SFGN 09/30/21 V12iss39

LOCAL NAME GLOBAL COVERAGE

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 VOL. 12 // ISSUE 39

KNOW YOUR

STORY LGBT HISTORY MONTH KICKS OFF WITH EVENTS NATIONWIDE BEGINS ON PAGE 22

50 Years of Sunshine Cathedral

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Trans Youth Targeted... Again

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Best of the Fests

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NEWS HIGHLIGHT

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$2 MILLION GRANT PROGRAM TO HELP LGBT RESTAURANTS, BARS T

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• 9. 30 .2021

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Editorial

Lou Chibbaro Jr. he National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the global online food delivery company Grubhub announced on Sept. 22 that they have launched a $2 million grant program to provide financial support to struggling “LGBTQ+ owned and ally restaurants” adversely impacted by the COVID pandemic.

“America’s vulnerable LGBTQ+ owned restaurants and bars serving food will find a vital lifeline this fall stemming from the partnership formed by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and Grubhub,” according to a joint statement they released.

“These small business owners have been among the hardest hit by COVID impact with the loss of jobs and income over the past two years,” the statement says.

It says the newly launched Community Impact Grant Program is inviting restaurants and bars that qualify for the program to submit applications for grants up until Oct. 12, 2021, the closing date for the applications.

The grants are expected to range from $5,000 to $100,000, the statement says, with NGLCC and its more than 50 affiliated LGBT chambers across the country playing the lead role in selecting which restaurants or bars are awarded the grants.

In a separate statement in response to a question from the Washington Blade, NGLCC said an LGBT-owned establishment such as a gay bar would be eligible to apply for a grant under the program if they offer a menu for serving food.

“They do not need to be licensed as a restaurant specifically to be eligible for consideration,” NGLCC said.

@SFGN

September 30, 2021 • Volume 12 • Issue 39

Senior Feature Columnists

Brian McNaught • Jesse Monteagudo

Special to SFGN Photo via Adobe.

Among the D.C. gay bars that would fall into that eligibility category are Pitchers and its attached lesbian bar A League of Her Own, Uproar, and Nellie’s Sports Bar. Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, Va. would also be eligible.

In the same follow-up statement to the Blade, NGLCC said it will determine whether an applicant qualifies for a grant as an LGBT ally by evaluating “the restaurant’s clientele, reach, track record of support, and public benefit.”

The statement adds, “In our application online, we ask allies to share evidence of their LGBTQ+ community support such as nonprofit sponsorships or advertising in local LGBTQ+ media, among others. We know that our allies are an important foundation standing by their LGBTQ+ patrons, neighbors, and friends.”

The statement announcing the launching of the LGBT grant program says the funds for the grants will come from a charitable program Grubhub started in 2018 called Grubhub’s Donate the Change program. It says the program asks customers receiving food delivered by Grubhub to “round out their order total and donate the difference,” with

Grubhub matching eligible donations from its Grubhub+ members.

It says NGLCC has set a goal to allocate 30% of the funds for the Community Impact Grant Program for LGBT-owned and ally-owned restaurants and bars to businesses owned by people of color and transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.

“We’re proud to partner with Grubhub offering these grants to support these businesses,” said Justin Nelson, co-founder and president of the NGLCC, who noted that LGBT-owned and allied restaurants were among those who “kept our communities and first responders fed throughout the pandemic.”

Added Nelson, “America’s 1.4 million LGBTQ+-owned business owners have shown incredible resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now, in turn, we can help them recover stronger than ever.”

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce describes itself as the business voice of the community and “the largest global advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people.”

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9. 3 0 . 20 21 •

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LGBTQIA BITES

BY KENNEDY MCKINNEY

IT’S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE G Lesbian

CASSANDRA PETERSON COMES OUT IN MEMOIR Cassandra Peterson, star of “Elvira: Mistress of the Dark,” came out this week and revealed her 19-year relationship with partner Teresa “T” Wierson.

In an interview with People, Peterson said coming out was “a little scary” but “very liberating and a real relief.” She spoke about her journey in her memoir “Yours Cruelly, Elvira” which was released on Sept. 21.

“It’s been fantastic. Everybody is happy and thrilled about it,” says Peterson.

“I felt the strangest and most worried about my LGBTQ fans because I was thinking, ‘Are they going to think I’m a big hypocrite?’ And that I talk about coming out, being who you are, and then I’m hiding this gigantic secret,” said Peterson.

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L

Cassandra Peterson.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore.

She has received love and support from her fans, especially in the LGBT community.

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

T

Transgender

GERMANY ELECTS FIRST TRANS MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

Tessa Ganserer made history as one of the first transgender women to be elected into Germany’s Green Party.

Ganserer, 44, has been a member of parliament for Nuremberg North since 2013 and came out as a trans woman in 2019. This was her first election since coming out. She used her transition experience to update the 1980 Transexual Act which complicates the process for individuals to change their legal name and gender.

After the election she wrote on Twitter, “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the trust shown by voters. I’m still overwhelmed, but I’m really looking forward to my new job in Berlin.”

Tessa Ganserer. Photo via Facebook.

LGBTQIA BITES

Q

Queer

LARGEST QUEER WOMEN EVENT TURNS 30

The Dinah, the largest queer women event in the world, is gearing up for its 30year anniversary.

The festival has evolved over time and after stars like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga headlined the event, is the place to be for emerging musical talent.

“The Dinah’s message to the world is we are better together, expand your heart, and embrace everyone,” said festival founder Mariah Hanson. “We can make the world a better and safer place. If we can do it at The Dinah for five days, we can take that attitude home with us and do it for the rest of the year.”

As the festival enters its 30th year, Hanson reflects on how The Dinah has evolved. “Now we’re much more diverse than we were in the ‘90s. I think society and the fight for civil rights and equal rights really shows at events like The Dinah. It became critical for me to expand our advertising to invite everyone to the

The Dinah. Photo via Facebook.

event. We don’t use professional photos anymore to advertise the event. I want to show all of our communities have a place at The Dinah. The Dinah is about inclusivity, diversity, and empowerment.”

This year, the festival will take place at the Palms Spring Hilton with appearances from Macy Gray, Frankie Grande, and more.

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NEWS NATIONAL

BY GILLIAN MANNING

THE COUNTRY ACROSS

TEXAS

ATTORNEY GENERAL SUES BIDEN ADMIN. OVER ANTI-TRANS DISCRIMINATION LAW

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the Biden administration over a recent federal guidance meant to protect transgender people in the workplace.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance should have access to bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers that align with their gender identity. Employees are also subject to the uniform policy of their gender identity.

The guidance also states that consistent misuse of a person’s pronouns and name can qualify as harassment.

The lawsuit states that requiring employees to use their trans colleagues’ preferred pronouns “would cause Texas to violate its employees’ free speech rights.”

In a statement, Paxton said that the guidance is “illegal” and an “unacceptable” attempt “to force businesses, including the

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Photo via Facebook.

State of Texas, to align with their beliefs.”

“If the Biden Administration thinks they can force states to comply with their political agenda, my office will fight against their radical attempt at social change. These backdoor attempts to force businesses, including the State of Texas, to align with their beliefs is unacceptable.”

The Texas suit was filed last week and joined 20 similar lawsuits filed by other states, the Advocate reported.

OREGON PROUD BOYS MEMBERS ALLEGEDLY ASSAULT NON-BINARY PERSON

Juniper Simonis, a freelance ecologist, decided to take a break from work and took their service dog, Wallace, for a walk to a nearby park.

Simonis said they encountered a rally where Proud Boys members were present, the group is considered a far-right organization with anti-LGBT views.

Simonis said that they were then attacked by approximately 30 perpetrators in Gresham, Oregon. They said that, due to the attack, they have suffered a concussion, sprained jaw, and extensive car damage, according to the Washington Blade.

“They nearly killed me,” Simonis said.

Simonis said they knew the rally was scheduled earlier that day but after checking online, they thought it ended.

While looking for lunch options, Simonis stumbled upon the still-full parking lot.

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A gathering of Proud Boys. Photo credit: Anthony Crider.

Simonis said they were surrounded by a group of people who blocked them from leaving the area, eventually a car was moved to barricade Simonis in. People then began to shout homophobic slurs.

They were then punched, knocked out, and a cinder block was thrown at their car.

Simonis checked that their service dog was safe and was able to get back in their car and escape.

COVERING LGBT NEWS SWEEPING THE NATION

WYOMING

REP. LIZ CHENEY SAYS SHE WAS WRONG FOR OPPOSING GAY MARRIAGE

On Sunday, Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney appeared on CBS News’ “60 Minutes” for an interview and said she was wrong for her past opposition to gay marriage.

In 2013, Cheney broke with her family due to her opposition of gay marriage, the Associated Press reported. Her opposition damaged her relationship with her sister who is a married lesbian. Her sister’s spouse, Heather Poe, wrote a post on Facebook that read, “I always thought freedom meant freedom for EVERYONE.” During the CBS interview, Cheney said her opposition was misguided and made a reference to Poe’s 2013 post.

“I was wrong. I was wrong,” she said.

“It’s a very personal issue — and very personal for my family. I believe that my dad was right. And my sister and I have had that conversation … Freedom means

Rep. Liz Cheney. Photo via Facebook.

freedom for everybody.”

Though she has announced her changed position on marriage rights and her criticisms of former President Donald Trump, Cheney is still opposed to gun control, abortion and the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

CALIFORNIA BLACK AIDS INSTITUTE APPOINTS THEIR FIRST TRANS WOMAN CEO

On Sept. 23, the Black AIDS Institute (BAI), a non-profit organization, announced that after the departure of Raniyah Copeland as CEO, Toni Newman will take her place.

Newman is a trans woman and is also the CEO for the LGBTQ+ organization LYRIC, HIV Plus Magazine reported.

Newman will be accompanied by Dr. Kemal M. Atkins, the new managing director. BAI’s statement said these changes were made to “to help fortify BAI’s infrastructure and round out the organization’s stellar leadership team.”

The institute is based in Los Angeles, California and centers their mission on HIV education, prevention, and treatment among African-Americans.

BAI has approximately 40 employees and has an annual budget over $4 million.

Toni Newman. Photo credit: Pax Ahimsa Gethen, via Wikipedia.

Newman’s position as interim CEO is significant as she is now one of the few Black trans women to head a national, non-profit organization.

She gained experience at LYRIC where she oversees the budget, programs, and community outreach. Newman is also is the on the board of directors at TransCanWork, a program that helps to provide employment opportunities to members of the transgender community.

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

BY EVERITT ROSEN

THE WORLD AROUND

EXPLORING LGBT NEWS EVENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE

ASIA

EUROPE

TRANS TYCOON FASCINATES MALAYSIA

SWITZERLAND VOTES TO ALLOW GAY MARRIAGE

Nur Sajat, a renowned Malaysian transgender entrepreneur, was imprisoned in Thailand last week due to an expired passport, and she quickly rose to the top of Twitter’s trending topics.

According to AsiaOne, after being accused of disrespecting Islam by masquerading as a woman, the 36-yearold Muslim cosmetics entrepreneur vanished from Malaysia in February.

While on the run, she continued to publish TikTok videos marketing her items and appeared on Instagram, sometimes on a live feed talking with her followers.

Last week, she was charged with immigration violations in a Thai court and freed on bond.

Malaysian authorities are now attempting to extradite her to the nation,

Nur Sajat. Photo via Instagram.

raising concerns about her safety in a country that does not recognize LGBT rights.

Sajat has become a household figure in Malaysia thanks to her fortitude in living as an openly transgender woman and her commercial success.

With 64% in favor, it became one of the last Western European nations to legalize same-sex marriage.

Campaigners have praised the vote as a watershed event for the country’s LGBT rights.

Church organizations and conservative political parties rejected the concept in the run-up to the election, claiming it would jeopardize the traditional family.

According to BBC, Switzerland has allowed same-sex couples to register partnerships since 2007, but some rights are restricted.

The measure will allow same-sex couples to adopt unrelated children and for married lesbian couples to have children through sperm donation.

It makes Switzerland the 30th country in the world to adopt same-sex marriage.

Photo via Adobe.

“It is a historic day for Switzerland, a historic day when it comes to equality for same-sex couples, and it is also an important day for the whole LGBT community,” said Jan Muller of the “yes” campaign committee.

AFRICA

SOUTH AMERICA

LGBT ACTIVISTS IN GHANA FACE HARDSHIPS

LGBT GOVERNOR IN BRAZIL WANTS TOP JOB

Human Rights Watch warned that arbitrary arrests and detentions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in Ghana, as well as a planned anti-LGBT bill, are creating significant economic hardship and psychological stress for LGBT people.

According to the Human Rights Watch, at a paralegal training session about documenting and reporting human rights abuses against LGBT persons in Ho, Ghanaian police, supported by security personnel, stormed and unjustly detained 21 individuals, including a technician.

They were held for 22 days before being freed on bond and facing charges of illegal assembly, a misdemeanor. The case was eventually dropped due to a lack of proof of a crime.

“It is shocking that the police who

A Ghanaian police officer on patrol. Photo via Facebook.

should be protecting Ghanaians raided a peaceful meeting, arrested the participants, and subjected them to three weeks in harsh detention conditions on a charge that never should have been brought in the first place,” said Wendy Isaack, LGBT rights researcher at Human Rights Watch.

The 36-year-old governor of a conservative state who recently came out as LGBT is the presidential candidate chosen by investors in what is turning out to be a contentious and nasty election campaign in Brazil.

According to Bloomberg, Eduardo Leite rode President Jair Bolsonaro’s right-wing wave to power in 2018, wooing financial markets with a fiscal austerity and privatization agenda in the Rio Grande do Sul’s southern state, which borders Argentina and Uruguay. His task now is to raise awareness of himself among the general public, who have mostly never heard of him, beginning with Brazilians who oppose both the incumbent and his leftist opponent, former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He treads a thin line. Despite his criticisms

Eduardo Leite. Photo via Facebook.

of Bolsonaro, he voted for him. He also stated that, while he supports equality, he would not advocate for LGBT rights.

“Leite is a very plausible name, and one of the most viable names for a ‘third way,’” says Deysi Cioccari, a political science professor at Catholic University of Sao Paulo.

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NEWS LOCAL

J.R.’s SNAPSHOTS

OF THE

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

8

WEEK Photos by J.R. Davis

Correction from last week: Pictured here is Kendall Austin with Chad Johnson, an international opera tenor soloist. Our apologies for the error!

Best wishes on their relocation to partners Billy Huelsman and actor Geoffrey Aaron.

Dr James Pinotti, internal medicine at Broward Health with Tim Smith, realtor at ReMax Group.

Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton with his wife Cindy.

• 9. 30 .2021

NEWS LOCAL Sunshine Cathedral. Photo via Facebook.

SUNSHINE CATHEDRAL CELEBRATES 50 YEARS The church will host a gala and concert in October John Hayden

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hat started as a safe space in a time with the virtual outreach.” of liberation and revolution has As they have since their founding, they grown into a worldwide spiritual host many community meetings, and have hub for the LGBT community. Sunshine added studios for Queer News Tonight and Cathedral is celebrating its 50th anniversary. It’s Happening Out. Throughout the month of October, they are Sunshine Cathedral initially planned a holding events to reflect on the past and look year-long Golden Anniversary celebration. forward to a bright future.

The pandemic forced many “It’s amazing to be part of events to be scaled back or something that came out of the canceled. But, the shows will gay rights movement,” Rev. Dr. go on in October.

Durrell Watkins said. “In 1974 Sunday, Oct. 3, is the 50th it was us and part of that time Anniversary Concert featuring when liberation was in the air New Directions Chamber and movements were started.

Winds Fall 2021 concert, We’re from the early days of that Triumph and Celebration. time and still here.”

The Anniversary Gala Much of their growth has is scheduled for Oct. 9. come in the past couple of years.

They’ll host the Anniversary The COVID crisis brought on a Community Concert on Oct. fresh wave of creativity. Since 16, featuring members of the - Rev. Dr. Durrell many couldn’t come to service Sunshine Cathedral Choir, Gay Watkins at the Cathedral, Rev. Watkins Men’s Chorus of South Florida, and his staff brought services South Florida Pride Wind to them. They’ve gone from a few hundred Ensemble, Nova Singers, and Opera Fusion. attending on Sundays to tens of thousands Sunshine Cathedral ministers to people watching from around the world online. of all faiths and denominations without They also added a quick, mid-day expectation or judgment. prayer as a way to help isolated people feel “That’s what I love,” Rev. Watkins said. connected. Rev. Dr. Anne Atwell, Sunshine’s “We’re not telling you what spirituality has Minister of Connections, believes this is just to look like. We’re inviting you to bring your the beginning. “I’m most looking forward spirituality in and then we’ll see what ours to seeing how this Connections Ministry is looks like once you add yours to the mix.” going to grow. We’ve discovered new things

“It’s amazing to be part of something that came out of the gay rights movement.”

Sunshine Cathedral is located at 1480 SW 9th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.

For more information, visit SunshineCathedral.org/Celebrating-50-Years.

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NEWS LOCAL

CHAMPIONS OF EQUALITY HONORED IN VIRTUAL GALA SAVE awards ceremony also distributes social justice scholarships Jose Cassola

A

mid the seriousness of the global pandemic and the Delta variant driving new surges in Florida, SAVE’s Champions of Equality Gala was the latest event affected by COVID-19, as the event went virtual on Sept. 23.

The nonprofit Safeguarding American Values for Everyone (SAVE) “made the tough decision to move the gala from in-person to virtual,” citing a strong feeling to do “the right thing for the safety of our community.”

“The crowd size and indoor component of the gala were the driving factors in our decision,” said Executive Director Orlando Gonzales. He added he was “confident our virtual gala will be a hit and build on the success of last year.”

SAVE established the Champions of Equality awards to honor individuals who have significantly advanced the cause of equality for the LGBT community. This year, the focus is on outstanding achievements in safeguarding democracy and providing critical support to South Florida residents in the face of unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event was hosted by State Representative Brian Sims (D-PA), the first openly gay man elected to Pennsylvania’s legislature. Honorees were recognized in two categories: COVID-19 Relief Efforts and Safeguarding Democracy.

“Champions of Equality is our chance to recognize the hard work and efforts of people and organizations that work to make our world a better place,” Gonzales said. “They’re especially important to us because they have a direct impact on the LGBTQ community.”

Safeguarding Democracy recipients were U.S. Congressman of Rhode Island David Cicilline, chair of the Congressional LGBTQ

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Pictured on the laptop is Orlando Gonzales, Executive Director of SAVE. Photo via Adobe, edited by Brendon Lies.

Caucus and lead sponsor of the Equality Act; Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones; MiamiDade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins; and artist and illustrator Edel Rodriguez.

COVID-19 Relief Effort recipients were The Miami Foundation LGBTQ Community Fund and Our Fund Foundation, as well as Captain Kevin Cho Tipton, APRN, a South Florida critical care nurse practitioner and Florida Air National Guard Captain.

Tipton said he had the chance to share many stories with the Surgeon General earlier this year, “hoping to turn the heartbreak of our patients’ families into hope for others.”

He thanked Jason Pizzo for the nomination, Edward Martí Kring for the encouragement and Gonzales for the honor.

“I am honored to be recognized by SAVE along with Our Fund Foundation, The Miami Foundation, David Cicilline, Shevrin Jones, Eileen Higgins and Edel Rodriguez.

I’m so grateful to be in the company of these incredible organizations and individuals helping to make life better for everyone — regardless of who we love or where we’re from — as we fight to defeat COVID-19,” Tipton said. “To me, it truly takes all of us to overcome this crisis so that we can focus on building a fairer, just, equal and prosperous future for everyone.”

In addition to the honorees of the night, SAVE announced five recipients of the Freidin Brown PA and SAVE Social Justice Scholarship live during the program last night. The five students — Brittney Gonzalez, Melissa Handel, Abrianna JeanBaptiste, Amelia Leon and Thuy-Thuong (Ti Ti) Nguyen — will each receive $5,000.

Since 2019, Freidin Brown PA has donated to the scholarship program making their total investment in education for LGBT and allied scholars more than $75,000 to date.

“Our Freidin Brown and SAVE Social Justice Scholarship winners are so deserving of the applause and recognition,” Gonzales said. “The five scholarship recipients are the future of LGBTQ community and we can’t wait to see their success ascend.”

In addition to the awards ceremony, the evening included an online silent auction and a musical performance by Miami-bred singer and songwriter Robbie Elias, who premiered his new upcoming single, “Si Yo Fuera Tu Hombre.” He also performed his current hits, “Pandemic Love” and “Can I Be Me,” as well as a cover of the Dua Lipa hit single, “Levitating.”

Elias, who says he always likes to cover a female artist, said the Champions gala was a “connective and beautiful” event. He is nominated for Best Local Artist/Musician and Best Entertainer in South Florida Gay News’ Best of 2021 poll.

NEWS NATIONAL

IRONY OF IRONIES Anti-Vaxxeneers dying of COVID Kim Swan

I

n early August, four anti-vaccine conservatives died from COVID, and now three more have died, including a Florida Republican official.

Tod Tucker, a pro-Trump radio programmer, died Aug. 11 “following the onset of viral pneumonia as the result of COVID-19,” according to his employer. He mocked the vaccines, allegedly writing, “Please stop bragging that you got your COVID vaccine. What do you want us to say?

‘Congratulations lab rat?!’”

Days after Tucker’s death, religious radio host Jimmy DeYoung, Sr. was hospitalized for COVID and died, according to the Daily Beast. DeYoung told his listeners in February that the vaccine could “be another form of government control of the people” onair with a guest in which they regurgitated conspiracy theories about Pfizer using the vaccine to “commit mass sterilization.”

Gregg Prentice, 61, died just one day later after testing positive for COVID on Sept. 11.

Before his death, he battled against mask mandates, attacked the vaccine, and railed at CDC officials according to The Daily Beast.

He also wrote that the United States needs “more socialist distancing than we do social distancing” and that the pandemic was created to destroy small businesses.

He led the Hillsborough County Election Integrity Committee and his death has sent the local GOP scrambling because it no longer has access to campaign finance software without his help.

In a letter to the Federal Election Commission, the committee reported it might not be able to file its monthly financial reports as required because only Prentice knew how to do it.

“Gregg’s software converted data from our Quickbooks software to supply the information needed by the FEC,” it states.

“Unfortunately, Gregg passed away suddenly from COVID-19 on Saturday, September 11, 2021. Gregg did not share the software and instructions with our officers. We will have to enter the August data manually, and according to the information we have received from our FEC analyst, Scott Bennett, we may likely have to re-enter the data from our first 7 months of 2021.

“We will be struggling to get all of this entered in the proper format by our deadline on Sept. 20, but we will try to do

Tampa General Hospital was accused of negligence by supporters of Gregg Prentice (pictured), after rumors were spread following his death. Photo via Facebook.

so with our best effort.”

A spokesperson from the committee reported that Prentice’s wife and daughter have also caught COVID. Prentice’s associates, without any evidence, spread conspiracy theories on how he died. Jason Kimball accused the staff at Tampa General Hospital of “illegally intubating” Prentice the day before he died, and requested an investigation to be launched. However, members of the City Council denied any wrongdoing or mistreatment from the hospital in a meeting.

Councilman John Dingfelder called Kimball’s comments about the hospital “dangerous.”

“Though we respect the First Amendment rights from everybody who calls in... I think it’s an extremely dangerous comment to be spreading to the community that they shouldn’t go to Tampa General Hospital...

[It] is the top one or two hospitals in this community... There’s no finer place. Doctors and staff are dedicated to saving lives, and if I was sick with COVID... I would go to Tampa General Hospital,” the Democrat representing Tampa’s Third District said.

Kimball continued to speak out on Facebook, claiming COVID is a “medically engineered virus” according to The Daily Beast.

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NEWS LOCAL

NEWS NATIONAL

MEMORIALS THIS WEEKEND TO SAY GOODBYE TO RAEJEAN COX John Hayden

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aeJean Cox, one of South Florida’s most prominent performers, will be remembered at a pair of memorials this weekend.

The first is Saturday, Oct. 2 at 11 a.m.

Compass LGBTQ Community Center at 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth is hosting the “Celebration of Life for RaeJean Cox.” Their invite reads, “Please join family, friends and friends-who-are-family to share our favorite moments and stories of RaeJean with each other and just be together. All are welcome. Masks and bright colored clothes are encouraged, because that’s what Earl would have wanted.” Earl Bunning was Cox’s non-drag name.

On Sunday, Oct. 3 The Imperial Sun Court of All Florida (ISCOAF) will hold a Celebration of Life in Fort Lauderdale. RaeJean was the reigning Empress of the philanthropic organization. Her fundraising prowess was enthusiastic and unmatched. This event will

RaeJean Cox (Earl Bunning). Courtesy photo.

be at 2 p.m. at United Church of Christ, 2501 NE 30th Str. All are welcome and encouraged “to wear something ‘colorful’ to celebrate the joy that Earl brought to our community and the world.”

Cox (Bunning) died in August after being in a severe car accident. In life, Cox was a gregarious performer whose shows would literally stop traffic ... because she would take her performances into the street. Her improv skills were superior, and if you were in the audience during her act you stayed on your toes just in case she called you out.

Playwright Matthew López. Photo via Instagram.

TONY AWARD WINNING PLAYWRIGHT MAKES PLEA FOR MORE LATINÉ VOICES John McDonald

C

lutching the Tony Award for Best Play, Andrew Burnap. The play was inspired by Matthew López turned the moment Forster’s novel Howards End. into a call for change.

López was born and raised in Panama City “This is the 74th Tony Awards, and yet I in the Florida panhandle. His parents were am only the first Latiné writer to win in this public school teachers who met in New York. category,” López said Sunday evening. “I López’s father was born in Puerto Rico, the say that not to elicit your applause, but to island home of Piñero, the first Puerto Rican highlight the fact that the Latiné playwright to be produced on community is underrepresented Broadway. in American theater, in New López’s use of the deYork theater and most especially gendering term Latiné was on Broadway.” a new approach to describe López, 44, won his first Tony people from Latin America. for The Inheritance, a story of Previous attempts to group the love between gay men in the community under the term generation following the AIDS Latinx were not universally epidemic. He acknowledged embraced, noted the Los his place was paved by the good Angeles Times, particularly deeds of three queer writers: among older, working-class E.M. Forster, Terrence McNally immigrants. Those stories and and Miguel Piñero. many more, López said, are - Matthew López McNally, who passed away waiting to be told.

PLAYWRIGHT last year, was the play’s spiritual “We constitute 19% of the godfather, López said. McNally’s United States population and spouse, Tom Kirdahy, produced the play. we represent about 2% of the playwrights “This award is in loving memory for all having plays on Broadway in the last decade the beautiful souls lost to AIDS and COVID … this must change,” López said, his voice and it’s dedicated to the love of my life, my trembling. “We are a vibrant community husband Terrence McNally,” Kirdahy said. reflecting a vast array of cultures, experiences The Inheritance won four Tony Awards: and yes skin tones. We have so many stories Best Play, Best Director Stephen Daldry, Best to tell. They are inside of us, aching to come Featured Actress Lois Smith and Best Actor out. Let us tell you our stories.”

“WE HAVE SO MANY STORIES TO TELL. THEY ARE INSIDE OF US, ACHING TO COME OUT.”

12

• 9. 30.2021

NEWS LOCAL

NEWS LOCAL

DIVERSITY HONORS CELEBRATES THOSE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

LATINOS SALUD CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH John Hayden

John Hayden

I

T

hanks for everything, Julie Newmar.

The actress who pioneered the onscreen character of Catwoman in the 1960s continues to be an icon and ally to the LGBT community. She is among the honorees at this year’s Diversity Honors. The ceremony will be the evening of Oct. 9, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. The evening fetes people who champion and advance inclusiveness and transform lives by living their true, authentic lives.

The celebration benefits The Pride Center at Equality Park and the Harvey Milk Foundation. This is the sixth annual Diversity Honors, and embodies the spirit of slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk.

“Diversity Honors was founded on one of Harvey Milk’s basic principles, namely, that we must encourage and celebrate visibility and authenticity so the world can know us and accept us,” said Miriam Richter of the Harvey Milk Foundation. “This is our goal in honoring local people and institutions as well as from all over the globe.”

Harvey’s nephew, Stuart Milk, is scheduled to present awards. The night will be hosted

by WPLG personality Jacey Birch with live entertainment by Company B (“Fascinated’’).

The night includes a cocktail reception and their popular and fun balloon pop raffle.

Newmar is being honored with the DMK Harvey Milk Icon Award.

Stuart Milk. Photo via Diversity Honors, Facebook.

OTHER HONOREES INCLUDE: Brian Christopher, the world’s top Social

Influencer for Slot Machines and Casinos. Along with Marco, his husband for 18 years, he is a proud advocate of normalizing LGBT portrayals in the media. He’s credited by fans as giving them the courage to come out to their families and offering an example of a happy and successful gay man who lives his life with confidence. He will receive the Harvey Milk Foundation Visibility Award.

Visit Lauderdale, which promotes greater

Fort Lauderdale as an inclusive destination, is getting the The Pride Center at Equality Park Alan Schubert Award.

Trail-blazing transgender activist Gina Duncan, attorney and activist Shenika “Nik” Harris, Executive Director for Legal Aid Service of Broward County Anthony J. Karrat and entrepreneur Linda Rae will all be honored with Diversity Honors awards.

Romas Zabarauskas, a major out-and“DIVERSITY HONORS WAS FOUNDED ON ONE OF HARVEY MILK’S BASIC PRINCIPLES, NAMELY, THAT WE MUST ENCOURAGE AND CELEBRATE VISIBILITY AND AUTHENTICITY SO THE WORLD CAN KNOW US AND ACCEPT US.” - Miriam Richter HARVEY MILK FOUNDATION

SFGN file photo.

authentic film director from Lithuania who always brings LGBT themes to his work. Romas is being honored with the Harvey Milk Foundation LGBTQ Champion Award.

There will be a screening of his latest work, “The Lawyer,” at 5 p.m. before the ceremony.

All attendees must pass a rapid COVID test before entering the movie or the ceremony.

Tickets are $250 per person, and a virtual experience is available for the same price complete with a basket delivery from Red Chair Catering.

To reserve tickets or for event details and COVID-19 safety guidelines, please visit DiversityHonors.org.

nternational cuisine with a side of community is on the menu for the 9th Annual Hispanic Heritage Food Bazaar.

Dozens of countries will be represented through cuisine and culture.

In addition to the regional culinary specialties, there will be live entertainment.

Leila Cox will host, and performances by Shasta McNastie plus Ariel and Jorge are scheduled. In addition to happening during Hispanic Heritage Month, the party also marks National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD).

People can register as a guest or as a participant for the Friday, Oct. 8 event, which starts at 6 p.m. A $10 donation gets you food and soft drinks. Bars will be serving drinks for donations.

The Food Bazaar benefits Latinos Salud’s team fundraising for the upcoming Florida

AIDS Walk fundraising season. Latinos Salud points out that Miami-Dade and Broward counties rank first and second in the nation for their rates of new HIV infections. The CDC says new HIV cases are rising rapidly among gay Latinos in South Florida. Latinos represent 68% of Miami-Dade’s new HIV cases (up from 50% a decade ago), and 31% of Broward’s (up from 18%). Latinos Salud is the only gay, Latino HIV agency in the state of Florida with free, walk-in services.

Latinos Salud believes they’ve found a safe way to hold the feast despite the ongoing COVID crisis. The Bazaar will be held outside their new Wilton Manors location at 1401 NE 26th Street. Guests are asked to wear masks except when eating or are socially distanced.

For more information on registering for the event and their other services, visit LatinosSalud.org.

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straight facts, gay news. sfgn is also available in the lake worth, boynton beach, and delray tri-rail stations.

• 9. 30.2021

TRANS YOUTH TARGETED BY FLORIDA LEGISLATURE... AGAIN! John Hayden

4390 N Dixie Hwy Oakland Park (954) 563-8800

14

The Capitol of Florida. Photo credit: Michael Rivera, via Wikipedia.

n elected Florida Republican is trying Prohibited treatments listed include to put himself between trans youth sterilization, mastectomies, hormone and their doctors, and put the doctors therapy, and removal of any “healthy” bodily in jail. State Representative Anthony Sabatini tissue. This is the third year in a row that (R-Clermont) filed H.B. 221, which proposes State Rep. Sabatini has led the charge against to criminalize treatment of trans youth in trans youth in Florida.

Florida.

Though the next legislative session doesn’t Called Youth Gender and start until January, advocates Sexual Identity, it “provides for are looking to get ahead of criminal penalties for health the bill and keep it from care practitioners who engage becoming law. It could be an in or cause specific practices on uphill climb. Republicans have [a] minor in certain conditions.” majorities in both chambers Essentially, doctors would be of the legislature, and are the prohibited from treating their same group that passed the patients, and face up to a year anti-trans sports law this past in jail if convicted. Equality spring.

Florida, which lobbies for Brandon Wolf at Equality the rights of LGBT citizens, is Florida says the fight starts vowing to fight the effort in now. That includes trying - Nadine Smith Tallahassee. “Make no mistake, to kill the bill in committee, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, this legislation has nothing to urging people to call their EQUALITY FLORIDA do with the health and safety state representatives and tell of children,” said Nadine Smith, them to vote against the bill, Equality Florida’s executive director. “In fact, working with the business community, and it gets in the way of doctors providing care explaining how inclusion, not exclusion, and stops parents from doing what is best for makes a better Florida and a better America. their kids.”

“Make no mistake, this legislation has nothing to do with the health and safety of children.”

THE

GAZETTE VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 19 SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/WMGAZETTE COMMUNITY

WILTON MANORS

Wilton Manors Puts Finishing Touches On $40 Million City Budget

By John McDonald Wilton Manors Commissioners finalized the We’ve been pushing the employees for the last few years to do more work for the same money 2021-22 budget — barely.

At a final public hearing on Sept. 20, the and it’s time that we try to help out some of the commission mustered the three votes required employees that are here working very hard and to fund municipal operations. Mayor Scott need some help.”

Half of the money in the Newton, Vice Mayor Paul Rolli budget — $19,946,696 — and Commissioner Chris Caputo goes into the general fund. voted in favor of the nearly $40 Permits, fees, fines and taxes million budget. generate a majority of the “It takes money to be better revenue streams in the general here in Wilton Manors so if fund. The city is forecasting we want the quality of life that $10,068,015 in ad valorem we want here it takes so much taxes next fiscal year. services,” said Newton before “We cannot expect property casting the third vote that values to continue to rise essentially kept the city alive. the way they did in 2020,” Commissioner Mike Bracchi Bracchi said. “Realistically voted no, citing rising costs, low we’re not going to have enough revenue forecasts and missing development over the next data. two to three years that would “I don’t think we can do this significantly increase the tax in a vacuum or with tunnel - Scott Newton base. The only way we’re going vision,” Bracchi said. “We need MAYOR to be balancing these future to approve budgets that can be budgets will be to drastically sustainable long-term, yearincrease taxes, slash costs or after-year and I’m not overly confident that this upcoming budget looks cut employees.”

Four employees were added to the budget, beyond next fiscal year.”

With Bracchi signaling his objections said Finance Director Pennie Zuercher. An coupled with the absence of Commissioner administrative coordinator for the utility fund, Gary Resnick, the city’s future was briefly in a full-time and part-time code enforcement officer and a community planning technician. limbo. Newton’s vote put any doubt to rest.

“We’re in a different world,” Newton said. Collectively, the four positions will cost the city “There are different things going on that we $236,977 plus benefits.

“I can’t in good conscience support adding 4 have to take care of and they need some help.

“It takes money to be better here in Wilton Manors so if we want the quality of life that we want here it takes so much services.”

Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

FTEs to the budget,” Bracchi said. “I have not received any data, no information, statistics or bench marking to show these positions are critical to the operations of the city. I like to make data driven decisions all the time, not when it’s convenient for me. We need to stop looking at this budget in a silo. On paper this budget looks good, but looking ahead at a 50,000-foot level I don’t think it would be fiscally responsible. I think it would be poor fiscal management.”

City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson said the new budget accounts for 150 employees, including 10 seasonal part-time staff working

www.WMGAZETTE.com

in the summer camp program. A school resource officer position, funded through a $60,000 grant with the Broward County Public Schools, was also added to the new budget.

“Our employees are underpaid,” admitted Caputo. “I don’t disagree that the future budget has some really serious risks in it and we are headed for some real serious challenges.”

Commissioners also voted to lower the operational millage rate to 5.8360, marking the 10th year in a row the rate has been reduced.

“In future years we’re going to have to look very carefully at where we are spending our money,” said Rolli.

9. 3 0 . 20 21 •

15

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

WILTON MANORS

Life Is Just Better Here

THE

GAZETTE September 30, 2021 • Volume 8 • Issue 19 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

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

Editorial

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

Correspondents

Sal Torre • James Oaksun

Staff Photographers

J.R. Davis • Carina Mask • Steven Shires

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

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

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

MEMBER

Jimmy Cunningham, P.A. (left) with Tim Smith, P.A., pose together at the Cunningham-Smith Community Appreciation Event. Photo credit: J.R. Davis.

I’ve spent a lot of time lately reflecting on our city’s tagline of “Life is just better here.”

It’s a gigantic promise to live up to, but these last few weeks have provided plenty of reasons why it is true for so many of our residents. In particular, the Cunningham-Smith Community Appreciation Event and the SFGN Best Of nominations shine a light on why our little city is a piece of paradise.

The Cunningham-Smith event, hosted by Realtors® Jimmy Cunningham and Tim Smith at Richardson Park, demonstrates why our community is thriving. Their decision to throw a Community Appreciation event (instead of a Customer appreciation event) brought together over 200 residents, business owners, and community leaders to celebrate our city and one another.

Jimmy and Tim reached out to numerous area non-profits, offering them free space and the opportunity to invite guests to enjoy delicious food, drinks and fun entertainment. The event also highlighted just how lucky we are to have Richardson Park in our city – it truly is a gem! Everybody in attendance had a great time, and I’m personally looking forward to next year’s celebration already!

Professionals like Jimmy Cunningham and Tim Smith are the backbone of our thriving business community.

We are fortunate to have so many great businesses and organizations in our small city. If you’ve cast your ballot for SFGN Best Of 2021 Awards (SFGN. com/BestOf), you almost certainly voted for

We are fortunate to have so many great businesses and organizations in our small city.

a dozen or more businesses that call Wilton Manors home. Though nominations were accepted for any Broward County business, 90+ of the nominated businesses and non-profits are based in the City of Wilton Manors. Regardless of who takes home the “Best Of” award in their respective categories, every nominee should feel honored. As city commissioner, I take great pride in the fact that we have so many delicious restaurants, lively nightlife hotspots, unique shops, and amazing organizations based in Wilton Manors.

Thank you to every resident, business owner, and community leader who works hard to make Wilton Manors a great place to live. Our community is second to none!

I’d love to hear from you – whether you have a story about why “Life Is Just Better Here” or have a suggestion on what we can do to improve our city – please e-mail me at ccaputo@wiltonmanors.com.

WILTON MANORS CITY COMMISSIONER

www.WMGAZETTE.com 16

• 9. 30.2021

2 •

— Chris Caputo

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

MEMBER

Associated Press MEMBER

MEMBER

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

Bahama Bananaquit or Bahama Honeycreeper (Coereba flaveola bahamensis) at Historic Richardson Park in Wilton Manors. Photo credit: Brandon Trentler.

NEWS

OAKLAND PARK

COMMUNITY

WILTON MANORS

Commission Covers Lazy Lake, Millions for City, Term Limits and More

By John McDonald

Oakland Park City Commission. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

Oakland Park Passes ‘Record-Breaking’ Budget Millage Rate Decreases

By Christiana Lilly The Oakland Park City Commission passed a $127.9 million budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, what the city’s finance director Andrew Thompson called “record breaking.”

During the Wednesday evening meeting, the commission also agreed to a millage rate of 5.8890, a decrease from last year’s 5.8910. Last year’s budget was $91.6 million — since 2015, the budget has grown by 40% with about a third of it paid for by grants and federal funding.

“It’s more than just a few million dollars,” Thompson said of the budget. “It’s a really huge change in how the city operates and the level of intensity of the work being contemplated and being performed today.”

Last week, the commission approved an increase in the city’s fire assessment fees (with exemptions for the elderly and those with disabilities) and solid waste fees with no changes to the stormwater assessment fee.

Mayor Jane Bolin said she wouldn’t be surprised if talks of having a chief planning officer came to fruition, because of the

“exponential growth that we’re experiencing right now.” Looking forward to next year, first-time Commissioner Mitch Rosenwald challenged staff to try and make a more “significant reduction” to the millage rate as well as taking a closer outlook at the number of consultants that the city employs.

“I would be interested in the number of consultants we have and the amount of money we pay them,” he said.

The city has major plans for rebuilding Oakland Park’s downtown as well as the burgeoning Oakland Park Design Development District (also known as OP3D). It was this innovation that earned the city a recommendation by the Florida Department of Transportation to consider the city for a commuter rail stop. In a survey by the city, a majority of its residents are in favor of redevelopment.

Other plans in the city include improving its fire stations, more recreational facilities, walkability and green space in downtown, and welcoming more businesses to Oakland Park — Sprouts Farmers Market and ALDI have plans to move in.

Last year’s budget was $91.6 million — since 2015, the budget has grown by 40% with about a third of it paid for by grants and federal funding.

The last item on the Wilton Manors commission meeting agenda generated the most robust discussion of the evening.

Officials with the Village of Lazy Lake have declared intentions to explore an alternate form of governance with Wilton Manors. The action item was the last one commissioners discussed under new business at Tuesday evening’s regular meeting.

Mayor Scott Newton called the potential annexation a “win-win” for both municipalities. City attorney Kerry Ezrol said there is a process that must play out which could take several years.

“All liabilities must be addressed,” Ezrol said.

Incorporated in 1953, the Village of Lazy Lake is the smallest municipality in Broward County, surrounded entirely by Wilton Manors. It is approximately 13.17 acres in size with a population of 26 people.

Vice Mayor Paul Rolli and Commissioner Chris Caputo signaled their support for the annexation on the condition no unfair burden would be placed on current residents. Newton suggested creating a special taxing district to bring the village’s sewer system and road up to code.

Other notes from the Sept. 28 meeting: Mayor Newton asked for a moment of silence in honor of the passing of former Fort Lauderdale High School teacher Janice March and Dolphins Democrats president Tim Ross. March died Sept. 19 at the age of 70.

Ross, who served on the city’s community affairs advisory board from 2015 to 2017, died unexpectedly last weekend in Texas.

City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson said the city had received $3.2 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Commissioners voted unanimously to create a historical preservation board. The board would be an offshoot of the planning and zoning board. Community Development Services Director Roberta Moore anticipated the new board would request funding for

www.WMGAZETTE.com

Wilton Manors will now have its own historical preservation board.

Photo credit: Brendon Lies.

surveys and evaluations. Commissioner Gary Resnick said only two properties in the city have ever been designated historic.

Commissioners voted unanimously to pursue a $200,000 grant with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for improvements to the amenities at Hagen Park. Leisure Services Director Patrick Cann said the grant would cover amenities such as pickleball, basketball, a children’s playground and a walking trail. Mayor Newton said applying for the grant was a “no brainer.”

The Charter Review Board recommended a ballot referendum on term limits. The referendum would impose a 12 consecutive year maximum for elected officials — allowing for a two-year absence.

Commissioner Caputo said residents are in favor of term limits.

Commissioner Resnick proposed eliminating the civil service board and Vice Mayor Rolli asked for a timeframe on the distribution of evaluation forms for the city manager.

City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson said the city had received $3.2 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

www.WMGAZETTE.com 3 •

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

9. 3 0 . 20 21 •

17

ANNOUNCEMENT

WILTON MANORS

Business Group Seeking Wilton Manors Historical Documents, Photos

By John McDonald As Wilton Manors prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary next year, one organization is seeking memories to share.

The Wilton Manors Business Association is asking for public participation in the creation of its annual city business guide and directory.

To commemorate the city’s diamond jubilee, WMBA needs articles, photographs and other pertinent documentation to include in its annual publication.

“We’re making a very public appeal for the history of Wilton Manors,” said Peter Jackson, WMBA vice president.

Historical content can be submitted through Oct. 22. This year marks the 32nd edition of the guide and directory, said Jackson.

“The evolution of Wilton Manors since the first mayor was elected in 1947 is a fascinating one because of the way the business community has mirrored the ever-changing social landscape,” Jackson said.

A list of all the city’s mayors is still hard to

Photo credit: Brendon Lies.

come by, said Jackson. Some of the pioneering businesses are even harder to unearth.

“There’s been very little history saved,” Jackson said. “We’re trying to put together a list of some of the oldest businesses but we don’t know who they are.”

Jackson is hoping interested residents can fill in some of the historical gaps. Plans are to include old photos and newspaper clippings in this year’s book, scheduled for a Dec. 2 general release.

To submit or request information, email info@WiltonManorsBusinessAssociation.com.

THE

ISLANDER A WILTON MANORS NEWSLETTER

THE NEWSLETTER YOU NEED NEED. WILTON MANORS NEWS... RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX. From events to local announcements, fun facts and so much more, the Islander is everything you need to wake up ready for a beautiful day in the Island City.

visit sfgn.com/islanderwm to sign up!

18

• 9. 30.2021

4 •

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

NEWS LOCAL

COMMUNITY OUTL

K

Softball Season Starts

Gay fall softball has begun for players in the South Florida Athletic Association.

Pictured above is the Alibi team, now playing in its 24th consecutive year, hoping to make it to the gay World Series, next year in Dallas. Photo via Facebook.

THE RETURN OF THE

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Live streaming • wwnnradio.com 9. 3 0 . 20 21 •

19

Publisher's Editorial

CONVICTIONS

THEATERS OPEN, CROWDS GATHER, LIFE BEGINS ANEW Be Safe Out There

Norm Kent

norm.kent@sfgn.com

O

ur gay community has become so Superman costume that you plan to wear on frighteningly mainstream, we are on the Drive for Halloween. Just show up. the verge of losing our own identity.

This week SFGN is sending to press this Four weeks from now, we will salvage what month’s Mirror Magazine, featuring the Fall is left of us by having some 10,000 men Arts and Entertainment Issue. It is always and women parade up and down Wilton my favorite every year. September and Drive in Batman capes and Wonder Woman October welcome the return of our nightlife. costumes.

The breadth of arts in our community is Years ago, the gay community celebrated unmatched.

Halloween with depraved acts of indulgence Our magazine is populated with ads and debauchery in the public square. Now celebrating the return of theater. But we are that we have grown up, we must settle for a more than advertising. The Mirror delivers casual walk up the Drive with drinks in our credible content, serious articles which hand. If you want decadence, illuminate our community, just go see a show at Ronnie its lives, and its energies.

Larsen’s Foundry Theater.

Like our paper, it needs your FOR TOO The point of this short support and sponsorship. We LONG, THE GAY column is simply to say that share information and ideas, COMMUNITY HAD the Fall theatrical season is not just 2 for 1 specials. upon us, and our community Not just theater, but many NO PLACE ON is out and about again. Last non-profits are hosting MAIN STREET. IN week, Broadway opened, annual events in the next theaters began welcoming few months.

Diversity SOUTH FLORIDA, IT patrons, and restaurants Honors will be showcased IS NOW OURS TO started seating more and this weekend at the Hard SHARE. IN MANY more guests.

Rock. Outshine will be Still, wherever you go, jobs hosting its movie festival.

PLACES ACROSS seem available everywhere.

Next month, Equality Florida THE WORLD, IT Head down East Sunrise will be holding its annual STILL IS NOT. Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale gala. The Pet Project will and the sign in front of be showcasing its annual Big Louie’s does not say benefit at the Wilton Manors “Pepperoni Pizza.” It reads “Help Wanted.”

Shoppes. And Pride Fort Lauderdale will Go the other way, and the advertising return to the beach. bench for J. Mark’s does not showcase their Last week, Jimmy Cunningham, the great Hawaiian Rib Eye. It promotes the fact realtor, held a wonderful outdoors party that they need servers and jobs are available. at Richardson Park. It left a venue for a There is no excuse for not working. wealth of nonprofits, from Flock Fest to the The common denominator for employers Symphony Orchestra, to talk about their own this past year as we try to emerge from the projects. pandemic is they need help. So do we at the Cruises are leaving from South Florida paper. SFGN is still looking for another full- ports, and the Gay Men’s Chorus of South time salesperson for the newspaper and our Florida is preparing for Christmas concerts. magazine. You can even show up in your The Florida Grand Opera has a program. The

20

• 9. 30.2021

Photo via Adobe.

Smart Ride is gathering riders, and houses of worship are filling their pews again.

Slowly, we rise. In the face of so much death we should not have experienced, we are alive again. Let’s keep it that way. It’s still a jungle out there, and I am not talking about your bedroom. Stay cautious. Stay careful.

It was only a few weeks ago that Roderick Hagwood, the Sun Sentinel writer, was sadly reflecting about the temporary mortuaries being set up outside the Broward Medical Center in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Let’s live our lives so he can return to the fashion, arts and entertainment beat.

There are more events being planned than those I just summarized. Your stories get life here at SFGN. Tell them to us, so we can tell them to your friends. SFGN gives ALL these gatherings a platform. You live them. We write about them.

You can grab our paper or at our online site, www.sfgn.com. Share them with your friends, or the moms and dads you left in Fargo, North Dakota. They are not being showcased in the Miami Herald or Wall Street Journal. Your voice, and your vices, are here weekly.

Now, back on the radio, as I am, you can listen daily to see who will be showcased next. Looking forward to Misty Eyes and John Castelli with me on WWNN next week.

Tune in to wwnnradio.com For too long, the gay community had no place on Main Street. In South Florida, it is now ours to share. In many places across the world, it still is not.

While celebrating on the shore, let’s never forget those still drowning at sea. Fight the good fight, in dress or in drag. Make your voice heard.

CHECK WEBSITES AND FACEBOOK PAGES FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION REGARDING IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE OF SERVICES, AS WELL AS VIRTUAL VIEWING OPTIONS.

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Join us!

In person or online at our FB page

Join our Shabbat service every Friday night at 8pm

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 South Federal Hwy., Boynton Beach, FL 561-733-4000 www.churchofoursaviormcc.org

SPIRITUALITY

Until further notice: Due to the current COVID-19 surge, 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!

SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS.COM

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

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

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

A LITTLE BIT OF FAITH AND

PRIDE

SFGN is here for you, no matter who — or what — keeps you going. Read our Spirituality Section to stay in touch with your local religious LGBT community. The only requirement? Be yourself.

SEE MORE ONLINE AT SFGN.COM/TABLE/NEWS/RELIGION 9. 3 0 . 20 21 •

21

LGBT HISTORY MONTH

FEATURE

OCTOBER IS LGBT HISTORY MONTH EQUALITY FORUM HOSTS WEBSITE CELEBRATING 31 LGBT ICONS FOR THE MONTH South Florida’s own Javier Morgado is one of the individuals featured this year Denise Royal

O

ctober is LGBT History Month staffers and a list of hugely impressive and it is a time to honor LGBT people.” accomplishments.

One of those people is South Florida’s LGBThistorymonth.com celebrates the own Javier Morgado. He’s a journalist who achievements of 31 LGBT icons. now works as an executive producer at CNN. The month coincides with National “Obviously, he’s really was chosen Coming Out Day in October. LGBT History for a couple of reasons,” Lazin said. “He Month also includes Spirit Day on Oct. has distinguished himself in his field of 20, when people around the country wear endeavor. And, you know, Javi has also been purple in support of LGBT youth. very active with the National Lesbian and At lgbthistorymonth.com, Gay Journalists Association a new LGBT icon is featured and promoting LGBT with a video, bio, bibliography, equality both through the downloadable images, and association and in his role other resources each day in as the executive producer October. of the important national “It’s a very impressive group programs that he oversees.” of people, as it has been for the Many well-known names last 15 years,” said Malcolm in entertainment from the Lazin, executive director of past and present also make Equality Forum. Equality this year’s diverse list, Forum coordinates LGBT including Frederic Chopin, History Month, produces Janis Joplin, Liberace, Janelle documentary films, and Monáe, Little Richard, oversees the application/ Jerry Herman, and LZ installation of governmentGranderson.

- Malcolm Lazin approved LGBT historic The criteria for making EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF markers. the list include being EQUALITY FORUM “We present them someone who distinguishes alphabetically. So this year, themselves nationally Oct. 1 is Susan B. Anthony,” Lazin said. or internationally, someone who made a “And my guess is probably most of our significant contribution to LGBT civil rights, community are unaware that the leading and establishes themselves as a national suffragette was a lesbian. And then it ends hero. on Oct. 31 with Darren Walker, who is the Learning about LGBT heroes is as easy as African-American president of the Ford visiting LGBThistorymonth.com.

Foundation. And in between, there are three “This is a free educational resource,” U.S. congressmen and two White House Lazin said. “We can provide any organization

“IF WE DON’T CELEBRATE OUR OWN HISTORY, NO ONE ELSE WILL.”

TO SEE MORE HISTORY MONTH STORIES, VISIT SFGN.COM/HISTORY2021 22

• 9. 30.2021

Javier Morgado, the executive producer at CNN. Courtesy photo.

with a link so that every day in the month, that link is automatically updated with that day’s icons. It’s a very simple way for people to do something important, which is, celebrating our history. If we don’t celebrate our own history, no one else will.

But if we do celebrate it, obviously there are a lot of allies that will come on board. A

perfect example of that is Women’s History Month, Black History Month, or Hispanic Heritage Month, among others. Teaching our history not only provides role models, but it also helps to provide information about our civil rights movement, which has been nothing short of amazing.”

LGBT HISTORY MONTH

JESSE’S JOURNAL

‘DIE FOTOGRAFIE: A NOVEL’ BY PHILLIP M. JOHNSON A THRILLING READ

Jesse Monteagudo

D

uring World War II the Nazis conducted lives in exile. However, Schumann reckoned a series of medical experiments without Dr. Freda Dudek, a psychologist who on concentration camp prisoners, is determined to bring the fiend to justice. primarily Jews but also LGBT people, Romani, First, however, she must reunite the boys.

Poles, Russians, and disabled Germans.

Die Fotografie is a fascinating chronicle of They were conducted without anesthesia injustice and revenge that doesn’t disappoint. and often resulted in death, trauma, Readers of LGBT literature should note that disfigurement, disability, or death. In Die Fotografie features several trans women one particularly gruesome procedure, who play important roles in the narrative. I prepubescent boys were “surgically won’t tell you who they are; you will have to emasculated which meant that their penises, read the book to find out. But you don’t have testicles, and scrotums had to be an expert on trans women all been removed and the skin or the Holocaust to appreciate closed over the wounds.”

Die Fotografie. Phillip Johnson “DIE Nazi doctors performed recreated a horrible period in FOTOGRAFIE: this procedure “to see if they history; one that left behind could surgically sterilize the scars that remain unresolved.

A NOVEL” BY males of the Jewish race so it Johnson dedicates this book would die off.” The benefit “to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, PHILLIP M. would be that the Nazis would transsexual, intersex, and JOHNSON, WITH not have to bury or burn the queer people in Nazi Europe bodies. Indeed, they could be whose lives were destroyed WILLIAM THOMAS released, and their families by the Holocaust. I sincerely LOESCH III; would bear the cost and hope that this fictional account burden. raises awareness of these SELF-PUBLISHED; In “Die Fotografie,” the underreported souls so their 360 PAGES; perpetrator of this horror deaths might not be in vain.” is Dr. Horst Schumann (a A note about the author(s): $21.95. historical character) who after Phillip Martin Johnson enjoyed the war managed to escape a rewarding career in design the war crimes tribunal. He left behind three for much of his life. Now retired, Johnson boys, Albert, Gabriel, and Lukas, whose agony is pursuing a new passion as a writer. In Die was preserved for posterity in the photograph Fotografie, Johnson is aided and abetted by that gives this book its title. Author Phillip William Thomas Loesch III, whom he calls M. Johnson was inspired to write his first “my ghost, my sparring partner, my dear novel when he visited the Houston Holocaust friend.” The two are aided and abetted by Museum in 1996. It is a teaching reminder that their alter ego, Reada Book-Stein, who will the Third Reich did not really die in 1945; that be present at all press events promoting Die it survived in the fugitives who escaped justice Fotografie and all future writings by Phillip M. and who, like Dr. Schumann, lived out their Johnson.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND COPIES OF DIE FOTOGRAFIE, VISIT DIEFOTOGRAFIE.COM.

Pictured left is author Phillip M. Johnson’s alter ego Reada Book-Stein, who he developed to help promote his novel “Die Fotografie” (pictured below).

Photos courtesy of Marc Garcia.

TO SEE MORE HISTORY MONTH STORIES, VISIT SFGN.COM/HISTORY2021

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. 3 0 . 20 21 •

23

LGBT HISTORY MONTH

FEATURE

PANDEMIC PIVOT MUSEUM LAUNCHES MAJOR DIGITAL EXHIBIT FOR LGBT HISTORY MONTH “In Plain Sight” offers website visitors a digital timeline of LGBT achievements including 800 entries across 10 categories TO SEE MORE HISTORY MONTH STORIES, VISIT SFGN.COM/HISTORY2021

J.W. Arnold

V

isitors to the Stonewall National that highlights pivotal LGBT figures and Museum and Archives (SNMA) in achievements with more than 800 entries Fort Lauderdale, one of the largest across 10 categories: AIDS/HIV, Arts, Business, LGBT lending libraries and collections in Film/TV, Literature, Memorials, Milestones, the country, dropped by nearly two-thirds Music, Sports and Theatre/Dance. because the pandemic.

Far more than an interactive display, the Stonewall, like other museums and other SNMA team of researchers, programmers and cultural institutions across the country, is still designers created an engaging curriculum struggling to resume operations. that provides in-depth education and Visitors slowly returned as vaccines opportunities to interact with existing became available and donors stepped up material from the archival collection available to bolster hard-hit finances. The federal at the museum.

Shuttered Venue Operator Grant program “For years, a static LGBT timeline showcased offered a more recent lifeline this summer on a wall became one of the museum’s most to the hardest hit organizations, covering popular areas. We wanted to expand its the sorts of overhead that reach to online audiences at Paycheck Protection Program a time when visits to cultural grants couldn’t. institutions are restricted due During this trying time, to the coronavirus pandemic, administrators and board while making it timelier and members searched for ways to more inclusive regarding fulfill their missions in a future gender and race,” explained where capacity restrictions, O’Hanian. social distancing, mask That timeline in the gallery mandates and heightened stopped with 1999, and sanitation procedures would O’Hanian pointed out that become the norm. scholars have recognized that Institutions explored LGBT milestones have actually creative ways to “pivot” during increased exponentially in the the pandemic, moving lectures decades since, citing major and performances outdoors, wins in the Supreme Court reinventing activities and legalizing marriage equality - Hunter O’Hanian exhibits and, most commonly, and workplace protections, DIRECTOR OF SNMA leveraging technology and the high profile celebrities and global reach of the internet. professional athletes coming Stonewall, a nearly 50-year-old museum, out, and advances in transgender visibility. had already begun an ambitious undertaking “In Plain Sight” is already a valuable to digitize its collection of more than 28,000 learning resource for students around the volumes and six million pages of historical world who can pull these stories up in their documents, but director Hunter O’Hanian classrooms or even their phones. knew there was much more work to be done “For centuries, there was a tremendous during this critical moment. stigma associated with being gay … Over the After months of research, SNMA recently past few decades, student and proponents launched a major digital exhibit just in time of gay studies and gay rights have looked at for LGBT History Month in October.

LGBT history to understand where the bias “In Plain Sight” is a digital timeline comes from and how people have worked

“IT IS IMPORTANT TO ANYONE WHO CARES ABOUT BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS AND CREATING AN INCLUSIVE SOCIETY.”

24

• 9. 30.2021

The Stonewall National Museum and Archives. Photo via Facebook.

to overcome that stigma. This work is done to improve the people today and future generations,” O’Hanian said.

Beyond young people, the exhibit is also available to others who may be coming out in their 30s, 40s or later, he emphasized.

And understanding LGBT history is also key to anyone concerned with racism, sexism, ageism or any form of systemic discrimination in society. Funding for the project was provided by the Florida Humanities Council.

“It is important to anyone who cares about breaking down barriers and creating an inclusive society,” O’Hanian said.

“In Plain Sight” is not the only innovative program to arise from the museum’s COVID pivot. More than 31,000 visitors have attended a series of lectures and curated talks from leading historians, authors and thought leaders via Zoom since the initial shutdown.

More than three dozen of those conversations are archived on the SNMA website and future speakers include John Catania and Charles Ignacio, producers of the groundbreaking PBS magazine series “In the Life;” colorful storyteller and podcaster Mike Balaban (“BAMMER and Me”); Leslie Cohen, author of “The Audacity of a Kiss;” and Adam Zmith, author of “Deep Sniff: A History of Poppers and Queer Futures.”

Even as patrons and school groups slowly return to the museum, digital outreach will continue. A grant from the Mellon Foundation has expedited efforts to complete the digitization project and O’Hanian expects constant updates to “In Plain Sight” and the continuation of the streaming lecture series.

“It’s become sort of cliché, but that’s one of the silver linings of the pandemic,” he concluded.

TO VISIT “IN PLAIN SIGHT,” WATCH THE CURATED TALKS OR EXPLORE THE SNMA ARCHIVES, GO TO STONEWALL-MUSEUM.ORG.

Stonewall:

Where History Comes OUT

Monday, November 8, 2021 // 6:00 – 9:00 PM

HONORING

Chima Brazilian Steakhouse // 2400 East Las Olas Blvd., Ft. Lauderale Diversity & Inclusion Award

Philanthropy Award

Karine Jean-Pierre

Alix Ritchie

White House Principal Deputy Press Media Strategy Consultant, Secretary, Biden Administration Activist, and Self-Described Agitator

Mark Your Calendar for a Festive Evening!

The evening includes cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, open bar, traditional Brazilian dinner, awards, entertainment, special guests, and exciting live and silent auctions.

Ally Award

Stacy Ritter

President and CEO, Visit Fort Lauderdale

TICKETS ON SALE at Stonewall-museum.org

Live and virtual tickets are available.

You can join us from anywhere!

All Covid precautions will be in place at the event.

Attendees will be asked to show proof of vaccination.

Entertainment by The Synergy Twins · Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE!

DIAMOND SPONSORSHIP James Doan & Brad Zuckerman

RUBY SPONSORSHIP

Scott Bennett Hunter O’Hanian & Jeffry George

For more information e-mail Monique@stonewall-museum.org or call 954-763-8565 For more information visit Stonewall-museum.org

HistoryComesOUT_SFGN_halfHORIZ10x5-3.indd 1

10:23:42 9.9/16/2021 3 0 . 20 21 • PM 25

LGBT HISTORY MONTH

FEATURE

UNIQUE NEWS PROJECT FORGES ON FOR LGBT HISTORY MONTH Damon Scott

M

ark Segal, the longest running publisher of a U.S.-based LGBT publication, the Philadelphia Gay News (PGN), said it was a comment on TV that caught his attention, drew his ire, and birthed the idea for a collaborative news project.

“I was watching a TV show 15 years ago and there was a panel discussion on gay rights,” Segal said. “And a Republican on the panel said this country was not founded for ‘you people,’ meaning gay people. I took that as a challenge.”

The challenge manifested itself into a “Gay History is American history” project that brought together dozens of LGBT media outlets across the country, including SFGN, to publish features on gay historical figures and icons.

Some of the figures are well known and others are not, but all have had a profound impact on society and the gay rights movement.

The collaboration was designed to coincide with LGBT History Month, an observance each October to recognize queer history and the history of the LGBT rights and related civil rights movements. It first began in 1994 and coincides with National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11.

Segal said the project is important because even the LGBT community itself hasn’t always been aware of its own history – partially because some historians have tried to censor it.

The first feature was “We Are America,” profiling a diverse group of people who would likely identify as part of the LGBT community, Segal said. That issue included women who lived their lives as men and

joined the Revolutionary War and men who otherwise lived their lives as women but served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Subjects that have been explored since include the intersection between the Black Panthers and the gay rights movement and the sexuality of Addison Mizner, the father of South Florida’s signature Spanish revival architecture. SFGN was the first publication to write about Mizner likely being gay.

“We discovered Baron von Steuben, who to this day fascinates me, and I continue to research him,” Segal said.

Von Steuben was a gay man who was chief of staff to U.S. president George Washington at Valley Forge, Segal said.

“We’ve discovered so much information that there is no credible historian who would deny it now,” he said.

“We’ve pressed it so far that the Museum of the American Revolution states under his portrait that most historians believe he was a member of the gay community.”

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. president, is perhaps one of the most well known historical figures that many think was gay.

“We’ve published information [about Lincoln] that mainstream historians wouldn’t publish,” Segal said. “I’m not willing to say he’s gay, I don’t doubt he loved his wife, but he did sleep with men.”

Segal said, for example, that historians have long argued that one of the reasons Lincoln slept in the same bed as his friend Joshua Speed is that there was only one bedroom and one bed at the residence. But Segal said he and his team have discovered that there were actually two bedrooms and

SEGAL SAID THE PROJECT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE EVEN THE LGBT COMMUNITY ITSELF HASN’T ALWAYS BEEN AWARE OF ITS OWN HISTORY.

CHECK SFGN.COM/HISTORY2021 FOR ALL THESE FEATURES AND MORE. PGN CAN BE FOUND AT EPGN.COM. 26

• 9. 30.2021

Above: Andrew Exler fought to remove homophobic policies at Disneyland.

Below: PGN’s spread on the LGBTQ history of video games. Images courtesy PGN.

two beds – facts that aren’t in Lincoln’s original biography.

“What’s great about this is it’s a collaboration of LGBTQ media. We wouldn’t be doing this if it were not for our partners like the Bay Area Reporter, the Dallas Voice, SFGN and others. We’ve all coordinated and contributed for 15 years.”

A few of the topics expected to be published this year, according to PGN editor Jason Villemez, include a profile on a gay

World War II hero from the Netherlands who blew up an identity center in order to help Jews escape. He was eventually executed by the Nazis and was never recognized for what he did. Another profile is of Pauli Murray, a social and political activist and lesbian, who shaped the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Other content on tap includes a feature on Glenn Burke, the first openly gay Major League Baseball player.

CONVICTIONS

EDITORIAL CARTOON

By Mike Luckovich

and

9. 3 0 . 20 21 •

27

LGBT HISTORY MONTH

COLUMN

A LOVING PORTRAIT OF THE LATE, GAY FRIENDLY TELEVANGELIST David-Elijah Nahmod

I

t’s hard to believe that the late Tammy a gay man with AIDS on the PTL Club.

Faye Bakker would be 79 years old were Fellow televangelist Jerry Falwell (Vincent she alive today. It seems like it was such a D’Onofrio), who is perhaps the most short time ago that she and her husband Jim powerful man in the evangelical Christian Bakker were making headlines when their community, is horrified. But Tammy Faye televangelist empire collapsed amid a variety stands her ground. of financial and sexual scandals. But Tammy The film follows the fall of the PTL Club, Faye emerged unscathed. In 2000 she was as Jim is accused of misusing ministry funds, the subject of a feature length documentary which leads to his imprisonment. He is also titled “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” which was accused of sexual misconduct by church produced by gay filmmakers Fenton Bailey secretary Jessica Hahn. There are hints that and Randy Barbato. That film has now been Jim may be struggling with homosexuality. adapted into a scripted biographical drama Falwell turns on the Bakkers, and the PTL of the same name. Jessica Chastain, who Club is ruined. serves as a producer of the Now divorced from Bakker, new film, stars as Tammy Tammy Faye is left to start Faye, with Andrew Garfield over.

TAMMY FAYE co-starring as Jim Bakker.

Chastain is wonderful as WASN’T YOUR The film paints a loving Tammy Faye. She captures portrait of Tammy Faye. She the innate goodness, and the AVERAGE is presented as a woman naivete of the late icon, and CHRISTIAN. who honestly believes in even looks like her. It’s hard what she preaches, a woman not to like Tammy Faye when SHE EMBRACES who loves her husband and she urges her TV viewers to THE LGBT wants to bring the love of show compassion for people God to the masses. The film with AIDS. It’s hard not to feel COMMUNITY, follows her life as she first for her when, in the aftermath AND EVEN meets Jim in bible college. of the wreckage of the PTL INTERVIEWS A The couple falls instantly club, she tries to launch a in love and soon take to the mainstream show business GAY MAN WITH road, performing for children career and is rejected by a TV AIDS ON THE PTL as they share bible stories executive - the film does not in sketches which include mention “Jim J and Tammy CLUB. comic puppets. They quickly Faye,” a talk show the real catch the eye of televangelist Tammy Faye co-hosted with Pat Robertson (Gabriel Olds) and bring their gay HIV positive actor Jim J Bullock. Nor puppet show to his fledgling TV network. does the film mention her second marriage After a few years the Bakkers move on and to building contractor Roe Messner, though launch their own network, whose flagship Messner is included in the film as a minor show, The PTL Club, stars themselves. They character. become celebrities. Jim shamelessly asks for Garfield is quite good as Jim Bakker. He donations on the air, and the money starts plays the character as a man who is at first rolling in. The Bakkers are soon living in a sincere in his desire to bring the word of mansion. the gospel to the masses, until he becomes But as the film recounts, Tammy Faye a victim of his own excesses. D’Onofrio is wasn’t your average Christian. She embraces equally good as the sleazy, treacherous, the LGBT community, and even interviews anti-gay Falwell. Falwell was an enemy of

TO SEE MORE HISTORY MONTH STORIES, VISIT SFGN.COM/HISTORY2021 28

• 9. 30.2021

Tammy Faye Bakker. Photo credit: Darwin Bell, via Wikipedia.

the gay community during his lifetime.

The film does not whitewash this and presents him as the hateful sleaze that he was. Lesbian actress Cherry Jones, who can always be counted upon to give powerful performances, unfortunately isn’t given much to do as Tammy Faye’s long-suffering mother. A winner of several Tony Awards, Jones has a strong presence onstage and onscreen. It would have been nice to see her character developed further.

“The Eyes of Tammy Faye” is an entertaining film. It pays tribute to a decent woman who wanted to do good even as she was surrounded by people who did not have her best interests at heart. The film brings to life the decades in which Tammy Faye lived, from her childhood in the early 1950s, to her first meeting with Bakker 10 years later, through the PTL years and beyond. It’s a story that seems almost hard to believe, yet it’s all true.

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

OTLIGHT A&E SPO

MINNIE

BEHIND BARS A Bouvèé Murder Mystery by Robert LeLeux

Welcome to Business Spotlight, the column that thanks advertisers who support SFGN. We invite you to support them, because without their outreach to us, we would not be here to reach out to you. We are a free newspaper that survives on the success of our advertisers so we encourage our readers to support those who support us.

A

merica’s sweetheart, Miss Bouvèé is caught in a scandal when her playboy husband Godfrey Fakenham, maid Ruby Belcher, and daughter Esme Bouvèé all become suspects in the killing of Minnie’s lover, Darrell Lee Longstaff. When the star is arrested and questioned, her terrible past rises to the surface. Did she do it?

Who else has something to gain from killing Mr. Longstaff, the accomplished penis... pianist? Detective Goodwood gets to the bottom of it all!

Love. Loss. Hilarity. A screwball musical homage to the film noir films of the ‘40s, with a touch of Carol Burnettinspired sketch comedy; this murder mystery will have you laughing, singing, and wondering... WHO DONE IT? The cast consists of many local cabaret artists and active community

Don’t miss a

tastE Feeling the hunger?

Read SFGN’s weekly food column for an exclusive bite on local bars, restaurants, and seasonal flavors.

sFGn.com/FooD

This murder mystery will have you laughing, singing, and wondering...

WHO DONE IT? members. Eric Swanson will star as Miss Bouvèé, longtime Wilton Manors favorite Jennifer McClain as Ruby Belcher, Terry Dyer of Sunserve as Godfrey Fakenham, Steven Edgar Ross-Dybash (The BoyS) as Esme Bouvèé, and his husband Christopher Ross-Dybash as Darrell Lee Longstaff/ Detective Bruce Goodwood. Script by Robert LeLeux.

General admission tickets are on sale now! 8 performances to choose from, October 6-28, 2021. All tickets are $35/ pp. Wilton Theatre Factory is located at 2306 N Dixie HWY, Wilton Manors FL 33305.

9. 3 0 . 20 21 •

29

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www.NormKent.com 30

• 9. 30.2021

GAY MAN WRITES BOOK ON DEALING WITH DISASTERS John Hayden

What can I do if I have been accused of a crime?

Russell Cormican

LIFESTYLE BOOKS

H

urricanes crash ashore. Terrorists strike. Buildings collapse. While the loss of life is devastating, friends and loved ones are left to deal with heartbreak and uncertainty.

Robert Jensen, who is gay, wrote the book on navigating the aftermath of disaster.

“We’re not in the business of preparation.

We’re in response and consequence management.”

He talked about his new book, “Personal Effects,” from his home in Key West.

He’s Chairman of Kenyon International Emergency Services and is an expert in helping families and response services understand the situation and how to communicate with each other.

Jensen said it’s important that families of people who die from illness have a support system in place to help them plan a funeral, grieve, etc. Disasters are completely different.

“Now they’re in a mass fatality scene where they can’t be identified. Their bodies might not be recovered.”

In these situations Jensen has to balance compassion with pragmatism.

“We don’t use the word closure, we use the word transition. What I’ve spent most of my life doing is helping build a bridge so people can transition from what was normal to what will be normal. We try to help them take care of those things that are practical.

Can we get the body back? How long is it going to take? Families come to these things without expectations because they haven’t been through it.”

The families haven’t been through it, but Jensen and his team have. Their expertise means understanding the pain and answering tough questions.

“I get asked, were they alive? Were they alive when the plane hit the ground or hit the water? That’s a straightforward question, but let me ask you what you mean? Do you mean were they aware? Because you can be alive and unaware. You’re medically alive but you’re unaware. So when you ask me a question I’m gonna answer, but I want you to know what you’re asking because you will never not know the answer once I tell you.

I want to make sure I’m giving you the right answer.”

The Kenyon International team also works

Above: Robert Jensen, author of “Personal Effects” (pictured left).

Courtesy photos.

with local responders on the ground to help deal with recovery of victims and their effects. Multiple agencies; federal, state, county, often work the scene, and it’s their job to make sure they communicate clearly with families.

“You have PR people who don’t focus on the action but focus on the words, and if the words don’t match the action they’re worthless,” Jensen said.

Jensen decided to write “Personal Effects” to help people understand what happens after the TV crews have gone away.

“Here is the glimpse behind the curtain.

Here’s the reality. Here’s how you start to take control.”

He believes people need to take a breath and know what is important in stressful situations.

“Will it be cat 1 or a cat 5? Don’t care because I can’t do anything about it so I’m not going to waste an ounce of energy worrying about it. What I am gonna do is have a plan.

Since I can’t control the hurricane, what I can control is how I will respond to it when it hits.”

“Personal Effects” is available on Amazon and in local bookstores.

9. 3 0 . 20 21 •

31

LIFESTYLE FOOD

BEST OF THE FESTS Rick Karlin

The Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival. Courtesy photo.

A

fter canceling its 2020 culinary event due to the pandemic, the Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival will return with a bang Dec. 9-12 with more events. It’s replacing its usual grand-tasting finale with a free open-air, all-day bash at Rosemary Square in West Palm Beach.

That decision has already meant the strongest sales in the 14th annual bash’s history, according to organizer David Sabin.

He says the festival’s 14th year marks the 10th anniversary since he expanded the festival from a three-hour, socialite-studded shindig on Worth Avenue to a four-day feast spanning five cities. “We already have people on waiting lists,” Sabin says. “These are the fastest sellouts ever. People must be excited because they missed it last year.”

Tickets for the four-day feast went on sale last month and two events sold out in one day: Spice, a chef-studded kickoff dinner in Palm Beach Gardens, and its popular Chef Welcome Party at the Colony Hotel in West Palm Beach. There are still plenty of events to enjoy as the festival’s event schedule is larger than ever, with 23 events (compared to 13 in 2018). Other festival highlights include a fivecourse sustainable seafood dinner on Dec. 9 at PB Catch and celebrity chef Robert Irvine joining Okeechobee Steakhouse’s Ralph Lewis for a four-course “Beef N Bourbon Experience” on Dec. 9.

The list of celebrity chefs is also grander than in the past, with Michelle Bernstein, Robert Irvine, Marc Murphy, and Maneet Chauhan headlining events. The festival has also expanded south to Delray Beach, with a four-course Italian dinner and wine pairing at chef Lisbet Summa’s namesake Elisabetta’s.

Daniel Boulud hosts his annual signature Daniel & Friends lunch at Palm Beach’s Café Boulud on Dec. 12, with guest chefs Julie Franceschini and Dieter Samijn.

The closing event is a free, daylong culinary affair on Dec. 12 at Rosemary Square, featuring paint-and-sip classes, a book reading with chef Maneet Chauhan, cooking demos, the Battle of the Bartenders, and a $10,000 Grand Chef Throwdown, where chefs square off to benefit a charity of their choice. Tickets cost $50-$250 per event. Call the box office at 800-210-0689 or go to PBFoodWineFest.com.

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• 9. 30.2021

Finally, check out 16th annual Taste of the Island Nov. 8 at Richardson Historic Park and Nature Preserve on the Drive. It’s an evening of food and libation featuring local food and beverage establishments and spotlighting their culinary and beverage specialties at Wilton Manors’ acclaimed outdoor tasting event.

Park free at the City Hall/Hagen Park lot at 2020 Wilton Drive and use the free shuttle or walk the short distance to the event venue.

Reserved parking at Richardson Historic Park and Nature Preserve are available online or at 500 NE 26th St.

CARRIBEAN FEST RESCHEDULED Hollywood’s Caribbean Food and Rum Festival, which was to have taken place in Hollywood on Sept. 5 will now take place on Dec. 12 and it will feature most of the same musical acts and of course, the same great island food and drinks. CaribVille Entertainment assures patrons who have already purchased admission that the tickets will be valid for the new date, and we will keep them informed of all updates on our social media platforms and general media.

All COVID-19 protocols will be in place for the December staging. For more information, go to CaribbeanVillage.net/event-details/ caribbean-food-rum-festival.

JOIN THE UNION Union Kitchen & Bar is Wilton Manors’ newest, and decidedly most upscale, eatery.

The Peruvian-Italian fusion restaurant is fronted by the handsome and charming Roberto Colombi, while his wife chef Christie Tenaud runs the kitchen. Both previously worked at Boca Raton Resort & Club’s Blue.

Union Kitchen features homemade pasta, a raw bar, and entrees that span Italian classics such as chicken agrodolce to Peruvian sea

bass. It’s right across the street from Island City Stage and The Foundry, making it the perfect pre- or post-theater spot. 2309 N. Dixie, 754216-0143, UnionKB.com.

BITE THIS The Bite Eatery, the first food hall in Pompano Beach, opens soon, just a few blocks away from the beach and the Pompano Fishing Pier. The 250-seat venue will feature a full bar in the center, surrounded by nine food vendors, including Jupiter Donuts, Casareccio Trattoria (Italian), Senbazuru (JapaneseSpanish fusion), Moop (gelato, waffles and crepes), I Heart Mac & Cheese, Ceviche Time (Peruvian), The Lobster (seafood), La Chancla (Mexican) and a New York-style deli.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? 

STREET SCAPE Things are about to get a little more colorful along Las Olas. Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar unveiled the rendering of “Esperanza” (Hope) — a Cuban-inspired mural by celebrated artist Erni Vales. The mural, which should be completed by the time you read this, is inspired by the recent uprising in Cuba and represents a renewed hope for the Cuban people. The restaurant’s name, which translates to “a free Cuba,” signifies hope for the future of the treasured island nation. Its mission is to provide an “escape” to Havana through exciting food, beverage, and entertainment experiences that celebrate the Cuban people and culture.

VISIT SFGN.COM/FOOD!

Rick Karlin is SFGN’s food editor, but the views and opinions he expresses in his columns are solely his own and do not represent the official viewpoint of SFGN. Visit SFGN.com/Food to read his previous reviews. Have a culinary tip to share?

Email Rick at RickKarlinFL@gmail.com.

A&E THEATER

MISS BOUVÈÉ TAKES TO FOUNDRY STAGE IN NEW MURDER MYSTERY J.W. Arnold

I

n less than a year, drag performer Miss Bouvèé has become a favorite on the drive, singing and hosting live weekly cabaret shows. Now, she will star in a new comedy premiering at The Foundry in Wilton Manors on Oct. 6.

“Think of ‘Minnie Behind Bars’ as a screwball musical homage to 1940s film noir with a touch of Carol Burnett-inspired sketch comedy,” explained Eric Swanson, the actor and singer behind the drag persona of America’s southern belle sweetheart. “This murder mystery will have you laughing, singing and wondering just who done it.”

Swanson, a Michigan transplant who came to South Florida last October in the midst of the pandemic, entrusted the writing to longtime collaborator Robert LeLeux.

“We created the show because I hadn’t seen anything like that at The Foundry and, in typical artist fashion, you find a void and then fill it,” Swanson said with a chuckle.

“Obviously, October is the Halloween season and we thought it would be fun to create a show with Miss Bouvèé, a drag queen in the lead.”

LeLeux dreamed up a plot in which Miss Bouvèé is embroiled in a scandal after her playboy husband Godfrey Fakenham, maid Ruby Belcher and daughter Esme Bouvèé all become suspects in the killing of Minnie’s lover, Darrell Lee Longstaff. When the star is arrested and questioned, her terrible past rises to the surface.

Audiences will have to determine if she committed the crime or who else had something to gain from killing Longstaff, the accomplished pianist. Detective Goodwood gets to the bottom of it all by the end of the fast-paced show filled with plenty of naughty innuendos.

The cast includes local cabaret artists and community leaders: singer Jennifer McClain as Ruby Belcher, Terry Dyer of Sunserve as Godfrey Fakenham, Steven Edgar RossDybash from The BoyS as Esme Bouvèé and his husband Christopher Ross-Dybash as Darrell Lee Longstaff/ Detective Bruce Goodwood.

Fans might be surprised to know that Miss Bouvèé was invented only recently as a onewoman show during the early days of the pandemic. LeLeux whipped out the script

Drag performer Miss Bouvèé (Eric Swanson) stars in a new murder mystery premiering at The Foundry in Wilton Manors. Credit: Courtesy photo.

and Swanson became Bouvèé within just a few weeks. Just as quickly, tens of thousands of new fans were enjoying the character online. Now, Miss Bouvèé performs (and sings) at live, all-request weekly cabaret shows at the Pub and Matty’s. (“I don’t lip sync,” Swanson emphasized.)

“I’m a theater queen through and through,” Swanson said, noting he had portrayed Alban in “La Cage aux Folles” and Edna Turnblatt in “Hairspray” on stage. “I’d done drag roles, but not drag in a bar scene or a cabaret scene on a regular basis. When Miss Bouvèé took off, having to do the show every week online was a lot of pressure, [especially] mixing up the looks, creating a variety. I’m the definition of a pandemic pivot.”

So what’s next? Once audiences solve the mystery in “Minnie Behind Bars,” Swanson plans to stage a drag version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” with Miss Bouvèé playing the Scrooge character. And next year, Swanson and McClain plan to host a cabaret-themed Caribbean cruise. But first, Miss Bouvèé needs to get sprung from jail and have her good name cleared.

Miss Bouvèé stars in “Minnie Behind Bars,” Oct. 6 – 7, 14 – 16, 18 and 27 – 28, at The Foundry, 2306 N. Dixie Hwy. in Wilton Manors. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 at MissBouvee.com.

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A&E APPOINTMENTS

Anthony Cabrera was recently named assistant conductor of the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida. Credit: Courtesy.

ARTSBEAT NEW FACE ON THE PODIUM J.W. Arnold GAY MEN’S CHORUS SELECTS ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR Following a nationwide search, the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF) has chosen Anthony Cabrera as their assistant conductor. A graduate of the University of Miami, Cabrera holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and has more than 25 years of conducting experience in schools, churches and community choruses.

Cabrera leaves the Miami Gay Men’s Chorus, where served as artistic director for the past 12 years. He oversaw and conducted the production of large-scale LGBT-themed works, Pride-themed concerts, presentations for children and youth, classical- and pop-themed concerts and cabarets.

In addition to his work with the Miami Gay Men’s Chorus, Cabrera continues to be active at the national and international level with GALA Choruses, the North American Association of LGBTQ+ Choral Groups. He currently sits on the New Harmony Task Force, a group charged with developing a series of workbooks and conferences to assist choruses in working through internal issues pertaining to diversity, equity, and belonging.

“I am thrilled to be joining the GMCSF family,” Cabrera shared. “I look forward to bringing the best that I can offer in terms of musicianship and support to the chorus’s artistic growth and my greatest efforts to further GMCSF’s vision — to see a diverse world united.”

GMCSF Artistic Director Gabe Slazar, who led the search process, said, “I knew that I wanted our assistant conductor to be someone with exceptional conducting skills and a strong commitment to the community.

Immediately I could see that Anthony brings those qualities to the table, along with decades of experience. I look forward to working with him to build the future of the chorus.”

The chorus will be announcing its upcoming concert season in mid-October.

For more information, go to GMCSF.org.

THEATRE LAB PREMIERES LGBT-THEMED AUDIO PLAY The innovative Theatre Lab at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton is developing “Versace Era,” a new audio play by Miami-Dade based playwright Juan C. Sanchez and supported by a grant from Wilton Manorsbased Our Fund.

Gay life in the 1990s in South Beach was a golden time: extravagant parties, glamour, and celebrities and became known as the Versace Era, from when the famous and beloved designer took residence at Casa Casuarina in 1992. His death symbolized the end of those golden days — and the end of refuge — for many South Beach residents, according to an announcement.

Set in 1997 in a fictional cafe on Ocean Drive, “Versace Era” explores the reactions of restaurant employees and guests as they come together to mourn the designer’s tragic end and confront what it means to them and their community. As they work, eat, drink and mourn, their personal stories, interactions and conversations reveal a picture of resilience, celebration, pride, communion and unity.

Sanchez is a Cuban-born playwright who has lived in Miami since he was 7 years old. His work was featured in the virtual production of “Long Distance Affair,” produced by PopUp Theatrics and Juggerknot Theatre Company, and his critically acclaimed immersive productions include “Miami Motel Stories: North Beach,” “Miami Motel Stories: Little Havana,” “Miami Motel Stories: MiMo” and “Wynwood Stories,” also produced by Juggerknot Theatre Company.

Sanchez has been the recipient of three Playwright Development Program grants from the Miami-Dade Cultural Affairs Council and the Florida Department of State’s Individual Artist Fellowship.

Norm.Kent@sfgn.com•954-530-4970 34

• 9. 30.2021

For more information, go to FAU.edu/TheatreLab.

A&E ARTS

FIU EXHIBITS SPOTLIGHT LGBT ICON, PHOTOGRAPHER J.W. Arnold

‘Hello, Gorgeous’ at Jewish Museum of Florida - FIU The Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU (JMOF) in Miami Beach will present, “Hello Gorgeous,” October 14, 2021 – February 20, 2022, dedicated to living legend Barbra Streisand.

Over her long and illustrious career, Streisand worked on Broadway, starred in over two dozen major motion pictures, recorded 52 gold and 31 platinum albums, won countless awards and has mastered almost every entertainment medium in existence. And, she is undeniably a gay icon.

“We are so proud to be the only museum in the United States [outside of New York City] to debut this colorful exhibition exploring the life of a living legend, accompanied by stellar educational and curatorial programming,” said Executive Director Susan Gladstone Pasternack.

Following its premiere in New York City at the Temple Emanuel Streicker Center, JMOF is the exclusive Southeast presenter of this exhibition. The arc of Streisand’s story unfolds on the gallery’s walls — a glimpse into her life in Brooklyn, her first steps to stardom, her extraordinary career and her activism on behalf of social justice, according to curator Jaqueline Goldstein.

The exhibition includes her 1959 Erasmus Hall High School yearbook; some of her first night club contracts, including one from the famed Bon Soir, NYC; her original gown with the sailor top from “My Name is Barbra,” her first television special; the portrait used for a 1964 Time magazine cover, on loan for the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery; and original costumes from “Funny Girl” and “Yentl.”

“One of the most celebrated actresses of our time, Barbra Streisand is truly a force to be reckoned with and her beautiful voice, humor and highly acclaimed acting have cemented her status as one of the brightest entertainers to date,” explained curator Jacqueline Goldstein. “Barbra’s civil rights activism along with her philanthropy rival the successes of both her acting and singing careers combined. ‘Hello Gorgeous’ is a window into the woman behind the star: comedic, feisty, strong and fierce.”

“Hello, Gorgeous,” is on display October 14 through February 20, 2022 at the Jewish Museum of Florida – FIU, 301 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. For more information, go to JMOF.FIU.edu.

‘Robert Andy Coombs: Notions of Care’ at Frost Art Museum FIU The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum FIU, located on the FIU campus in southwest Miami, is currently displaying the premiere of Michigan-born, Miamibased photographer Robert Andy Coombs’ first solo museum exhibition, “Notions of Care” through Sunday, Nov. 7.

The photographs document his experiences at the

“Hello, Gorgeous,” an exhibit opening next month at the Jewish Museum of Florida – FIU, showcases costumes, photos, videos, record album covers and other memorabilia of Barbra Streisand.

Credit: Courtesy photo. intersection of sexuality and disability, which are rarely expressed publicly in contemporary visual culture.

Coombs describes his approach as unapologetic, presenting his own body boldly and confidently, according to exhibition notes.

The series presents selected works from “Cripfag,” his photographic series that embraces and reclaims the epithets “crip” and “fag,” reimagining these words to produce a new context where personal and revealing moments are delicately laid bare.

The exhibition visually demonstrates notions of care and tenderness while challenging preconceptions of disability and reveals an autobiographical narrative filled with both joy and the banal. Coombs brings visitors along to relate and revel in his journey.

“In sharing details of his personal life, Robert Andy Coombs brings needed perspective to contemporary art and to our popular consciousness,” explained curator Amy Galpin.

Frost Museum Director Jordana Pomeroy added, “Upon closer inspection, Coombs’ work paints a picture about different narratives of love, which he tells boldly and tenderly. This exemplifies great photography — art that pushes, pulls, and inspires deep thought and dialogue, which is why we chose to feature him at the Frost Art Museum.”

“Robert Andy Coombs: Notions of Care” is on display through Nov. 7 at the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum FIU, 10975 SW 17th Str. in Miami. For more information, go to Frost.FIU.edu.

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LAC-000156, KY-City of Louisville: 483, LA-F1914, LA-F1915, LA-F1082, MA-1355C, MD-107-1626, ME-LM50017382, MI-3601205773, MN-TS01807, MO-City ofNJSt.Burglar Louis: CC#354, Louis# -NJ-34BF00021800, County: 100194, MS-15007958,MT-PSP-ELS-LIC-247, NCcom 2213, Ft. NY-Licensed L, FLOR-170997, 33303-2213 City ofOR Cincinnati: AC86, OK-AC1048, Home Improvement Contractor Registration Number:male PA022999, RI-3582, RI-750 25310-SP-FA/LV, NC-1622-CSA, NE-14451, NJ Burglar Alarm Lic. # -NJ-34BF00021800, NM-353366, NV-0068518, CityPO of LasBox Vegas: 3000008296, by the N.Y.S.Pennsylvania Department of State UID#12000317691, NYS #12000286451,OH-53891446, HAIR REMOVAL - Professional esthetician now City of Cincinnati: AC86, OK-AC1048, OR-170997,hiring Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor RegistrationES-2382(7C),WA-602588694/ECPROTEYH934RS, Number: PA022999, RI-3582, RI-7508, SC-BAC5630, SD- 1025-7001-ET, TX-B13734, ACR-3492,hair UT-6422596-6501, VA-115120, VT-for men and providing removal services WI-CityTN-1520, of Milwaukee: PAS-0002966, WV-WV042433, WY-LV-G-21499.

3750women.

Priority Way So

1-954-390-2356

954.530.4970

help wanted

ES-2382(7C),WA-602588694/ECPROTEYH934RS, WI-City of Milwaukee: PAS-0002966, WV-WV042433, WY-LV-G-21499. 3750 Priority Way South Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46240 ©2017 DEFENDERS, Inc. Protect Your Home DF-CD-NP-Q220-FL I dba specialize in male body grooming and Brazilian waxing. I can either trim, shave, wax or sugar. I have a private studio where I also do specialty BEST PLACE TO WORK IN TOWN HELP WANTED - High volume restaurant looking facials which include back and buttocks facials.

- CASTELLI REAL ESTATE is seeking for talented & highly motivated line cooks for ALL 3 Come treat yourself for a relaxing facial and get a receptionist to work full time. Email: SHIFTS. Must be able to flip eggs in a pan and have silky smooth skin at the same time. Check out my rwhitmore@castellihomes.com for more reliable transportation. Able to start training the day website for more info. www.waxiitaxi.com or you can details if interested. after being hired. Apply in person at Courtyard Cafe, book online at WaxiiTaxi.Booksy.com IG: @waxiitaxi 2211 Wilton Drive (NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE) Facebook.com/waxiitaxi. Kurt Ruback: 561-956-0626 or by email: bumbieee3@aol.com. Please have breakfast experience. Long term employment offered.

New Locations Opening of Emerald Elite Home Health Care & LGBT Senior Care, who specialize in providing male caregivers, is seeking Companions & Home Health Aides for our LGBT Senior clients in the Broward & Palm Beach areas. No experience necessary. Compensation is $12-$15/hr. Please apply online at www.emeraldelitecare.com/apply

WWW.SFGN.GUIDE

The Grand Resort and Spa has an opening for an overnight Guest Service Associate. Applicants must be available to work from Midnight – 8 AM. FT Hospitality experience is a plus. No phone calls or walk-ins, please. Please submit resume to: jobs@ thegrandresortandspa.com DRIVER WANTED - Seeking someone to drive to my house in Upstate NY at the end of the month.

Will compensate and cover gas, mileage, etc. If interested contact Mickey at 954-661-9654

WWW.SFGN.GUIDE 38

• 9. 30.2021

rental wilton manors

FOR RENT - This residence is attached to a duplex and features a private patio entranceway. The common area includes a lush courtyard with a naturally shaded tree canopy. This Pet-Friendly residence is located in a quiet neighborhood setting within walking distance to Wilton Manors Drive. Included are two parking spots. Also included with rent are water/septic utilities, central AC, and trash/recycling services. The renter is only responsible for electricity.

Photos are available on Zillow/Redfin: 225 NW 23rd St, Wilton Manors, 33311. Flexible lease starts date as early as June 15th but no later than July 1st.

1st month/last month & security deposit required. If interested, please email: KennyWolf9@gmail.com

FEATURE PETS

WILL YOU BE MY FRIEND?

RUDY

Rudy (ID A647070) wants to be the life of the party! He is just 5 months old and anything small and can move is a toy for him. Be warned, he might also want to push things off the counter.

Rudy had a home, but his exuberant personality was too much energy for the senior cat, so now he is looking for a family he can entertain and who will entertain him as well. Do you think he is a good match for you?

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

FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED WHEN COMING TO THE SHELTER.

9. 3 0 . 20 21 •

39

2021 Honorees

Brian Christopher Harvey Milk Foundation Visibility Medal

The 6th Annual

DIVERSITY HONORS Julie Newmar DMK - Harvey Milk Foundation Icon Award

Honoring those who are transforming lives by living authentically and advancing inclusiveness.

Saturday, October 9, 2021

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood 5 pm - “The Lawyer” Movie Premiere

Q&A with the Director, Romas Zabarauskas

7 pm - Cocktail Reception | Balloon Pop Romas Zabarauskas Harvey Milk Foundation LGBT+ Champion Award

8 pm - Dinner/Awards

(Mandatory Covid-19 Rapid Testing starts at 4 pm)

CONTINUOUS OPEN BAR • SEATED DINNER LIVE ENTERTAINMENT • AWARDS PRESENTATION (Virtual Event Experience is available) Guest Host

Featured Entertainers

Jacey Birch WPLG News Anchor

Company B “Fascinated”

Richard Gray & Stacy Ritter Accepting The Pride Center at Equality Park Alan Schubert Award for Visit Lauderdale Diversity Honors Honorees

Benefitting These Organizations:

Presenting Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Diamond Sponsors

Gina Duncan

Shenika “Nik” Harris Gold Sponsors

Don’t miss the event of the year!

Anthony Karrat, Esq.

Linda Rae

DiversityHonors.org Tickets available now!