florida, will be the day I recall.

Attached to this column was the picture we ran in the newspaper that day.

If you were my dad, who landed on Utah Beach on D-Day in June of 1944, it was the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941.

As the publisher of SFGN, we have had to deal with the PULSE Massacre and the Parkland shootings. These are events etched into a younger generation’s memory.

This year presents another episode that will shake the foundation of our nation’s soul. It will have no date, but rather a year.

2020 will go down in our history as one we would rather forget.

Like with Sept. 11, in the face of COVID’s challenges, we have found special heroes, Americans who have made a difference. On that fateful day in 2001, the first responders

were firemen and policemen charging into unknown dangers.

This year, nurses, doctors, and hospital personnel continue to work in environments which expose them to risk. They have met their duty with grace and honor.

We all do what we can when we can where we can. In the face of a pandemic which is costing us lives as well as livelihoods, SFGN has continued to publish our newspaper for our community. Our duty is to report the news, and dutifully, we have.

Sadly, we have had to report on lost lives, prematurely snuffed out by this deadly virus. It is with us still today. We report on these statistics weekly.

Suffer not Coronavirus Fatigue. Be cautious. Be careful. It can be deadly, whether you are 20 or 70. The virus still has no vaccine, no miracle cure, no Clorox you can gargle it away with.

Just as Parkland students led a nationwide crusade against gun violence, we have had heroes of our own proudly rise to the pandemic.

Our Fund started a foundation to help even more than it already had. Community leaders initiated free food deliveries. Nonprofits have provided virtual forums. We are adapting, changing our directions, but maintaining our course.

Changes initiated this year will have lasting impact on future endeavors, from telehealth to zoom meetings. Even today, survivors of 9/11 fight a crusade to ensure that those who suffered from asbestos poisoning then be

EACH GENERATION HAS AN EVENT OR AN EPISODE WHICH SHAPES OUR LIVES. IF YOU ARE 70, AS I NOW AM, IT WAS 9/11.

22

• 9.10.2020

“Raising the Flag at Ground Zero.” Photo credit: Thomas E. Franklin, copyright The Record.

compensated now.

When it looked like Apollo 13 might not make it back from space decades ago, many technicians at the Space Center in Houston were scared that loss could sabotage America’s space initiatives.

One person spoke up prophetically, though. He said it would become NASA’s “finest hour.” It turned out to be such. That is the way we must look at today’s challenges.

Those of us who lived in the shadow of the World Trade Center will never forget those moments. We will also remember how America united as a nation.

In 2001, our former president, George Bush, rose to the occasion. This is not so today. We have become the Disunited States of Pandemica, in no small part to deceptiveness and deceit engineered from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Newspapers are messengers. This is a year where we have had to deliver solemnity and sadness. We must deliver the tragedies as well as the triumphs. But don’t let it overwhelm you. Every storm runs out of rain.

No matter how dire the circumstance, the human spirit rises like a phoenix. From the ashes of despair, there will come new opportunities for us to accomplish and achieve. Our time will come again.

The most beautiful rose bushes have thorns. One day, we will all be back in Ronnie Larsen’s theater watching penises come out of a curtain.

Our community is led by advocates for equality, champions for social justice; good and decent citizens rising to the occasion.

Do your part when you can and where you can.

On September 11, 2001, there were many heroes. One was a gay man named Mark Bingham, who helped disarm the last set of terrorists trying to steer a plane into the U.S. Capitol.

Bingham called upon a group of passengers to storm the cockpit, with the memorable words, “Let’s roll.”

May you find that purpose and presence in your own lives during these difficult days.

Help make the sun shine again.

CONVICTIONS

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Guest Column

CONVICTIONS

I MADE MY MAN CRY A CONFESSION OF PRIVILEGE Stop fetishizing black men and reducing them to a toy

Douglas Hall

Photo via PxHere.

I

n 2016, I made my man cry. I’m white. He’s black. We were at a party of almost all-white, almost all-gay, almost all-men.

I was wearing a tight pink and gray cat onesie. He was Superman. It was a pajama (underwear) party. A friend from work had invited us. We’d have cocktails and play card games and laugh the night away.

And — my strong, smart, handsome, funny 26-year-old, glasses-clad Jamaican boyfriend of many months went to his car, alone, and cried.

I didn’t see him leave.

I didn’t notice the pain on his face. The hurt. The anger.

Consternation. I didn’t see it.

At the party was a little pixie of a colleague with a high-pitched voice and a small wiry energetic dancer’s frame. He was white. Not too long into the party he squealed near my shoulder about my “big black boyfriend’s big black COCK.” He asked if he had one. I might’ve laughed along with everyone who cared to even notice the comment. I don’t remember.

He squeaked it again. I didn’t bat an eyelash.

He had another drink. So did I. He exclaimed about my partner’s big black dick. My partner didn’t laugh. I didn’t notice.

We had a few more drinks and my partner drifted off. I didn’t think to look for him.

Another drink was made for me. I thought to check if my man needed one.

He wasn’t there. I checked the bathroom then went outside to check the car. He was in the driver’s seat alone. I went up to the window. He kept looking straight ahead — at nothing but a well-maintained apartment complex parking lot.

I went around to the passenger side and got in. He had lines of tears streaming down his face — disappearing under the blackness of his short beard.

I asked what was wrong. He said he needed to be alone.

That it was a lot. That WE were a lot. I thought he meant the loudness of the atmosphere. It wasn’t tame.

Shaking his head, he said, “No, you don’t get it. You didn’t

MY BOYFRIEND HAD BEEN DEMEANED, INSULTED, MADE LESS-THAN. AND I HADN’T SEEN IT. MY PRIVILEGE DIDN’T SEE IT. DIDN’T SEE HIM HURT.

24

• 9.10.2020

see anything wrong with that?” I asked what he meant. “BBC? Big black cock? Your friend in there fetishizing me and you didn’t say ANYTHING.” I hadn’t.

I had no idea how hurtful it was to be reduced to a plaything. A toy. My boyfriend had been demeaned, insulted, made less-than. And I hadn’t seen it. My privilege didn’t see it. Didn’t see him hurt.

I grew up with black friends in public school from an early age. I’d had a long-term black partner of several years before him. But I didn’t know enough not to hurt him by not calling out the immature idiocy of an acquaintance.

I’m not sure if I addressed it right there with the boy who’d repeated the BBC moniker again and again. I did eventually discuss it with the hosts of the party. We didn’t leave. He came back in. We made it an all-nighter, crashed in the living room and brekkie’d at Denny’s the next morning. They became friends for years.

But they were friends of privilege. And my partner would

feel less-than around them for as long as our relationship lasted.

Remember this story when you next update your Grindr, Scruff, or Jack’d profile looking for BBC. When you conduct your race-based searches or immediately assume how wellendowed a person is on account of the amount of melanin in their skin.

Call out mean jokes. Respect men of color.

Don’t just let them know they matter. Let them know they’re cherished. Let them know they’re loved. Judge them for who they are as living, breathing human beings. Not objects. Not toys. Not less than.

If you don’t understand, ask. Try to learn. Hear what more you can do. Love only wins when we all feel loved.

With heart,

Douglas Hall,

White Gay Son of South Florida

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LIFESTYLE FOOD

NEWS YOU CAN USE Check out these specials happening now around town

Rick Karlin

A

s we gradually try to return to some semblance of our former lives, many restaurants have had to shutter their doors forever (so long NaBu, we’ll miss you), while others are offering dining at reduced capacity. Many places are offering specials to entice back into your old routine.

BONA ITALIAN has some kind of special nearly every night of the week. Monday night is the restaurant’s “Give Back Mondays:” with 10% of your dine-in or take-out dinner bill returned to local non-profits. Tuesday nights, their $10 off every $40 dine-in or take out order. On hump day it’s Wine Down Wednesday, with a complimentary glass of house wine served with every entrée. On Thursday, all pizzas are 50% off (with the purchase of an entrée), and there’s also a 40% discount on many wines by the bottle.

Friday and Saturday offer weekly specials. And, if you’re still not ready to dine-in, every night through September you can get a large two-topping pizza and two-liter bottle of soda for just $16.95, to take out or delivered. Call 954-5657222 or go to bonaitalian.com.

Japanese, Thai, and classic American fare.

Check out the pot stickers and southwestern egg rolls for starters. Its neighbor, Hunters, has recently reopened and has a limited menu of treats.

With the Jewish High Holidays fast approaching, TOOJAY’S DELI has begun taking reservations for in-restaurant dining and orders for its menu of traditional favorites, available for convenient takeout, catering, and curbside pick-up.

Takeout and catering orders must be placed by Tuesday, Sept. 15. Reservations are required for the dine-in Rosh Hashanah dinner on Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept.

19. In keeping with current requirements from local and state governments, seating will be limited. The Rosh Hashanah menu of traditional savory and sweet specialties includes: a brisket platter; roasted half chicken; broiled salmon; roasted Cornish game hen; or grilled London broil. All dine-in entrées include a glass of kosher wine, matzo ball soup, gefilte fish or chopped liver, mini potato pancakes, carrot tzimmes, coffee or tea and a choice of dessert.

For Yom Kippur, take-out orders must be placed by Wednesday, Sept. 23 to cater you fast breaking on Monday, Sept. 28. The classic TooJay’s Yom Kippur breakfast includes platters of sliced Nova, baked salmon and whitefish salad, bagels, cream cheese and

MANY PLACES ARE OFFERING SPECIALS TO ENTICE BACK INTO YOUR OLD ROUTINE.

If you haven’t stopped in at SARAVA, the healthy food spot on Dixie’s Highway (across from Wilton Theater Factory), now would be a good time. Known for smoothies and shots, Sarava is offering $3 off its big bowls (more than a salad, it’s a meal) and $1 off smoothies. Not only is their food good for you, it might help you shed a few of those pandemic pounds.

GEORGIE’S ALIBI MONKEY BAR is serving up yummy treats. With its menu, you can travel the world without having to get on a plane. There’s Mexican, Italian, Chinese,

26

• 9.10.2020

The Summer Solstice bowl at Sarava. Photo via Sarava, Facebook. accompaniments all ordered in desired quantities. Blintzes, mini potato pancakes and other holiday favorites from TooJay’s kitchen also are on the Yom Kippur menu, along with freshly baked breads and desserts from TooJay’s famous bakery.

Classic, made-from-scratch round challah, raisin challah, almond cake, honey cake, sponge cake and macaroons top the list of

HUNGRY FOR MORE? 

traditional favorites. TooJay’s guests will be eligible to receive free delivery on their first DoorDash order of $15 or more through Monday, Sept. 14. To place an order online, guests must visit toojays.com/order-now, pick their nearest TooJay’s location and select the “order with DoorDash” button. This offer is valid for the first order only and will show at checkout.

VISIT SFGN.COM/FOOD!

Rick Karlin is SFGN’s food editor.

Visit SFGN.com/Food to read his previous reviews. Have a culinary tip to share? Email Rick at RickKarlinFL@gmail.com.

A&E HISTORY

EXHIBIT CELEBRATES CONTRIBUTIONS OF LBT POLITICAL PIONEERS J.W. Arnold

A

s election season shifts into high gear, the Stonewall National Museum & Archives in Fort Lauderdale is looking back at the milestones of LBT political activists and elected officials.

“Elected Sisters — Pioneering Bi, Lesbian and Trans Political Leaders” opened on Sept. 8 and will remain on view through Nov. 6.

In a video introduction to the exhibit available on YouTube, museum director Hunter O’Hanian explained the inspiration for the project: “This idea came to us last year … when we were thinking about the idea that the election would very much be on everyone’s minds. We wanted to look at some firsts and we wanted to look at some ways to go into the archives and impact people’s thinking on the election,” he said.

While neither O’Hanian nor the museum are advocating for any particular candidate, he hopes the exhibition will inspire the public to exercise their right to vote in what could be a historic election.

“We again have a woman [Sen. Kamala Harris] as a candidate for vice president … and that is truly an accomplishment. And four years ago, Hillary Clinton attempted to run for president but was not successful,” he pointed out. “In the election two years ago, the number of women running for public office has grown. LGBTQ women have put themselves forward early and often, but that has come at a cost for many of those individuals. They’ve had bullets shot at their windows, they’ve endured insults and harassment, their lives and families have been threatened.”

Many LBT politicians have become familiar names in recent years, including former Houston Mayor Annise Parker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, as well as U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (WI) and Kyrsten Sinema (AZ), and U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (MN), Sharice Davids (KS) and Katie Hill (CA).

Drawing on the archives’ extensive collection, the exhibit displays copies of lesbian newsletters from the 1950s and ‘60s that document early attempts at political organization.

Lesbian Connection, published by a group called the Ambitiious Amazons in East Lansing, Michigan, featured a column dedicated to helping readers become candidates for local

In 1974, Kathy Kozachenko was the first out lesbian elected to public office in the U.S. Credit: Stonewall National Museum & Archives.

political office.

Minutes from a 1965 meeting of the Daughters of Bilitis in San Francisco reference a conference the following year, also dedicated to recruiting and training a new generation of activists and candidates.

Political pioneers are also saluted, including Kathy Kozachenko, the first out lesbian to be elected to public office, Ann Arbor, Michigan city council in 1974, four years before Harvey Milk was elevated to the San Francisco city commissioner.

Two years later, Elaine Noble was elected to the Massachusetts state legislature. The exhibit features memorabilia from her unsuccessful run for U.S. Senate.

In 1980, the year conservative Republican Ronald Reagan was elected president, Minnesota chose Karen Clark for its state house.

She served nearly four decades, becoming the longest serving lesbian state legislator.

O’Hanian noted that, including LGBT causes, Clark was also a fierce advocate for environmental causes, senior citizens and affordable housing in her state.

“These pioneering women who took these roles on — yes, they were concerned about LGBTQ rights and LGBTQ culture — but, they were also were concerned with everyone’s environment. They served all of their constitutents … they weren’t there just to serve their gay constituents,” he emphasized.

Other history-making women profiled in the exhibit include Roberta Achtenberg, Joanne Conte, Althea Garrison, Deborah Glick, Cheryl Jacques, Gail Shibley, and Liz Stefanics.

"Elected Sisters – Pioneering Bi, Lesbian and Trans Political Leaders” is on exhibit Monday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., through Nov. 8 at the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, 1300 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Admission is free and social distancing protocols are observed. For more information, go to Stonewall-Museum.org.

9.10 . 20 20 •

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