local name global coverage November 29, 2017 vol. 8 // issue 48
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F r o m D i v e r s i S A F E t o W o r l d A I D S D ay, t h e f i g h t r a g e s o n
Dolphin Democrats Honor Pioneers
Popular Trans Activist Dies
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November 29, 2017 • Volume 8 • Issue 48
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Chief Executive Officer • Pier Angelo Guidugli Associate Publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com
Editorial
Va. GOP Leader Abolishes Tradition to allegedly Avoid Calling Trans Delegate a Woman Brittany Ferrendi
R
epublican lawmakers are taking drastic measures to avoid referring to a transgender politician by her gender identity. Democratic delegate-elect Danica Roem has joined the Virginia House of Delegates, becoming the first openly transgender lawmaker elected to a state legislature. She expressed the power of being referred to as a “gentlewoman” in one of her campaign advertisements — but before she takes office in January, that power was taken away from her. The Republican-controlled House chose to end their 400-year-old tradition of referring to one another as a “gentleman” or a “gentlewoman,” instead using the gender neutral language of “delegate.” According to PinkNews, this change was made to avoid calling Roem by her gender identity. House Majority Leader M. Kirkland Cox (R-Colonial Heights) confirmed the change in a statement to The Washington Post. “All members will be afforded the same respect and courtesy that this nearly 400-yearold institution commands,” Parker Slaybaugh, spokesperson for Cox, said. “Speaker-designee Cox believes the ‘gentlelady’ and ‘gentleman’ terminology is outdated, and that referring to everyone as ‘delegate’ is more timely and appropriate.” Former Virginia Commonwealth University
Political Science Professor Bob Holsworth saw through their decision. “They’re trying in some way to thread a needle with their own base,” he said. “They’re willing to change the tradition in this sense before they will explicitly acknowledge Danica Roem as a woman.” However, Roem still remained strong, pointing out the lengths the Republicancontrolled House are willing to go because of her victory. “What matters the most is that I’m there,” she said. “What matters the most to the people of the 13th District is that the woman they elected to serve them will be working on their behalf. I will be the delegate from Prince William, and I will conduct myself as the gentlewoman from Prince William while I’m in Richmond and in any other official capacity in which I serve.” Del. Kenneth R. Plum (D-Fairfax) was “really disappointed” in the change, stating “if Danica Roem had not won the election we would still be doing the same thing we have done for 400 years.” He added, “It’s unfortunate that we, in effect, have to single out her election, as unique as it is.” Still, Republican lawmakers defended the change. “There are always changes going on,” said state Sen. Richard Black (R-Loudoun). MEMBER “We sometimes refer to women by the term ‘Ms.,’ which didn’t exist until some years ago. MEMBER
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Senior Features Correspondents It used to be ‘Miss’ or ‘Mrs.’ Then, it was ‘Ms.’” A House Democrat unnamed by the Washington Post believes the change was “shameful” and that the delegates “ought to be big enough to get over these hang-ups we have.” Roem defeated GOP incumbent Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William). During his campaign he repeatedly referred to her as a male and used male pronouns when referring to her. He also attacked her gender identity in order to garner more votes. After her victory, the newly-elected lawmaker joined pop star Demi Lovato at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles to make a statement against bullying. “Demi Lovato and Danica Roem are two strong and inspirational women who embody the need for all Americans to stand together united and to take action today against any form of discrimination and oppression,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis according to E! News. “Danica Roem is a trailblazer whose win in Virginia showcased both how young people and marginalized communities can impact voting results and how every American deserves an opportunity to work hard and achieve their dreams,” she added. “Demi Lovato continues her legacy of raising the bar for entertaining audiences around the world and for spotlighting social issues that need the most attention.” Cover photo: credit J.R. Davis.
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MEMBER
NEWS local
Popular Trans Activist Dies John McDonald
Bishop S.F. Makalani-MaHee.
T
he local transgender community is in mourning this week over the death of Bishop S.F. MakalaniMaHee. He was 45. The popular trans activist and church goer died Tuesday, friends said. Details of Makalani-MaHee’s passing have yet to be confirmed by family. A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 3 at Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 SW 9th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. The service will begin at 4 p.m. In a 2014 profile by South Florida Gay News, Makalani-MaHee was described as having roots in the black Pentecostal church in New York. “SF was larger than life, and his spirit touched countless individuals who may have found themselves lost or in need of hope or inspiration,” human rights
activist Michael Rajner posted in a tribute to Makalani-MaHee on Facebook. Makalani-MaHee was on staff at Pride Center and worked in the Unity Fellowship and Metropolitan Community Church movements. SFGN listed Makalani-MaHee in its 2014 Out 50 issue.
A memorial service for Bishop S.F. Makalani-MaHee will be held at Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 SW 9th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 4:00 p.m. All are welcome.
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WHAT IS GENVOYA®? GENVOYA is a 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years and older who weigh at least 77 pounds. It can either be used in people who are starting HIV-1 treatment and have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. These include having an undetectable viral load (less than 50 copies/mL) for 6 months or more on their current HIV-1 treatment. GENVOYA combines 4 medicines into 1 pill taken once a day with food. GENVOYA is a complete HIV-1 treatment and should not be used with other HIV-1 medicines. GENVOYA does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses, you must keep taking GENVOYA. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to reduce the risk of passing HIV-1 to others. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about GENVOYA?
GENVOYA may cause serious side effects: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. GENVOYA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV and stop taking GENVOYA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking GENVOYA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.
Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking GENVOYA. • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. • Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. The most common side effect of GENVOYA is nausea. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or don’t go away. •
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking GENVOYA? •
•
Who should not take GENVOYA?
Do not take GENVOYA if you take: • Certain prescription medicines for other conditions. It is important to ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with GENVOYA. Do not start a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. • The herbal supplement St. John’s wort. • Any other medicines to treat HIV-1 infection. What are the other possible side effects of GENVOYA?
Serious side effects of GENVOYA may also include: • Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking GENVOYA.
•
•
•
All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Other medicines may affect how GENVOYA works. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe to take GENVOYA with all of your other medicines. If you take antacids. Take antacids at least 2 hours before or after you take GENVOYA. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if GENVOYA can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking GENVOYA. If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Please see Important Facts about GENVOYA, including important warnings, on the following page.
Ask your healthcare provider if GENVOYA is right for you. GENVOYA.com
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GENVOYA does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.
SHOW YOUR
POWER
Take care of what matters most—you. GENVOYA is a 1-pill, once-a-day complete HIV-1 treatment for people who are either new to treatment or people whose healthcare provider determines they can replace their current HIV-1 medicines with GENVOYA.
10/26/17 4:11 PM • 11.29.2017
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IMPORTANT FACTS This is only a brief summary of important information about GENVOYA® and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.
(jen-VOY-uh) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GENVOYA
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF GENVOYA
GENVOYA may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. GENVOYA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking GENVOYA. Do not stop taking GENVOYA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.
GENVOYA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About GENVOYA” section. • Changes in your immune system. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. • Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. The most common side effect of GENVOYA is nausea. These are not all the possible side effects of GENVOYA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking GENVOYA. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with GENVOYA.
ABOUT GENVOYA GENVOYA is a prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 77 pounds and have never taken HIV-1 medicines before. GENVOYA can also be used to replace current HIV-1 medicines for some people who have an undetectable viral load (less than 50 copies/mL of virus in their blood), and have been on the same HIV-1 medicines for at least 6 months and have never failed HIV-1 treatment, and whose healthcare provider determines that they meet certain other requirements. • GENVOYA does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. Ask your healthcare provider about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to others. Do NOT take GENVOYA if you: • Take a medicine that contains: alfuzosin (Uroxatral®), carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®, Tegretol-XR®, Teril®), cisapride (Propulsid®, Propulsid Quicksolv®), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal®), ergotamine (Cafergot®, Migergot®, Ergostat®, Medihaler Ergotamine®, Wigraine®, Wigrettes®), lovastatin (Advicor®, Altoprev®, Mevacor®), lurasidone (Latuda®), methylergonovine (Ergotrate®, Methergine®), midazolam (when taken by mouth), phenobarbital (Luminal®), phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®), pimozide (Orap®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifamate®, Rifater®, Rimactane®), sildenafil when used for lung problems (Revatio®), simvastatin (Simcor®, Vytorin®, Zocor®), or triazolam (Halcion®). • Take the herbal supplement St. John’s wort. • Take any other HIV-1 medicines at the same time. •
GET MORE INFORMATION • • •
This is only a brief summary of important information about GENVOYA. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. Go to GENVOYA.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 If you need help paying for your medicine, visit GENVOYA.com for program information.
BEFORE TAKING GENVOYA Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. • Have any other medical condition. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to 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 GENVOYA.
HOW TO TAKE GENVOYA • •
GENVOYA is a complete one pill, once a day HIV-1 medicine. Take GENVOYA with food.
GENVOYA, the GENVOYA Logo, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, SHOW YOUR POWER, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. GENC0142 06/17
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10/26/17 4:11 PM
NEWS local The Pride Center. Photo credit: John McDonald.
Broward Remembers Trans Lives Lost John McDonald
I
n a darkened room inside Pride Center people gathered to remember, mourn and honor the victims of transgender violence. “I’m here to ring a bell,” said Kalypso Vassalotti. “We need a voice at the table!” Vassalotti was the keynote speaker at the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony Monday night in Wilton Manors. She gave a moving testimony of her life’s journey from the depths of prostitution to the joys of marriage and advocacy work. “When you find your humanity reason comes,” Vassalotti said, revealing a past life as a “go-go boy” that suffered sexual exploitation, abuse, trauma and disease infection. “Having hope is what has me alive today,” Vassalotti said. “I could have been dead 20 years ago.” A native of the Caribbean island country Trinidad, Vassalotti said she is a trans woman of color who dares to dream. “My peoples’ dreams are endless and they are beautiful,” Vassalotti said of immigrants. “We need a little opportunity. With opportunity there is hope, with hope comes dreams and with dreams we build life.” Elsewhere in the program, Wilton Manors Commissioners Julie Carson and Justin Flippen rolled out the city’s welcome mat. “You will be safe here,” said Carson. Wilton Manors was the first city in Broward County to fly the transgender flag, Carson said. The city’s police department sent a uniformed officer to Monday evening’s program. Flippen also noted Wilton Manors offers employees a transgender inclusive health care plan. “You are valued and welcomed in Wilton Manors,” said Flippen, who disclosed that two members of his family are transgender. “Don’t stop educating,” Flippen urged the room. Justine Naploa and Michael Rajner, members of Broward County’s Human Rights Board, offered words of encouragement.
Rajner, board vice chair, read a proclamation from county mayor Tim Ryan declaring Transgender Day of Remembrance and Naploa, board chair, affirmed the proclamation. Naploa, a self-described straight white guy from the suburbs, said he emphasized with the transgender community. “We all want to live our lives and be happy,” Napola said. “When someone is attacked, discriminated against or the victim of a horrific crime just for trying to live their life in a way that makes them happy, then we are all attacked, discriminated against and we are all victims.” Following Vassalotti’s remarks, participants gathered around a table lit with candles to read aloud the names of the 25 transgender individuals killed during the year. Included in the list was 28-year-old Chay Reed, a trans woman gunned down in April on a Miami street corner. Thomas Murrell, a Miami resident, attended Monday’s ceremony at Pride Center. Murrell, speaking on behalf of the Yes Institute, a suicide prevention organization, said the violence against trans people must stop. “I cannot fathom a reason why someone let hate overtake them so much that they would want to take a life,” Murrell said. Despite the sadness of 25 lost lives, Vassalotti reminded the room it is still great to live in America. “We wouldn’t be having an event like this in Jamaica,” Vassalotti said. On Monday, the U.S. State Department released a statement recognizing Transgender Day of Remembrance, acknowledging “transgender individuals and their advocates, along with lesbian, gay, bisexual and intersex persons as facing increasing physical attacks and arbitrary arrests in many parts of the world.” “Often these attacks are perpetrated by government officials, undermining the rule of law,” the statement read. 11.29.2017 •
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NEWS coffee and conversation
NEWS local
Pride Center Schooled on Medical Marijuana Rules This week's Coffee & Conversation
John McDonald
T
he dawning of medical marijuana’s legalized status was the topic of Tuesday morning’s Coffee and Conversation program at Pride Center. Yvette Bustamante, patient advocate for Fort Lauderdale-based Sun Valley Certification Clinic, and Stephanie Kronen, physician outreach liaison for Miami dispensary Curaleaf, spoke to the senior group. “Our job is to help everyone navigate this new world of medical marijuana,” Kronen said. A one-year certification for patients costs $175, Bustamante said, followed by an additional $75 fee to the State of Florida. Currently, Broward County has a moratorium on medical marijuana. Qualifying conditions for medical marijuana are: PTSD, Cancer, Glaucoma, Epilepsy, severe chronic illness, terminal conditions, HIV/AIDS, ALS, Crohn’s, Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis. Medical marijuana, Kronen said, is available for consumption in capsules, vapor, topical creams and oils. Smoking and edibles are not permitted per Florida regulations. Elsewhere, Pride Center Chief Executive
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Yvette Bustamante, patient advocate for Sun Valley Certification Clinic, speaks Tuesday morning at Pride Center in Wilton Manors, Fla. Photo by John McDonald
Officer Robert Boo announced the center will be part of Friday’s World AIDS Day Vigil & Remembrance Walk. Participants should meet Dec, 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Hagen Park in Wilton Manors. Pride Center Development Director Roger Roa announced two fundraisers were set for Saturday, Dec. 2. The first, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Macy’s Galleria Fort Lauderdale store will feature models and food and later from 6 to 9 p.m., Lucky’s Supermarket in Oakland Park is hosting a “drink and shop” themed fundraiser benefitting the center. Next week’s sponsor is TBA. For more information, contact Bruce Williams, Senior Services Coordinator at 954-463-9005, ext. 109.
Teams Make Hurricane Showdown Successful
1,000 players compete in annual softball tournament John McDonald
T
he 24th annual Hurricane Showdown softball tournament was deemed a success Sunday evening in Wilton Manors. As teams rolled in to pick up trophies at Georgie’s Alibi, Michael Moody, tournament director, said he was proud of this year’s effort. “The feedback is very positive,” Moody said. “We had an amazing volunteer crew that made the tournament a success.” Games were played at Mills Pond Park and Brian Piccolo Softball Complex. It was Ron Garrett’s first tournament. The Tennessee man recently moved to South Florida and now sells pre-cremation packages. Garrett cheered as the Rumors Bar Wolfpack team defeated the Tampa Jokers on Sunday afternoon at Mills Pond Park. “It was a very well run, very well organized event,” Garrett said. “With this many teams it’s got to be a hard event to coordinate but everybody worked well together.” More than 50 teams and 1,000 players took the field this year, said Tim Martin,
Chairman of the South Florida Amateur Athletic Association. The SFAAA sanctions the Hurricane Showdown and places teams in divisions based on skill level. Ian Robert Hemley participated in the D division. He said the prospect of a thousand gay men in tight pants piqued his interest. The exercise is a selling point too. “There’s little as exhilarating as running the bases,” Hemley said. “I get bored at the gym, and I’ve gotta do something to maintain these tight abs.” Overall tournament champions are as follows: B division: Fort Lauderdale Noize, C division: Orlando Fury Unleashed, D division: Rumors Bar Wolfpack. There was no A level play this year, although A level players were invited, said Moody. Teams came from as far away as Toronto, Canada to compete. After the games, many players met at bars in Wilton Manors to celebrate. Moody said no individual awards were given. “We believe everybody is a most valuable player,” he said.
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954-566-3377 11.29.2017 •
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LGBTQIA bites Lesbian & Bisexual
L
B
A
Asexual
‘Asexual’ Now an Official Word in Dictionary
‘True Blood’s’ Rutina Wesley Reveals Engagement to Girlfriend Photo credit: Gage Skidmore.
Rutina Wesley showed her Instagram followers she will be getting married again earlier this month. The actress, who played Tara Thornton on dark fantasy horror television series “True Blood” for seven seasons, posted a series of photos on her account showing the proposal to Chef Shonda on Nov. 18. According to Queerty, she had previously posted pictures of Shonda throughout the last few weeks, hinting at a
potential engagement. “#FromTheInsideOut You are the sunshine of my life,” she said of Shonda in a Nov. 12 Instagram post. Wesley is currently playing a lesbian character on the Oprah Winfrey Network show “Queen Sugar.” Wesley was previously married to actor Jacob Fishel from 2005-2014. The pair split up due to “irreconcilable differences,” according to People Magazine.
You can now find the meaning of ‘asexual’ in the dictionary. Merriam-Webster officially recognized the word Nov. 20, according to Gay Star News. Previously, the meaning of the word was only used in a biological context when talking about plants. “[People] not involving, involved with, or relating to sex, such as an asexual relationship,” the definition reads. The Asexual Visibility and Education
Network had previously been petitioning for the inclusion of the word. “A while back now there was a petition to Merriam-Webster Dictionary to add asexual to their dictionary,” the group said in a Facebook post. “They heard us and we're in it now! It's so great to see our community to get together to accomplish this!” In 2009, Merriam-Webster recognized same sex couples in their definition for marriage, according to Slate.
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NEWS local
Second Gay Man Seeks Fort Lauderdale Commission Seat John McDonald
Photo courtesy of Steve Glassman.
A
second gay candidate has entered the race to represent district two on the Fort Lauderdale City Commission. Steve Glassman, a retired arts administrator, has filed qualifying campaign documents with the city. Glassman spoke to SFGN via telephone last week about his campaign. “I am running to make sure that policies and plans are put in place which only lead to positive change and create sustainable and improved quality of life,” Glassman said. The district two seat is currently held by Dean J. Trantalis, who is also gay and now running for mayor. Glassman said he has lived in the district for 20 years and considers himself a close ally to Trantalis. District two, he said, contains some of the wealthiest and poorest neighborhoods in the city. “It’s the city’s most diverse district,” Glassman said. Glassman is one of five candidates currently campaigning for the seat.
“I’m an out and proud gay man and I hope to have an intelligent conversation about what it means to be LGBT in our city, but it is not the only important issue I’ll be campaigning on,” Glassman said. District two contains the neighborhoods of Las Olas Blvd., Victoria Park, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Poinsettia Heights, Lake Ridge, Flagler Village, Middle River Terrace and South Middle River. The primary election is January 16. The winner must receive 50 percent or more of cast ballots to avoid a runoff and declare victory. Another gay man, popular attorney George Castrataro, recently announced he’s running for the seat as well.
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NEWS local
Manors Double Gay Murder Case Goes to Jury
Norm Kent
A
Peter Serge Avsenew
Read updates immediately online at SFGN.com
s this edition of SFGN goes to press, the 8 year old murder case of partners Kevin Mark Powell and Steve Adams has been turned over to a Broward County jury for final deliberations on the guilt of the accused, Peter Serge Avsenew, now 34 years old. The couple lived off of Wilton Drive, at 2513 NE 8 Avenue, when their bodies were uncovered just days before Christmas of 2010, sending shock waves through the city. It was not long afterwards that Avsenew, a felon who had violated probation in two counties, was taken into custody and charged with the couple’s murder. The trial revealed that Powell and Adams had befriended the alleged killer, whose checkered criminal history had included convictions for theft, fraud, and robbery. Nearly forgotten today, the accused killer has remained in custody for 8 years. Adams and Powell, a gay couple that had been together for nearly 30 years, "were shot in the head and left to die,” stated prosecutor Shari Tate. She encouraged the jury to rapidly
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deliver a verdict of guilt. He called himself a ‘stone’cold killer,’ Tate said, “and he was.” Some of the most damaging testimony came from Avsenew’s own mother, who turned her son in after reading stories about the murder on SFGN’s website. Just after the murder, Avsenew returned to his home in Polk County with a stolen car. He was using his mother’s computer to search for information about a Wilton Manors murder. His mother said he finally admitted to her that the car he drove from Broward to Polk County was stolen. When she checked her computer’s web search history, she found the article naming her son as a person of interest in the murders. If convicted, an appeals court has granted the state the right to argue for the death penalty, as numerous aggravating conditions exist, opening the door for the ultimate penalty.
Duets With LeNora Jaye and Antonio Edwards. Photo courtesy of lefabrat, instagram.
Soul Comes to Wilton Drive Local jazz artists LeNora Jaye, Antonio Edwards and others to perform a special holiday show Dec. 6 at Alibi Jose Cassola
jocacommunications@outlook.com
J
azz, R&B, pop, soul…whatever genre of music you can imagine, it’s imbedded in the voices of LeNora Jaye and Antonio Edwards -- singers who perform weekly at the cabaret room at Georgie’s Alibi/Monkey Bar in Wilton Manors. Often called “human juke boxes” by their fans, the duo have the ability to sing almost any song upon request, much to the delight of Alibi bar patrons nursing their drink while taking in some soul. The musical duo is getting ready for their upcoming holiday show, "LeNora's Lads and Ladies," which will take place at 9 p.m. Dec. 6 on the main stage of the Alibi/Monkey Bar, 2266 Wilton Dr. Jaye will perform with Edwards and several other of her male and female duet partners in the show, which is a holiday-themed charity performance for Grateful Paws, a pet rescue organization in Wilton Manors. In advance of the event, SFGN caught up with Jaye and Edwards to learn about their musical background and what motivates the duo to perform soul music on Wilton Drive. Here's what we found out: LENORA JAYE
ANTONIO EDWARDS
Jaye grew up in a musical household. Her mother and two sisters played a role in nurturing her vocal gift as a toddler. "At around age 7, I began to realize that singing was something favorable for me," Jaye said. "Up until then, I was obsessed with being a ballerina. [There was] lots of ballet on PBS back then. I started to notice that people asked me to sing more than they asked me to dance. Because my family sang around the house, I thought it was pretty routine to be able to sing." Jaye was chosen last May to present a month-long seminar in South Africa on American music styles. She has worked almost every venue in South Florida with her trio, Ladies of Soul, and has done a "Sammy & Ella" jazz show with Dezhon Fields, a Sammy Davis Jr. tribute entertainer. Jaye recently released original music on a four-song EP called "Force of Life" with TransPhatt Records. The album is available on iTunes and Amazon. "I've tried to always sing from the heart, engage genuinely with my audience, be mindful and respectful of venue staff and management and be responsive and follow up when there are new opportunities, as well as surveying if new opportunities exist," Jaye said. The songstress says she feels good knowing she's brought more attention to R&B, soul and Motown to the LGBT community in Wilton Manors. "I absolutely feel gratified in representing those genres of soul music in Wilton Manors," Jaye said. "I've discovered there is such a love for this music and how much it can connect us."
Edwards consistently works the nightclub circuit in New York and Chicago and has won many pageants and competitions. His brothers sing and write songs. At age 5, Edwards would find himself singing along to the choir as they were rehearsing at his church, where his grandfather was a Baptist minister. "People began to tell me I could sing. Later in my teenage years, I really developed my talent as a vocalist," he said. Edwards says he decided to pursue singing as his fulltime job in September 2015. He started at Georgie's Alibi and now also works at Casablanca Cafe, The National Hotel in South Beach and Broken HEEL. Edwards is also the music director at his church, Center for Spiritual Living in Fort Lauderdale. The vocalist says he's happy that audiences in Wilton Manors have started to appreciate other genres of music, including R&B and soul. "We tend to only lean towards Broadway, disco and female songs in our [LGBT] community and it's nice to see other music appreciated," Edwards said. "I love sharing songs with my audience that they may not yet be familiar with." On working with LeNora Jaye, Edwards says his love for his singing partner "goes deep." "She is such a lovely person and a joy to work with," he said. "She actually brings out my best. I sing better when I'm with her because she raises the bar so high...I have no choice but to rise up to meet her. I sincerely hope we continue working together and perhaps one day record together."
NEWS miami-dade
SAVE Luminary Awards To Honor Young Leaders for Inspiring Light Lynare Robbins
CIC Miami, courtesy of CIC Miami.
O
n Wednesday, Dec. 6, SAVE will hold their annual Luminary Awards to honor local young professionals for their leadership and contributions in the LGBT community. Past honorees have included individuals from diverse professions, ethnic and racial backgrounds, and sexual orientations with those who identify as LGBT or allies.
With the wide range of backgrounds of Generally, people are recognized at the end Luminaries, the common denominator of their careers. I thought how inspiring is their work that has the capacity to it would be to uplift the stories of young inspire and illuminate the path for other people who are also doing great work. young individuals who want to assume a How wonderful would it be to highlight leadership role or offer their talents in the these folks for their merits and also show community. them as glowing examples for other young As an organization that was conceived professionals and the community at large, in 1993, SAVE has been advocating for so the Luminaries were born.” That year the equal rights of Florida’s the first Luminary event LGBT community and has was celebrated where “I thought been responsible for many Dr. Hansel Tookes of the victories for equality in the how inspiring University of Miami, Tori past twenty-five years. Bertran of SunServe and it would be Some of SAVE’s highlights Víctor Diaz Herman of to uplift the have been the Miami Dade Pridelines were honored. County Comprehensive This year’s inspiring stories of Human Rights Ordinance; assemblage of Luminaries young people includes: Florida State the election of Florida’s first openly gay legislator, who are also Representative Shevrin Representative David Jones (D-FL 101st doing great Richardson (D-FL 113th District); Dancer and work.” District), and the historic Choreographer, Pioneer March 2014 case where Winter; Community Non - Tony Lima SAVE, the ACLU, and eight Profit Leader, Rebecca SAVE Executive Director LGBT couples challenged Fishman Lipsey of Radical the state of Florida’s refusal Partners; Philanthropist to recognize their marriages, which were and Community Volunteer, Rick Morgan; performed in other states and recognized Aqua Foundation for Women Program by the federal government. Director and Miami Foundation Fellow, MJ As with many organizations, SAVE Castells and Drag Diva and Humanitarian, realizes that the furthering the legacy of Athena Dion. its work in future years resides with young With the holidays right around the professionals. Which is why in 2013 a corner from the SAVE Luminary Awards new event emerged, the SAVE Luminary the event is billed to be a holiday Awards. extravaganza with food, an open bar, When asked about the genesis of the music and entertainment performances Luminary Awards event, SAVE Executive by Tiffany Fantasia, Noel Leon, TLO Director, Tony Lima, stated “When I took Ivy, Missy Meyakie Lepage and 2017 the helm at SAVE in September of 2013, I Luminary Honoree Athena Dion. Two was really inspired by the young activists special awards will be introduced this that I met working in our community. year, the “Super Volunteer Award,” which
will honor a volunteer that goes above and beyond in the LGBT community and “The People’s Choice Luminary,” an award that gives the community an opportunity to select a Luminary through an online voting process. In addition to the SAVE Luminary Awards, SAVE has a “Sentinel Program” for young professionals, which serves as a membership program that holds monthly
events and opportunities to connect. SAVE also has a strategic alliance with Gay Vista Social Club, a premiere LGBT young professionals group in South Florida. Former Executive Director of Gay Vista Social Club, Jonathan Barrio, now serves as SAVE’s Development Manager and is focused on building more opportunities and initiatives for young professionals at SAVE.
To find out more about SAVE, how to get involved, and/or the Luminary Awards event, you can access their Facebook page, SAVE LGBT, via the web at www.save.lgbt, or by contacting their Executive Director, Tony Lima, at: Tony@save.lgbt 11.29.2017 •
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NEWS miami-dade
Miss Trans Israel visits Miami for Transgender Awareness Month Talleen Abu Hanna spoke of transgender issues, helped honor trans victims of violence Jose Cassola
jocacommunications@outlook.com
T
alleen Abu Hanna, the reigning Miss cannot do their transition, cannot live their Trans Israel and runner-up in the 2016 life and feel at home." At the Translatina Coalition and SAVE Art Miss Trans Star International beauty pageant, visited Miami last week, speaking Runway Transgender Day of Remembrance at several college campuses and other on Friday, Nov. 17, Abu Hanna presented venues to bring awareness to transgender an award to Morgan Mayfaire, president of Trans Social. She also met with volunteers issues and honor trans victims of violence. Abu Hanna had a long itinerary of events, and members of Survivors' Pathway participating in lectures with students and Organization’s Trans Latina project and faculty at the University of Miami's LGBTQ took part in a Q&A session with Herb Sosa, Student Center; Florida International CEO of Unity Coalition, and Ariel RomanUniversity’s Center for Women’s & Gender Harris, director of Media & Cultural Affairs Studies; and Miami Dade College North at the Israeli Consulate in Miami. The event, Campus, where she met with sociology named “Coffee with Miss Trans Israel,” was and psychology professors. Abu Hanna held at the Betsy Hotel in South Beach. Sosa interviewed Abu Hanna in front of an also met with many leaders, including the offices of U.S. Congresswomen Ileana audience about a series of topics, including being a transgender in Israel, Ros-Lehtinen; openly gay the middle east, family, legal State Rep. David Richardson; rights and what she hopes Miami-Dade County “I tell my to do with her position and Commissioner Rebeca Sosa; story. To be voice. newly elected City of Miami “The Q&A with all Mayor Francis Suarez; and a boy living in it was a Miami Beach Commissioners in Israel with reallyattendance, great event; a varied John Elizabeth Aleman and a large Arab audience from really all Michael Góngora, who is walks of life,” Sosa said. openly gay and was recently family and “Unity Coalition|Coalicion reelected for a third term. to do my Unida has been a strong Abu Hanna said she has advocate and partner on all a message for the LGBT transition transgender since community, particularly was so hard.” things day one, when we were transgender people: stay founded in 2002. We offer strong and don't lose hope. - Abu Hanna support, counseling, health "I tell my story. To be a miss trans israel and legal services through boy living in Israel with a partnerships all year-round.” large Arab family and to do Unity Coalition has opened their Brickell my transition was so hard," Abu Hanna said. "I'm here to tell the people we can live offices to Trans-Miami and Trans Social to together in peace and we can be different. give them both a presence and workspace It's beautiful sometimes to be different. I in Miami. “Two of our board members are hope there is change in the world and people trans," Sosa added. Arianna's Center, in collaboration with start accepting transgender people all over." Abu Hanna said she is from Israel and SAVE and CIC Miami, produced and held lived in Nazareth. Her family doesn't accept their performance art runway event during her but she found solace elsewhere in Israel. Transgender Awareness Month. The event "I found another place in Israel like Tel featured local transgender models artistically Aviv that really accepts me and supports painted by Beauty Schools of America, me and gave me the peace within my body recognizing transgender individuals who and soul to make my transition and still were lost to violence this year. Elected live in Israel," Abu Hanna said. "I have a lot officials spoke on their commitments to the of friends from the Middle East, like Dubai transgender community. Dr. Ashley Austin and Syria, who cannot say the same. They PhD, director of the Center for Human
Newly elected Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, Miss Trans Israel Talleen Abu Hanna and Ariel Roman-Harris, director of Media & Cultural Affairs at the Israeli Consulate in Miami. Photo courtesy of Ariel Roman Harris / Israeli Consulate in Miami.
Rights and Social Justice at Barry University, was given Arianna's Center's 2017 Ally Award. Gia Gizelle Stone, a Fort Lauderdale female impersonator and drag queen, served as event host. Arianna Lint, a transgender woman and founder of Arianna’s Center, is a trans educator and advocate originally from Peru. She says many of her clients begin working with Arianna’s Center to gain access to legal name/gender change services and/or access to transition-related care. “We serve all members of the South Florida trans community," Lint said. "Our programs include targeted support to clients who are members of the trans Latinx community; undocumented immigrants; people living with HIV and AIDS; and people who have experienced incarceration. In addition to these services, we offer trainings to providers and other stakeholders in caring for and uplifting the trans community.” Arianna’s Center, in partnership with Trans-Miami, is working on the Sisterhood Housing Program for the transgender community in South Florida. A recent needs assessment of transgender individuals living with HIV by the Transgender Law Center reported cases of homelessness, along with a myriad of barriers to support in employment
and healthcare as a result. With the support of crowdfunding, Arianna’s Center can initiate a model for an unconventional housing process using grassroots networks and transgender-led organizations. Tony Lima, CEO of SAVE, said Friday’s event at CIC Miami was the “first of many more.” "We are very proud to support Arianna’s Center and their work to benefit the trans community, mostly trans women of color, the most marginalized community within our LGBT family,” Lima said. “Our event was a solemn remembrance of the beautiful transgender lives lost over the last year.” The event attracted many organizations, groups and leaders, including the LGBTQ Student Center at UM, State Rep. Richardson and Abu Hanna, who reiterated to attendees to take advantage of the various outlets available to them for support and assistance like Arianna's Center, Trans-Miami and Trans Social. "To all the transgender individuals, I tell you don't be afraid. Be you. You are OK," Abu Hanna said. "I know and feel your pain because I was in this place, but look at me now. I believe we can make change together and I am here to support you every step along the way." 11.29.2017 •
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NEWS miami-dade
LGBT Nonprofits Net More Than $40,000 in Donations for Give Miami Day Event Jose Cassola
jocacommunications@outlook.com
G
ive Miami Day, one of the largest annual online giving events in the Southeast United States, took place on Nov. 16 for 24 hours of giving beginning at 12 a.m. Nov. 16 and ending at 12 a.m. Nov. 17. According to the Miami Foundation, which hosts the donation-based event, 20,413 donors gave $10.1 million to 695 local nonprofits. Amongst those benefitted were some local LGBT nonprofits, including SAVE, SMASH, Pridelines, and the Gay8 Festival. Combined, the organizations raised more than $40,000 for LGBT individuals in need of HIV/AIDS related resources, housing and employment and educational opportunities.
SAVE
Visit SAVE.lgbt for more information “We raised $13,000. The donations will be focused on the SAVE Foundation, the educational arm of the organization. SAVE has had a long history with the Miami Foundation. I am a Miami Foundation Fellow from Class VI. We have been doing Give Miami Day since its inception. We are also recipients of the LGBT Community Grants that they also give. They are very supportive. SAVE Foundation will continue to educate the community on the dangers of conversion therapy aimed at our youth. We will continue to build our network of businesses that are focused on equality. We will continue to build our inner-city GSA high school program and continue to reduce prejudice against the LGBTcommunity through our educational field work, knocking on doors, and phone banks.”
SMASH
(Struggle for Miami’s Affordable and Sustainable Housing)
Visit SmashTheSlumLords.org for more information.
“We did it! Thanks to your generous contribution, we not only met our Give Miami Day $1,500 fundraising goal. We SMASHed right through it, finally coming to rest at $2,278. Wow! Truly, we cannot thank you enough. As a result of our overwhelming success on Give Miami Day, SMASH is going to be able to move even faster in the creation of the Community Land Trust (CLT) in Liberty City with housing options for slumaffected families and LGBTQ homeless youth. In addition, we are fighting hard for the creation of an Affordable Housing Innovation District in Miami, as part of the CLT, to further streamline the construction process and make sure that our dollars have even more impact. As always with SMASH's various strategies, community involvement is key. So no matter what idea we decide to explore further, we are committed to making sure the community is involved in that conversation, every step of the way. Your contributions will give us the flexibility to host even more listening sessions in the streets of Miami, and we will invest in more technology and equipment to do full audio/visual presentations, and broadcast them online. Together, we will shelter the LGBTQ homeless youth, defeat the slumlords, end gentrification and develop Miami for the people, by the people.” ~ Adrian Alberto Madriz, project lead
~ Tony Lima, CEO
PRIDELINES
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4WARD MIAMI/ GAY8 FESTIVAL
Visit Pridelines.org for more information.
Visit Gay8Festival.com for more information.
“We raised $6,900. We actually exceeded our fundraising goal that day. Yay! The funds will be allocated to our Project SAFE programs and services for LGBTQ youth experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness. That includes access to food, transportation, and housing, as well as the many wrap-around services that we offer directly from our center. We have a great relationship with The Miami Foundation. We receive funds from the Community Projects fund and from the LGBTQ Community Projects fund to support our community center and the myriad of programs and services we offer throughout the year.”
“"We are thrilled to have raised over $23,000 through Give Miami Day. 4Ward Miami and the Gay8 Festival would not exist were it not for the vision and commitment of The Miami Foundation leadership. The Miami Foundation has served as the fiscal sponsor for the festival since inception and the LGBT Projects Fund has acknowledged its unique and important role in this community by funding the project every year -- this last year extending a grant of $10,000. As we grow, we look forward to a continued partnership with the foundation, and together, bringing the very diverse communities of South Florida closer together."
~ Victor Diaz-Herman, CEO
~ Damian Pardo, head organizer
Convictions
Jesse's Journal
Several honorees pose together. Photo courtesy of Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Dolphin Democrats Gayla Honors LGBTA Pioneers Jesse Monteagudo
T
he Dolphin Democrats celebrated their 35 years of politics in the LGBT community by holding an Awards Gayla Honoring LGBTA Pioneers. Over 100 members and friends of the Dolphins attended the event, held at Café Vico Restaurant and Piano Bar in Fort Lauderdale. Among the dignitaries present were U.S. Representative Ted Deutch, State Representative David Richardson, Broward County Commissioner Dale V.C. Holness, Pembroke Pines City Commissioner Iris Siple and Terry Fleming, President of the Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus, who led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. Dolphins Michael Albetta and Mitch Weisbrot organized this event, assisted by a corps of volunteers, which featured Café Vico’s gourmet Italian cuisine as well as testimonials honoring the LGBTA Pioneers. The Gayla began with a Proclamation from the City of Wilton Manors, read by Commissioner Julie Carson. The Jamie Bloodworth Leadership Award, given annually in memory of the late Dolphin founder and human rights activist, was given to U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz who, like previous winners, “has shown excellence in leadership and/or sponsorship of issues improving the human rights of the LGBTA community at large.” Rep. Wasserman Schultz also introduced and presented their awards to several of the LGBTA Pioneers, before she had to leave to take care of her sick daughter.
Most of the Dolphins Gayla was taken up with testimonials honoring 15 LGBTA Pioneers. The honors were not limited to LGBT activists but included several straight Allies (the As in LGBTA). The first Pioneer honored was 102 years young Lottie Albert, who devoted her long life in support of progressive causes in Broward County and elsewhere, including LGBT rights. Other LGBT Pioneers honored were Robin Bodiford, Esq.; Mitch Ceasar, Esq.; The Honorable Howard Finkelstein; The Honorable Howard Forman; The Honorable Tom Green; V. Jean Johnson; SFGN Publisher Norm Kent; Ray Rideout; Richard “Dick” Rogers; Barbara Stuart; The Honorable Dean Trantalis; Bruce Williams; and Victor Zepka. I was also one of the honorees. Each of the Pioneers was introduced by a “special guest” politician or community member familiar with said honoree, including the Pride Center’s Robert Boo and Rabbi Noah Kitty. An exception was made for honorees (and friends) Norm Kent and Howard Finkelstein, who introduced each other. In addition to honoring some deserving individuals, the Annual Awards Gayla helped the Dolphin Democrats raise funds, recruit members and increase the Club’s visibility in the LGBT community and elsewhere. Dolphins President Scott Herman was pleased with the results and looked forward to similar events in the future.
Jesse Monteagudo is a freelance writer and journalist. He has been an active member of South Florida's LGBT community for more than four decades and has served in various community organizations.
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Publisher's Editorial
Convictions
HIV: Part of Our Past Still Inflicting Pain on the Present Norm Kent
Photo: AHF.
norm.kent@sfgn.com
A
s we approach World AIDS Day this weekend, SFGN features our annual SPIRIT issue. I know that discussions of HIV and AIDS are not the most popular features in the world, but my job as publisher is to share truth not fiction, reality not illusion. For the LGBT community, HIV is very real. You might be able to manage it with one pill in 2017, but it was not always that way. Ask Greg Louganis, who was on the cover of SFGN last week, celebrated and honored by Equality Florida this past month. Who is Greg Louganis, you might ask. Well, unsurprisingly, many of you did. Last week, I went bar hopping through the Manors, determined to show off SFGN’s cover to young people I guessed were under the age of 25. I showed them a picture of the silver haired 57-year-old on the cover and asked if they knew who he was. My unscientific survey netted 20 inquiries. 13 young men had no clue that SFGN last week featured an HIV positive gay man who was an Olympic Gold Medalist platform diver in the 1970’s and 1980’s. They were unsure of who Greg Louganis was. In 1995, Greg Louganis was not getting any awards. He was as popular as Roy Moore. He came out of the closet in a national HBO video ‘Back on Board,’ admitting to the world that he was HIV positive back in 1988 when he hit his head on a diving board during a meet and bled into the Olympic swimming pool. He did not even reveal to the doctor treating him that he was HIV positive at the time. You know, after a five-year legal battle, the Florida Supreme Court just ruled that if you fail to disclose your HIV status to your same sex partner, or otherwise, and you have intercourse, you can go to jail. It is a crime. Of course, this is Broward County, where
years ago, in a lifetime far away, in 1982, our library once fired an HIV positive librarian because they did not want him handing out books. None of the kids I talked to knew about that either, but I would not expect them to. However, it is all part of our history, which SFGN proudly celebrates with special features each October. As a matter of fact, my business partner at the newspaper, Piero Angelo, even does an interesting random column illuminating and showcasing our LGBT history. Hell, that’s why we keep publishing this paper, to make sure that our lives are legitimately recorded by a press that protects us and does not persecute us. That’s why we are proud to share another issue of The Spirit with you this week, our annual AIDS issue. It’s not going to come your way through the Sun Sentinel or the Herald. They are not niche publications focusing on your concerns. We are. Meanwhile, many of the young people I talked to outside bars this past Thanksgiving weekend did know who Sheila E, Yandel, and Becky G were. And they were therefore delighted to hear that the trio will be performing a free concert in Bayfront Park this Friday night on World AIDS Day, December 1. Doors open at 6 p.m. Once again, thank the AIDS Health Care Foundation for being cutting edge, and going outside the playbook to draw attention to HIV. Already sponsors of the Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival, which will be returning to the Fort Lauderdale Beach on March 18, 2018, AHF knows how to reach the multitudes. The ‘Righteous Rebels,’ as their book is labeled, have no qualms about pushing buttons. Just look at their ad campaigns, like their most recent billboards, posted from
It just can’t go on. Help make it come to an end. Start with an HIV test. It is never too late.
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South Florida to Hollywood and Vine, in the heart of LA’s movie district. The billboards call attention to the millions of people around the globe still impacted by HIV/AIDS. Inspired by vintage fuel pump counters, the numbers illuminated are staggering, including recognition of ‘1,800,000 New HIV Cases in 2016’ and another reading “20,000,000 Untreated HIV Cases in 2016.” What the message says is that the numbers are still growing higher each year. The reality is HIV is something I think is important enough to still write about. Look, there are still people drowning. We can’t just all be celebrating on the shore. We need agencies like AHF and to speak out and be heard, to make waves. Thankfully, we live in a community where many souls, many agencies, and many good people do their part, from pet projects to smart rides. SFGN will continue to do its part. We will showcase your good work and be honest about our failures. The truth is we must do
better if we are going to end this pandemic. Jesse Monteagudo’s column in the Spirit this week acknowledges some of our local real life losses. It can’t go on. It just can’t go on. Help make it come to an end. Start with an HIV test. It is never too late. Let’s celebrate a day when there will be no more World AIDS Days. Let's be able to have a concert on the beach because they are fun and celebratory, not necessary memorial. We have made it safe for anyone and everyone, Olympic swimmer or not, to dive into the water with HIV. One final word. Please let’s not forget that while AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 48 percent since their peak in 2005, in 2016 over 19 million people globally were accessing antiretroviral therapy to prolong their lives and stop the spread of the virus. Many of those are and have been part of our LGBT community. That is why we must never forget, and while saying a prayer for those who are gone, we must continue to fight for hell for the living.
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November 2017 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com • Vol. 7 Issue 2
the
More AIDS stories online!
S pirit
SFGN’s HIV/AIDS News Source
Patches of AIDS Quilt coming to Fort Lauderdale, Lake Worth Michael d’Oliveira
R
ev. Fred Gray remembers the time before the AIDS Quilt and all the progress that has been made since it was first stitched 30 years ago. Now, he hopes that bringing the AIDS Quilt to his church, United Church of Christ Fort Lauderdale, will be one small stitch in preventing an unraveling of the progress woven so far. “We decided we wanted to do something that was less church and more community. We’re hoping that this just develops more awareness and, with the looks of things politically today, that we’re not going to regress,” Gray said. One time Gray specifically doesn’t want to regress back to is when those afflicted with HIV/AIDS were denied the medical care they needed and treated as pariahs. He recalled the time when he watched his best friend, Joe Hare, and Hare’s partner, Howard Reynolds, both die from the disease. He had to bring his friend lunch in the Photo: NIH.gov
hospital because none of the medical staff would enter the room. “People were really very sick and dying very quickly. It was absolutely ridiculous for people not to care for about other people.” Parts of the Quilt is on display at United Church of Christ Fort Lauderdale through Dec. 1, 2501 NE 30 St., Fort Lauderdale. From Dec. 1 to 13, it will be at Compass Community Center, 201 N. Dixie Hwy., Lake Worth. Visit AIDSquilt.org/view-the-quilt/display-schedule for other dates and locations. The brainchild of Cleve Jones, an LGBT activist from San Francisco who was featured in the Harvey Milk film “Milk” starring Sean Penn, the AIDS Quilt was first displayed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 11, 1987. On Nov. 10, Jones spoke about coming up with idea for the AIDS Quilt during the World AIDS Museum and Educational
Center’s “An Evening with Cleve Jones” event at Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale. Jones, in a video of his speech provided by the World AIDS Museum, said the idea came to him in November of 1985 when he and a friend were putting up flyers to remind people of the annual vigil held in honor of Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Both were murdered by disgruntled former city supervisor Dan White in November 1978. Jones said the specific moment of inspiration came when he was in the Castro in San Francisco and saw a newspaper headline about the 1,000 dead from AIDS in San Francisco alone up to that point. “I knew that of those first thousand to die, almost every one of them lived and died within six blocks of where I was standing. And there was no evidence. And I was getting angrier and angrier and angrier, and I remember saying to my friend Joseph, ‘You know . . . maybe if this was a field of rotting corpses in the sun then people would see it and they would understand, and if they were human beings they would be compelled to respond. And there was no response . . . I was furious and I didn’t know what to do.” Days later at the vigil for Milk and Moscone, Jones asked the crowd to write the names of the friends, lovers, and neighbors who died because of AIDS on poster boards. Later, Jones and the crowd scaled the side of the federal Health and Human Services building in San Francisco and covered the walls with those poster boards. “And I looked over the heads of everybody at that patchwork of names on the wall, and I thought it looked like some kind of strange quilt,” he said as he snapped his fingers, illustrating his eureka moment. “And I thought of my great grandma, Irene Rupert, and the quilt she sowed in 1952. It was such a warm, comforting, middle class, traditional family values kind of symbol . . . it just seemed like such an American folk art.”
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SFGN's HIV/AIDS News Source
HIV Stigma is Natural,
Opinion: World AIDS Day
And Still Wrong
Stephen Fallon
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n this World AIDS Day, someone just got blocked on a dating app, because he posted his HIV-positive status. Your friend who proudly displays his bumper sticker proclaiming equality just lost interest in his handsome neighbor, because he found out the guy is living with HIV. We’re three decades into the HIV epidemic, yet stigma is everywhere. Why is it so hard to get past this hurtful division in the community? One reason: it’s our community’s dirty little secret. Everyone knows that HIV stigma still drives all types of impressions and decisions. Few acknowledge that their own actions lay the bricks in the wall of HIV stigma. At some level, people probably feel a little guilty when they reject someone from their social circle or their bedroom based on HIV status. They know they’d be called out if they took ownership of their actions, so they keep them quiet, or bury their motives in rationalizations. Let’s just get this out in the open, so that we can move on. Stigma is natural. That’s right: humans have a builtin evolutionary response, to recoil when any possible threat is perceived, and the default setting is hyper-vigilance. True, our ancestors’ better selves also had a programmed impulse to protect the tribe or family by rushing to help whoever came back to the cave coughing, shivering, collapsing, or even bleeding or missing a limb. Yet those noble predecessors were often taken out by the virus, bacteria, or lurking predator that had first attacked their peer. In our human history, those who help care for their friends have themselves often been more likely to fall prey to the easy transmission of Zika, cholera, the 1918 flu, smallpox (especially from the 1700s to 1900s), the Black Plague of the 1340s, etc. Selfishness often seems to perpetuate a family’s gene line best, and as part of that cruel bargain, people afflicted by disease or bad luck were often left behind. In some
tribes, even elders who were healthy but becoming old and frail were pushed out to die alone in the wilderness or at sea, because they would slow down the pursuit of food, or the escape from warring tribes. Our primitive instinct for self-preservation is far from always rational. As recently as my parents’ time, people used to whisper the word “cancer,” as if naming the disease aloud would tempt fate to give it to them, too. Why such a foolish custom? The more invisible or misunderstood the threat, the more irrational our response. As late as 1983, the American Medical Association incorrectly warned, “Evidence suggests household contact may transmit AIDS.” In the early days of the HIV epidemic, loving families turned into violent mobs in their attempts to drive HIV away. In 1987, local residents burned down the home of the Ray family here in Florida, to keep their two hemophilic sons who were living with HIV from attending the local school. Meanwhile, in Indiana, families canceled their newspaper subscriptions because an HIV-positive local boy named Ryan White was delivering them. For at least the first decade after HIV was identified in the U.S., many gay guys were even afraid that “deep kissing” would spread HIV. Today, most people know that HIV does not transmit efficiently the way that other STDs do. And yet, irrational reflexes persist: too many guys will gladly indulge every condomless fantasy with a stranger, but refuse even protected sex with someone who discloses his HIVpositive status. Trying to overcome stigma means talking our selves out of impulses that once ensured the survival of our species. But we can do it. Just as we no longer make sacrifices to the angry mountain to prevent volcanoes, or whisper the word “cancer,” we don’t have to act on irrational fears when it comes to HIV. (Healthy protections, yes; hysteria, no.) With today’s more powerful treatments,
If you’re HIV-negative, stay safe from HIV; if you’re HIVpositive, get help staying in care.
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the science is now in: when guys are successfully treated for HIV, there’s too little virus present to pass during sex. That’s right: a new study tells what happened when 368 mixed HIV status couples had sex 16,000 times over several years, without using condoms (13,000 times without using PrEP, either). Nearly 5,000 times, the HIVnegative partner was the “bottom.” Yet not a single infection resulted. Why were these encounters safe? All of the HIV-positive partners had consistently undetectable virus levels. (Int’l AIDS Society Conference, July 2017, Abstract 5469). The CDC now agrees that a person living
with HIV who has a sustained undetectable viral load has “effectively no risk of sexually transmitting the virus.” (CDC Sept 27, 2017). It is fair to note that anyone can hang the word “undetectable” on his profile. See it on a lab slip, not just on an app. Make no mistake: untreated, or sporadically treated HIV is still the cause of premature death for nearly 1,000 Floridians each year. If you’re HIV-negative, stay safe from HIV; if you’re HIV-positive, get help staying in care. HIV is still scary. HIV-positive people aren’t. On this, the 30th annual World AIDS Day, let’s end stigma. It starts with you.
Stephen Fallon is the Executive Director of Latinos Salud, an HIV agency that created and uses the DiversiSAFE model to help clients effectively use whichever method they choose to stay safe from HIV, whether condoms, PrEP, undetectable partner status, negotiated safety, or, for emergencies, PEP. Latinos Salud also helps all guys living with HIV (not just Latinos) get into and stay in care.
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Local
SFGN's HIV/AIDS News Source
November Report from SFAN Sean McShee
Broward Commemorates
World AIDS Day
A roundup of events and activities Photo: Facebook
Denise Royal
This report discusses the monthly meetings of the HIV Planning Council (HIVPC) and the South Florida AIDS Network (SFAN). The HIVPC is the planning body for the Ryan White Care (RWC) Program of Broward County (Broward-RWC). SFAN is the advisory for the RWC program of the Florida Department of Health in Broward (FL-DOH RWC).
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he HIVPC contracts with agencies to provide specific units of service. Over the course of a contact year, some programs provide more services than expected and other provide less. When that happens, the HIVPC moves funds from under-performing programs to overperforming programs. For example at the last HIVPC meeting, the increased demand for Food Program Services drove efforts to modify eligibility requirements to avoid running out of funds. On October 30, The HIVPC voted to move $139,005 into the Food Program to ensure its solvency. SFAN met on Nov. 3. A large part of this meeting focused on clarifying ACA issues for RWC clients. The ACA has played a critical role in this process. RWC has moved from paying for direct services to paying for insurance premiums. This cost transfer has resulted in savings for RWC and allowed it to provide more services to more people. Several recent actions of the Trump Administration have increased confusion about the ACA. They have shortened the open enrollment for the ACA from twelve to six weeks, November 1 to Dec. 15. They cut the national budget for advertising by 90 percent. In Florida, they cut the counseling budget by 30 percent. They announced their
intention to stop reimbursing insurance companies for Cost Sharing Reductions. This announcement occurred after the Insurance Companies had submitted their premium rates for their 2018 policies. Florida insurance companies had already raised premiums in anticipation of the end of CSR reimbursements. According to Neil Walker, FL-DOH-RWC, about 1,300 Broward-RWC clients had enrolled in ACA programs in 2017, roughly 30 percent of RWC ADAP clients. An insurance company will automatically re-enroll a client in the same plan. Two factors can change that re-enrollment. The insurance company might not offer that plan. A customer could choose another plan. Lisa Agate, of Broward Regional Health Planning Council, urged people to compare plans. Premiums, deductibles, and copays can change. Pharmaceuticals may no longer be covered or may be much more expensive. Doctors and hospitals can drop out of a plan’s network. Unless they compare plans, some customers could be blindsided. Agate reminded people that navigators are available to help people compare plans. The Broward Epilepsy Foundation and the Broward Regional Health Planning Council are providing navigators for help with ACA plan comparison.
Next SFAN Meeting: Friday, December 1, 2017 at 9:30 a.m., at the Holy Cross Healthplex, 1000 NE 56th Street, Ft. Lauderdale. SFAN welcomes newcomers. The next HIVPC meeting will occur on December 7, 2017 at 9 a.m. at 115 S. Andrews Ave. For exact room location, call 954-561-9681 ext. 1343, or visit brhpc.org/programs/hiv-planning-council. Follow Sean McShee on Twitter @SeanMcShee
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ecember 1 is World AIDS Day – it’s an opportunity to learn the facts about HIV/AIDS. Knowing the reality of living with HIV/AIDS may help prevent people getting it, and help to make sure people living with HIV are treated fairly. The first World AIDS Day took place in 1988. The worldwide effort draws people together in solidarity to celebrate the victories that allow more people to live longer and healthier. It’s also a time to pay tribute to the millions of people who lost their battle with AIDS and to make a renewed commitment to assist those who are living with or at risk for HIV. In Broward County, one in 78 people ages 13 and older are HIV positive. Broward County has experienced among the highest rates of new HIV and AIDS cases in the U.S., according to the Florida Department of Health. The largest WAD event in Broward County is the World AIDS Day Vigil and Remembrance Walk. The candlelight walk begins in Hagen Park at 2020 Wilton Drive and continues through Wilton Manors before ending at the Pride Center at Equality Park. Once there, a few words of remembrance are spoken in this tradition of hope and healing. The event is free and open to the public. Out of the Closet holds free HIV testing at all of its South Florida locations. Mobile testing units from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) perform rapid, free, 1 minute HIV testing in communities across South Florida. AHF will also participate in a prayer breakfast in partnership with the
Urban League or Broward County, on Dec. 2, connected to WAD events. Latinos Salud will have mobile HIV testing and condom outreach on Dec. 1, in front of its office on 2330 Wilton Drive from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Broward County Library Hollywood Branch will display books about HIV/ AIDS that are also available for checkout. The display is from 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Broward County Library Hollywood Branch is located at 2600 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, FL. The Stonewall Museum exhibit, A Community Responds: Our Response to HIV/AIDS runs though Jan. 7. This powerful collection explores the human response by the people most affected by the AIDS epidemic. It explores the communities that responded to AIDS using grass roots methods and employed creative methods to fight a disease when politicians wouldn’t acknowledge it. The Stonewall Museum Wilton Manors Gallery is located at 2157 Wilton Drive. The World AIDS Museum and Educational Center teaches AIDS education in select Broward County high schools on WAD. Dec. 1 is a great to visit the museum’s signature exhibit – The Chronology of AIDS. The exhibit presents the progression of the pandemic alongside key global events. It summarizes the global response to fighting AIDS and honors those affected by the disease. The museum is located at 1201 NE 26th St. Suite 111 Wilton Manors. For more information, visit WorldAIDSmuseum.org/ exhibits.
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Jesse’s Journal
SFGN's HIV/AIDS News Source
Lost Pioneers
For World AIDS Day
Jesse Monteagudo
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ecently the Dolphin Democrats of Liberties Union (ACLU). Broward County honored 15 LGBTA Marty Rubin, who died in 1994, was a (for straight Ally) Pioneers at their well-known journalist, author and activist. Annual Awards Gayla. (Full disclosure: I was My boyfriend Ron Farago remembers Rubin one of the honorees.) as “My Mentor [who] molded and formed Though those who were honored reflected my gay mind.” A founder (1975) of Thebans a diversity of backgrounds and experiences, MC and the DCCHR (1976), Rubin is bestwe all had one thing in common: We remembered as the author of the “Bike are all still alive. There are many LGBT Daddy” column in twn. His 1987 novel, The (or A) pioneers who did so much for our Boiled Frog Syndrome, a gay political thriller, community but who are no longer with us. sold more than 6,000 copies. Many of them, most notably gay or bisexual Rubin passed away in February of 1994. men, were casualties of the AIDS epidemic. In August of that year, South Florida’s Though there are too many to mention, LGBT community lost another great leader. I will try to evoke a few I had the honor to Tom Bradshaw was a founder (1982) of the know. On World AIDS Day, they deserve to be Dolphin Democrats. He went on to serve as remembered. president of the Dolphins from 1988 to 1992 AIDS came to South Florida relatively and to lead our community in a then-futile late in the mid-1980’s, years after it first attempt to pass an LGBT rights ordinance struck New York and San Francisco’s gay in Broward County. “You couldn’t help but communities. The first friends I lost to AIDS respect his leadership, his ultimate goal of left us in 1986, the year after equality, his political skills, his Rock Hudson died. honesty,” activist Allan Terl AIDS came to Two of them, Harry told the Sun-Sentinel at the Losleben and Larry Markin, time of Bradshaw’s passing. South Florida were active members of The new AIDS medications relatively late in the (Miami) Dade County did not come soon enough Coalition for Human Rights to save Allan Terl, who died the mid-1980’s, (DCCHR) and the weekly of AIDS-related lymphoma years after it news (twn), South Florida’s in 1997. A lawyer, Terl used gay community newspaper. first struck New his legal talents to fight for A third one, Steve Selwyn, the rights of LGBT people, York and San was (1984) the founding People Living With AIDS, president of Saber MC and a Francisco’s gay and other minority groups. board member of Pride South He served as chair of United communities. Florida. Citizens for Human Rights Richard Sedlak, another (UCHR), chair of the advisory founding member of Saber, remembers board of Advocates for Sound AIDS Policy, Selwyn as “a very popular and well-respected and vice president of the ACLU. He put true leatherman. After his passing the club his legal experience to good use when he annually issued the Steve Selwyn Award wrote “AIDS and the Law: A Basic Guide for to those who gave service not only to the the Nonlawyer.” Terl was also an expert at leather community but to the overall LGBT playing and winning contests, a skill that community as well.” earned him $5,000 a year in cash and prizes. Many of my departed friends passed away AIDS took from us a whole generation during the first half of the 1990’s, before of entertainers. One of them was John Dr. David Ho and his team developed a Goodwin, best-remembered as the female protease inhibitor “cocktail” that prolonged impersonator Dana Manchester. Goodwin, the lives of many People Living With AIDS. who died of AIDS-related pneumonia in These include Barnett Jay Freier, founding 2000, was one of the first (1977) winners president (1974) of Congregation Etz Chaim of the Miss Florida Female Impersonator and an active member of the American Civil Pageant. (Logan Carter, who as Roxanne
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Russell won the title in 1974, was another AIDS casualty.) Unlike other entertainers, Goodwin was equally talented as a boy or a girl, whether he was singing as Goodwin or lip-synching as Manchester. Before he died, Goodwin was honored by the activist group Gays United to Attack Repression and Discrimination (GUARD). The Manchester Room at the Alibi in Wilton Manors was named in Goodwin’s memory. Though I could go on forever, I wish to end with Gary Steinsmith, who died of an embolism in 2007. A firebrand and
fundraiser for LGBT rights, Steinsmith was remembered by his friend Norm Kent as “a pioneer in the gay rights movement in South Florida, engaging in battle and causes when others did not. He was a vibrant Democrat, a proud liberal.” Steinsmith was active in several LGBT community groups, including Americans for Equality, Dolphin Democrats, Lambda South, Pride South Florida and United Citizens for Human Rights. Though we who knew Steinsmith mourned his loss, our community is a better place because he lived and worked in it.
Jesse Monteagudo is a freelance writer and journalist. He has been an active member of South Florida's LGBT community for more than four decades and has served in various community organizations.
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International
Compass Showcases World AIDS Day With Quilt, Discussions Deon C. Jefferson
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he month of December is associated showcases the quilt for an entire two weeks, with the color red for several reasons. along with a variety of other programs like One reason is the holiday season; HIV Testing Monday and Thursday from 4 another reason is the celebration of World p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday from 1 p.m. to Aids Day. 5:30 p.m. Every year World AIDS Day takes place On Wednesday Dec. 6, Youth that are on Dec. 1. The main goal of World Aids up to age 18 will participate in a HIV round Day is to serve as a major platform that table that will cover prevention methods, brings awareness to the AIDS pandemic via and their roles in the fight of HIV. SFGN’s education and testing. Each year Compass winner for Best Social Group “Entourage” in Lake Worth holds various will host a healthy discussion programs in honor of the day. on relationships, PrEP, "It’s a moment The highlight of the WAD maintaining a negative HIV to remember festivities is the Aids Quilt. status, and what it means to “The quilt is always a big these wonderful be undetectable. hit,” said Ernie Gonzalez who Lorenzo Robertson who is souls who serves as Operations director the HIV Prevention Director were a part for Compass. “Each year we for Compass will be the of something have a theme for the quilt, special guest speaker during bigger that last year we honored different the “Journey through HIV & they have ever artists like Keith Haring, Activism for a Black Man” we’ve also honored famous seminar that will take place on realized.¨ African Americans as well as Saturday Dec. 2. - Lorenzo Robertson musicians that have passed Over 35 million people HIV Prevention Director away from AIDS.” worldwide are living day to This year the theme is the day with the disease. There past, present and the future. To date, the are about 8,197 people living with HIV/AIDS quilt is made up of 48,000 panels and several in Palm Beach County. biographies from those we have lost to the “It’s a moment to remember these virus. Compass is the largest displayer of the wonderful souls who were a part of quilt in the Southeast. The quilt is also the something bigger that they have ever largest piece of folk art in the world. Along realized,” Robertson said. “For me personally, with the quilt, community members also I always say that I want to one day not work participate in a candlelight vigil, induction, in this field, I want to one day not be needed.” and a moving performance by popular gay For more information on Worlds AIDS Day men’s chorus Voices of Pride. at Compass visit Compassglcc.com/worldAlthough WAD is for one day, Compass aids-day.
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Miami-Dade
SFGN's HIV/AIDS News Source
An Inside Look at Latinos Salud’s J.R. Davis
DiversiSAFE in Miami
To see many more photos, visit South Florida Gay News on Facebook. 30
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Miami-Dade
Latinos Salud’s DiversiSAFE Addresses
HIV/AIDS Treatment and Prevention Event meant to "empower the community to continue the conversation" Jose Cassola
jocacommunications@outlook.com
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undreds of the local LGBT community's movers and shakers attended Latinos Salud's annual networking, social and community event, DiversiSAFE, Saturday, Nov. 18 at the Miami Tower. Attendees enjoyed food, wine, specialty drinks, music by local DJ AJ Reddy and performances by local drag queen TP Lords -- all while learning important information related to HIV/AIDS. "As a community, we're in trouble. We live in an epicenter of HIV," said Stephen Fallon, executive director of Latinos Salud. "In fact, there are 3,000 counties in the United States. Miami-Dade ranks No. 1 in new HIV cases; neighboring x Broward ranks No. 2. We also have more tools than ever before to keep you safe. I grew up on the condom code. But we have other tools, too." One of those tools is PrEP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, medication approved by the FDA that keeps HIV-negative people from becoming infected. Fallon said there are now 39 studies that followed 11,900 people through multiple years of using PrEP. The studies showed that PrEP protects 90 percent of the time when used correctly. "It's just like condoms. It doesn't work if you leave a condom in the drawer and don't put it on. It doesn't work if you have a prescription for PrEP but you don't take it," Fallon said. "But if you use condoms, they work. If you use PrEP, it works." Juan Oves, co-chair for Latinos Salud who emceed the event, said the objective of DiversiSAFE was to "empower the community to continue the conversation" about HIV/AIDS. "We all play a role in ending this epidemic. It is our empowering approach to reaching the community and sharing with them valuable knowledge that they can share with others to staying healthy," Oves said. "It represents hope, for a bright, healthy future. And most of all, it represents celebration, for equality, health, and life. It is an opportunity for all of us to come together and end stigma in our communities." Fallon says DiveriSAFE means that, for the very first time, the community has a diverse set of options to stay safe from HIV. "There’s not just one choice anymore." Latinos Salud created the DiversiSAFE model as a one-stop shop of sorts, giving each community member the entire range of options to reduce HIV risk. "We don’t preach that one is better than the other, or that you 'should' use the option we select," Fallon said. Instead, Latinos Salud staff members take a clientcentered approach, spending the most time explaining the benefits of whichever risk-reduction strategy the client is most motivated to implement in his or her own life.
"My generation grew up seeing firsthand how HIV ravaged our communities. The only defense we had was condoms," Fallon said. "Over the past half dozen years, researchers have described new strategies for reducing the risk of acquiring HIV. Many in our community were fearful that if the next generation adopted any strategy other than condoms, the epidemic would rebound back to what it once was." Fallon said out of this fear, some in the community have spoken disdainfully about anyone who would rely on PrEP, or on a partner’s undetectable HIV status. He said this fear has driven stigma: "treating people living with HIV as dangerous, as untrustworthy, or frankly, even just as different from any of us." "Stigma begins with fear. We now have tools that make it possible to stay safe without staying panicked," Fallon said. "Once everyone realizes this, we can finally end the reflexive HIV stigma that has hurt so many community members." Latinos Salud launched DiversiSAFE in 2016. For this year's event, "to make sure we brought the message home, we added some beautiful elements, from having a graceful dancer interpret and display the themes of DiversiSAFE, or having our DiversiSAFE models make sure that people noticed and will remember the name of this approach," Fallon said. "We [also] literally took over the iconic Miami Tower, lighting the building in the colors of the rainbow flag." As a small non-profit, Fallon said "this was a heavy lift for us. But it was all worth it." "When people started taking photos of the information shown on the screens, and when repeated back in their own words what they’d learned and how they were going to tell others, that told us we’d hit our goal," he said. Fallon said the event was their biggest and best one yet with 500 attendees. "Our understanding is that this was the largest community HIV educational event in the nation covering PrEP and treatment as prevention," he said. "We want to thank South Florida for coming out in force and showing that we can fight HIV together." This year, for the first time, Latinos Salud allowed people to “pick their pledge” and choose to support the nonprofit
Stephen Fallon (center), posing with event promoters. Photo credit: J.R. Davis.
by covering costs of any unit of their services. That helped to defray the costs of the event. "Just as we had last year, we offered free entry to anyone who pre-registered," Fallon said. "We extend this option, in hopes that it will be selected primarily by younger guests, those without the means to customarily attend a gala event like this, and those who might not otherwise be exposed to our community’s HIV services." Oves was happy with the turnout and audience reaction. "I felt the amazing energy in the room. As a born and raised Miami Hispanic gay man, I could not stop smiling from seeing so many diverse people from different generations coming together for an important cause," Oves said. "I think if we continue this momentum and each of us play a role in the epidemic, we can start creating big changes in South Florida. I’m excited." Fallon said the takeaway message out of DiversiSAFE is that each of the risk reduction options (condoms, PrEP, PEP, etc.) offers nearly complete protection from HIV, when implemented exactly as intended. "But each of the options, in the real world, ends up being only mostly protective," he said. "Whichever option you can stick to best is the one that will get you close to 100 percent safe."
Latinos Salud offers free HIV testing, education, support and resources at their locations in Wilton Manors, Miami Beach and Kendall. For more information, visit LatinosSalud.org. 11.29.2017 •
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Transnational Human Rights and HIV Sean McShee
World AIDS Day 2017.
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Musical Selections:
Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending E’en So Lord Jesus Quickly Come (Paul Manz) Advent Message (Martin How) Wachet auf (J.S. Bach) 1750 E. Oakland Park Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334
954-563-5155
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y 1983-84, most U.S. LGBT activists had realized that HIV would be a major issue and that that our enemies could “demagogue” it. In response, we made HIV part of the U.S. agenda. We failed to realize that HIV would kickstart LGBT organizing throughout the world. LGBT groups now exist in almost all countries. Some have linked modern LGBT cultures with indigenous groups like the Hijiras of South Asia. LGBT communities are now becoming transnational. Transnationality occurs when people identify common interests with others across national borders. Transnationalism can open up curiosity and build bridges. Transnational LGBT communities differ in their histories and key figures. South Africa has produced two key figures: Simon Nkoli and Zackie Achmat. Simon Nkoli (1957-1998) organized against apartheid and founded the first black gay group in Africa. Apartheid authorities charged Nkoli and 21 others with treason, a death penalty charge. While on trial, Nkoli came out publically. LGBT people formed part of the transnational campaign to free him and his 21 fellow defendants. Nkoli brought LGBT issues into the African National Congress. After apartheid ended, he worked to repeal the sodomy law. Nkoli became one of the first out HIV-positive gay African men. He died from AIDS complications in 1998. Nkoli’s death inspired his friend, another LGBT activist, Zackie Achmat, to found The Treatment Action Campaign. That group fought for access to inexpensive generic antiretrovirals (ARTs). While Gandhi went on hunger strikes, Achmat went on a five-year “HIV-medication strike.” He refused to take ARTs until the poor could access them. That “HIV-medication strike” became part of the struggle against U.S. patent law to allow lowincome countries to purchase generic ART.
Achmat, a former sex worker, is of Malay descent, and was raised Muslim. The response to HIV involves the question of a right to health care. In the rest of the world, most people consider health care a basic right. The U.S. government does not. Different political traditions understand rights differently. In the U.S., the concepts of “rights” evolved from the writings of men of property such as John Locke. Their work influenced the thinking of the men who fought the War of Independence. Many of these men, like Jefferson and Washington, held other people as “property.” In contrast, the social democratic tradition began after the U.S. War of Independence. Men and women without property led it. They developed the concepts of rights for people without property. These included such rights as rights to healthcare, education, leisure, retirement, and daycare. Social democrats endorse rights of free speech, assembly, voting, and other democratic rights. Oscar Wilde wrote about this tradition in his essay, “The Soul of Man Under Socialism.” In this 1891 essay, he anticipates and criticizes charity as solution, rapacious capitalism, and authoritarian socialism. In this faux gilded age of boastful inequality, this 126-year-old essay can still speak to us. In some parts, it reads very 19th Century, but in others, it reads very 21st Century. The U.S. has its own social democratic traditions. Benjamin Franklin established the first public library, a socialist institution. The U.S. has recognized a right to an education. The New Deal instituted Social Security. In 1941, FDR outlined the Four Freedoms. The third of which was Freedom from Want. The Great Society instituted Medicare. The current GOP program threatens these “entitlement” rights. LGBT people in other parts of the world learned from ACT UP and the U.S. LGBT Movement. It is now our turn to learn from the rest of the world. LGBT rights include the right to health and healthcare.
To read “The Soul of Man Under Socialism,” visit EdwardViesel.eu/0043.html.
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Community Announcement
Key West March to Honor AIDS Victims
World AIDS Day Service at the Key West AIDS Memorial.
O
n World AIDS Day, Tuesday, were included, listed in random order. In December 1, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. join succeeding years, additional names have the Friends of the AIDS Memorial, been added. There are now 1,260 names city and county officials and Key West engraved on the Memorial. The Key West residents and friends in front of the historic AIDS Memorial is an official City of Key Key West City Hall (Formerly Glynn Archer West park. School) on White Street. There will be a The Memorial is maintained by the short candlelight march to the only official Friends of the AIDS Memorial whose AIDS Memorial in the United States at mission is to preserve and enhance the Edward B. Knight Pier. Key West AIDS Memorial and to ensure the World AIDS Day National Theme dignity and respect for those whose names this year is “Increasing Impact Through are engraved there. Transparency, Accountability, and Following the ceremony, specific Partnerships.” sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, the A brief ceremony will 54-ton handmade tapestry commence at approximately that stands as a memorial The program 5:00 p.m. at the Key West to more than 96,000 will include AIDS Memorial. The individuals lost to AIDS, featured program will include will be on display at the featured speaker Joan Higgs, Key West Art and Historical speaker Joan music and the reading of Society Custom House in a Higgs, music names on the Memorial. cooperative effort between and the reading Five names are being added AIDS Help, The Customs of names on this year. House, and the Friends the Memorial. The Key West AIDS of the AIDS Memorial. Memorial is a tribute to The Quilt panels were last Five names are the people who have died displayed in Key West in being added of AIDS. Their names are 1995 at the Gato Building this year. inscribed on flat black and are maintained by granite monuments which the NAMES Project, the are embedded in the walkway approaching international care taker of the Epic AIDS White Street Pier on the Atlantic Ocean. Memorial Quilt. The Memorial was dedicated 20 years ago Following tradition, The Tree of Hope on World AIDS Day, December 1, 1997. will also be on display at the Customs It was built with private funds, and House for those who want to make then donated to the City of Key West. a donation to AIDS Help, and put a At the time of dedication, 730 names remembrance note on the tree. 11.29.2017 •
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community announcement
Chamber Chat
GALLA in Miami-Dade. Photo courtesy of GALLA.
GALLA
Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Association of South Florida Jorge Richa
Marketing & Programming Director; Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC)
O
ne of the goals of the Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC) is to provide resources for our members and the community. If you are ever in the need of an attorney or legal assistance we strongly encourage that you search within our affinity group GALLA (Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Association of South Florida) to find the resource that better suits your needs.
GALLA is a voluntary professional association for lawyers, law students, paralegals and other members of the legal profession providing a visible community presence within the South Florida legal community. Every attorney that joins the MDGLCC automatically becomes part of GALLA and can make use of all the Marketing tools and Networking opportunities that we offer for promotion and generate business. GALLA’s purpose is to:
1. Promote human rights 2. Provide opportunities for lawyers, judges & law students to meet in a professional setting 3. Encourage the appointment of members of GALLA to the judiciary 4. Provide a forum for members of GALLA in the legal community to exchange ideas & information of mutual concern 5. Promote the spirit of unity among attorneys who are members of GALLA 6. Promote the hiring & advancement of members of GALLA to public agencies & commissions 7. Discuss & take action on questions of law in the administration of justice that affect the gay and lesbian community 8. Promote the creation of coalitions with other legal organizations & stimulate the practice and professional expertise of lawyers who are members of GALLA 9. Promote sensitivity to legal issues particularly faced by members of the gay and lesbian community 10. Demonstrate the presence of members of GALLA in the law 11. Facilitate and improve the administration of justice 12. Promote legislative & administrative reforms for the purpose of eliminating discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender expression 13. Assure fair & just treatment of members of the gay and lesbian community under the law.
The next GALLA event is a luncheon on 12/6 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. @ Perricones MarketPlace & Cafe (15 SE 10th Street, Miami). $35 members / $45 non-members. Guest speaker will be Mark Scott from Kaufman Rossin providing 2 CLE on "Taxes". For more information on GALLA visit www.galla.mdglcc.com. For any inquiries or interest in joining the MDGLCC as well as RSV’ing for the upcoming GALLA luncheon, please visit GayBizMiami.com or reach us at info@gaybizmiami.com / 305-673-4440.
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LIFESTYLE photos
Trans day of remembrance On Nov. 20 at 7:00 p.m. The Pride Center hosted its annual gathering to honor and remember the transgender lives that were lost this year due to violence against the trans community. The ceremony included a formal proclamation from the City of Wilton Manors, declaring Nov. 20 as Transgender Day of Remembrance. Carina Mask
To see many more photos, visit South Florida Gay News on Facebook. 36
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alate Please P y t r rs Pa Rick Karlin
I
t’s that time of year when the party invites start coming and you don’t want to arrive at the celebration empty-handed. Non-foodies will show up with a bottle of wine or some store-bought pastries. The truly lazy stop on the way and buy a bag of chips and some dip (unless they’re cheap, then they just buy the chips). You want to do more than that, don’t you? Here are some great dishes to bring to holiday parties that are easy to prepare and travel easily. Visit
SFGN.com/FOOD to read the rest of this article.
Whatever you celebrate... keep it classy with these holiday recipes. We know you have fine taste... so come treat yourself.
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F O R
T H E
SFGNITES
W E E K
O F
J.W. Arnold
jw@prdconline.com
THU
11/30
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D E C E MB E R
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W W W . S F G N . C O M
Is Truth Stranger than Fiction?
concert Are you one of Lady Gaga’s monsters? If you are one of her devoted fans, we’re betting you’ll be in the audience at the American Airlines Arena in Miami as she takes the stage on her “Joanne” tour. Believe it or not, tickets are still available with decent seats priced at $115. If you just like to listen to her biggest hits and want to tell your friends that you were there, you can get in for as little as $46 each. Tickets at Ticketmaster.com.
FRI
12/1
theater Feed me, Seymour! The people-eating alien plant Audrey II has landed at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. MNM Productions presents the doowop musical “Little Shop of Horrors” in the Rinker Playhouse through Dec. 17. With the fertilizing touch of composer Alan Menken and playwright Howard Ashman, the peculiar tale of a shy floralshop worker and his carnivorous cohort has become a cult classic. Tickets start at $35 at Kravis.org.
Tuesday
12/3
theater
Michael Aman’s new comedy, “Stalker Bob and his Mother,” gets its world premiere this weekend at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive in Fort Lauderdale. The bizarre story, ripped from the headlines and accentuated with the real-life escapades of a local couple who had their own run-in with a stalker, will have audiences laughing hysterically. The play opens Nov. 30 and runs through Dec. 23. Tickets are $30 at EmpireStage.com. Photo courtesy of Empire Stage.
SAT
12/2 SUN
12/3 MON
12/4 TUE
12/5
concert
theater
film
concert
Break out the tinsel, candy canes and eggnog because Grammy Awardwinner LeAnn Rimes is packing up her sleigh and making a stop tonight at 8 p.m. at the Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale. The “Today is Christmas” tour includes many of the singer’s favorite holiday songs, as well as the hits that have made her one of America’s most popular recording artists and an LGBT icon. Tickets start at $44.50 at ParkerPlayhouse.com.
The Society of Four Arts in Palm Beach presents “This Wonderful Life,” an inventive, one-man stage adaptation of Frank Capra’s classic Christmas film “It’s a Wonderful Life,” today at 3 p.m. in the Gubelmann Auditorium. George Bailey, Mr. Potter and the angel Clarence all come to life in this heartwarming story about the effect one man’s life can have on the people around him. Jeremy Kendall stars. Tickets are $20 at FourArts.org.
Today is a great day to head to the local cineplex for a film. We know everyone is still waiting for the big reveal of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” but, in the meantime, check out Disney’s heartwarming “Coco” or DC’s herorific blockbuster “Justice League.” Sign up for MoviePass for just $6.95 a month and you can see all the movies you want at participating theaters. It’s like Netflix for movie tickets. More information at MoviePass.com.
The internationally-acclaimed Orpheus Chamber Orchestra returns to the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach tonight at 8 p.m. with a program that includes Handel’s “Water Music” Suite No. 2, Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella Suite,” Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 and the Florida premiere of Shuying Li’s “Out Came the Sun.” Norwegian virtuoso Truls Mørk is the featured cello soloist. Tickets start at $35 at Kravis.org.
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Dec. 6, 2017 • 7:45pm
Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Ann Hampton Callaway: Diva Power Tickets: $55 (reserved seating) Students with ID: $10 954.462.0222 www.browardcenter.org www.goldcoastjazz.org
“...superbly intelligent, singularly creative pop-jazz stylist who can stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Streisand, Ronstadt, Shirley Horn and Dianne Reeves...” - JazzTimes “Callaway establishes herself as one of the best equipped jazz vocalists swinging today.” - Chicago Tribune
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A&E film
Filmmaker John Scagliotti’s latest project took him to the antiquities museums of Greece. Photo Credit: After Stonewall Productions.
Fascinating Film Explores History of Homosexuality J.W. Arnold
F
ormer journalist and documentary filmmaker John Scagliotti has devoted his 40-year career to sharing the history of the LGBTQ community. “When I came out in 1970, right around Stonewall, I didn’t have any idea there were any other gay people before me,” explained Scagliotti. “That’s how small my world was.” After working in radio for several years in Boston and launching “The Lavender Hour,” the first LGBTQ radio program, Scagliotti attended film school at New York University. He went on produce his first documentary in 1984, the multiple Emmy Award-winning “Before Stonewall.” Seven years later, he created the groundbreaking television series, “In the Life,” for PBS, the first nationally-distributed program about contemporary LGBTQ people. “We fought the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to get ‘In the Life’ on the air,” he recalled. “It was a wonderful show to do…to reach into the homes of so many young kids, the first time to sit with (their) parents and watch a television show about themselves.” In 1999, he produced a companion film, “After Stonewall,” a look at the enormous strides made in the late 1990s, followed by “Dangerous Living: Coming Out in the Developing World” in 2003. Scagliotti’s latest film, “Before Homosexuals: From Ancient Times to Victorian Crimes,” a prequel to “Before Stonewall,” will be screened on Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Classic Gateway as a fundraiser for the Stonewall National Museum and Archives. The fascinating point-of-view documentary offers a guided tour of erotic history, poetry and art from the ancient civilizations of Asia, Egypt, Greece and Rome through the famously prudish
Victorian period, illuminating changing cultural attitudes towards gay, lesbian and transgender people. Scagliotti is often asked why he made a prequel to the seminal history of gay life in America—from 1985. “Because of homophobia, discrimination, censorship, and anti-gay forces, it was impossible to find same-sex history. Even the National Archives in Washington, D.C. didn’t have a category covering the immense topic of homosexuality,” he pointed out. Scagliotti credits a “gay revolution of the 1990s” that finally allowed LGBTQ people to begin reclaiming and recording that lost history. His film is a tribute to those researchers and academics, many of whom suffered professional discrimination because of their sexual orientation, who made many of these discoveries. The screening is presented by the Center for Independent Documentary and the Pride of the Ocean Saving History Film Cruise. The cruise, which will depart Port Everglades on Feb. 25 and sail the Western Caribbean over seven nights, will include film screenings and presentations by the Stonewall National Museum, LGBT Historical Society of San Francisco, the University of Southern California ONE Institute and the University of California Los Angeles special collection of the “In the Life” television series. Ten filmmakers will participate in special panel discussions about their works with the 60 to 100 cruise guests, many themselves film enthusiasts interested in preserving LGBT history. Past cruises have served as crucial catalysts in the completion of important film projects with more than $1 million in funding resulting from relationships developed on the trip, said Scagliotti.
“Before Homosexuals: From Ancient Times to Victorian Crimes” will be screened on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. at the Classic Gateway Theatre, 1820 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $15 ($10 for museum members) at Stonewall-Museum.org. For more information about the Pride of the Ocean Saving History Film Cruise, go to PrideOfTheOcean.com.
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A&E theater
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
Michael Aman’s new play, “Stalker Bob and his Mother,” is inspired by actual events. Photo Credit: Michael Aman.
A WELL-STRUNG CHRISTMAS
Playwright Draws on Crime Stories for New Comedy J.W. Arnold
S
ometimes truth is stranger than fiction. For his latest comedy, “Stalker Bob and his Mother,” opening on Nov. 30 at Empire Stage, playwright Michael Aman was inspired by headlines about an infamous New York murder. Sante Kimes and her son, Kenneth, were career criminals living in Manhattan who hatched a scheme in 1998 to assume the identity of their landlady, an 82-yearold socialite and then appropriate her multimillion dollar mansion. The woman’s body was never found, but the pair were convicted of murder and 117 other criminal counts in 2000. It was an “oddly amazing” story that Aman incorporated into the equally bizarre experience of two close friends. “One of them had a playmate, let’s say, who refused to go away. He came over, they had their triste and he left,” said Aman, “but then he came back and came back. They called him ‘their stalker’.” In Aman’s play, Jim and Jimmy are a couple who have just retired to Florida. Soon, they become entangled with a professional swindler who uses her son’s sexual charms to lure her unsuspecting victims. Together, they must fight the wacky crime perpetrated by “Stalker Bob and his Mother.” This play is a marked departure from Aman’s previous works produced in South Florida: the critically-acclaimed dramas “Poz” and “Feeding the Bear” at Island City Stage
in Wilton Manors and his “Muscle Bears the Musical,” with a score by Matthew Doers, at Empire Stage just this summer. “Comedy is a lot easier to write because it’s just silliness. With my more serious plays, I structure them like crazy—not in the first draft—but in subsequent drafts, so everything adds up in the central themes,” explained Aman. That doesn’t mean that he doesn’t devote time to developing his characters, though, when tackling a comedy like “Stalker Bob.” Aman believes the humor comes from the conflict between characters. “Ironically, comedy is almost more serious than serious plays, because it’s about that constant conflict,” he said. Aman completed the play 14 months ago and it has been presented in two readings since, offering him the opportunity to tweak the dialogue and gauge audience response to the jokes and situations. David Gordon, owner of Empire Stage, invited Aman to stage the play during the Christmas season, affording the writer an opportunity to incorporate holiday themes into the story. “It’s a nice fluffy thing to do at Christmas,” added Aman, who also wanted to set the record straight with audiences on behalf of his friends. “They attended both readings and wanted to make sure everyone knew that neither of them has ever had gonorrhea…The audience will laugh and they’re all good with the play.”
Michael Aman’s “Stalker Bob and his Mother” will be performed Nov. 30 – Dec. 23 at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $30 at EmpireStage.com.
Celebrate the holidays in style with the return of Well-Strung, a hunky and talented all-male singing string quartet that has taken the musical world by storm with its signature pop-classical mashups.
DECEMBER 9 Amaturo Theater
TICKETS at BrowardCenter.org Ticketmaster | 954.462.0222
Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office Group Sales | 954.660.6307 Follow us:
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The Broward Center 2017-2018 season is presented by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation.
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November 29 - December 5
Datebook
Theater Christiana Lilly
Calendar@SFGN.com
Top
Picks
Lady Gaga
Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The Joanne world tour comes to Miami, starring the Grammy Award winning and Academy Award nominated Lady Gaga. Tickets $64 and up. Call 786777-1000 or visit AAArena.com.
Stalker Bob and His Mother
Nov. 30 to Dec. 23 at the Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive in Fort Lauderdale. Jim and Jimmy retire to Florida and one of their “tricks” turns out to be the son of a career criminal who uses her child to lure her victims. Tickets $30. Call 954678-1469 or visit EmpireStage.com.
Rose
Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mizner Cultural Center, 201 Plaza Real in Boca Raton. The story of the Kennedys is told through the eyes of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. Tickets $50, $65 with pre-show champagne reception. Benefits the Unicorn Children’s Foundation. Call 844-6722849 or email miznerboxoffice@ gmail.com.
* Denotes New Listing
broward county A Christmas Carol
Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 at the Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Charles Dickens’ classic is revamped as a musical. Tickets $7.20 and up. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.
* Colors of Christmas
Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. at the Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Peabo Bryson, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis, Jr., Ruben Studdard and Jody Watley perform Christmas favorites with contemporary
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style. Tickets are $55–$75 with $135. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.
* The Every Woman Comedy Tour
Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. at the Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Rip-roaring performances by Aida Rodriguez, April Macie and Chaunte Wayans. Tickets $25 to $35. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.
Hir
Through Dec. 10 at Island City Stage, 2304 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. A soldier returns home from war to find his mother has dressed his father in clown make-up and a dress and his sibling newly out as transgender. Tickets $35. Call 954-519-2533 or visit IslandCityStage.org.
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 * Little Shop of Horrors
Dec. 1 to 17 at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The classic musical of a shy florist who encounters a flesh-eating plant. Tickets $45. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.
A Christmas Story
Through Dec. 3 at the Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave. in Lake Worth. A hilarious Christmas classic, a young boy is determined to have his Christmas wish come true. Tickets $35 and up. Call 561-586-6410 or visit LakeWorthPlayhouse.org.
Becoming Dr. Ruth
Through Dec. 23 at GableStage, 1200 Anastasia Ave. in Coral Gables. Dr. Ruth is more than a sex therapist — the one-woman show tells her story as a Holocaust survivor, Haganah sniper, single mother, and teacher. Tickets $45 to $60. Call 305-445-1119 or visit GableStage.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 * Peter & the Starcatcher
Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 N 188th St. in Aventura. Ever wondered what happened before Peter Pan became The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up? A musical adaptation of Peter the orphan's adventures to Neverland. Tickets $20 to $49. Call 305-466-8002 or visit AventuraCenter.org.
The Book of Mormon
Through Dec. 3 at the Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. An odd pair of Mormon missionaries are sent to Africa to spread the word of God in this comedy that has taken Broadway by storm. Tickets $30 and up. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.
* Winter Shorts
Dec. 9 to 23 at the Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Eight- to 10-minute comedic shorts with a holiday twist by City Theatre. Tickets $39 to $54. Call 305-9496722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.
Evita
Through Dec. 17 at the Actors Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. The story of Eva Peron, from her humble beginnings to her rise as the first lady of Argentina and a champion for the working class. Production is performed in English Nov. 3 to 26 and then in Spanish Nov. 30 to Dec. 17. Tickets $57 to $64. Call 305444-9293 or visit ActorsPlayhouse.org.
Outdoor Music Series
Third Thursdays at the Perez Art Museum Miami, 101 W. Flagler St. in Miami. Come out for live music from DJs and musicians by the bay. Drink specials available. Free with museum admission. Call 305-375-3000 or visit PAMM.org.
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.
Accounting and Tax Services Timothy S. Hart, CPA Managing Partner
2929 East Commercial Boulevard, Penthouse D | Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308 954-202-9770 | 954-202-9777 Fax THart@R3Accounting.com | www.R3Accounting.com
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Datebook
Community Christiana Lilly Calendar@SFGN.com
Top Picks
World AIDS Day Vigil and Remembrance Walk
Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Hagen Park, 2020 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Gather at 6:30 p.m. and walk step-off at 7 p.m., ending with a vigil at the Pride Center. Free. Visit PrideCenterFlorida.org.
A Journey through HIV and Activism for a Black Gay Man
Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Lorenzo Robertson discusses HIV/AIDS among gay black men. Free. Call 561-533-9699 or visit CompassGLCC.com.
Tuesday’s Angels Holiday Dinner
Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 6:15 p.m. at Mojo Restaurant, 4140 N Federal Hwy in Fort Lauderdale, Join Tuesday’s Angels for their 25th Holiday Dinner! Help them celebrate a quarter century of providing crucial aid. Guest speaker will be Marty Kiar, Broward County Property Appraiser. Marty saluted the work of Tuesday’s Angels during his tenure as Broward County Mayor. Cost $25. Visit TuesdaysAngels.org.
November 29 December 5 Broward Support Services PFLAG
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 * The Transgender Community and the Media
Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Stonewall National Museum - Wilton Manors Gallery, 2157 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. The Society of Professional Journalists Florida chapter hosts a panel with Stonewall to discuss the coverage of the transgender community. Free to attend, suggested donation $5. Call 954763-8565 or visit Stonewall-Museum.org.
* PALS Project Open House
Dec. 1 from 5 to 6:15 p.m. at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. Meet former and current LIFE and CHOICES participants, followed by a walk to Hagen Park for the World AIDS Day Vigil and Remembrance Walk. Free. Call Magno Morales at 954-463-9005, ext. 303, email pals@pridecenterflorida.org, or visit PrideCenterFlorida.org.
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* Before Homosexuals: From Ancient Times to Victorian Crimes
Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. at the Classic Gateway Theatre, 1820 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. A screening of John Scagliotti’s film explores the discovery of homosexual love in pre-20th century history. Ticket $10 SNMA members, $15 others. Call 954-7638565 or visit Stonewall-Museum.org.
* GLLN Holiday Party
Dec. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Mind Your Manors, 2045 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Join the Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Network for its annual holiday party. Tickets $20, includes free hors d’oeuvres and two free drinks. Visit GLLN.net.
November 29 - December 5 * Wilton Manors Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Dec. 7 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Jaycee Park, 2109 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Join the community to light the menorah, kinara, and the Christmas tree, along with vendors, food, artists, and activities. Free. Call 954390-2130 or visit wiltonmanors.com.
A Community Responds: Our Response to HIV/AIDS
Through Jan. 7, 2018 at the Stonewall National Museum - Wilton Manors Gallery, 2157 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. An exploration of the response to HIV/AIDS over time. Free to attend, suggested donation $5. Call 954-7638565 or visit Stonewall-Museum.org.
Voices of Pride
Meets at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Join the Gay Men’s Chorus as they practice every week. Free. Call 561-533-9699 or visit CompassGLCC. com for rehearsal details.
palm beach county
Hurricane Irma Relief
Through Nov. 30 at the Urban League of
Palm Beach County, 1700 N. Australian Ave. in West Palm Beach. Were you impacted by Hurricane Irma and need help? Come to the league Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to receive assistance. Bring your SSN, address and description of the damage, phone number, a working address, insurance information, and banking information. Call 561-833-1461 or visit ULPBC.org
* World AIDS Day
Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. An evening to remember the lives lost to AIDS, with a proclamation by the city of Lake Worth, performance by Voices of Pride, and a moment of silence. Free. Call 561-533-9699 or visit CompassGLCC.com.
* “The Tea on HIV” Roundtable
Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. A youth program for those 18 and younger. Free. Call 561-533-9699 or visit CompassGLCC.com.
* Community Education Series “Stigma and HIV”
Dec. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201
N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. A part of the center’s World AIDS Day education series, a discussion of the stigma of living with HIV. Dinner will be provided. Free. RSVP to 561533-9699, ext. 4007.
miami-dade county Unlock the Power of Partnerships: Young Professional Network Social Mixer
Nov. 30 from 7 to 9 p.m.at the Rooftop “C-Level” of The Clevelander South Beach, 1020 Ocean Drive in Miami Beach. The Young Professional Network, Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and the Gay Vista Social Club invites LGBT professionals 18 to 39 to an evening of free cocktails, appetizers, a DJ, networking, and prizes. Tickets $10 online, $20 at the door. RSVP to 305-673-4440, gaybizmiami.com, or rsvp@gaybizmiami.com.
* GALLA Luncheon
Dec. 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Perricones Marketplace and Café, 15 SE 10th St. in Miami. The Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and the Gay
and Lesbian Lawyers Association host its monthly networking lunch for attorneys, judges and legal professionals. Guest speaker will be Mark Scott, J.D., LL.M to discuss taxes. Admission $35 for members and $45 nonmembers. RSVP to 305-673-4440, rsvp@ gaybizmiami.com, or gaybizmiami.com.
* Maximizing your Membership Benefits Networking Breakfast
Dec. 7 from 10 to 11 a.m. at LGBT Visitor Center, 1130 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. Maximize the benefits of being a member of the Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and network with other businesses. Free. RSVP at www. gaybizmiami.com, rsvp@gaybizmiami.com or 305-673-4440.
* Leveraging GayBizMiami. com to Attract Customers and Build Your Brand Networking Breakfast
Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to noon at the LGBT Visitor Center, 1130 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. Learn the marketing tools available to businesses on GayBizMiami. com. Free. RSVP to 305-673-4440, scott@ gaybizmiami.com, gaybizmiami.com.
11.29.2017 •
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THE
GUIDE
Business Directory
attorney Law office of george castrataro 707 NE 3rd Ave #300, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954.573.1444 Lawgc.com Law office of Robin bodiford 2550 N Federal Hwy #20, Fort Lauderdale, FL 954.630.2707 Lawrobin.com
attorney
To place an ad in the Business Directory, call our sales team at 954.530.4970
dental
directory
law office of Gregory Kabel 1 East Broward Blvd #700, Fort Lauderdale, 33301 954.761.7770 gwkesq@bellsouth.net law office of Shawn Newman 710 NE 26th St, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954.563.9160 Shawnnewman.com
Oakland Park Dental 3047 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 954.566.9812 Oaklandparkdental.com
a&e
Island City Dental 1700 NE 26th Street, Ste. 2, Fort Lauderdale, FL 954-564-7121 Islandcitydental.com
Ft Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus PO Box 9772, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33310-9772 954-832-0060 www.theftlgmc.org Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida 2040 North Dixie Hwy, #218, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-763-2266 Gaymenschorusofsouthflorida.org
Andrews Dental Care 2654 N Andrews Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33311 954.567.3311 Andrewsdentalcare.com
sfgn.com photos
call us to reserve space!
call us to reserve space!
club
This week’s featured
photo
By J.R. Davis
● Rec
Licensed & Insured
954-725-3633
custom alarm contractors, Inc.
Est. 1989 “Experience Matters” Service after the sale! ▶ residential security ▶ commercial security ▶ closed circuit tV www.customalarmcontractors.com 48
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1 1.29.2017
Want to see more? White Party Muscle Beach DiversiSAFE The Pride Center's Founders Circle
Facebook.com/SouthFloridaGayNews
final arrangements
furniture
professional services
professional services
Kalis-McIntee Funeral & Cremation Center
2505 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-566-7621 Kalismcintee.com
SoutheaSt
toyota
call us to reserve space! Jef Frankfort aka Jef Fantastic PROS Certified Sales Consultant
financial services
Phone (561) 305-8758 Fax (561) 454-5555 jeffrankfort@edmorse.com www.jeffantastic.com Ed Morse Delray Toyota 2800 S. Federal Hwy. Delray Beach, FL 33483
Chery’s Blinds & Interiors
Drapery • blinDs • shutters • Silhouette • Drapes • Shades • Swags/Custom Valance • Blinds • Wood Shutters • Flooring & More FREE
Shop at Home Service Leading Brands Low Prices!
repairs aVailable
We Will Beat Any Advertised or Written Estimate by 10%
Cherysblinds.com Free estiMates 4300 n.e. 5th avenue
954-563-4545
call us to reserve space! health insurance Medicare/MedicaID Florida Blue / Blue Cross Blue Shield 2765 West Cypress Creek Road Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Call Steve Herbstman @ 954-554-7074
health
American Pain Experts 6333 N. Federal Hwy, Ste. 250, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 954-678-1074 Americanpainexperts.com
www.sfgn.guide
handyman Miami/Broward/Palm Beach Paint/Caulk/Remove Grout/Yard Work Fix Drips & Switches/Debris removal Assembles Furniture & Appliances Repair or Fix Call "Avrom" Keith 786-227-9981
photographer WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR
FINANCIAL NEEDS Taxes IRS Issues Accounting
Bookkeeping Small Business Advising
Let’s make music together! Have you ever wanted to play something from your favorite musical, or a cover from Glee, or a Chopin nocturne? Whatever your aspirations, from classical to pop, I can help you. I have worked with hundreds of students at all stages of life. Sign up for a free trial lesson to see if I’m the right teacher for you!
954-667-9829 ACCOUNTING@STERLINGACCOUNTING.COM
2435 North Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305
THE
GUIDE
Business Directory To place an ad in the Business Directory, call our sales team at 954.530.4970
I’m also available for parties! Halloween, Christmas… and everything in between!
Nathan Johnson Pianist | Teacher
(617) 444-9926 | pianowithnathan@gmail.com www.pianowithnathan.com 11.29.2017 •
49
THE
GUIDE
Business Directory
To place an ad in the Business Directory, call our sales team at 954.530.4970
real estate Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors & Oakland Park REMODELED homes:
2 bedroom/2 bath condos from
sports
spirituality
Tennis Lessons at Hagen Park in Wilton Manors. Individual or group lessons. Call Robert 732-604-0362 for more information.
101 NE 3rd St Fort Lauderdale FL 33301
Brian S. Bedigian, P.A.
RealtorBrian@aol.com www.BrianFTL.com
Your South Florida Specialist for Over 18 Years
Realtor
954.205.5275
transportation therapy
www.stsfrancisandclare.org Baptisms • Weddings • Memorial Services
sfgn.com 1 1.29.2017
$250,000
Taylor & Turner Pest and Termite Control, Inc
Mass Times: Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 10:30 AM
•
Helping Buyers, Sellers, Renters, and Investors for over 18 years in South Florida.
$300,000
call us to reserve space!
Where we welcome and appreciate diversity.
50
from
from
The Parish of Sts. Francis and Clare
Ecumenical Catholic 954.731.8173
Ocean/Intracoastal
3 bedroom/2 bath homes
spirituality
THE BEST SERVICE, THE BEST RESULTS SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST!
$135,000
RAINBOW RIDES-SAVE MONEY ON YOUR RIDE! - We treat you like family! SPECIALIZING IN AIRPORT RIDES! Need a ride to FLL, MIA, or PBI? (or anywhere else?) I'm a friendly driver with a nice, clean Chevy Malibu. My fixed-rate pricing beat all ride sharing - apps every time. Call or text me to schedule a ride, I'll be there early and I'll text you when I arrive. No 'surge" prices, no hassles. Call or text Nikki at 954-600-3133.
William D. Turner taylorandturner@yahoo.com 2520 North Dixie Hwy Wilton Manors, FL 33305
954.630.2627
SFGN Classified$ To place a Classified Ad, call Tim Higgins at 954.530.4970 or email at Tim.Higgins@sfgn.com
M E DI C A R E
Make
Blue your source
for Medicare
electrician HARRY’S ELECTRIC RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL - Additions, renovations, service upgrades, breaker panels,FPL undergrounds, code violations, A/C wiring, ceiling fans, recessed, security & landscaping, lighting, pools, pumps, Jacuzzis, water heaters, FREE PHONE ESTIMATES 954-522-3357 Lic & Ins. www. harryelectrician.com
employment wanted
SPECIAL HIRE NEEDED - Looking for strong males (must be able to hold up fall risk gentlemen, dementia, Parkinson's, stage 4 cancer, etc.) for LGBT seniors, must be gay-friendly, many have live-in senior partners (must enjoy the company of gay people and comfortable in gay settings, restaurants, etc.) Call 954-629-1377 and leave a message ONLY, include your contact info, name, and level of experience in senior care or your willingness to devote your time to senior care. Faxes welcome at 754-301-5802
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
music lessons VOICE LESSONS & MUSIC THEATRE COACHING - Over 30 years experience. Students have performed on (and off) Broadway, in National & International tours, recorded solo albums & placed in prestigious competitions. www.kreutzmusic.com 617-967-0575
Classified Advertising Works! Place an ad in SFGN’s Classifieds
954.530.4970
painting GREGG'S PAINTING - I paint both interior and exterior. Great rates, free estimates. I am detailed-oriented, friendly, reliable, punctual, and neat. No job too small. Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Call Gregg at 617-306-5694 or 954-870-5972 Email: gmanbenn44@gmail.com
piano WANT TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE PIANO? Learn from an experienced teacher. All levels and ages welcome. Learn to play classical, popular, jazz, or show tunes. Visit www.edwinchad.com or call 954-826-9555 for more information.
pool service COOL POOLS- RELIABLE POOL SERVICE Professional pool service.Covering Wilton Manors, Lighthouse Point, and eastside of Pompano Beach. 15 years experience. Licensed and insured.Free estimates. Call 954-235-0775.
professional services COMPANION AIDE - Strictly Professional, TBI, PCA, and NHTD certified Over ten years’ experience. Provide light personal care, light cleaning. Laundry and major meal prep. Respite for caregiver. Serious inquires call Karl 954-616-8952
Get more bang for your buck! Place an ad in SFGN’s Classifieds
954.530.4970
professional services RESUME Consulting - Nearly 20 years of recruiting experience. Consultation includes one-on-one session, job hunting tips and tricks, social media review. Email Jason@TheDriveRecruiting.com ASSIST GAY COUPLES IN WILTON MANORS Mid-December to Mid-April - Provide daily personal care for one disabled man in wheelchair and his partner. Prepare healthy meals, light housekeeping, laundry, and shopping. Full-time live in optional. Must be a non-Smoker and have a valid driver’s license and clean record. References are needed as well. Apply by sending a letter telling us about yourself and past experiences @ domestic.paul@yahoo.com
real estate new construction
United Realty Group - Builder in Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Coconut Creek, Lauderdale Lakes and Hollywood. Starting in the 200's, 2 & 3 Bedrooms, 1 & 2 Garages available with building incentives. Call for details Michael 561-703-5533 or email mkltub@aol.com for more info.
A DV A N TA G E
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When you’re shopping for Medicare coverage, Blue is here to help. We’re your partner in navigating the Medicare landscape, making the most of your health care and feeling confident about your choices.
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954-554-7074 (TTY users call 1-800-955-8770), 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. local time, Mon. - Fri. to speak to a licensed agent.
real estate broward county
BEST BUY ON THE BEACH - Direct oceanfront,1 BR, $175K 2/1 in Poinsettia Heights,$379K. Updated 1 BR direct ocean front,$199K Atlantic Properties International. Daniel Roy,404-509-4464 or David Ferraro,702-622-6703.
rentals wilton manors
Florida Blue is a PPO, RPPO and Rx(PDP) plan with a Medicare contract. Florida Blue HMO is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Florida Blue or Florida Blue HMO depends on contract renewal. Health coverage is offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., DBA Florida Blue. HMO coverage is offered by Health Options, Inc., DBA Florida Blue HMO, an affiliate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc. These companies are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Florida Blue complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüstica. Llame al 1-855-601-9465 (TTY: 1-877-955-8773). ATANSYON: Si w pale Kreyòl Ayisyen, gen sèvis èd pou lang ki disponib gratis pou ou. Rele 1-855-601-9465 (TTY: 1-800-955-8770). Y0011_87324 0917R1 CMS Accepted
MIKE THE RENTAL GUY - NE Lauderdale/Wilton Manors/Oakland Park-1/1 from $1090, 2/1 from $1140. Victoria Park-2/1=$1290.00 cable included. Credit & Income Requirements-Pets okay with restrictions Call for Details Mike 561- 703-5533 or miketherentalguy@ aol.com
rentals fort lauderdale
MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE 2/1 $1,300/MO reduced Live very close to Wilton Manors and The Drive. Tudor Manor Complex. Very tropical. Pets OK. First/Last/Sec & Association approval. Contact Mike Trottier, Realtor 954-627-1222 ext 1 www.mikesREteam.com iHome Florida Real Estate VERY NICE COTTAGE FOR RENT - Separate cottage for rent for $1000.00 has full kitchen and showered bath. Includes washer/Dryer. Tenant pays elec. and water. Has a private entrance and private parking. Requires F/L/S to move in. Call Michael at 954-615-7103 Spacious 2 BR/2BT for rent $2300.00 - In the Pilot House, 9th Floor Apt has great views of Inter coastal and the Ocean. Must see to appreciate. First & Last Background check required. Call Barry at 305-7762207.
www.sfgn.guide
rentals oakland park 1BD/1BT $935/MONTH near Wilton Manors Nice clean 1BD/BT, with semi private landscape patio and fenced back yard off bedroom. Updated Kitchen. Tile floors and good size rooms. Walk in closet. Off street parking, about 4 blocks from the drive. Located in one story 4-Unit apartment with Laundry room. $50.00 application fee--Background check. NO SMOKING, NO PETS, CALL 754-336-7563
roommate boca raton
Elderly gay man formerly from Europe seeks roommate between 62 and 75 to share a 3 bedroom house and pool. Must have a car. Very low rent. Serious minded only! Call Gary @ 561-451-0205.
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