SFGN 12/8/22 V13iss49

Former Republican Congressman James (Jim) Thomas Kolbe, who represented Southern Arizona in Congress for 22 years, died Saturday, Dec. 3 of a stroke at the age of 80 his husband Hector Alfonso confirmed to Arizona media outlets.

“He belongs to so many people,” his husband said through tears on Saturday. “He gave his life for this city. He loved Tucson, he loved Arizona.”

Arizona’s Republican Governor Doug Ducey ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff until sunset Sunday in honor of the former congressman.

Kolbe was the first openly serving gay Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives having served from 1985 to 2007. During his 22-year tenure he served as chair of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs of the House Appropriations Committee.

In 1996, Kolbe held a press conference and outed himself after his vote for the Defense of Marriage Act, this, according to political journalist Jake Tapper, was owed to the fact that Kolbe was under the impression he was about to be outed by a gay publication.

Addressing a gathering of Log Cabin Republicans and other gay Republicans in 1997, he said he didn’t want to be a poster child for the gay movement.

“Being gay was not — and is not today — my defining persona,” Kolbe said during his first speech as an openly gay GOP lawmaker. He also sat on the national advisory board of the Log Cabin Republicans.

In 2013 however, Kolbe was a signatory to an amicus brief in support of overturning California’s Proposition 8.

In a private ceremony in 2013 after being together for eight years, Kolbe and Alfonso were married.

Alfonso, a Panamanian native who came to the United States on a Fulbright scholarship to pursue studies in special education had been a teacher for two decades. The couple’s nuptials were held at a private event at the Cosmos Club on Massachusetts Ave. in Washington D.C.

“Two decades ago, I could not have imagined such an event as this would be possible,” Kolbe told the Blade in an interview in May of 2013. “A decade ago I could not imagine that I would find someone I could be so compatible with that I would want to spend the rest of my life with that person. So, this is a very joyous day for both of us.”

The couple had to endure a year-long separation when Alfonso returned to Panama while immigration issues were being sorted out, although he was granted U.S, Residency also known as a green card.

Kolbe also battled his friend and fellow Republican, Arizona U.S. Senator John McCain who opposed the repeal of the Clinton-era Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell policy, which barred military service by gay and lesbian Americans. He repeatedly co-sponsored a bill to scrap the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy at odds with others in his party over the issue.

After he left Congress he continued to be active in Republican politics in 2012 endorsing former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in his race for the presidency against thenincumbent Barack Obama.

In an

at the time, Kolbe responded to the anti-gay language in the draft version of the Republican Party platform. In addition to endorsing a Federal Marriage Amendment, the platform criticized the Obama administration for dropping the defense of DOMA in court and judges for “re-defining marriage” in favor of gay couples.

Kolbe predicted the 2012 Republican platform will be the last one to include such language.

“That’ll be the last time that will be in the Republican Party platform,” Kolbe said. “It won’t be there four years from now. It’s got its last gasp. I don’t believe it’ll be there four years from now; I wish it weren’t there now, but I don’t believe it will be four years from now.”

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Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.) speaks at a press conference on Feb. 28, 2013 for the filing of an amicus brief supporting the overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

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

Photo by J.R. Davis

Husbands Drew Tabatchnick, board member of the Jewish Federation, and Ira Baer, CFO at Baer’s Furniture — who both support Our Fund, Equality Florida, and A Wider Bridge — attending Equality Florida Broward Gala.

THE ACROSSCOUNTRY

LGBT HOLIDAY PARADE IS COMING TO THE CITY OF TAYLOR

After not meeting Taylor Area Ministerial Alliance requirements for the holiday parade, the city of Taylor decided it would host their own parade that is inclusive to all.

The Texas ministry’s new requirements stated that entries need to be “consistent with traditional biblical and family values,” according to KUT.

“The City of Taylor has worked very hard over the last several years to be inclusive and to be open to diversity,” Stacey Osborne, the city’s communications director, told KUT. “And we felt that the best way to show that we are keeping that commitment is by having a parade that would be open to everyone in the city and

GEORGIA REPRESENTATIVE CALLS CALIFORNIA SENATOR A ‘COMMUNIST GROOMER’

Since her ban has been lifted by the new Twitter CEO Elon Musk, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene immediately began to sling insults to California State Sen. Scott Wiener.

Wiener had been tweeting about the term “groomer” being a derogatory word toward LGBT people and Greene proceeded to tweet that he was a “communist groomer.”

“Hate rhetoric, particularly coming from people in power, directly leads to violence,” Wiener said to CBS News.

After the tweet, Wiener said that he was bombarded with tweets calling him a pedophile.

This was only days after the Colorado Springs shooting where the gunman targeted a gay club.

CALIFORNIA SOUTH CAROLINA

“Being in a place that’s very gay, we’re kind of reminded that we have to constantly be on alert and we’re never really safe,” Zachary Olson, a software engineer, told CBS News.

COLORADO SPRINGS SHOOTING PROMPTS SOUTH CAROLINA TO DEMAND ACTION

After the Colorado Springs shooting, South Carolinians took to the State House to pay their respects to the five lives lost and 29 injured.

Jennifer Tague, Field Director of the state’s AFL-CIO labor union, put on the event with speeches from community leaders and a candlelight vigil.

During his speech, Sheriff Leon Lott spoke out about South Carolina’s lack of hate crime laws.

“We don’t have a hate crime bill in South Carolina and that is sad. We need to send a message to those in South Carolina that we’re not going to tolerate it,” said Lott during his speech, according to WISTV.

Currently South Carolina and Wyoming are the only states without hate crime laws.

Photo via Katie McLean/Twitter.

Photo by Pax Ahimsa Gethen, via Wikimedia Commons.

Photo via Taylor PRIDE/Facebook.

THE AROUNDWORLD

EXPLORING LGBT NEWS EVENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE

EUROPE ASIA

ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER BLASTED FOR ANTI-LGBT STATEMENT

A right-wing legislator stated his opposition to same-sex marriage and said that the Bible saw homosexuality as “an abomination,” which sparked a debate in Italy.

Brothers of Italy, a nationalist party led by Giorgia Meloni, who was chosen as Prime Minister of Italy in September, has Lucio Malan, 62, as its top whip in the Senate.

The senator from Turin made the remarks on the episode of “Un giorno da pecora” on Rai Radio 1 after being questioned about his opposition to same-sex unions and a measure against homophobia that the Senate rejected in October.

He said of his choice to join Meloni’s hard-line conservatives last year after defecting from Berlusconi’s moderate

Forza Italia force, which was a component of Draghi’s former big-tent government, that it had to “toe a line ... that was too close to the political left,” that he “[was] against the bill.”

NORTH AMERICA

The development comes after a similar FIFA action taken against the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) earlier in the competition. After El Tri’s opening match of the group stage ended in a 0-0 tie with Poland, FIFA made the announcement that they had opened an inquiry into the chanting of Mexico’s fans.

According to ESPN, FIFA did not provide a timeline for handling the cases against Mexico, and they have not yet declared the outcome of the initial probe.

Due to the reoccurring anti-LGBT goalkeeper chant that has been heard during El Tri games, the FMF has already

been sanctioned by FIFA. A three-step process put in place to stop the insulting cries has occasionally caused the chanting to stop.

LAGOS SHELTER OFFERS RESPITE TO LGBT COMMUNITY IN NIGERIA

JAPAN UPHOLDS SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BAN

The Japanese government’s prohibition on same-sex unions was maintained by a Tokyo court, but it was also declared to be a violation of people’s rights.

Four couples who thought the law was discriminatory filed the compensation action.

Japan is the only G7 country that does not presently recognize same-sex marriages. Campaigners have applauded the decision as a signal to the government that the legislation needs to be changed.

“While marriage remains between a man and a woman..., [the court] also said that the current situation with no legal protections for same-sex families is not good, suggesting something must be done about it,” Nobuhito Sawasaki told BBC

The government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has not stated that it intends to examine or amend the law, despite the fact that a number of its senior members are in favor of same-sex unions and marriages.

FIFA launched a second inquiry into possible anti-gay chants made by Mexico fans after their 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia in the group stage finale.

Photo by Jorge Mendoza, via Wikimedia Commons.

Giorgia Meloni. Photo by Mens19, via Wikimedia Commons.

Photo via Marriage For All Japan/Facebook.

TIDAL WAVE PARTY WASHED OUT CANCELED FOR NEXT YEAR

Amainstay of Gay Days in Orlando for more than a decade, the incredibly popular Tidal Wave party has been canceled for next year.

Organizers say the host hotel has blatantly broken their signed contract and is backing out. The Avanti Palms Resort said that, despite a signed contract for 2023, a change in rental policies means they won’t host the party.

In an email exchange posted on Tidal Wave’s Facebook page, the hotel said they are changing the way they book large groups.

Avanti management went on to say, “After weighing the options, unfortunately, we will not be moving forward in executing the agreement due to the contracted concessions they are agreeing to for both 2023/24 moving forward with a large wholesale room night guarantee.”

They then wished Tidal Wave a good day and encouraged them to keep them in mind for future events.

Gay Days and One Magical Weekend is the first weekend of June in Orlando. The area is always packed with LGBT visitors, so finding another hotel that has enough rooms and the facilities to host Tidal Wave is almost impossible at this late date. While organizers are still looking, they say it’s not likely.

“With this sudden update in place and no alternative options for a host hotel, we have decided to cancel Tidal Wave 15: Ohana. This is a difficult decision that has brought us great sadness as we were all looking forward to another exciting year together.”

Profiles In Care

“I

John Hayden

Tidal Wave 14. Photo via Facebook.

COUNTER PROTESTERS SHUT DOWN HATE IN FORT LAUDERDALE

Anti-LGBT groups rallied to spew longdebunked “science” and agitate the crowd using scare words like “groomers” and “radical sexualization.” Many of the usual groups were there, including Moms for Liberty, Florida Fathers for Freedom, and Gays Against Groomers. They shouted the usual talking points of erasing LGBT history, banning LGBT issues in schools (“Don’t Say Gay”), and casting the community as sexual predators.

Counter protesters would not allow these aspersions to go unanswered. As often

JACK PETOCZ WAS A LEADING STUDENT VOICE AGAINST THE “DON’T SAY GAY” LAW. DESPITE BEING A SENIOR THIS YEAR AWAY FROM SOUTH FLORIDA, HE STILL WAS ABLE TO ORGANIZE THE COUNTERPROTEST, AND STOOD STRONG IN THE FACE OF INTIMIDATION.

happens at organized hate rallies, anti-LGBT hate groups, including the Proud Boys, tried to goad opponents into social media click bait. For the most part, they failed, instead often being exposed for the bigots they are.

Equality Florida’s Senior Political Director, Joe Saunders, said, “Governor DeSantis’ refusal to denounce Neo-Nazi, Proud Boys, and other extremists have emboldened them. During today’s protest, an organizer of the hate rally aggressively taunted LGBTQ high school students calling out, ‘Where’s Jack!?’ in an effort to intimidate high school student Jack Petocz, an organizer of the youth-led counter protest.”

Jack Petocz was a leading student voice against the “Don’t Say Gay” law. Despite being a senior this year away from South Florida, he still was able to organize the counterprotest, and stood strong in the face of intimidation.

Youth organizers were joined by openly gay elected officials, including Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis and State Senator Shervin Jones.

VIGILANTE VIOLENCE

For the most part, Saturday’s event was violence free. But as politicians ramp up their rhetoric, their supporters feel emboldened to take matters into their own hands. Over the weekend, criminals shot up a power station in North Carolina, tens of thousands, including a hospital, were without power for up to four days. A rumored reason is that they wanted to stop a drag show from taking place.

The FBI is involved in the investigation.

Also over the weekend, IntoMore.com reports that anti-trans activists threatened a doctor who gives gender-affirming care to patients at Boston Children’s Hospital, and gun toting protesters showed up at a drag queen story hour in Ohio.

John Hayden

A1A and Las Olas is an iconic location showcasing Fort Lauderdale’s beauty, fun, and inclusiveness. But on Dec. 3 it was taken over by ugly hate.

Photo by JR Davis.

Photo by JR Davis.

Photo by JR Davis.

Photo by JR Davis.

Photo by JR Davis.

Photo by JR Davis.

IMPACT WRESTLING BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS WITH NEW GAY STAR

JAI VIDAL HAS A BIG MATCH THIS WEEKEND

The body slams, the attitude, the chaos! It doesn’t matter if you’re ringside or watching at home, professional wrestling gets the adrenaline pumping in fans. LGBT fans have loved the costumes, characters, and storylines since the days of Hulk Hogan. Yet the genre often felt intentionally heteronormative to the point of LGBT exclusion.

But those days are down for the count. Impact Wrestling has a new star: Jai Vidal. He grew up in South Florida and is out of the closet and in the ring.

“Jai Vidal is a gay man chasing his wildest dreams and knock down barriers in the process,” he told SFGN ahead of his big match in Pembroke Pines at the Winter Warfare this weekend at the Charles Dodge Center.

“Since I was 4 years old I’ve watched professional wrestling. I always knew that that’s what I wanted to do,” he said.

But he also knew that, despite being a flamboyant event, there were still barriers.

“Since that age, battling my sexuality at times and having to hide it, including when I first got into professional wrestling, I learned how important it is to not only chase my dreams but also to show representation on top of that.”

“I’M A FLORIDA BOY!”

Born in Puerto Rico, his family soon moved to South Florida and Vidal spent his formative years between Pompano Beach and

Hollywood. But it was another city in between that was calling him.

“I love Wilton Manors. This is the scene where I discovered myself and be free. Walking up and down Wilton Drive, checking out some smaller stores like Out of the Closet, some pretty cool stores.”

Vidal also loves the nightlife.

“I always go to The Manor, it’s my place to go on a Friday night. The Manor basically raised me from when I was 18 to about 23. That is where I discovered myself and be myself.”

He hopes to stop by after the shows this weekend, and he may not be alone.

“I may bring some Impact people. I love that the Impact locker room is so open to me being me.”

FLAMBOYANT SUPERSTAR

To succeed in professional wrestling, you have to be willing to be over the top. Many have to create their character, but not Vidal.

“My character is me turned up to 1,000. I think that’s why the crowd connects so well with it. They feel it’s genuine. I’m not putting on a mask and a facade. I’m really being me.”

Vidal praises Impact Wrestling for its openness.

“I feel like what Impact is doing, bringing in wrestlers from all spectrums of the LGBT community is helping to make this normal. It is what it is, normal.”

John Hayden

Photo courtesy of IMPACT Wrestling.

“I LOVE WILTON MANORS. THIS IS THE SCENE WHERE I DISCOVERED MYSELF AND BE FREE. WALKING UP AND DOWN WILTON DRIVE, CHECKING OUT SOME SMALLER STORES LIKE OUT OF THE CLOSET, SOME PRETTY COOL STORES.”

- Jai Vidal

NON-BINARY ENERGY OFFICIAL CHARGED WITH FELONY THEFT

Sam Brinton remains on leave from the Department of Energy as they await trial on felony theft charges.

The non-binary nuclear engineer has been charged with stealing a $2,325 Vera Bradley suitcase from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Sept. 16. Brinton told investigators they accidentally took the bag out of exhaustion and later, fearing arrest, emptied its contents in a hotel room dresser.

A preliminary trial date has been set for Dec. 19 and Brinton’s team is requesting to attend the proceedings remotely due to financial difficulties. It is unclear if Brinton is on a paid or unpaid leave of absence. It has been reported they earn a salary of $178,063 as a DOE deputy assistant secretary in the Office of Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition.

Brinton, 35, was charged in October with felony theft of a moveable property and, if convicted, faces five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. They have not commented publicly on the charges.

In a

Energy and Natural Resources, asks for Brinton’s security clearance to be immediately revoked and for DOE to “undertake all necessary steps to terminate their employment immediately.”

The first non-binary person to serve in a federal government leadership role, Brinton has drawn scorn from conservatives for living a very visible kink lifestyle that includes spanking sessions and fetish puppy play.

Prior to their federal government service, Brinton worked for the LGBT non-profit The Trevor Project, leading efforts to ban conversion therapy on minors.

John McDonald

letter to DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, ranking member of the Committee on

Sam Brinton. Photo via Wikipedia.

LAMAR JACKSON DELETES TWEET WITH LGBT SLUR

Lamar Jackson, the quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, has now removed a tweet in which he referred to a fan as a “mf” and used a homophobic slur.

A Twitter user with 293 followers criticized Jackson’s performance after the Ravens’ dramatic 28-27 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

According to OutSports, Jackson’s tweet was available for three and a half hours before it was taken down. The Ravens and NFL have not yet responded.

Based on the Twitter responses to Jackson’s statement, many people argue that Jackson’s use of the phrase “eat dick” was homophobic simply because of its context.

Jackson was calling this fan a “mf” who wasn’t masculine enough to play football and stating all he does is “eat dick,” which was a rude and humiliating remark. That implies that Jackson intentionally employed

the slur of eating dick, which homosexual men have had to deal with for quite a while. Consequently, it is homophobic.

Photo by All-Pro Reels, via Wikimedia Commons.

Everitt Rosen

After three years of living on the road, Solgaard’s founder realized that keeping a tidy room was impossible. So he designed the perfect suitcase. The Carry-On Closet has a patented, six-shelf closet to keep you organized anywhere, it also acts as compression cubes to help you save space. The CarryOn Closet was recognized by TIME Magazine as the Best Travel Invention of the year.

Pier Angelo

HOLIDAY SHOPPING WITH THE SFGN’S BEST OF

With the holidays right around the corner SFGN recommends checking out this year’s Best Of winners. Below are just a few to get you started. All of them are great places to pick up some eclectic and last-minute gifts.

BEST GIFT STORE

To The Moon

2205 Wilton Drive, Fort Lauderdale

ToTheMoonMarketplace.com

From an eclectic array of candy to toys for children and adults alike To The Moon has it all. And for the eighth year in a row, the store won the Best Gift Store in Broward.

Some of To The Moon’s unique items are Christmas ornaments, X-rated cards, and collections of Betty Boop, Lucy, and Wizard of Oz.

“We are a unique store that offers over 20,000 different items,” said owner Antonio Dumas. “If you have been here before you know that there are surprises on every shelf. So do something fun and take a trip To The Moon.”

Some of the store’s most popular items are anything related to Golden Girls, of which the store has about 20 different items. And if there is one candy that you must buy – peanut butter cups.

“Our homemade milk, white and dark peanut butter cups are known around the globe, people love them,” he said. “This is one of my ultimate favorites.”

Also check out the runner-up: CLAUDIA CASTILLO Art Studio

BEST CLOTHING STORE

Pride Factory

2282 Wilton Drive pridefactory.com

In 2022 the Pride Factory, Broward County’s Best Clothing Store, finally moved to the Drive; to the Shoppes of Wilton Manors (home of Hunter’s Nightclub and Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar).

Dedicated followers of fashion now have a new and better place to shop, right in the heart of Wilton Manors. Here they will find a variety of stylish men’s fashions including swimwear, underwear, accessories, and even some novelty items (though not the adult videos that graced the Factory during its early days).

The Pride Factory’s new address is a vast improvement over its previous location and its staff is as friendly and knowledgeable as ever.

Also check out the runner-up: Macy’s -JM

BEST THRIFT STORE Out of the Closet

2 Broward Locations

1785 East Sunrise Boulevard Fort Lauderdale | 2097 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors

Out of the Closet’s tagline is the world’s most fabulous thrift store. And the store really lives up to it. Whether you’re looking for a great bargain or a great way to give back to the community, shopping at Out of the Closet is an excellent way to do both.

All three stores in South Florida are a go-to for people looking for retro clothing, quality furniture items, home décor, vintage records, electronics, and much more.

Once you walk in, you’ll find it’s also a great place to look for affordable holiday décor, no matter what holiday it is.

“Out of the Closet customers love that $0.96 of every $1 goes to support AIDS Healthcare Foundations HIV/AIDS treatment, awareness and prevention services provided in the local community,” said Robert Tolleson.

Out of the Closet provides free HIV testing and AHF Pharmacy services at all of its locations. It is the perfect place to donate your clothing, shoes, kitchenware, furniture, tools, and artwork; they also offer scheduled pick-ups for larger donations.

“With the winter season approaching and an array of holiday festivities taking place, our shoppers can expect some great sales to be announced and that we will continue to provide quality items at an affordable price,” Tolleson said.

Also check out the runner-up: Poverello Thrift Store -DR

BEST ART GALLERY

Claudia Castillo ART Studio

2215 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, FL 33305

claudiacastilloartstudio.com

Of the five years that Claudia Castillo ART Studio has been a part of Wilton Drive, this is the third year in a row that the studio has won the title of Best Art Gallery in Broward County.

“I consider the studio a special place that always has its doors open to receive everyone. It is a place where you can always find something new for yourself or for a gift with the beautiful unique artwork and collectible items that we have available.” Claudia Castillo said.

In a recent interview conducted in celebration of her fifth anniversary, she said, “I hope that everyone can visit the studio in the next few months to enjoy our new collections of artist’s work, my artwork and all of the unique gift ideas for the holidays!”

Castillo’s art gallery is a great place for gifts.

“After my artwork, the jewelry and bracelets are the most popular items we offer,” she said. “Clients love the originally designed natural stone pieces that can be custom fit.”

Also check out the runner-up: Art Frenzie BM

YOU CAN BE BOLD, LIKE PHILANTHROPIST MONA PITTENGER

“Partnering with the Community Foundation of Broward empowers me to make a BOLD impact for the community I love. As a longtime philanthropist and LGBTQ activist, my new endowed charitable funds at the Community Foundation are broadening the scope and amplifying the impact of my giving. Grants in my name develop future leaders, break down barriers to success and shape a community where everyone is treated with equity. I love that my endowed support is the gift that keeps on giving, long after I’m gone. With the Community Foundation as a partner, my BOLD impact never ends.”

2022 STAFF GIFT PICKS

Holiday shopping is something many people dread each year. Each year the staff at SFGN enjoy giving you ideas that make not only those in our lives happy, but not only yours as well. Gift giving can be somewhat of an art. Finding the perfect color, size, style, or even brand can be challenging, but in today’s online world, you can find just about anything. Please take a few moments to enjoy our shopping ideas this holiday season.

APPLE AIR PODS

ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK AUTOGRAPHED FUNKO POP #375

LIMITED EDITION

JUSTIN WYSE – ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Price: $350+ Purchase: Numerous Outlets Like eBay/Mercari

Recommendation: Elvira has long been an LGBTQ+ icon, from those iconic moments in the ‘80s to now. As a member of our community, she has brought joy and happiness to those of all ages. Funko Pops have been a craze for over 10 years, and limited editions like this one are rare and sometimes difficult to find.

KIMBERLY SWAN - WEBMASTER

Price: $168.99

Where to Buy: www.Amazon.com

Recommendation:

GAGGIA CADORNA PRESTIGE AUTOMATIC ESPRESSO MACHINE

GREG BISTOLFI – GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Price: $1,299.00

Where to Buy: www.WholeLatteLove.com

Recommendation: If you’re looking for the ultimate gift for a coffee-lover, look no further. This automatic espresso machine can make a variety of specialty drinks such as cafe americanos, espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos, and, even the plain black coffee is great! The best part is that most of the drinks are single-serve and made to order without having to use those pesky plastic pods that end up in landfills and our oceans. You can consider this an investment since this machine will pay for itself in the long run compared to the expensive plastic encapsulated pods that produce mediocre coffee at best.

It can get boring sitting in Starbucks drinking your coffee with nothing to listen to. So, what should you do when you don’t want to play your music out loud and annoy other customers? Buy Apple AirPods! These AirPods are very useful and have many great features: They are cordless, they charge quickly in their own case, and the case itself is so small you can fit it in your pocket when you’re on the go. If someone you know needs a new set of headphones (or just want to get a pair for yourself) then Apple AirPods are the way to go.

BRITNEY SPEARS MONOPOLY

KYLE WILLIS – GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Price: $39.99 on sale

Where to Buy: To The Moon Marketplace 2205 Wilton Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305

Recommendation:

#FreeBritney! Get in the zone with the “Princess of Pop” in this chart-topping edition of the iconic family game!

Britney Spears takes players and fans on a musical journey through her most popular hits to buy, sell, and trade songs like “Baby One More Time”, “Toxic”, and “Lucky”. Be the last one standing with hard-earned riches until oops, you’ve bankrupted your friends again!

Justin Wyse Associate Publisher

CHRISTIANA LILLY – SOCIAL MEDIA/WRITER

Price: $18

Where to Buy: www.Amazon.com

Recommendation:

Written by an SFGN reporter, this book is filled with destinations spanning food and drink, culture and history, shopping, sports, and recreation and more! Whether you’re a local or coming to the area on vacation, it’s the ultimate guide to the Venice of America.

Price: $19.99

Where to Buy: www.Amazon.com

Recommendation:

Is just the thought of being around your red-state relatives this holiday season (and imaging what borderline insane political statements they will make) already giving you anxiety?  Well then pack this game in your suitcase and you’ll have a fun way to keep everyone distracted and share some good laughs together as well.   Just be sure to put the game out before Uncle Bob starts his rant about all the election fraud and blah blah blah blah blah.

JULIE PALMER – GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Price: $79.99

Where to Buy: www.BestBuy.com

Recommendation:

Photos on demand + stickers = fun! I bought one of these for a friend’s 40th birthday party to make an instant memory book that she could take home that very night. It works with any smartphone so anyone could take a photo, print it out via Bluetooth, stick it in the memory book, and write a message to the birthday girl.

Bringing a smile to the face of your friend or family member is enough to brighten anyone’s holiday spirit. Be thoughtful and remember, its also trendy to give baked goods like cookies/ cakes or even helping someone with a car note. Whatever you decide gift giving is meant to bring a smile to everyone’s face. Happy Holidays 2022!

TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT A BEST OF WINNER PAPA DUKE’S DELI

Many of our readers have expressed that they would like to know a little more about the winners of our annual “Best Of” poll. Fair enough, the write-ups in the “Best Of” issue are kind of like an appetizer. They give you an idea of what a restaurant can accomplish, but not the full picture. So, every couple of weeks, I’ll do a more complete write-up of one of the winners, starting with a double winner (Best New Place and Best Sandwich).

PAPA DUKE’S DELI

1952 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors 954-530-4914 www.papadukeswm.com

What we said, “Proof that you don’t have to be a fancy, white-linen tablecloth kind of place to win. …. Each one of the sandwiches is a gem and everything is presented with pride and care. Taking over a spot in a former laundromat, Papa Duke’s has become a landmark in Wilton Manors, which should make it no surprise that it also won Best Sandwich.”

Papa Duke’s is truly a deli, not only can you order a sandwich, but you can order side and main dish salads (chicken and tuna) by the pint and bagels and pastries. Breakfast offerings include variations on the classic breakfast sandwich, eggs, and cheese base with a choice of meats and bread. For those looking for more carbs, there are muffins, croissants, cookies, loaf breads, and of course, that essential, freshly-brewed coffee.

If you’re looking for a hearty lunch (or an early dinner, Papa Duke’s is open to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and until three on weekends), check out the deli’s specialty sandwiches, priced at $13.75 each. The most popular (and the one they occasionally run out of) is the “Drunken Brisket” - slow-roasted beef brisket with pickled veggies, BBQ sauce, spicy pepper tapenade, and provolone, served on a giant ciabatta roll. All sandwiches are easy enough for two to share or save half for another meal later that day (the bread is freshly baked, so don’t wait too long to have

that second serving). Other options include corned beef (with kraut, Swiss, and thousand island), Italian (pepperoni, salami, capicola, ham, provolone, sweet and hot peppers, and onions), and a BLT with turkey or chicken, and vegetarian offering featuring fresh mozzarella, tomato, and avocado.

Signature sandwiches, $10.75, are just as generous and feature a choice of bread (ciabatta, mezzo doppio, rye, sliced multigrain, or as a wrap), main protein (ham, turkey, roast beef, salami, capicola, pepperoni, hummus, and tuna or chicken salad), cheese (American, Provolone, Swiss, or Havarti) and the usual veggie toppings. All sandwiches also come with a small side salad (a choice of cole slaw, potato, fennel, or orzo salad-my fave), and a pickle spear.

If you’re looking for something lighter, there are three menu options: mixed greens with green apples, strawberries, tangerines, walnuts, and honey vinaigrette, a chopped kale with roasted sweet potatoes, dried cranberries, wasabi peas, avocado, and a choice of dressing, or crushed sweet peas featuring burrata, black olives, and spicy olive oil over mixed greens with fresh mint and parsley, as well as a build your own option. All can be augmented with any protein available in-house.

If you can fit them in, there are some terrificlooking cookies. Personally, I’ve never had the room, even after leaving half my meal to take home with me. Being a deli, it’s counter service, and the staff is friendly and willing to explain each sandwich. It’s obvious they take pride in their work, and rightfully so.

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

BEST SANDWICH

Laspada’s

Original Hoagies

SIDE DISH

If you’ve been wondering what’s going on with the place next to Tropics that used to house Siam, wonder no more. It will open soon as VIOLET’S & ZEN’S , a sushi-tapas rooftop lounge from Preecha, and Benjamin Hongnopkhun also own Jasmine Thai & Sushi in Margate. The restaurant will feature a Cobb salad and cheese sampler platters as starters and pasta al Pomodoro and seared ahi tuna as entrees… Yes, that is a new spot opening in the old Starbucks location on 26 th St. at Five Points. It’s WILTON MANORS BAGELS and it’s being opened by entrepreneur Derek Gibbons, who formerly ran a bagel shop in Philadelphia. He must know his bagels and cream cheese, too!

Welcome to the ‘hood… AIDA should be open at 9 th St. and 4 th Ave., (the space formerly occupied by American Icon) by

the time this gets to press. It will feature a menu inspired by the coastal regions of Mexico, much like its sister restaurant in Coconut Grove. Eduardo Gavilan, coowner of Colibri 4 Restaurant Group, said “Signature Aida dishes include shrimp in black sauce with serrano peppers and red snapper in a Mexican dry pepper emulsion.’

SOBA ASIAN NOODLES, from the family that owns Tee-Jay Thai Sushi, has moved into the space formerly housing Mr. Q Crab House at 5975 N. Federal… Rick Wahlstedt and Joe King are bringing their version of high-end Vietnamese dining to Delray Beach with LE COLONIAL, after successful versions in locations in Chicago, Houston, and Atlanta… SABRINA COURTEMANCHE, the executive pastry chef at Riverside Hotel, plans to open the shop in a retail bakery near the hotel.

Karlin

Rick Karlin

Papa Duke’s Deli’s Corned Beef Sandwich. Photo via www.papadukeswm.com.

Mamma Mia Italian Bistro

Patio Bar & Pizza

Palmyra Hookah Lounge

Casa Monarca

Publix Stork’s Bakery New York Grilled Cheese

If you are a person with HIV (PWH), you have the power and responsibility to shape your care. Results from previous surveys guided patient care lead agencies and planning councils in prioritizing community unmet needs and determining where to distribute financial resources.

The survey is available online and will remain open through December 31, 2022. All responses are confidential.

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‘OUT OF THE BLUE’

If you’re interested in LGBT mermaid stories, then check out “Out of the Blue” by Jason June.

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR MOST RECENT BOOK?

I have always been OBSESSED with merpeople, and love just about every bit of mer pop culture out there. So it’s always been a goal of mine to make a fish-out-of-water mer story, and make it as gay as possible! I’m really honored to get to make contributions to mer lore with OUT OF THE BLUE!

WHAT DOES “READING WITH PRIDE” MEAN TO YOU?

To me, Reading with Pride means reading about all facets of the gorgeous LGBTQIA+ rainbow we’re a part of. We have so many commonalities as queer people, yet we have so many unique experiences based on ourselves as individuals and as folks with other intersectionalities that combine with our gender and sexuality. I want to read about all of it! I want to learn, I want to connect! I love it!

WHY DO YOU FEEL REPRESENTATION OF A VARIETY OF PEOPLE IS SO IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO WRITING BOOKS?

Representation is important because I remember a time not too long ago when

representation for so many communities could not be found. I can count on one hand the number of YA books I knew about that featured gay characters when I was a high schooler in the early 2000s. I hope that as time goes on, any reader can find themselves in many, many, many books, and I’m so happy to be a part of this generation of authors trying to make that happen.

TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE BOOK AND WHY YOU DECIDED TO WRITE IT.

OUT OF THE BLUE features Crest, a merperson who must undergo a mer tradition called the Journey. This is a month-long trip on land where a teen mer must help a human in need. For Crest, said human is Sean, who’s recently been dumped by his boyfriend. Through some poolside shenanigans, Sean discovers that Crest is mer, and the two agree to a fake date to help Sean win his ex back. And we all know what happens with fake dating! Other than knowing I always wanted to write a merperson story, I wrote OOTB to explore the theme of whether or not love for a person is enough to override love from someone’s family and physical home when you literally have to choose between one or the other. I think it’s very common for queer people to move around a lot in their lives, and through that time, we fall in love with not just people, but places too. And so many times, you have to choose between one or the other.

Aurora Dominguez

Photo by Ryan Bilawsky, via heyjasonjune.com.

OH, WHAT STORIES THE TREE HAS TO TELL

The tree is up, decorated, and glowing in the living room, as well as in our hearts, once again.

When I was a child, I’d often get up in the middle of the night, sneak downstairs, turn on the Christmas tree lights, and lie on the floor beneath them. I’ve done so, too, as an adult when my sleep was restless. I lie on the sofa, covered in a throw, trying slowly to take in the story of each ornament.

Ray and I love decorating the tree together. It’s so much more meaningful when you do it as a family. The most fun part of our effort is pointing out decorations and trying to remember who gave them to the other.

“The donkey and the elephant you brought with you from Detroit,” Ray said.

“No, we got those at Eric of Boston’s shop on Charles Street 42 years ago. Remember?”

“You’re right. We bought a lot of things from him.”

“And these foil-covered ornaments we got in San Francisco, right?”

Between the two of us, we have enough combined short-term memory and long-term memory to navigate the past and present. And, if neither of us remembers, it doesn’t matter.

“Do you remember,” I asked, “when we strung popcorn and cranberries night after night as we watched TV?”

“Those cranberries and popcorn were our main tree decorations. We used to cut down our own tree at the Trappist monastery, put it

on our little red Opel, and drive back across the state to Boston.”

The Christmas tree is our holiday family photo album that brings us through year after year of finding something special for the other, as well as for our gay brothers who often stayed with us. The ornaments were purchased all over the world and have meaning only to us. When we’re both gone, someone will find the boxes of ornaments and donate them to a thrift shop. It doesn’t matter. Someone else might enjoy them, but they won’t know the stories they represent. So what? It’s their turn to create and savor memories. But right now, and hopefully for many years to come, they’re ours.

Last night, on my walk with the dog, I wondered how many more Christmases I’d be able to do all of the inside decorating. I’ll be 75 in January. Will I still have the energy to spend two weeks pulling out items of Christmas magic, and placing them around the house when I’m 90?

Such thinking is a waste of time. The future doesn’t exist. The heaven that I can choose to be in right now is all around me, sparkling and whispering wonderful memories, and giving me the opportunity to create more happy recollections.

One night this week, I’m going to go out in the middle of the night and feel again the joy and peace the Christmas tree brings to me.

Church of Our Savior MCC

CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOR, MCC

Church

Friday Night & Saturday Morning

Online at templebatyam.org

Brian McNaught has been an author and educator on LGBTQ issues since 1974. Former Congressman Barney Frank said of Brian, “No one has done a better job of chronicling what it’s like to grow up gay." www.brian-mcnaught.com.

Photo via Adobe.

Brian McNaught

GAY MEN’S CHORUSES ANNOUNCE MERGER

The Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus (FTLGMC) and the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF) recently announced they will merge.

Talks coincided with the retirement announcement of FTLGMC director Dr. Gary Keating, who founded the chorus in 1986 during the height of the AIDS epidemic. It was the first gay performing arts organization in the state and one of the first in the nation.

In 2010, after Keating had already stepped aside for the first time, a significant number of members left FTLGMC over administrative differences and founded GMCSF, which grew rapidly. The two choruses continued to perform separately in Fort Lauderdale and Keating returned to the FTLGMC podium in 2013 to revive his former ensemble.

In recent years, the two choruses have performed together several times. The GMCSF welcomed FTLGMC and the Miami Gay Men’s Chorus as guest artists for their June 2019 concert paying tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The South Florida and Fort Lauderdale choruses have also sung together at local community events and memorials.

“The time is right to unify our choral community, which has an abundance of notable talent and dedication,” said Justin Knight, FLGMC president. “The Fort

Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus has entertained for 36 years and is proud of its legacy under the direction of its founder, Gary Keating.”

Keating’s final performance was a holiday concert on Dec. 3 and FTLGMC welcomed members of the GMCSF to sing with them at Fort Lauderdale United Church of Christ.

“We applaud Gary Keating’s vision and commitment to keep the music alive while we also thank the community for supporting both choral groups over the years,” said Mark Kent, GMCSF executive director. “Both organizations have simultaneously served the community well, but now the focus will be on GMCSF, which continues to expand its reach and impact on new audiences. With the LGBTQ+ community’s liberties under threat in this state and across the nation, we have decided to stand together in strength and sing to protect our future.”

The GMCSF is under the direction of Gabe Salazar and, with 150 members, is the largest gay men’s chorus in the southeastern U.S. GMCSF will welcome members of FTLGMC to join them for a song at their holiday concerts on Friday, Dec. 16 at Sunshine Cathedral and Sunday, Dec. 18 at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood.

The combined choruses will perform as the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida beginning on Jan. 1.

JW Arnold

The Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus (pictured) will merge with the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida in January. Credit: Facebook.

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‘CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS,’ GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida returns to Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood on Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. for its sixth annual holiday performance. This year, the 150-member chorus welcomes guest artist Shoshana Bean, Broadway headliner and a Tony and Grammy nominee. Bean was most recently seen starring in

Broadway’s “Mr. Saturday Night.” Tonynominated for her role as Susan Young, she previously starred on Broadway as Elphaba in “Wicked” and Jenna in “Waitress.” The program will include classics and new arrangements of holiday favorites like “Do You Hear What I Hear” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

Tickets start at $41 at GMCSF.org

JW Arnold

Read SFGN’s interview with Shoshana Bean at sfgn.com/ShoshanaBean.

Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida. Photo via Facebook.

‘RED SPEEDO’ AT FOUNDRY DESERVES GOLD MEDAL

Ronnie Larsen Presents and Plays of Wilton (POW!) take a dive into the cutthroat world of Olympic swimming with “Red Speedo,” Lucas Hnath’s 2016 Obie-winning drama playing at the Foundry through Dec. 30.

Ray (Gabriell Salgado) is a rising star on the cusp of landing a spot on the U.S. Olympic team – but he has a secret. His fast-talking brother and aspiring sports agent Peter (Chris Anthony Ferrer) plans to cash in on his brother’s success at the trials the next day.

Both dream of the fame and riches sure to follow until a doping scandal at the swim club is revealed. What ensues is a hard 90-minute examination of the moral and ethical compromises Ray, Peter, Coach (Jerry Seeger) and Ray’s former girlfriend Lydia (Casey Sacco) have accepted and must continue to make if they are to achieve their supposed goals.

By the end of the fast-moving single act, all are broken to some degree and Hnath spares the audience the tidy resolution most theatergoers demand.

Set designer Melquisadel Dominguez transforms the Foundry into a believable natatorium, complete with working heated swimming pool – it’s small, but real in every sense. And thanks to lighting designer Preston Bircher, the water reflects hypnotically on nearly every surface of the tiled stage, completing the illusion.

The ultimate triumph of the production is not only due to a well-written play, talented cast and elevated set, but also the nuanced direction of Stuart Meltzer, a multiple Carbonell-winner, who is indisputably the best in South Florida.

Hnath is a master of dialogue and Meltzer coaxes mesmerizing performances from all, especially as they bicker among themselves and attempt to justify their indefensible actions. From any seat in the intimate Foundry space, it’s possible to witness the constantly evolving thought processes of each character as they react to the latest twists in the surprisingly straightforward plot.

Salgado delivers a brilliant performance as Ray, a not-so-bright jock who would inject illegal substances into his body to gain an edge on one day and then throw it all

away the next just to settle down in relative obscurity

While the show doesn’t explore any gay themes – a departure for producer Larsen –watching the ripped actor parade across the stage in a red speedo is a treat enough for the largely middle-aged, gay POW! audience; however, Salgado offers much more, engaging and captivating that audience from the opening scene. Look for a Carbonell nomination

“Red Speedo” is a clear winner.

JW Arnold

Lucas Hnath’s “Red Speedo” is being performed through Dec. 30 at the Foundry, 2306 N. Dixie Hwy. in Wilton Manors. Tickets start at $35 at RonnieLarsen.com.

Gabriell Salgado stars as an Olympic hopeful who makes moral and ethical compromises to win. Credit: Ronnie Larsen Presents.

with his love, Lydia.

and perhaps a trophy next year for Salgado and the production.

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