SFGN 10/22/20 V11iss42 by South Florida Gay News

local name global coverage october 22, 2020 vol. 11 // issue 42

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Elegir a Scott Herman por la Comision de la Ciudad de Oakland Park

Principios de política, ¡porque te mereces algo mejor!

EARLY VOTING HAS STARTED VOTE NOW OCTOBER 19 - NOVEMBER 1 ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER 3 HA COMENZADO LA VOTACION ANTICIPADA ¡VOTA AHORA! OCTUBRE 19 - NOVIEMBRE 1 Y EL DIA DE LAS ELECCIONES 3 DE NOVIEMBRE

Candidate for Oakland Park Commissioner. Paid for and approved by Scott Herman, nonpartisan, for Oakland Park City Commission.

Dear Neighbor:

Queridos vecinos,

As you know, the election for Oakland Park City Commission will be held on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2020. There may be a number of items for your consideration on this ballot and the city elections are usually listed at the “bottom of the ballot.” I am asking you to take the time to scroll to the end of the ballot and please cast your vote for me, SCOTT HERMAN.

Como saben, la elección para la Comisión de la Ciudad de Oakland Park se llevará a cabo el martes 3 de noviembre de 2020. Puede haber una serie de elementos para su consideracion en esta boleta y las elecciones de las ciudad generalmente se enumeran en la “parte inferior de la boleta”. Le pido que se tome un tiempo para desplazarse hasta el final de la boleta y, por favor, vote por mi, SCOTT HERMAN.

EARLY VOTING HAS STARTED VOTE NOW OCTOBER 19 - NOVEMBER 1 ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER 3 HA COMENZADO LA VOTACION ANTICIPADA ¡VOTA AHORA! OCTUBRE 19 - NOVIEMBRE 1 Y EL DIA DE LAS ELECCIONES 3 DE NOVIEMBRE

Candidate for Oakland Park Commissioner. Paid for and approved by Scott Herman, nonpartisan, for Oakland Park City Commission.

Elegir a Scott Herman por la Comision de la Ciudad de Oakland Park Principios de política, ¡porque te mereces algo mejor!

Elegir a Scott Herman por la Comision de la Ciudad de Oakland Park

Principios de política, ¡porque te mereces algo mejor!

As a Gulf War Combat Veteran in the U.S. Army, I continue to work for the concerns in our courts, jails, hospitals, employment and to address the high rate of homeless veterans. I will create a more diverse and effective public safety plan for seniors. As a City Commissioner, I will aggressively advocate and be a strong individual to push SMART GROWTH in Oakland Park. I will fight to resolve the problem of flooding caused by storm water runoff throughout the city.

EARLY VOTING HAS STARTED VOTE NOW OCTOBER 19 - NOVEMBER 1 ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER 3 HA COMENZADO LA VOTACION ANTICIPADA ¡VOTA AHORA! OCTUBRE 19 - NOVIEMBRE 1 Y EL DIA DE LAS ELECCIONES 3 DE NOVIEMBRE

Candidate for Oakland Park Commissioner. Paid for and approved by Scott Herman, nonpartisan, for Oakland Park City Commission.

Facebook.com/ScottHerman4FL

(954) 801-1789 (call and/or text)

EARLY VOTING HAS STARTED VOTE NOW OCTOBER 19 - NOVEMBER 1 ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER 3 HA COMENZADO LA VOTACION ANTICIPADA ¡VOTA AHORA! OCTUBRE 19 - NOVIEMBRE 1 Y EL DIA DE LAS ELECCIONES 3 DE NOVIEMBRE

Candidate for Oakland Park Commissioner. Paid for and approved by Scott Herman, nonpartisan, for Oakland Park City Commission.

NEWS HIGHLIGHT

SouthFloridaGayNews.com

FORMER MAYOR PETE BUTTIGIEG’S PAC ENDORSES FOUR FLORIDA DEMOCRATS

Florida Senate District 9 candidate Patricia Sigman.

Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com

Senior Feature Columnists Correspondents

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

Contributing Columnists

Former Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Photo via Pete Buttigieg, Facebook.

Republican held seats. Diamond is the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee. “I am so honored to receive the support of a friend and someone who has paved the way for a new generation of leadership,” said Junquera, a Miami-Dade Democrat. “I only hope we can win on election day and push forward to build a new and better era!” Buttigieg, the former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has become a leading Democratic operative during the 2020 campaign. The gay-married Navy veteran has gone into unfriendly arenas such as Fox News to push back against Republican arguments. Buttigieg’s ability to effectively articulate cultural issues recently earned him the nickname “Slayer Pete” by the Los Angeles Times. “My *preference* is that the winner of this presidential election should choose the next justice,” Buttigieg tweeted Oct. 13, a reference to the outdated term “sexual preference” used by Supreme Court justice nominee Amy Coney Barrett. The four Florida endorsements are part of a field of 47 candidates endorsed by Win the Era.

Associated Press • 10 . 22.2020

Norm.Kent@sfgn.com

Associate Publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley

Brian McNaught • Jesse Monteagudo

COVER: Photo via Adobe.

Publisher • Norm Kent

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

Florida District 35 Senator-elect Shevrin Jones.

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

Editorial

John McDonald in the Era, Pete Buttigieg’s political action committee, has endorsed four Democrats running for state level office in Florida. The candidates are Florida District 35 Senator-elect Shevrin Jones, Florida Senate District 9 candidate Patricia Sigman, Florida Rep. Ben Diamond of St. Petersburg and Florida House District 118 candidate Ricky Junquera. Jones is set to become Florida’s first Black gay Senator and was an early supporter of former Vice President Joe Biden. Sigman and Junquera are in tight races to flip

@SFGN

October 22, 2020 • Volume 11 • Issue 42

Pier Angelo • Terri Schlichenmeyer Dana Rudolph • Ric Reily

Associate Photographers Carina Mask • Steven Shires

Sales & Marketing For ad placement in SFGN, contact 954-530-4970 Sales Manager • Justin Wyse Justin@sfgn.com Senior Advertising Associate • Edwin Neimann Edwin@sfgn.com Distribution Services • Noah Lebel Sales Consultant • Charles A. Reid

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NLGJA Journalist of the Year SOUTH FLORIDA GAY NEWS.COM, INC. — — Florida House District 118 candidate Ricky Junquera.

FOUNDED, DECEMBER, 2009 BY PIER GUIDUGLI AND NORM KENT South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs. Copyright © 2020 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

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10 . 22 . 20 20 •

NEWS LOCAL

EARLY VOTING HAS STARTED Mail-In Ballot Request Deadline Saturday

Christiana Lilly

onday, Oct. 19 marked the first day of early voting — even so, more than 2.5 million Floridians had already cast their vote by turning in their ballots by mail, according to the Florida Division of Elections. As early voting begins, here’s what you need to know to vote in the 2020 General Election:

VOTING IN PERSON During early voting, Florida voters can vote at any early voting precinct in their county. This is different than when you vote on Election Day — in that case, you must vote in the precinct you have been assigned to (you can find that location on your voter registration card or on the Supervisor of Elections website). Voting in person is from Oct. 19 to Nov. 1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In Monroe County, voting hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Early voting is convenient for people who don’t have a flexible schedule and could use the extra time to make their way to the polls. In Florida, you must bring a form of ID — typically, people bring their driver’s license. Ballots here are pieces of paper that you fill in a bubble to cast your vote. The ballot is then inserted into a machine to begin the counting process. Due to COVID-19, you must wear a mask when waiting in line and voting. Precincts have been providing hand sanitizer as well as giving each voter a pen for them to take home, rather than sharing them.

VOTING BY MAIL There is also still the option to vote by mail. While this is not a new method of voting, many people this year are opting to mail in their ballot due to the coronavirus. If you are immunocompromised, or you simply don’t want to wait in a line, you can always mail in your ballot. If you haven’t requested your mail-in ballot, you need to move fast — the deadline is Oct. 24. Visit your county’s Supervisor of Election website to request one, or you can also call, go in person, or write to the office. You will receive your ballot in the mail and voting rights advocates recommend that you mail it back as soon as possible to ensure that your vote is counted in time. Be sure to follow all the instructions on your ballot to make sure your vote is counted — the most common mistake voters make is not signing the envelope. After mailing your ballot, you can track the status of your ballot on your county’s Supervisor of Elections website. The US Postal Service also has a program called Informed Delivery to help customers track their mails — including their ballot! You can get more information on voting

• 10 . 22.2020

Starting at 5:30 a.m. on Oct. 19, approximately 200 early voters began to form a queue and stood in the rain. Photo by Carina Mask.

by mail at the Florida Department of State’s website.

DROPPING OFF YOUR BALLOT A mix of voting in person and mailing in a ballot, during early voting, you can drop off your filled-out ballot you got in the mail at any early voting site. Some people have been wary of their ballot getting lost in the mail, so this is a way to reduce your time at the precinct. After Nov. 1, you will not be able to drop off your ballot at an early voting site. You will have to fill out a brand-new ballot on Nov. 3, Election Day.

OTHER NOTES A reminder that voting is not a test! Feel free to bring your notes or a cheat sheet of the people and amendments you want to vote for. This will help ease your anxiety and also get you out the door faster. Some people also prefer to vote by mail so that they can take their time at home to fill out their ballot. You can research candidates and amendments by visiting the League of Women Voters of Florida, endorsements from newspapers, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, SAVE Action PAC, and other groups. The most important thing is that you vote, no matter what method you use! If you feel that somehow your voting rights have been violated, call the ACLU at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

SUPERVISOR OF ELECTION WEBSITES Palm Beach County: pbcelections.org Broward County: browardsoe.org Miami-Dade County: miamidade.gov/global/elections/home.page Monroe County: keys-elections.org

10 . 22 . 20 20 â&#x20AC;¢

NEWS NATIONAL

TIFFANY TRUMP COURTS LGBT VOTERS IN TAMPA ‘PRIDE’ EVENT John McDonald NEEL AMIN, MD

TOM MACEK, MD

Board Certified in: ANESTHESIOLOGY PAIN MANAGEMENT

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• 10 . 22.2020

resident Donald Trump’s youngest daughter hit the campaign trail in Tampa on Saturday for an event designed to reach out to LGBT voters. “I know what my father believes in,” said Tiffany Trump in a 10-minute speech at the Westshore Grand Hotel. “Prior to politics he supported gays, lesbians … the LGBQIA+ community, okay.” Organizers for the Trump Pride event touted the president’s global plans to decriminalize homosexuality and end the HIV epidemic. Tiffany Trump’s mother, Marla Maples, was in the audience. Maples, a former Broadway actress, is the president’s second wife. “Unfortunately, one of her best friends passed away from AIDS and what I think is so powerful when my father says there will be a cure for AIDS within the next 10 years, there will be and God bless,” said Tiffany Trump. Local Democrats, however, were not buying it. “Donald Trump is delusional if he thinks he can spend three years attacking our rights and then turn around and ask for our vote,” said civil rights attorney Michele Rayner. In a statement, Rayner, the first Black queer woman elected to the Florida House of Representatives, said Trump’s last-ditch political stunt is not fooling anyone. “Waving a rainbow flag for an afternoon means nothing after his administration appointed dozens of anti-LGBTQ judges to federal courts, codified discrimination against transgender Americans, and are fighting to overturn the Affordable Care Act, and its protections for our community.” Before introducing Tiffany Trump, former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell blasted California Senator Kamala Harris, Joe Biden’s vice presidential nominee, as the “queen bee of cancel culture.” “Kamala Harris doesn’t have the courage to sit across the table from someone she disagrees with who is a gay conservative,” Grenell said. “She votes against them, which is fine, but you should at least meet with them. Why can’t you sit and listen to a different argument, Kamala? You can’t because you’re the queen of cancel culture.” Grenell said he marched in Washington

Tiffany Trump. Photo credit: McCauley’s Corner.

in 1993 with gay and lesbian Democrats, Independents and Republicans, carrying a sign that read “Diversity and Tolerance.” “All we wanted was to be accepted,” Grenell said. Grenell railed against “Gay Inc.” and gay leftists determined to keep equality as a leverage issue. “They have lost their way,” he said. “They demand you be pro-abortion, they demand you be for immigration open borders, they demand you be for all of the left issues because they recognize we have made equality happen in this country. They don’t wanna give it up.” Brandon Wolf, Equality Florida Media Relations Manager, countered the event on social media. “I cannot express to you how tired I am of this pathetic grift,” Wolf tweeted. “Our fight for equality — the one we’re having to wage against you — is not yours to pervert for tacky campaign graphics. Get your hands off our rights and stop trying to gaslight us.” Equality Florida Action PAC called Trump Pride a “desperate and cynical sham.” “Donald Trump is the worst President the LGBTQ community has ever seen,” said Nadine Smith, EqFL Action PAC executive director. “This event is a pathetic attempt to hide his appalling record and it’s fooling no one. We are tired of Trump’s lies and our community understands a second term would be devastating.”

NEWS STATE

WEEKLY TRACKING OF COVID-19 IN SOUTH FLORIDA

PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

Sean McShee

CUMULATIVE KNOWN COVID-19 CASES IN THREE SOUTH FLORIDA Cumulative Known COVID-19COUNTIES: Cases in Three South Florida OCTOBER Counties: 20 OCTOBER 14 THROUGH October 14 through October 20

Percent Increase in cumulative COVID-19 cases from 10/14 to 10/20 Palm Beach 2.0%, Broward 2.1%, and Miami Dade 1.7%

10/14

10/15

81,107

10/16

10/17

Palm Beach

81,537

81,277

49,068

49,011

48,870

48,674

48,496

48,337

80,820

80,443

80,112

79,876

179,286

178,726

178,354

177,893

177,339

176,809

176,271

10/18

49,298

10/19

Broward

10/20

Miami-Dade Source Fl DOH Dashboard

Source: Florida DOH Dashboard.

CUMULATIVE KNOWN COVID-19 DEATHS IN THREE SOUTH FLORIDA COUNTIES: Cumulative Known COVID-19 Deaths Cumulative Known COVID-19 Cases in in Three South Florida Counties:20 Three South Florida Counties: OCTOBER 14 THROUGH OCTOBER

Percent Increase in cumulative COVID-19 deaths from 10/14 to 10/20 Percent Increase in cumulative COVID-19 cases from 10/14 to 10/20 Palm Beach 3.1%, Broward 2.2%, and Miami Dade 2.2% Palm Beach 2.0%, Broward 2.1%, and Miami Dade 1.7%

1,484 79,876 1,465 48,337

1,492 80,112

80,4431,500

48,870

48,674

48,496

1,506 80,820

81,107 1,510

1,490

1,487

1,478

1,472

81,277 1,515

1,497 49,068

49,011

179,286 3,561

178,726 3,547

178,354 3,540

177,893 3,537

177,339 3,520

176,809 3,501

Sep 30, 2020

June 14, 2020

October 14 through October October 14 through October 20 20

176,271 3,485

Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board Endorses: “Re-elect Dennis Bailey, an experienced Broward Circuit Court judge with a strong work ethic.

Re-elect Dennis Bailey and maintain stability in the courthouse

81,5371,517

1,510

49,298

Also Recommended by PBA, FOP, Broward County Council of Professional Firefighters, The Hispanic Vote and AFL-CIO 10/14 10/14

10/15 10/15

Palm Beach

10/16 10/16

10/17 10/17

Palm Beach Broward Broward

10/18 10/18

10/19 10/19

10/20 10/20

Miami Dade Miami-Dade Source Fl DOH Dashboard Source Fl DOH Dashboard

3350 S.W. 148th Ave., Suite110 Miramar, Fl 33027 • www.reelectjudgebailey.com Political Advertisement paid for and approved by Dennis Daniel Bailey, non-partisan, candidate for Circuit Court Judge, Group 16.

Source: Florida DOH Dashboard. 10 . 22 . 20 20 •

NEWS STATE

EQFL HIRES LARGEST LGBT ELECTION TEAM IN US Damon Scott

t’s well known that Florida is recognized across the country as the biggest battleground state in this year’s election — with its 29 electoral votes and historically tight election results.

The state’s outsized role this year and the final push to Nov. 3 is not lost on Equality Florida. The influential LGBT advocacy organization stated this month that the Sunshine State has “the most important political real estate” in the U.S. So EQFL has made a bold move — hiring new staff that now comprise the largest elections team in its 23-year history — a total of 16 field organizers and field fellows across the state. The new hires and the organization’s election focus also comprise the largest state LGBT electoral program in the country, EQFL said. “We live in the most important political real estate in the country,” Wes Davis, EQFL’s field director said in a statement. “Pro-equality voters will make the difference on Election Day. We are thrilled to bring together some of the most talented minds in Florida’s LGBTQ movement.” The new hires come in the midst of what is already the group’s biggest election program and at a time when many polls show not only a tight presidential race, but tight down ballot races as well. Davis said more than 560,000 pro-equality voters in Florida would be mobilized in some way by EQFL this election cycle. The group has already contacted more than 717,000, filled 700 volunteer shifts and held 30 virtual grassroots events, he said. “Our team reflects the state’s diversity and prioritizes the issues LGBTQ Floridians care about,” Davis said. The EQFL field fellows are Ariel Colin-Castruita (Sarasota), Brenno Da Mota (Orlando), Chanz McIntosh (Orlando), Francesca Catena (Miami), Logan Buffa (Tallahassee), Mars D’Amico (Deltona), Recquel James (Poinciana), Skoervitch Emile (Tampa), Alexandra Igoe (Lakeland) and Kristoph Marczinkowski (Lakeland). Ignacia Araya is a public policy fellow in Miami.

More information is available at EqFL.org. 8

• 10 . 22.2020

Yordanos Molla is a senior field organizer in Tampa. She was previously an organizer at the Black Youth Project 100 and Advocates for Youth.

Salvatore Vieira is a field organizer in Orlando. He previously worked as a field organizer in Central Florida for Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign and was part of Organizing Together 2020.

MEET THE TEAM

Sebastian Leon is a field organizer located in Miami. He is a Colombian-born graduate of the University of South Florida with a degree in history and political science. He previously worked for Sen. Bill Nelson and Rep. Kathy Castor.

Benjamin Stinson-Hurwitz is a field organizer located in St. Petersburg. He has deep roots in Pinellas County and has volunteered with EQFL for many years. He studied political science at Florida International University.

All photos courtesy of EqFL.

NEWS SNAPSHOT OF THE WEEK

A PROUD NEW LEADER BREAKING NEWS

Kevin Clevenger is the new Executive Director of Pride Fort Lauderdale. Read more on SFGN.com later this week.

10 . 22 . 20 20 â&#x20AC;¢

NEWS LOCAL

MAYOR DEAN TRANTALIS PUSHES BACK AGAINST CRITICISM DURING

VIRTUAL CANDIDATES FORUM Ken Cooper addressing the homeless situation in Fort Lauderdale. Image via YouTube.

Carina Mask

urnadette Norris-Weeks moderated a heated forum featuring Fort Lauderdale’s mayoral candidates, incumbent Mayor Dean Trantalis and his challenger Ken Cooper. There isn’t much that Trantalis and Cooper agree on, and it became more than apparent on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 15 during a virtual forum with all the mayoral and commission candidates. Cooper has been consistently critical about the current commission and Trantalis. He likens the pace and overdevelopment of luxury condominiums on the U.S. 1 corridor to New York City. During the forum, Cooper was extremely vocal about his view on the current commission’s overspending and alleged mismanagement of funds for cosmetic updates for the City of Fort Lauderdale and the lack of funding for infrastructures, such as sewer and water lines, water plant, and police stations. “[This] commission is kicking the can down the road, [and its] proof is in the pudding. A prime example is the sewers; you’ve 50-year-old sewer pipes — they’re beyond the life span,” Cooper said. “Same issue with the water pipes and the water plant. Why is it always a crisis? The city’s management is run by crisis management and not foresight or planning.” Trantalis exploded back, “I am so outraged by what this gentleman just said — it’s filled with misconceptions; this community should not be burdened by what he just said.” Trantalis noted much of the city’s problems started with the previous city manager, Lee Feldman. Many of the recurring issues that were facing the city were never dealt with. Feldman was fired from his position last October and replaced by Chris Lagerbloom on Jan. 1 of this year. “Go down any street in any neighborhood and we are rebuilding, we’re moving in a fast forward. This commission is a can do commission,” Trantalis said. “We’ve got stadiums, we’re rebuilding the aquatics center, we’ve got infrastructure, and we’re saving people’s lives with our response during COVID-19.” The water and sewer pipe system in Fort Lauderdale has been deteriorating for years. There have been multiple reports of pipes bursting throughout the city since last year. In February, city officials warned pipes will continue to break. According to the Sun Sentinel between Dec. 10 and Feb. 8, Fort Lauderdale’s crumbling sewer pipes spilled 211.6 million gallons of sewage into waterways and streets. Vice Mayor Steven Glassman reminds Cooper that he was elected to commission only two years prior and states, “The police station has been kicked down the road from previous

• 10 . 22.2020

Dean Trantalis (left) and Steven Glassman outside of the Virginia Shuman Young Elementary School. Photo via Facebook.

HERE ARE SOME OF WHAT TRANTALIS AND GLASSMAN CONSIDER ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THEIR TIME IN OFFICE, WITH PROMISES TO DO MUCH MORE. — Over 150 Public Works projects have been initiated, starting with storm drain installations — Creating an Emergency Relief Program for small businesses recovering from COVID-19 — Creating more Affordable Housing Projects near the Downtown area — Increases community engagement by establishing the District 2 Neighborhood President’s Roundtable.

— Approval for renovation for Fort Lauderdale’s Aquatics Center

— Transportation and congestion due to traffic

— Modernizing the War Memorial Auditorium at Holiday Park with a partnership with the Florida Panthers hockey team

— The need for affordable housing near the downtown area is a rising concern

— Ending annual “raids” on the sewer and water funds which have been historically used to balance the books. — Downtown Master Plan

administrations for years and years.” Incumbent Vice Mayor/Commissioner Glassman was sworn into his first term as a city commissioner for District 2 on March 20, 2018. Glassman said he understands the intricacies of working with small and large governmental organizations. He has over a decade of experience working with the Cultural Arts Division of Broward County. Two things that are close to Glassman’s heart: renovation and preservation of the Annie Beck House and approving a landmark Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Ordinance for LGBT protections. This past January, the current commission prioritized

— The influx of homelessness pre-COVID-19 — Water quality of the waterways (Tarpon River) — Countermeasures addressing sealevel rise

the improvement of infrastructure, updating the sewer and water mains, stormwater wells, and the seawalls. Kyle Gibson is challenging Glassman for his seat in District 2. Gibson has been a pastor at the African Methodist Episcopal Church for the last two decades. Gibson wants the city to be a leader when it comes to environmentally sound practices and pushing for sustainability and green energy. He’s taking a grassroots approach to fundraising and canvassing. He believes going door-to-door and starting conversations with his future constituents is the best way to harbor a relationship.

10 . 22 . 20 20 â&#x20AC;¢

PA L M B E A C H

news

PBCHRC WORKS TO EXPAND ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ORDINANCES WITH

‘15 TO 5’ CAMPAIGN Christiana Lilly

WHEN RAND HOCH GETS A CALL FROM SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES THEY WERE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST AT WORK, HE HAS TWO INITIAL QUESTIONS FOR THEM: WHERE DID THIS HAPPEN, AND HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED THERE? Unfortunately, in Palm Beach County, their children, cousins, uncles and aunts businesses with less than 15 people to help run the business. However, calls are exempt from equal opportunity have been made to make the number ordinances. The Palm Beach County fewer as these sorts of businesses are Human Rights Council wants to change less popular. that, and this summer they started the “When the Supreme Court determined “Fifteen to Five” Campaign, which would that the civil rights laws cover employers decrease the number of employees a for both sex and gender identity, we took small business must have and still be a look at the law again here and we looked covered by the law. at our own laws and realized we still also “There are very few calls I get with five had 15,” Hoch said of Palm Beach County. [employees] or less, but I have received Currently, Broward, Miami-Dade, Orange calls over the years for and Pinellas Counties have businesses that have maybe lowered their ordinances to IN PALM 10 or 12 people that I would at least four or five people have to say ‘I really can’t do working in a business. With BEACH anything for you because assistance from the PBCHRC, COUNTY, your employer is not covered the city of West Palm Beach by the law,’” said Hoch, the amended its own equal BUSINESSES president and founder of the opportunity ordinance in WITH LESS PBCHRC. August and now businesses But it goes beyond sexual with five or more employees THAN 15 orientation. cannot discriminate against PEOPLE ARE In an email blast to its employees. subscribers, the group Now, PBCHRC is working EXEMPT announced the campaign and to get this protection passed FROM EQUAL said that they have received across the county. “hundreds of complaints of Since they were founded in OPPORTUNITY employment discrimination 1980, the group has helped ORDINANCES. enact more than 140 laws and from LGBTQ people, people of color, immigrants, other policies protecting employees minorities, and women, who worked at and people from discrimination. They are small businesses. Unfortunately, there the oldest independent and nonpartisan was little we could do to help.” LGBT group in the state. Part of its work is The law, which was enacted in the ‘60s, to educate legislators of issues that they originally called for 15 people to protect may not realize exist in their community. family-run businesses that wanted to “When you educate someone while keep employees in the family, hiring they’re running for local office and let

• 10 . 22.2020

Rand Hoch, the president and founder of the PBCHRC. Photo via Rand Hoch, Facebook.

them know this is our group, this is what we do, this is why we do it, we would like your help in doing this, as they move up in office, they realize that LGBTQ people not only exist but we’re often not provided with the same benefits or the same protection,” Hoch said. He cited the example of this summer’s Supreme Court ruling protecting LGBT employees from discrimination — prior to

that decision, many people didn’t realize that in most counties in Florida, “it was perfectly legal to tell someone ‘Oh, we don’t hire lesbians.” The PBCHRC brought their “Fifteen to Five” campaign to the Palm Beach County Commissioners this summer and are hoping it will make an item on the agenda this fall. They anticipate that it will pass.

To learn more about the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council and its work, visit pbchrc.org.

10 . 22 . 20 20 â&#x20AC;¢

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WMG Wilton Manors Commission Takes Up Parking Issue Wilton Manors Gazette

By John McDonald

954.763.1900

Russell Cormican

Attorney at Law 12 SE 7th St Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Norman Elliott Kent

Attorney at Law 2520 N. Dixie Hwy Wilton Manors, FL 33305

www.NormKent.com

Pay to park could be coming back to Wilton Manors, but what will it look like? During last week’s virtual commission meeting, a discussion on paid parking meters commenced. “Everyone is reluctant to bring parking fees back,” said Acting Mayor Tom Green in a telephone conversation with The Wilton Manors Gazette. “Fort Lauderdale raised their parking fees. We still have to vote on it. The bar owners are not really happy about it.” Green said the parking discussion will continue at the commission’s next meeting on Oct. 27, which will be his last as acting mayor. Wilton Manors currently has a contract with Atlanta-based Lanier Parking Solutions. “It’s really tough,” Commissioner Julie Carson said. “Our business community is suffering a great deal, however at the same time we have a parking fund that is diminished. If we want to be fully robust I’d like to see us bring the fees back. If we do it, we need to do it with plenty of notice and proper education. I’m certainly willing to support bringing the fees back at the rate that they were before.” Previously, the rate was $1.25 per hour. Carson said she looks forward to the public comment and exploring ways of transporting people into the city that are not car-related. Jason Basilico, a business owner and commission candidate, asked that paid parking meter enforcement be reinstated when businesses are allowed to operate at full capacity and normal hours. Basilico also expressed concern for the upcoming Halloween weekend and the expected increase in foot traffic in the arts and entertainment district. “The last thing we need is a huge spike in [COVID-19] cases causing a longer delay in getting back to normal,” Basilico said. Along with parking, commissioners discussed a new landscaping agreement, a development proposal at 2041 NE 9th Ave., litigation with Challenge Fitness over a noise ordinance violation and listened to feedback from residents. One of those residents, Michael Rajner,

Wilton Manors City Hall. Photo via Facebook.

criticized the city’s police department for canceling its National Night Out program. “I think it was a missed opportunity for the police department during a time where law enforcement is trying to really engage with communities and dialogue,” Rajner said. “I think the police department should have considered trying to do the event via Zoom citywide. They probably could have engaged more with residents on issues of policing and crime and how to protect your home more. They do a lot working through some of the neighborhood associations, which is great but a lot of people are not part of neighborhood associations.” Rajner suggested the police department reach out through Zoom and reschedule the National Night Out program. At the start of the meeting, proclamations were issued recognizing activists Jesse Monteagudo and Barbara Stuart. Monteagudo is a Cuban American gay rights activist and SFGN columnist, while Stuart served for many years as president of the Broward Teachers Union and was an antagonist of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. WMG

HAVE YOU JOINED THE GAZETTE’S FACEBOOK GROUP? Visit Facebook.com/groups/WMGazette to join the discussion. The Gazette welcomes feedback for its community initiative. Email Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com with comments, suggestions, etc. 2266 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 • (954) 565-2526

• 10 . 22.2020

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Publisher's Editorial

CONVICTIONS

THE MANORS MAYORAL RACE

IT’S JULIE CARSON’S TIME

Julie Carson. Photo via Facebook.

Norm Kent

norm.kent@sfgn.com

Wilton Manors is the epicenter of South Florida’s LGBT centric community. It has been for nearly 20 years. Not surprisingly, South Florida Gay News has flourished for over a decade with its offices at Five Points, in the heart of the Manors. During this time, SFGN has grown, thanks to your support. We have even established a twice-monthly news insert focused just on our city, the Wilton Manors Gazette, or WMG, as you see it in on our masthead. We send reporters and photographers out weekly to cover city commission meetings, breaking news and community events. They illuminate our lives in this affluent island city of many waterways. SFGN has interviewed the candidates, published their positions, and presented to you, their ideas. Online and in print, in the Mirror Magazine and our paper, we have laid out their vision for your future. Each are advocates for a better city. Now it is up to you to decide the ones that best advocate your concerns.

JULIE CARSON FOR MAYOR

NOW GENDER OR ORIENTATION ARE NOT GROUNDS ALONE FOR SUPPORTING A CANDIDATE. BUT OPENING THE DOORS TO DIVERSITY MOST SURELY IS.

Earlier this year, our city sustained an incalculable loss. A vigorous young mayor, Justin Flippen, lost his life, felled by a fatal and totally unanticipated stroke. Life is ever so precious, and the tragedy so sudden, it was not just frightfully stunning, but enormously painful. Adversity is a challenge that gives people an opportunity to rise to the occasion. City Commissioner Julie Carson did. She became the spiritual center for a hurting community. Carson galvanized our souls with strength and courage. Julie Carson empowered us to carry on — to maintain faith and fortitude in the face of the loss we sustained. Julie Carson has convincingly demonstrated she can lead this

• 10 . 22.2020

community in the toughest of times. Then came COVID, and our world itself has been tested even more so. With patience and calm, Carson has also helped this city negotiate a second, continuing crisis. Carson’s experience, temperament and work ethic have judiciously integrated our community’s social responsibilities with its entrepreneurial and economic needs. Now gender or orientation are not grounds alone for supporting a candidate. But opening the doors to diversity most surely is. Passing the torch to a new generation of leaders is what our country should be all about. In a community that has been forever white and male, Julie Carson demonstrates to Wilton Manors that it’s time for a female. Carson’s most credible opponent is a worthy candidate himself. Scott Newton is a former mayor running again, who helped lay the foundations a developing community is building upon. We respect that work, acknowledge his tenure, and applaud his integrity. Still, time marches on. Today, I believe that Carson is the person most capable of representing our city’s diverging interests while promoting public safety and economic growth. The candidacy of Josie Smith-Malave demonstrates that eventually any one of us can find a place at the table, either as a chef or a commissioner. At this time, however, Smith-Malave simply does not have the track record or experience her opponents have garnered. We always knew that Julie Carson could ride a horse. This year, on both a personal and professional level, she has shown us she can buck a bronco. She has earned your support.

She has led us already. Give her a full term to do more.

CITY COMMISSIONERS Like every other city in this country, the Manors is facing the challenge of negotiating its way through a pandemic. The virus has delivered a right cross to our small businesses and hospitality industry establishments. The wealth of exceptionally qualified candidates for city commission is proof that Wilton Manors has a rainbow of future community leaders ready to undertake tomorrow’s challenges. Thank goodness. We should be proud of the voices seeking election to city hall this year. We do not have barefoot stalkers or charlatans trying to steal your vote or enhance their stature while fighting restraining orders or DUI’s in the courts. It’s a pleasant sea change from elections past. In fact, mark this year, 2020, as one where Wilton Manors voters have more eminently qualified candidates than open seats to fill

them. Make your decisions thoughtfully. Amongst the voices seeking to represent you are Doug Blevins, who has been a respected and honorable civic activist for years, and then the younger Chris Caputo, who has distinguished himself in the nonprofit sector. Newcomer Mike Bracchi has orchestrated a professional campaign that brings to the table his reputation as a distinguished attorney. Jason Basilico integrates the experience of a Navy veteran with running a popular local bar. Two other candidates bring unique experiences to the table. One might want to move here before running for office, though. Nevertheless, most are more qualified than unqualified. We have learned this year that even the decisions of city commissioners can impact your lives immensely. If you want to drink clean water, have safe local roads, and ensure that a global health pandemic is addressed with wisdom and caution, then vote for the person you think best able to address those needs. The life you save may be your own. Good Luck.

CONVICTIONS

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2/25/2020 AM 10 . 22 . 20 20 8:42:59 • 17

LGBT HISTORY MONTH

JESSE’S JOURNAL

BEFORE GAY PORN THERE WAS PAT ROCCO WHO LED THE WAY Jesse Monteagudo

Pat Rocco. Courtesy photo.

at Rocco (1934-2018) was a pioneer gay full-frontal male nudity, though critics derided filmmaker and activist. Though he was them as “danglies” (where the penis would popular and well-known during his heyday “dangle” and not do much else). Rocco’s “male he is hardly remembered today. Whitney Strub, in nude film festival” was the most popular of the lot. an essay (2014) published by the UCLA Film and Film scholar Thomas Waugh noted that “Rocco’s Television Archive on its website, called Rocco short and sentimental danglie programs were so “a pioneering figure in the cultural wing of the sensational that the premieres were covered by sexual revolution, but his work goes too little Variety, hyped by spotlights and limousines, and remembered today. attended by the filmmaker’s mother.” Though on a technical level he was no Rocco himself told an interviewer that his cinematic virtuoso, between 1968 and 1976 Rocco films “were the first really overt gay films with built a truly remarkable body of work. His erotic nudity in a public theater. I have had a number shorts helped spearhead the zesty vitality of of people tell me that ‘I came out because of your gay liberation which his documentaries in turn films.’ Soon there was an enormous upsurge of captured.” popularity. Men would come up and say, ‘I’ve got The man Esquire called “the Cecil B. De Mille of several young men that I know that I’d like you gay films” was born Pasquale Vincent Serrapica to meet.’ In a couple of cases I had fathers come in Brooklyn, the son of an and say, ‘I’d like you to use my Italian American family. Rocco son in a film.’” Even gay activists moved to Southern California were impressed: Jim Kepner at 11 and came out as gay at called Rocco’s films “exhilarating, 13. During the ‘50s and ‘60s fresh, ideal, basic and agonizingly Rocco pursued a diverse career beautiful” while Jack Nichols in entertainment. He had his wrote that “Pat Rocco will do more own radio show, appeared on to uplift the morale and self-image television with Tennessee Ernie of American homosexuals than Ford and other celebrities, ran a thousand Mattachine orators.” a theater in the Simi Valley and Kepner and other devotees directed plays. of Rocco formed the fan club In 1967 Rocco answered an SPREE — Society of Pat Rocco ad in the Los Angeles Free Press Enlightened Enthusiasts. A social and began a new career as a club and service organization, male physique photographer, SPREE offered its members FILMMAKER, ACTIVIST which in turn led to the creation “entertainment with an emphasis of his production company, on male nudity in a wholesome Bizarre Productions, which atmosphere.” specialized in gay erotic films. Though Rocco’s films were remarkable for “The timing,” Strub noted, “could not have their time and place, in retrospect there was not been better: a confluence of forces, including gay much to write home about. Jeffrey Escoffier, in his activism and its push for increased visibility, the history of gay porn cinema, called Rocco’s movies rapidly diminishing scope of obscenity laws, the “conventionally sentimental. His films usually market demands of a gay consumer base, and showed attractive boys holding hands, walking the broader spirit of sexual revolution, all worked through shady woods, and kissing behind chiffon in tandem to open a new space for gay erotic curtains. They rarely even showed simulated sex. expression.” Nevertheless, showing two males kissing was In 1968, after years showing straight skin flicks, considered daring. Altogether Rocco made more the Park Theater in Los Angeles began its series of than a hundred films over the next few years — “homosexual film festivals:” homoerotic works by for the Park and other theaters.” Lacking a major Rocco, Kenneth Anger, Jean Cocteau, Bob Mizer, film studio’s budget, Rocco filmed his naked boys and others. These were the first movies to show in outdoor locations throughout L.A., including

“I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF PEOPLE TELL ME THAT ‘I CAME OUT BECAUSE OF YOUR FILMS.’” - Pat Rocco

• 10 . 22.2020

Disneyland, Hollywood Boulevard, Griffith Park, Echo Park and even the L.A. Freeway. Though Pat Rocco specialized in short subjects, the Park and other venues showed them in groups as full-length features. One of them, “Mondo Rocco (It’s a Gay World)” (1970), is available on YouTube. With production, direction, photography, editing, narration and screenplay by Pat Rocco, “Mondo Rocco” is Rocco in a nutshell. It includes several of Rocco’s soft-core features, starring Rocco regulars like Ron Dilly and muscle-bound Rick Cassidy. Of greater historical value are Rocco’s documentaries. In “Meat Market Arrest” Rocco filmed a police raid on L.A.’s Meat Market bar, where dancer Bob Philpot was arrested for dancing completely nude. (Rocco later returned to the bar to film Philpot’s “obscene” performance.) In “Homosexuals on the March” Rocco captured his friend, the Rev. Troy Perry of the Metropolitan Community Church, leading a gay protest against California’s sodomy law. Finally, “A Night at Joanie’s” showcases Halloween night at that iconic bar, complete with a costume contest (the ubiquitous Rev. Perry was one of the judges) and a performance by female illusionist Jim Bailey as Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, and Mae West. Sadly, as porn historians Kenneth Turan and Stephen F. Zito wrote, “Pat Rocco is

an interesting example of almost instant obsolescence in the erotic film world.” The rise of hardcore porn left behind a man who porn producer Gorton Hall called “the Walt Disney of the homosexual” (and not as a compliment). When the Park Theater’s owners urged Rocco to include explicit sex in his features, the filmmaker refused. “It was not an easy decision to make,” Rocco recalled. “I was offered great sums of money to make certain films. I really feel however that showing the complete sexual action — hardcore — is not necessary to make a story real or believable. It can be indicated without going into explicit or clinical detail. Yet this is what the distributors wanted.” It was also what the consumers wanted. Even so, Rocco continued to make movies, including the full-length drama “Drifter” (1974) and the documentary “We Were There” (1976), which featured “naked gay men, lesbians, and elephants all triumphantly marching” (Strub) in the bicentennial year’s Pride parades in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Pat Rocco lived his remaining decades in quiet retirement with his partner and died on November 8, 2018, at the age of 84. This article owes much to Whitney Strub’s essay “Hey Look Me Over: The Films of Pat Rocco,” as well as books by Jeffrey Escoffier, David K. Johnson, Kenneth Turan and Stephen F. Zito, and Thomas Waugh.

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

LGBT HISTORY

MONTH

HISTORY PROJEC T SFGN TO PARTICIPATE IN MULTINEWSPAPER October marks LGBT History Month, which started in 1994 by a Missouri high school teacher, Rodney Wilson. Wilson sought out other teachers and community leaders for his effort and they chose October because school was in session and it coincided with National Coming Out Day on October 11. Soon enough LGBT History Month was endorsed by GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay ad 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, along with two dozen other LGBT publications around the country, in a special history project

spearheaded by the Philadelphia Gay News throughout October. SFGN will contribute two pieces this year to the project – one of which will be a look at the gay history of Miami’s Vizcaya, home of the legendary White Party. In the past we’ve explored the histories of Florida’s infamous Johns Committee and whether Addison Mizner, an iconic South Florida architect, was a gay man. “For many years the LGBT community didn’t know it’s own history. In many cases historians tried to censor those voices from the past,” Mark Segal, publisher of the Philadelphia Gay News, has previously said. “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, our’s has been invisible for too long.”

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LGBT HISTORY MONTH

FEATURE

QANON’S HATE CAMPAIGN NOT SAVING CHILDREN, JUST AN ANTI-GAY HISTORY Christiana Lilly

odel and cookbook author Chrissy said Hunter O’Hanian, the executive Teigen recently shared devastating director of the Stonewall National Museum news with her social media & Archives. “It’s the same silliness that followers: she and her husband, singer John happened mid-20th century and then it was Legend, had lost their child halfway through repeated again by Anita Bryant in the ‘70s her pregnancy. She shared heartbreaking and then it was repeated again in the early black-and-white photos of the couple at part of the 21st century around the issue of the hospital, including her clutching a tiny [same-sex] marriage.” blanket bundle holding their son, who they In the 1950s, alongside the Red Scare of named Jack. hunting for alleged communists was the Most of the comments were of condolences “lavender scare,” where homosexuals were and heartbreak, including women sharing targeted. their own experiences with miscarriage and The Johns Committee in Florida was stillbirth. founded in 1956 and investigated those they But there were the haters. believed to be homosexuals, and even pulled “Doesn’t change the fact that you’re [devil students out of classrooms to be interrogated. emoji]. God doesn’t like what you’ve done.” In the notorious “purple pamphlet,” a report “It’s called karma. Bad things happen to by the committee, they noted the dangers bad people.” of homosexuality and how “Look at it this way you can it would negatively impact eat him now.” youth. “PEOPLE HAVE “What a joke. After “The plain fact of the BEEN USING THE everything you were accused matter is that a great FAMILY AND THE of. You thought you’d be many homosexuals have CHILDREN’S EXCUSE blessed with another soul.” an insatiable appetite for Teigen, who has two sexual activities and find FOR A LONG children, is one of a swath special gratification in the PERIOD OF TIME of celebrities who has been recruitment to the ranks WHEN THEY WANT accused and attacked on of youth,” according to the social media as being a part pamphlet. TO DEMONIZE of an underground circle In comparing the HOMOSEXUALS of Hollywood pedophiles, differences between child AND GAY PEOPLE.” including Oprah Winfrey, molesters and homosexuals, Hilary Duff, Justin Bieber, Bill the pamphlet explains that - Hunter O’Hanian EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF and Hillary Clinton, Bill and the homosexual, “prefers THE STONEWALL NATIONAL Melinda Gates, and more. to reach out for the child at MUSEUM & ARCHIVES The theory was started the time of normal sexual by right-wing conspiracy awakening and to conduct a theorist group QAnon, which believes that psychological preliminary to the physical the celebrities control the U.S. and have ties contact. The homosexual’s goal and part of to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender his satisfaction is to ‘bring over’ the young who killed himself while in prison. person, to hook him for homosexuality.” With each accusation on social media The fear-mongering against LGBT people comes the hashtags #SaveTheChildren returned in the 1970s with the Save Our and/or #SaveOurChildren — a slogan that Children campaign by Christian singer Anita has been heard, and used against the LGBT Bryant. She used her platform to fight the community many times over the last 100 battle against “homosexual militants” when years. Miami-Dade County passed an ordinance “When I saw those things happening, I protecting gay people from workplace thought, this is the same kind of nonsense,” discrimination. Again, she brought up the

• 10 .22.2020

Courtesy of Stonewall National Museum and Archives.

dangers of homosexuals and their impact on children and the American family. In an ad in the Miami Herald, her group wrote, “The other side of the homosexual coin is a hair-raising pattern of recruitment and outright seduction and molestation — a growing pattern that predictably will intensify if society approves law granting legitimacy of sexual perverts.” Finally, the concern for children and families returned in the early 2000s when equal rights groups fought for marriage equality and the overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act. Those against same-sex marriage argued that it would deteriorate the sanctity of marriage, and later, they feared for children adopted by gay people and couples. “People have been using the family and the children’s excuse for a long period of time when they want to demonize homosexuals and gay people,” O’Hanian said. “If it weren’t so serious, it would be laughable because it’s so far removed from any kind of factual underpinning. It’s meant to make people afraid.” QAnon and the people who are

convinced by their #SaveTheChildren and #SaveOurChildren theories believe that Hollywood and elites are at the heart of child human trafficking rings in the United States and have turned to social media to raise awareness. While human trafficking is and has been a massive problem — Florida ranks third in the nation for trafficking cases — unfortunately their good intentions to “save the children” are rooted in misinformation. Somy Ali, the founder of No More Tears, which assists victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, says she has not come across any Hollywood human trafficking rings in her 14 years of experience. In fact, most human trafficking cases are not initiated by kidnappings, but rather, children and adults are groomed for months to lure them into trafficking. “The myth is that human trafficking involves kidnapping or physically forcing someone. In reality, traffickers use psychological means,” she said. “The myth is that it’s people you don’t know. Many survivors, they’ve been trafficked

GonzalezAd6x65.qxp_Layout 1 9/3/20 4:30 PM Page 1

by romantic partners, spouses, family a child sex trafficking ring and a Washington, members, including parents. That’s been my D.C. pizza parlor was one of their meeting experience.” grounds. The rumors led to a man driving One of her most recent cases involves a from North Carolina and shooting into the woman who fled New Jersey because her restaurant. husband was pimping out their 5-year-old Polaris, an organization that runs the son to friends and “customers” while she National Human Trafficking Hotline, was was at work. In the past, Ali has worked inundated with calls in July when rumors with teenagers who were lured by pimps spread throughout the internet that online online when they saw them post that they furniture company, Wayfair, was secretly were unhappy or hated their trafficking children. parents. “While Polaris treats “WHOEVER IS A few years ago, she assisted all calls to the Trafficking in rescuing a 2-year-old who Hotline seriously, the COMING OUT was being sold on the dark extreme volume of these WITH THIS web by her father — people contacts has made it more PROPAGANDA, paid $500 to watch sexual difficult for the Trafficking acts performed on her. Hotline to provide support THEY ARE TAKING “We don’t have the and attention to others who AWAY FROM THE white van grabbing the girl are in need of help,” Polaris GOOD WORK from the mall and putting said in a statement. “What chloroform on her face,” we can say is that none of THAT MANY OF US Ali said. In response to the the reports we have received ARE DOING AND conspiracy theories, she involving Wayfair contained said the allegations are any information beyond IT’S APPALLING.” “preposterous.” what has been widely shared - Somy Ali “You’re providing online.” FOUNDER OF false information, you’re As the internet provides NO MORE TEARS misleading people, you’re seemingly endless access misleading the public, and to information at the click you’re misleading innocent people who of the button, it’s also a breeding ground of want to do good,” she said. “Whoever is misinformation and “fake news.” With that, coming out with this propaganda, they are the mission to “save our children” from false taking away from the good work that many prey has returned. of us are doing and it’s appalling.” “It is disappointing to see that certain In recent rallies, people have called for an groups are bringing [the slogan] back as a investigation into “Pizzagate,” a debunked weapon,” O’Hanian said. “I suspect that we’re theory from 2016 that alleged Hillary going to continue to see this as a weapon for Clinton and other Democrats were a part of a while.”

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LATE BREAKING: Due to this report on QAnon, SFGN’s Facebook page was flagged as potentially dangerous content. Said Publisher Norm Kent, “If the president really does not know who or what QAnon is, it just proves how woefully incompetent and shamefully embarrassing he is as the Commander In Chief. Vote him out.”

This is a part of our LGBT History Month special package. Check out sfgn.com/historymonth.com/2020 daily for new stories.

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LIFESTYLE FOOD

SNACKS FOR A TIGHT END Rick Karlin

ne of the joys of fall has always been the tailgate parties before football games, or gathering at someone’s home to watch the game and share some treats. Just because we can’t get together in large groups is no reason not to enjoy some game day treats. Relax in front of your television and pretend you’re at the big game. For those of us who don’t follow sports (the only tight end I’m interested in is Matt Bomer’s), these treats will work just as well for a marathon viewing of early seasons of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Whip up these recipes from one of Fort Lauderdale’s most noted chefs, Pablo Salas from The Westin Hotel’s Lona Cocina & Tequileria and pretend you’re gathering in the parking lot of a stadium.

Guacamole With Crab or Chicharrón.

CHICKEN WINGS IN CARAMEL GUAJILLO SAUCE INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1lb. of bone-in chicken wings 1qt. vegetable oil salt & pepper to taste (caramel guajillo sauce) 5 dried guajillo peppers 8 cups of water 8 oz. white sugar (wing seasoning) 1 cup cornstarch ½ cup water ½ oz. white vinegar salt & pepper to taste

Lightly season chicken wings with salt & pepper, cool in refrigerator. Make caramel guajillo sauce. Combine water & guajillo peppers in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil. After peppers soften, transfer liquid to blender. Blend on high until mixture thickens, strain and return to saucepan. Add white sugar and mix well, return to boil, set aside. Combine wing seasoning ingredients in a small mixing bowl, mix well. Lightly toss wings in seasoning mix. Fry wings for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees. Toss wings in guajillo-caramel sauce and serve.

Pico De Gallo.

GUACAMOLE WITH CRAB OR CHICHARRÓN

PICO DE GALLO

INGREDIENTS

3 fresh ripe avocados ½ lime salt to taste

2 tomatoes, diced 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded & minced ½ cup finely chopped white onion 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped 1 lemon, juiced salt to taste

DIRECTIONS Place the avocados, lime juice and salt in a bowl. Roughly mash ingredients together. Optional, blend in chicharron or crab meat. Garnish the guacamole with pico de gallo (recipe to the right).

HUNGRY FOR MORE?  Chicken Wings in Caramel Guajillo Sauce.

• 10 .22.2020

DIRECTIONS Mix the tomato, jalapeño pepper, onion, cilantro, lemon juice and salt together in a bowl.

VISIT SFGN.COM/FOOD!

Rick Karlin is SFGN’s food editor. Visit SFGN.com/Food to read his previous reviews. Have a culinary tip to share? Email Rick at RickKarlinFL@gmail.com.

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Our holiday cycle began with a New Year and ends with Sukkot, an ancient harvest holiday that reminds us Those who sow in tears will reap in joy! It is a call for us to join together as neighbors. Our sukkah will be up from 5-7pm on Sunday, Oct.4th, on the Pride Center campus, rear building

Stop by and say hello, neighbor!

Shabbat service Friday 8pm on our Facebook Page

Congregation Etz Chaim

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

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

SPIRITUALITY

SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS.COM

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

Join us for masked, socially distanced in person worship. 11 AM Sundays. Services also LIVE-streamed on Facebook and posted on website for safe at home viewing.

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

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10 . 22 . 20 20 •

A&E DVDS

QUEERLY DIGITAL LGBT cinema on DVD/Blu-Ray, a monthly column

David-Elijah Nahmod

HALLOWEEN WITH CARMILLA AND DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS elcome to Queerly Digital, a regular column about LGBT cinema on WDVD, Blu-Ray and streaming platforms. A new take on an old classic and a restored version of another classic, both featuring lesbian vampires, offer a fun double feature for your Halloween viewing. When it was first published in the 19th century, J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s novella “Carmilla” no doubt shocked readers. “Carmilla” is the story of a female vampire, and it predated Bram Stoker’s legendary novel “Dracula” by some 25 years. What was shocking about Le Fanu’s prose is that the titular vampire was a lesbian. At a time when society would not admit that homosexuality existed, the undead Carmilla displayed a yen for young ladies. In 1970 “Carmilla” was filmed by England’s Hammer Films as “The Vampire Lovers.” That film flaunted its sexuality and was a huge hit with audiences, though, despite Carmilla’s lesbianism, “The Vampire Lovers” was a fairly traditional horror film, filled with drafty castles, fog bound graveyards and chilly crypts. Now comes a new take on “Carmilla.” Just released on DVD and streaming at Vudu, this British film offers a darkly sensual vision of the classic tale. Like the novel, the new film is simply called “Carmilla.” Set in the late 18th century, the film tells the tale of teenaged Lara (Hannah Rae) who lives in an isolated country house with her widowed father, a few servants, and her very strict governess Miss Fontaine (Jessica Raine). It’s a lonely life, a life filled with harsh discipline. But all that changes after a mysterious carriage crash near the house finds an injured young girl (Devrim Lingnau) recuperating in a spare bedroom. While Lara’s father sets out to find the girl’s family, Lara and Carmilla slowly come to feel a growing attraction to each other. For Lara, their relationship is an awakening of her own suppressed desires, which horrifies the puritanical Miss Fontaine. Lara and Carmilla soon become “blood sisters,” cutting their hands and licking each other’s blood. Is Carmilla a vampire? Though the V word is never uttered during the film, it soon becomes apparent that she indeed is one, and that Lara is not her first victim. “Carmilla” was simply shot in a real house on the English countryside. The candle lit abode is often bathed in shadows, while the sun never shines over the surrounding hills. This gives the film an ever-encroaching sense of dread and makes Carmilla’s seduction of Lara feel all the more eerie. Raine is superb as the austere Miss Fontaine, while Rae and Lingnau offer a dark sensuality as the bloodthirsty lesbian couple. Emily Harris’s assured direction keeps the film moving. Despite its somewhat slow pace, “Carmilla’s” 96 minutes pass fairly quickly. For those in the mood for something a little bit different, “Carmilla” may be what you’ve been waiting for.

• 10 .22.2020

Film Movement’s DVD of the film includes a making of documentary which includes interviews with Harris and members of the cast. And if “Carmilla” wasn’t enough to whet your Halloween appetite, Blue Underground, purveyors of cult cinema, presents a stunning new 4K restoration of “Daughters of Darkness,” the beloved 1971 cult film about a lesbian couple, both vampires, who prey upon a pair of newlyweds at a desolate Belgian hotel. The husband is bisexual and is on the run from “mother,” his sugar daddy. Blue Underground’s print is scanned from the film’s original 35 mm camera negative for this special Blu Ray release. The disc is chock full of extras, including separate commentary tracks with writer/director Harry Kümel and co-star John Karlen (“Dark Shadows”), who, to the delight of some DS fans and to the shock of others, appears nude in the film. There are also interviews with co-stars Andrea Rau and Danielle Ouimet, a souvenir booklet, and a soundtrack CD, among other extras. Though the film was shot in Belgium the actors speak in English. Delphine Seyrig, who in 1971 was a huge star in European cinema, heads the cast as Countess Elizabeth Bathory, a centuries old Hungarian noblewoman who retains her youth by bathing in female blood. She’s accompanied by her “secretary” Ilona (Andrea Rau). The two are staying at a deserted seaside hotel where they meet Stefan and Valerie (John Karlen, Danielle Ouimet), the aforementioned young newlyweds. The Countess develops an attraction to Valerie, while Ilona is interested in Stefan. The two couples become engaged in a highly erotic game of cat and mouse as the vampirism of the Countess and Ilona becomes apparent. “Daughters of Darkness” is an elegant, beautifully shot film, and evokes a kinky sensuality. Seyrig is sensational as the immortal countess. It’s impossible to take your eyes off of her when she smiles with her ruby red lips — she is the perfect seductress, at once creepy and profoundly sexy. The deserted hotel setting creates the perfect atmosphere for this chilly tale of forbidden sexual delights. Like “Carmilla,” “Daughters of Darkness” is something a bit different, a Halloween tale for those who prefer their horror films to be a bit more adult in nature.

“Camilla,” a film by Emily Harris.

“Daughters of Darkness” is also streaming at Tubi TV, though this is not the restored version.

Happy Halloween!

“Daughters of Darkness,” a film by Harry Kümel.

HISTORY

MONTH

HOUSE OF LESBIAN COUPLE PHYLLIS LYON AND DEL MARTIN TO BE LANDMARKED By Matthew S. Bajko A San Francisco supervisor has vowed to landmark the home where the late lesbian pioneering couple Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin lived throughout most of their 54 years together.

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Historic preservationists, friends of the couple, and Lyon and Martin’s daughter held a Zoom call on Sept. 24 to discuss designating the house at 651 Duncan Street in the city’s Noe Valley neighborhood as a historic site. Gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman said during the call that he would seek granting historic status to the property. “I do think this is clearly a home of historic value and needs to have that recognized and honored over time. Whatever we can do to help with that effort, we are happy to do,” said Mandelman, who represents Noe Valley at City Hall and is the lone LGBT member of the board.

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