local name global coverage December 14, 2016 vol. 7 // issue 50
s o u t h
f l o r i d a
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person of the year Peter Thiel A man who shocks and shakes the LGBT establishment Pages 22, 23
PETER THIEL ADDRESSING THE 2016 GOP CONVENTION Page 25
SFGN INTERVIEWS GEORGE TAKEI Page 44
SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS
TRANS SURVEY SHOWS HEALTH DISCRIMINATION PERSISTS Pages 6, 7
SOFLAGAYNEWS
SFGN.COM 12.14.2016 • 1
nEWS highlight
SouthFloridaGayNews.com
Michael Weinstein (left) and Patrick Range McDonald at the Righteous Rebels book signing. Photo Credit: AHF.
December 14, 2016 • Volume 7 • Issue 50
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‘RigHteoUS RebelS’ tellS aHf StoRY John McDonald
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ow a global health organization operates was the topic of discussion Thursday evening at the World AIDS Museum in Wilton Manors. “What keeps me up at night is the thought of what the consequences would be if we were to fail,” said Michael Weinstein, President of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “If we were to fail there would definitely be lives that would be lost, institutions would not be held accountable and there would be tremendous consequences.” With more than 672,000 patients in care in 38 countries, AHF is a leading provider of cutting-edge medicine and advocacy and the largest HIV/AIDS medical care provider in the United States. And its story is just beginning to be told. “For quite a few years both my board of directors and others kept telling me that AHF had a responsibility to record our story,” Weinstein said Thursday evening at a book signing for Righteous Rebels: AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s Crusade to Change the World. Written by Patrick Range McDonald, a Los Angeles newspaper reporter, the book is the first step in bringing AHF’s story to light.
“One of the things that I learned from working on this is Michael and his team were doing things for the right reasons and were really passionate about it,” said McDonald. In the book, McDonald chronicles AHF’s rise from a feisty group of activists to a powerful organization with global reach – one that Weinstein admits is no stranger to risk taking. The author also peers into Weinstein’s background, providing personal details about family and his early social activism. “There is a lot of love and a lot of hope,” McDonald said of the book. “These are things we can learn from right now because it’s sort of funky times.” The election of Donald Trump as U.S. President has raised several questions as to the future of HIV/AIDS care. Weinstein said “dread” is the appropriate word, but reminded the audience AHF is a nonpartisan organization that has operated under both Republican and Democratic administrations. “I don’t think AIDS is a partisan issue,” MEMBER Weinstein said. “We have a history of working on Capitol Hill on both sides of the aisle and will continue to do that. There’s rhetoric from the Trump administration that MEMBER
they are going to attack drug prices and that would certainly be welcome.” About 60 people attended the book signing. Weinstein shared some of the highlights of his work, crediting innovative marketing strategies with being able to reach people. “Marketing has changed things,” he said. “In Uganda we put up billboards about cheating and to get tested. It caused such a furor and it was only four billboards. Then we had the ‘Feel the Bern’ billboards (a takeoff of the Bernie Sanders campaign message) that got all this national press. This had never been done before or it was done in such a boring way that nobody paid attention.” Weinstein said the goal is to bring one million people into care by 2020. World Health Organization reports indicate there are 36.7 million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide in 2015. AHF, Weinstein said, employs five thousand people at decentralized bureaus stretching from Russia to Louisiana. “I have a venerable army across the world to carry out my crazy ideas,” Weinstein said.
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nEWS international
Photo: IISD/Earth Negotiations Bulletin
diCtatoR dUmPed! gambia goes gay
John McDonald
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he Gambia is over for Yahya Jammeh. Jammeh, President of Gambia – who once promised to “slit the throats” of all homosexuals – lost his bid for re-election. After 22 years in power, Jammeh was defeated by opposition leader Adama Barrow in last week’s election. Gambia, a western African country of just over two million people, borders the northern Atlantic Ocean and is surrounded by Senegal. “A new Gambia is born,” Barrow told the Associated Press on Saturday after receiving 45 percent of the vote to 36 percent for Jammeh. “We want everybody on board now. This is Gambia, politics is over.” Jammeh seized control of the country in a military coup in 1994. He proceeded to make outrageous statements about gays and decreed in November of 2014 the act of homosexuality to be punishable by life in prison. A devout Muslim, Jammeh called gays “vermin” and said his government would deal with LGBT people as if they were
malaria-carrying mosquitos. Following Jammeh’s crackdown on gays, the United States dropped Gambia from its African free trade agreement. In the election’s aftermath, Jammeh said on state television that he would help Barrow “work towards the transition.” The BBC reports Jammeh, 51, seemed “bewildered by the result.” Previously, the dictator had stated he would rule Gambia for one billion years if “Allah willed it.” Frank Mugisha, an African LGBT rights activist, applauded the election results, tweeting, “At least some good news from Gambia, restoring some hope in the year 2016.”
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Orlando Marks 6-Month Anniversary of Nightclub Massacre (AP) Survivors, staff and family members of victims who were killed during the Orlando nightclub massacre are gathering outside Pulse to mark the six-month anniversary of the rampage. They are gathering in the early hours Monday for a moment of silence at 2:02 a.m., the exact time the gunman started shooting inside the gay nightclub. The early-morning memorial at Pulse is not
Pulse, the Orlando gay nightclub. Photo: WalterPro4755, Flickr
open to the public but just those with a direct connection to the shooting. Later in the day, local officials are organizing a memorial service at the Orange County Regional History Center. The names of each of the 49 patrons who were killed will be read. Dozens of others were seriously injured in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
NATIONAL
POLITICS
NATIONAL
(AP) Arkansas' highest court on Thursday threw out a judge's ruling that could have allowed all married same-sex couples to get the names of both spouses on their children's birth certificates without a court order, saying it doesn't violate equal protection "to acknowledge basic biological truths." The state Supreme Court also issued a rare admonishment to Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox, saying he made "inappropriate remarks" in his ruling that struck down the birth certificate law. Fox had cited the U.S. Supreme Court's decision legalizing gay marriage in his ruling last year that said married same-sex couples should have both names listed on their children's birth certificates, just as heterosexual married couples do, without requiring a court order. In the state Supreme Court's decision Thursday, the justices sided with the state attorney general's office, saying Arkansas has a vested interest in listing biological parents on birth certificates. "What is before this court is a narrow issue of whether the birth-certificate statutes as written deny the appellees due process," Justice Josephine Linker Hart wrote in the court's majority opinion. "...In the situation involving the female spouse of a biological mother, the female spouse does not have the same biological nexus to the child that the biological mother or the biological father has. It does not violate equal protection to acknowledge basic biological truths." Cheryl Maples, who sued on behalf of three same-sex couples, said she hasn't decided yet whether to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The three couples who sued were allowed to amend their children's birth certificates last year under a ruling issued by Fox.
(AP) North Carolina's incoming Democratic governor said Wednesday he's optimistic he'll be able to repeal the law limiting state and local LGBT protections, vowing to pull back the conservative agenda of a Republican-dominated legislature. Roy Cooper told The Associated Press in an interview - two days after Republican Gov. Pat McCrory conceded - that he wants to assemble issue-specific bipartisan coalitions on such matters as education, renewable energy, criminal justice reform and ending House Bill 2. That law known as H.B. 2, signed by McCrory, also directs transgender people to use restrooms in schools and government buildings corresponding to the sex on their birth certificate. Republicans still will command veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate in 2017, so Cooper will be hard-pressed to block Republican legislation. Just a few GOP lawmakers now say they want the bill repealed, but Cooper believes more would be willing as the fallout of a national outcry continues to impact the state. Opposition from major business CEOs, entertainers and sports organizations has dealt a blow to North Carolina's businessfriendly image, leading companies to pull back on expanding in the state. Citing the law, the NBA moved its All-Star game and the NCAA and Atlantic Coast Conference sent championship events out of North Carolina. "I believe that most or all of the legislators understand the severe economic impact of House Bill 2 that it's having on us and that something needs to be done," Cooper said in the phone interview. GOP legislative leaders continue to defend the law, saying it provides privacy and protection for children using restrooms and locker rooms. Noting an argument raised by some, the U.S. Justice Department and others contend the threat of sexual predators posing as transgender persons to enter a bathroom is practically nonexistent. Meanwhile, backers of the law say the economic impact has been negligible compared to the state's entire economy, which is benefiting from the recovery.
(SFGN) The AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s San Diego Pharmacy was awarded “2016 Outstanding Pharmacy” at the annual Nicky Awards held last month. The awards ceremony, started in 1974, recognizes longtime gay rights activist Nicole Ramirez. The AHF Pharmacy located at 3940 4th Avenue in Suite 150 in San Diego has been serving the community since 1987. The pharmacy was one of the first to fill prescriptions for AZT. AHF has 13 pharmacies in California and 43 nationwide.
Court throws out Ruling on North Carolina governor Says San Diego Pharmacy arkansas Next aHFHonored Birth Certificate Law He can Carry Out Agenda
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INTERNATIONAL
bans gay Conversion therapy, a malta first for europe
(AP) Malta has become the first European country to ban gay conversion therapy, imposing fines of up to 10,000 euros ($10,750) and a jail term of up to one year for offenders. The Maltese Parliament approved a law Wednesday that effectively outlaws any attempts to "cure" gay people of their sexual orientations. The law stipulates that "no sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression constitutes a disorder, disease or shortcoming of any sort." It also lowers to 16 the age at which minors can request a gender change without their parents' approval. Transgender Europe says the small Mediterranean country is the first in Europe to outlaw conversion therapy. Malta has been at the forefront of progressive social reforms in Europe since the Labour government was elected in 2013.
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2015 Transgender Survey Report shows drastic shortcomings persist
tHe life aNd deatH of HealtHCaRe foR tRaNS PeoPle Brendon Lies
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re you male or female?” It’s a simple question, but it can be a matter of life or death. In the transgender community, signing up for insurance means answering this question, and it’s not just a matter of respect. Choosing the wrong one could mean an insurance company will deny a procedure that could be lifesaving. This week, the National LGBTQ Task Force released the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey Report, an anonymous survey that attempts to capture the broadest-
“if you say you’re trans-competent, then ok, you must be. there’s no transcompetent certificate to shoW as proof.” - Atticus Ranck
FORMER DIRECTOR OF TRAnS SERVICES AT SUnSERVE
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possible statistics of how transgender individuals survive in this country. With 27,715 respondents total, the report found among other things that “one in four (25%) of respondents experienced a problem in the last year with their insurance related to being transgender.” In many cases, the denied care was even considered routine and was unrelated to the health costs of transitioning. Despite years of push from legal organizations such as the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), these statistics have largely remained unchanged since the previous studies. Atticus Ranck, the former Director of Transgender Services at SunServe, spoke to SFGN about the confusion for dealing with insurance to avoid denial of care, even as a trained consultant. “When clients had questions about what insurance, I said it's like a Venn diagram. There's not one answer for the best insurance,” said Ranck. “It's between where you live, the surgeon you pick, what you can afford for the premium, and any other medical conditions, as well as what the insurance itself will cover for trans-related care. Good luck finding the insurance that
meets all your criteria.” As it shows in the case of Robert Eads, a 53-year-old transgender man who died back in 1999 after more than a dozen doctors denied him treatment for ovarian cancer, discrimination from doctors is also a serious problem in the health industry for anyone who is gender non-conforming. According to the U.S. Transgender Survey Report, “one-third (33%) of those who saw a health care provider had at least one negative experience related to being transgender. Additionally, nearly onequarter (23%) of respondents reported that they did not seek the health care they needed in the year prior to completing the survey due to fear of being mistreated.” With both doctors and insurers pitted against them, transgender patients may put off a trip to the doctor for something as common as an infection or the flu in fear of poor treatment. Lucas Hameister, a transgender male, said that during a trip to CareSpot for a sore throat, “I was in the room and the nurse was going through everything, but then she looks at my file, looks back at me… and asks, ‘why do you need testosterone?’” Eventually the nurse began to question him about lower surgery, at which point, Hameister
intervened and said, “’I’m not gonna lie to you, I’m here because of my sore throat. I don’t want to discuss my genitalia.’” The need to educate medical professionals prior to basic treatment is a common story, even when there isn’t red tape or outright discrimination involved. Yet for a trans person who is in need of care for the body parts specific to their gender assignment at birth, the likelihood of finding a physician who is knowledgeable in the treatment of a prostate exam or PAP smear, for example, becomes even more difficult. For one, the information out there that states which doctors are inclusive is incredibly limited. Joshua Brewer, a local trans man, stated that even a doctor listed on the transgender-friendly website LBTHealth.org denied him care when he reached out to them. “The first gyno I called said that they ‘don’t do the trans,’” he said to SFGN, emphasizing the receptionist’s tone. “Even though they were on a website that was specifically geared towards trans.” For a community that, according to the same survey, sees a rate of 40% attempting suicide, there is a frantic need for readily available healthcare providers that will be
nEWS national there for them in a time of crisis, both physically and mentally. While it’s less likely that doctors haven’t heard about their transgender patients, the possibility that they’re educated enough to treat a transgender patient — whether or not the care is related to transition — is still far from guaranteed, even if the provider lists themselves as trans inclusive. “No one vets these places,” said Ranck, speaking on physicians or websites endorsing doctors. “If you say you’re trans-competent, then ok, you must be. There’s no trans-competent certificate to show as proof.” WPATH is a 501(c) non-profit that consists of over 600 physicians, psychologists, social scientists, and legal professional members, all of whom continue to push for a more widelyutilized standard of care for healthcare providers. They have developed the WPATH Standards of Care (SOC) for its endorsed practitioners to abide by. The WPATH SOC is a list of “internationally accepted guidelines that are designed to promote the health and welfare of persons with gender identity” that varies from what patients were assigned at birth. They state, “a physician, exercising prudent clinical judgment, would provide services to a patient for the purpose of preventing, evaluating, diagnosing or treating an illness, injury, disease, or its symptoms”. Yet as far as the organization’s power over insurers and individual practitioners who believe they have no need in educating themselves toward the needs
of gender variance, there are obvious limitations. Ultimately, there needs to be an increase of lawmakers and politicians who believe that trans-related care is an issue worth standing up for. With laws such as HB 2 in North Carolina — a law that at least has hope of being rescinded now that newly-elected Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) has announced his plans to repeal it — there is evidence of how even an unconstitutional breach of basic rights can be pushed into law with enough public dissent. States with politicians that are unsupportive of LGBT rights are far more likely to push trans-related healthcare needs from their priority list, if not fight against them entirely. And the less politicians or insurers acknowledge the need for respect toward transgender patients, the less there will be competent practitioners who push to educate themselves. On Dec. 7, the state of New York expanded its Medicaid services to include transition-related care for trans youth. This move is just one of many signs of hope in the last year for trans people seeking unbiased healthcare. Nonetheless, after the recent election, which saw a large flux of conservatives elected, there is more need than ever to pressure lawmakers into believing that transgender healthcare is a necessity. Until then, the U.S. is bound to see discrimination against transgender patients continue — whether it’s for hormones, surgery, psychological care or a sore throat.
WPATH's 6th Annual Community Healthcare Network Conference on trans health Oct 7, 2016. Photo: Facebook. If you or someone you know feels that you’ve been a target of discrimination regarding insurance or healthcare, or if you wish to learn more as a practitioner, there are resources out there. Visit WPATH.org for more information on the proper treatment of transgender patients and resources for finding available care. If you believe you have faced discrimination or violence, visit TransgenderLegal.org to be connected with a legal representative.
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deCembeR RePoRt fRom SfaN Sean McShee The South Florida AIDS Network (SFAN) functions as the networking and advisory body for the Florida-Department of Health (FL-DOH), Ryan White Care (RWC) grant in Broward County. Its monthly meetings are open to the public.
T
his meeting focused on Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace enrollment, postelection issues, and an issue between agencies. Joshua Rodriguez, FL-DOH RWC, reported that the open enrollment period for the 2017 ACA Marketplace runs through January 31, 2017. For free assistance with enrolling, people should call 954-561-9681 ext. 1342. Leonard Jones, Broward-RWC, reported on the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) enrollment. ADAP has raised its upper eligibility limit from 250 to 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. This makes about 200 RWC clients eligible for ADAP. These 200 clients have to enroll in ADAP now to ensure certification by April. They will maintain their current coverage until ADAP certifies them. Jones also reported that, post-election, Broward-RWC is proceeding as usual. Jones said, “We don’t want to jump in without knowing all the facts. It’s still important for people to make appointments, certify, and re-certify.” Joey Wynn, SFAN Chair, also spoke about post-election issues. ACA will be around for at least the next two years, but changes may occur in 2017. ADAP and RWC have bipartisan support. Wynn pointed out that “Big Pharma”, hospitals, doctors, and their lobbyists would be very active in defending their payments from ADAP and RWC. Major changes will probably occur in Medicaid. It could be block-granted to the states with greater levels of scrutiny. “Blue” state Medicaid benefits could be reduced to the meager levels of Medicaid in Southern states, but those meager levels would remain. Looking to the future, Wynn said, “We can’t
continue to do what we’ve been doing. The political environment has changed.” Wynn spoke about a letter that he, as chair of SFAN, had sent in October to Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). In that letter, Wynn charged that SFAN had been excluded from contributing to the Integrated Prevention and Care HIV Plan. In that letter, Wynn asked HRSA to set up a meeting of Broward County HIV planning bodies to resolve this issue. At SFAN, Wynn argued for the equality of the three Broward bodies: the HIV Planning Council (HIVPC) for Broward-RWC, SFAN for FL-DOH RWC, and the HIV Prevention Planning Council. He wanted to re-establish the joint committees between HIVPC and SFAN. Wynn stated, “We need to come together. Let’s partner together.” Leonard Jones, Broward-RWC, agreed that people should be working together. BrowardRWC had no intent to exclude people from contributing to the Integrated Plan. Jones challenged the claim of equal status for SFAN, the HIV Planning Council, and the Prevention Planning Council. Prevention uses a different language than Treatment. Organizational culture differs between Treatment and Prevention. Jones reported that a key challenge concerned merging the cultures of Treatment and Prevention. Jones said that they needed to “formulate a methodology to get the work done.” Lynn Albertini reported that ViiV had changed its reimbursement policies. ViiV no longer requires income verification. Its help-line has 31 live multi-lingual operators to help with reimbursement issues.
Next SFAN Meeting: Friday, January 6, 2017, at 10 a.m., the Holy Cross Healthplex, 1000 NE 56th Street, Ft. Lauderdale. Newcomers are encouraged to attend. ANNOUNCEMENTS To learn which plans ADAP has approved for 2017, please call 954-467-4700, ext. 5630. RWC and ADAP will only pay for these approved plans. The “Florida HIV Needs Assessment Survey” will be open until January 3, 2017. People can complete this anonymous survey online at www.floridaneeds.org. Paper copies are available at County Health Departments. The ViiV hotline is 1-844-588-3288 with the on-line address, www.viivconnect.com.
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nEWS national
A LOOK BACK AT THE BIGGEST LGBT-RELATED POLITICAL STORIES OF 2016 2016 has been historic.
Photo credit: Trump (CNN), HRC, Pulse nighclub (CNN).
Lisa Keen
Keen News Service
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016 will go down in the LGBT history books as a year of sobering pushback against the many gains won in the years prior. In the space of 12 months, the community has gone from having the most pro-LGBT president in history to bracing for a new president who has, so far, nominated a line of cabinet secretaries who are mostly hostile to equal rights for LGBT people. It has seen the largest mass shooting in U.S. history target an LGBT nightclub and an unprecedented number of anti-LGBT bills in state legislatures.
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Donald Trump was elected president. Despite being called the most pro-gay Republican presidential candidate in history and even embracing the LGBT community in front of a hostile Republican convention, Trump’s election has left the community stunned with trepidation. At stake are not only myriad regulations that have sought to curb discrimination against LGBT people in federal workplaces, hospitals, and the military, but also the likelihood of one or more extreme conservatives on the U.S. Supreme Court.
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LGBT support was largely behind Clinton. From the beginning of the 2016 campaign, all signs pointed to most LGBT support marshaling behind Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton. And she made clear she valued that support, appointing an openly gay campaign manager and liaison to the community and by speaking out for LGBT equality in many, if not most, of the speeches she gave.
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Gunman massacres Orlando Pulse. In what has been called the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, American citizen Omar Mateen, 29, a security guard from Fort Pierce, Florida, entered an LGBT nightclub in Orlando at 2 a.m. Sunday, June 10, and shot 102 people, killing 49 before police killed him. While Mateen called 911 during the attack and declared his allegiance with the Islamic State (aka ISIS or ISIL), President Obama said there was no
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As the year closes, activists are focused on preparing to defend their gains and dodge the seeming inevitable attacks of the future. “This is the moment we are called to resist,” said National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell, following the presidential election. “We are about to be tested as never before, and speaking for myself, and NCLR, we will not stand down, sit idle or be silent in the face of oppression, bullying or threat. This election result is devastating for our
“clear evidence” that the shooter was “directed externally” by any terrorist organization.
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Justice Antonin Scalia died. Antonin Scalia, the U.S. Supreme Court justice most hostile to equal rights for LGBT people, died suddenly and unexpectedly, giving President Obama an opportunity to nominate a more moderate replacement. But even though Obama still had 11 months left in office, the Republicandominated Senate took the position that the next president –not the current one— should get to choose Scalia’s replacement.
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Supreme Court agrees to take up transgender case. With only eight justices on the bench, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would review a federal appeals court ruling that favored allowing a transgender student who was denied access to a school bathroom consistent with his gender identity. The case, Gloucester v. Grimm, asks the court to decide the validity of a U.S. Department of Education interpretation of Title IX, a federal law prohibiting discrimination based on sex in education. The Department says the law also prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.
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Unprecedented number of antiLGBT bills: Almost 200 anti-LGBT bills were introduced into state legislatures around the country, a number the ACLU said was “more anti-LGBT bills this year than in any other time.” One that passed into
nation and especially for the most vulnerable. But we will fight on and will never give up.” Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin said, “This is a crucial moment for our nation and for the LGBTQ movement. The election of a man who stands opposed to our most fundamental values has left us all stunned…. At a time like this, we don't slow down. We double down.” But first, a quick look back at the most momentous events in LGBT history for 2016:
law in North Carolina, HB 2, garnered national attention, largely because of its scope. The law prohibited transgender people from using a public restroom for the gender they are living and barred any local government from having an ordinance that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
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Backlash against HB 2 was swift and powerful. Reaction to North Carolina’s boldly discriminatory new law quickly turned against the legislators who ushered it into being, including North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory. McCrory helped get the law passed and vigorously defended it in the media once it passed. But many corporations and major sporting events announced they would move out of the state because of the discriminatory law. The U.S. Attorney General filed suit against HB 2. And by year’s end, McCrory found himself losing his re-election bid to a challenger who opposed the law. It was, overall, a message to legislators pushing anti-LGBT legislation in the future that they could not count on the public in general to stand by and let them.
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Jeff Sessions nominated Attorney General. While the current U.S. Attorney General, Loretta Lynch, jumped in quickly to stop anti-LGBT discrimination, in North Carolina and elsewhere, President-elect Trump’s nominee to replace her represents her antithesis. Sessions has spent years opposing equal rights for LGBT people, including his time as U.S. Senator. He
voted for every anti-LGBT measure and against every pro-LGBT measure. He also once claimed, “Gays and lesbians have not been denied basic access to things such as health or schooling or to the ballot box.”
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Senate confirms gay man as Secretary of the Army. In May, the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of an openly gay man to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Army –the first openly gay person to serve as the head of any military branch. The confirmation of Eric Fanning, by voice vote, came very quickly after U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) lifted a hold he had put on the nomination.
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Tammy Baldwin wins nod leadership role. The U.S. Senate’s only openly LGBT member, Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), was selected for one of the Democratic Party’s top leadership positions in the Senate, following the November 8 elections. The Senate new Minority Leader, Charles Schumer of New York, chose Baldwin to serve as Secretary of the Senate Democratic Conference (aka Senate Democratic Caucus). The position is charged with keeping minutes of the Caucus meetings and helping organize its meetings and is the fourth ranking position among the Democrats. Beyond that, however, the position ensures that Baldwin will have a strong influence in Democratic actions in the Senate and, perhaps, positions her to seek even more important roles in the future.
nEWS national
aRmY PRomoteS taYloR to maJoR geNeRal
Credit: U.S. Army.
John McDonald
F
or the first time in history, an openly gay male officer has achieved the rank of Major General in the United States Army. The honor was bestowed upon Brigadier General Randy Taylor. In an email Sunday evening, Danny Ingram, National President Emeritus for American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) released the following statement: “To all members of American Veterans for Equal Rights, our many sister organizations, and all the individuals who helped overturn Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and its preceding discriminatory policies, this is what victory looks like. Congratulations to Major General Taylor and your husband Lucas,” writes Ingram.
Taylor serves as Director of Architecture, Operations, Networks and Space for the U.S. Army Chief Information Officer/G6. He was the welcoming speaker for the Department of Defense’s 2015 LGBT Pride Month event. At the event, Taylor introduced his husband Lucas, saying “We have been a family for the last 18 years, long before the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. And although Lucas has never served in the military, he has accompanied me on all 11 reassignment moves in 18 years, both here in the U.S. and overseas. For us to be a family at that time, Lucas had to set aside any serious career ambitions. We bet everything on my Army career. We also spent a lot of time and energy living an inauthentic public life. Gay service
members were being discharged at record numbers then and I wanted to defend our nation and Lucas wanted to make sure I could. Always faithful, always out of love for each other and country. We always believed it would get better and it has.” Taylor has actively served in the Army for 28 years. He now joins U.S. Army Major General Tammy Smith and wife Tracey Hepner and U.S. Air Force Major General Patricia Rose and wife Lt. Julie Roth U.S. Navy (Ret.) as the first out LGBT general officers.
ALL-INCLUSIVE... AS NEWS
SHOULD BE AS DIVERSE AS EVER
Whether you are in the bisexual or transgender communities, are asexual, gender-fluid, pansexual, or maybe you still aren’t sure, SFGN is proudly here to connect you with the rest of our colorful community.
www.SFGN.com
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LGBTQIA bites
l
lesbian
aRKaNSaS SUPReme CoURt RUleS agaiNSt leSbiaN momS iN biRtH CeRtifiCate CaSe (SFGN) The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that a law requiring mother and father to be listed on birth certificates does not violate the constitutional rights of lesbian spouses, the American Bar Association Journal reports. Three lesbian couples who had used sperm donors to conceive brought the lawsuit saying the birth certificate laws violate their rights to equal protection under the Obergefell v. Hodges decision in favor of same sex marriage. Under Arkansas law when a heterosexual couple gives birth, the husband is automatically given paternity and may be named on the birth certificate regardless of whether or not he is the biological father, the Journal reports. Lesbian mothers however, must submit a court order to have their spouse’s name added to the birth certificate. “Obergefell did not address Arkansas’ statutory framework regarding birth certificates, either expressly or impliedly,” the court said.
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“In the situation involving the female spouse of a biological mother, the female spouse does not have the same biological nexus to the child that the biological mother or the biological father has,” the court said. “It does not violate equal protection to acknowledge basic biological truths.”
b
Compiled by Jillian Melero bisexual
StUdY SaYS biSeXUal aNd RURal lgbt PeoPle faCe HigHeSt RateS of dePReSSioN (SFGN) More than 40 percent of bisexuals and 38 percent rural LGBT people report being diagnosed with depression according to an analysis of 160,000 records from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by MentalHelp.net, LGBTQ Nation reports The rates were higher than those reported for LGT people, and double the rates of heterosexuals. Rates of depression reported were higher in the 18 – 24 age group. The study’s authors suggest this could be due to incidents of anti LGBT bullying in schools. The Trevor Project, a nonprofit focused on suicide prevention among LGBT youth reports that “suicide – the second leading cause of death for those aged 10 to 24 – is attempted four times more often by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and questioning youth, and suicide attempts by transgender youth are elevated as well.”
The article notes that the reports specify diagnosed depressions, the numbers do not include those who may be depressed but not diagnosed, citing that transgender respondents reported less diagnoses of depression, but this may be due to a lack of access to healthcare. View the study's findings at MentalHelp.net under "Mental Health in the LGBT Community"
LGBTQIA bites
t
continued Transgender
maJoR SURVeY of tRaNSgeNdeR ameRiCaNS fiNdS PeRVaSiVe biaS (AP) The largest-ever survey of transgender Americans paints a grim picture of pervasive discrimination and harassment, to the point that many of them attempt suicide at some point. Released on Thursday by the National Center for Transgender Equality, the survey assesses input received in 2015 from 27,715 respondents from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories. There have been some important gains for transgender rights in the years between the two surveys, but the new survey showed little or no improvement in terms of transgender people's day-today experiences with bias. One finding remained virtually unchanged from the earlier survey: 40 percent of the respondents said they had attempted suicide at some point. Researchers have estimated that the
overall attempted suicide rate in the U.S. is less than 5 percent. Another notable finding: 59 percent of survey respondents said they avoided using a public restroom in the past year because they were afraid of confrontations or other problems. About one-third said they limited the amount that they ate and drank to avoid using a restroom. Find the results of the study at www.USTransSurvey.org.
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nEWS national
Chelsea Manning.
oN PaPeR, CHelSea maNNiNg Still a maN John McDonald
T
he Army isn’t buying Chelsea “Manning, a transgender woman who Manning’s transition. is being forced to serve out her sentence A psychologist for the Department in an all-male prison, has been subjected of Defense refused to change Manning’s to long stretches of solitary confinement gender marker in the Defense Enrollment – including for attempting suicide – and Eligibility Reporting System, court denied necessary medical treatment related documents show. The decision was revealed to her gender dysphoria. The Army even Monday as lawyers for the American Civil opposed her request to use her legal name Liberties Union press U.S. President Barack and to be referred to by female pronouns. Obama to commute Manning’s While the armed forces have prison sentence. finally opened the door to "the Formerly known as Bradley transgender men and women Manning, an intelligence who wish to serve, the government analyst assigned to an Army government has continually has unit in Iraq, Manning is in fought Ms. Manning’s efforts to continually the seventh year of a 35-year be treated with basic dignity,” sentence. reads the letter from the ACLU. fought ms. “Ms. Manning is the longest Groups signing the letter manning’s serving whistleblower in the are as follows: BiNet USA, efforts to be history of the United States,” COLAGE, Family Equality reads a letter signed by the Council, FORGE, Inc., GLBTQ treated With ACLU and more than a dozen Advocates & Defenders, basic dignity.” Legal other LGBT groups. “Granting Immigration Equality, Khush her clemency petition will give DC, Lambda Legal, League - ACLU LETTER ADDRESSED TO Ms. Manning a first chance to of United Latin American THE WHITE HOUSE live a real, meaningful life as Citizens, Los Angeles LGBT the person she was born to be.” Center, National Black Justice Manning, 28, was convicted by court- Coalition, National Center for Lesbian martial in July of 2013 of violations of the Rights, National LGBTQ Task Force, National Espionage Act. The conviction stemmed Organization for Women, Pride at Work and from Manning dumping nearly three- Transgender Law Center. quarters of a million diplomatic documents The White House confirmed on Tuesday to WikiLeaks. Some of the documents were it has received the letter but declined to classified and contained sensitive military comment. information. Manning asked for a change to the Army’s While imprisoned at Fort Leavenworth, record based on “having achieved stability in Kansas, Manning has, reportedly, attempted her female gender.” The chief of the Mental suicide twice and staged a hunger Health Division at Fort Leavenworth denied strike. Under the handle @xychelsea the request. Army spokesman Wayne Hall, Manning tweets through a voice phone to citing medical privacy records, declined intermediaries. comment.
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nEWS national Tracy Ballard. Photo: CIA.
Cia NetwoRK ReleaSeS doCUmeNtaRY HigHligHtiNg lgbt iNClUSioN John McDonald
O
n Tuesday the Central Intelligence Advocates presented Angle with its first Agency’s LGBT employee resource ever “Excellence in Government Leadership group released a documentary Award.” Accepting the award at his Langley, highlighting the agency’s efforts in building Virginia offices, CIA Director John O. Brennan expressed a deep appreciation. a more inclusive working environment. “It is difficult to overstate how heartening “Angle of Ascent” focuses on the cultural shift within CIA from the ‘Lavender Scare’ of this progress has been to me,” Brennan said. the 1950s to the formation of ANGLE — the “Indeed, one of the highlights of my tenure has agency’s network for gay, lesbian, bisexual been seeing the LGBT community blossom under the leadership of ANGLE and its cadre and transgender officers and allies. of devoted allies – a group of In the documentary, several which I proudly belong. When I CIA employees recall a time when applicants were given "that polygraph see people defying stereotypes, living life on their own terms, polygraph tests and specifically has stuck and staying true to who they are, asked about homosexual With me all I see more than kindred spirits relations. – I see people who deserve my “One of the experiences in these years... utmost respect and admiration. my life that made me supportive i thought the And that is what I see in the of the LGBT community was Question Was men and women of the LGBT the polygraph answer early on when I was still a college student inappropriate.” community. It’s why they are such an inspiration to me.” planning to come here,” said ANGLE’s birth came with Justin Jackson, a former National - Justin Jackson the signing of executive order Security Council director. FORMER nATIOnAL SECURITy COUnCIL DIRECTOR 12968 by former U.S. President “Feeling that a particular group Bill Clinton, which prohibited was oppressed, was treated differently because of who they are. That discrimination on the basis of sexual polygraph has stuck with me all these years. orientation in granting security clearances Not because it was difficult to pass or because and access to classified information. In I didn’t like the polygraph but because I the days before Clinton’s executive order, closeted LGBT intelligence candidates were thought the question was inappropriate.” For 20 years, ANGLE has worked to considered vulnerable to exploitation by educate fellow CIA employees and members foreign agents. “It was kind of a Catch-22,” says ANGLE of other American intelligence agencies as to the importance of a workforce free from founder Tracy Ballard in the documentary. discrimination. The group has traveled to “If you were out you couldn’t be hired, various Pride festivals around the nation in but if you remained closeted you could be a visible capacity, including the 2015 Miami blackmailed so it was kind of this vicious little cycle of how we were going to treat Beach Gay Pride. In October, Out & Equal Workplace individuals.” To view the documentary, visit bit.ly/2gjcLSu
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NEXT ISSUE
NEWS local
Photo: HRC, Facebook.
Out Now! BARS & AUTOS
HRC Score Card:
VISIT SFGN.COM TO SEE WHERE TO FIND YOUR COPY
A home run for Edward Jones; a strike-out for Publix John McDonald
S
everal Florida corporations received inclusive place to work and to do business,” high marks on the Human Rights said Emily Pitts, the Edward Jones principal Campaign’s 2017 Corporate Equality responsible for Inclusion and Diversity, Index. in a news release. “We define our clients And several Florida corporations only by their mindset. Our firm’s mission received low marks. is inclusive: to help serious, long-term Let’s start at the top. The following individual investors achieve their financial Florida companies received 100 goals.” percent scores, earning HRC’s Florida corporations distinction of “Best Places to We take great to receive failing marks Work for LGBT Equality”: from HRC included Fort pride in this based Auto rating because Lauderdale Harris Corp., Melbourne, Nation with a 10 and it indicates Citrix Systems, Inc., Publix Super Markets Inc. our success Tech Data Corp., of Lakeland which also Clearwater, received a 10. both as an Ultimate Software Group Ironically, Publix was inclusive Inc., Weston, voted best grocery store place to work by readers of the South Darden Restaurants, Inc., and to do Orlando, Florida Gay News. business.” Blue Cross Blue Shield of Faring slightly better, Florida Inc., Jacksonville, but still in the poor range - Emily Pitts Akerman LLP, Miami, is ADT Security Services of Edward Jones Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, Boca Raton with a 45 score. Tampa, A total of 887 companies Holland & Knight LLP, Brandon, nationwide participated in the index. The Office Depot, Inc., Boca Raton, average score of Florida based companies Carnival Corp., Miami, and law firms is 72. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Miami. Criteria for the scores includes equal employment opportunity policies covering Edward Jones, a financial services firm sexual orientation and gender identity, headquartered in St. Louis, also received a employee spousal and partner benefits, perfect score. transgender inclusive health care coverage, “We take great pride in this rating diversity training and public commitment. because it indicates our success both as an
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Person of the Year
2016 Peter Thiel. Photo Credit: Dan Taylor, Heisenberg Media.
Norm Kent
norm.kent@sfgn.com
E
ach year, since its inception, SFGN has chosen one national figure as its ‘Person of the Year.’ Whether it was the Pope, or Tim Cook, the choices have not been easy. Our duty is to survey the American landscape, and find one person who has stood out, advanced the cause of diversity, and enhanced the political debate. In 2016, there is a standout to be sure. A lone voice in the wilderness, he bucked the LGBT establishment as he has so often in his own personal and political career. That person, that figure is the man who stood before the GOP convention in Cleveland this past July, and told its audience, “I am a proud gay man.” That man is Peter Thiel. He is more than a guy whose startup was PayPal. Thiel is a gentleman whose contributions to technology, entrepreneurship and finance have cemented his stature as a world global leader, recognized by the World Economic Forum and Business Week, amongst a host of other foundations. But this ‘proud
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See Thiel's address to the national Convention in Convictions on page 25.
PeteR tHiel SFGN’s Person of the Year for 2016 gay man’ has been ignored and isolated by the national gay media, probably because he has been an open, out-proud member of the GOP. It seems that every adjective which precedes Thiel’s name in the worldwide media is ‘billionaire,’ as if the only identifying mark on his personage is a tattoo of dollar bills. How egalitarian and unfair of the press to so label and limit him. Peter Thiel received his BA and JD from Stanford University, and used that background to become an entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He has worked with dynamic and emerging companies which have developed with worldwide success, from Facebook and PayPal, to Clarium Capital Management and Palantir Technologies. He has overcome adversities to achieve and accomplish more financially than he could probably ever have imagined growing up in Cleveland, the very city he got to talk to this past July, where the Republicans held their convention. The bottom line for SFGN in selecting Peter Thiel as its ‘Person of the Year’ is not
only his willingness to set a unique course for himself politically, but to acknowledge and appreciate what he has done philanthropically. Let’s talk about those things for a moment. Thiel serves as a primary supporter of the Committee to Protect Journalists, a group that promotes press freedom worldwide; the Machine Intelligence Research Institute, which seeks to foster the responsible development of advanced computing technologies; and the SENS Foundation, a medical charity dedicated to extending healthy human lifespans. But Thiel’s unique views on tomorrow’s dynamics are best expressed by the foundation once known as ‘20 Under 20.’ The Thiel Foundation's Fellowship was created and intended for students under the age of 20. Employing the umbrella of the Thiel Foundation, it offers them a total of $100,000 over two years as well as guidance and other resources to drop out of school and pursue other work, which could involve scientific research, creating a
startup, or working on a social movement. Selection for the fellowship is through a competitive annual process, with about 20-25 fellows selected annually. Stop for a moment and imagine what Mr. Thiel is suggesting- a scholarship that allows you to drop out of school and be individually creative. That’s not your average fellowship, but it could appeal to a lot of young men in South Florida spending too much time dancing their nights away at local clubs. Another of the measures advanced by the foundation is a program entitled ‘Breakout Labs,’ a grant-making body which gives grants for early-stage scientific research that is too speculative or longterm to interest the for-profit sector and may be unsuitable for traditional sources of funding for scientific research, due to its radical or offbeat nature. Again, unusual, innovative, and one more reason Peter Thiel should be recognized for making a difference. As a 2014 Fortune Magazine article pointed out, Breakout Labs is unique, its name a moniker ever so aptly pointing
2016
Person of the Year
toward its goals. They support ‘contrarian contentions,’ a philosophy Thiel has advanced in essays, talks, and debates since about 2008, which has come to be known as the “tech stagnation thesis.” Thiel contends, Fortune notes,
that Andrew Breitbart, and Roger Stone – yes that Roger Stone. It’s significant because in condemning the GOP nominee and now President-Elect, Donald Trump, gay groups kept these facts silent. Why? I sure would have liked to have known The LGBT political those facts early on in “that the amazing the debate for the GOP establishment, advances we have seen nomination. from the Task in computer science Behind the scenes Force to the and communications though, there was have masked ominously apparently an effort Human Rights disappointing progress by the Trump team to Campaign, is in energy, transportation, recognize gay voices at the biotech, disease prevention, convention and within the supposed to and space travel.” party. Peter Thiel became recognize that spokesperson. Too diversity. It That slowdown, he few gay groups have ever maintains, accounts for given him the proper credit seems to have the near stagnation in real for it. dissed it instead. incomes, and for widening The LGBT political inequality in wealth establishment, from the distribution. Task Force to the Human Rights Campaign, The Fortune Magazine article on Thiel is supposed to recognize diversity. It seems is as comprehensive as any that have been to have dissed it instead. Today, hopefully, written about him, tracking his life and by naming Peter Thiel as our ‘Person of the vision. Year,’ the South Florida Gay News helps “In the last 40 years in the technology tear down that wall of foolishness. world,” as Thiel puts it, “we’ve had Thiel was an early supporter of enormous progress in the world of bits, but Donald Trump, and made national news not as much in the world of atoms.” by addressing the GOP convention in The notion is encapsulated in the tag line Cleveland. A few lines demonstrate why it of Thiel’s venture capital firm, Founders was so compelling. Here are a few: Fund: “We wanted flying cars, instead we got 140 characters.” But his ventures have “Of course, every American has a made money with both ideas. unique identity. I am proud to be gay. I Thiel’s politics were well defined by the am proud to be a Republican. But most of time he was 20 years old and a student at all I am proud to be an American. I don’t Stanford. Fighting back against “political pretend to agree with every plank in our correctness,” in 1987, Thiel co-founded the party’s platform; but fake culture wars only Stanford Review, a journal of conservative distract us from our economic decline, and and libertarian viewpoints, and was its first nobody in this race is being honest about it editor-in-chief. except Donald Trump.” Staying in San Francisco, he inevitably remained a stranger in a strange land, a and conservative icon in the land of the counter culture. A master level chess player today, “When I was a kid, the great debate was Thiel was, at age 12, ranked seventh in about how to defeat the Soviet Union. And the U.S. in his age category. Maybe he was we won. Now we are told that the great always ahead of the game. debate is about who gets to use which As a businessman, Thiel spoke out bathroom. This is a distraction from our frequently, often beyond the ‘acceptable’ real problems. Who cares?” parameters of mainstream LGBT thought. Because of that, I am guessing, he has been Thiel is not entirely right, of course. inappropriately ignored, or at the very There are people who care about bathrooms least, not rightfully acknowledged, despite because it identifies a greater concern for his achievements and accomplishments. the shared experience of LGBT citizens Peter Thiel was one of the persons everywhere. But it matters too that radical supportive of GOProud, the abated attempt Islamic terrorists are preaching death to to form a national voice for conservative LGBT citizens anywhere. Thiel is not calling gays. In the beginning, back in 2010, their for discrimination, but a more enlightened advisers included Andrew Breitbart – yes and rational global perspective.
Peter Thiel. Photo Credit: Dan Taylor, Heisenberg Media.
Thiel also must recognize he is aligning himself with partners who dumped GOProud from CPAC, the conservative political action conference. He must acknowledge that the President Elect is selecting representatives, both with his Vice President, and at Health and Human Services, who have disrespected the LGBT community. We must correspondingly hope that Mr. Thiel will use his name and influence to impart some wisdom and guidance to those who would silence us. Two weeks ago, Thiel gave us cause for optimism. He told David Streitfeld of the New York Times that “A page in the book of history has turned, and there is an opening to think about some of our problems from a new perspective,” Mr. Thiel said. “I’ll try to help the president in any way I can.” Because there are many written words of Peter Thiel to study, there are many reasons to believe he will be an advocate for a creative and growing American future. First and foremost, he thinks globally and out of the box. In 2014, he authored ‘Zero to One,’ a book on startups and how to build the future. Fundamentally, it raises one issue, how people, businesses, and entrepreneurs should never lose faith in the possibility of discovery. Here is a paragraph worth reading: “Consider this contrarian question: What important truth do very few people agree with you on? If we already understand as much of the natural world as we ever will—if all of today's conventional ideas are already enlightened, and if everything has already been done—then there are no good answers. Contrarian thinking doesn't make any sense unless the world still has secrets left to give up.”
His early endorsement of Donald Trump may have been in line with that thinking. In his interview with the Times last week, he stated: “I’ve thought for quite a long time that the happy clappy Panglossian Republican politics that we had over the last few decades was deeply out of touch,” he said. “In some ways, a more pessimistic candidate would do better, because they would resonate with these broad economic realities.” Indeed, that pessimistic candidate, Donald Trump, won the election. But in selecting a person of the year for the LGBT community, you try to find a name that stands out, not only from yesterday, but for tomorrow; someone who saw what was happening, put his name out there, and stood by the courage of his convictions, regardless of what was politically popular or socially acceptable in his circles. Steve Jobs, like Jack Kerouac, once opined that his heroes were the "the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes, the ones who see things differently." Denounced by much of Silicon Valley and the gay political establishment, Peter Thiel, with his political acumen, his philanthropic endeavors, his entrepreneurial innovativeness, and futuristic look at a world of endless possibilities, seems to be that person in this year. He is beyond any shadow of a doubt the South Florida Gay News Man of the Year for a historic 2016.
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community announcement
New Company 'Meals for Dogs' brings pet health to Florida Press Release
M
eals For Dogs (MFD) is taking a concept less pursued in the animal food business and going full force with pet meal preparation using human grade food in an open, commercial kitchen allowing all customers to the see the process from start to finish. All of the meals are vacuum-sealed and are refrigerated or frozen. Customers can choose to visit MFD to pick up their meals and treats or have them delivered to their home. "This family owned business means that Broward County residents now have a healthy, fresh food option for their beloved dogs and cats," said Catherine Paul-Hus, Owner, and Founder of Meals for Dogs. "We are incredibly thrilled to be opening in Fort Lauderdale and preparing our meals and treats for all our four-legged friends." All the MFD meals and treats are cooked with no preservatives, fillers, flavoring, or byproducts. They are offering five different dog meals, three cat meals, and one puppy meal. All of the recipes are South Florida influenced and include Conch Key Chicken that consists of USDA grade chicken, Long Grain White Rice, Granny Smith Apples, Yellow Pepper, Green Beans, Lima Beans, Sweet Potato, Hemp Oil and MFD's proprietary blend of nutritionally balancing vitamins and minerals.
Meals for Dogs' mission is to be the leader in providing human grade dog and cat food in South Florida. The store's main objective is to serve the healthiest food possible to every pet. The store is located at the Coral Center Plaza on the corner of Oakland Park Blvd. and US-1. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am – 5 pm & closed Sunday. "I am so happy to finally have healthy food for my dog Gibby," said Julie Escuage, local resident and dog owner. "It makes all the difference in the world for her coat and overall well-being. She clears her bowl now and licks it clean. I am thankful to know she has a healthy future ahead of her." For more information, visit: www.mealsfordogs.com.
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Person of the Year
CONVICTIONS
'tHiS iSN’t tHe dReam we looKed foRwaRd to' At the Republican National Convention in July 2016, Peter Thiel spoke about the economy in a controversial speech urging votes for Donald Trump.
G
Peter Thiel. Photo: CNN.
ood evening. I’m Peter Thiel. I build companies and I support people who are building new things, from social networks to rocket ships. I’m not a politician. But neither is Donald Trump. He is a builder, and it’s time to rebuild America. Where I work in Silicon Valley, it’s hard to see where America has gone wrong. My industry has made a lot of progress in computers and in software, and, of course, it’s made a lot of money. But Silicon Valley is a small place. Drive out to Sacramento, or even just across the bridge to Oakland, and you won’t see the same prosperity. That’s just how small it is. Across the country, wages are flat. Americans get paid less today than ten years ago. But healthcare and college tuition cost more every year. Meanwhile Wall Street bankers inflate bubbles in everything from government bonds to Hillary Clinton’s speaking fees. Our economy is broken. If you’re watching me right now, you understand this better than any politician in Washington. And you know this isn’t the dream we looked forward to. Back when my parents came to America looking for that dream, they found it— right here in Cleveland. They brought me here as a one-year-old, and this is where I became an American. Opportunity was everywhere. My Dad studied engineering at Case Western Reserve University, just down the road from where we are now. Because in 1968, the world’s high tech capital wasn’t just one city: all of America was high tech. It’s hard to remember this, but our government was once high tech, too. When I moved to Cleveland, defense research was laying the foundations for the Internet. The Apollo program was just about to put a man on the moon—and it was Neil Armstrong, from right here in Ohio.
The future felt limitless. But today our government is broken. Our nuclear bases still use floppy disks. Our newest fighter jets can’t even fly in the rain. And it would be kind to say the government’s software works poorly, because much of the time it doesn’t even work at all. That is a staggering decline for the country that completed the Manhattan Project. We don’t accept such incompetence in Silicon Valley, and we must not accept it from our government. Instead of going to Mars, we have invaded the Middle East. We don’t need to see Hillary Clinton’s deleted emails: her incompetence is in plain sight. She pushed for a war in Libya, and today it’s a training ground for ISIS. On this most important issue, Donald Trump is right. It’s time to end the era of stupid wars and rebuild our country. When I was a kid, the great debate was about how to defeat the Soviet Union. And we won. Now we are told that the great debate is about who gets to use which bathroom. This is a distraction from our real problems. Who cares? Of course, every American has a unique identity. I am proud to be gay. I am proud to be a Republican. But most of all I am proud to be an American. I don’t pretend to agree with every plank in our party’s platform. But fake culture wars only distract us from our economic decline. And nobody in this race is being honest about it except Donald Trump. While it is fitting to talk about who we are, today it’s even more important to remember where we came from. For me that is Cleveland, and the bright future it promised. When Donald Trump asks us to Make America Great Again, he’s not suggesting a return to the past. He’s running to lead us back to that bright future. Tonight I urge all of my fellow Americans to stand up and vote for Donald Trump.
When i Was a kid, the great debate Was about hoW to defeat the soviet union. and We Won. noW We are told that the great debate is about Who gets to use Which bathroom.
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Jesse’s Journal
CONVICTIONS
CRaig PittmaN’S floRida
Jesse Monteagudo
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eaders of this column know that one story: unusual weapons, nudity, animals of my favorite topics is “FloriDUH” (preferably alligators), sex, sex workers, - the people, places and events that mistaken identities and Walt Disney World. make our State of Florida In “Oh, Florida!,” the U.S. capital of weird. Pittman elaborates Native Floridian and Tampa "amidst the constant on this mishmash. Bay Times writer Craig The Sunshine State floW of Weird Pittman has made a career - a misnomer, since florida stories, chronicling all that makes Florida gets more Florida infamous. rain than does “rainy” people see this state In 2013 Pittman wrote a Seattle - is also the as nothing but a popular blog for Slate.com, lightning capital of the house full of drugs, western hemisphere, “Oh, Florida!,” that inspired some of my own writing. the shark bite capital guns, and garbage. The success of Pittman’s of the world, and the they don’t see the blog led to multiple state with the most appearances on television sinkholes. treasure." and radio. It also inspired Florida also gets hit him to write a book: “Oh, by more hurricanes - Craig Pittman Florida!: How America’s than any other state TAMPA BAy WRITER Weirdest State Influences (though Louisiana and the Rest of the Country.” the Carolinas might It is the next best thing to actually living in now argue that statistic). To these natural Florida. disasters we should add quite a few human In his Slate.com blog, Pittman listed some horrors, many of who preside over local of the ingredients that make a weird Florida governments and the grotesquely phallic
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building we call the “Tower of Power” - the state capitol in Tallahassee. In Florida, no bad deed goes unrewarded, as evidenced by the surprisingly successful (and undeserved) career of Senator Marco Rubio. “Why does Florida produce so much weird news?,” Pittman asks, and towards the end of “Oh, Florida!” he ventures to blame our state’s weirdness on various factors: (1) our weather; (2) our geography; (3) our shifting landscape; (4) our history; (5) our government; (6) our people; (7) our big lie; (8) our greed; (9) our wildlife; and (10) our open records. All this makes us wonder why the hell we still live here; or why so many people choose to move to Florida, just to add to our state’s electoral votes and to its overall weirdness.
But we love Florida, in spite of it all, and refuse to move to a saner or more boring state. As Pittman writes, “Florida can fool you. Amidst the constant flow of weird Florida stories, people see this state as nothing but a house full of drugs, guns, and garbage. They don’t see the treasure. Or sometimes, in pursuit of the treasure, they overlook the garbage. ... If you live here already, or are planning a move here, I encourage you to embrace our weirdness, to celebrate our funky, fun state, to dig into our history, grab hold of our culture with both hands, and take a big old whiff of the sin, scandal, and screwball silliness.” Besides, if not for Florida’s weirdness, Florida writers won’t have much to write about.
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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t’s hard to believe that 2016 is coming to an end. It has been a year filled with some ups and unfortunately many downs. But as we prepare for 2017, we should all remember one thing, to smile and stay positive. As Winston Churchill once said, “If you’re going through hell keep going.” This can be applied anywhere to all aspects of your life. If you are a small business owner, many of you know, things are not always going to be great. When these times happen, do not place all your focus on them. Focus on staying positive and how to make the situation better. Put yourself out there, go meet new people, or join a Chamber…rumor has it that the GLBX a council of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce is a fabulous one. In fact, according to a study published in the journal PLoS Medicine from Brigham Young University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, having many strong social ties could help you live a longer, healthier life. Sounds like a win/win for your business and for you personally. As we get caught up in the whirlwind of life- working, keeping up with our selfies on Instagram, posting our feelings on Facebook, we too often neglect the most important things, our loved ones. We live in a time when it is almost impossible, unless you are a hermit with no WiFi, to be disconnected. When was the last time you had a picnic on the beach…and did not bring your cell phone or laptop? Put the electronics away, grab someone you care about, friend, partner, pet…whomever you hold dear
to your heart and go have a nice afternoon. We live in paradise. Let’s take advantage of it. Your phone will still be there when you are done. After we focus on our business and loved ones, let’s not forget good old fashion fun. December is a month that is always filled with exciting festivities. The Gayborhood, aka Wilton Manors, has many bars and restaurants that each host their own special holiday parties. What’s better than seeing Daisy Deadpetals, (host of the GLBX a council of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce annual event Artopia), on a Friday night dressed as Santa? If you would like a more low key kind of fun, GLBX Chamber members the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida will also be around this month singing in some cheer at the Hard Rock Live. The gay friendly Las Olas is another great place to visit during the holiday season. Grab a drink, take a nice walk up and down the streets and see all the holiday lights. The Riverside Hotel is also hosting an amazing holiday party with over 3,000 people every year for the Winterfest Boat Parade. This is the perfect spot to catch a glimpse of all the decorated boats going up and down the New River. Fort Lauderdale has so much to offer. Why not go see it all? Treat yourself. You have earned it. So let us close this year on a positive note. Stay strong, stick together, and just remember to keep going. Life is too short not to live it fully, fight for what you believe, respect others and always keep the rainbows and unicorns around.
note that the opinions expressed above are those of the author, and not necessarily reflective of the GLBX or the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. you can follow the GLBX on Facebook www.facebook.com/fortlauderdaleglbx/ or you can contact the GLBX Council Chair, Karen Prescod at Karen@prescodlifeandhealth. com to obtain more information on how to become a member.
12.14.2016 •
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LIFESTyLE food
Submitted photos.
Junior's in Boca Raton
DELI-SH
Rick Karlin
Junior’s 409 Plaza Real in Mizner Park Boca Raton 561-672-7301 juniorscheesecake.com
I
s there anything better and more satisfying than good Jewish deli food? One of the most celebrated NY delis is the famous Junior’s, on the corner of Flatbush and DeKalb Avenues in Brooklyn. It opened in 1950 and was as much a part of Brooklyn as the Dodgers, the Fox Theater, Coney Island or Brighton Beach. Lately the restaurant has opened outposts in the New York area, at Grand Central Terminal and Times Square. Recently it even ventured outside the city limits to Connecticut. But the Mizner Park location brings it home again, to Boca Raton, the "Sixth Borough" of NYC. The large space reflects the sunny locale, with a steel and glass art deco décor and vibrant orange accents. It may be SoFlo, but they’re still serving up the soul-stirring classics; matzo ball soup, brisket, corned beef and pastrami
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sandwiches, and of course the cheesecake that made Junior’s famous. Let’s start with the sammies. They’re not the grossly overstuffed behemoths that made the Carnegie and Stage delis legendary, but there is still more than enough to satisfy even the most devoted carnivore. In fact, you could take half the meat off and save it for a later sandwich (as I, in fact, did) and still have a satisfying meal. The deli sandwiches average about $15 and are served with a variety of pickled veggies; beets, pickles and a vinegary slaw. The Sensational Sandwiches (combos) are a few bucks more, but include fries. Other sandwich options include the "Something Different", a hefty pile of beef brisket served in a potato pancake-bun and a burger stuffed with sautéed mushrooms and pastrami and topped with Swiss cheese
and even more house-made pastrami. For those searching for healthier fare, the tuna salad sandwich and entrée salads are options. Or, for more in the comfort fare category; try the Hungarian beef goulash with egg noodles, cheese blintzes, roast chicken or Roumanian skirt steak. There are even such unexpected finds as crabstuffed shrimp, linguini with meatballs, chicken Parmesan and seafood platters. The only disappointment was the onion rings. They’re appropriately oversized, but it’s all breading, with just a sliver of onion inside. No matter how large your entrée, save room for one of the desserts that made the deli famous. There are mile-high hot fudge sundaes, and, of course, that famous cheesecake. You can go with the basic, a blend of Philadelphia cream cheese, eggs, sugar, heavy cream, and a touch of vanilla with a classic graham cracker crust, but for true decadence try one of the combinations; such as the carrot cake cheesecake, which is basically an entire cheesecake served between two layers of carrot cake. The same construction method is used with red velvet, devil’s food and coconut cake. There are also cheesecakes topped with Dutch apple pie or crumb coffeecake, as well as seasonal and standard variations. Each is easily enough to be shared (or saved for later) and are fairly priced at between $7 and $8.
If you’re craving the authentic Jewish deli experience and want to stay a bit closer to home, check out the following places:
TOP HAT DELI 415 nE 3rd St. Fort Lauderdale 954-900-3896 TopHatFTL.com
NY DELI
3916 n Ocean Blvd. Fort Lauderdale 954-566-2616 nyDeli.us
POMPERDALE NY DELI 3055 E Commercial Blvd. Fort Lauderdale 954-771-9830 PomperdalenyDeli.com
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12.14.2016 •
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F O R
T H E
SFGNITES
W E E K
O F
J.W. Arnold
jw@prdconline.com
THU
12/15
TELEVISION
D E C E M B E R
1 5
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D E C E M B E R
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Song and Dance
Logo kicks off its “Sleigh the Holidays” programming event tonight at 9 p.m. with the premiere of “Not Today Bianca,” a new special featuring unstoppable “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Bianca Del Rio. See what happens when Bianca heads to Hollywood to win over Tinsel town. Guest stars include RuPaul, Kristen Johnston, Tori Spelling, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Ross Mathews and Charo. Check local listings for more information.
FRI
12/16
HOLIDAY Spread a little holiday cheer tonight. The Pride Center is organizing caroling at neighborhood senior living facilities from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Meet at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors, first to “tune up.” Enthusiasm, not talent, required. “Elf wear” and Christmas attire are encouraged, along with wrapped presents for the center’s annual toy drive. More information at PrideCenterFlorida.org.
Saturday 12/17
THEATER
The Maltz Jupiter Theatre, 1001 E. Indiantown Road in Jupiter, celebrates Pride Night tonight with a special performance of “Me and My Girl,” a charming, old fashioned musical starring Carbonell winner Matt Loehr and Julie Kleiner. LGBT guests will be treated to a special pre-show cocktail reception and dessert meet-and-greet afterwards with the cast. Photo Credit: Alicia Donelan.
SAT
12/17 SUN
12/18 MON
12/19 TUE
12/20
CONCERT
ARTS & CRAFTS
HISTORY
FILM
The Miami Gay Men’s Chorus, under the direction of artistic director Anthony Cabrera, presents its always entertaining holiday concert, “Pop! Goes the Season!” on Friday, Dec. 16 at Miami Beach Community Church, tonight at Miami Shores Community Church and Sunday, Dec. 18 at Coral Gables Congregational Church. All concerts begin at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information, go to Facebook. com/MiamiGayChorus.
More than 100 exhibitors will fill Richardson Park in Wilton Manors on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the first annual Holiday Craft Festival. Don’t miss this opportunity to pick up a special Christmas or Hanukkah gift from the wide array of folk art, pet accessories, pottery, jewelry, paintings, handmade clothing, scented soaps and more. The festival is free. For more information, go to ArtFestival.com.
The FIU Jewish Museum of Florida, 301 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach, holds the opening night reception at 6 p.m. of “Stitching History from the Holocaust” along with a look at “Hot Couture: Florida Jews on the Fashion Scene 1800s – Today.” Sponsored by Perry Ellis International and the Robert Arthur Segall Foundation, the exhibits provide a new perspective on Jewish history. More information at JMOF.FIU.edu.
We were so caught up in the holiday madness we forgot to reserve tickets early for “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” Well, tonight’s a great night for less-than-fanatics to catch the Episode IV prequel about the band of rebels who steal the top secret plans to the Empire’s ultimate weapon, the Death Star. If the reviews aren’t so good, who cares? It’s “Star Wars.” Felicity Jones stars. Check local listings for theaters and show times.
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ONCE YOU’VE SEEN IT IT, YOU’LL FIND IT HARD TO SETTLE FOR LESS EVER AGAIN. AGAIN ” —The Wall Street Journal
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS MUSIC AND LYRICS BY
GEORGE GERSHWIN AND IRA GERSHWIN BOOK BY
CRAIG LUCAS DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY
CHRISTOPHER WHEELDON
Illustration: Don Oehl; Logo: Esther Wu
DEC 27 – JAN 1 ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER
ZIFF BALLET OPERA HOUSE
TICKETS! arshtcenter.org | 305.949.6722 ®
12.14.2016 •
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A&E theater Tricia Albertson and Reyneris Reyes star as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her cavalier in Miami City Ballet’s production of “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker.” Photo Credit: Gene Schiavone.
balaNCHiNe’S “NUtCRaCKeR” CoNtiNUeS to daZZle
J.W. Arnold
F
or many American families, there is no more beloved tradition than an annual Christmas season performance of “The Nutcracker.” At the Broward Center last weekend, this assertion proved true, with the Au Rene Theatre packed with children of all ages and their parents—both straight and gay. The ballet audiences have come to know is based on an 1816 fairy tale by E.T.A. Hoffman, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” a surprisingly scary story that would appeal to fans of the Brothers Grimm. Years later, Alexander Dumas, best known for “The Count of Monte Cristo” and “The Three Musketeers,” adapted the story with a happier disposition. During a Christmas party at the home of Dr. and Frau Stahlbaum (Chase Swatosh and Callie Manning), young Marie (Renata Adarvez) is presented with a nutcracker by the mysterious Herr Drosselmeier (Didier Bramaz). As night falls and Marie drifts to sleep, the nutcracker (Matthew Zide) comes to life and fights off an army of mischievous mice, led by the Mouse King (Swatosh). In the final scene, the nutcracker is transformed into a dashing prince who sweeps Marie off through the snow to a magical land with colorful inhabitants. Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was commissioned by Marius Petipa, chief ballet master of the Russian Imperial Ballet, to compose the music for a ballet that premiered in St. Petersburg in 1892. While that ballet was not successful, the music lived on in a suite of eight movements that would become one of Tchaikovsky’s most famous works. “The Nutcracker” ballet gained widespread fame in the United States a half century later. George Balanchine, who grew up in Russia and danced the role of the nutcracker prince in 1919 at the age of 15, created his own version for the New York City Ballet in 1954. Other companies subsequently adopted Balanchine’s ballet or created their own versions, leading to the holiday tradition we know today. (For some companies,
annual productions can generate 40 percent or more of their annual budgets.) Unlike some other versions, Balanchine’s makes extensive use of children, especially in the second act. In this performance, students from the Miami City Ballet School took on the characters of toy soldiers, mice, hot chocolate and candy canes, led by soloists and principals from the company. Among the standout performances were Callie Manning, “Coffee,” performed to Tchaikovsky’s exotic Arabian Dance; the acrobatic Shimon Ito, “Tea,” danced to the Chinese Dance; and the dazzling Renan Cerdeiro, “Candy Canes,” who literally jumped through hoops in the Russian Dance, “Trepak.” The roles of the princess and her prince are also cast with children, the capable and charming Adarvez and Zide. The future of ballet is assured, as demonstrated by their confidence throughout the performance. If there were any opening night jitters, they were not apparent to the audience, which was filled with many much more nervous parents. Even the youngest dancers, appropriately costumed as tiny angels, swept across the stage in the geometric patterns that are so prominent in Balanchine’s larger dances. The ballet comes to a brilliant climax in the Dance of the Flowers, with the dancers dressed in billowing technicolor orange and pink dresses designed by Haydée Morales, and the famed pas de deux between the Sugar Plum Fairy and her cavalier, Tricia Albertson and Reyneris Reyes. The children in the audience were entranced throughout the entire production—especially with the snow flurries that blanketed the stage during the snowflake dance—but most actually scooted to the edges of their seats as Albertson and Reyes flawlessly spun and leapt across the stage in glistening white satin and gold sequined costumes, the personification of Christmas magic and a memory that will be long cherished.
Miami City Ballet presents “George Balanchine’s The nutcracker” at the Arsht Center in Miami, Dec. 17 – 24, and the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, Dec. 28 – 30. note that evening performances begin at 7 p.m. Tickets and more information are available at MiamiCityBallet.org.
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12.14.2016 •
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A&E film
SfgN iNteRViewS geoRge taKei Star Trek legend brings his show "Allegiance" to cinemas
David-Elijah Nahmod
George Takei. Photo: Gage Skidmore.
F
or openly gay "Star Trek" icon George American family caught up in the aftermath Takei, the unexpected rise of Donald of Pearl Harbor and the internment," Takei Trump to the Presidency has taken on explained. "The storyline centers around a deeper and more personal meaning. In his a brother and a sister who choose fatefully youth Takei, who is of Japanese descent, spent different paths in response to their unjust several years in an internment camp—during incarceration. "Allegiance" involves two love WWII the U.S. government kept countless stories that blossomed behind those barbed Japanese Americans, none of whom had wire fences. The fracturing of the family in committed any crimes, under lock and key "Allegiance" metaphorically represents the in the aftermath of the bombing of Hawaii's rupture of the Japanese American community under the strains of the internment years." Pearl Harbor by the Japanese government. Takei plays dual roles in the show. "In the During his controversial campaign, Trump spoke of building a wall between the U.S. beginning, I am the older version of Sam and Mexico. The President-elect has also Kimura, in the present, looking back on his suggested a ban on Muslims entering the life," he said. "I am an old veteran with a big country and a possible "Muslim registry." chip on my shoulder over what transpired Trump continues to promise to deport those many decades ago. But once we go millions of undocumented immigrants as back in time, to the story that took place just before, during and just after the war, I play soon as he takes office. "I was hoping Trump would moderate another character, Ojii-chan, which means his words and behavior with the thought of grandfather in Japanese. Ojii-chan is a jovial old farmer who helps the Presidency becoming anchor the Kimura family reality but now with his in their Japanese culture selection of Jeff Sessions and traditions." as Attorney General I Takei, now an "eldersense something ominous statesman" for both the beginning to rise," Takei acting profession and for told SFGN, speaking from the LGBT community, his home in Los Angeles. spoke warmly of Telly "I’m worried. And he has Leung, the young openly done little to quell many gay Asian actor who coof his own supporters’ stars in "Allegiance." actions, which also has "Telly is an enormously me worried. The sight of gifted and disciplined artist Neo-Dazis sieg heiling in who has the promise of victory, just blocks away becoming a commanding from the White House, was star," Takei said. "He is my chilling." hope for the future of Asian The President-elect has Americans in theater, since made a few brief film, television and the comments in which he performing arts generally – denounced hate, but Takei a multi-talented star. And feels that these statements - George Takei he also happens to be a weren't enough. great friend." "Trump must do more Both actors share their admiration for each to distance himself from such hate groups and to moderate his own rhetoric and actions that other. "George is one of the hardest working men seem always to divide and point blame rather in show business," Leung told SFGN. "At 78, than bring us together," the actor said. On Dec. 13 Takei's recent show "Allegiance," he did eight shows a week, he never missed premiered in cinemas nationwide. The show a show, and his stamina and dedication to was taped before a live audience. "Allegiance" the story we were telling, his story, was an might resonate even more intensely for inspiration to the entire company. He also audiences who see it today — "Allegiance" found the time and energy to be a top-notch, the musical recalls the Japanese internment warm, generous human being." Leung shares many of Takei's concerns camps. "Allegiance" follows the story of a Japanese for the future under a Trump presidency.
"i’m Worried. and he has done little to Quell many of his oWn supporters’ actions, Which also has me Worried. the sight of neonazi’s sieg heiling in victory, Just blocks aWay from the White house, Was chilling."
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"Trump's surrogates have suggested that the Japanese-American internment was a lawful and justified precedent for the intense vetting of Muslims entering the U.S.," Leung said. "This eerily echoes the kind of speech and rhetoric of 1942, when Executive Order 9066 forced thousands of Japanese-Americans to relocate to camps because of prejudice, fear, war hysteria and poor political leadership." The actors also expressed their concern for the future of gay rights, as Trump has appointed a number of openly anti-LGBT people to his cabinet. "No one, not a single appointment, is an advocate for the LGBTQ community," Leung pointed out. "In fact, many of them have been vocal about their opposition to marriage equality. Trump has said he, himself, is a supporter of LGBT rights, but actions speak louder than words." But Leung isn't giving up. "I am confident that the LGBTQ community will fight relentlessly for equality," he said. "The spirit of those first, feisty, brave brothers and sisters at Stonewall, the spirit of Harvey Milk, the spirit
of Edith Windsor, it is something we have in our DNA as a community, and we will not have our rights taken away without a good fight." "We need to be ever vigilant," added Takei. "He (Trump) has begun to appoint very troubling people to his cabinet, with the transition team headed by the most anti-LGBT Vice President in our history. Many of his short list picks for the Supreme Court are publicly anti-LGBT, some even saying that consensual gay sex should be criminalized." These are some of the messages which Takei hopes people will take from Allegiance. "We live in a time when we again hear the chilling words of irrational fear and hatred against Muslims, as well as Mexicans and trans people," he said. "We must never allow the mass hysteria and racism that happened to Japanese Americans during WWII to ever be inflicted again on other minorities. If there is any takeaway from our show, it is to demonstrate that this type of massive tragedy not only did happen, but could happen again to another group if we are not vigilant against the excesses of our own democracy."
12.14.2016 •
45
A&E theater
“me aNd mY giRl” iS gReat! Maltz hosts annual Pride Night Saturday
Donald Cavanaugh
MALTZ-JUPITER ANNUAL PRIDE NIGHT The Maltz-Jupiter Theatre will hold its 8th annual “Gay Pride night on Saturday, Dec. 17 starting at 7 p.m. in the Club Level on the second floor. The event includes the musical “Me and My Girl” starring audience favorites, Matt Loehr and Julie Kleiner. Pride night tickets are $50 and are available through the box office by calling 561-575-2223 and mentioning the code COCKnEy. “We’re exploring a new format,” said Dana Munson, Director of Marketing for the theatre. “The Pride night seats are regularly $64 which doesn’t include food. For $50, attendees get great seats, wonderful hors d’oeuvres provided by new sponsor, Craft Bar and Kitchen, and a meet-and-greet dessert of ice cream provided by long-time supporter Kilwin’s of Jupiter.” “We’ve been here a year and we think it’s important to support other local businesses,” said the restaurant general manager Kelly Dakis. “The food will include: crab & shiitake arancine; pickled veggies, olive tapenade and hummus with naan bread; fried pork dumplings and more,” she added. Other sponsors of the annual event are: Compass, South Florida Gay news, and Get Out! South Florida
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I
n the press release for “Me And My Girl,” the MaltzJupiter Theatre quoted their producing artistic director and chief executive, Andrew Kato, saying, “I’m ecstatic to have this group of artists collaborate for the Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s production of 'Me and My Girl'. They are each incredibly talented individually, and I can’t wait to see what they create when they work together on this lovable, infectious musical. Our audiences are in for an enchanting adventure!” Mr. Kato is a master of understatement. The production is great, fun and amazing. During a preview conversation with Matt Boehr (Bill Snibson), the male lead said, “a lot of the humor is physical.” Little thought was given to what that meant until the curtain went up and the action began. Boehr and his co-star, Julie Kleiner (Sally Smith) threw themselves around the stage to the amazement of most of the audience whose arthritis twinged with every beautifully executed fall and crash. I know mine did. Two acrobatic scenes of particular note are the one with the song “You Would If You Could” where Loehr throws himself face first into a leather chair from a standing position and fends off the wicked wiles of fortune hunter Lady Jaquie (Lauren Blackman) sparring with her with words and acrobatics. The second is a scene with the two leads hilariously discussing their fractured knowledge of British history during which time Bill is dancing with an outsized ermine cape until he finally gets himself completely tied up in the fabric and has to be rescued by Sally.
Matt Loehr as Bill about to get caught up in pomp and ermine. Photo Credit: Jen Fasbinder.
The songs are wonderful and the support revived on Broadway in 1986, winning 3 out of a ten-piece orchestra makes the theatre of 11 Tony Award nominations. feel even larger than it is. In the preview we I didn’t know any of the compared the story line songs and the preview to “My Fair Lady” and it boehr and his coreference to everyone is that in some ways but star, Julie kleiner leaving the theatre much more rough-and(sally smith) threW humming “Love Makes tumble and funny. It’s the World Go Round,” themselves around the the story of a ne’er-dowas wrong. Same title; stage to the amazement well inheriting a title different tune. Both and wealth in the British of most of the audience aristocracy if he can be a pretty, but not the same. Whose arthritis With music by Noel credit to the lineage. Gay and original book The problem is that he tWinged With every and lyrics by Douglas he’s in love with a woman beautifully eXecuted Furber and L. Arthur Rose, from his disreputable fall and crash. The musical opened in neighborhood and he London’s West End in 1937 must decide whether and was launched as a movie in 1939. After to forgo his evolving sense of duty to his several more incarnations, the work was family’s name or abandon his love. you can be in awe of the production, in love with the characters, and glad you went to see it through Dec. 18. Tickets start at $56 and are available at the box office, 561-575-2223 or online at www.jupitertheatre.org.
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DEC. 15 - DEC. 22
Datebook
Theater Christiana Lilly
Calendar@SFGN.com
top
picks
LAST CHANCE: An Act of God
Through Dec. 18 at GableStage, 1200 Anastasia Ave. in Coral Gables. David Javerbaum of “The Daily Show” fame transcribed a play by God, setting the record straight on all of life’s deepest questions. Tickets $45. Call 305-445-1119 or visit GableStage.org.
Miracle on 34th Street
Dec. 16 to 17 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. In radio tradition, Kris Kringle pretends to be the real Santa when he lands a job at Macy’s. Tickets $25. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.
From Broadway to Hollywood
Dec. 17 at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Pianist Richard Glazier performs a night of Broadway woven through storytelling and history of The Great White Way. Tickets $39. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.
* Denotes New Listing
broward county The Sarge Chanukah Chutzpah Tour
Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs. Comedian Sarge returns for a night of laughter with his “Just for Chanukah” set. Tickets $39.50 to $44.50. Call 954-344-5990 or visit CoralSpringsCenterfortheArts.com.
* Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Dec. 16 at 3:30 and 8 p.m. The BB&T Center, One Panther Parkway in Sunrise. The rock opera orchestra performs “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” where a runaway breaks into a theater and discovers the caretaker who uses ghosts to turn her life around. Tickets $30.50 to $70.50. Call 800-745-3000 or visit TheBBTCenter.com.
* The Nutcracker
Dec. 16 to 18 at Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. The Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida performs the story of Clara’s Christmas Eve adventure. Tickets $21.50 to $105.95. Call 954-462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.com.
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Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Through Dec. 25 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The fairy tale goes to Broadway as Prince Charming searches for the owner of a glass slipper. Tickets $35 and up. Call 954-4620222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.
The Santaland Diaries
Through Dec. 30 at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive in Fort Lauderdale. David Sedaris’s oneman show looks at an out-of-work actor having to settle as an elf at Macy’s during the holiday season. Tickets $30. Call 954-678-1496 or visit EmpireStage.com
Friday Night Sound Waves Music Series
Fridays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Hub, Las Olas Boulevard and A1A in Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy live, outdoor music spanning genres and tributes every Friday evening through November. Free. Visit FridayNightSoundWaves. com
palm beach county A Seraphic Fire Christmas: On Winter’s Night
Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The South Florida choir revels in Gregorian chant for an ethereal performance of Christmas tunes. Tickets $45. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.
with a woman taking a final trip, her daughter planning an escape, and her son getting caught up in a prank. Tickets $35. Call 561-297-6124 or visit FAUEvents.com.
Tru
Through to Jan. 1, 2017 at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre, 201 Clematis St. in West Palm Beach. Truman Capote has lost his high society friends who are offended by his latest novel, which they assume is about them, leading him to spend Christmas alone. Tickets $66. Call 561-514-4042 or visit PalmBeachDramaworks.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 The Beach Boys
Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The legendary band is revived with Mike Love and Bruce Johnston at the helm for favorites and holiday songs. Tickets $59.50 to $89.50. Call 305-949-
6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.
* The Nutcracker
Dec. 17 to 24 at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The Miami City Ballet performs Balanchine’s rendition of the Christmas classic. Tickets $35 to $99. Call 305949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.
* Matisyahu
Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. at the Fillmore Miami Beach, 1700 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. Since he made his reggae rap debut with “King Without a Crown,” he has formed a band where no two performances are alike. Tickets $29.50 to $45. Call 305-673-7300 or visit FillmoreMB.com.
* The Sarge Chanukah Chutzpah Tour
Dec. 22 to 23 at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. Comedian Sarge returns for a night of laughter with his “Just for Chanukah” set. Tickets $39.50 to $44.50. Call 305-466-8002 or visit AventuraCenter.com.
Million Dollar Quartet
Through Jan. 1, 2017 at the Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. Enter Dec. 4, 1956, the day that Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins got together for a recording session. Tickets $57. Call 305-444-4181 or visit ActorsPlayhouse.org.
* This Wonderful Life
Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Jeremy Kendall performs “It’s a Wonderful Life” in a one-man play, taking on the roles of George Bailey, Clarence, and other characters. Tickets $39. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.
* Beach Boys Christmas
Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The legendary band is revived with Mike Love and Bruce Johnston at the helm for favorites and holiday songs. Tickets $30 and up. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.
* Itzhak Perlman
Dec. 17 at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. A recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the classic violinist has wowed audiences for decades, including his haunting performance for “Schindler’s List.” Tickets $35 and up. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.
This Random World
Through Dec. 19 at the Theatre Lab in Parliament Hall Residence Hall at FAU, 777 Glades Road in Boca Raton. Is serendipity real? In this play, missedopportunities are explored
#OrlandoUnited: Every week, SFGN will pay tribute to one member of our community who was lost in Orlando.
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Datebook
Community Christiana Lilly Calendar@SFGN.com
top picks
Caroling Together With Pride
Dec. 16 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. Join the group to visit senior living facilities to sing carols — wear holiday attire! Free. Call 954-463-9905 or visit PrideCenterFlorida.org.
Madrigal Dinner
Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, 100 NE Mizner Blvd. in Boca Raton. FAU hosts a night of the Renaissance fit with jesters, minstrels, a banquet dinner, and music. Tickets $100 — includes $55 tax deductible gift. Call 561-297-2337 or visit fauf.fau.edu/madrigal.
TransSOCIAL Holiday Donation Drive
Through Dec. 21 at FIU’s MPAS Office, 11200 SW Eighth St. in Miami and Pridelines, 6360 NE Fourth Court in Miami. TransSOCIAL will be collecting toiletries and clothing for LGBTQ homeless youth. Visit TransSOCIAL. org.
broward county Judy Shepherd Toy Drive 2016
Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. Women With Pride are collecting toy donations to benefit Thurgood Marshall Elementary School. Call 954-4639005, ext. 108 or email WomenWithPride@ PrideCenterFlorida.org.
GLLN Holiday Party
Dec. 15 from 6 to 9 pm. at Thirteen, 2390 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Celebrate the holidays with others in the law field. Tickets $10, includes two free drinks, buffet, and appetizers. Visit GLLN.org.
* The Lure of Provincetown
Dec. 16 to Feb. 11, 2017 at the Stonewall National Museum - Wilton Manors, 2157 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. A popular vacation spot for the LGBT community, including “Dyke Drag Brunch,” the exhibit showcases photographs by Midge Battelle and Al Kaplan and paintings by Len Paoletti. Free. Call 954-763-8565 or visit Stonewall-Museum.org.
* Broward County HIV Prevention Planning Council Meeting Dec. 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Florida Department of Health’s First Floor Auditorium. 780 SW 24th
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* Denotes New Listing
broWard support services
GENDER BENDER YOUTH GROUP
Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at SunServe Campus, 1480 SW Ninth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. A group for LGBT youth 13 to 21 to discuss gender, gender expression, binary systems, friendship, family and whatever else comes up! Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com
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 954384-0344 or visit FISPOnline.org.
St. in Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-467-4700, ext. 4991. The council’s full meeting. Free. Visit BrowardGreaterThan.org.
* GFLGLCC Holiday Mixer
Dec. 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, 801 Seabreeze Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce invites you to ride the River Queen for a holiday celebration with hors d'oeuvres, open bar, and desserts. Free for members, $10 for others. RSVP to keith@gflglcc.org.
TransSOCIAL Holiday Donation Drive
Through Dec. 21 at the Dynamic Recovery Center, 2424 W. Oakland Park Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale and SunServe, 2312 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. TransSOCIAL will be collecting toiletries and clothing for LGBTQ homeless youth. Visit TransSOCIAL.org.
* We Offered Them Caviar
Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Stonewall National Museum - Wilton Manors, 2157 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. David Leddick discusses his memoir of working as the creative director for Revlon. Suggested donation $5. Call 954-7638565 or visit Stonewall-Museum.org..
DEC. 15 - DEC.22 Symphony of Lights
Through Dec. 31 from 6 to 11 p.m. at Gulfstream Park, 901 S. Federal Highway in Hallandale Beach. Enjoy the magic of the holidays with the park’s 50-foot Christmas tree, holiday music, selfies with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a light show, and train rides for the little ones on Fridays and Saturdays. Free. Call 954-454-7000 or visit GulfstreamPark.com..
Holiday Lights Drive Thru
Through Jan. 2, 2017 at Tradewinds Park, 3600 W. Sample Road in Coconut Creek. In its 22nd year, drive your vehicle through the 3-mile display and experience a light show you have to see to believe. Tickets $15 per car. Visit HolidayLightsDriveThru.com.
palm beach county * Paws in the Park
Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Seabreeze Amphitheater at Carlin Park, 400 South SR A1A in Jupiter. Bring your pup for a day of costume contests, doggie fun zones, pet psychics, a pet wash, splash zones, and more. Free. Visit PawsintheParkSouthFlorida.com.
Question Bridge: Black Males
Through Dec. 18 at the Norton Museum of Art, 1451 S. Olive Ave. in West Palm Beach. A look at
the lives of African American men, more than 160 men in nine cities were interviewed for this visual art project. Free. Call 561-832-5196 or visit Norton.org.
Who is Joan Quinn? A Life in Portraits
Through Jan. 15, 2017 at the Cornell Art Museum at Old Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach. A collection of works created over 50 years by contemporary artists celebrating the legacy of Joan Agajanian Quinn. Suggested donation $5. Call 561-243-7922 or visit OldSchoolSquare.org.
Fifteen Minutes
Through Jan. 15, 2017 at the Cornell Art Museum at Old Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach. Andy Warhol once said, “Everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.” This exhibit examines the culture of celebrity. Suggested donation $5. Call 561-2437922 or visit OldSchoolSquare.org.
Transcendence
Meets at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. A closed transgender youth support group for teens ages 12 to 19. For more information, email youth@compassglcc.com.
Zumba Fitness
Mondays at 6 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N.
Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Get moving with a certificated Zumba instructor for an infusion of exercise and dance moves. Donation of $5 or more. Call 561-324-1626 or visit CompassGLCC. com.
miami-dade county The Other Dimension
Through Jan. 22, 2017 at Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, 770 NE 125th St. in North Miami. Antuan Rodriguez’s exhibit is separated into seven rooms exploring five narratives of philosophical, scientific, and cultural themes. Tickets $5. Call 305-893-6211 or visit mocanomi.org.
mat, water, and towel. Free. Call 305-358-7550 or visit BayfrontParkMiami.com/Yoga.html.
HIV Support Group
Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at South Beach AIDS Project, 1234 Washington Ave. Ste. 200 in Miami Beach. A support group for those who are HIV positive. Free. Call 305-535-4733, ext. 301 or email support@sobeaids.org.
Book Study
Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Drolma Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1273 Coral Way in Miami. Buddhist monk, Gen Kelsang Nurbu, will lead classes on learning the foundations of Buddhism. Call 786-529-7137.
key west
Arsht Center Farmers Market
Mondays from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza for the Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Purchase fresh food from local farmers, including fruits, vegetables, meats, prepared foods, as well as chefs, live music, and cooking demonstrations. Free. Visit ArshtCenter.org/en/Visit/Dining.
Yoga
Tuesdays from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at Jose Marti Park, 362 SW Fourth Ave. in Miami. Yogis 18 and older of all levels are invited to a practice lead by a certified instructor. Bring your own yoga
Aqua Idol
Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Aqua Key West, 711 Duval St. in Key West. Support your local artists and vote for your favorite! Benefits Waterfront Playhouse. Call 305-2940555 or visit AquaKeyWest.com.
Women’s Flag Football
Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Bernstein Park, 6751 Fifth St. on Stock Island. Practice and games once a week. Free. Call 305-8968678 or email IWFFA@IWFFA.com.
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Business Directory a&e 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 PO Box 39617, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33339 954-763-2266 Gaymenschorusofsouthflorida.org
chiropractic COAST CHIROPRACTIC INJURY & WELLNESS CENTER 2608 NE 16th Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33334 954.463.3036 www.coast-chiropractic.com
final arrangements
Have you made your wishes known? We’re here to help. 1-800-343-5400
www.levitt-weinstein.com
Pre-Arrangement Discounts For All Our LGBT Friends design How’s that business logo look? Get it redone in high resolution for only $50!*
Excellence in aesthetics
cleaning BARTON & MILLER CLEANERS 2600 N. Dixie Hwy Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-566-4314
For any visual task that needs a sly eye, Visit DogFoxDesign.com
*Price for high res flattened image. Vector and original files require an additional fee.
florist
dental
OAKLAND PARK DENTAL 3047 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 954.566.9812 Oaklandparkdental.com ANDREWS DENTAL CARE 2654 N Andrews Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33311 954.567.3311 Andrewsdentalcare.com ISLAND CITY DENTAL 1700 NE 26th Street, Ste. 2, Fort Lauderdale, FL 954-564-7121 Islandcitydental.com
final arrangements KALIS-MCINTEE FUNERAL & CREMATION CENTER
2505 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-566-7621 Kalismcintee.com
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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
handyman
To place an ad in the Business Directory, call our sales team at 954.530.4970 framing
health
professional services
DR. TORY SULLIVAN 2500 N Federal Hwy #301, Fort Lauderdale, FL 954.533.1520 Torysullivanmd.com
AMERICAN TAX & INSURANCE
AMERICAN PAIN EXPERTS 6333 N. Federal Hwy, Ste. 250, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 954-678-1074 Americanpainexperts.com
LAW OFFICE OF GEORGE CASTRATARO 707 NE 3rd Ave #300, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954.573.1444 Lawgc.com
NATURA DERMATOLOGY 1120 Bayview Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 754.333.4886 naturadermatology.com
LAW OFFICE OF ROBIN BODIFORD 2550 N Federal Hwy #20, Fort Lauderdale, FL 954.630.2707 Lawrobin.com
MASTER HYPNOTHERAPIST AND LIFE COACH
pets
2929 E Comm. Blvd, 8th Floor Penthouse D, Fort Lauderdale, FL
954.302.3228 Americantaxandinsurance.com
professional services
ADDICTIONS • SMOKING • WEIGHT LOSS • INSOMNIA • STRESS REDUCTION • ROAD RAGE • ANGER MANAGEMENT • PAST LIFE ANALYSIS • RELATIONSHIP COACHING
LAW OFFICE OF GREGORY KABEL 1 East Broward Blvd #700, Fort Lauderdale, 33301 954.761.7770 gwkesq@bellsouth.net LAW OFFICE OF SELZER & WEISS 1515 NE 25th St, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954.567.4444 Selzerandweiss.com
real estate
LAW OFFICE OF SHAWN NEWMAN 710 NE 26th St, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954.563.9160 Shawnnewman.com
Coach Bill For Life
WWW.COACHBILLFORLIFE.COM
954.641.8315
Income Tax Preparation
IRIS SEYMOUR
•Individual •Small Business •Free Consultation
SALES
&
RENTALS
Doug Turner, Enrolled Agent Best Books and Taxes 2201 Wilton Drive bestbooksandtaxes.com
sfgn.com
954-565-1041
Call today for appointment
954.610.8816
David A. Miller Owner Residential - Commercial Cleaning Services
754.999.7825 RStarCleaning@yahoo.com
call us to reserve space!
Happy Holidays from our business to yours! Sincerely, SFGN
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Business Directory To place an ad in the Business Directory, call our sales team at 954.530.4970 restaurants STORKS BAKERY 2505 NE 15th Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954.567.3220 Storksbakery.com BEEFCAKES 1721 N Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 954.463.6969 boardwalkbar.com J. MARK’S 1245 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 (954) 390-0770 Jmarksrestaurant.com
ERNIE'S B-B-Q 1843 S Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 954-523-8636
The Best Cellar
Boutique Wine Shop & Wine Bar The Ultimate Wine Tasting Experience
spirituality DR. PIERRE B. BLAND, DVM 1332 E. Commercial Blvd., Oakland Park, FL 33334 954-673-8579 Doctorblandvet.com
The Parish of Sts. Francis and Clare Where we welcome and appreciate diversity.
services
101 NE 3rd St Fort Lauderdale FL 33301 Mass Times: Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 10:30 AM Ecumenical Catholic 954.731.8173
www.stsfrancisandclare.org Baptisms • Weddings • Memorial Services
technology
Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat., at 8:00 p.m. ONLY $15 PER PERSON! 954-630-8020 1408 N.E. 26th St. Wilton Manors, FL 33334
retail PEACE PIPE 4800 N Dixie Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 954.267.9005 Facebook.com/peacepipefl
recovery Licensed & Insured
954-725-3633
custom alarm contractors, Inc.
Est. 1989 “Experience Matters” Service after the sale! ▶ residential security ▶ commercial security ▶ closed circuit tV www.customalarmcontractors.com 54
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SFGN Classified$ To place a Classified Ad, call Tim Higgins at 954.530.4970 or email at Tim.Higgins@sfgn.com
licensed massage Place an ad in SFGN’s Classifieds
954.530.4970
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
help wanted
ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER WANTED - Fort Lauderdale Electrician needs Full Time Electrician's Helper for Service and New Construction in the Fort Lauderdale area. Experienced or will train. You must be punctual and dependable. You will report to work near downtown Fort Lauderdale. If you are interested and feel you fit the job please send your resume detailing education, experience and contact information to localelectrician954@gmail. com You must include your resume information to be considered; and your telephone number to be contacted.
AFFORDABLE AWESOME MASSAGE BY JIM Offering Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports and LomiLomi Massage for Men; in a very comfortable, relaxed and Private Massage Studio, NOW conveniently located in Wilton Manors on NE 26th Street, with plenty of free parking. Same Day appointments are welcome; please call Jim, 954-600-5843 email: info@ massagebyjim.com or visit my website for testimonials, rates and more. GREAT OPENING SPECIAL NOW AVAILABLE! www.massagebyjim.com Licensed and Certified MM22293
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
painting
GREGG'S PAINTING - I paint both interior and exterior. Great rates, free estimates. I am detailedoriented, 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
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
ALTERATIONS BY LUCAS JOHNSON - Quality, quick and affordable alterations. Call, text or email for more info. (407)-779-4716 lucasrangel25@gmail.com
Follow the action.
sfgn.com Now HiriNg! Call 800-DiLigENT health MANSCAPING SERVICES WE OFFER - Treat yourself to a Full Body Hair Removal, Shaving, Trimming, and Waxing. European Facial, Oxy Hydro Treatment. No Chemicals used.Looking Good & Feeling Good Call Ebi at 561-502-3217 or www.euromanscaping.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.
classified advertising works!
Place an ad in SFGN’s Classifieds
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rentals fort lauderdale PRIVATE COMPLEX FOR RENT - 1 Bed Apt, Must See, Private complex, Fully renovated, laundry, ask $1150. Progresso, 1214 NE 5th Terrace Fort Lauderdale, 33304 call 303-589-6210 PRIVATE COMPLEX FOR RENT - 2 Bed Apt, Must See, Private complex, Fully renovated, laundry, ask: $1350. Progresso, 1214 NE 5th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, 33304 Call 954-552-2831 MIKE THE RENTAL GUY - NE Lauderdale/Wilton Manors/Oakland Park-1/1 from $990, 2/1 from $1140. Victoria Park-1/1=$1090.00 cable included. Credit & Income Requirements-Pets okay with restrictions Call for Details Mike 561-703-5533 or miketherentalguy@aol.com
room mate wilton manors
LOOKING FOR ROOMMATE to share a 3 bedroom duplex w/ myself and another roommate. Private room with shared bath. You will have full use of house and all utilities include. Friendly atmosphere. Washer/dryer on premise. NO SMOKERS or party animals. Credit and background check ($50 fee) $550.00 per month (a deposit would be required) Available December 2016 Call Richard Sedlak at 954-296-5633 or email me at sedlak1@comcast.net 12.14.2016 •
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