SFGN 12/23/21 V12iss51

LOCAL NAME GLOBAL COVERAGE

DECEMBER 23, 2021 VOL. 12 // ISSUE 51

CHRIS CAPUTO SFGN’S PERSON OF THE YEAR PAGES 18 - 20, 22

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NEWS HIGHLIGHT

SouthFloridaGayNews.com

SOUTH FLORIDA LGBT ACTIVIST GETS NATIONAL RECOGNITION B

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• 12. 23.2021

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

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John Hayden eing LGBT in the latinx community comes with extra challenges for acceptance and extra responsibility for representing and growing positive images. Honor 41 is a national organization that recognizes leaders making an impact on their community. This year, Tony Lima is on their list.

Lima has long been active in Florida organizations. He wrote, and worked to pass, policy directly affecting South Florida LGBT residents. Lima was also a leader in bringing trans rights to Miami-Dade County and in the marriage equality movement in Florida.

He currently works as executive director at SunServe, and his past work includes leadership at Arianna’s Center and SAVE. This and more caught the eye of Honor 41.

“Honor 41 has been supportive of my advocacy work for a very long time,” Lima said. “Their founder, Albert Mendoza, is an amazing human being and respected advocate in his own right. I couldn’t be prouder and more honored to make the list this year, with so many peers and colleagues, like Wilfred Labiosa of Waves Ahead and trans activist Dianne Michelle Trinidad.”

Honor 41 takes its name from a slur. In Mexican culture, 41 is derogatory slang for being LGBT. By reclaiming the term, the latinx community turns it into something empowering.

“Representation matters. As a queer, openly gay Latino man, I have a responsibility to be authentic in all facets of my life,” Lima said. “Within Latinx cultures, there is a propensity to either ignore someone’s sexual orientation and gender identity, especially

@SFGN

December 23, 2021 • Volume 12 • Issue 51

Senior Feature Columnists

Brian McNaught • Jesse Monteagudo

Special to SFGN Steve Rothaus

Correspondents

Kendall Little • Everitt Rosen • Donald Cavanaugh Deon Jefferson • David-Elijah Nahmod Aurora Dominguez • Gillian Manning Denise Royal • Corey Rose • Kennedy McKinney

Contributing Columnists

Pier Angelo • Terri Schlichenmeyer Gregg Shapiro • Dana Rudolph • Ric Reily

Associate Photographers Carina Mask • Steven Shires

Sales & Marketing

Tony Lima. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

in family structures, or to be completely shunned by family if you are out and open by publicly. Every public opportunity I get to be open and out, especially in Spanish, is an act of defiance and a moment for advocacy and education in representation of and for my communities.”

Lima said he’s driven to pull the community together, especially as LGBT faces the worst attacks we’ve seen in nearly 20 years.

“We need to take good care of ourselves and each other. We have to protect our transgender family, especially our young people. We have to end the discrimination

against our most marginalized a lot of the time, within our own community. We have to embrace and stand up for each other.”

With bills attacking the trans community already introduced for Florida’s next legislative session, Lima said LGBT and our allies need to rise to the occasion.

“This is all especially important politically as we approach the midterm election and we’re seeing so much hate pointed at trans folx and people of color, with legislative hate bills being filed across the country. We have to work harder than ever, sharing our advocacy and educating the masses. Equality and equity are more imperative than ever.”

TRANS STUDENT AWARDED $4 MILLION IN LAWSUIT AGAINST MISSOURI SCHOOL DISTRICT Read SFGN.com to find out more.

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12 . 23. 20 21 •

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NEWS LOCAL

KISHI MARTIN, LJ WOOLSTON AMONG HONOREES AT TRANSINCLUSIVE GROUP AWARDS EVENT Jose Cassola

Miami Gay News

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ransinclusive Group held its seventh annual Bishop S.F. MakalaniMahee Transgender Equality Awards at Hamburger Mary’s Fort Lauderdale / Wilton Manors Nov. 30, the closing day of Transgender Awareness Month.

Presented in association with The Pride Broward House provides a broad spectrum Center, The Florida Department of Health of housing to families and individuals in Broward County and other partners, impacted by HIV and socio-economic the event each year nominates and awards challenges, which includes Assisted Living, members of the community representing Transitional Housing and Independent transgender, nonbinary and ally individuals, Apartments with support to ensure stability. along with businesses and medical providers The organization strives daily to spread the who have advanced Transgender Equality in message and supply the tools for education the community. Awards are presented to an and prevention of the HIV/AIDS virus. individual or business receiving the highest “We were so honored to recognize the number of nominations in important contributions each category. [of this year’s honorees],” Among this year’s said a Transinclusive honorees were Kishi Group representative Martin, a health promotion in a social media post peer navigator at Care on Facebook. “Their Resource and a current dedication and hard work board member at Unity in our community are vital Coalition | Coalicíon to advancing equality, and Unida, who received the we are grateful to work Best Ally Award; Landon with leaders like these.”

“LJ” Woolston, a Culture Martin, in a social media of Health leader at Robert post on Facebook, thanked Wood Johnson Foundation, Transinclusive Group, who was honored with The Pride Center and the the Bishop S.F. MakalaniFlorida Department Of MaHee Trans Equality Health for hosting the Award; Ashley Mayfaire, Bishop S.F. Makalanico-founder and director of Mahee Transgender operations at TransSOCIAL; Equality Awards, named Lindsay Drake, N.P., a family after Bishop S.F. Makalaninurse practitioner at AIDS MaHee, a leader in the Healthcare Foundation local LGBT community, (AHF); and Broward House, who worked as a minister, which was honored with motivational speaker, - LJ Woolston the Best Organization activist and spoken-word HONOREE Award. artist. He passed away in Broward House is a not2017. for-profit social services “The transgender organization with more than 30 years of community has supported me throughout providing services for the community my career in public health and I will always impacted by HIV and other chronic health defend and protect them,” Martin said. challenges. The nonprofit provides wrap- “Much love to all who nominated and around social services comprising of Case voted for me. I accept this honor in Bishop’s Management, Substance Abuse Treatment, memory.”

Mental Health Therapy, as well as ensuring Added Woolston: “Thank you to the folks access to medical care and housing. who have kept this award alive, even though

“THANK YOU TO THE FOLKS WHO HAVE KEPT THIS AWARD ALIVE, EVEN THOUGH BISHOP HIMSELF CANNOT. TRULY SURREAL AND HUMBLING. I MISS HIM DEARLY.”

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Kishi Martin and LJ Woolston. Photo via LJ Woolston, Facebook.

Bishop himself cannot. Truly surreal and humbling. I miss him dearly.”

Woolston is a queer and trans social worker, advocate and artist born and raised in South Florida, where he has spent over half of a decade working specifically with LGBT youth experiencing homelessness; increasing the resources available for this population; and creating broader community awareness of the complex challenges and inequities faced by these young people.

When asked what led him to do this work, Woolston answered “there was almost nothing around when I started transitioning in 2009. So we began to create it. I was having a very hard time, but I knew I wasn’t alone.”

“Through creating a resource in a space where none had previously existed, I learned quickly that there were indeed ‘many’ of us

having a hard time here. And there still are,” Woolston continues. “Despite the strides we’ve made, over a decade later, trans/ non-binary people are still struggling to find truly affirming resources down here, are still dying by suicide and are still being murdered. The reason I did ‘the work’ then is the reason I do it now — trans folks should have the same access to resources, jobs, health, housing and hope as everyone else.”

Woolston thanked on Facebook all of his trans/enby siblings and allies who “continue to fight for us even while we are continuing to lose one another, even when it’s hard and exhausting and even when it sometimes seems futile. It’s not. Every act of resistance, support and/or solidarity matters, even when there’s no ‘award’ attached,” Woolston said.

Jose Cassola, jocacommunications@outlook.com. Reprinted with permission from Miami Gay News.

NEWS LOCAL

FORMER REPORTER AND EDITOR AT SFGN TAKES OVER NEW PELICAN Michael d’Oliveira bought the community newspaper in June John Hayden

Raising the bar for Telehealth

Michael d’Oliveira. Photo via Facebook.

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wo key missions for journalists are to serve the community they cover and be a part of the community. That means attending the meetings almost no one attends. Asking questions almost no one thinks to ask, and reporting news almost no one even knows is happening.

At New Pelican, they are renewing their commitment to the communities of Broward County.

Michael d’Oliveira bought the paper in June and now serves as the publisher and editorin-chief.

“It’s been a challenge,” he said. “I knew the journalist side, but learning the business side has been challenging.”

Journalism is expensive, and requires not only money, but passion. Covering smaller

“I KNEW THE JOURNALIST SIDE, BUT LEARNING THE BUSINESS SIDE HAS BEEN CHALLENGING.” - Michael d’Oliveira NEW PELICAN PUBLISHER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

cities like Oakland Park or Wilton Manors requires resources that most big outlets won’t spend and money smaller papers don’t have.

D’Oliveira isn’t shirking from the challenge, he’s embracing it head on.

“We’re hoping to expand, make the paper bigger. More stories from more cities.”

Hyper-local coverage means keeping track of what’s happening in city halls across the county.

“We do a lot of commission stuff,” he said.

That’s where politicians can slip things into bills and ordinances when very few, if anyone, is watching. D’Oliveira’s strategy is to head them off at the pass.

“I’d love to cover the advisory committees.

That’s a way to let people know what is happening before it gets to the commission, which is often too late,” he said.

D’Oliveira is a former reporter for SFGN and editor of the Wilton Manors Gazette, and knows the importance of hyper-local journalism, especially in major metropolitan areas. He had already been editor of New Pelican, so readers are already used to his style.

Many may view taking control of a newspaper, and journalism in general, as a thankless job, but he says it’s just the opposite.

“It’s not totally thankless. I get people all the time expressing their appreciation for the paper.”

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GET STARTED TODAY!

www.healthkarma.org 12 . 23. 20 21 •

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NEWS NATIONAL

BY GILLIAN MANNING

THE COUNTRY ACROSS

NEW YORK

PHOTOGRAPHER LOSES CASE AGAINST ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS

In April, Emilee Carpenter filed a federal lawsuit in New York over the state’s anti-discrimination laws. On Dec. 13, the court dismissed the case filed by the Christian photographer.

Carpenter refused to photograph a same-sex wedding. She argued that New York’s laws put her in the position of either going against her faith or facing up to $100,000 in fines, according to NBC. “The Court is not persuaded,” said U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr., who dismissed the case.

Geraci’s ruling said that not applying the anti-discrimination laws, “would ‘relegate [same-sex couples] to an inferior market’ than that enjoyed by the public at large.”

A religious, nonprofit group — the Alliance Defending Freedom — argued

The Supreme Court. Credit: Joe Ravi, via Wikipedia.

in favor of Carpenter and requested that the Supreme Court take the case.

However, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) applauded the court’s decision. Sarah Kate Ellis, the president and CEO of GLAAD, said, “Non-discrimination laws protect every citizen and send a signal that all are welcome, and that’s good for business.”

COLORADO REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE CLAIMS GAY GOVERNOR IS STRAIGHT, ABUSER

Colorado’s governor, Jared Polis, was first elected in 2018 and hailed as the nation’s first openly gay governor. On Dec. 13, one of his Republican opponents, Danielle Neuschwanger, made a statement alleging that Polis “is not gay” and that his recent marriage “is a sham.”

Neuschwanger is a Republican candidate for Colorado governor and was recorded making these claims at a campaign meetand-greet event. An attendee for the event provided the audio recording of Neuschwanger’s remarks, the Colorado Times reported.

During her monologue, she mentioned government secrets about JFK’s assassination, a candidate who is advocating to “ban the gays” and gay adoption, lawsuits against states for mandates, and more. At the end, she stated that Polis is “not even

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Jared Polis. Photo via Facebook.

gay” and that he was once married to a woman whom he abused.

She later told the Colorado Times that she stands by her statements.

“As I mentioned, I have never been in politics and didn’t know any of this information, never even thought to ever ask these types of questions until I started campaigning,” Neuschwanger said.

Polis’ office declined to comment.

COVERING LGBT NEWS SWEEPING THE NATION

MASSACHUSETTS

CHURCH OPENS ‘SAFE SPACE’ FOR LGBT ASYLUM-SEEKERS

Hadwen Park Congregational Church’s LGBT Asylum Task Force opened its renovated apartment building, which will serve as a safe space for LGBT immigrants seeking asylum.

The task force raised over $500,000 to purchase and renovate the three-story building that was once a group home.

According to Al Green, the ministry’s director, the task force would previously put asylum-seekers into rented apartments, but found that as the program has grown, coordinating services among new immigrants has become more challenging.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, the first members, three gay men, moved to the apartment in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The Associated Press reported that the church is offering a permanent home to

Photo via the LGBT Asylum Task Force, Facebook.

the residents.

Alain Spyke, 26, fled Jamaica after he was continuously harassed and threatened by a local gang for his sexual orientation.

“I don’t even have the words,” he said. “To come into this country and have a safe space to escape all the hardships and trauma? Not everyone has that opportunity.”

Over several years, the ministry has helped over 400 asylum-seekers and is currently helping 21.

ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY LAUNCHES NATION’S FIRST UROLOGY CLINIC FOR GAY, BISEXUAL MEN

Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, has created the first urology clinic in the nation dedication to gay and bisexual men, according to CBS. It’s called the Gay and Bisexual Men’s Urology Program.

“There are differences between gay and bisexual men and straight men. You have other organs to think about, like the prostate and rectal health, and other things that matter to non-heterosexual men,” said Dr. Channa Amarasekera.

Patients also face emotional challenges that are unique to LGBT individuals, so the clinic provides other resources as well.

“We have social workers in the clinic, we have sex therapists that we have connections with, and then we think about the patient as a whole,” said Dr. Amarasekera.

Matthew Curtin is a patient with the

Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. Photo via Facebook.

clinic and worked with Dr. Amarasekera, battling prostate cancer. Northwestern Medicine removed Curtin’s prostate and aided in recovery.

“The journey is just so — I just feel very fortunate really to have caught it the way I did,” Curtin said. “I think there might be a hesitancy for some gay men to not trust that medical environment, and as we get older, the importance of it is so critical.”

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

BY EVERITT ROSEN

THE WORLD AROUND

EXPLORING LGBT NEWS EVENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE

ASIA

EUROPE

LGBT ORGANIZATION IN RUSSIA DEEMED A FOREIGN AGENT

EU COURT MAKES LANDMARK DECISION FOR LGBT COMMUNITY

A group that assists lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Russia’s Far East with legal and counseling services has been designated as a “foreign agent.”

According to Radio Free Europe, on Dec. 17 the Justice Ministry added Mayak to its list of “unregistered public groups executing the activities of a foreign agent.” Mayak claims to have been functioning in Russia since 2016.

The classification, among other things, compels nonprofit groups that receive foreign aid and are suspected of engaging in political activities by the government to register as “foreign agents,” identify themselves as such, and submit to audits.

Mayak joins Golos, an electionmonitoring NGO, as the only unregistered public association on the list.

Photo via Pixabay.

Mayak is led by Regina Dzugkoyeva, who is also the founder of the Lilit NGO.

After Bulgarian authorities refused to provide a birth certificate to the daughter of a same-sex couple, the European Court of Justice (CJEU) declared that member states must accept LGBT parents and their offspring as one family.

According to RT, the European Court of Justice issued a significant judgment, declaring that member states must all ensure the same right to children’s freedom of movement across the EU, regardless of domestic regulations.

Kalina Ivanova, a Bulgarian, and Jane Jones, a British Gibraltar native, filed the lawsuit after Bulgarian authorities refused to provide a birth certificate to their daughter, who was born in Spain in 2019, claiming that a child cannot lawfully have two moms.

The CJEU ordered Bulgaria to provide

European Court of Justice. Credit: Gwenael Piaser, via Flickr.

the child a passport as a result of the verdict. It is not possible to appeal the case.

AFRICA

OCEANIA

SENEGALESE LAWMAKERS CREATE NEW ANTI-LGBT LAW

NEW ZEALAND PASSES NEW LGBT LAW

A group of National Assembly members has proposed a law that would increase the maximum sentence for anyone guilty of same-sex conduct.

For “acts against nature,” the penalty is currently up to five years in jail, but legislators aim to extend it to a decade, according to Pink News.

In a worrying similarity to Ghana, MPs aim to make just campaigning for LGBT rights a criminal offense.

People who publish, speak, or fund any type of LGBT rights activism might face three to five years in jail and a fine of CFA500,000 to CFA5 million.

The unsettling plans might potentially put intersex people in the sights.

Lawmakers want to make “intersexuality” a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Dakar, Senegal. Credit: Jeff Attaway, via Flickr.

Being intersex — those born with sex traits that don’t fit neatly into the binary — is referred to by supporters of the bill as “being skilled at all imagined sexual orgies.”

New Zealand has enacted legislation that recognizes people’s freedom to self-identify on their birth certificates without having to provide proof of medical treatment.

The law is a follow-up to a previous judgment that permitted selfidentification on birth certificates but required petitioners to show they had had medical treatment.

According to Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti, the new amendments that remove that need will make it easier for LGBT people to self-identify.

“Today is a proud day in Aotearoa’s history,” Tinetti said. “Parliament has voted in favor of inclusivity and against discrimination. This law change will make a real difference for transgender, non-binary, takatāpui [LGBT] and

Jan Tinetti. Photo via Facebook.

intersex New Zealanders.”

She went on to claim that the law will assist young people to maintain a feeling of wellness and “improve their mental health” by giving them control over their identities.

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LGBTQIA BITES

BY KENNEDY MCKINNEY

IT’S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE G

L

Lesbian

LESBIAN SUPERHERO MAKES DEBUT IN MADNESS TRAILER This past weekend, Marvel Cinematic Universe fans got a glimpse of new lesbian superhero America Chavez at the end of “Spider-Man No Way Home.”

Adorning her signature denim jacket, Chavez can create portals that allow her to travel freely across the multiverse. Chavez will be played by “The Baby-sitter’s Club” actress Xochitl Gomez. This character, who will be portrayed as a teenager, is also breaking ground for young fans who will be able to see a young queer girl navigating her sexuality while also saving the world.

Fans are excited for the minority and queer representation that this new character will bring.

America Chavez as she appears in comics. Credit: Marvel.

... HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN THE LGBTQIA COMMUNITY

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CAMERON BESS BECOMES FIRST PANSEXUAL PERSON TO GO TO SPACE

Cameron Bess, the child of venture capitalist and tech executive Lane Bess, became the first pansexual person to go into space, doing so with the space flight company Blue Origin.

Bess, who is also a furry and known for wearing their signature suits on the video streaming app Twitch, pledged to bring a pansexual Pride flag and a paw from their full-body cat outfit to space. They told the Canadian LGBT publication Xtra that they grew up launching model rockets.

“When he was offered the opportunity to fulfill that dream with Blue Origin, he decided he wanted to bring me along. So in simple terms: I have a really great dad.”

Blue Origin is a company started by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos that offers tourists a chance to go into space. Blue Origin did

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“I know many people have told me it means a lot to see a pansexuality Pride flag in space,” said Bess. “I’m just happy to provide visibility.”

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LGBTQIA BITES

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Transgender

PARTS OF MIDEAST BAN ‘WEST SIDE STORY’ FOR FEATURING TRANS CHARACTER

Disney and 20th Century’s “West Side Story” directed by Steven Spielberg has been banned in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait.

This came as a shock to some fans because generally movies that are banned in these countries are mired with sexual scenes and swearing, but this being a Disney movie those aspects are not apparent. However, the issue these countries have with the movie is with the character Anybodys.

Anybodys is a transgender character who is portrayed by nonbinary actor Iris Menas. LGBT people are still largely persecuted in areas throughout the Middle East with same-sex intercourse being punishable by death in some places, including Saudi Arabia. “West Side Story” will be released worldwide in theaters on Friday.

The promotional image for “West Side Story.”

and

12 . 23. 20 21 •

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NEWS LOCAL

J.R.’s SNAPSHOTS

OF THE

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

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WEEK Photos by J.R. Davis

Channing Miller with wife Stacy Hyde, CEO at Broward House.

Kenny Silverman, Realtor for One Sotheby’s, with partner Thomas Dee of Allied Global Marketing.

Kris Jarmann, volunteer coordinator for the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, with husband Cary Giacalone, philanthropic Realtor.

Paul Altman, senior talent acquisisition partner for Johnson and Johnson with Nic Zanca, GM and VJ at Nathan’s Bar.

• 12.23.2021

NEWS STATE

FL DEPT. OF EDUCATION TAKES DOWN ANTI-BULLYING PAGE WITH LGBTQ RESOURCES Christiana Lilly

Photo via Pixabay.

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fter a news outlet reached out to the Florida Department of Education about its anti-bullying page, the department took it down and said it was “under review.”

Last week, the Florida Capital Star reported that it reached out to the department to ask questions about the page as well as the links to LGBTQ advocacy groups. Afterward, the page was removed.

The conservative-leaning Florida Capital Star further reported that the page shared anti-bullying resources as well as links to groups such as GLSEN. It also noted that “at least one Florida school district was using the resources on the FDOE web page

EQUALITY FLORIDA CALLED THE REMOVAL OF THE WEBSITE “A STAGGERING ESCALATION OF [THE DESANTIS ADMINISTRATION’S] ANTI-LGBTQ AGENDA.”

as justification for certain LGBTQ school activities.”

SFGN has reached out to the Department of Education and The Florida Capital Star for comment.

Equality Florida called the removal of the website “a staggering escalation of [the DeSantis administration’s] anti-LGBTQ agenda.”

“From the passage of explicitly antitransgender legislation this year to proposed legislation that would jail doctors for providing lifesaving medical care to transgender children, a politically motivated assault on the LGBTQ community is putting young people at risk,” Executive Director Nadine Smith said in a press release. “Vulnerable youth deserve better than a DeSantis Administration intent on putting them in harm’s way in order to score cheap political points.”

The LGBT community has come under attack this year. When Wilton Manors Elementary School students took a tour of Wilton Drive, including a stop at Rosie’s, the public called for the resignation of Broward School Board member Sarah Leonardi, who chaperoned the trip. An Orlando-area school board member filed a complaint with the Flagler County Sheriffs Office when she discovered a memoir by a queer writer was in public school libraries. In Brevard County, a school board member who has supported LGBT students was met by protesters outside her home.

12 . 23. 20 21 •

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CANCOMMUNITYHEALTH.ORG

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KNOW YOUR STATUS

12 . 23. 20 21 •

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NEWS LOCAL

TUESDAY’S ANGELS CONTINUES SUPPORT DURING PANDEMIC Damon Scott

Mike Ross, Chuck Nicholls, Bill Venuti and Kenny Rapkin were seen here representing the Tuesday’s Angels at a past Holiday Hugs event held by The Campbell Foundation. Photo via Facebook.

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he structure of Tuesday’s Angels has changed a bit in recent years, but its resolve to help the causes it cares about has stayed firmly in place.

Three groups each received $10,000 in 2021 from the nonprofit through its donor advisory fund via the Our Fund Foundation in Wilton Manors. All three recipients assist, in their own particular way, people affected

by HIV/AIDS in South Florida.

Tuesday’s Angels Board President Mike Ross said funds this year went to SunServe to provide bus passes to clients for transportation needs; Latinos Salud for its PrEP program; and the Pride Center for their HIV programs. In addition, the Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center in Fort Lauderdale was approved for $5,250 to add a vision screener to its Comprehensive Family AIDS Program (CFAP). All four organizations are ones that Tuesday’s Angels has worked with in the past.

“We are pleased to continue our support of local organizations helping people living with HIV and honoring the mission and legacy of Tuesday’s Angels,” Ross said.

That mission and legacy began more than three decades ago. Founded by gay men, Tuesday’s Angels became well-known for

a once-a-month Tuesday dinner in Wilton Manors where a hat was passed around for donations to go to those in crisis due to HIV/ AIDS. In early 2018, however, Tuesday’s Angels announced it would dissolve and distribute monies and donations through the donor fund. A 10-year dissolution plan was approved by the Tuesday’s Angels board and filed with the State of Florida, meaning about six years remain.

The advisers of the donor fund are five former Tuesday’s Angels board members: Ross, Chuck Nicholls, Bennett Quade, Don Richards and Dick Schwarz.

And while the group had historically directed its funds to those already experiencing the effects of HIV/AIDS, beginning in 2019 groups involved in HIV prevention work in South Florida were also included.

Ross said he’s hopeful that 2022 will look much like 2021 in terms of fund distribution.

“At the present time we have enough money to continue giving grants at the same level as this past year. Please let your readers know that the mission of Tuesday’s Angels continues,” Ross said.

Those interested in donating to Tuesday’s Angels through the Our Fund Foundation can go to our-fund.org.

Groups interested in requesting funds can go online as well or call 954-565-1090.

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NEWS LOCAL

WHISTLEBLOWER DEPUTY FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST BSO AFTER SUSPENSION Christiana Lilly

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decorated Broward Sheriff’s Office sergeant and member of its LGBTQ+ Liaison Committee has been suspended with pay after allegedly blowing the whistle on the department’s failure to protect employees at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sgt. Don Prichard, who was a public information officer with BSO until this summer, when he was moved to the Neighborhood Support Team, has filed a whistleblower claim against his employer.

He was also a part of the police union’s bargaining team.

The notice of his suspension charged him with corrupt practices, information dissemination, and conduct unbecoming an employee. The Sun Sentinel first reported on the lawsuit Thursday morning.

According to the lawsuit, Prichard said there was a “complete lack of distribution of masks and PPE; lack of proper contact tracing notifications; the nonexistence of any cleaning of the Dispatch locations [the hardest hit by COVID-19]; that people were coming back to work while awaiting test results; that countless workers at BSO were unprotected with no gloves [or] masks; that Dispatchers were being transferred from location to location while testing positive for COVID-19 or after being exposed and awaiting results,” and more. He relayed these concerns to the police union.

In April 2020, Deputy Shannon Bennett, who was gay, was the first BSO employee to die from COVID. Last month, BSO honored nine employees who have died from the virus.

Tonja Haddad Coleman, Prichard’s attorney, said that on Dec. 7, which was 24 to 48 hours after BSO discovered that he had talked to the union, he was given his suspension notice. He was shown text messages and asked to confirm they were from him.

“He has no idea what the IA investigation is about,” the labor defense lawyer told SFGN. “But based on the timing of everything and the suspension … it’s not hard to figure out.”

This is the third whistleblower lawsuit that Coleman has handled for a BSO employee.

Sgt. Don Prichard. Photo via LinkedIn.

She represented Jeff Bell, president of the Broward Sheriff’s Deputies Association union, when he was suspended in April 2020 after writing an op-ed in the Sun Sentinel criticizing the department for its poor response to COVID. She also represented BSO Deputy Jeffrey Kogan, who called out Fort Lauderdale Police for unnecessary use of force during a 2013 arrest.

Coleman added that even in his position as a public information officer, Prichard did not release any information to the press. Instead, “he did what he was supposed to do by going through the chain of the union.”

“He gave it directly to his union president and reported it to the union because it was up to the union to deal with the workplace problems for the deputies,” she said. “That’s the purpose of the union.”

Carey Codd, senior public information officer for the BSO, had this to say in response to the lawsuit.

“Generally, the Broward Sheriff’s Office does not comment on pending litigation.

Furthermore, the allegations of the complaint are the subject of an active internal affairs investigation which is confidential under Florida law,” he said. “That said, the complaint is replete with legal and factual inaccuracies, and the Broward Sheriff’s Office will vigorously defend itself against these allegations.”

12 . 23. 20 21 •

15

NEWS STATE

DESANTIS WANTS

CRITICAL RACE THEORY BANNED WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR LGBT HISTORY? Christiana Lilly & John McDonald

D

uring a rally Dec. 15, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis doubled down on his desire to rid Florida public schools of critical race theory with a proposal called Stop W.O.K.E. Activism.

This comes after his call for a ban during the he plans to run again during the regular election summer, and according to a press release, it gives in August 2022. According to the 2010 Census, “businesses, employees, children and families 58% of residents in District 94 — which includes tools to fight back against woke indoctrination.” parts of Wilton Manors and Oakland Park — are “It violates Florida standards to scapegoat Black. someone based on their race, to say that they However, race is not the only thing under are inherently racist, to say that they are an attack. In a critical race theory report by the oppressor, or oppressed or any of that and that’s Heritage Foundation, the group criticized good and that’s important. But we Chicago Public Schools for also have to realize that we have advocating for students to speak to do more to make sure that that up about “LGBTQ Awareness” and actually carries the day in our the “Keeping It Reel Film Project,” classrooms and in our society,” which included the issue of DeSantis said. transgender rights. This summer, However, while DeSantis and the Florida School Board of supporters of the initiative feel Education adopted new standards “History is that critical race theory is divisive, for public K-12 education (the others believe that its removal is statute can be read at the Online history and what is separating people.

Sunshine website), with an you cannot “History is history and you emphasis on teaching events cannot separate people from their separate people such as the Holocaust, slavery, history and what happened to the Civil War and Reconstruction, from their them,” said Oakland Park Mayor the civil rights movement, and the Michael E. Carn, who is Black. “I history and what contributions of women, African have a right just like a Holocaust Americans and Hispanic people. happened to survivor, a World War I survivor, There is no mention of LGBT them.” or World War II, I have a right to people in the statute — possibly remember my history. You cannot ignoring the 100,000 homosexual - Michael E. Carn exclude me.” people arrested from 1933 to 1945 OAKLAND PARK MAYOR Carn shared that his father in Nazi Germany and the 15,000 fled South Carolina after he was killed in concentration camps. threatened with death by white men when he There is also a provision that allows parents attracted the attention of some white women. to pull their children from classes teaching He left in the middle of the night on foot, and the “reproductive health or any disease, including Carn family has lived in Broward County ever HIV/AIDS, its symptoms, development, and since. treatment.”

“It’s not right, it’s deplorable and it’s inhumane The statute, though, says schools “may not and it’s really unintelligent,” Carn said. “It’s suppress or distort significant historical events.” the most unintelligent thing you can do. You Elijah Manley, who is Black and gay, is also can unite people by having them understand a candidate for District 94 and said that the history.”

Republican Party’s war on critical race theory Carn recently stepped down from his run for is “an attempt to rewrite history against the the District 94 special election in January, but consensus of academia.” He also noted that

16

• 12. 23.2021

Photo via Adobe.

graduate-level theory is not even taught in K-12 schools.

“Contrary to the GOP’s conspiracy theories, no child is being forced to believe anything, and there is no boogeyman hiding in the classrooms teaching your children to hate America,” he said in an email. “Facts will continue to be facts, and true history will continue to be taught as is.”

Florida Sen. Shevrin Jones, who is also Black and gay, said Republicans have weaponized critical race theory and that they’ve “engineered panic across the country,” agreeing that it’s a nonissue as it’s taught at the graduate level.

According to Education Week, the core idea of critical race theory is “that race is a social construct, and that racism is not merely the product of individual bias or prejudice, but also something embedded in legal systems and policies.”

It has been criticized by conservatives for decades, with the Heritage Foundation saying in a report, “its use of story-telling — easy to understand fictional vignettes that seek to portray in every day life terms the ‘systemic

racism’ that CRT scholars insist exists in America — is but one of the ways that CRT scholars seek to effect change.”

Derrick Bell is considered a founding father of critical race theory. The first tenured African American Harvard Law School professor, Bell often sacrificed prestigious positions to preserve his core beliefs. He served five years as dean of the University of Oregon School of Law, resigning in 1985 out of protest when the school denied tenure to an Asian woman.

The Pacific Northwest is also where the controversy over critical race theory arose.

Christopher Rufo, a Seattle writer, has been making the media rounds alleging, among other things, that Chicago schools are using critical race theory to teach elementary school students that “whiteness is the devil.” In an OPED published by the Wall Street Journal, Rufo argues critical race theory has nothing to do with history or sensitivity.

“It’s a radical ideology that seeks to use race as a means of moral, social and political revolution,” Rufo wrote.

NEWS STATE

COMING OUT PARTY Happening Out Announces Major Expansion John Hayden

Clockwise, lower left to top right: Maxx Fenning, Tony Lima, Al Ferguson, Dan Rios and John Hayden chat together on a segment of Happening Out Television Network. Image captured via Facebook.

T

oday, South Florida. Tomorrow, the world! Happening Out Television Network (HOTN) is about to be a lot easier to access. The South Florida-based operation has reached a deal with Roku, Apple TV+, and Google+ to promote HOTN’s content on their services. Al Ferguson, who hosts Queer News Tonight (8 p.m. MondayThursday) and It’s Happening Out (9 p.m.

Wednesdays), said this is a first of its kind.

“To my knowledge, there is no dedicated channel to LGBTQ live information and news,” said Ferguson.

While all HOTN programming is available on several platforms, including YouTube and Facebook, Ferguson said being able to watch on TV will make it much easier for viewers to access.

WHILE ALL HOTN PROGRAMMING IS AVAILABLE ON SEVERAL PLATFORMS, INCLUDING YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK, FERGUSON SAID BEING ABLE TO WATCH ON TV WILL MAKE IT MUCH EASIER FOR VIEWERS TO ACCESS.

“Anytime you go to search in Roku and you search anything about gay, lesbian, Stonewall, programming will come up in search and HOTN content will come up in the channel.”

The announcement was made at Sunshine Cathedral, home of HOTN studios. The news came during a party celebrating HOTN’s third anniversary, and the 36th anniversary of Hotspots magazine. (Hotspots is the parent company of HOTN.) In addition to Queer News Tonight and It’s Happening Out, HOTN programming also includes the Kitty Meow Show and TRANSlation, the world’s first talk show for the trans community. They also broadcast local events including pride parades and benefits. And starting next year, the Fay What?! show moves to HOTN. “We need a network like this that represents us,” Fay said. “It’s the parades, it’s the events.

It’s everything to do with LGBTQ that we go to and are at. I’m a lucky lesbian, this is the best Christmas present ever.”

“Our channel is designed to be broad in terms of dedicated by the LGBTQ community for the LGBTQ community,” Ferguson said.

Darren Loli is HOTN’s executive producer and CEO, and said the shows already reach rural communities and are seen by people who are taught that LGBTQ+ is a negative. The new exposure will change even more lives.

“To see it on television in such a real and raw way has been fantastic. That to me is where we are going. To hear stories and uplift the community.”

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17

FEATURE PERSON OF THE YEAR

SFGN’S PERSON OF THE YEAR WILTON MANORS COMMISSIONER

CHRIS CAPUTO Steve Rothaus Special to SFGN

Chris Caputo. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

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• 12. 23.2021

FEATURE PERSON OF THE YEAR

C

all them old-fashioned (or perhaps out of shape), but you won’t find many elected officials celebrating their 40th birthday bash in just an orange Speedo. Or getting Botoxed on Facebook weeks before the big day. Or kicking up their high heels as Cher for a SunServe charity fundraiser.

Wilton Manors Commissioner Chris Caputo is neither old-fashioned nor, as evidenced by his social media feed, out of shape.

“He’s interesting to me because he’s fearless. He does not seem to me to be concerned about the normal things that politicians worry about — which is themselves,” said Al Ferguson, anchor of “Queer News Tonight,” a live LGBT program streamed evenings from Fort Lauderdale.

“He seems to be interested in serving and being himself simultaneously. That’s highly unusual.”

Ferguson notes Caputo’s authenticity is what makes him stand apart from other politicians.

“Chris has been spectacular so far as a city commissioner because he tells you exactly what he thinks. You have to decide whether to accept that or not,” Ferguson said. “But how many politicians can you count on your left hand who can do that and are ultimately successful? Measuring success is to be able to be authentic, tell us the truth and lead us to success. That is so hard for a politician to do and be loyal to themselves.”

Caputo, born in Buffalo, New York, and raised in Fort Myers, has long been active in Broward’s LGBT and business communities.

He acknowledges some people have advised him to be less open in public.

“There are probably more things I should do differently than I do,” said Caputo, who won his commission seat in November 2020.

“I think a lot of people become much more reserved once they’re elected. The advice that just about everyone has given me is to pull off social media entirely — and keep all your private business private once you’re elected.”

But that’s just not who Caputo is.

“I’ve chosen not to take that approach and, so far, it seems to be working,” he said.

He recognizes his approach may be totally wrong.

“But … if it ever backfires, I’ll say, ‘Ah, that’s why everyone insisted I do it this way and I was thick-headed and didn’t listen.’”

Caputo’s growing up was typical for a gay high school student in the ‘90s: “I recognized during my freshman year that this is who I was. It wasn’t that I met somebody, it was just the realization that this is clearly the way

I am and there was no other way.”

Classmates bullied Caputo in his sophomore year but that had ended by his senior year.

“I guess we all grew up,” he said.

Caputo’s family handled his coming out well, “once they got past the initial sort of shock.”

A few years later, his older brother came out as bi.

At 21, Caputo moved to South Florida and bought a tanning salon.

“That’s sort of when I first became acquainted with Wilton Manors. As soon as I found Wilton Manors, and Cathode Ray, and all that, I knew this was home.” (Cathode Ray, which closed in 2006, was once among Broward’s most popular gay bars.)

For a decade after graduating Fort Myers High School, Caputo repeatedly enrolled in and dropped out of college.

Chris Caputo. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

“I was fortunate to have a very good job already in software development,” he said.

In 2009, Caputo received an online ‘Get involved in everything that you can get Bachelor of Science in Business involved in. Give back first and then worry Administration (BSBA) degree from New about the business later.’ And so that’s what York Institute of Technology. Three years I did,” Caputo said. “Any chance I could do later, he earned a master’s degree in business anything for the community, since I frankly administration from Florida Atlantic didn’t have a lot of work at the time, I would University. do it. And he assured me that Caputo currently is chief within a year all this good strategist for Development stuff you do is going to come Partners, a Wilton Manorsback and pay tenfold. And it based technology company did.” that focuses on helping small On Nov. 4, the GLBX businesses grow. honored Caputo with its Along the way, Caputo annual Legacy Award. met businessman Mark Caputo and Budwig have Budwig at the Gay & Lesbian each been board chairs at the Business Exchange (GLBX), Pride Center at Equality Park. a council of the Greater Fort Talking about the Wilton Lauderdale Chamber of Manors center leads Caputo Commerce. to tell “the personal side “Chris has so much energy of my story, which was me and anything he puts his at the Pride Center testing mind to he accomplishes,” positive for HIV, coming as a said Budwig, owner and complete shock.” president of S.MARK Caputo learned his HIV Graphics in Fort Lauderdale. status about 10 years ago.

“We started to work together.

“The reason it was a - Al Ferguson I have a graphic design firm. shock: Ultimately, I was in QUEER NEWS TONIGHT We would do the front-end a relationship for like two design and he would do the years, and I had gotten an back-end mechanics. We had HIV test like four months a really solid working relationship.” prior that came back negative, and here I was Caputo said Budwig “took me under in this relationship and I just gotten a test,” he his wing and then became one of my best said. “I had just gotten out of the relationship clients.” and was jumping head first into a new one. I He recalled Budwig emphasizing the thought, ‘OK, I’m going take another test and importance of giving back to the community.

“We ended up partnering on many TURN THE PAGE TO CONTINUE READING. projects. He basically, as my mentor, was like,

“CHRIS HAS BEEN SPECTACULAR SO FAR AS A CITY COMMISSIONER BECAUSE HE TELLS YOU EXACTLY WHAT HE THINKS.”

Chris Caputo during a City Commission meeting in Wilton Manors. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

12 . 23. 20 21 •

19

FEATURE PERSON OF THE YEAR

often a harm reduction strategy,” he said.

“So, in other words, youth are going to go out and party, so let’s not tell them not to everything is going to be negative.’ And then party, but to try to get them to party more it kind of came back positive. responsibly.”

His ex-partner had had HIV the whole He stayed with Impulse about a year and time they had been together and never then decided to “just support them from the disclosed it to him. sidelines.”

“It never stood out to me Being prudish was that every time I’d gotten a certainly not the reason test while we’re together, he Caputo left the sex-positive didn’t want to go get a test.

Impulse group — he’s the He would always make an city commissioner who excuse as to why he didn’t. actually shows his face and In retrospect, of course, I discloses his HIV status on learned he knew about it queer dating app Grindr. the whole time,” he said.

“I remember an early “And of course I forgive him lesson when I was HIV for all that. But that’s why positive and dealing with it came as a shock to me. I stigma, I found it much had just assumed I was in a easier for my profile to say I monogamous relationship was positive,” he said. with somebody who was HIV Caputo says he never had negative.” concerns about publicly At the time, there still revealing his HIV status. was “very much a stigma “If anything, I thought about being positive,” said it was helping me because Caputo, who was once a the more people knew, the vice president of Impulse less chance I had of being South Florida, a chapter of involved in the situation like a national organization that say with my ex, or the less - Chris Caputo describes itself online as “the chance I had of going on a SPEAKING ABOUT HIS PARTICIPATION IN THE SMART RIDE world’s largest HIV/Wellness date with somebody and group for gay men.” being rejected later when “I sort of struggle from a they first found out,” he said. morality point of view of dealing with where “That’s why I tried to be as out as possible.”

Impulse stood on things. They weren’t Being so open about his own status often necessarily about harm avoidance. It was touched other HIV-positive people.

“And the other thing that was, frankly, reaffirming is that every time I told my story, somebody I knew who I didn’t know was positive would reach out and say, ‘Hey! This made me feel better. Here’s who I am. I’m dealing with this, as well.’ And so that sort of affirmed what I was doing.”

In November, Caputo participated in his 10th SMART Ride cycling event to raise money for HIV/AIDS service organizations in Florida. This year’s ride raised more than $1.2 million.

“It feels good to make a difference in the way that people have made a difference for me,” Caputo said. “Like when I said I have HIV and people were like, ‘You’re fine and we’ve got your back.’ It feels good to know that the things I do help other people feel like I’ve got their back, that we’ve got their back. It’s the joy that comes from making the community a place that people want to call Chris Caputo (back, fourth from the left) poses with home. That feels good to me. It’s sort of selfother riders in Wilton Manors while training for the serving that I get a good feeling from having SMART Ride. Photo via Chris Caputo, Facebook. this result happen.”

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE.

“IT FEELS GOOD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY THAT PEOPLE HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE FOR ME.”

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• 12.23.2021

Chris Caputo poses next to the “Black Trans Lives Matter” mural at Wilton Collective. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

Caputo also serves as a board member of Plays of Wilton, a local arts nonprofit founded by playwright/producer Ronnie Larsen that focuses on “filmed and live LGBT entertainment.” The theater group is also raising money to host a quarterly national playwriting award.

These days, Caputo is single.

“I am definitely more comfortable single than partnered right now,” he said. “I think it’s the first time I felt that way. Now that I’m old enough to realize some of my own personality things that may make me a difficult person to be in a relationship with, I don’t feel that compelling need to be in one.

And also, I just have role models who are single who show me, it’s OK to be single.”

Like many gay men, Caputo is a bit anxious about getting older.

“In general, I still worry about being aged out in a Grindr search where there’s an age bracket. But that’s sort of a silly thing compared to what I’ve learned,” said Caputo, who turned 40 on Dec. 1. “My life is better today than it certainly ever was in the 20s and even 30s. So that’s the thing that makes it OK to be of a certain age: the realization that my life is definitely better today than it was at that age that I think I wanted to be.”

Journalist Steve Rothaus covered LGBTQ issues for 22 years at the Miami Herald. @SteveRothaus on Twitter.

IN MEMORIAM TRIBUTE

TRANS JOURNALIST REBECCA JURO DIES AT 59 SFGN Staff

A

powerful voice for the trans community was lost on Dec. 17 when Rebecca Juro, a writer and journalist who has written for SFGN, died following complications from cancer, according to her family.

“She lived a tough, multi-faceted life that took her down a number of different paths,” her brother Steve Juro wrote on Facebook. “She was a writer, a strong advocate for Trans issues, a companion for my mother, a punk rocker … and many other things.”

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12 . 23. 20 21 •

21

Publisher's Editorial

CONVICTIONS

SELECTING SFGN’S

LEADERS OF THE YEAR Recognizing Lives Well-Lived

Norm Kent

norm.kent@sfgn.com

B

eginning this week, SFGN commences Next week, SFGN illuminates our lives in the daunting task of selecting photographs with our annual year end picture individuals who have distinguished issue, “A Day in the life of Gay South Florida,” themselves in our community, commencing from Key West to Palm Beach. with this week’s choice of Wilton Manors City The issue showcases our lives at work Commissioner Chris Caputo as our Person of and at play, from stylists cutting hair to you the Year. walking your dogs. Most all, this issue depicts Chris may have been our easiest selection. our community as we are, normal people He has simply become our city’s Energizer living normal lives. It demonstrates again one Bunny, a hands-down, slam-dunk choice, of my favorite axioms: “We are a part of our seemingly always everywhere and anywhere community, not apart from it.” Now, we are working for you to make Wilton Manors a even the mayors of our towns, police chiefs better place to live. in our cities, and judges in our courtroom. We The article outlining Caputo’s achievements are no more the outcasts we once were. and accomplishments is authored by Steve You see, we have never asked for special Rothaus, a member of the rights. We have rightfully National Lesbian and Gay demanded equal rights. It’s Journalist’s Association, and a a struggle that will continue HE HAS SIMPLY Miami Herald veteran. anew with a Supreme Court BECOME OUR CITY’S It’s a great read, capturing now more conservative than ENERGIZER BUNNY, the respect and tenure Chris a half century ago. Your battle A HANDS-DOWN, Caputo has gained as a may be starting all over. young entrepreneur, Pride Finding yourself as a gay SLAM-DUNK CHOICE, Center spokesperson, city man or woman in a straight SEEMINGLY ALWAYS commission candidate, and world has never been an easy EVERYWHERE now officeholder, along with course. For many, growing up AND ANYWHERE being an established activist was living a series of cover for HIV causes. ups, mixing messages and WORKING FOR YOU I think you learn from changing directions. You lived TO MAKE WILTON the piece that Chris a lot of white lies and secret MANORS A BETTER exudes enthusiasm and truths. energy, practicality and Today, because of your PLACE TO LIVE. professionalism. He does so courage yesterday, coming out by listening to what you have of the closet can be as simple to say, not telling you what or how to think. as pushing aside a curtain. You helped build He understands he is your voice at city hall. a newer world. You have not only blossomed He hears. He listens. He learns. And then he to become who you are, you have made it so leads. much easier for others to do so as well.

Congratulations, Mr. Caputo, it is an award This is not so everywhere and every well-deserved and earned. You have been and place. You may be barefoot in the sun on the continue to be a source of pride and strength welcoming shores and sands of South Florida, for the gay community. but there are still gay Americans facing

22

• 12.23.2021

Chris Caputo. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

discrimination from Tallahassee to parts unknown.

So, do your duty. We are sometimes powerless against injustice, but we are never powerless to oppose it. As Pericles wrote, “If Athens shall appear great to you, consider that its glories were won daily by good men doing their daily deeds well.”

Beginning with our January 6, 2022, issue, SFGN will be announcing a number of other awards of excellence and distinction, honoring those whose deeds deserve recognition. These will be presented at our 12th anniversary party on February 17, 2022, at Grieco Ford of Fort Lauderdale. The 12th anniversary gala will benefit Our Fund, and be coordinated by Michael Goodman’s outstanding public relations firm.

This is the first for us. We don’t normally

throw parties. We publish papers. That’s how we survive, by delivering you the news, good and bad, to your doorstep every week.

With few speeches and live entertainment, you are invited to greet the recipients of SFGN’s Public Official of the Year, Activist of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Trans Person of the Year, and Professional of the Year.

We have our work cut out. People to choose, then stories to write. We have over five years of “OUT50” selections. We heard our readers’ voices in your “BestOf” selections in September. But here is your chance to be heard again.

Who did we miss? Who out there do you know who should be spotlighted who has gone under the radar? Let me hear from you soon. Shoot me an email at norm.kent@sfgn.com.

THE

GAZETTE VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 25 DECEMBER 23, 2021

FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/WMGAZETTE COMMUNITY

WILTON MANORS

Racism Rears Its Ugly Head at Wilton Area Clubs

By John Hayden People living in and around Wilton Manors like to believe that they live in a bubble of acceptance and tolerance. That perceived bubble has burst.

Racist attacks against performers at local venues are serving notice that hate isn’t confined by city boundaries or sexual orientation. On Dec. 9, LeNora Jaye and Antonio Edwards, both of whom are Black, were finishing up their show at The Pub, when a customer went on a vile attack. Edwards described it on his Facebook page. “[We] had a great show and were finishing up with our last song which was a request from a customer in the audience.

It was ‘Fire And Desire’ by Rick James and Teena Marie.

A random patron walked up to the stage while we were performing and said to LeNora and I quote: ‘We are NOT N*gg*rs and we don’t like N*gg*r music!’”

LeNora tells SFGN she was taken aback by the sheer aggressiveness of it.

“The man comes to where I’m at on stage and starts screaming ‘Shut up! Shut up!’

He starts screaming ‘I am not an N, and I don’t listen to N-music.’”

She said she went to confront him and get him out, but The Pub’s night manager and nearby patrons were already on it, escorting him out while telling him that’s not acceptable.

The Pub’s Alex Sadeghi says the attacker was given a lifetime ban.

“We don’t want anybody like [him] in The Pub.”

A short distance away, LeBoy is cracking down on verbal and demeaning behavior toward dancers of color.

“It’s not just an incident here and there,” new manager Giovani Milani said. “I’ve seen customers make rude, racist remarks.”

New owners Anthony J.V. Rufolo and Charles Horton took over this month and have a zero-tolerance policy for bad behavior. They are putting customers on notice: respect the dancers or get a lifetime ban from the club. Milani used to dance at the club, and feels empowered in his new role.

“I’ve witnessed horrible things in the past, and never had the authority to do anything about them. Now that I do have the authority to do something about it, I’m not going to tolerate it.”

Racist attacks against performers at local venues are serving notice that hate isn’t confined by city boundaries or sexual orientation.

MORE COMMON THAN PEOPLE THINK

Many people are shocked to hear about these attacks.

However, this type of behavior is not new to the performers themselves, although this is an extreme example.

“There has never before been an overt display of bigotry in this manner,” LeNora said.

“But there are microaggressions that occur at every show.”

Microaggressions range from the type of musical requests to racially-tinged comments on her wardrobe.

“It can be something as simple as I might wear a cap and someone says that looks ghetto.”

The Village Pub. Photo by Ed and Eddie, Flickr.

Edwards addressed this issue as well.

“When we as people of color say Black Lives Matter, it is not some catch phrase. It is to say that we deserve the same respect and decent treatment as anyone else on the planet. It is not to say that only Black Lives Matter, it is to say that Black Lives Matter as well. Where else would this behavior be tolerated?”

“We’re already exhausted from the daily microaggressions of racism that we have to deal with as performers of color in Wilton Manors,” LeNora said. “I’m tired. I’m tired of ignorance in every capacity. I’m tired.”

NOT WELCOME While Wilton Manors may be considered “The Gayest Place On Earth,” people of color, including LeNora, say it’s not the most welcoming.

“I’ve had Black people tell me they didn’t

www.WMGAZETTE.com

feel comfortable coming to any shows on Wilton Drive until you and Antonio started performing.”

She said friends have left the area because they felt unwelcome and harassed. And it’s not just patrons. LeNora said there is a club (which she declined to name) that would play country music some nights to discourage people of color from coming in.

“My experience in Wilton Manors is very unique. I am a straight woman of color. I am an LGBTQIA ally to the death.”

But she said we can, and must do better.

“This dream of cultivating inclusivity doesn’t match with the reality in Wilton Manors,” LeNora said.

Edwards concurs.

“It would be great to think that we as a gay community are so evolved, that racism doesn’t exist, but unfortunately it is all too common and prevalent to pretend it is not.”

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OPINION

WILTON MANORS

All I want for Christmas…

2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305

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not alone, as many municipalities equally struggle to deal with inaction on the regional, state and federal level. No money to address a whole slew of issues that seem to be getting worse by the day, but plenty of money for the top 1%.

Large corporations are equally to blame as profits soar, CEO pay increases, stock prices keep rising but the average worker’s pay has remained flat over the last 20 years.

Corporations have been very busy buying out competitors and creating near monopolies for the services they provide.

Cities such as Wilton Manors now have very little choice when it comes to bargaining with the likes of Waste Management for garbage and recycling programs. Waste Management can now dictate when they will pick-up trash, when they will pick up recycling, what can be recycled and what will be done with those items. The interest of residents is no longer part of the equation, because the current near monopoly here in Broward County by Waste Management leaves very

few choices for cities. Waste Management’s CEO last year had a compensation package of close to 12.5 million dollars annually. Wonder why their management is looking for ways to cut corners here in Wilton Manors and every other city, greed at the top and a monopoly on services that offer no other choice but for us to be bamboozled.

For now, let’s embrace the holiday spirit and enjoy the remaining days of the year. Spend time with family, friends, neighbors and have some good cheer! That is the beauty of the holiday season. Take a break from the problems swirling all around us and let the holiday joy offer hope as we celebrate with loved ones and move ahead to a new year.

Unfortunately COVID concerns continue to darken celebratory spirits. We still need to be careful and concerned. Now is not the time to be complacent. We will one day move past this pandemic, move away from subsidizing the rich and powerful, and move away from labeling those seeking a better life as socialist and communist.

I will leave my fellow Islanders with a Yuletide blessing: “May we all be filled with joy, love and harmony as we welcome the Yuletide spirit, allowing it to shine within and all around us throughout the year and to guide us in making life just better here.”

www.WMGAZETTE.com • 12.23.2021

December 23, 2021 • Volume 8 • Issue 25

Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com Associate Publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com

So, this Christmas, my letter to Santa simply asks for one thing, to make my Christmas wish come true, and that is a return to our democratic values.

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GAZETTE Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

By Sal Torre I don’t want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I need to make my wish come true, and that is a return to democracy here in our great United States. Unfortunately we continue to move further and further down the road toward an oligarchy of the rich and powerful, leaving behind remnants of our democracy.

Republicans on the state level are gerrymandering voting districts to keep their old guard safely in power, while they disenfranchise millions of voters. Corporations are busy pumping millions of dollars into keeping their enormous wealth shielded from paying a fair share of the tax burden. Fear, lies, religion, and fake news keep millions of our fellow citizens blinded as our democracy fades further and further into the history books.

America has become a country where 1% of the population now controls more wealth then the remaining 90% of working Americans. This my friends in not a democracy but an oligarchy, controlled by a few powerful individuals and large corporations. Mock me if you want, deny the truth, live in a fantasy, but this is our new reality.

So, this Christmas, my letter to Santa simply asks for one thing, to make my Christmas wish come true, and that is a return to our democratic values. Those values are what made this country great and created a large middle class that prospered and provided a future for their children and a better life for all.

Present day robber barons such as Jeff Bezos, Jamie Dimon, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates sell themselves as great American success stories.

In reality, these individuals sap profits in the billions off the back of workers. To pay a worker a living wage of $15 per hour is a problem but don’t dare talk about a CEO’s compensation of $14,000 per hour. Blame those damn socialists, label progressives as communist, but keep the money, the tax breaks, the corporate subsidies rolling in for the rich and powerful.

We see the inequality right here in our Island City. Homeless individuals on park benches or camped out behind commercial businesses, panhandlers at every intersection, affordable housing crisis for working families, a public health system totally overburdened and underfunded. Our city is

THE

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DECEMBER 23, 2021

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

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COMMUNITY

WILTON MANORS

NEWS

OAKLAND PARK

Wilton Manors Receives Perfect ALDI Grocery Store Celebrates Score on Annual LGBT Equality List Grand Opening in Oakland Park

By Jason Parsley

By Christiana Lilly

For the eighth year in a row, Wilton Manors lands on top of the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index annual report.

“The City of Wilton Manors is proud to have received a perfect MEI score for 2021 — the 8th consecutive year of achieving a perfect score. Wilton Manors makes a great effort to ensure that our local laws, policies, and services are inclusive and supportive of our LGBTQ+ community that live and work here,” Vice Mayor of Wilton Manors Paul Rolli said. “I am so thankful that the Human Rights Campaign continues to recognize our leadership.”

Cities receive points based on their laws, policies, benefits and services. Some of the areas scored include “Law Enforcement” and “Municipal Services,” and “Leadership on LGBTQ Equality.”

This is the tenth annual municipal equality list HRC has compiled. Across the U.S. 110 cities earned perfect scores this year.

Chris Caputo, who was elected to the city commission in 2020, is proud of the designation.

“While we’re incredibly proud of the fact that the City of Wilton Manors has once again achieved a perfect score on the HRC Municipal Index, we’re hard at work ensuring that our City is doing absolutely everything possible to support our LGBTQ+ residents and businesses,” Caputo said.

Several major LGBT organizations call Wilton Manors home including the Pride Center at Equality Park, SunServe and Latinos Salud.

Overall 11 cities in Florida received perfect scores.

Those in South Florida include Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Oakland Park, West Palm Beach and Wellington.

Elsewhere in the state include Orlando, St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Tallahassee.

All of the ranked cities in South Florida improved their scores over last year, or their scores stayed the same.

Digging deeper into the report shows that even among cities that achieved a perfect score there are potential areas for improvement. Beyond the 100 points available, there are an additional 22 “flex” points that work like bonuses. So for instance cities that provide services to the transgender community receive two flex points. Only

There’s a new grocery store in town, and residents of Oakland Park can now shop at the new ALDI grocery store, which celebrated with a ribbon-cutting on Dec. 17.

Located in the former Lucky’s Market on Oakland Park Boulevard, it is the 19th store in Broward County.

“We’re always exploring opportunities in markets across the country. When it comes to choosing new store locations, we carefully consider several factors,” Chris Hewitt, Royal Palm Beach Division vice president for ALDI, said in an email statement. “Above all else, we look for convenient locations for our customers that can support a high traffic volume daily.”

ALDI, which is German-owned, has more than 2,000 stores in 36 states and is known for its affordable prices. Ninety percent of the products sold are ALDI brands, keeping costs down. The store sells everything from fresh produce and seafood to cereal and snacks.

The grocery store is a part of Oakland Park’s transformation. The old Kmart lot at Oakland

A couple walking through Wilton Manors. Photo credit: Brendon Lies.

Wilton Manors in South Florida earned that bonus. However Wilton Manors did not receive any flex points for providing services to LGBT people experiencing homelessness.

Caputo took note of this as well.

“The HRC Municipal Index offers 22 possible ‘flex’ points that help municipalities achieve the perfect score of 100 points,” he said. “We earned 18 out of 22 possible flex points, so our focus now is reviewing opportunities to ensure we’re doing everything we can to truly live up to the vision we hold for our city as a municipal leader in the LGBTQ+ movement.”

The other category where Wilton Manors did not receive additional points was for not providing “Single-Occupancy All-Gender Facilities.”

More than 500 cities across the country were included in the report this year. Twentyonecities in Florida were included.

“I am so proud to represent the residents of such a diverse and inclusive city,” said Wilton Manors Commissioner Mike Bracchi. “Wilton Manors was awarded a perfect 100 score and 18 bonus points for our highest ever raw score in the history of our ranking in the MEI.”

This is the tenth annual municipal equality list HRC has compiled. Across the U.S. 110 cities earned perfect scores this year.

www.WMGAZETTE.com 3 •

Photo via ALDI Corporate’s website.

Park Boulevard and Sixth Avenue is on its way to becoming a residential space with a Sprouts Farmers Market grocery store, which is expected to open in the next month.

The city is also using bond funds to renovate and rebuild municipal buildings, including fire stations, the community center, library and more. The city has been hosting public meetings with the community for feedback on the future of Oakland Park’s downtown district.

NEWS

WILTON MANORS

Sun Sentinel Endorses Young Queer Candidate For House District 94

By John McDonald Elijah Manley picked up a key endorsement in the special election for Florida House District 94.

The Sun Sentinel tapped Manley to fill the vacancy in the legislative district that covers parts of Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park and Wilton Manors. The newspaper said the 22-year-old offers a “fresh face and a more well-rounded grasp of the issues.”

“He has grown both as a person and as a candidate,” wrote the Sun Sentinel’s editorial board.

This is Manley’s third attempt at public office and second campaign for the District 94 seat.

He finished second to outgoing Representative Bobby DuBose in the 2020 Democratic primary.

Manley said having the recommendation of Fort Lauderdale’s daily newspaper of record means a lot.

“It’s one of the most coveted endorsements in politics,” Manley said, adding it came as a surprise.

“I didn’t think I’d get it,” Manley added.

In making his case to the Sun Sentinel, Manley said, “I am not beholden to lobbyists

DECEMBER 23, 2021

Elijah Manley. Photo via Facebook.

and special interests, and that gives me the ability to evaluate issues and make decisions on behalf of our district.”

The election is Jan. 11 and vote-by-mail is already underway. Manley is one of four candidates competing. All are Democrats but voting is open to anyone registered in the District regardless of party affiliation.

If Manley wins it would be quite a comeback for the young queer candidate of color who has risen from homelessness and extreme poverty to lead a new generation of community activists in deep blue Broward County.

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COMMUNITY

WILTON MANORS

Manors Commission Tackles Paid Parental Leave, New Garbage Contract and Defunding Police Debate

By John McDonald

Wilton Manors is proceeding with a bold policy to offer employees up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

Commissioners approved the policy during the unfinished business portion of Dec. 14’s commission meeting. Employees will be provided with 12 weeks of paid leave following the birth or placement of a child.

“I think this is an opportunity where we could really lead where our federal and state policies have not,” said Commissioner Mike Bracchi. “We learned from the pandemic that cities are really the front lines to helping people and I think this is a great benefit.”

Employees must have at least one year of service to be eligible for the new policy and agree to work 12 weeks after the leave expires. Presently, if an employee gives birth, adopts a child or participates in a foster home program, the employee is eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Other notes from the Dec. 14 meeting include: Ron Falk and Claudia Castillo announced the winners of the third annual Justin Flippen Manatee Contest. The activity, dedicated to the memory of the late mayor, is for students at Wilton Manors Elementary School and Somerset Academy. This year’s contest received 602 entries and raised more than $10,000. The winning manatee cutouts are on display at Castillo’s art gallery on Wilton Drive.

The commission finalized amendments to the unified land development regulations.

Community Development Services Director Roberta Moore said the changes set height limits for planned unit development at five stories, not to exceed 60 feet.

A proposal to extend its contract with Waste Management passed on first reading.

Rates under the contract’s new terms will increase 3.6%, said City Manager Leigh

Ann Henderson. Recycling pick-up will consolidate into one day, on Wednesdays, city-wide. Weekend garbage collection will be eliminated, allowing for drivers to have weekends off. Under the new contract, the total residential monthly rate for solid waste and recycling is $22.77 per unit.

Wicked Manors 2021 was a financial success, said Roger Roa, Pride Center Development director. Roa said his organization was very happy with the results from the Halloween-themedstreet festival and noted the event recruited a new sponsor, El Dorado Furniture, which previously had never sponsored an LGBT event in its 24-year history. The Pride Center and city split $5,268.20 in parking revenue from the event. Overall, Wicked Manors produced $179,862.60 in total revenue. Roa said nine organizations will share the $12,823.68 collected for entry fees. The Pride Center paid Wilton Manors $28,719.74 to host the event.

Commissioners approved the adoption of a pilot program for resident parking. For a $60 annual fee, residents are given parking privileges in any city lot after 6 p.m.

The pilot program generated $2,350 with 47 permits sold.

During public comments, two people complained about the city’s lawsuit against the state of Florida regarding H.B. 1, dubbed the “anti-riot” law. Wilton Manors joined with several other South Florida municipalities to oppose the law, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in April.

“Why would our city join up with cities like Lauderhill, Miramar and Tallahassee to name a few to fight Gov. Ron DeSantis who wants to prevent them from defunding the police budget?” asked Julian Isaacs, a 36-year

Employees must have at least one year of service to be eligible for the new policy and agree to work 12 weeks after the leave expires.

Inside Wilton Manors City Hall. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

resident of Wilton Manors. “That’s a very good thing. The governor is trying to prevent them from making law enforcement in the state of Florida weaker!”

City Attorney Kerry Ezrol said there are two technical reasons for the city joining in the lawsuit. The first reason is a technical violation of the single subject rule under the Florida Constitution and the second reason is a technical violation of the Florida Constitution Separation of Powers.

“Fundamentally, the biggest concern expressed by the city commission is the intrusion of the governor into the home rule authority of the city commission when it comes to budgeting overall,” Ezrol said. “The city has not removed any funding from the police department. There has not been any discussion that I’m aware of as far as the prior

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year’s budget to remove funding from the police department or otherwise reduce the level of service for this community.”

Isaacs’ son, Jamian, accused Vice Mayor Paul Rolli of plotting with “ill-intentioned, radical left-wing interest groups” to challenge DeSantis. Isaacs said he was “shocked and disgusted” by the commission’s actions, especially considering Mayor Scott Newton has two sons who are law enforcement officers.

“You should know better,” Jamian chided Newton from the podium.

“None one of us has said a word about defunding the police,” Newton said after hearing the father and son out.

The meeting lasted one hour and eight minutes. The next regular commission meeting is Jan. 11.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

WILTON MANORS

Help Us Find the OUT NOW! Next BIG THING! Those of you who keep an eye on city commission business know that the Wilton Manors City Commission approved an update to the city’s strategic plan earlier this year.

There are six equally critical goals in the plan, and one of them is economic development.

What exactly does economic development mean to us? It’s how we make Wilton Manors a place where retailers, developers and other businesses want to relocate, and where existing businesses want to stay.

As a city commissioner, I want to do everything in my power to encourage economic growth and thoughtful redevelopment. With the leadership of the city commission and the consensus of our residents, comprehensive zoning and land use changes have just been adopted to help foster strategic redevelopment and attract much needed private investment along many of our major commercial corridors. I am very grateful for everyone who took the time to participate to make that process a successful one.

While the city has had success with the revitalization of Wilton Drive as a premier entertainment destination, I must acknowledge that we still have a lot of work to do together in our other commercial districts, i.e., along the avenue. Most of the retail in the city is clustered in one district and it is largely occupied by one industry sector. For our city to remain regionally competitive and economically diverse, we have to strengthen our other major commercial corridors and position ourselves as a best-in-class business and tourist destination.

With the support of a grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the city has embarked on a strategic process to help define the unique character and identity of each of its districts and develop a marketing and branding strategy to foster private investment and business attraction.

The project will focus on conducting a market assessment and land use analysis, gathering input from community stakeholders, analyzing industry sectors, identifying potential development opportunities, and recommending strategies to drive economic activity on Andrews Avenue, Dixie Highway, Oakland Park Boulevard, Wilton Drive, and 26th Street. Remember, it’s not just about identifying what businesses we’d like to see, but what businesses would want to be where

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Wilton Drive. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

Vol. 10

Issue 5

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EVERYTHIN G FROM RE DECORATIN G TO Begins on

we would like to see them!

Last week, I met with the consultants from Redevelopment Management Associates (RMA) to share my thoughts on how we can develop a strong and reliable identity for each commercial corridor. I shared many of the ideas and concerns residents and businesses have shared with me. More of your input is absolutely needed.

The city will be hosting a project kickoff meeting on January 18, 2022 at 7 p.m. at Hagen Park to provide update on the project, gather your input, and answer your questions.

I encourage everyone to come out and provide feedback as we envision our Island City for the next decades. This is an important chance to be heard, so I urge you to be there, and to invite a friend.

If you are unable to attend, I encourage you to share your ideas, questions and concerns with me via email at ccaputo@wiltonmanors. com or by emailing Kim Allonce, our city’s Economic Development Manager at kallonce@wiltonmanors.com.

— Chris Caputo

WILTON MANORS CITY COMMISSIONER

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HOUSE FL IPPING

LGBT REAL ESTATE HOUSE-FLIPPING, REDECORATING, AND MORE

LOOK FOR IT IN A RED SFGN BOX NEAR YOU

DECEMBER 23, 2021

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COMMUNITY

WILTON MANORS

Taller & Greener Wilton Manors Mayor Lays Out Vision For A New Term

By John Hayden

Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton still has 11 months left on his current term, but is asking voters to give him two additional years. He announced his reelection campaign on Facebook, saying the city is making great strides and wants to continue helping lead the way.

Now he is talking with SFGN about what he hopes to accomplish with a new term.

His priorities include improving the water, growing the city, and making it easier to build eco-friendly “green” buildings.

DRINK UP Many in the city complain about the water.

Newton says Wilton Manors tests the water at more than a dozen sites every week. He says the water is safe, and the issue is more on aesthetics.

“I get it. There’s a difference between drinkable and ‘lookable’ and ‘smellable.’ It’s tough to tell residents that yellow water is easy to drink. It’s fine when you put it in a cup, you don’t see it much. But you put it in a bathtub and it changes color.”

Newton says he wants to work with the city of Fort Lauderdale to improve water quality, in addition to making Wilton’s sewer system interact better with surrounding cities. He says Wilton began implementing a masterplan for utility upgrades earlier this year.

A TALL ORDER

money for something to get done. So what we did is we took some of the criteria that they have, and they have to meet those to build the building. Now it doesn’t cost them [up to] $200,000 more just to have a little plaque on the wall.”

One exception to height limits is the city’s property at and around City Hall on Wilton Drive. He says a boutique hotel or other venture could go on, what some consider, the most prime, underdeveloped land in South Florida. He stressed that he doesn’t have all the answers but believes listening to everyone, something workable can be approved.

For now, that doesn’t include City Hall, which is less than 15 years old. But that could change, and Newton admits he’s never been a fan of the current location.

“I didn’t want City Hall to be where it is. I thought it was too much prime land to do that.

I’d like to see it on Dixie Highway where our Public Works Department is. There’s plenty of room there to put City Hall.”

Newton says he wants to work with the city of Fort Lauderdale to improve water quality, in addition to making Wilton’s sewer system interact better with surrounding cities.

Wilton Manors is famously known for only having low-rise buildings. The commission has changed zoning for parts of the city and increased residential density limits.

Caps on six-floor buildings can be extended to eight if they are certified as green. That is an expensive proposition, and can be cost prohibitive. Mayor Newton wants to lower that cost.

“I don’t like that people have to pay more

BRING DIXIE HIGHWAY INTO THE DRIVE’S PROSPERITY

He believes moving to City Hall would speed up development.

“I think that would draw more business on to Dixie Highway because more people would be going there. You’re expanding your downtown.”

The stretch just down from Five Points is already home to several small theaters and a burgeoning arts district.

Newton said he wants future developers to continue that trend.

“I’m hoping whoever comes in and buys some of that property that they incorporate those, because they are part of the culture of our city, the heartbeat of our city. Without that we lose some of our identity of who we really are.”

Of course, more businesses and taller buildings means more traffic, with many of Wilton’s main thoroughfares already only one

Scott Newton. Photo via Facebook.

lane in each direction. Newton said that’s part of the price of growth.

“Traffic’s everywhere. I get it on both sides.

It’s difficult down here. We’re not New York City where we have a bus going by every 30 seconds. If you want me to keep taxes as low as we can, that means there has to be growth.

It’s a balancing act. We’re not trying to be Fort Lauderdale and build 30-story buildings. The highest we’ll go is eight.”

ONE LAST RUN Whatever long-term solutions eventually happen, Mayor Newton won’t be in office when they’re completed.

“I’m running for reelection and then I’m going to pass that on to someone else.”

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He wants to use one more term to keep continuity on the city commission and position Wilton Manors for the future.

“I’ve helped bring our commission together and we’re all working together. I want to continue to make sure it’s easy for residents to understand what we’re doing and why we’re doing it. That will make the city of Wilton Manors a better place.”

The election is scheduled for November 8, 2022, with early voting running from Oct. 24 through Nov. 6. The election is more than 10 months away, but Newton says now just feels right to begin his final campaign.

“I think I’m doing a good job, and I’ve been hearing from constituents that think I’m doing a good job, so I decided to put my name out there for reelection. I enjoy helping people, I enjoy my city.”

THE WILTON BAZAAR

The Perfect Market to Support Small Businesses

By Kim Swan Interested in meeting people while supporting local small businesses? Then the Wilton Bazaar is the perfect market for you.

The Bazaar began Dec. 9 and will continue throughout the year every Thursday from 5-10 p.m. It features 20 booths selling jewelry, clothing, and pet products, according to Living in Oakland Park. It’s located in the City Hall parking lot at 2020 Wilton Drive.

The Bazaar offers a great opportunity to promote businesses and not-for-profit organizations such as animal rescues to “demonstrate their hard work and showcase the animals in need of loving homes.”

The event was created by James LaMorte, who has been in business for over 30 years.

He pitched the idea of running a weeknight market after moving to Wilton Manors, and thus the Wilton Bazaar was born.

THE

ISLANDER A WILTON MANORS NEWSLETTER

BONA CELEBRATES 5-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

WHY DID YOU START IT? It is important to be part of a community, especially one like Wilton Manors where people can feel safe to be who they are. It has always been in our DNA to give back, and it was natural for us to want to find a way to not just take from our patrons but to support the issues that are important to all of us.

HOW DID BONA SURVIVE COVID? IS BUSINESS BACK TO NORMAL? Thanks to a very supportive community and some federal funding we made it through the pandemic so far.

WHAT ARE SOME NON-PROFITS YOU’VE SUPPORTED? We have supported these and other organizations in the past 4 ½ years: Broward House, Equality Florida, Gay Men’s Chorus, and more.

WHAT ARE SOME MENU ITEMS SOMEONE ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE WHEN THEY EAT AT BONA?

FRIDAY FEAST OF SEVEN FISHES An Italian Christmas tradition, Casa Calabria is laying out the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. Enjoy seven homestyle Italian fishes served in the quaint family-style dining room, oceanfront balcony, or piano bar from 5-10 p.m.

SATURDAY GIRLS NIGHT OUT Ladies can have fun at Hamburger Mary’s Drag Queen Brunch from 7-10 p.m.

MANORS MARKET A weekly artisan/prepared food market located in the City Hall parking lot. Great local fresh bread, art and unique finds from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

By Kim Swan That’s a tough one, there are so many favorites our guests love, on top of the list is our Chicken Cyriac, which is blackened chicken over pasta with garlic cream and fresh toasted almonds on top.

THURSDAY WELCOME TO PARADISE Come fly with Pam Ann as she takes you back to a time when flying meant style, class and glamor at Hunters from 7:30-9 p.m.

SUNDAY

Check out our interview with Glen Weinzimer of Bona Italian Restaurant WHAT IS GIVE BACK MONDAYS? Give Back Mondays is a charity night at Bona Italian Restaurant and Aperitivo Lounge. We give back 10% of all dine-in and take-out dinners to different not for profits.

CALENDAR

ON THE HORIZON DEC. 30: WILTON BAZAAR A weekly night market in the heart of Wilton Manors every Thursday from 5-10 p.m.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD? Both Glen & Mark produce the SMART Ride a 2-day, 165-mile bicycle ride from Miami to Key West that raises funds to assist AIDS Service Organizations to meet their needs of helping those infected, affected or at risk for HIV/AIDS. This event is unique because of its 100% guarantee that all funds raised by the participants of the SMART Ride go to the ASO’s.

Tell us about upcoming events we should know about!

Glen Weinzimer. Photo via Facebook.

THE NEWSLETTER YOU NEED NEED. WILTON MANORS NEWS... RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX. From events to local announcements, fun facts and so much more, the Islander is everything you need to wake up ready for a beautiful day in the Island City.

visit sfgn.com/islanderwm to sign up!

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DECEMBER 23, 2021

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NEWS

OAKLAND PARK

OPINION

WILTON MANORS

Brief Ruminations About An Omicron Christmas

By Norm Kent

Oakland Park. Photo via the City of Oakland Park, Facebook.

Finally! Oakland Park Scores 100 on Annual Equality Index

By Jason Parsley

Photo via Pixabay.

After years of just missing the mark and our intentional mission of inclusivity of coming oh so close, Oakland Park finally all people and more particularly, for this got a 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s recognition, our families and friends of the LGBTQ+ community,” Carn said. “Oakland Municipal Equality Index annual report.

Park champions equality “Oakland Park embraces and continually seeks to be and celebrates the rich a more welcoming city to diversity of its staff, its everyone who lives here, citizenry and its visitors works here, and plays here.” from far and near,” said Next door Wilton Manors Mayor Michael E. Carn. received a perfect score as In 2017 the city received well — for the eighth year in a 99, then the following two a row. years a 97. Last year they Cities receive points just missed the mark again based on their laws, policies, with a 99. benefits and services. Some “While we are quite of the areas scored include proud of the rise in the score “Law Enforcement” and to a 99, we will continue to “Municipal Services,” and find every way possible to “Leadership on LGBTQ receive a perfect score of Equality.”

100 by next year,” Oakland This is the tenth annual Park City Commissioner municipal equality list HRC Matthew Sparks said last Mayor of Oakland Park has compiled. More than year.

500 cities across the country Well it appears the city found the way forward as Sparks said they were included in the report this year with 110 receiving perfect scores. Twenty-onecities would.

“We are extremely proud that the Human in Florida were included with 11 receiving Rights Campaign Foundation recognized perfect scores.

“Oakland Park embraces and celebrates the rich diversity of its staff, its citizenry and its visitors from far and near.”

- Michael E. Carn

One column a week is normally enough for me right now, but I am adding a second prophylactic one. Pay attention.

I saw dozens of people unmasked and drinking gathered at the Gym Bar for a party at Sunday afternoon during brunch.

We cannot do this anymore.

For what it’s worth, 12 hours earlier, there were no emergency room beds available at Holy Cross Hospital and no monoclonal antibodies available due to the spread of the Omicron virus.

Not the most comforting way to deal with a medical emergency.

I am in and out of cancer centers and medical offices daily. The professionals there are deeply alarmed. Science has not yet synthesized and statistically computed the breadth of this ever-so-transmissible spread.

Omicron is spreading like wildfire in a dry

www.WMGAZETTE.com 30

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8 •

DECEMBER 23, 2021

forest. Unvaccinated and immunologically compromised gay people must take precautions now to prevent getting sick tomorrow.

I saw the Alibi has canceled its holiday party.

So should you impose safeguards on your holiday gatherings. Beware of the storm by ensuring for your own safety.

My sympathies to the Gay Men’s Chorus, having had to cancel Sunday’s Hard Rock Concert. They do so much for so many. Please do what you can to help by supporting them financially any way you can.

A day will come when we are past all this. Maya Angelou once wrote, “There is no storm that does not run out of rain.”

Become Dorothy. It does not take much to be a dreamer. All you do is close your eyes, and make a wish for a better tomorrow. But wear a mask.

I saw the Alibi has canceled its holiday party.

So should you impose safeguards on your holiday gatherings.

CONVICTIONS

EDITORIAL CARTOON

By Mike Luckovich

Keep your eyes on

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31

PA L M B E A C H

news

COMPASS COMMEMORATES

WORLD AIDS DAY Deon C. Jefferson ON DEC. 1, THE ENTIRE COUNTRY COMMEMORATED WORLD AIDS DAY BUT PALM BEACH COUNTY’S OFFICIAL CELEBRATION WAS DEC. 8 AT COMPASS. COMPASS, THE LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE PALM BEACHES, DISPLAYED ITS ANNUAL AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT EXHIBIT TO RECOGNIZE WORLD AIDS DAY. COMPASS MADE EACH MEMBER OF THE PACKED ROOM FEEL SPECIAL. STAFF WAS NOT ONLY ON HAND AS USHERS AND GREETERS, THEY PROVIDED EACH GUEST OF THE PACKED ROOM A SMALL AIDS PIN AS A KEEPSAKE. DYLAN BROOKS SERVED AS THE OFFICIAL MASTER OF CEREMONY. BROOKS IS THE DIRECTOR OF HIV PREVENTION AND EDUCATION FOR THE ORGANIZATION. LAKE WORTH BEACH MAYOR BETTY RESCH READ THE PROCLAMATION FOR THE SOLEMN OCCASION. As an organization, Compass has a reputation for being pillars in the community. Their actual mission is to “engage, empower and enrich the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer [LGBTQ] people and those impacted

by HIV and AIDS.” This was evident in the history-making announcement made by Julie Seaver, the CEO of Compass.

“One of the traditions we have missed these last few years is enjoying a performance from The Voices of Pride,” said Seaver. “Before we moved to this location in 2009, Voices of Pride was already woven deeply into the fabric of the LGBT community and the Compass family. So, today, I’m honored to announce that in accordance with Paul’s wishes, the dedication of Compass’s first ever scholarship fund, The Paul Reekie Scholarship for Music and Theater.”

Photo credit: Deon C. Jefferson.

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• 12.23.2021

Reekie was the accompanist for the Voices of Pride for several years. He passed away in October 2020. His death was caused by an accident at his home in Boca Raton. Compass also dedicated a white grand piano to Reekie’s memory.

After the dedication, Voices of Pride uplifted the crowd with a few selections. They performed “I Love a Piano ‘’ by Irving Berlin, “I Dream A World” by Andre J. Thomas with words by Langston Hughes, and the “‘60s Chic Medley,” which was arranged by Jay Althouse. The medley included songs like “Johnny Angel,” “It’s My Party,” and “I Only Wanna Be With You.” A goal has been set to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. A number of agencies across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced this plan in 2019. Compass called on Chris Lacharite, the HIV program director of the Long-Term

Photo credit: Deon C. Jefferson.

Survivors Network to discuss how we can Church of the Palm Beaches gave the do our part. Crister Moynahan from Rebel benediction right before guests were Recovery spoke to the crowd as well. guided to the ballroom to view the quilts.

Moynahan discussed what his organization Guests were encouraged to walk around to is doing to help end the epidemic by 2030; view the quilts while holding their candles. he also gave words of encouragement and Soft music played as guests used this time talked about the beauty in getting tested. for reflection.

“We have to make sure we are doing it “The quilt is a powerful visual reminder intentionally, we have to do it by continuing of the AIDS pandemic and remains the to have conversations, we have largest ongoing community to do it by showing our time folk art project in the world,” BEFORE THE and dedication to each other the official AIDS Memorial CEREMONY and to other organizations Quilt website read. “More ENDED, like Compass and Rebel than 50,000 individual 3-byCOMPASS STAFF Recovery who are doing the 6-foot memorial panels — TOOK TURNS work on the front lines,” said commemorating more than Moynahan, who serves as the 105,000 individual lives of READING THE CSPS director of Community people who have passed away NAMES OF Services. “We have to make from AIDS — have been sewn THOSE WHO people feel that it’s OK to get HAVE DIED FROM together by friends, lovers tested. To demonstrate the and family members and AIDS-RELATED type of relief you can gain have transformed into one of COMPLICATIONS. America’s national treasures.” from getting tested, and also knowing that if you do find According to a report from out a positive result, you can immediately unaids.org, 37.7 million [30.2 million–45.1 start the process for getting connected to million] people globally were living with services.”

HIV in 2020. Furthermore, 1.5 million [1.0 Before the ceremony ended, Compass million–2.0 million] people became newly staff took turns reading the names of infected with HIV in 2020. Compass is those who have died from AIDS-related doing all it can to help end the epidemic. complications. This part of the ceremony Each year, they host programs and events is always treated with care. Reverend that educate the community and raise Marie Alford-Harkey from the Metropolitan money for Aids through SMART Ride.

FEATURE PETS

T I N Y G I R L, B I G N A M E!

DOUBLE STUFF

Can I be the queen of your castle? My name is Double Stuff (ID 647694) and it might imply that I’m a big girl, but I only weigh 8 pounds…I do enjoy treats though. I like to play with toys and will use a scratcher if you give me one.

If you’re looking for someone to hang out on couch and watch Netflix with – I’m your gal. The only thing is...I need to be the only kitty in the home, otherwise I like to chase after other felines. Thanks to cat lover Cindy L. my adoption fee is sponsored, I just need someone to give me a chance.

Could it be you?

Appointments are not necessary to visit the Humane Society of Broward County, however, please complete the preadoption application on the website www.humanebroward.com prior to stopping by if you would like to meet a pet.

The shelter is located at 2070 Griffin Road, a block west of I95 and opens daily at 11 AM. If you have questions call 954-989-3977 ext. 6. Can’t adopt, but want to help? The Humane Society has wish lists on Amazon and Chewy.

ALL STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, AND CUSTOMERS SHOULD WEAR A MASK TO ENTER THE SHELTER.

SOCIAL MEDIA

NEWSLETTER

Join us in celebrating 12 years of illuminating the lives and loves of our LGBT community

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33

Jesse’s Journal

CONVICTIONS

MY OWN GAY HISTORY

GLORY DAYS

Jesse Monteagudo

O

n LGBTQ History Month, we remember and celebrate those of us who lived our truths at a time when to do so was a dangerous thing. As one who has been out for almost 50 years, and who is thankfully alive to tell his story, I have been fortunate to add my own gay history to our community’s record. In addition to my own writings, I was interviewed by several historians (mostly regarding Miami-Dade County’s “gay rights” campaign of 1977) and was recently featured in a LGBT history exhibit at the History Miami Museum. So, when it came time for me to contribute an article for this year’s LGBT History Month, I decided that this would be a good time to write about myself.

Though I was sexually attracted to other men from an early age, I did not come out as a gay man until 1973, when I was 20 and living in Miami. It was a rough time to be queer, AS ONE WHO and there were several choices that I HAS BEEN OUT Jesse Monteagudo during his youth. Courtesy photo. could have made. I could have stayed FOR ALMOST 50 firmly in the closet, only coming out for YEARS, AND WHO furtive sexual encounters. I could have bed. Not having a car, I cruised gay venues near my Cuban men, who experienced antigay oppression at the married a woman, fathered children, parents’ Little Havana home: the Warehouse VIII hands of Fidel Castro’s minions as well as from Florida’s IS THANKFULLY and kept my desire for men deep in on Calle Ocho; the Second Landing on Le Jeune equally homophobic leaders. This was still the age of gay bar ALIVE TO TELL HIS the back burner. Or I could have left Road; the Nook in Coral Gables; or Bachelor’s Two and bath raids, like the one that temporarily closed the Club STORY, I HAVE Florida altogether and moved to a more in Coral Way. Sometimes I found my way to Miami Miami in 1975.

BEEN FORTUNATE accepting locale, like New York City or Beach, Fort Lauderdale, or a cruisy woodsy area As in traditional Latinx cultures, gay Cuban couples were San Francisco. Instead, I decided to in Virginia Key. I would enter a bar, buy a beer, often made up of “masculine” tops (“bugarrones”) and TO ADD MY OWN stay in Miami and to be as openly gay and nurse it for hours while I worked my magic. “feminine” bottoms (“maricones” or “locas”). In Miami as in GAY HISTORY TO as I could be under the circumstances.

If bars failed me there was always the Club Miami Cuba, effeminate locas were more obvious and more visible OUR COMMUNITY’S When I finally moved (1978) I only got as Baths on Coral Way, where something was always than other queers and were often the only ones that most far as the next (Broward) county, where going on. Sometimes I did not have to enter a bar Miamians were aware of. On the other hand, more masculine RECORD. I still live today. to meet a trick; more than once I was picked up on men-loving men, like the men who picked me up on 27th Though Miami in 1973 seems 27th Avenue by “straight” Cubanos in search of a bi- Avenue, were convinced that they were straight, even when oppressive by today’s standards, I thought it was a good place curious experience. Since most of us lived with our parents, they were having sex with another man, if they were tops. to live. Like other Cuban boys of that age, I worked, went to my tricks and I often make do with the back seat of a car or a Though I am a bottom, I never considered myself to be school, spent time with my family and did my best to lead Calle Ocho motel that rented by the hour. feminine or effeminate, though I tried to respect those who a social life. The one thing that made my life different from Queer Cubans in 1970s Miami lived mostly in the closet, were or are. others was the fact that I was gay; and my social consisted which is why it was so difficult to organize them politically.

My glory days as part of Miami’s queer Cuban community of various attempts to get laid. It was not as easy as going But their social and sexual lives were hardly oppressive or only lasted for a few years. After 1976 I found a partner, on Grindr. For one thing, like most single Cuban boys (and depressive. In addition to Miami’s many gay bars (more than became an activist, and moved on to other things. Still, this girls) who grew up in the seventies, I still lived with my there are today) and other cruisy spots, there were private was an interesting period of my life, and part of my own small often-disapproving parents. I also lacked a car at that time, homes where we socialized. I learned much from older, gay contribution to South Florida’s LGBTQ history. which meant that I needed my friends’ vehicles, public transportation or my own two feet to get around.

Despite all that, I had a great time. I was young, cute, Cuban and an eager bottom. Tricks were ready to come by, Jesse Monteagudo is a freelance writer and journalist. He has been an active member of South Florida's whether they be boys my own age; older men delighted by LGBT community for more than four decades and has served in various community organizations. the fact that I had a mind as well as a body; or tourists whose visits to Miami was not complete without taking a Cuban to

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COLUMN LETTERS TO THE EDITOR M

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The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida at the Sunshine Cathedral Dec. 17. Photo via Facebook.

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S O RI G I N A L

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GAY MEN’S CHORUS SHINES AT CATHEDRAL, BUT HAD TO CANCEL HARD ROCK

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-New December Diamonds Mermen! ALL in stock NOW -Largest Glass ornaments selection in state of Florida!

- LOTS of 2022 calendars in stock -More than 20 Golden Girls items SFGMC shone bright as the sun (and the full moon) at Sunshine Cathedral Dec. 17.

What an enormous disappointment that their performance at Hard Rock with 1,000 tickets sold (Dec. 19) was canceled last minute due to COVID safety precautions.

As a career university choral director, fortunate enough to have heard the Friday concert, I was delighted at the quality sound of the enthusiastic ensemble. The artistic team of new music director Gabe Salazar, assistant conductor Anthony Cabrera and principal accompanist Eddie Neimann admirably raised the caliber of the chorus to a new level in a very short time.

A few more bass voices could be added to underpin the beautiful floating well-tuned tenors, but overall the performance was highly musical, expressive and very well-paced. The new team and leadership have a lot to be proud of, and future audiences have a lot to look forward to. (Or… “for which to look forward” if ending a sentence with a preposition is still verboten!)

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A LITTLE BIT OF FAITH AND

PRIDE

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

SEE MORE ONLINE AT SFGN.COM/TABLE/NEWS/RELIGION 12 . 23. 20 21 •

35

DOUBLE TROUBLE

LIFESTYLE FOOD

Photos courtesy of Rick Karlin.

Rick Karlin

O

ne of the joys, and pitfalls, of being a restaurant reviewer is that everyone has an opinion about places that you should review. I often take these suggestions and file them in my brain for future consideration. This week I will cover two places recommended by friends. The first is courtesy of my friend Al Miller, and the second was a place my friend Herb Parker wanted me to try. Herb suggested his place right before the pandemic hit, and we planned to go as soon as we could, but unfortunately, Herb passed away before things reopened, so this review is in his memory.

NAUTI DAWG MARINA CAFÉ

2841 Marina Circle, Lighthouse Point 954-941-0246 nautidawg.com Nauti Dawg, recommended by Al, is not easy to find; you head east off Federal and follow a winding road through Lighthouse Point until you hit the Marina and there it is, right on the water. Boaters can sail right up to the dock.

There’s nothing special about the décor; it’s your typical casual, waterfront dining spot, but the food and friendly service make it outstanding. And judging by the number of diners who appeared to be regulars, it’s like “Cheers” on the ocean.

Nauti Dawg serves meals all day. The lunch menu is mostly burgers, sandwiches, and salads, with a few platters thrown in for good measure; the dinner menu offers a few more entrées. Both menus feature an extensive list of appetizers ranging from Bavarian pretzels to calamari, chicken wings, and what now seem ubiquitous, fried Brussels sprouts. There are also usually a couple of soups available.

On the night of our visit, it was an especially delightful seafood chowder. Thick and rich, brimming with tons of seafood, all it needed was a little pepper to bring it to life.

Looking at the dinner menu, I was struck by the disparity in prices. While most of the

THERE’S MORE ONLINE! 36

• 12.23.2021

menu is quite reasonably priced (burgers and sandwiches are in the $10-$18 range and include a healthy portion of a choice of sides) the entrées were about double that price and the lobster roll was $36, a bit expensive for a casual dining spot. We opted for burgers and were pleasantly surprised to discover that Wednesdays were “Men’s Night,” which meant burgers were $5 off. I ordered the black and blue burger and my hubby the veggie burger. My burger arrived cooked perfectly to order and my side choice, onion rings, was crispy and made from real onion slices. My husband’s fries were perfectly prepared, as was his burger. However, when our bill came his burger was full price. We were informed afterward that the discount didn’t apply to the veggie burger. The way they offer the discount is their prerogative, of course, but don’t state all burgers are $5 off if not ALL burgers are reduced in price. That was my only complaint though. Our server was delightful and seemed to know every customer who walked by.

There are only two dessert offerings and while we should have declined, Key lime parfait sounded too good to pass up. The serving was way more than the two of us could split and we ended up taking half of it home.

KRAKATOA INDONESIAN CUISINE 1910 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 754-221-0914 krakatoacuisine.com

To thank Al for his recommendation of Nauti Dawg, I invited him and his friend Tim to join us in our next culinary adventure, Indonesian food! Just as Vietnamese cuisine is a blend of French and Asian influences, Indonesian takes Asian fare and gives it a Dutch spin, but with a much spicier back note.

For those looking for a comparison, Thai food would come the closest.

One visit to the cozy Pop & Pop dining establishment and you’ll be planning a trip back before you even get back to your car.

Veggie burger at Nauti Dawg Marina Café.

A range of dishes at Krakatoa.

The tiny storefront features a friendly, helpful staff, and beautifully prepared exotic food, in a tiny storefront that makes you feel as if you are going home for dinner. (Although if my mother cooked this well, I would never have left home.)

Abdul Saleh, the genius in the kitchen, cooks all of his favorite dishes from growing up in Indonesia, while his husband John Anthony runs the front of the house. We began our meal with Bala-Bala, crispy vegetable (onion, celery, corn, and cabbage) fritters served drizzled with Indonesian soy sauce and chili sauce. The order easily served four of us as an appetizer or could make a light meal. And the sauce! I want bottles of it in my pantry.

I opted for Mie Seafood, a judiciously seasoned (I ordered medium heat) mix of seafood and sautéed vegetables with fresh Indonesian-style noodles. It reminded me a bit of fideua, the noodle paella dish. My vegetarian husband was thrilled with the number of choices available and thoroughly

HUNGRY FOR MORE? 

enjoyed his Rendang with sautéed tofu and mushrooms simmered in our spicy sauce. It was served with a side of Indonesian fried rice.

Al was quite pleased with his selection, Opor Sapi, which he ordered medium, although judging by the sweat on his brow, mild might have been a better choice. Nonetheless, he finished the bowl of shredded beef and potatoes simmered with turmeric, galangal, coriander, lemongrass, and coconut milk. Tim tried one of the house specialties; Singang, a favorite from the owner’s childhood. Sautéed shrimp and cod were bathed in a mouthwatering broth of tamarind, turmeric, basil, and candlenut.

Krakatoa isn’t cheap — most of the entrées are in the $25-$30 range — but the food is of exceptional quality and the experience so charming that it is worth every penny. There are some desserts offered, including something that looks like a potted plant, but I doubt you’ll have room after such a filling meal. There is an extensive wine and beer list.

VISIT SFGN.COM/FOOD!

Rick Karlin is SFGN’s food editor.

Visit SFGN.com/Food to read his previous reviews. Have a culinary tip to share? Email Rick at RickKarlinFL@gmail.com.

NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS PASS LAW TO PROTECT SAME-SEX MARRIAGES Visit SFGN.com to find out more.

LIFESTYLE READING WITH PRIDE

‘THE CHARM OFFENSIVE’ Aurora Dominguez

A

lison Cochrun is a high school English teacher living outside of Portland, Oregon. When she’s not reading and writing queer love stories, you can find her torturing teenagers with Shakespeare, crafting perfect travel itineraries, hatewatching reality dating shows, and searching for the best happy hour nachos. “The Charm Offensive” is her first novel.

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR MOST RECENT NOVEL? I’ve been in a love-hate relationship with reality dating shows for a long time, but those shows never focus on any people who look like me, think like me, or love like me. Both queerness and mental health are virtually non-existent in these heteronormative (and often exploitative) shows. “The Charm Offensive” came out of the question: what would happen if someone like me did go on a reality dating show like “The Bachelor”? From there, the main character Charlie Winshaw was born, and his story is about him finding himself in the unusual situation of being the star of a reality dating show.

WHAT DOES “READING WITH PRIDE” MEAN TO YOU? As someone who came out as a lesbian at 33 after a long struggle to understand my sexual identity, Reading with Pride is about the sense of pride I feel in getting to see my story and stories like mine reflected in genres I love, such as romance. Reading with Pride is about the validation, empathy, and empowerment I experience in reading queer stories, and the pride I derive from getting to share my specific story with readers through fiction.

WHY DO YOU FEEL REPRESENTATION OF A VARIETY OF PEOPLE IS SO IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO WRITING BOOKS AND CHARACTERS? As much as possible, I wanted to write a book that accurately reflects the world we live in, especially because reality television in particular has glaring issues with inclusivity and positive, diverse representation. As a lesbian who is on the asexual spectrum, it was also important to me to try to represent the vast diversity within the LGBTQIA+ community. I wanted to see the intersections of my complex sexual identity reflected alongside my experiences with mental health and mental illness, and I wanted to write

a story where readers could potentially see themselves reflected, too.

WHICH CHARACTER DID YOU RELATE TO THE MOST AND WHY? I think every character has little nuggets of me infused into them, but the main character, Charlie, is the one I most based off of myself and my own experiences, so he’s definitely the character I relate to most. Writing his character was both extremely cathartic and terrifyingly vulnerable.

WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT FROM YOUR BOOK? Fans of romcoms can expect a lot of rom and a lot of com. Hopefully, you’ll laugh a little, swoon a little, maybe cry a little... “The Charm Offensive” has behind-the-scene reality television antics, mutual pining, a forbidden relationship, forced proximity, funny side characters, and lots of angst. But it’s also a book about queer identity, self-love, and living with anxiety and depression.

While it has the guaranteed happily-ever-after, it also has some heavier moments.

WHAT’S UP NEXT FOR YOU IN THE BOOKISH WORLD? My second novel, “Kiss Her Once for Me,” is a sapphic holiday romantic comedy set in Portland, Oregon, and it comes out fall of 2022!

It’s about a chaotic, bisexual artist in the midst of a quarter-life crisis who agrees to a fakerelationship with her boss over Christmas, only to end up falling in love with his sister. Think: Hallmark Christmas movie, but make it super queer.

12 . 23. 20 21 •

37

LIFESTYLE TWO GUYS AND A DOG

ALLOWING FOR IMPERFECTIONS Brian McNaught

“A

re you going out with that spot on your shorts?” I asked myself.

“Yes, it’s okay. I no longer need to look perfect,” I

replied.

Ray and I used to notice that our parents, and other older people, often had food stains on their clothing.

“They must not see the spots,” we guessed.

Now that I’m their age, I have the answer to my question.

They saw the spots, but changing clothes took too much effort, and besides, “So what?”

When the first copy of my new book, “On Being Gay and Gray,” arrived, I immediately spotted thin perpendicular lines along the left margin of the pages, particularly those that had information on my previous books and DVDs. Years ago, I would have panicked and said, “Stop the presses!” but I decided I could live with the imperfections.

Ray had worked for hours downloading the manuscript onto Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing. Each time he did so, we’d see that the spacing of pages was wrong.

He finally got the spacing right, but the lines appeared. Not wanting to ask him to keep at YOUNGER PEOPLE it, I decided it was fine. You have to know that MAY HAVE COME this is new thinking on my part, and I like it.

It’s a good thing that I like it because we TO THE SAME had a handyman string light in the trees in CONCLUSION our courtyard this morning, but when they DURING COVID, were illuminated tonight, they were a different color of white than what was already in the BUT I THINK THE Does the tree need to be perfect to be beautiful? Photo via Pixabay. yard. Do we order new lights and have the trees WISDOM OF restrung, or do we accept that it’s okay to have LETTING GO OF two shades of white lights in the courtyard? relaxed and focused on being present.

For Ray and me, it was the spiritual path, as well as aging, Might it even be better with the mix?

We all remember our teenage years and the that helped us let go of the desire and need for everything THE STANDARD COVID containment had a silver lining pressure we felt to hide pimples. Clearasil was to be picture perfect. The Tao Te Ching, especially helped OF PERFECTION for me. We used to do a lot of entertaining, kept in large supply. Bad haircuts that revealed us ease away from our preoccupation with things always COMES WITH AGE. including game nights, dinner parties, and cowlicks made some of us painfully self- being flawless. The Tao says nothing about wearing a shirt or overnight guests. For years, I always took pride conscious until the hair grew back. Wearing shorts with spots on them, but it does warn against seeking in having everything look and feel perfect, as if braces on our teeth was mortifying. “Hey, tin the approval of others, because doing so makes you their our guests were in a five-star restaurant or guest house. That grin.” Our clothes had to be in style. Ralphie wasn’t the only prisoner for life. ended with COVID and I realized how much more relaxed I one who hated wearing something Aunt Martha sent for The best life, I have found, is that to which I am fully was not worrying constantly about what needed to be done.

Christmas. No garish sweaters, please. present. To be so means that my mind isn’t preoccupied with Ray and I are very tidy, but I can live with things not being The self-consciousness of imperfections lasted much the need for perfection. So, if you see me wearing a shirt or perfect. When we started entertaining again, I could feel of my life, and the pressure to look right, and live right pair of shorts that have a spot on it, don’t assume I can’t see myself tighten up with the pressure to have things be just so. was exhausting. Working for one’s idea of perfection can the spot. Trust that I no longer give it the importance it once We talked about it, and decided that we didn’t want to live be obsessive and compulsive. It creates standards that had. with that stress. If we we’re going to have friends visit, it had are beyond the reach of most people. It also generates In Japanese culture, the word wabi-sabi celebrates that to be okay that not every leaf got picked up outside, and not fewer reciprocal invitations, as some people feel they can’t beauty is really imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. every picture frame had to be dusting. We do our best, and compete.

Like nature, we’re all perfect in our imperfections. then let go.

Younger people may have come to the same conclusion during COVID, but I think the wisdom of letting go of the standard of perfection comes with age. Accumulating Brian McNaught has been a leading educator on LGBTQ issues globally since 1974. He has made his experiences allows us the perspective of comparison. Ray and many books and DVDs available for free at Brian-McNaught.com. The New York Times named him “The I have had picture-perfect parties, the memories of which are Godfather of gay diversity training.” Brian has a weekly YouTube/FaceBook podcast called, “Are You pleasant, but the most savored memories are those when we

Happy Without the Movie?”

38

• 12.23.2021

I’m so appreciative that there is a LGBTQ Jewish community nearby, where I can meet nice people from here and other countries and cultures, all delightful and interesting. I’ve made some dear, dear friends. We have wonderful members and supporters, and the wider community is warm and inviting. This has been a good place for me and it could be good for you too!

CHECK WEBSITES AND FACEBOOK PAGES FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION REGARDING IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE OF SERVICES, AS WELL AS VIRTUAL VIEWING OPTIONS. Shabbat services every Friday night at 8pm Only Online Dec. 24 & 31

Congregation Etz Chaim

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

SPIRITUALITY Join us for masked, socially distanced in person worship.

11 AM Sundays. Services also LIVE-streamed on Facebook and posted on website for safe at home viewing.

“Love without judgement”

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Holy Angels National Catholic Church

LISTINGS CONGREGATION ETZ CHAIM 2038 N. Dixie Hwy (Pride Center Building B), Wilton Manors 954-564-9232 - etzchaimflorida.org RabbiNoahKitty@etzchaimflorida.org Friday Night Shabbat Service 8p.m.

HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY 1436 NE 26th St Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-633-2987 - HolyAngelsFL.net Sunday Mass at 11AM

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1436 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors. 33305 Facebook.com/HolyAngelsFL www.HolyAngelsFL.org

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In Person Worship Resumes Join us for live services

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A&E NEWS

OMICRON UPENDS RESTART TO SOUTH FLORIDA ARTS SEASON J.W. Arnold

J

ust as a sense of normalcy had returned to the local performing arts community, the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida was forced to cancel their holiday concert at the Hard Rock Live due to concerns about the rapidly spreading COVID-19 Omicron variant.

According to Executive Director Mark Kent, the chorus had performed the first concert of the weekend on Friday, Dec. 17 to a sold-out audience at the Sunshine Cathedral, but received notice that several members of the chorus had received positive COVID-19 test results on Sunday morning.

All were reportedly fully vaccinated and asymptomatic.

The Sunday performance featuring Deborah Cox was canceled at approximately 1 p.m., just hours before doors were set to open at the Hollywood venue located in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. More than 1,300 tickets had been sold.

“The guys in the chorus have a tremendous commitment to the community and a tremendous commitment to each other,” Kent explained, noting that the Jingle Ball concert at Florida Live Arena on Dec. 19 was also canceled. “We all have to err on the side of caution. We can’t let the virus spread any more than it has, as tough of a decision as it was.”

While the decision left audiences and the musicians themselves disappointed, chorus officials are just now calculating the resulting costs since the holiday concert is one of biggest sources of revenue for the nonprofit organization.

“We keep pushing forward because we’re an organization with a mission. If we let setbacks like this deter us from what we are doing, we run the risk of withering or folding up,” Kent added. “Our plan is to look at protocols between now and the return to rehearsals.”

Other arts organizations responded to the news with a mix of caution and confidence.

As local arts venues began to reopen, most already enacted fairly strict masking requirements for audiences and testing schedules for performers.

The arrival of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant and rising breakthrough

40

• 12.23.2021

cases affecting fully vaccinated people has led to concern.

Months before the latest wave, local performing arts centers, including the Arsht Center in Miami and the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale, went to electronic ticketing and required temperature checks and proof of a negative COVID test, or alternative proof of vaccination, to enter their facilities.

The Arsht Center provided a statement to SFGN expressing its commitment to the scientifically driven protocols already in place, but added, “Any changes to entry policy or performance schedule will be sent directly to ticket holders and updated regularly” at the center’s website.

Jacqueline Lorber, president of the South Florida Symphony, noted the orchestra follows similar protocols adopted by the Broward Center and at its main concert venue, The Parker in Fort Lauderdale. More than 1,200 people attended the symphony’s performance of Handel’s “Messiah” on Dec. 1.

She praised the level of caution exercised by the Broward Center and the venues the center manages: “Excellent protocols are in place and those are the things to have in place for everyone to be comfortable. It’s the most that you can do, plus we’re masked,” referring to masks worn by audiences and the musicians during rehearsals and performances.

Theater producer Ronnie Larsen was one of the first to resume live performances following the March 2020 shutdown, offering plays, readings and cabaret performances at The Foundry in Wilton Manors since July 2020.

His comedy, “Sauna,” which has played in two runs over the past several months has been the highest grossing show ever. He tests his cast, and when they receive positive results, they are replaced, but he has no intentions of making immediate changes with

The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida played to a sold-out audience at the Sunshine Cathedral on Friday, Dec. 17, but were forced to cancel a Dec. 19 concert at the Hard Rock Live due to concerns about COVID-19.

Credit: Facebook.

the rise of Omicron.

“We’re not going to shut down,” he said. “It really feels in my heart that this is a time for a segment of us to put our foot down and say we’re going forward. It’s also time for all those people who haven’t been vaccinated to get their [expletive] shots!”

At Island City Stage next door, Managing Director Martin Childers agreed, “This is something we’re going to have to live with. It’s not going away.”

His company’s next production, “Armature,” doesn’t open until Jan. 27, and he said that current safety protocols are likely to remain unchanged. Childers did point out that when the rare patron arrives and refuses to wear a mask at a performance, other audience members were quick to call them out.

While temporary and longer-term closings have become commonplace on Broadway — even though audiences are mandated to present proof of vaccination and performers

are tested regularly — local companies have more flexibility. The state of Florida also prohibits all businesses from requiring vaccination; those that do are subject to expensive fines.

Several local organizations are watching Actors Equity, the professional actors’ union, which demands strict COVID practices, training and presence of an onsite COVID officer in houses where their members appear.

While Broadway producers are pledging to stay open, if the union refuses, that could affect not only Broadway, but also some local companies using Equity actors and upcoming touring shows at the performing arts centers.

“We’ll just have to wait and see what happens with omicron now,” said one South Florida producer who asked to comment anonymously. “We’ve been taking all sorts of precautions, but until everyone is vaccinated, I’m afraid we’re never going to get ahead of COVID.”

A&E THEATER

NINA WEST TAKES ON ICONIC DRAG ROLE

Andrew Levitt (Nina West) stars as Edna Turnblad in the touring company of “Hairspray,” coming to the Arsht Center Dec. 28 – Jan. 2. Credit: Marc J. Franklin.

J.W. Arnold

“R

uPaul’s Drag Race” fan favorite Nina West (aka Andrew Levitt) proved she was up to the challenge on the popular VH1 reality series and now she’s taken on one of the most iconic drag roles in theater: Edna Turnblad in the touring company of “Hairspray.”

“Edna has been done by some serious titans. We start with Divine in the film and then Harvey Fierstein … John Travolta even,” Levitt said from a tour stop in Orange, Texas.

“My Edna is an Edna for this time period, right now. She’s a little more subtle and sensitive and connected and grounded. I’m just bringing myself to the role.”

For the two or three LGBT people who have never seen the 1988 John Waters campy comedy or the subsequent 2002 musical and its 2007 film adaptation, “Hairspray” is

the story of Tracy Turnblad and a group of teens in early-1960s Baltimore who fight for racial integration on an afternoon television dance program and later across the city. The unforgettable role of Tracy’s mother, Edna, was created by Divine, a drag queen who performed in several of Waters’ films.

“I think Edna is the most commercial role Divine ever did and she never really got to see the success,” said Levitt. “She died right after the premiere in 1988 and never went to experience the joy.”

As “Drag Race” fans already know, Levitt is an accomplished performer who excelled in the show’s “acting” challenges. The move to the stage was natural for the genial, Columbus, Ohio-based star.

“My background is theater and I definitely relied on the skills I learned,” he explained,

“but Nina has informed the work I brought to the table. Drag is a lot of improv and spontaneity, while with ‘Hairspray’ I have to stick to the book, but still channel the energy of the audience.”

Audiences have approved as the company has crossed the country, performing eight shows a week. Levitt is looking forward to arriving in sunny Miami just in time for the New Year’s holiday. He doesn’t really have any specific plans other than exploring the city during the daytime, although with a show on Dec. 31, Levitt knows he “will kiss Wilbur on New Year’s Eve.” Like so many performers who were literally stuck at home when the pandemic hit, Levitt

took advantage of the time to complete all sorts of creative projects, including a film script, a children’s show and some original songs. He also collaborated with Dolly Parton on the “Kindness is Queen” campaign to support the singer’s Imagination Library, a book-gifting program to promote literacy.

So, what’s next for Nina West?

Levitt answered, “This was one of those things I’d always dreamt of and now that it’s happened, I hope ‘Hairspray’ goes back to Broadway. I’d love to be a part of that production and tackle that dream next. I’m ready to show the world I have the chops to do it all, the non-traditional triple threat: act, sing, write … in drag.”

“Hairspray” will be performed at the Arsht Center in Miami, Dec. 28 – Jan. 2.

Tickets start at $35 at ArshtCenter.org.

12 . 23. 20 21 •

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A&E FILM

HOLIDAY MOVIES WITH A

QUEER TWIST David-Elijah Nahmod

I

f anything proves how mainstream the LGBT community has become, it’s the advent of queer-themed made-forTV holiday movies.

Last year Lifetime offered “The Christmas Setup,” a wholesome rom-com about Kate (Fran Drescher) a well-meaning mom who tries to set up her son Hugo with Patrick, a family friend who just so happens to have been Hugo’s secret high school crush. Hugo and Patrick were played by real-life gay married couple Ben Lewis and Blake Lee. These incredibly attractive guys find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other, only there’s one problem. Hugo has been offered a big promotion at his job. He wants the promotion, which would necessitate his moving to London, but he also wants to be with Patrick. What are the guys to do?

This good-natured if the fluff-filled film was not unlike other romantic comedies seen on Lifetime, known as the network for women (as in housewives). “The Christmas Setup” was well-received by audiences and critics alike (it can still be streamed on Amazon Prime) and ensured that more gay holiday movies would follow. Here are a few of this year’s offerings.

“Single All The Way.” Credit: Netflix.

“SINGLE ALL THE WAY” (NETFLIX)

Michael Urie, recently seen in the acclaimed “Swan Song,” is absolutely adorable in this simple but sweet rom-com. Urie stars as Peter, a 30ish, perennial single gay man in Los Angeles who’s not all that enamored with his life. When he goes home to New Hampshire for Christmas, Peter convinces his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) to accompany him and pretend that they’re now in a relationship.

Peter’s family are a loving bunch who yearn to see him settled down. When his mom (Kathy Najimy) sets Peter up on a blind date with the rugged, uber-handsome James (Luke MacFarlane), things get a little complicated.

One of the most delightful aspects of this film is the fact that all three gay characters are played by actors who identify as LGBT in real life, and all are out. The other delicious aspect of the film is the casting. Najimy of course is a

42

• 12.23.2021

well-known character actress, beloved for her role in the now-classic Hocus Pocus.

She’s also a staunch community ally. Peter’s dad is played by Barry Bostwick, better known as Brad in the legendary “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” And comedian Jennifer Coolidge, who can always be counted upon to bring in some laughs, steals a few scenes as Peter’s Aunt Sandy, who directs the local Christmas pageant in New Hampshire.

All three gay actors are easy on the eyes. Urie and Chambers have great chemistry together, it’s obvious from their first scene that they belong together. The film is as wholesome as anything produced for the Hallmark Channel, which is why it works.

Netflix broke new ground with “Single All the Way.” Chambers is a Black actor making his feature debut. His race is never mentioned in the film, he simply is who he is, Peter’s best friend turned soulmate. When Peter and Nick finally kiss, they really look like they’re in love.

“Christmas At The Ranch.” Credit: Tello Films.

“CHRISTMAS AT THE RANCH” (TELLO FILMS)

The very network that this film is seen on is a groundbreaker. Tello Films is a streaming service dedicated to telling stories for queer women. It’s an idea whose time has come.

Like “Single All the Way,” “Christmas at the Ranch” is a sweet and wholesome film, a movie that lesbian couples can watch with their kids.

The film’s story is simple. High-powered San Francisco techie Haley (Laur Allen) is called home to the ranch where she grew up because the ranch, which has been in the family for many years, is in serious financial trouble and may have to be sold.

Once there, she finds herself drawn to ranch hand Kate (Amanda Righetti), a woman she once had a disastrous blind date with. The film’s screenplay poses two questions: can the ranch be saved, and will Haley and Kate find their way to each other?

As in the earlier film, both leads are easy on the eyes and look great together. The film gets an added boost from co-star Lindsay Wagner (“The Bionic Woman”) who plays “Mee-Maw,” Haley’s grandmother. Wagner has kept a low profile of late, so it’s nice to see her working again.

The film won’t appeal to anyone looking for an edgy, groundbreaking film, but if a family film with lesbian leads sounds exciting to you, then “Christmas at the Ranch” may be what you’ve been waiting for.

“The Bitch Who Stole Christmas” (VH1) Christmas is a real drag in this movie from gay filmmakers Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey, the men behind “Drag Race.” RuPaul herself co-stars along with drag superstars Ginger Minj, Pandora Boxx, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Jaymes Mansfield, Chad Michaels, and Rock M. Sakura. Ru’s gal pal Michelle Visage, along with Queer Eye’s Carson Kressley are also on hand.

The story follows a workaholic big city fashion journalist who is sent to a Christmasobsessed small town to dig up a story. There she finds herself in the middle of cut-throat housewives, a high stakes “Winter Ball” competition, and a sinister plot that could destroy Christmas forever!

“There are 1,000 Christmas movies this year, but only one with drag queens!

Christmas will never be the same!” says Barbato.

“The Bitch Who Stole Christmas” is airing on VH1.

“Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas.”

Credit: Peacock.

“DAYS OF OUR LIVES: A VERY SALEM CHRISTMAS” (PEACOCK)

Chandler Massey, who plays one-half of gay super couple Sonny and Will on the longrunning soap “Days of Our Lives,” co-stars in this one-off Christmas movie made especially for “Days” fans. Zachary Atticus Tinker will appear as Massey’s husband. The film will follow long-running “Days” character Will (Massey) as he writes a screenplay before his Christmas Eve deadline. Using a variety of feel-good holiday tropes, he creates a Christmas story based on his family and friends in the town of Salem which promises to offer several twists and turns.

“Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas” began streaming Dec. 16 on Peacock.

Happy holidays!

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