10/3/18 V9i40 by South Florida Gay News

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October 3, 2018 vol. 9 // issue 40

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October 3, 2018 • Volume 9 • Issue 40

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

Publisher • Norm Kent Norm.Kent@sfgn.com

Chief Executive Officer • Pier Angelo Guidugli piero@sfgn.com Associate Publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com

Editorial

New Vegan Bakery Coming to Wilton Manors — And The Cakes Are For Everyone

Art Director • Brendon Lies Artwork@sfgn.com Digital Content Director • Emily Bloch Webmaster@sfgn.com Copyeditor • Kerri Covington Arts/Entertainment Editor • JW Arnold JW@prdconline.com Social Media Manager • Tucker Berardi tberardi@ufl.edu Food/Travel Editor • Rick Karlin Gazette News Editor • Sallie James HIV Editor • Sean McShee Senior Photographer • J.R. Davis JRDavis12000@hotmail.com

Senior Features Correspondents Jesse Monteagudo •

Correspondents

Emily Bloch

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

weet tooths of Wilton Manors are diversity. Being raised in a family that was about to get more treats in town. And very open and welcoming to all people, no as an added bonus? No animals are matter race, ethnicity, sexuality, political harmed in the making of them. views ... that is always something I carried This fall, PAC Pastries will open at with me as I grew up and especially now 2348 Wilton Drive, between with my business.” Johnsons Fort Lauderdale and Chiavari hopes to have PAC “We are Shades of Past Antiques. The open by late October or early very excited completely vegan bakery is November and says customers owned by Shelbey Chiavari, can expect a wide range of about opening an Oakland Park resident who sweets, lattes, brunch options, our first store started PAC back in 2012. late-night hours and readyfront in Wilton The bakery — which is to-purchase cakes — and known for its doughnut holes Manors and being don’t worry, her cakes are for and cashew butter cups — has everyone. a part of this sweets available across South “I believe in treating people Florida. But this is Chiavari’s extremely diverse the way you want to be treated, first brick and mortar venture. that love is love and not being community.” “We are very excited about an ass!” she said. “We will most - Shelbey Chiavari opening our first store front certainly have something for PAC Pastries founder in Wilton Manors and being a everyone and please know, our part of this extremely diverse pastries, desserts and wedding community,” Chiavari told SFGN. “It was cakes are for everyone. All occasions and for an ideal landing spot for us because of the all love.” MEMBER

Contributing Columnists

Brian McNaught • Dana Rudolph • Ric Reily • Terri Schlichenmeyer

Not The Only Vegan In Town

Associate Photographers

This isn’t the first vegan option to join the ranks in Wilton Manors. Ice cream parlour, Wilton Creamery (2301 Wilton Drive), offers an assortment of vegan-friendly flavors and toppings. New York Grilled Cheese (2207 Wilton Drive) recently hopped on the vegan train with its Village Vegan Melt — a vegan grilled cheese featuring faux mozzarella, “meat” crumbles and sweet caremalized onions. The sandwich comes alongside a vegan mushroom bisque. The late-night spot has also added vegan poutine to its menu. La Mexicana Tapas (2430 NE 13th Avenue) offers a vegan taco with tofu and pineapple and one of the newest offerings on the block, GREEN Kafe (2400 Wilton Drive), opened a few months ago. The cafe offers noodle bowls, juices, sandwiches and spring rolls.

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PAC Pastries is set to open this fall and is located at 2348 Wilton Drive. For more information, follow them at www.Facebook.com/pacpastries.

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NLGJA Journalist of the Year South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs. Copyright © 2018 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

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DEAR HIV, ’ WE DIDN T GIVE UP. XOXO, SCIENCE There is no cure, but science is still in the battle against HIV. Today’s HIV treatments may help you get to undetectable. That means the amount of virus is so low it can’t be measured in lab tests. Ask your healthcare provider about HIV and treatment options.

Learn about an HIV-1 treatment option at

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NEWS online

Action Online

Don't miss the

A new State Department policy that will require partners of foreign mission personnel and international organization employees to be married in order to qualify for diplomatic visas has sparked concern among LGBTI rights advocates.

Advocates Express Concern Over New State Dept. Diplomatic Visa Policy

Court: Fight Can Proceed Over ‘Bathroom Bill’ Replacement

Photo: Alberto Mier, CNN.

National LGBT Veterans Memorial Stalled Due to Lack of Funds

A rendering of the planned LGBT memorial at Congressional Cemetery. (Image courtesy Congressional Cemetery)

Columbia Mother Fights Bullying After Gay Son Commits Suicide

Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers

‘Looking’ Star Russell Tovey Defends Straight Actor Playing Disney’s First Gay Character

6. Dominican Republic Celebrates Caribbean Pride 7. Gay Zimbabwe Teacher Comes Out, Resigns Under Pressure 8. Nobel Prizes Still Struggle with Wide Gender Disparity 9. India Strikes Down Sexist Adultery Law: ‘Husband is Not the Master of the Wife’ 10. Reaching the LGBTQ Community through Music-Based Addiction Treatment

Visit SFGN.com to stay up to date on all the news across the web! Twitter.com/SFGN

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LGBTQIA bites Lesbian

Church Becomes LGBT-Inclusive Due to Teen Member’s Suicide, some Attendants Angry A church in Manchester, England has become LGBT-inclusive four years after the suicide of a 14-year-old member, but some are leaving the church. Lizzie Lowe, who thought she might be a lesbian, killed herself in 2014 out of fear that the St. James and Emmanuel church would not accept her. The church has recently been accepting those in samesex relationships and attending gay pride events in honor of Lowe, but about 25 congregants have left in protest, telling church leaders that they’re going to hell for their decision. The church said it’s always been welcoming, but that it didn’t mention LGBT issues publicly out of fear of “stirring up a hornet’s nest” — something it now regrets, reported the Washington Blade. Bishop of Manchester and Rev. David Walker believes that churches underneath the Church of England

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Lizzie Lowe.

umbrella need to start demonstrating acceptance. “What we can do in Manchester will show churches across the country and not just in the Church of England what inclusivity means, how you can really make something of it,” he said.

By Hope Benson Intersex

Intersex Passport Applicant Supported by Judge For the Second Time In a four-year legal battle with the government to get their gender listed on their passport as “x,” an intersex plaintiff’s argument has been supported by a federal judge — for the second time. Associate Director of Organization Intersex International Dana Zzyym applied for a passport in 2014 to attend a conference in Mexico City. Their passport application was denied by the State Department on the basis that the government could not fill their gender in as “x.” Judge R. Brooke Jackson ruled in Zzyym’s favor in 2016, but the government appealed, and the case reopened in 2017 when they were again denied a passport — where Brooke would vouch for them a second time. “I’m not going to lie on my passport application, I shouldn’t have to,” Zzyym said in a press release. “[It’s] a critical identity document that I need to do my job and advocate for the rights of intersex

Dana Zzyym. Photo via Facebook.

people both in the United States and abroad.” The State Department is currently looking over the ruling and deciding on the next steps, reported the Washington Blade.

LGBTQIA bites

Transgender

U.K. Girlguiding Leaders Defend Transgender Inclusion The top leaders of Britain’s Girl Guides, similar to Girl Scouts, released a letter to their members defending the new transgender-inclusive policy. The statement follows the expulsion of two volunteers from the organization after they protested the policy. One of the two, Helen Watts, said that girls should have a right to “female-only spaces” when it comes to bathrooms, showers, and sleeping accommodations. “It’s about putting girls at the center and making sure that if girls would prefer to have a single sex space they have that choice without the fear of themselves being labelled bigots,” she said, reported the BBC. Girlguiding’s chief guide Amanda Melder and acting chief executive Ruth Marvel disagree. “In the last few days you may have seen that Girlguiding’s equality and diversity policy has been criticised in the media,

Photo via the World Association of Girl Guides & Girl Scouts.

with accusations that our inclusion of trans members puts girls at risk. It does not,” they said in the letter. “Simply being transgender does not make someone more of a safeguarding risk than any other person.”

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A next step for adults with HIV who have been undetectable* for at least six months. *Undetectable means keeping the amount of HIV in the blood at very low levels (less than 50 copies per mL).

IMPORTANT FACTS This is only a brief summary of important information about JULUCA and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and treatment. About JULUCA • JULUCA is a prescription medicine that is used without other antiretroviral medicines to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) infection in adults to replace their current anti-HIV-1 medicines when their healthcare provider determines that they meet certain requirements. • HIV-1 is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). • It is not known if JULUCA is safe and effective in children. How to take JULUCA • Take JULUCA 1 time a day exactly as your healthcare provider tells you. • Always take JULUCA with a meal. A protein drink alone does not replace a meal. Do not take JULUCA if you • have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine that contains dolutegravir or rilpivirine. • are taking any of the following medicines: dofetilide; carbamazepine; oxcarbazepine; phenobarbital; phenytoin; rifampin; rifapentine; proton pump inhibitors (including esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole sodium, rabeprazole); St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum); or more than 1 dose of the steroid medicine dexamethasone or dexamethasone sodium phosphate. Before taking JULUCA Tell your healthcare provider if you: • have ever had a severe skin rash or an allergic reaction to medicines that contain dolutegravir or rilpivirine. • have or have had liver problems, including hepatitis B or C infection. • have ever had a mental health problem. • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if JULUCA will harm your unborn baby. • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take JULUCA. You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. It is not known if JULUCA can pass to your baby in your breast milk. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with JULUCA. • Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Possible side effects of JULUCA JULUCA can cause serious side effects, including: • Severe skin rash and allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a rash with JULUCA. Stop taking JULUCA and get medical help right away if you develop a rash with any of the following signs or symptoms: fever; generally ill feeling; tiredness; muscle or joint aches; blisters or sores in mouth; blisters or peeling of the skin; redness or swelling of the eyes; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; problems breathing. • Liver problems. People with a history of hepatitis B or C virus who have certain liver function test changes may have an increased risk of developing new or worsening changes in certain liver tests during treatment with JULUCA. Liver problems, including liver failure, have also happened in people without history of liver disease or other risk factors. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your liver function. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following signs or symptoms of liver problems: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice); dark or “tea-colored” urine; light-colored stools (bowel movements); nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area. • Depression or mood changes. Tell your healthcare provider right away or get medical help if you have any of the following symptoms: feeling sad or hopeless; feeling anxious or restless; have thoughts of hurting yourself (suicide) or have tried to hurt yourself. The most common side effects of JULUCA include: diarrhea and headache. These are not all the possible side effects of JULUCA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking JULUCA. You may report side effects to FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Please see Important Facts about JULUCA continued on the next page. ViiV Healthcare, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Trademark is owned by or licensed to the ViiV Healthcare group of companies. ©2017 ViiV Healthcare group of companies or its licensor. December 2017 JLC:2PIL ©2018 ViiV Healthcare group of companies or its licensor. Printed in USA. 1006113R0 June 2018

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Rodney†

Undetectable since 2008

My doctor and I are proud of how far I’ve come. Now, I want to ask about staying undetectable with fewer medicines in my HIV pill. I started treating my HIV and reached an undetectable viral load. And whenever I become aware of other treatment options, I talk to my doctor. Here’s what I learned about JULUCA:

JULUCA is the only once-daily complete HIV-1 regimen that combines 2 medicines in just 1 pill.

Ask your doctor about JULUCA. Learn more at JULUCA.com IMPORTANT FACTS (cont’d) Get more information • This is only a brief summary of important information about JULUCA. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. • Go to JULUCA.com or call 1-877-844-8872, where you can also get FDA-approved labeling. Rodney is a real patient with HIV paid by ViiV Healthcare.

†

10.3.2018 •

news international

By Hope Benson

Around the World

Exploring LGBT News Events Across the Globe

Caribbean

ASIA

Jamaican City Montego Bay to Host Fourth Pride

Gay Teacher Sues School That Fired Him in China

Monetgo Bay in Jamaica will host their fourth Pride event with an anticipated 2,000 attendees, which will include a week of activities from film festivals to social justice programs. LGBT rights are shaky in Jamaica — gay sex is illegal and punishable by up to 10 years in prison, but sex between two women is legal. Some LGBT youth live in sewers after being rejected by their families, and a gay man was stoned to death in 2015, reported NowNowNext. Montego Bay Pride started in 2014 to build a sense of celebration and community among the nearby LGBT population. “The challenge in any society with accepting or understanding LGBT people is that they only hear one side of the story. That’s what is preached by the

churches that we are all paedophiles and all these ridiculous things,” Montego Bay Pride organizer Maurice Tomlinson said to Jamaica Star. “We are actually members of your society. We are your brothers, your sisters, your doctors, your nurses, whatever. We are there.”

A gay kindergarten teacher in China was fired after making a social media post about an LGBT pride event he attended, but he isn’t going down without a lawsuit. The anonymous man said the school principal told him that parents may not like their children being taught by a gay man, which made him feel “grave apprehension” for the way Chinese youth are being raised against the LGBT community. He was fired without receiving pay for his 10 percent stake in the school, and is suing to be reimbursed and rehired, he told Reuters. His lawyer, Tang Xiangqian, said this case is the first of its kind in China. “The main reason we filed this case is not just as a labor dispute but to make the gay community more visible to a

wider group of people. To let more people realize that they can easily be victims of discrimination,” he said.

MIDDLE EAST

EUROPE

Egyptian Filmmaker Makes LGBT Movies — And Shows Them In Secret

Italian Court Accepts U.S. Lesbian Couple’s Adoption

Egyptian filmmaker Sam Abbas has recently kick-started a production company named ArabQ Films, where he makes movies with LGBT themes. His newest movie is “The Wedding,” which is about a secretly gay man marrying a woman. It will be screened in select theatres in the U.S. this December, but will also be airing in Egypt itself, where the screenings are in secret and only accessible through invitation to protect the viewers. “The Middle East, especially Egypt, is not LGBTQ friendly,” Abbas told Reuters. “It is so bad that you can get targeted for just being friends with, or associated with the LGBTQ community.” Homosexuality isn’t explicitly illegal in Egypt, but is targeted under antidebauchery laws. Any solidarity with

Pride Toronto showing support for the upcoming Montego Bay Pride. Photo via Facebook.

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Sam Abbas.

the community is discouraged — dozens of people were detained after raising a rainbow flag during a rock concert last year. “The film to me, more than anything, is about repression and alienation… hopefully it will show individuals of the community that they are not alone,” Abbas said.

A lesbian couple’s U.S. adoption has been recognized in Italy after being rejected by the Bologna City Council and Italy’s Interior Ministry. The couple have two children that were conceived through artificial insemination, and are each the biological parent of one and the adoptive parent of the other. The adoption was legalized in Oregon during 2004, but they ran into problems transferring the status when they moved to Italy, where it was rejected due to Italian law not recognizing stepchild adoption by same-sex couples. The case opened in 2014, and the Cirinnà bill passed in 2016, which gave same-sex partners similar rights to traditionally married couples, but didn’t allow adoption. It was only in 2017 that same-sex couples were able to legally

adopt non-biological children. Claudio Pezzi, the couple’s lawyer, said the ruling represented “another important step in the struggle to affirm the rights of minors and homosexual couples in our country, reaffirming, among other things, the important principle of opening up our system to an international dimension.”

10.3.2018 â&#x20AC;¢

NEWS state

Leather Days at Disney The kink community plans fourth annual ‘Disney Leather Incursion’ for early November Damon Scott

irk Rubén knows how to have a good time, and he knows how to do it while wearing leather.

“People plan their vacations around it. It’s a perfect time of year to be in Orlando. The weather is cooler and you can wear leather gear to the parks,” Rubén said. Rubén encourages people to wear their leather clothing. After all, he’s a part-time rodeo cowboy “But it needs to remain family friendly,” he and was Mr. Ramrod 2013 Fort Lauderdale. said. “No hoods or masks allowed. Leave the The Wilton Manors resident is also a retired, floggers and bondage equipment at the hotel professional classical ballet dancer and travels for after hours. We encourage people to have to different locations to teach kink and fetish a really good PG-fun time.” workshops. Rubén will be wearing his leather kilt, What all that means is – of course he’s “because it’s very comfortable,” and his title the organizing force behind the “4th Annual vest. Disney Leather Incursion,” whipping its way Those who join the fun can expect to visit to Orlando in early November. three different parks together His friend and “title brother,” as a group – Magic Kingdom Phoenix Pendragon, also (Nov. 2); Epcot (Nov. 3); and helps Rubén with the event. Animal Kingdom (Nov. 4). Pendragon knows a thing or Rubén’s trying to get a group two about leather himself; he’s rate at the Courtyard Orlando Central Florida Leatherman Lake Buena Vista at Vista 2014. Centre, located at 8501 Palm Rubén calls the gathering a Parkway. It’s a short distance “leather version of Gay Days from Disney Springs and the at Disney.” Gay Days at Walt Disney theme parks. Disney World is held every However, Rubén said people June and has become one of are free to stay where they the biggest Pride-style events want, as there’s no official host for LGBT individuals and allies. hotel. Rubén’s event is scheduled Which brings up another to be held from November 2 point he stresses firmly: The through November 4. event is “not an official Disney “Incursion is a way for event and isn’t sponsored or leather folk and leather friends endorsed by the company or to socialize outside of the bar any Disney affiliation.” But and contest environment,” there’s no disclaimer on the Rubén said, stressing that the fun he expects to have with his - Kirk Rubén gathering is a very casual one. Organizer of the Disney fellow “incursioners.” Leather Incursion “We just have a very fun-filled A typical day starts around weekend of camaraderie.” 10 a.m. for a group photo, The first three incarnations drew between followed by time at one of the designated 20 and 50 people, he said. Ages ranged from parks and then a meet-up for lunch. Then the 20s into the 60s. around 3 p.m. the group will meet up at Attendees are mostly from South Florida, another location (maybe at a ride or certain but Rubén already expects people this year show) followed by a later meet up for dinner. from as far away as Missouri and California. People post what they are planning to do on His long-term hope is that the event will grow the group’s Facebook page. among leather, kink and fetish aficionados “Nobody’s pressured into having to do one and become an annual tradition. thing or the other. Or to come for all three

“But it needs to remain family friendly... Leave the floggers and bondage equipment at the hotel for after hours.”

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days,” Rubén said. “We just try to be the ringleaders.” The Incursion coincides with the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which is currently running through November 12. “So if you’re a foodie, this is not to be missed,” Rubén said. Rubén has created a Facebook group –

search “Annual Leather Incursion” – for those who are interested in more information and updates. “It will be a fun-filled weekend of magical memories and bonding with other wonderful leather and kink folk. It’s a casual event – no contests, no drama – just joy and memories of a lifetime,” Rubén said.

NEWS miami-dade

 Madeline Fernandez and Karen Larrea.

Hialeah Hosts First Pride Festival on Sunday Damon Scott

adeline Fernandez and Karen Larrea are bringing a new Pride to South Florida. They have organized a first of its kind on October 7 – Hialeah Pride – to be held at Historic Hialeah Park. The two lesbians and cofounders say Hialeah Pride is “the next step for equality in South Florida that began with the march in 1977 on the streets of Coconut Grove.” SFGN asked the duo, who met each other working at events, why they chose Hialeah and what attendees can expect.

Tell us a little bit about your backgrounds. Larrea: I was raised in South Florida and live in Broward. I have a background in marketing and events, such as Aqua Girl in Miami. I often book the talent, negotiate contracts and have done that for years. I was the talent director for the [Club Skirts] Dinah Shore Weekend in Palm Springs, [California]. I’ve done different events around the country working with promoters. Fernandez: I was born in Miami Beach and raised in Hialeah and moved when I was 21. My parents are still there. I’ve never said my legal name in public, but I’m DJ Citizen Jane. I’m one of the most indemand DJs in the LGBT community and around the world. I do most of the biggest Pride events – Sydney, New York City. My home base is Miami and I’ve been DJing since the 1990s. You have a direct connection with Hialeah then. Fernandez: It’s always been a passion of mine to do something for the LGBT community there, because Hialeah, being a conservative community, when I first came out, I didn’t feel like it was a safe place to come out as a lesbian. I know there’s a huge LGBT community in Hialeah and I want to break a barrier there. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for many years. How will Hialeah Pride be different, besides its location? Fernandez: I believe it’s needed because Miami has its beaches, everyone has

a thing. We will be very inclusive. There will be no segregation as far as – there’s a women’s tent, transgender [people] are over there – we will be an all-in-one human family all together. Larrea: That’s what we feel is right for our Pride. There is nothing wrong with the others.

Anything else you’d like our readers to know? Larrea: As part of the event we will be sponsoring scholarships for LGBTQ youth within Hialeah schools. Youth and community is a huge mission of ours. And it’s all about making history. It’s two women who have founded this Pride. We love our boys and our committee has bi, trans, women, gay men – what are they lacking, what do they want? And our straight allies. It’s about being all-inclusive. Fernandez: From traveling I’ve done so many Prides where it’s very open and where it’s not as open. At smaller Prides they are so much more appreciative of the support. Florida really isn’t that open: there is still a lot of room to grow.

For more email info@hialeahpride.com or visit HialeahPride.com.

Fernandez: Yeah, there’s nothing bad to say about other Prides. We just want to do this a little bit different and be great and special as one. We will have artists and talent, trans, gay men, lesbians, queer, all the letters on the main stage. You’ve said Hialeah Pride is the next step for equality in South Florida. What do you mean? Larrea: Equality is across the board. All the letters for us are equal and all the letters matter. In our community some of the letters can seem more important than others. We are including our straight allies as well. Fernandez: Nothing like this has been done in the past. We believe this is breaking ground and it’s going to make history. The city is fully onboard and the mayor is super excited – he thinks it’s great. Hialeah Park thinks it’s amazing and is onboard and ecstatic. Larrea: Everyone that we have said this to, including other presidents of the Pride boards, have wondered why it hasn’t happened before. We are opening lines and educating people. Businesses are super excited and completely onboard.

10.3.2018 •

NEWS national

SCOTUS Will Take On Some Important

LGBT-Related Cases This Term “…this session could be one of the busiest in history for LGBT-related concerns” Lisa Keen

Keen News Service

ases before the U.S. Supreme Court seem almost like an afterthought after last week’s political slugfest over the confirmation process for President Trump’s second nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh. But there are several cases before the high court that are of great importance to the LGBT community as the high court began its 2018-2019 session this week. In fact, this session could be one of the busiest in history for LGBT-related concerns.

At least three cases appealed to the Supreme Court ask whether existing federal law protects LGBT people from employment discrimination and a fourth one is on the way; at least four cases could revisit the question of whether a business person can cite their religious beliefs to violate state law prohibiting discrimination against LGBT people; and three lawsuits challenging President Trump’s ban on transgender people in the military could wind their ways up to the high court this session. Employment cases The Supreme Court had three LGBT-related employment cases on its list of potential appeals so far this session. Two were on the agenda for the justices’ September 24 conference but were “rescheduled” for an as yet unidentified date. The third has been given more time for briefs to be submitted, until October 24. Altitude Express v. Zarda (from the Second Circuit) asks whether Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act – which prohibits employment discrimination “because of… sex” – covers discrimination because of sexual orientation. The Second Circuit ruled that Title VII does cover discrimination

because of sexual orientation. The employer has appealed to the Supreme Court. The case involves a recreational parachuting company that fired one of its trainers, David Zarda, after learning he was gay. Zarda died before his lawsuit could be resolved but his sister has pursued his claim. The Second Circuit covers New York, Connecticut, and Vermont. Only one other circuit (the Seventh, which includes Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin) has made a similar ruling (in Hively v. IvyTech). Bostock v. Clayton County (from the 11th Circuit), similar to Altitude Express, asks whether Title VII can prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. The difference is that, in Altitude Express, the employee won the lower court decision and, in Horton, the employer won. So while LGBT people in New York, Connecticut, and Vermont (and the Seventh Circuit states) can seek protection under Title VII, LGBT people in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama cannot. This split in the circuits makes it more probable that the Supreme Court will get involved. In this case, a child services coordinator for 10 years for Clayton County, Georgia, was fired for alleged mismanagement after his supervisor learned he played in a gay softball league. Harris Funeral v. EEOC (from the 6th

The Supreme Court had three LGBT-related employment cases on its list of potential appeals so far this session. 14

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The Roberts Court (April 2017–July 2018). Front row (left to right): Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Anthony Kennedy (Retired July 31, 2018), John Roberts (Chief Justice), Clarence Thomas, and Stephen Breyer. Back row (left to right): Elena Kagan, Samuel A. Alito, Sonia Sotomayor, and Neil Gorsuch. Photo: Franz Jantzen, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States

Circuit) asks whether Title VII’s “because …of sex” language covers discrimination because of gender identity and whether another federal law, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) provides an exemption from Title VII if the employer claims the discrimination is based on religious beliefs. The Sixth Circuit ruled that Title VII does protect transgender employees and that the religious beliefs of the employer were not “substantially burdened” by complying with Title VII. The case involved a funeral home that fired a long-time employee after the employee began transitioning. The employee, Aimee Stephens, first took her complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which ruled in her favor. At least one more Title VII-sexual orientation case is pending in lower courts: In the Eighth Circuit, Lambda Legal has Horton v. Midwest Geriatric.

Public accommodations cases The last Supreme Court session essentially balked at ruling on a case about whether a business can refuse to serve customers because of their sexual orientation. The case was Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado. By dispensing with the case on procedural grounds, it put the issue off to another day. That day may come this session, and there are several cases that might provide the opportunity. Aloha Bed & Breakfast v. Cervelli (Hawaii Supreme Court): This case, which has until mid-October to file an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court, asks whether the operator of a bed and breakfast can refuse to rent rooms to guests based on their sexual orientation. A state appeals court said no; the Hawaii Supreme Court refused further appeal. The Aloha B&B offers guest rooms for rent in a

NEWS national residential section of Oahu that includes a bay popular for snorkeling. A lesbian couple from California sought to rent a room there because they were visiting friends nearby. When Diane Cervelli called the B&B to make the reservation and mentioned her partner’s name, the operator of the B&B asked whether the two women were lesbians. Cervelli answered yes. The B&B operator said, “We’re strong Christians. I’m very uncomfortable in accepting the reservation from you,” and hung up. Lambda Legal helped the couple file suit, and the state courts found the operator violated the state law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in public accommodations. The B&B argued that, because it operates out of the owner’s personal residence, it should not be subject to the public accommodations law. And it argued that the nondiscrimination law violated the owner’s right to free exercise of religion. But the state courts said that, if the B&B is open to the public, it must abide by the state law governing public accommodations. And the courts said the state non-discrimination law was neutral on the matter of religion and does not interfere in a substantial way with the owner’s religious exercise. At least three other cases testing the strength of non-discrimination laws against the claims of religious exercise are making their ways through state courts at the

moment in Washington State, Oregon, and Colorado. Each involves a bakery refusing to sell a cake to a person because the person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The Colorado case involves the Masterpiece Cakeshop that won a temporary reprieve from a Supreme Court ruling this year that found the state human rights commission had demonstrated hostility for baker Jack Phillips’ claim that religious beliefs prompted him to refuse to sell a cake for a same-sex couple’s wedding reception. The current lawsuit against him is for refusing to sell an attorney, Autumn Scardina, a cake to celebrate her birthday and anniversary of coming out as transgender. Importantly, Scardina did not ask for the cake to include any message – just that it be pink on the inside and blue on the outside. Phillips refused, saying his religious beliefs prevented him from doing so. The Colorado Civil Rights Commission has ruled Phillips to be in violation of state discrimination laws. The Alliance Defending Freedom, the anti-LGBT group that represented Phillips in his first case, has once again filed a federal lawsuit (Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Elenis on August 14), claiming the Commission is exhibiting hostility to Phillips’ religious beliefs. Parties are due before a magistrate on October 24.

The state courts said that, if the B&B is open to the public, it must abide by the state law governing public accommodations.

Protests outside the Supreme Court in Dec. 2017. Photo via ACLU, Facebook.

request, noting the Ninth Circuit had granted the stay. In U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, a judge has ruled that a challenge brought by the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders may go forward (Jane Doe v. Trump). And in U.S. District Court for Maryland, the ACLU has a challenge, Stone v. Trump. The lawsuits argue that the proposed ban would violate the rights to equal protection and due process for existing and prospective transgender members of the military.

Discrimination in education A former student at the University of North Carolina has filed a petition with the Supreme Court, asking whether the school may have violated Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act, which prohibits discrimination based on gender. Kenda Kirby, now living in Oklahoma, wrote the petition herself and says her former school took adverse action against her after she attended a “gay rights rally” and supported Democrat Hillary Clinton for president.

Transgender people in the military At least three lawsuits are challenging whether President Trump’s 2017 directive against allowing transgender people to serve in the military can stand. Three federal district courts have blocked the administration from implementing the ban, and the Trump administration has reworded its ban in an effort to make it more palatable to the courts. But opponents say it’s still a ban on transgender people serving in the military. All three cases are in federal district court and, thus, may not make it through the appellate courts in time to reach the U.S. Supreme Court this session. However, the Trump administration made an appeal to the Supreme Court on one case already: Karnowski v. Trump, brought by Lambda Legal. In mid-September the administration asked the Supreme Court to stay an order of the U.S. District Court in Washington State that the Trump administration produce documents related to “presidential communication” related to development of the ban. One day later, it withdrew the 10.3.2018 •

Publisher's Editorial

Convictions

Mirror, Mirror, is in your Halls Norm Kent

norm.kent@sfgn.com x

his week, SFGN is proud to share with you the release and publication of our Fall Mirror, the arts and entertainment edition, featuring Sir Elton John on the cover. An internationally renowned gay icon, John has launched a farewell tour, which will take him to five continents over a three year span. He is definitely more of an optimist than me. I hope I can live that long. I have had a rough year. I don’t even buy green bananas. Anyway, John is coming to South Florida on Friday and Saturday, November 23 and 24, and I will be sure to be there, God willing. Well, you know what they say: “You want to make God laugh, tell her your plans.” No, I am not a pessimist. The truth is anyone who can laugh at themselves will never cease to be amused. From features on shows, producers, and the arts, to a wealth of promotions illuminating the South Florida theatrical scene, it’s a stunning, spectacular, and special issue. There is a historical piece on the origins of the Mattachine Society, our earliest crusaders for the rights of queer America. There is another very modern piece

on the tech craze amongst lesbians, and a news feature about how Judy Garland’s ruby slippers were lost and recovered. You can’t be everything to everybody, but this arts and entertainment issue of the Mirror has a little something for everyone. As you might expect, we have style and fashion, home and garden, and what’s hot around town. But I think there are artist spotlights and personality profiles as well. Even the advertisements in the Mirror are cutting edge. Instead of just an employment ad, the Broward Sheriff’s office profiles a popular gay sergeant, Josh Sapp, whose dream it always was to be a law enforcement officer. I see that our friends Dr. Cunningham and Gottardi are now offering Botox, which you might need if you spend your Sundays having brunch from the 24 home made items at the Grille on the Drive. I have to tell you about my favorite ad, though. It’s on page 20, a half page, and it showcases the astounding Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts on South Federal Highway in Dania Beach, just south of the airport. This month, it features Florida’s Museum of Ceramic & Glass Art, displaying Royal Dalton, Lalique, Moorcraft and Fairyland, amongst other favorites. It is all a part of the Gallery of Amazing Things, a great place to hold an event. Certainly not grandma’s banquet hall, this is a venue with 40,000 square feet of flexible space on two floors that can accommodate up to 800 guests. The establishment features an eclectic display, guaranteed to make your experience a most memorable one. You can run a corporate gala or host a wedding. Check it out. It goes by the name of WMODA, and has been awarded the 2018 Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor. So it is a great issue of the Mirror, whether you are reading J.W. Arnold’s feature on Del Shores, the creator of “Sordid Lives,” or

Yes, this month’s Mirror has something for everyone, even a homeowner whose roof leaks.

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attending the December 8-9 Parker Playhouse showing of “L’illusion du Plumage.” I am thrilled to be able to promote the Palm Beach Symphony’s Sapphire Season and The Center of It All for Art, Culture, and Learning in Boca Raton. Leonard Bernstein is the season opener of Master Chorale of South Florida, and Vivaldi’s Gloria will be presented by the Nova Southeastern University singers right after Thanksgiving. Yes, this month’s Mirror has something for everyone, even a homeowner whose roof leaks. It’s time to call Joe Festa at A & A Roofing. Oh, and I do mean everything. Once again, our friend Dr. Victor Loria, a renowned

cosmetic surgeon, is offering his service, confidentially and sensitively, of course, for you to get a bigger and better penis this fall. Don’t laugh. Dr. Loria and his practice have helped thousands of patients over the years safely increase their size and improve their self esteem. That about wraps it up for this shameless self-promotion. But I am not boasting. I am really proud that our LGBT community has enabled our staff to create such a powerful book, bold with content, ripe with color, reflecting our lives as we live them. And that is why we call it the Mirror. Enjoy it. Around town everywhere.

10.3.2018 â&#x20AC;¢

FAITH & PRIDE spirituality

SPIRITUAL LISTINGS spirituality

SouthFloridaGayNews.com

St. Nicholas Episcopal Church 1111 E. Sample Road, Pompano Beach (954)942-5887 - stnicholasfl.org office@stnicholasfl.org Service Times: Sundays 8:00AM & 10:30AM (9:30AM only from Memorial Day through Labor Day) United Church of Christ Fort Lauderdale 2501 NE 30th Street, Ft. Lauderdale (954)563-4271 - uccftl.org revpatrickrogers@gmail.com Service Times: Thursdays 10:30AM (Elliot Hall) & Sundays 10:30AM (Sanctuary)

Correction: Last week’s Faith & Pride Spirituality letter on behalf of Holy Angels Catholic Community was written by Fr. Jamie Forsythe, Pastor at Holy Angels National Catholic Church.

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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 8pm Holy Angels Catholic Community 2917 NE 6th Avenue Wilton Manors, FL 33334 954-633-2987 - HolyAngelsFL.net Sunday Mass at 11AM St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 1750 East Oakland Park Blvd, Ft. Lauderdale 954-563-5155 - saintmarksftl.com info@saintmarks.com Sundays: 8:00 a.m - HE Rite I, 10:00 a.m. - HE Rite II

FAITH & PRIDE spirituality

Faith and love separate no more

A LITTLE BIT OF FAITH AND

PRIDE

Norm Kent

norm.kent@sfgn.com

FGN welcomes you back to its unique section on spirituality and religion. For years, our community was presented to the mainstream media as hedonistic and self-indulgent. Let’s face it though, we did not always help our cause. Our voices were often heard and seen only in a plethora of bar guides and night club magazines that showcased bare chested men at pool parties holding up alcoholic drinks. Over the years though, SFGN has illuminated the lives of gay men and women with their clothes on, at work, in the community, as realtors and lawyers, dentists and electricians, artists and entrepreneurs. Limited only by the boundaries of our imaginations, gays and lesbians have been part of our community in all walks of life. We are everywhere, some places showcased more than others. Today, SFGN shares a venue we have been profiled in too infrequently. Our faith and spirituality, our conscience and our character have been too often ignored, not

ALL ARE WELCOME

only by the mainstream community, but even here on the pages of SFGN. The truth is more copies of SFGN are picked up every week at the Sunshine Cathedral than at the Alibi. The fact is we find sanctuary and comfort on Sundays not only in softball games at Mills Pond Park but at spiritual centers we don’t always write about. When the pages of our time here on Earth are written, we will have been young and old, spanned decades, not just days. Our lives will be marked not just by looking good on the outside, but how we have felt on the inside. When you can find the harmony within your soul, you will always be able to govern the chaos around it. You know that in our heart of hearts, our lives go beyond self indulgent parties and hedonistic parades. You know that there is a core and a center that gives you purpose and a foundation. SFGN is proud to publish and share with you a few pages which address that part of our lives too often unwritten, too casually ignored. We will do better going forward.

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

SEE MORE ONLINE AT SFGN.COM/TABLE/NEWS/RELIGION

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column letters to the editor

The Hell Department

Access to lifesaving HIV medications is a real problem here in Broward. We must find a better way.

irectly across the street from Lauderdale Memorial Park, 3.5 miles from where the majority of those who are HIV positive reside, lies the Broward County Health Department. Many have dubbed it the Hell Department because of how difficult it has become to maintain their drug regimen due to the state requirement for those on ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program) to travel to pick up their medications every thirty days at that location or one at equal distance in Pompano Beach. ADAP helps those with little to no income access lifesaving medication for free, or a low affordable cost. It is a service that has been available since 1987 and one that should not be taken for granted. However, in South Florida, picking up these medications is not the easiest of processes. The majority of those that are HIV positive and on ADAP in Broward County live in or near Wilton Manors. Many of those patients do not own a vehicle to travel once a month to pick up their medication. By bus with one transfer it can take up to two hours travel time and then possibly the same amount of time home -- an all day affair, once a month. If you bring a bicycle to cut down on time and

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Dorothy who lives in Port Saint Lucie travels nearly two hours sometimes once every two weeks to pick up medication for her daughter who is currently living with her.

the bicycle rack is full, you may have to wait nearly an hour for another chance at getting a ride. Public transportation is known for being pretty inconsistent to begin with. In the summer it is not a viable option to ride a bicycle from Wilton Manors to State Road 84. If you are fortunate enough to have someone drive you to one of the locations, it would still be about a 30 minute to 1 hour drive depending on traffic. Uber is always an option except for those on a tight budget. It can be very frustrating and a deciding factor for those that might be on the fence with taking their medications. Pete Povoli, the Managed Care Specialist at AHF on Oakland Park Boulevard explained that, “unfortunately this type of thing happens every day and people miss picking up their medication.” Povoli mentioned that a recent patient who lives in Hallandale, “now has 49 T Cells (full blown AIDS) due to not having transportation to keep up with

the requirements to stay successful with her treatment and cannot travel the distance to pick up her medication.” Another problem he mentioned was that, “patients today who are working to make ends meet sometimes have their ADAP expire. There are too many departments and Ryan White A/B should be combined to make it easier for the patient. Many stop taking the medications because the whole system is overwhelming for those who are dealing with dual diagnoses like depression and other mental health illnesses.” For Brian who is 35 and living with HIV, it took him nearly two hours to arrive at the Health Department. He traveled by bus from AHF on Oakland Park Blvd. He didn’t bother with the transfer because he didn’t know how reliable it would be so he walked the final distance and “was caught in the rain.” This being his first time picking up his medication after recently testing positive he describes the experience as, “it’s like watching paint dry.”

Dorothy who lives in Port Saint Lucie travels nearly two hours sometimes once every two weeks to pick up medication for her daughter who is currently living with her. Both Dorothy and her daughter believe the process at The Health Department is, “a pain in the butt and a major inconvenience.” ADAP saves lives and it is essential for lower income people to maintain their health, stay undetectable and not develop an opportunistic infection which could lead to serious illness or death. The requirement to travel to one of 2 locations is a burden for many and according to Povoli, “could possibly lead to one not complying with their drug regimen. Unfortunately this happens every day.” An experience at the Health Department Pharmacy can be a quick twenty minutes which includes taking a number, waiting for a droning robotic voice over the PA system to call your number, then to sit again waiting for your medication to be filled. If things don’t go the way you planned, expect 45 minutes to an hour or hours wait. The service at the Health Department Pharmacy has improved and the staff are polite and patient and do their

column letters to the editor best, but the customer satisfaction is not very high. David Poole who was Administrator of Patient Care for the Bureau of HIV/ AIDS and in charge of ADAP/Ryan White (1993 2005) and now is AIDS Healthcare Foundation Director of Legislative Affairs Southern Bureau regrets that during his time in Tallahassee he didn’t,”move the program forward and bring it into the 21st Century before leaving.” Poole mentioned that, “behind the scenes the Florida Department of Health are currently in the process of updating to more pharmacies, but nothing is guaranteed depending on who wins in November. I fear that it will be forgotten.” Poole goes further and points out that, “it is safe to say that whenever you limit access, the more likely you will have issues, such as new infections, and those not getting good access to their medications could be more susceptible to illness or even death.” Missing doses can lead to resistance to the medications as well which could cause them to not be effective in fighting the HIV virus. James Colonel at AHF pharmacy in Oakland Park mentioned that if you are an AHF patient and cannot make the trip to pick up your medication, he would “provide up to five days worth until they can make the trip to the Health Department.” A very recent positive development is that clients of the Health Department are now considered eligible for 90

days’ worth of medication, but as of today only 214 out of 4,617 people are enrolled. There are several strict requirements. Clients must have picked up medications in 11 of the last 12 months. They must have had at least 1 Viral Load test in the past 24 months and they must have Viral Load test results of 200 or less on all Viral Load tests covering the past 24 months/two years. This latest development, still doesn’t excuse that these medications are not available at more pharmacies throughout the state. Povoli states that only about, “a third would probably be eligible.” In other major cities like Denver, Los Angeles, NYC and Washington, DC, the medications through ADAP are available at a wide variety of pharmacies. For example, Washington, DC has over twenty-five pharmacy locations available. In Los Angeles they even give you the option of having them delivered to your doorstep. That might seem extravagant compared to Florida’s archaic system, but in South Florida it doesn’t seem unreasonable for patients to have access to their medication at their local pharmacies and it is time the system is adjusted to meet the patient’s need for better access and help more people live a healthy life.

Editorial Cartoon By Andy Marlette

John Bata Local DJ

Let your voice be heard!  Submit your own letter to Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com

Editorial Cartoon

Convictions

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history month intro

LGBT SFGN to participate in multi-newspaper history project SFGN Staff

ctober marks LGBT History Month, which was started in 1994 by a Missouri high school teacher, Rodney Wilson. He sought out other teachers and community leaders who then chose October because school was in session and it coincided with National Coming Out Day on October 11.

Photo via LGBT History Month, Facebook.

Soon enough LGBT History Month was endorsed by GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and the National Education Association. In 2006 Equality Forum took over the responsibility for providing content, promotion and resources for the month, including the website LGBThistorymonth.com which features a

different LGBT icon each day in October. SFGN will be participating in a special history project spearheaded by the Philadelphia Gay News throughout October. More than two dozen LGBT media outlets around the country will run the weekly features. One of the special features includes an article on the intersection between the Black Panthers and the gay rights movement and more. SFGN will contribute two pieces this year to the project – a deep dive into the Mattachine Society’s Dick Leitsch and a feature on the Florida Panhandle’s Emma Jones Society. “For many years the LGBT community didn’t know its own history. In many cases historians tried to censor those voices from the past,” said Mark Segal, publisher of the Philadelphia Gay News. “We’ve attempted to examine and record our history so we as a people are no longer invisible from current events to history books. All segments of the population have a past, ours has been invisible for too long.” Last year during LGBT History Month SFGN explored 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.

Our history Matters • See more articles from this month at SFGN.com/2018Historymonth

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history month the rare reporter

MatThew Shepard 20 Years Later

brutally murdered at 19, he did not die in vain; his legacy lives on and continues to inspire the LGBT community David Webb

mall, effeminate, friendly and probably gullible, the attractive blond 19-year-old teenager with the engaging smile never stood a chance when two maniacal thugs targeted him one night for robbery and worse — a crime that would rock a city, a state and the nation. October marks the 20th anniversary of and left him dying in the bitter mountain the death of Matthew Shepard, a former cold. Shepard died in a coma from brain University of Wyoming college student who injuries Oct. 12, 1998, after six days on lifebecame the face of LGBT hate crime after support. the news of his grisly murder in 1998 spread As Southern Poverty Law Center President internationally. Although he never knew Richard Cohen notes, Shepard’s death shook anything about the controversy surrounding the nation alert to the reality of anti-LGBT him in his last few last days of life, he truly hate crimes. His organization is the predid not die in vain. eminent chronicler of hate crimes and hate The City of Laramie and the University of groups in the U.S. Wyoming are preparing to commemorate “Just as the murder of Emmett Till (a the anniversary of the openly-gay college 14-year-old black youth who was pistolstudent’s death with a series of events. It whipped, mutilated and tossed in a river in will include a performance of “Considering Mississippi in 1955) awakened America to Matthew Shepard” by Grammythe reality of racial violence, so the winning choral group murder of Matthew Shepard Conspirare at Laramie awakened our country to “... The High School Theater the reality of violence murder of Oct. 6, which is the against the LGBTQ Matthew Shepard anniversary of the day community,” Cohen Shepard was found said of the importance awakened our country barely alive. of Shepard’s case. to the reality of violence In announcing the Like Till, whose against the LGBTQ plans, Laramie Mayor killers got an acquittal Andi Summerville from an all-white jury community.” said the international despite overwhelming - Richard Cohen attention drawn to evidence to the contrary President of the Southern Laramie in the wake of because he allegedly Poverty Law Center Shepard’s death “rocked insulted a white woman, this community … absolutely to Shepard in death inspired a its fundamental core.” The mayor was revolution in attitudes toward anti17 at the time of Shepard’s death, and she LGBT discrimination and violence. The described the experience of living through outrage spawned by Till’s death among that time and revisiting it today as “surreal.” blacks and sympathetic whites precipitated During the prosecutions of the two men the Montgomery, Ala., bus boycott four on murder charges, the world learned that months after his funeral. Similarly, Shepard the killers pretended to be gay in order to rob posthumously became an icon, and the Shepard. After meeting him in the college- Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. (a black town bar and enticing him to leave, the men man killed by three white supremacists in pistol-whipped him, stole his cash and credit Jasper, Texas, also in 1998) Hate Crime Act cards, tied him to a wooden pasture fence was passed by Congress in 2009.

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Matthew Shepard. Photo credit: Gina van Hoof, courtesy of the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

The Matthew Shepard Foundation with the support of his parents, Judy and Dennis, keeps the story and the lesson to be learned from his death alive today. After his murder, the Tectonic Theater Project in New York City went to Laramie to learn about the impact of the crime on the city. The group created The Laramie Project, a play about the heinous anti-LGBT hate crime. The foundation bearing the victim’s name funds the presentation of the play across America, and the nonprofit group provides ongoing media resources and other information services to combat anti-LGBT hate crimes. The group will host a gala in Denver Oct. 20 to raise funds for its work. In June, the foundation in cooperation with Miller Lite hosted an LGBT hate crimes works project in Orlando at the Parliament House in the wake of the mass shooting

at Pulse gay nightclub in March 2017 that left 49 dead and 53 injured. The foundation previously hosted similar workshops in Fort Lauderdale and Dallas. The reflections on Shepard’s death comes at an inauspicious time in American history. Despite heightened awareness about hate crimes and greater attention by law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system, the FBI documented an increase in hate crimes for 2016, the most recent year for the published results of its annual report that is released in late fall. When the FBI releases the statistics for 2017, another increase in hate crimes is expected, according to organizations researching and analyzing the activity. The Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at California State University San Bernadino is forecasting the new FBI report will reveal

history month the rare reporter

Matthew Shepard. Photo via the Matthew Shepard Foundation, Facebook.

disturbing news about a resurgence of In Charlottesville, Virginia, white violence in targeted large cities, including supremacists staged a rally Aug. 11-12, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. 2017, to protest the removal of Civil War “We have collected new police data from monuments in the South, leading to violent 2017, ahead of the FBI totals, and performed clashes that resulted in three deaths and the first analysis of that year’s hate crimes, 33 injuries. One of the white nationalists with a particular emphasis on the 10 largest drove his car into a crowd, killing a counter U.S. cities,” states the report of May 2018 protester, and two law enforcement officers overseen by Criminologist Brian Levin. “Our in a helicopter monitoring the activity died investigation found that hate crime totals for in a crash. Trump called both the white the 10 largest cities (also New York City, Los supremacists and the counter protesters Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, Chicago, San who clashed “very fine people.” Jose and Philadelphia) rose for four straight It is unlikely that anything or anyone can years to the highest level in a decade.” deter President Trump from his agenda that The center identified the most includes a daily routine of invective common hate crime categories meant to satisfy his archin its analysis as anti-Black, conservative base, including anti-Semitic, anti-LGBT those who spread the “Our investigation and anti-Latino, except most vitriolic messages found that hate crime in two cities. In New against LGBT people totals for the 10 largest York City Jews were the and other minorities. In cities... rose for four straight the wake of Shepard’s primary target while LGBT people were the death protesters from years to the highest most common victims the hate group Westboro level in a decade.” in Los Angeles. Baptist Church in Kansas - FBI Report At the same time an incredibly picketed his increase in hate crimes funeral with signs reading is happening, the Southern “Matt in Hell” and “God Hates Poverty Law Center is seeing an Fags.” increase in the number of white supremacist The commemoration of Shepard’s groups becoming active in the nation. horrific death will not soften the hearts Leaders of the groups in Alabama and of the hateful, but maybe it will kindle California agree that there appears to be another movement to help drown out the a correlation between President Trump’s voice of Trump and the hateful among his bombastic, vicious rhetoric belittling supporters. Ultimately, it will probably minorities before and after his election and require Trump being voted out of office, the growth of hate propaganda and violence. barring a successful impeachment, to A spike in hate crimes, especially targeting reverse the destructive social course the Muslims, was seen about the time of the nation seems to be following now — all 2016 election and thought to be inspired by the more reason to commit to vote in every Trump’s campaigns. election so your voice will be heard.

10.3.2018 •

history month national

LDS Ancestry Database to Add

Same-Sex Families

Victoria Kolakowski (left) and Lisa Hork Gorrell promoting the California Genealogical Society at Oakland Pride, California. Photo via Facebook.

Cynthia Laird uring Pride Month in June, LGBT people Many people do not trust online services to host their interested in family history received interesting family trees, but use them for research. Programs where news: beginning next year, the world’s largest people keep their trees on their home computers, such genealogy organization, the Church of Jesus Christ of as Family Tree Maker, RootsMagic, and Legacy, try to Latter-day Saints, will release a redesigned website that sync to online databases like Ancestry and FamilySearch, will include same-sex families. Kolakowski explained. FamilySearch.org, sponsored by the Mormons, first said “It’s something that’s important to all genealogists, in 2015 that it would add a feature for same-sex not just LGBTQ genealogists. It’s relationships, the Deseret News reported. Now, consistent with basic genealogical the major overhaul to the website’s system principles that we document history should be ready by 2019. the way people lived it, not the way There are several other family history sites – that some wished that they had,” Ancestry.com is probably the best known – that Kolakowski said. already allow same-sex recognition. In addition “And we all know that everyone, to Ancestry, other major sites are Israel-based LGBTQ and straight, have same-sex MyHeritage and England-based Findmypast. couples in their families. FamilySearch is the only one that is totally free Kolakowski, who’s an Alameda for all of its databases. County Superior Court judge, began For LGBT genealogists, the FamilySearch digging around her family history news was a pleasant surprise. several years ago. She is not Mormon “FamilySearch is among the last to the show,” but has been to Salt Lake City several - Victoria Kolakowski said Victoria Kolakowski, a transgender woman times to conduct research at the LDS President of the Board of the who is president of the board of the Oaklandlibrary and attend conferences. California Genealogical Society based California Genealogical Society. “[It] Dr. Stewart Blandón Traiman, a is a driver in technology development in the gay man who serves as the recording genealogy world. It hosts the annual RootsTech conference, secretary for the California Genealogical Society, also the largest genealogy technology convention in the world. applauded the FamilySearch news. Independent software developers want to connect with “It’s huge,” he told the Bay Area Reporter during a recent its databases, and so the way that they implement it could interview. affect the future development of genealogy software.” But Blandón Traiman also pointed out the long history of homophobia in the Mormon Church. “The history of the LDS church is extremely homophobic. They excommunicated thousands of members due to sexual orientation and that continues today,” he said. Blandón Traiman is not Mormon, but he said the church’s decision to acknowledge the existence of LGBTs and same-sex families is significant. “They’re trying to compete with these other sites,” he said. And, while he said it’s “definitely nice” to have the new policy for FamilySearch.org, it won’t help him because he doesn’t have a tree on the site. “Not in the least,” he added. Change has come quickly to family history sites in recent years. For example, Ancestry.com used to assume that the spouse of a man was a woman and vice versa. It no longer does that, Kolakowski said. “Undoubtedly, FamilySearch is a leader in the genealogy community. It employs many professional genealogists, and its website is used by many Mormon families around the world, in addition to the genealogical community,” Kolakowski said. “Family history is very important to the Mormon faith,” The homepage of FamilySearch.org. she added.

"It’s something that’s important to all genealogists, not just LGBTQ genealogists."

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In a statement, FamilySearch.org said that significant work must be done to the site’s infrastructure to incorporate same-sex families. “Several systems that surround Family Tree [FamilySearch’s program], such as tree and record searching, must be significantly redesigned to support same-sex relationships before Family Tree can release this capability,” the company said. Blandón Traiman, who’s an internal medicine physician working in health information technology, recently launched his Six Generations website (www.sixgen.org) to provide guidance and consultation services to others looking to do family research. He said that his approach to genealogy is to take it in six-generation segments. He also gives presentations focused on LGBT history and genealogy. “Here’s the thing that’s important about this to nongenealogists,” Kolakowski said. “Young Mormons, when they’re looking into their family history, are going to see that they can document same-sex relationships. That was exactly that reason that some people resisted making this change – concerns that it would be seen as validating our relationships. I’m not sure that it does, because it’s taking a neutral stance. But a neutral stance is a lot better than a negative one, one that denies the reality of modern society.” Cynthia Laird (c.laird@ebar.com), who is married to Victoria Kolakowski, is the news editor of the Bay Area Reporter. For more information on the California Genealogical Society, visit www.CaliforniaAncestors.org.

WMG Volume 5 • Issue 18 October 3, 2018

Wilton Manors Gazette Facebook.com/groups/WMGazette

BUSINESS

City Commission Inches Closer to Giving $200,000 to Pride Center By Sallie James City commissioners have agreed commissioners voted on Sept. 25 in favor to conditionally award the developer of a resolution authorizing the expenditure of a 48-unit LGBT-friendly affordable of $200,000 from the city’s Affordable housing project up to $200,000 from the Trust Fund. The fund contains $306,295. David J. Coviello, attorney for the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. developer, said the Equality Park Ltd. allocation allows Carrfour requested the money to to move forward with the help bridge a $1.1 million project. funding gap. The entire “While the $200,000 project is expected to contribution is cost about $15 million. conditioned on Carrfour The developer is confirming the actual gap receiving $11.2 million in funding once the project in low income housing “Either I am budget is established and tax credits from Florida going to try is capped at $200,000, we Housing Finance are grateful for the City’s Corporation (FHFC), a to amend that investment in this project,” FHFC loan of $550,000 amount down Coviello said. and $955,866 in deferred According to a letter development fees. or I am going from Stephanie Berman, According to the to surprise president/CEO of Equality resolution, the county some people and Park, Ltd., construction “will consider funding will take about a year, $900,000 of the gap vote the whole starting in late 2018 funding if the city matter down.” and nearing completion contributes $200,000 in late 2019. Equality of the gap funding.” The - Tom Green Wilton Manors Park is a collaborative combined total of the Commissioner effort between the Pride contributions equals the Center and Carrfour, the $1.1 million gap. The complex is slated for construction developer of Equality Park, Ltd. Carrfour has recently partnered with at 2040 N. Dixie Highway, where it will adjoin The Pride Center at Equality Park. the Jerome Golden Behavioral Health Although several commissioners said Center in West Palm Beach to develop a 36the $200,000 sum was too high, all five unit project for adults living with mental

A past gathering of The Founder’s Circle at The Pride Center. Photo via Facebook.

illness. Carrfour is also partnering with The Key Clubhouse of South Florida in Miami to develop an 80-unit supportive housing project for adults living with mental illness, and with the South Brevard Sharing Center to develop an 80-unit supportive housing community for homeless families. Before voting on the issue, Commissioner Tom Green voiced concern about the $200,000 sum.

“We were going to use some of this money to try to help first time homebuyers in Wilton Manors. That way you are investing in the city,” Green said. “Either I am going to try to amend that amount down or I am going to surprise some people and vote the whole matter down. That is too much money for the City of Wilton Manors.” Continued on page 3 

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October 3, 2018

10.3.2018 •

Opinion

Greetings From New Jersey WMG Elections are approaching; Paul Kuta retires; and candidate’s forum takes place Thursday, Oct. 4

October 3, 2018 • Volume 5 • Issue 18 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

By Sal Torre

Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com Chief Executive Officer • Pier Angelo Guidugli Associate publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com Copyeditor • Kerri Covington

Editorial

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

Correspondents James Oaksun

Staff Photographers

J.R. Davis • Pompano Bill • Steven Shires

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

Sitting down to write my article this week, I am visiting my family in New Jersey. Spending the weekend outside of South Florida is a definite wake–up call to the reality that autumn is here, and the end of the year is fast approaching. Cooler nights dropping down into the 50’s, stores filled with Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations, pumpkin patches, and hay rides certainly crack through any denial that 2018 is now quickly coming to a close. This time of year is jam-packed with activities. Upcoming municipal elections, Halloween celebrations along Wilton Drive, and the annual Taste of the Island will dominate local activities. Thursday, October 4, offers residents a chance to meet and hear from candidates running for local municipal office here in our Island City. The three Wilton Manors neighborhood associations sponsor this very informative event for residents. This year’s moderators will be SFGN’s own Salli James, reporter for the Wilton Manors Gazette, and Michael D’Olivera, Editor of the Pelican newspaper. Everyone is encouraged to attend the forum at Hagen Park Community Center starting at 6:30 p.m. for a Meet & Greet with the Q&A beginning at 7 p.m. As always, parking will be free during this important event. Election Day is quickly approaching. Mail-in ballots will be hitting the post office next week, and October 9 is the last day you can register to vote in the General Election. Early voting will begin on October 22 right here at Wilton Manors City Hall. Register to vote, participate in elections and make a difference on who we elect to represent us locally, regionally and nationally. Those attending the Final Budget Hearing last week got a big surprise when resident Paul Kuta announced that Finance Director Bob Mays will be retiring in March. This best kept secret was a huge surprise to members of the Budget Review Advisory Board, who work so closely with Bob. His retirement will be a great loss for our

city. Bob’s level of commitment, professionalism, and dedication have served our city well over the years. He will definitely be missed by many who work for and with the city. We might be losing Bob as Finance Director, but we still have him as our neighbor and resident here in our wonderful Island City. Best wishes, Bob, on your new adventures. Another exciting event happening this month will be the Friends of the Wilton Manors Library Fall Lecture Series on October 11. Wilton Manors resident, movie producer, director, and author Alyn Darnay will be the guest speaker at this event. Join us at our local free and independent municipal library located at 500 NE 26th Street beginning at 6:30 p.m. for light refreshments with the lecture beginning at 7 p.m. The Fall Season kicks off a very active time of year for many, with holidays, events and parties. It is also a good time to take stock of where we are heading as individuals and as a community. We have had some major discussions this past year on the future of Wilton Drive, on the role of the Pride Center, on the future of Andrews Avenue and Oakland Park Boulevard, on making hard budgetary choices, and many more issues and questions we as a community have been confronted with over the past year. Making these tough discussions and reaching a consensus on how best to move forward is a sign of how strong we are as a community. We will not always agree, but we most always look for ways to work together to achieve what is best for our community. It’s time for me to get back to my family visit up north. Enjoy the upcoming season of fun and festivities. Make sure you are registered to vote and exercise that right on or before Election Day. Participate in local happenings, meet your neighbors, and become involved with local community organizations. Let’s continue making life just better here in our wonderful community we call Wilton Manors. WMG

October 9 is the last day you can register to vote in the General Election.

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

MEMBER

Associated Press MEMBER

MEMBER

A view outside of the Shoppes of Wilton Manors, where many local hot spots like Alibi can be found. Photo credit: Brendon Lies.

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October 3, 2018

BUSINESS

City Commission Inches Closer to Giving $200,000 to Pride Center  Continued from page 1

Commissioner Scott Newton voiced similar concerns. “The project is great. I absolutely do want to give some of that money but would rather see it come in around $150,000 mark. You are not the only project that is going to come in front of us in the next 1015 years,” Newton said. Mayor Gary Resnick said he wanted mandatory background checks for all employees added as a condition of the funding. Carrfour’s Berman has said all applicants for the affordable housing project will undergo a background check. Protecting children from sexual offenders become a hot topic in this city earlier this year after it became public that a registered sex offender was employed at The Pride Center at Equality Park for years. The man was subsequently arrested. A second sex offender, twice convicted, also worked at the Pride Center for three years before he was terminated in 2016, the South Florida Gay News recently learned.

The facility has a playground that is frequented by children and will be in close proximity to the 48-unit affordable housing complex. The community center at 2040 N. Dixie Highway was built to provide same sex couples a place for their children to play. City commissioners are waiting to find out about possibly receiving a payment from Carrfour in lieu of taxes if some of the units are subject to tax abatement because 34 of the 48 units will be set aside for the disabled. They requested answers on or before Oct. 9. WMG

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THURSDAY, OCT. 4

CANDIDATE’S FORUM Michael D’Oliveira

This year’s moderators will be SFGN’s own Salli James, reporter for the Wilton Manors Gazette, and Michael D’Oliveira, Editor of the Pelican newspaper. Everyone is encouraged to attend the forum at Hagen Park Community Center starting at 6:30 pm for a Meet & Greet with the Q&A beginning at 7 pm. As always, parking will be free during this important event.

Salli James

DON’T FORGET: register to vote by Oct. 9!

October 3, 2018

10.3.2018 •

Community

Sun Sentinel Endorses Justin Flippen For Mayor of Wilton Manors By Sun Sentinel Editorial Board Wilton Manors voters have an easy was accused of trying to light a drag queen choice for mayor when they vote on Nov. on fire with a tiki torch in front of 1,000 people at a Halloween costume contest. 6: Vice Mayor Justin Flippen. Flippen, 40, has the experience, The charge eventually was dropped, but education and temperament needed Corbin says he’s had other unpleasant to continue the progress this town of exchanges with the police since then. He also said that he has sued the drag 12,000 residents has experienced over queen. A judge dismissed the suit, but the last few decades. Corbin said that he has Known as a place appealed that ruling. that welcomes LGBTQ Flippen agrees with residents, Wilton “Claims of how Corbin that Wilton Manors Manors has evolved pays Fort Lauderdale too from a nondescript bluewe operate our much for water and sewer collar city to a thriving water system services. He’s worried community with new about Fort Lauderdale’s businesses and rising — claims of plans to revisit water rates, property values. It needs theft or fiscal already increasing at 5 a mayor like Flippen to impropriety percent a year. continue its evolution. But that’s about the only Flippen’s challenger is — don’t issue the two agree on. 50-year-old Boyd Corbin, hold water, “The city did have Mr. a passionate candidate Corbin’s water tested and it who says he’s running literally.” did meet state and federal for mayor “to end the guidelines,” Flippen said. corruption” in city - Justin Flippen “As for costs, absolutely, government. vice mayor of wilton manors Fort Lauderdale charges Corbin contends our city way too much for the water that Wilton water. How that is handled Manors buys from Fort Lauderdale is polluted and over-priced, needs to be addressed. But claims of how and that the city is funding exorbitant we operate our water system — claims of pay hikes by shifting money from the theft or fiscal impropriety — don’t hold water, literally. We are reviewed every year. utility fund. He says the narrowing of Wilton Drive And every year we get a finding that we are from four to two lanes is “a big mistake” in good fiscal health.” Besides water rates, Flippen said the and that the police department has rogue second most important issue facing members. Corbin cites a personal experience the town is the potential loss of at least as an example. He says that in 2012, he $300,000 in annual tax revenue if voters

Vice Mayor Justin Flippen.

statewide approve an additional $25,000 homestead exemption in November. He’d also like to see a greater diversity of business, beyond bars and sushi restaurants. A small hotel would be good, he said. He also notes the lack of a city parking garage, a crunch felt particularly on weekend nights. He said he’s open to pursuing a lease agreement that maximizes the city hall property. As for the narrowing of Wilton Drive, Flippen said there’s “great support in the community.” He acknowledges the narrowing will pose challenges for businesses and motorists, but said there are ways to address those problems. “The future is not vehicular traffic only. The future is about mobility,” Flippen said. “There’s not one resident that wants a thoroughfare in my city.” Flippen said the town is in “good fiscal health,” and that City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson is “professional, responsive and a

valuable asset to our city.” Flippen was first elected to the commission in 2008, but resigned two years later to run for the Florida House against a representative considered to be anti-gay. He came up short. In 2014, he ran for the city commission again, successfully. In his campaign for mayor, he has a slew of endorsements, including that of current Mayor Gary Resnick. Flippen has a bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University, where he was student body president in 2000. He also has a law degree from the University of Florida. He is the Tourism Project Manager for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. Boyd said he makes a fine living renting out his house. “I have enough money so I won’t be tempted to accept kickbacks from developers, parking contractors, trash service providers, etc.,” he wrote in his questionnaire. He said no person or organization has endorsed him. WMG

Editorials are the opinion of the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board and written by one of its members or a designee. The Editorial Board consists of Editorial Page Editor Rosemary O’Hara, Andy Reid and Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson.

Justin Flippen (center) marching with community volunteers during Wilton Manors Pride in June. Photo via Facebook.

SFGN and Sun Sentinel are media partners.

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October 3, 2018

Real Estate

Are You ‘The Guy Behind the Tree’? Voters will have two property related tax measures to vote in November By James Oaksun It is Election Season, and we will be voting constitutional amendments require a 60 on a lot of different things this cycle. Although percent yes vote to be adopted, a high hurdle), Election Day is not until Nov. 6, people who would increase by up to $25,000 the value of requested mail ballots should have them by an owner-occupied property that is exempt Oct. 10, with early in-person voting beginning from taxation. in Broward on Oct. 22. In Florida, a substantial amount of the funds You may be thinking, “You’re the Real Estate used to operate our schools, as well as the Geek. What does that have to do with the various city and county governments, come election?” Quite a bit this year, as it turns out. from direct taxation of real estate. The tax rate There will be some measures on everyone’s (often called the millage or “mil” rate) varies ballot that directly affect real estate here in by city. In Broward County, the combined mil Florida – pertaining to taxation. rates (school, city and county) range from 1.56 I take the title of this column percent of property value in from a famous saying of the Weston, up to 2.39 percent In Florida, a late Senator Russell Long of in Lauderdale Lakes. So you substantial amount Louisiana. Long was chairman multiply the percentage for of the Senate Finance your city by the tax value of of the funds used Committee, which plays a your property. That tax value to operate our large role in determining tax is the assessed value minus the schools, as well policy in the U.S. Lobbyists exempt amount (if you are an as the various would come into the Senate owner occupant). offices, seeking tax breaks for I participate in local city city and county their clients – what they would commission candidate governments, come call “technical adjustments.” screenings with the Realtor from direct taxation In response, Long would often board. Several of the candidates of real estate. say, “Don’t tax you, and don’t we screened are very tax me. Tax that guy behind concerned about Question 1. If the tree!” you increase the amount that is excluded from Taxes have never been popular. After all one taxation, that will decrease available funds to of the earliest rallying cries in our Colonial the city and county. To rectify that, they would era was “Taxation without representation is either have to cut spending or raise the mil rate. tyranny!” Having lived in Florida five years And neither politicians nor the voters like to now, it is clear many here in the Sunshine State hear that the mil rate is going up! have a particularly strong aversion to taxes. Which brings us to Question 2. This Well on our ballots this year (probably on the proposed amendment affects non-owner back of page 1) there will be two constitutional occupied properties (second homes, amendments that affect the way we tax real investment and commercial properties), and estate in Florida. would set a maximum increase in assessed Amendment One, if passed (and value of 10 percent per year, permanently. In 2008, the state enacted this 10-percent cap, but only for 10 years. Without this amendment, the cap would terminate at year-end 2018. Full disclosure – I am (at least for the time being) a state director of the Florida Association of Realtors, and as an entity we have not only taken a position strongly in favor of this amendment, but also are funding the campaign for it to a significant degree. The fear is that if the cap is removed, local officials could view increasing taxes on non-owner occupied property as an opportunity to raise revenue without disturbing local residents and homeowners. “Oh they’re just people ‘from away.’” “Oh they are rich investors and won’t miss the money, and besides they won’t be

yelling at us in Publix every week. Or voting next election.” Well there are many people who own vacation or retirement homes here. Do we really want people to sell them all at once? Do we want businesses to pass these costs on to consumers, or relocate? Well those are the main arguments in favor of passage. But the money needed to fund our schools and needed infrastructure has to come from somewhere. Unlike the Federal Government,

we don’t have the option of printing it. So, directly or indirectly, these two measures affect everyone. In other words, we are all behind a tree. Are you behind a redwood, or a bonsai? Happy Voting! WMG James Oaksun, Florida’s Real Estate Geek(SM), is Broker-Owner of New Realty Concepts in Oakland Park. In addition to having degrees from Dartmouth and Cornell, he is a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (GRI).

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October 3, 2018

10.3.2018 •

Letter To The WMG Editor To the Editor: I want to thank the editor of SFGN and the WMG for publishing recent article regarding the ongoing personal attacks on me by Boyd Corbin, the acrid candidate for Mayor of Wilton Manors. For several years, Corbin has defamed, slandered and made libelous comments about me, the Wilton Manors Police Department, City Officials, and countless others who have been leaders in our community. Some people make bad decisions in life and live to regret those decisions while blaming others. I believe that was the case during Wicked Manors in 2012. Boyd Corbin chose to dress in a KKK costume carrying a cross, a lit-burning torch and a sign that read, “Stop the race war against whites.” That choice led to a violent altercation involving Boyd Corbin and a local performer. What Corbin has fabricated in his mind, is that I made false statements about what I saw that evening. Yes, I did see Corbin in the costume, with a lit torch, a cross and signs, what I did not see was the actual incident that would cause both Corbin and Michael Walters, aka- DAME EDNA, months of legal turmoil, including an arrest. The last thing I saw before the altercation was Corbin’s over zealous attempt to be recognized by the show host, Corbin, waving a flaming torch precariously close to other contestants with large costumes and flammable materials; a scenario that could have ended in a much worse tragedy.

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Submit your own letter to Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com

I said to myself at that moment, “this is not going to end well” and I left the stage area prior to the alleged attack and subsequent injury to Walters. In fact, Corbin stated under oath in a court of law, “I had every intention of winning that contest.” Furthermore, I never gave any sworn statements nor testified against Corbin during his arrest trial. Corbin has ruminated on this for years now and continues the attacks in his political advertisements, as well as Facebook and at city commission meetings. As a 19-year resident of south Florida, I have spent most of that time as public servant volunteering first in Fort Lauderdale as Past President of the neighboring South Middle River neighborhood, Fort Lauderdale Code Advisory Board and won volunteer of the year for Fort Lauderdale’s District II in 2001. Then after moving to Wilton Manors, I sat on the WM Board of Adjustment, WM Budget Review Advisory Committee, WM City Hall Advisory Board, President of Wilton Manors Main Street and currently Chairman of the Wilton Drive Improvement District. I ran for Mayor of Wilton Manors in 2014 with an impressive showing taking 44 percent of the votes in a three-way race, where Corbin took a meager 1 percent. To my knowledge, Boyd Corbin has never been appointed to or volunteered for any city boards or organizations to try and make our city better. His efforts continuously center around negativity, bashing, name-calling, threatening and

6 •

Community

Let your voice be heard! 

September 5, 2018

bullying and many even say reminiscent of Donald Trump. Reportedly, he has also demanded countless hours of city staff time and resources that is taking away from the regular duties of many of the Wilton Manors employees. Corbin admits spending his own money putting out one of the most negative and hateful mailers in the history of our fine city. I think this is the straw the breaks the camels back for Corbin. As the old saying goes, give a man enough rope and he will hang himself. I am currently in discussion with two different attorneys looking at options for legal action. In addition, there are countless other victims and possible plaintiffs who may join forces to bring justice and stop this self-indulged pariah once and for all. Doug Blevins

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10.3.2018 •

history month national

Archival Documents Detail San Fran Mayor

Moscone’s Close LGBT Ties Matthew S. Bajko

Harvey Milk’s assassination in 1978 is well known to the LGBT community and he is usually the focus of that terrible incident. But often overlooked is the other man that was killed that day – Mayor George Moscone. He was a close ally of Milk’s and a friend of the LGBT community. He was a progressive leader that stuck his neck out for LGBT people.

n June 1977 an irate San Francisco resident mailed off a letter to thenMayor George Moscone. The focus of his ire was the planned Pride celebration at the end of the month. He complained that his relatives were likely to cancel their visit to the city after hearing on their local news about the “faggot (they say ‘gay’) festival AKA orgy” to be held in the city. In permitting the event, the letter writer asked Moscone, “Why do you buckle to the fag desires, other than VOTES?” Moscone sent a 210-word reply in late July thanking the person for their letter and defending the right of the city’s gay “tax-paying” residents, which he estimated numbered more than 100,000 men and women, to hold the annual event. “I am sorry that you object so violently to this parade, and that you feared for the safety of your relatives because such an event could take place in San Francisco,” wrote Moscone. “I would inform you, first of all, that our City passed an ordinance in 1972 which prohibits discrimination against citizens on the basis of race, religion, or sexual preference. As the mayor of San Francisco I am sworn to uphold the laws of this City to the best of my ability, and that is exactly what I intend to do.” The correspondence is just one illustration of how close Moscone was, both politically and socially, to the local LGBT community during his time in office. It is among the roughly 160,000 documents that make up the George Moscone Collection housed at the University of the Pacific Library’s HoltAtherton Special Collections. Moscone graduated with a B.A. in sociology in 1953 from the university in Stockton, California, when it was known as the College of the Pacific. A star basketball player and leader of the student government during his time there, Moscone received an honorary law degree from the private university in 1976. His family agreed to donate Moscone’s papers to his alma mater in 2014. After

Mayor George Moscone’s official photograph, taken in 1976. Photo: Courtesy of Holt-Atherton Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library

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receiving a $47,232 grant last year from the National Archives’ National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the university was able to process the archival material and digitize a portion of the documents so they are accessible online to researchers, students, and anyone interested in learning more about Moscone. “Our whole purpose is to share. We really want to get these into people’s hands and allow them to see history first hand,” said Mike Wurtz, the head of special collections at the university. In July, the library uploaded roughly 200 items online from the Moscone collection. The documents include Moscone’s letters and speeches, photos, and other ephemera from his life. There are also 60 oral histories that filmmakers hired by the university are incorporating into a documentary about Moscone. “He was a real progressive and made no apologies about it,” said Joseph Olson, the project archivist hired to process the collection. “He was just a man of the people; a San Franciscan born and raised. I think the values he had were really shaped by San Francisco itself.” Early life Born November 24, 1929, Moscone grew up in the city’s Marina district. His father was a prison guard at San Quentin and his mother a homemaker. After earning his undergraduate degree, Moscone graduated from UC Hastings College of the Law. He served in the Navy for two years and then went to work as a lawyer. He married Gina Bondanza, and the couple had four children, including Jonathan Moscone, who is gay and a well-known theater director. George Moscone’s political career was launched in 1963 when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Three years later he was elected to the state Senate

history month national and quickly rose to the powerful majority dated June 30, 1977 that he learned with leader position. “great sadness and anger” of Hillsborough’s While in the Legislature, Moscone death. “Such an outrageous attack has no cemented his reputation as a progressive place in our city and I am grateful for the politician, helping to pass legislation excellent work done by the San Francisco that legalized abortion in California and Police Department in apprehending those repealed the state’s anti-gay sodomy laws. suspected of being responsible for this He was sworn in as San Francisco’s 37th senseless crime,” he wrote. mayor in January 1976. One of his first moves as mayor was to appoint gay rights Joyous moments activist Harvey Milk to the city’s Permit Appeals Board. It marked the first time an The archive also documents more LGBT person had been given a mayoral joyous moments of Moscone’s mayoralty. appointment to a major oversight body. Several press clippings from the spring The following year Moscone appointed of 1978 recount his throwing out the first the late Del Martin, a well-known lesbian pitch at the season opener for the city’s leader, to the city’s Commission on the gay softball league. Another from the Status of Women. The mayor also helped January 30, 1978 issue of the San Francisco push through district elections for the Examiner reported on the mayor being city’s supervisor seats that year, paving the “warmly received” at the annual contest way for Milk to again make history. to elect the next empress of the Imperial In November 1977, Milk won a supervisor Court, a charitable organization formed by seat, marking the first time an out LGBT local drag queens. candidate had won elective office in both Moscone’s administration was the first San Francisco and the state of California. to designate city funds toward the annual The following April Moscone and Milk, in Pride celebration. The archive includes a conjunction with then-supervisors Carol March 2, 1978 news release from the city’s Ruth Silver and Bob Gonzales, then chief administrative enacted the most sweeping officer Roger Boas gay rights protections of any announcing that $10,000 city in the country. Known as from the hotel tax fund the Human Rights Ordinance, had been allocated to the it banned discrimination event, then known as the based on sexual orientation Gay Freedom Day Parade. in employment, housing, and That year Moscone public accommodations in also took a very public the private sector. role in helping Milk In response to the parents and other LGBT leaders of a gay son living in the defeat the anti-gay Briggs city who had written him in initiative on the fall ballot. thanks of signing the law, The measure known as and included a $20 donation Proposition 6 would have - George Moscone to the mayor, Moscone banned LGBT people and responded with a note of his their straight allies from own. working in the state’s public schools. Dated July 1, 1977, Moscone noted that, Several documents in the archive “In San Francisco we have tried to set a illustrate Moscone’s opposition to the dignified example for the rest of the nation. ballot measure. One is the statement he We have tried to show the rest of the world issued May 9, 1978 asking the public not that people can live together in peace, free to sign the petitions in support of seeing from hostility and prejudice. That will it be placed on the ballot. Saying he was continue to be our highest priority in this “staunchly opposed” to the Briggs initiative, city, and I hope our nation as well.” Moscone lambasted it as a “dangerous “With the support of generous people measure” that strikes “at the heart of our like you, we will surely triumph in the end,” democracy.” he added. He noted he was “proud” to have recently Moscone also received praise for how signed the city’s groundbreaking gay rights he handled the tragic killing of Robert law and was equally “disturbed that the Hillsborough, a gay man and city gardener, Briggs initiative would reverse the positive that June outside his home in the Mission effects of such legislation.” district mere days ahead of the annual Pride An item in the September 29, 1978 weekend. One letter from a city resident edition of the San Francisco Chronicle thanked Moscone for his “forthright and noted Moscone’s attendance at a $100 a decisive manner.” It prompted a solemn reply from the Continued on next page. mayor, with Moscone writing in a letter

“We have tried to show the rest of the world that people can live together in peace.”

10.3.2018 •

history month national

“This is not a victory over a lightweight like John Briggs. It is a victory over the despair that has fallen on gay people. It’s a victory of intellect over emotion.” - Mayor George Moscone plate fundraising dinner for anti-Prop 6 group the No on Six Committee. It quoted the mayor as saying the initiative was “the most outrageous distortion of what this country stands for I’ve ever seen.” When John Briggs, the Republican state senator behind the measure, attempted to hold a news conference in San Francisco on Halloween night near the public celebration then held along Polk Street, Moscone showed up with Silver, Milk, and other city leaders. As the Chronicle reported the following day, Briggs spoke to reporters “and then got in his car, surrounded by 4 aides, and sped off.” Coverage of the defeat of the measure is also included in the archive. A clipping from the November 8, 1978 Chronicle reported how Moscone had shown up at the Market Street headquarters for the anti-Prop 6 campaign and declared, “It puts to rest the people who would run for office on the basis of fear issues.” The mayor added, “This is not a victory over a lightweight like John Briggs. It is a victory over the despair that has fallen on gay people. It’s a victory of intellect over emotion.” Fraught relationship at times While Moscone and Milk’s political alliance is well known, a review of the documents in the mayor’s archival collection reveals how their collaboration was at times strained. For instance, to the chagrin of Moscone, within weeks of Milk being sworn in to his seat on the permit appeals board he announced he would run for a state Assembly seat, a race that he lost. According to various press clippings in the archive, Moscone had been under the impression that Milk would use the oversight body seat to gain name recognition ahead of running for supervisor in 1977. “Harvey knew how I felt about it, before all of this,” Moscone told the Bay Area Reporter in an article published March 18, 1976. The mayor explained that he had told Milk, “I am going to give you the shorter of the staggered terms so your term will end in 1977. Then there will be no conflict. When you quit you will be declaring for the Board of Supervisors. He knew very well that I was

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trying to help him and that I did not want his service on the permit board to be used for campaigning.” Yet Milk didn’t view his appointment in the same politically advantageous light as Moscone. Nor was he willing to wait to seek public office. In a story that April published by the Advocate, Milk said, “I’m not controllable. I wouldn’t be anybody’s puppet.” Moscone replaced Milk on the appeals board with another gay appointee, lawyer Rick Stokes, which the Advocate article noted had “no immediate political ambitions.” Stokes, however, would unsuccessfully challenge Milk for the newly created District 5 supervisor seat that included the gay Castro district in the fall of 1977. The issue of mayoral appointments was a particular flashpoint between Moscone and LGBT leaders. Early in his tenure the mayor A photographer from the Associated Press in 1977 captured this iconic image of Supervisor faced criticism from Milk and Phyllis Lyon, Harvey Milk, left, and Mayor George Moscone inside San Francisco City Hall. Photo: a lesbian activist and longtime partner of Courtesy of Holt-Atherton Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library. Martin’s, for not appointing either to the police commission, which had yet to have LGBT representation. (Lyon and Martin that Milk felt the mayor, who had named LGBT community to be genuine and from made history in 2008 when they were three out appointees, had slighted gay people the heart. the first same-sex couple to marry in San because he had appointed more women and “He was one of those straight men you Francisco.) minorities. run across from time to time who wasn’t As quoted in one undated “We certainly haven’t had in the least bit uncomfortable around gay press clipping contained in our share considering we men,” recalled Coles, who is now on the UC the archive from the Sentinel, voted for him,” Milk told the Hastings faculty. a gay newspaper, Lyon asked, reporter from the San Mateo“Particularly back then, among straight “When is anybody ever going based paper. men, that was pretty unusual. I thought he to be ready?” in response to In an interview published was very honest and a sincere supporter.” a suggestion that Moscone in the November 23, 1977 Tragically, Moscone’s term as mayor was felt the timing wasn’t right issue of the B.A.R., which is cut short on the morning of November 27, to name an out police also included in the archive, 1978. commissioner. Milk was Moscone pledged that he Disgruntled former supervisor Dan White quoted as asking the same would name a gay person to had snuck into City Hall with a gun and question. the police commission before fatally shot both the mayor and Milk. Yet in a letter Milk sent to he left office. One of the more chilling documents in - Matthew Coles Moscone, he informed the Attorney Matthew Coles, the collection is the news release Moscone Attorney mayor he had written the a gay man who worked to intended to issue that day announcing he paper to refute the tenor of elect Moscone as mayor was appointing Don Horazny to White’s the article and claimed that his quote in the and helped write the gay rights bill that he vacant supervisor seat. Written in red ink on story was “a fabrication.” Milk suggested signed into law, said in a recent interview the first page is the note that it was “NEVER the story was meant to make both him and that he found Moscone’s support for the ISSUED.” Moscone “look poor” and apologized for the paper’s “yellow journalism.” To learn more about the George Moscone Collection, which is open However, Milk would again that to the public by appointment, or to access documents in the archive year publicly criticize Moscone for not online, visit https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/moscone/. appointing more LGBT people to city boards and commissions. A May 17 newspaper clipping from a local newspaper reported Matthew S. Bajko (m.bajko@ebar.com) is an assistant editor at the Bay Area Reporter.

“He was one of those straight men... who wasn’t in the least bit uncomfortable around gay men.”

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history month national

Mattachine Society Members Were

Early Crusaders for Queer Rights Dick Leitsch in the 1960s. Photo credit: ErieGayNews.com

Former New York leader last of a generation? John McDonald ost in the celebrations of this year’s Pride Mattachine Society in a 1969 radio interview with was the death of a historical crusader for WNYC. LGBT rights. The passing of Dick Leitsch Leitsch died of liver cancer at a Manhattan was a reminder of the role secret societies played in hospice. He was 83. mid-20th century America. Mattachine Society members were groundbreaking Leitsch, who died June 22, led the New York activists. They were brave men willing to organize in chapter of the Mattachine Society. The West Coast secret knowing they could face disastrous outcomes based society ceased operations around 1973, but a if their sexuality was made known to the public. memorial to Mattachine Society continues to this Pioneers for a culture. day in New York City. On Friday morning, Daniel “Mattachines were court jesters of the 13th answered the telephone at Julius NYC to confirm the Century,” Leitsch told WNYC. “And they wore funny once-a-month party. masks and they camped around a lot and acted silly “They made a difference,” Daniel said. “They were but underneath the silliness they were speaking extreme.” truth to the King and sometimes they were the only Daniel added it was “sad” that young people don’t people in the Kingdom who could get away with it.” know of this important period in queer rights. The Archival documents and notes of the group’s Mattachine Society was an early gay membership are still rather rights group that, in many ways, is diﬃcult to obtain. Papers on "Mattachines shrouded in mystery. And for some, the Mattachine Society can be mainly younger LGBT people, it can found at the One Archives at the were court feel like an entirely new subject in University of Southern California. jesters of the queer history of America. But The ONE archives -- the largest knowing the history of this group’s repository of LGBT materials the 13th members is important because they worldwide -- have credible and Century." were the beginning of LGBT advocacy extensive documentation of this and support in the U.S. once secret society. Documents - Dick Leitsch Founded in 1950 in Los Angeles, include notes from business and Past President of the pre-Stonewall Riots, Mattachine grew planning committee meetings. Mattachine Society, from an underground social gathering There is also a photograph from a 1969 into a public service agency, which holiday party showing Hay -- one is now celebrated through modern of the participants in Alfred C. dance parties. Harry Hay, a man of many tastes and Kinsey’s famous study of sexuality -- and seven other orientations, led the society at its inception. men sitting around a decorated tree. Another file And yet its mere mention still does not register contains audio from a 1961 hearing on homosexual with many in the LGBT community. rights in Los Angeles. The Mattachine Society existed during a time in Martin Meeker, 47, is the director at the Oral America when it was not possible to be openly gay. History Center at UC-Berkeley. He has researched In the time before the Stonewall riots of the late Mattachine Society under the leadership of Hal Call 1960s, many gay men and women were living double and Don Lucas. lives in opposite sex relationships. It took a radical “Mattachine Society was run by people who fairy like Hay to establish the Mattachine Society as recognized that the greatest problem faced by an important and viable networking group. Under gay men and lesbians was their lack of access to Hay’s reign, the Mattachine Society’s existence was information and their isolation from one another,” characterized as a masquerading society of fools. Meeker said. “Under the leadership of Hal Call and “In those days the late Senator McCarthy was Don Lucas, the Mattachine Society sought to spread carrying on in Washington and seemed to be objective information about homosexuality and end unable to differentiate between a homosexual and a the isolation of gay people across the country.” communist and many reacted very strongly to this,” Hay, an avowed Communist, led the Mattachine said Dick Leitsch, past president of the New York Society in 1952. Meeker’s evaluation is Call and Lucas

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history month national Harry Hay (upper left) with members of the Mattachine Society in 1951. Photo via Wikimedia.

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were more effective in leading Mattachine as they sought to influence opinions of experts through the publications and circulation of information. “By 1954, Hal Call was allowing his name to be printed in the San Francisco Chronicle as the head of this homosexual organization,” Meeker said. “He was a publically out gay man, probably one of the first in the country’s history.” “To me, that is the definition of a radical act,” Meeker said. As the Mattachine Society raised its profile with magazine publications and social services assistance, the 1960s arrived with winds of change blowing. On the east coast, the Mattachine Society gained recognition with the 1966 “Sip-In” in which members challenged bars that refused service to gay people. The bars justified this practice as refusing to serve “disorderly” patrons. At Julius New York, a Greenwich Village bar, the Mattachine Society currently has its own night on the third Thursday of each month. A person -- who would only identify themselves as a “worker” -- answered the telephone on a Tuesday afternoon last May. “The Sip-In is celebrated as a big victory,” the man said. “It started the whole momentum of the gay community stepping up and fighting for rights.” The Sip-In was a challenge to the State Liquor Authority’s discriminatory policy of revoking the licenses of bars that served gays and lesbians. “At the time, being homosexual was, in itself, seen as disorderly,” Leitsch told the New York Times in April 2016. The Sip-In is widely regarded as a precursor to the Stonewall Riots. Leitsch frequented Julius New York up until his death this year. Meeker’s work and papers on Mattachine focus on the 1950s when two men joined forces to wrestle control away from Hay and move Mattachine Society in a different direction. “Hay was a Communist,” Meeker said. “He was more Dick Leitsch (right) with Alan Cumming.

politically radical and economically radical than Hal Call and Don Lucas.” Meeker said Call and Lucas were “cold war liberals” and added some historians have mistaken the pair as “conservatives.” “They were liberals like Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. who was an anti-communist cold war liberal,” Meeker said of the Pulitzer Prize winning JFK biographer. “(Call and Lucas) were deﬁnitely liberal.” The tension between Hay’s administration of Mattachine – what Meeker termed a “foundation” and Call and Lucas’ tenure is still reﬂected in today’s philosophies. Meeker said the most hate is often generated between radicals and liberals. “Because they both believe in some version of progressive social change, but their visions of how to bring about progressive social change are profoundly different,” Meeker said. Back in New York, a more modern way of recognizing Mattachine is produced once a month at Julius, the city’s oldest gay bar and site of the famous Sip-In. Leitsch led the Sip-In protest on April 21, 1966, telling the bartender at Julius that they were homosexuals and wanted a drink. There is a famous picture showing the bartender with his hand covering the glass as Leitsch places his order. “That photograph was in the Village Voice and led to the end of that bar,” said acclaimed screenwriter and director John Cameron Mitchell. Cameron Mitchell spoke to the SFGN before Leitsch’s death. He called the Mattachine leader “an inspiration.” “We give him a big salute every me he comes in,” Cameron Mitchell said. Julius’ rich history is rightfully acknowledged once a

month when a night is set aside for the Mattachine. These parties are the brainchild of Cameron Mitchell and PJ DeBoy, collaborators on the 2006 feature film “Shortbus.” “He’s an iconic creator,” said Chris Harder, a New York City based burlesque performer. “He defined an entire show.” That show was “Hedwig & The Angry Inch” and Cameron Mitchell has played the title character. The Mattachine night at Julius’ has been described as trendy for the downtown city scene, Harder said. It has history too. Crafted out of a threefloor stucco building, Julius’ took its place on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. “It’s the only building in Manhattan I’ve seen stucco on,” Cameron Mitchell said. “It’s now a National Landmark building which is sad because the exterior is still ugly.” Cameron Mitchell said today Julius’ is modeled after an old pub and it still serves burgers. It’s his neighborhood bar -- “my living room,” he said. At one time, however, Julius’ was known as a place where young guys met older men. “It was a hustler bar in the 80s and 90s,” said Cameron Mitchell. “And then those hustlers got as old as their customers.” The 55-year-old Tony Award winning director could not resist dismissing former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. “Giuliani came in and in his view ‘cleaned these up,’” Cameron Mitchell said in a sarcastic tone. “When really he was just a bully and homophobe and he tried to shut down a bunch of dance parties…just because he’s like that.” Still, Julius has endured. The oldest gay bar in New York City is the site of celebrations and parties. And thanks to pioneers like Dick Leitsch and the Mattachine Society, no one will be refused a drink based solely on their sexual desires.

Cameron Mitchell organizes the monthly Mattachine party with Angela DiCarlo and Amber Martin. He collaborates with bar owner Helen Buford for the annual “Sip-In” celebration. Julius’ New York is located at 159 West 10th Street in Manhattan.

Jake Lewis and David Altermatt contributed to this report. 10.3.2018 •

history month books

Willyce Kim Wrote Her Own Story

Willyce Kim.

Jason Villemez illyce Kim is the first Asian-American lesbian writer to be published in the U.S. She spent her childhood years in Hawaii and California, and graduated from San Francisco College for Women in 1968. Kim was influenced by musicians such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez and writers including Adrienne Rich and Diane Di Prima.

She self-published her first poetry chapbook, “Curtains of Light,” with her sister in 1970 and soon after she began working with the Women’s Press Collective in Oakland. As a member of the collective, she published works, took photographs and traveled the country to distribute literature and give readings at colleges, bookstores and women’s bars. In the ’70s and ’80s, she published three poetry collections, two novels, and contributed to literary magazines including The Furies, Phoenix Rising, and Conditions. “She celebrated lesbian life and lesbian love,” said poet and artist Kitty Tsui, who met Kim in the late ’70s and co-founded the Asian women writers’ collective Unbound Feet. “She used to read in the Bay Area with Pat Parker and Judy Grahn. They did a lot of poetry readings, and that’s when I became familiar with her work. When I came out in the 1970s I came into a community of

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all white women. She was the first AsianAmerican lesbian that I saw in the flesh, so she really was a great role model for me because I thought I was the only one.” Kim’s writing deals with female Kim, along with the members of the Allison, poet Pat Parker and the novelist empowerment, friendship, and family, and she handles sexuality — often pairing Women’s Press Collective, published works Alexander Chee, who wrote: “She helped it alongside food metaphors — with about lesbian women at a time when it was found a press based in a community of sensuality and humor. In a scene from her not socially acceptable and often dangerous feminists, she took photos of them, she 1985 swashbuckling novel “Dancer Dawkins in many parts of the country. After enduring wrote about them and herself — she’s an and the California Kid,” Dancer Dawkins Catholic schools in her childhood, she went inspiration. I think her decision to write higheats ice cream and the shop clerk compares to college near the Haight-Ashbury district spirited adventure novels about lesbians in 1964, two years before is perhaps a part of that same off-handed her flavor euphoria to having Compton’s Cafeteria Riot and freedom she seems to have cultivated, and an orgasm. The title poem “Kim’s writing five years before Stonewall. At I love that. In today’s context, we would call in the collection “Eating makes clear the time of her first two book that focusing on queer joy over queer pain, Artichokes,” published by publications, the American and maybe that’s her lesson for us.” the Women’s Press Collective the difference Psychiatric Association still in 1972, closes with the line between merely considered homosexuality a “your entire artichoke can mental illness. Organizations become a very heavy sexual describing such as the Women’s Press fantasy.” Kim also addresses lesbian Collective were safe spaces for issues of women’s liberation, relationships voices like Kim’s, and through specifically Asian women’s their publishing and activism liberation, human trafficking and delighting they encouraged women of and colonialism in her work. in them.” all races, economic classes Her characters unabashedly and sexualities to live their stand up for themselves and - Feminist own way. In a 1985 review the people they care about. Bookstore News of her first novel, Feminist The prose in her novels Bookstore News wrote: “Kim’s consists of short vignettes — some only a paragraph long — that writing makes clear the difference between build on one another. Publishers Weekly, merely describing lesbian relationships and in a review of Kim’s second novel, “Dead delighting in them.” In addition to writing, Kim did printing Heat,” wrote: “Kim’s lean, deadpan style belies her gift for seeing subtle humor in the and teaching jobs, and for several decades ordinary, shambling state of human nature. worked as a supervisor at the University Her characteristic technique of breaking of California at Berkeley library. Her works down the plot into brief scenes successfully have influenced the likes of author Dorothy conveys the sense that aimless events are converging into a mosaic of meaning, Jason Villemez is a lecturer in creative writing at Boston University. His work has independent of the efforts of her antiappeared in Philadelphia Gay News, Ruminate Magazine, Post Road, and other heroines and perhaps far beyond their ken.” publications.

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lifestyle food

Do You See What I Sea? Rick Karlin

Here are some beachfront restaurants to take those out-of-state visitors to

hat time of year is coming; when “friends” you haven’t seen in years decide it would be a good time to visit you. We really don’t mind when we get out of town visitors, it allows us to catch up and they often take us out to dinner. Most of the time they ask for suggestions for places to dine along the beach. Of course, we have the usual standbys, Aruba and Casablanca, but a few new places have opened, and some other places have new chefs. Sea Level

3030 Holiday Dr. Fort Lauderdale 954-765-3041 bit.ly/2QZ8ffz One of the best places for dining right on the beach, Sea Level Restaurant at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott, has a new chef, Javier Jaramillo, who has developed a menu inspired by the vibrant and bold flavors of the Caribbean. Setting Sea Level apart from other seashore eateries is the restaurant’s wall-to-wall chalkboard which acts as a tester for potential menu items daily. Many of these specials are inspired by Jaramillo’s Caribbean background. New dishes include: Angus steak, cooked sous vide before being grilled and served with crispy potatoes and a malt vinegar sweet and sour sauce; grouper ceviche is served with cucumber and studded with tiny cubes of sweet potato and Mexican corn. A Caribbean twist on fish and chips pairs yucca fries with lightly breaded and tenderly fried grouper. A dessert of lemon sorbet with macerated fruit is the perfect palate cleanser. If you prefer something a little more upscale, head across the pool to 3030 Ocean. Although you can order off the menu a la carte, the restaurant is known for its tasting menus. The five-course menu with wine, is $120 per person. Menu format is as follows: first courseraw bar, second course-appetizer, third coursefish, fourth course-meat, fifth course-dessert.

l Pompano The 7th Annua s Festival return Beach Brazilian h ac Be no pa m the Po Oct. 20-21, at th rk, 820 NE 18 Community Pa ). Enjoy St th . & U.S.1 Ave. (N.E. 10 isine d , music an cu the ar t, culture n, go io at more inform of Brazil. For . rg .o no pa stpom to brazilianfe

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A freshly-caught burger at Plunge Hotel’s beach bar, Backflip.

S3 Restaurant Sun - Surf - Sand

505 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. Fort Lauderdale 954-523-7873 s3restaurant.com The name could just as easily stand for steak, seafood, and sushi, which is what the sharable concept menu features at this upscale, casual-chic spot with a laid-back atmosphere. Outdoor seating provides breathtaking views of the Atlantic and Fort Lauderdale Beach. It’s great for cocktails, lunch or brunch.

Pelican Grand Beach Resort 2000 N. Ocean Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 954-556-7667 PelicanBeach.com

Backflip @ Plunge Hotel

The Pelican Grand Beach Resort offers varied dining options. Ocean 2000 features new American fare and is a grand dining experience. It also includes an ocean-front patio, that features small-plates fare with bold flavors, accompanied by a serious mixology program of classic reinvented cocktails. The Emporium, open daily from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. (an hour later on weekends), is an oldfashioned ice cream parlor. It also features gourmet coffee beverages and baked goods.

This is the ultimate laid-back beach bar, serving local brews and rum-fueled cocktails in a thatch-covered hut that would make Hemingway smile. The menu highlights street-style eats such as tacos, sandwiches and some fresh salads, served right on the beach.

Cafe Ibiza

4660 El Mar Dr. Lauderdale-by-the-Sea 754-200-3346 PlungeBeachHotel.com

The Atlantic Hotel

213 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. Fort Lauderdale 954-468-9953 ItsBetterOnTheBeach.com

601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. Fort Lauderdale 954-567-8020 AtlanticHotelFL.com

This place is a mass of contradictions. Although you might expect Spanish food from the name, the menu is mostly Italian. It’s a tad pricier than you would think from the décor, but the location? Perfect. If you want to save a few bucks go for lunch or dinner.

Coastal showcases Italian-inspired coastal cuisine. The beautiful oceanfront views on the patio are a draw and it’s one

Hungry for more?

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of the few places that not only welcomes dogs, but also offers a barkBISTRO menu for your fur-baby. For something more casual, head up to the fifth-floor pool deck and check out Sky Bar for a robust selection of appetizers and salads, sandwiches and burgers.

Gianni’s

1116 Ocean Dr. Miami Beach 786-485-2200 VMmiamibeach.com If you’re headed down to South Beach, Gianni’s restaurant, located inside the historic Villa Casa Casuarina, formerly known as the famed Versace mansion, has extended its dinner schedule, now serving guests seven nights a week from 6 p.m. to midnight. Gianni’s now serves lunch seven days a week from noon to 4:30 p.m.

Visit SFGN.com/FOOD!

lifestyle photos

Hearts of gold The “Golden Girls Bar crawl Fundraiser” was held at matty’s on Sept. 22 for the Bear Bone’s SMART Ride team Carina Mask

To see many more photos, visit South Florida Gay News on Facebook. 10.3.2018 •

SFGNITES

F O R T H E W E E K O F o c tober 4 - o c tober 9 , 2 0 1 8 • W W W . S F G N . C O M J.W. Arnold

They’re Back!

jw@prdconline.com

THU

10/4

history The Nathan D. Rosen Gallery at the Levis Jewish Community Center, 21050 95th Ave. in Boca Raton, opens its fall exhibition, “Celebrating Israel at 70,” through Nov. 7 in the Sandler Center. This special collection of photographs showcases historical moments in the 70-year history of the modern state of Israel as seen through the eyes of its people. Free admission. For more information, go to LevisJCC.org.

FRI

10/5

television Another “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum, Alyssa Edwards, is having a breakout moment. She stars in “Dancing Queen,” a new series premiering today on Netflix. The reality show goes behind the makeup and into the drag performer’s highly competitive Beyond Belief Dance Company in Mesquite, Tx., as he prepares a young class for an intensely competitive season. For more info, go to Netflix.com/DancingQueen.

Thursday

10/4

television

Will and Grace—and Jack and Karen—are back for their second season (or 10th, if you’re really counting) tonight. Head down to Rosie’s Bar & Grill, 2449 Wilton Dr. in Wilton Manors, for the official viewing party sponsored by local affiliate WTVJ – NBC 6. The event, cosponsored by Broward House and CAN Community Health, will feature giveaways and more. The fun starts at 7 p.m. For more info, go to NBCMiami.com. Photo credit: NBC Universal.

SAT

10/6 SUN

10/7 MON

10/8 TUE

10/9

theater

arts

Nightlife

film

Infinite Abyss Productions presents an immersive theater experience, “Theatre of Terror,” Oct. 4 – Nov. 3 at the Foundry at Wilton Theater Factory, 2306 N. Dixie Hwy. in Wilton Manors. You won’t be sitting for long as the cast guides audiences through a series of interactive vignettes inspired by creepy classic movie thrillers. Admission is limited to 25 persons at each performance. Tickets $25 at Infinite-Abyss.org.

Celebrate Orgullo, the month-long festival presented by Unity Coalition/ Coalición Unida, today at 2 p.m. with fabulous drag star Dang Ho onboard the Art Diva bus tour. She’ll entertain as the bus takes riders to local art exhibitions and galleries. Your $40 ticket includes admissions, cocktails and light fare. Tour begins at Douglas Road metro station, 37th Ave. and U.S. 1 in Miami. Tickets at CelebrateOrgullo.com.

Extend your weekend just one more night and head over to the Palace, 1052 Ocean Dr. in Miami Beach. Missy Meyakie Page is your hostesswith-the-mostest for “Beer, Burger and Drag.” Dine on the beach bar’s famous burgers, but save room for the real dessert—fabulous drag performances and fascinating people watching on Ocean Drive. You can’t beat this deal. More information at PalaceSouthBeach.com.

Celebrate Orgullo, Miami’s LGBT festival presented by the Unity Coalition/Coalición Unida, presents “Celia the Queen” Movie Night tonight at 7 p.m. at Villain Theater, 5865 N.E. 2nd Ave. in Miami. The feature length documentary film pays tribute to the Latina performer who brought the sound of salsa to the world. Stay after for a talk back session with producer Joe Cardona. Tickets are $20 at CelebrateOrgullo.com.

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A&E theater

Carlos Orizondo stars in the title role in Michael McKeever’s reimagined “Dracula,” opening on Oct. 11 at the Arsht Center. Photo Credit: Chris Headshots.

Local Playwright Tries His Hand at Horror J.W. Arnold

ver the years, local gay playwright Michael McKeever has served up award-winning comedies and dramas that have been performed by theater companies around the world. One big gap in his oeuvre is horror…until now. On Oct. 11, Zoetic Stage at Miami’s Arsht Center will premiere McKeever’s “Dracula.” But, if you think you know Bram Stoker’s classic tale of the feared Transylvanian vampire—or even seen any of the theatrical adaptations— you’re in for a big surprise, compliments of McKeever’s clever imagination. “I’ve always wanted to do my own Dracula and put my spin on it. I grew up with the universe of monsters—Frankenstein, the Mummy, Wolfman and Dracula. It was a part of my youth. The problem is there was never a reason to do it. Why do it? What would make my Dracula different?” he explained. Then the #MeToo movement happened. McKeever elaborated, “Dracula was the ultimate male predator, so I reinvented the women. They’re all bad ass, not just victims…they find the strength to stand up for themselves and become heroes. As that concept loomed, I started redesigning much of (the story). Van Helsing is usually an old white man, in this case, he is now a strong black women.” The playwright went back to Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel and went from there. Hundreds of films, plays and books that expanded on Stoker’s vampire legend over the past 120 years freed him to go where “his” characters might take him.

“I wanted to keep true to it as a starting point,” he said, “but, I wanted my female lead to be the hero who saves the day with elements of the novel continuing to be the themes that influenced her.” (Van Helsing is being played by critically-acclaimed local actress Karen Stephens.) And it had to be scary. McKeever’s husband, director Stuart Meltzer, is helming the production and he insisted that the play offer the same kinds of thrills and chills that drive audiences to movie theaters for horror films. As he was writing, McKeever was very cognizant of the unique challenges of mounting his play in the Arsht Center’s Carnival Studio Theater—without the benefits of multimillion dollar budgets and the computer generated special effects that filmmakers can turn to for their projects. “It’s all incredibly hard to stage by nature of theatricality, the period, the special effects, fog and blood and all the new elements to deal with. It’s not easy, but then theater isn’t easy,” McKeever said. McKeever’s job didn’t stop when the script was delivered, he then stepped in to design the set. His intimate vision of the play will certainly come in handy, along with a talented creative team of lighting, props, costumes and special effects designers. In theater, timing is everything, but the best bit of luck occurred when Zoetic was able to open its season a month early so “Dracula” could premiere during the Halloween season.

Zoetic Stage present’s Michael McKeever’s reimagined “Dracula,” Oct. 11 – 28 in the Carnival Studio Theater at the Arsht Center in Miami. Tickets are $50 at ArshtCenter.org.

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A&E theater

“Choir of Man” is a 90-minute musical celebration of all things masculine. Photo via Twitter.

Grab a Pint with the Singing Blokes in ‘Choir of Man’ J.W. Arnold

hether you consider yourself a bro, dude, bloke, lad or dad, the “Choir of Man” is singing for you on Oct. 13 at the Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale. But, what exactly is the “Choir of Man?” “We have instances where people came in expecting opera singers or church singers or even a young boys choir,” said Denis Grindel, the Irish narrator of the 90-minute show from the British Isles. In reality, “Choir of Man” is a party. It’s a concert. It’s a pint-filled good time set in a working pub that combines music, dance and live percussion with choreography and spoken word, said Grindel, the only gay cast member. “It’s a feel-good evening that celebrates male camaraderie and being a lad,” he explained. “The set is a working pub—with a bar man—and the audience is welcomed to have a pint with us for the first 10 or 15 minutes before the show. It’s a great way to get [the audience] into the mindset so they’re already on our side and in the mood for a night out with friends.” The cast of nine then performs an eclectic mix of music from traditional pub songs and folk to Broadway show tunes and classic rock. The set list includes works by Guns ‘N Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Adele, Queen and Katy Perry, and even a song from “Fiddler on the Roof.” The talented British and Irish singers pick up instruments and throw on tap shoes, too, in a program that is anything but predictable. In addition to introducing musical numbers,

Grindel does extra duty on the piano and piano accordion—the Irish version of the traditional accordion. Others play ukulele and guitars, drums and a trumpet. “We bring a lot of ourselves into the show,” explained Grindel. “The original cast has been there through the development of the show, suggested songs, and took on nicknames. We have ‘The Beast,’ ‘The Joker’ and the ‘Pub Bore.’” He added, “As the narrator, I take them through the pub and introduce them to each of the guys with lovely spoken word and poetry. We talk about gentrification of pubs, community spirit, male stereotypes, being a bloke or a lad, brotherly camaraderie.” While there’s plenty of testosterone on the stage, the cast isn’t afraid to question the outdated notion that men must be strong and silent. “We make time for beer and dancing and jokes and there’s still plenty of heart to appeal to the masses without becoming gimmicky,” he said. Audiences around the world have responded. Grindel recalled one family that saw the show three times during its recent residency on a Norwegian Cruise Lines ship. The family then flew to Scotland to see the show again at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. “Because we play ourselves, we become friends with the audiences,” he noted and the cast is looking forward to making more friends in South Florida when the production turns the Parker Playhouse into a rollicking English pub.

“The Choir of Man” will be presented at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Parker Playhouse, 707 N.E. 8th St. in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets start at $23 at ParkerPlayhouse.com 10.3.2018 •

Datebook

Theater Tucker Berardi

Calendar@SFGN.com

Top

Picks

*Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

October 12 to November 4 at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill. Based on the 1988 film of the same name, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels centers around two competing con men, living on the French Riviera. At first, the suave and experienced Law-rence Jameson takes the rookie con man, Freddy, under his wing. But soon Freddy is success-ful enough that he tries to compete directly with Lawrence. The competition comes to a peak when they agree that the first con man to extract $50,000 from the female heiress, Christine Colgate, wins and the other must leave town forever. Visit LPACFL.com

Havana Music Hall

October 10 to November 18 at the Actors Playhouse Mainstage, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Ga-bles. Set in 1958 Cuba, Havana Music Hall tells the story of husband and wife musical team Rolando and Ramona Calderon, who are on the verge of breaking through to the world’s stage when the Cuban Revolution tears apart the only life they’ve ever known. Almost 60 years later, the couple tries to forget the past in the now-devastated Havana Music Hall. Tickets $40. Visit actorsplayhouse.org.

Celia the Queen

Tuesday, October 9 at 7 p.m. at the Villian Theater, 5865 NE 2nd Ave, Miami. A Documentary Film, on the life of Celia Cruz, with filmmaker Joe Cardona, Drinks & light fare. Tickets $5. Visit villiantheater.com

October 3 - October 9 broward county *Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

October 12 to November 4 at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill. Based on the 1988 film of the same name, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels centers around two competing con men, living on the French Riviera. At first, the suave and experienced Lawrence Jameson takes the rookie con man, Freddy, under his wing. But soon Freddy is successful enough that he tries to compete directly with Lawrence. The competition comes to a peak when they agree that the first con man to extract $50,000 from the female heiress, Christine Colgate, wins and the other must leave town forever. Visit LPACFL.com

Friday Night Sound Waves Music Series

Fridays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Hub, Las Olas Boulevard and A1A in Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy live, outdoor music spanning genres and tributes every Friday evening through November. Free. Visit FridayNightSoundWaves.com

palm beach county Dina Elwedidi On Tour

October 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mashall E. Rinker, Sr. Playhouse.

The Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, where Dirty Rotten Scoundrels will be turning heads on Oct. 12. Photo via Facebook.

With her powerful, nuanced voice and authentic style, Egyptian singer and composer Dina Elwedidi channels the heritage and contemporary identity of Cairo. A sophisticated innovator with a charismatic stage presence, Elwedidi’s rich repertoire ranges from jazz to folk to underground rock and has established her as a global cultural force. Tickets $32, one drink included. Visit kravis.org.

Free Friday Concerts

Fridays at 7:30 p.m. at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts, 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach. Enjoy live music from the comfort of your picnic blanket or lawn

chair every week, for free! Returns in October. Call 561-243-7922 or visit DelrayArts.org.

miami-dade county Havana Music Hall

Celia the Queen

Outdoor Music Series

Full Charge Bookkeeping Services

Third Thursdays at the Perez Art Museum Miami, 101 W. Flagler St. in Miami. Come out for live music from DJs and musicians by the bay. Drink specials available. Free with museum admission. Call 305-375-3000 or visit PAMM.org.

The Big Show

Fridays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. at Just the Funny Theater, 3119 Coral Way in Miami. A collection of comedy mixing the likes of improvisation and sketches. Tickets $12. Call 305-693-8669 or visit JustTheFunny.com.

* Denotes New Listing 48

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October 3 October 9

Datebook

Community Tucker Berardi

Broward Support Services

Calendar@SFGN.com

Top Picks

PFLAG

*Artistas Party

Wednesday, October 10 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at PRIDELINES Miami. Featuring the work of EMILIO APONTE-SIERRA and all things Hispanic & Celia Cruz. Learn to salsa with a free lesson from our dance instructors. Free to attend. Visit pridelines.org

Amore Forever

October 6 to 7 at the Keith C. And Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center at Lynn University in Boca Raton. Four Broadway and classical singers and four stunning dancers perform favorite love songs from stage and screen to create a beautiful evening filled with tender harmonies and soaring ballads. Tickets $50 to $70. Visit events.lynn.edu.

*A Taste of History

Thursday, October 11 at the Stonewall National Museum, 1300 East Sunrise Blvd. Join Stonewall National Museum & Archives at the Historic Stranahan House Museum for a one-of-a-kind event on National Coming Out Day during LGBTQ History Month at the historic Stranahan House. Guests will enjoy tastings from local restaurants including Kilwins, New York Grilled Cheese, SideCar Kitchen, open bar, raffles and more! Tickets $50, visit stonewall-museum.org.

Tuesdays in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and Southwest Ranches. A support group for parents of LGBT youth 13 to 21. Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com for dates and locations.

SunServe Youth Group

Tuesdays and Thursdays in Fort Lauderdale, Southwest Ranches, Coral Springs and Hollywood. A support group and night of fun for LGBT youth 13 to 21. Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com for dates and times.

Survivor Support

First and third Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Broward Health Imperial Point Hospital cafeteria, 6401 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. Find support from counselors and peers who have lost loved ones to suicide. Call the Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention at 954-384-0344 or visit FISPOnline.org.

* Denotes New Listing

broward county *Viva La Vida Altar Exhibition

Opening reception Saturday, October 20 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lake Worth CRA, 1121 Lucerne Avenue, Lake Worth. Exhibition runs to November 9. Celebrate Dia De Los Muertos with this celebratory art exhibit. Free to attend. Visit lakewortharts.com.

Jerry Seinfeld

October 26 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall at the Kravis Center. America’s premier comedian, Jerry Seinfeld has been hailed for his uncanny ability to joke about the little things in life that relate to audiences everywhere. Tickets start at $76. Visit kravis.org.

Art Means Business Speaker Series

October 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 6451 North Federal Highway, Suite 1200, Fort Lauderdale. Born in Colombia, Prado is

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internationally exhibited and recognized by collectors and corporate brands around the world. His work has garnered critical acclaim from the Cannes Film Festival, London International Awards, Clio Awards, New York Festivals, Emmy Awards and more. Prado’s artwork has been utilized by Volkswagen, Hewlett-Packard, Steven Spielberg and many more. Hear him speak on art and branding at this speaker series. The event is free and open to the public. Visit www.bfabroward. org

SHAMELESS Art Exhibit

September 8 to October 5 at the Claudia Castillo Art Museum, 2215 Wilton Drive. From the Blue Freedom Collection by Jessica Fox, renowned television & radio personality, actress, producer and creator. Call 954-274-7047 for details.

Remember to React Art Exhibit

October 3 - October 9 September 9 to November 18 at the NSU Art Museum, One East Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale. Representing various periods and developments in the history of art, Remember to React also traces the collection’s growth from its origins to today. Sections of the exhibition will change over the course of the year with installations of other core holdings, to reveal the nuances of the interrelated and reactive narratives among the works in the Museum’s unique collection.

palm beach county *Lantern Festival

Saturday, October 20 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Morikami Museum, 4000 Morikami Park Rd, Delray Beach. Join us for Japanese folk dancing, drumming, our Ennichi street fair and iconic lantern floating ceremony in a fall festival in the spirit of Obon – Japan’s summer homage to ancestors who return for a brief visit to the living. Tickets $15. Visit morikami.org.

Hard Bodies: Contemporary Japanese Sculpture

September 29 to March 31 at the Morikami

Museum and Japanese Gardens. Organized by the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the thirty works by sixteen artists comprise the first ever comprehensive exhibition of contemporary Japanese lacquer sculpture. They have all been drawn from the Clark Collections at Mia, the only collection in the world to feature this extraordinary new form. Tickets $9 to $15. Visit morikami.org.

Family Nights with Food Truck Invasion

Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Sunset Cove Amphitheater, 8802 Boynton Beach Blvd, Boynton Beach. The event features rotating entertainment activities and a large collection of Food Trucks on site! Admission is free.

miami-dade county *Golf for Art

Saturday, October 20 at 7 a.m. at the Hollywood Beach Golf Club, 1600 Johnson Street. Enjoy continental breakfast, complimentary drinks, meet 2018 PGA Tour Canada player Tyler McCumber and 10-time PGA Tour winner Mark

McCumber, and play golf to benefit the Art and Culture Center. Tickets $150.00. Visit artandculture.org.

*Bob Woodward: The State of the American Presidency

Monday, October 15 at 7 p.m. at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive. Bob Woodward, the legendary Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist, associate editor of The Washington Post, and author of FEAR: Trump in the White House, the explosive Number One best seller that is rocking the national media, will be making his exclusive South Florida appearance. Visit theCenterCs.com

*Night of A Thousand Celia’s Gala

Friday, October 12 at 7 p.m. at the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora. Bacardi Open Bar, hors d’oeuvres, live music & performances, MARYTRINI to receive UC|CU’s LEGENDS HONORS Award, items from her private collection. Tickets $80. Visit www.unitycoalition.org.

Celia the Queen

Tuesday, October 9 at 7 p.m. at the Villian

Theater, 5865 NE 2nd Ave, Miami. A Documentary Film, on the life of Celia Cruz, with filmmaker Joe Cardona, Drinks & light fare. Tickets $5. Visit villiantheater.com

POZCONNECT Support Group for Spanish Speakers

Mondays 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Pridelines, 6360 NE Fourth Court in Miami. A support group for HIV+ people, in Spanish. Free. Call Eddie at 305-571-9601, ext. 105 or visit Pridelines. org.

key west Taco Brunch and All Day Happy Hour

Every Sunday (opening at 8 a.m.) at Mellow Cafe and Gastropub, 1605 N. Roosevelt Blvd, Key West. Spend the day drinking and downing tacos at this all-day happy hour, each week on Sun-day!

The Tea Dance After Party

Sundays from 7 p.m. until close at Mangoes, 700 Duval St. Upstairs Ricky Ricardo Room. Boogie the night away with a little help from delicious drinks, great music and free admission.

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To place an ad in the Business Directory, call our sales team at 954.530.4970 automotive

Trantalis & Associates attorneys Dean J. Trantalis, Esq. 2301 Wilton Drive Suite C1-A, Wilton Manors, 33035 954.566.2226 TrantalisLaw.com

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STILL MARCHING FOR

EQUALITY THE FIGHT CONTINUES

While the LGBT community has seen many successes in the past decade, there are still many more milestones yet to come. Follow history as it happens by reading your weekly copy of SFGN.

www.SFGN.com

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professional services

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Tennis Lessons at Hagen Park in Wilton Manors. Individual or group lessons. Call Robert 732-604-0362 for more information.

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Roommate - Elderly gay man seeks trustworthy, serious minded roommate. Two bedroom home located in Boca Raton. Must have car, extremely low rent. Ages 65+ preferred. Contact Gary – 561-451-0205

roommate wanted oakland park

2 bedroom / 1 bath - $700. Utilities included. First & last month, and background check required. 754-3043827. coachinftl@aol.com

employment wanted SPECIAL HIRE NEEDED - Earn $45,000 per year. Experienced, self-motivated professional salesman needed. Work competitively in a highly flexible and relaxed LGBT-friendly environment. Fax resume to 954-530-7943.

employment positions wanted Caregiver AVAILABLE - Serving our gay community for over 10 years. Respectful and caring. Excellent letters of recommendation. Antonio 954-599-3265

handyman HUSBAND FOR RENT - Is he procrastinating home repairs? He says he will do it tomorrow?? After the football game?? We fit right in - in the house or the yard, small or big jobs: tile, dry wall, paint, plumbing, roof leaks, broken furniture, irrigation, fences, and more! It doesn't cost to hassle us to see the work - so why wait? Neat, clean work for a reasonable price. Call Haim at 954-398-3676, sidnalll@yahoo.com

men’s health/fitness Penis Enlargement - Gain 1 to 3 inches permanently & safely. Resolve ED. Licensed medical vacuum pumps, surgical & supplements. For free brochures/consultation call: Dr. Joel Kaplan 888-978HUGE (4843). www.getbiggernow.com

office space ALL INCLUSIVE OFFICE - 2201 Wilton Drive address and mailbox, parking space, shared conference room, high speed internet, furnished. Monthly or Annual Lease available. Text 954.801.5850.

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