4/26/17 V8i17

local name global coverage April 26, 2017 vol. 8 // issue 17

s o u t h

f l o r i d a

Focus

g a y

on THE

n e w s

HATE

Despite criticism, fort lauderdale Mayor still welcomes Daly

page 14

Florida Senator Resigns over slur used towards Colleagues Page 4

SouthFloridaGayNews

Film Festival Announces New Name, Wraps Up 19th Season Page 26, 42

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NEWS highlight

SouthFloridaGayNews.com

April 26, 2017 • Volume 8 • Issue 17

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Publisher • Norm Kent Norm.Kent@sfgn.com

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Editorial

LGBT Organizations Are Mobilizing Tucker Berardi to Keep Gay Chechens Safe

L

ast month GayRussia.ru, a gay rights group in Moscow applied for permits to hold rallies in the Muslim-majority North Caucasus region, all of which were denied. As Novaya Gazeta, a Russian investigative newspaper reported, this marked a spike in anti-gay tensions and the disappearance of gay teenagers and adults.

Chechnya has a conservative majorityMuslim society that regards any expression of sexuality other than straight as sinful — with LGBT targeting common in the region.

“In Chechnya, the command was given for a ‘prophylactic sweep,’ and it went as far as real murders,” the newspaper reported.

Chechen authorities addressed the reports. Alvi Karimov, a spokesman for Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, publicly disputed the story according to the Boston Globe, stating, “You cannot arrest or repress people who just don’t exist in the republic.”

“If such people existed in Chechnya, law enforcement would not have to worry about them, as their own relatives would have sent them to where they could never return,” Karimov continued.

Despite the dismissal by the Chechen administration, Novaya Gazeta reported

the arrest and detainment of over 100 gay users with news reports of the progressing men in the country. situation.

“The situation in Chechnya is part of a “Grindr for Equality is gravely concerned global pattern of ongoing state-enabled or about the atrocities occurring in Russia state-sanctioned violence against LGBTQ and is devoted to raising awareness of people,” Kimahli Powell, executive director the danger Chechen LGBTQ people find of human rights organization Rainbow themselves in,” jack Harrison-Quintana, Road said Thursday.

Director of Grindr for Equality said in a Rainbow Road is one of press release. “We are dedicated a growing number of LGBT “The situation to opposing anti-LGBT violence groups who are working to across the globe and urge our in Chechnya help protect and evacuate users to support the cause in is part of a gay men in Chechnya.

Chechnya today.” global pattern “Since we first received Other human rights groups of ongoing initial reports of gay have also acted against the state-enabled concentration camps being violations against gay men in or stateestablished in Chechnya, Chechnya. GLAAD called on Rainbow Road immediately U.S. ambassador to the United sanctioned re-classified Eastern Europe Nations to investigate and violence as a priority region,” Powell condemn the violence against against LGBTQ told NewNowNext. “This gay men, and the Russian LGBT people.” means we’re expanding our Network has made efforts to on-the-ground contacts contact the victims and has - Kimahli Powell Rainbow Road as well as increasing our established a hotline to provide capacity to identify and emergency support. assess new or alternative safe routes out of Russian efforts are underway to enforce Chechnya.” protections for the targeted gay men in BER Grindr has begun helpingM E Mgay men in Chechnya. Anyone can help by donating Chechnya by using the app’s location to the efforts and signing a petition that services to update users who may be in opposes the treatment of these victims. danger. They have also provided Chechen MEMBER

Art Director • Brendon Lies Artwork@sfgn.com Designer • Charles Pratt Associate Editor • Jillian Melero JillianMelero@gmail.com Digital Content Director • Brittany Ferrendi Webmaster@sfgn.com Arts/Entertainment Editor • JW Arnold JW@prdconline.com News Editor • John McDonald John.McDonald@sfgn.com Social Media Manager • Tucker Berardi TBerardi2014@fau.edu Food/Travel Editor • Rick Karlin Gazette News Editor • Michael d'Oliveira HIV Editor • Sean McShee Senior Photographer • J.R. Davis JRDavis12000@hotmail.com

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Cover: Despite pleas from local LGBT activists, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler is forging ahead with plans to attend an evangelical prayer breakfast this week.

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

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4.26.2017 •

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NEWS miami-dade

NEWS local

Miami Transwoman Gunned Down On Street Corner

John McDonald

A

transgender woman was shot and killed Friday night in Miami and her killer remains on the loose.

Detectives are combing Miami’s West Little River neighborhood for clues as to who perpetrated the murder of 28-year-old Chayviss “Chay” Darice Reed. WPLG Local 10 News reports Reed was gunned down near the intersection of Northwest 27th Avenue and Northwest 93rd Street.

“The Homicide Bureau has advised that at this time there is no evidence to indicate that this was a hate crime,” said Det. Jennifer Capote of the MiamiDade Police Department. “The investigation is still open and they are still searching for witnesses who may have witnessed the incident.”

Reed’s death, the Human Rights Campaign reports, marks the ninth transgender woman murdered in the U.S. this year.

The hashtag #SayHerName is circulating on social media with a march planned on Opa-Locka Blvd April 28 organized by Florida International University’s Students for a Democratic Society.

WPLG reports Reed grew up in Carol City and Opa-locka and graduated from American Senior High School in Hialeah. Friends describe Reed as a free spirit who liked to dance and went by the nickname “Juicy.”

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Chay Darice Reed.

Facebook.

In a Facebook posting, Students for a Democratic Society is demanding justice for what the group says is another hate crime against trans women of color.

“We are calling for an independent civilian review board of her murder and for all hate crimes, as police departments have failed to act on the interests of our community. For the state of Florida to finally recognize Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the state civil rights code. To protect sex workers from violence and state repression by decriminalizing the field and allowing for unionization of sex workers, in addition to plans for a night patrol to protect Trans women and sex workers. We will push these changes all the way from city council to the state level,” declares SDS. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.

Frank Artiles. Photo: CNN.

Florida Senator Resigns After Calling Colleagues ‘Niggas’ John McDonald

F

rank Artiles resigned his Florida Senate seat Friday morning, unable to recover from a flurry of insensitive remarks directed at fellow lawmakers and lobbyists.

“It is clear to me my recent actions and words that I spoke fell far short of what I expect for myself, and for this I am very sorry,” Artiles wrote in his resignation letter.

“I apologize to my family and friends and I apologize to all of my fellow Senators and lawmakers. To the people of my district and all of Miami-Dade, I am sorry I have let you down and ask for your forgiveness.”

Artiles apologized Wednesday for derogatory comments about two colleagues but it was not enough. In his resignation letter, Artiles recognized his behavior had become too big a distraction from important matters of government.

“My actions and my presence in government is now a distraction to my colleagues, the legislative process, and the citizens of our great State,” Artiles wrote.

Artiles, a Miami Republican, reportedly referred to fellow Senators as “niggas” during a round of drinks at the Governor’s Club earlier this week in Tallahassee. He also called Senate President Joe Negron a “pussy,” sources say.

In a three minute statement inside the Senate chamber, Artiles attempted to correct course, offering “a heartfelt apology to my colleagues and to all of those I have offended.

My harsh words have adversely reflected more on me than they could ever on anyone else.”

A Cuban-American who has served in the U.S. Marine Corps, Artiles is no stranger to controversy. As a member of the Florida House, Artiles introduced the notorious “bathroom bill” targeting transgender people

and, in a separate incident, was accused of punching a man in the face at a Tallahassee bar.

Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando) was one of the first to call for Artiles’ resignation. Smith, Florida’s first LGBT Latino legislator, said Artiles also owes transgender Floridians an apology.

“After apologizing for his racist comments, he should apologize to the transgender community for his bigotry + transphobia,” Smith tweeted.

The Miami Herald reports Artiles called members of his own party “niggas” and then hurled inflammatory comments at Sen. Audrey Gibson, a Jacksonville Democrat.

Artiles reportedly called Gibson a “bitch” among other things.

The incident occurred at a private club steps away from the state capitol building in Tallahassee. SAVE, a South Florida human rights organization, sent out an email on Wednesday citing a St. Petersburg blog’s report that Artiles called two lobbyists “faggots” after leaving the club. Before his apology on Wednesday, Artiles was removed as chairman of the Senate’s communications, energy and public utilities committee.

Senator Perry Thurston (D-Plantation) said Artiles’ apology was “too little, too late.”

Speaking at a Florida Legislative Black Caucus press conference, Thurston said Artiles had failed to learn “the values of respect and dignity owed to members of which he serves.”

Artiles represented western parts of MiamiDade County in the Florida Senate. He is a licensed general contractor, public adjuster and military veteran who saw action in the 2003 Operation Iraqi Freedom campaign.

NEWS international Marine Le Pen. Photo: CNN.

French Election Tests Far-Right’s Reach

John McDonald

A

s the French election approaches, political observers see it as a test of just how far right-wing nationalists can reach across Europe.

Marine Le Pen, daughter of a far-right French politician, is one of two major candidates left in the campaign to lead the Republic of France. This week she stepped down as head of the head of France’s Front National party, yet she has signalled that the move is only temporary.

Her campaign has been supported by gay men, reports the BBC. “It is true that maybe her father was more reluctant, but a lot of people in the political party now are homosexual and she never says she finds it unnatural,” a gay Frenchman told the BBC. Le Pen’s father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, was expelled from the National Front party for extreme views on immigration, sexual orientation and the holocaust. Opponents of Marine Le Pen often tie her to her father’s beliefs.

Le Pen faces Emmanuel Macron, a pro-European Union liberal, in the final round of the French election scheduled to conclude May 7. A Macron victory “would show that liberal, pro-European centrists may yet have a future in European politics,” Charles Grant, a European reformist, told the Guardian news agency.

Macron, 39, is France’s former minister of economy, finance and industry. Ron Gunzburger, a Fort Lauderdale resident who has lived in France, says Macron is “the only hope for those who believe in a united, strong Europe that adheres to Western values.”

Gunzburger runs Politics1.com, an influential political blog and was a member of SFGN’s Out 50 group in 2015.

He said Macron must win to avoid Europe plunging into crisis.

“For Europe, for France, for the U.S – for those who believe in France’s spirit of liberté, égalité, fraternité - Macron needs to win,” Gunzburger said.

As of Monday, Macron had collected 8,528,248 votes for 23.9 percent compared to 7,658,854 votes for Le Pen (21.4 percent) 7,126,277 for Francois Fillon (19.9 percent), a republican and 7,011,590 for Jean-Luc Melenchon (19.6 percent), a left-wing environmentalist.

Even as Le Pen distances herself from the party, her showing is still seen as the strongest performance ever for France’s National Front party and continues a trend of nationalistic victories as seen in the United Kingdom with Brexit and the shock election of Donald J. Trump in the U.S. The gay couple interviewed by the BBC in Paris’ Marais district did not think a Le Pen victory would change the right of gays and lesbians to marry. Jonathan Oriole, who was a field organizer for the Hillary Clinton campaign in Miami, disagrees.

“These guys are seriously delusional if they believe LaPen won’t make good on her promise to repeal marriage equality.

They might not be on the first train, but they are definitely on the list. We have our own example here of someone who TOLD us exactly what he wanted to do and now some of his supporters are shocked that he’s doing what he said he would. Idiots,” Oriole posted on Facebook Thursday.

4.26.2017 •

5

YouTube’s Restricted Mode Unblocks Thousands of LGBTQ Vids (EDGE) YouTube’s Vice President of Product Management Johanna Wright said Friday, engineers had “fixed an issue” with Restricted Mode.

“After a thorough investigation, we started making several improvements to Restricted Mode,” he wrote.

“On the engineering side, we fixed an issue that was incorrectly filtering videos for this feature, and now 12 million additional videos of all types, including hundreds of thousands featuring LGBTQ+ content, are available in Restricted Mode.”

Last month, several LGBTQ YouTubers took issue with the company when they discovered their content was being censored on Restricted Mode,

national

P

rospects Dimming for LGBT Rights in Missouri This Session

(AP) It’s legal now in Missouri to fire someone or evict them from an apartment if they are gay, and efforts by some state lawmakers to outlaw such discrimination are dwindling as the session nears a close.

The Kansas City Star reported that the Missouri House Judiciary Committee debated adding sexual orientation and gender identity as protected statuses under the Missouri Human Rights Act. Two gay Kansas City Democrats, state Reps. Randy Dunn and Greg Razer, sponsored the legislation, called the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act. “Until we pass this legislation, I can still be fired from my job because I’m gay,” Razer said. “The two of us can go to a restaurant tonight here in Jefferson City and be forced to leave because we’re gay, and we would have no legal recourse.

We feel that in 2017 in the state of Missouri, that would be unacceptable.”

The only openly gay Republican in the Missouri General Assembly, Rep. Tom Hannegan from St. Charles, also testified in favor of the bill.

“We cannot continue as legislators that favor certain groups,” Hannegan said. “Everybody needs to be treated fairly. Discrimination is discrimination is discrimination.”

Opponents contend that adding sexual orientation and gender protections would infringe on the rights of certain religious groups.

which has to be manually turned on and is usually used for children. Google, which owns YouTube, says it uses “community flagging, age-restrictions, and other signals to identify and filter out potentially inappropriate content.”

Wright said YouTube spent the last few weeks “talking with creators and third-party organizations to better understand their experiences and questions…We want to clarify that Restricted Mode should not filter out content belonging to individuals or groups based on certain attributes like gender, gender identity, political viewpoints, race, religion or sexual orientation.”

H

HIV RC Gives Fellowships to 10 Young Nonprofit Leaders Working to End HIV

(HRC) The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the civil rights organization, announced the selection of ten outstanding, young leaders for the second year of its HIV 360° Fellowship Program. The program focuses on elevating the work of young people on the front lines of the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

This year’s fellows work tirelessly to combat both the stigma and spread of HIV across the country in communities hit hardest by HIV, including Black and Latino gay and bisexual men, transgender women of color, and LGBTQ people living in the U.S. South, they include: • Ashley Young of Little Rock for the Passion Project, an initiative designed to expand and enhance substance use disorder treatment, behavioral health, HIV & AIDS, and viral hepatitis services to high risk African-American women who have substance use or co-occurring substance use issues and mental health disorders.

• Charlie Ferrusi of New York City. He currently serves as a Contract Manager at the NYS Department of Health, AIDS Institute in the LGBT Health Services Unit.

• Damon Johnson of Atlanta. Damon currently serves as the Associate Director of Programs at NAESM, Inc., a community-based organization focused on the impact of HIV on communities of color in the South.

• Daniel Downer of Orlando. He currently works as an Early Intervention Specialist for the Hope and Help Center of Central Florida, Inc.

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• Daniel Szymczyk of New York City is a graduate of Appalachian State University and a rising, nonprofit professional. He is the founder and Executive Director of The HIV League, the nation’s only scholarship-granting organization for students living with HIV.

T

national

exas Gov. Abbott Vows to Sign Anti-LGBT Bathroom Bill

(AP) Texas - For months, Gov. Greg Abbott stayed silent and Texas’ bathroom bill languished in the Legislature amid mounting criticism from LGBT activists and business groups.

Now Abbott’s all-in, becoming the nation’s first governor to fully embrace the issue. That makes the prospects for Texas blocking its own cities and school districts from instituting transgender-friendly policies on public restrooms suddenly bright - even with barely five weeks left before the legislative session ends May 29.

Abbott promised to cooperate with state lawmakers to “get a bill to my desk that I will sign into law.”

The Senate weeks ago rushed to approve a bill mandating that transgender Texans use public bathrooms corresponding to their birth-certificate gender. But that seemed a tough sell in the House, where Speaker Joe Straus criticized it as bad for business and the governor’s previous failure to weigh in offered no cover for would-be supporters.

Abbott’s blessing only came after the House said it was setting aside the Senate bill and instead advancing one prohibiting policies seeking to protect transgender rights in public bathrooms without specifically addressing birthcertificate gender.

Hundreds of people, including chambers of commerce representatives, decried the House bill as discriminatory during a recent, all-night hearing. But it should nonetheless be approved by committee this week, clearing it for a House floor vote.

NEWS local

Diversity Honors Announces Honorees Brittany Ferrendi

T

his year’s third annual Diversity Honors just released their list of honorees.

The 2017 honorees include entertainer Tiffany Arieagus, Compass CEO Tony Plakas, community leader Ilene Berliner and more.

The event will take place May 6 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and will kick off Harvey Milk Day. “The Harvey Milk Foundation is excited to begin 2017 Harvey Milk Day events, which marks the 40th anniversary of Uncle Harvey’s historic election to public office, by co-hosting this important gala where we come together to honor men and women who remind us all that diversity is a strength, and diversity is a value that defines us not only as the South Florida community, but as a nation,” said Co-Founder of the Harvey Milk Foundation Stuart Milk.

Stuart Milk is the nephew of the late Harvey Milk, LGBT rights activist and the first openly gay official elected to San Francisco public office.

The gala will benefit the Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park. It will feature a cocktail reception, a threecourse dinner, a silent auction and an awards presentation by WSVN Evening News Anchor,

Craig Stevens. String quartet Well-Strung will headline.

“As co-hosts of this landmark event and local equality advocates, we are truly thankful for the support and efforts of our honorees who tirelessly raise awareness and hope for the LGBT community,” The Pride Center at Equality Park CEO Robert Boo said. “Every step toward making our world a more accepting and inclusive personal and professional environment is applauded. This is why we are unified in celebrating these incredible achievements and we invite the South Florida community to join us.”

The honorees for the Harvey Milk Foundation Awards are set to be announced “shortly.”

Tickets for the event are $200. For more information, visit DiversityHonors.com.

4.26.2017 •

7

NEWS national

Photo: Gavin Grimm. Credit: CNN.

NEWS miami-dade

Gavin Grimm, RuPaul Named on Time’s 100 Most Influential People

The Palace.

Photo: Facebook.

Brittany Ferrendi

T

his year’s 100 Most Influential People list

by Time includes Gavin Grimm, RuPaul and Sarah Paulson.

Gavin Grimm, 17-year-old transgender student, is among the Pioneers on the list.

Grimm filed a lawsuit against the Gloucester County School District for their bathroom policies. They forbid students from using bathrooms that don’t conform to their assigned gender at birth.

“Gavin’s refusal to be treated unjustly is an enduring reminder that we will not be stalled,” said Janet Mock on Time’s website.

Also on the list is RuPaul, host of RuPaul’s Drag Race. The show has just gone onto its ninth season and recently moved channels from Logo to VH1.

“Ru was different,” said Naomi Campbell.

“Not just because he had perfect, precise clothes and makeup, or because he was the only man I knew who could look that good in a wig and heels. There were no rough edges to be found. But as I got to know him better, I got to experience firsthand his wit and his intelligence — he’s like an ­encyclopedia. And his beauty is far beyond skin-deep.”

Actress Sarah Paulson is also on the list.

Paulson has had a diversity of roles, most notably through American Horror Story. She has been with her girlfriend Holland Taylor for two years.

“I was floored by her buoyancy, her irreverence, her left-field sense of humor and her devotion to her craft,” said Cate Blanchett.

“You enter a scene with Sarah and it’s game on.

She brings with her, in work as in life, the sense that anything is possible. Anything.”

Time editors choose the 100 based on which people have made a large impact on society in 2017.

“One way or another they each embody a breakthrough: they broke the rules, broke the record, broke the silence, broke the boundaries to reveal what we’re capable of,” said Editor-inChief Nancy Gibbs.

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“E

very Queen Needs A Palace” is the he will close but he estimated he may make slogan of The Palace, a 29-year- an announcement in May when he also old gay restaurant/bar on Ocean knows where his new location will be. \ Drive in Miami Beach that features daily drag “We’re trying to find a new location that shows. would fit The Palace over the next 20 years.

Now, The Palace needs a new place.

I’m trying to buy more time.”

On April 20, Thomas Donall, Female impersonator Jimmy who has owned The Palace for Wilson, who performs at The “It’s just a 10 years, announced on the Palace as Joanna James every gathering, restaurant’s Facebook page Wednesday, said the daily drag that he was looking for a new shows, held outside on the a melting location. In an interview with sidewalk, are a “spectacle” to corner for SFGN, Donall said he intends behold. anybody and to stay in Miami Beach and has “It’s a world famous place. everybody. three or four possible locations All my sisters work there. It’s on Ocean Drive. “Hopefully, a place that all the girls want There’s a something will come out of to work. It’s just a gathering, a little bit of those places. I’m working really melting corner for anybody and everything.” everybody. There’s a little bit of hard to find a good location for The Palace.” everything,” Wilson said. “Drag - Jimmy Wilson Before he was the owner, a.k.a. Joana James has sort of gone mainstream, Donall was a fan. “I bought it to because of RuPaul or whatever, Performer at The Palace save it for the gay community. It but people are attracted to the was one of my favorite places to spectacle of what’s going on, on come to. It’s been good [to own] but it’s been the sidewalk.” challenging.”

Wilson added that many people who Donall said he’s being forced out because end up watching a performance don’t even his current building will be under renovation intend to do so. “They usually stop dead in for a year. their tracks. They don’t know they’re going “I don’t want to be closed for a year.” to run into a drag show. That makes it unique He doesn’t have an exact date yet for when in every way.”

4.26.2017 •

9

LGBTQIA bites

L

Lesbian

Lesbian Methodist Bishop Faces Challenge to Her Election (AP) Karen Oliveto wept when she learned last year she had been elected a bishop of the United Methodist Church. Oliveto, is the denomination’s first openly gay bishop.

A formal complaint was filed challenging her election as contrary to the church ban on clergy who are “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” - a petition that the highest Methodist judicial authorities agreed to consider. On Tuesday, the court will take up the case.

“It highlights very greatly that we are two different churches and that the real difference is whether or not we’re going to live by the covenant that we each have agreed to,” said the Rev. Rob Renfroe, who leads Good News, a caucus of evangelical Methodists that has lobbied to uphold current teaching.

Oliveto, who is based in the Denver area, will attend the hearing in Newark, New Jersey, accompanied by fellow bishops from the church’s Western Jurisdiction, her wife, mother and childhood pastor. LGBT clergy

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Karen Oliveto

and their supporters plan to pray outside and wear T-shirts listing the first names only of gay clergy who would risk losing their ministerial credentials by coming out.

Prayer vigils are planned in the Methodist Mountain Sky Area region, which Oliveto leads, while others will join a prayer vigil online. The court, or Judicial Council, is expected to issue a ruling a few days later.

B

By Jillian Melero and Brittany Ferrendi

Bisexual

Actress Behind Barb from ‘Stranger Things’ Comes Out as Bisexual (SFGN) A new actress is hailing the pink, purple and blue flag.

Shannon Purser, the actress who plays Barb on Netflix original show “Stranger Things,” has come out as bisexual.

“I don’t normally do this, but I figure now is as good a time as any to get personal,” she began in a screenshot submitted to Twitter. “I’ve only just recently come out as bisexual to my family and friends. It’s something I am still processing and trying to understand and I don’t like talking about it too much. I’m very very new to the LGBT community.”

This confession followed she left a series of tweets encouraging fans to be patient in figuring out their sexual identities.

“Getting comfortable with your sexuality is a process. It’s going to be ok. I wish I’d known that sooner,” she wrote in one tweet. “Another thing I wish I’d known about sexuality is to take it slow. It can define you as much as you want it to,” she said in another.

Shannon Purser

Alexander Gustavo.

Purser told her fans that they are going to be OK, and that they will be great.

“All that to say, you’re not alone. You’re in my prayers and, if you’re the praying kind, please keep me in yours.”

LGBTQIA bites

T

continued Transgender

Victory Fund Endorses Danica Roem for State Legislator (SFGN) – Victory Fund, the national organization dedicated to electing LGBT candidates to public office, endorsed eight candidates in state and local races on Monday. Danica Roem, running for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates, received a spotlight endorsement, and would become the first state legislator to win as an openly transgender candidate if elected.

“We have a groundbreaking opportunity to make Danica Roem the first state legislator to win as an out trans candidate – and we are determined to help her to a primary victory this May,” said Aisha C. MoodieMills, President & CEO at Victory Fund.

“Currently there is zero trans representation in any state legislature, making it easy for extremist politicians to push forward the flood of anti-trans bills we’ve seen across the country. Representation is power, so a win for Danica is a critical first step to electing more trans people who can be a voice for the community and fight back against anti-equality efforts.”

Danica Roem

The other seven incumbents are:

candidates

and

Reginald Bledsoe, Newark School Board (NJ) Johnny Boucher, Grand Prairie Independent School District, Position 4 (TX) Joshua Carter, El Paso Community College Trustee, District 7 (TX) Omar Narvaez, Dallas City Council, District 6 (TX) Henry Sias, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge (PA) LaWana Mayfield, Charlotte City Council, District 3 (NC) Carol Becker, Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation (MN)

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NEWS national

Free Tampons Populate University Men’s Restrooms Brittany Ferrendi

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everal U.S. universities are implementing free menstrual products in their restrooms — male, female and gender neutral bathrooms alike.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison announced they will provide pads and tampons in three on-campus buildings, with their Red Gym building making the products available in the men’s restroom. The purpose is to provide help to transgender men or gender non-binary persons who menstruate.

“Menstrual products will be available in all of the bathrooms of the Red Gym so that they are available to any student who might need them,” spokesperson Steve Wagner told The College Fix. Student Representative Katrina Morrison told the campus publication The Badger Herald that purchasing menstrual products was a “deficit and an unnecessary burden” for students. “Having them be free and readily available in campus buildings is definitely a necessity,” she said.

The program resembles similar programs from the University of Michigan, University of Maryland and Brown University, which are developing and implementing free menstrual product systems on their campuses.

“We wanted to set a tone of transinclusivity and not forget that they’re

an important part of the population,” Brown University student president Viet Nguyen told NewsWeek. “I’d be naïve to say there won’t be push back. I’ve had questions about why we’re implementing this in male bathrooms as well. It’s an initial confusion, but people generally understand when we explain it.”

Other schools, like private liberal arts college Bowdoin College, are offering free tampons in men’s restrooms — with mixed results. According to student publication The Bowdoin Orient, someone defecated in one of the menstrual product trash receptacles in the men’s restroom.

In addition, many of the freely available tampons and pads had been thrown away unused, according to one of the school’s housekeepers.

Nevertheless, the school has received a “generally positive reception” for implementing free menstrual products.

“I think people would be lying if they said that seeing them in the men’s bathrooms didn’t make them initially curious,” one student told The Orient.

“But then I realized that it makes a good amount of sense just considering the fact that you don’t know who biologically is entering those bathrooms, versus who they identify as, so theoretically it could be useful to the people that also want to use those bathrooms.”

STILL MARCHING FOR

EQUALITY THE FIGHT CONTINUES

DOWNTOWN ELEVATED

While the LGBT community has seen many successes in the past decade, there are still many more milestones yet to come.

Follow history as it happens by reading your weekly copy of SFGN.

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305-302-0988 4.26.2017 •

13

NEWS local Mayor Jack Seiler during the 2016 State of the City Address.

Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Refuses to Bow Out Will Attend Breakfast With Anti-LGBT Speaker

John McDonald

D

espite pleas from local LGBT activists, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler is forging ahead with plans to attend an evangelical prayer breakfast this week.

The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by the National Christian Foundation of South Florida, is scheduled for Friday morning at the Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale.

Focus on the Family Chief Executive Officer Jim Daly is one of the event’s three featured speakers and his involvement

“My message is, has been, and will be one of kindness, compassion, inclusion, tolerance and respect.”

- Jack Seiler

Fort Lauderdale Mayor

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has LGBT activists crying foul.

“Focus on the Family actively advocates against marriage equality, LGBT couples adopting children, LGBT civil rights protections and more,” writes Broward County human rights activist Michael Rajner in a letter to Seiler. “They oppose the right for same sex married couples, such as my friends Ed and Pedro, Fort Lauderdale residents in Commissioner Romney Rogers’ district, to be in a committed, loving, marriage and who are raising two beautiful children.”

Per its website, Focus on the Family is celebrating 40 years of global Christian ministry. The Colorado based organization says it “provides resources and help for couples to build healthy marriages that reflect God’s design, and for parents to raise their children according to morals and values grounded in biblical principles.”

Daly is the author of a new book, “Marriage Done Right: One Man, One Woman.” Wilton Manors Commissioner Julie Carson, a lesbian, said Seiler should rescind Daly’s invitation to speak.

“Creating hate and ideas that cripple so many people is just not good for us,” Carson told ABC affiliate Local 10.

Seiler maintained he has no hand in organizing the prayer breakfast, entering its 55th year. The event having the Mayor’s name attached, however, is a validating signal, Carson said.

The Broward Democratic Party issued a statement last week calling Seiler’s decision to attend the breakfast a “disappointing development” that calls into question the mayor’s “beliefs and values.” Seiler, Fort Lauderdale Mayor since 2009, is rumored to be considering a statewide run for Attorney General.

In an email, Seiler said his involvement in the prayer breakfast is an honor that he looks forward to every year.

“As Mayor, I am an honorary host and speaker, and I have prayed with and spoke to this group for the past 8 years,” Seiler wrote. “My message is, has been, and will be one of kindness, compassion, inclusion, tolerance and respect. In the past, that message has been very well received at this Prayer Breakfast. In fact, over the years, this Prayer Breakfast has brought our community together, united individuals and houses of worship of different faiths, and had an incredibly positive impact on our City. Every year, it seems that a very diverse group leaves

the Prayer Breakfast motivated, excited, and energized to assist others and build community.”

For LGBT many activists, Daly’s placement on the prayer breakfast platform is a red flag. Terry Fleming, President of the Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus said “Pastor Daly has long been a purveyor of anti-LGBT activism, including promoting dangerous ‘conversion therapy,’ and called LGBT people a ‘threat to civilization.’”

“It’s sad that the Mayor just won’t admit how harmful it is to the gay community,” Rajner said.

Truth Wins Out, a non-profit organization that stands up to anti-LGBT prejudice, called Daly an extremist and is leading an effort for Seiler to rescind Daly’s invitation to speak.

“With all the good pastors who teach the lesson of ‘love thy neighbor,’ it is outrageous that Mayor Seiler has chosen an extremist to lead his prayer breakfast that preaches ‘loathe thy neighbor,’”said TWO Executive Director Wayne Besen.

Patrick Rogers is the senior pastor for United Church of Christ Fort Lauderdale.

Rogers is gay and his church is welcoming of all.

NEWS local “His explanation is not acceptable. His attendance at the MAYOR’s breakfast sends the clear message that he endorses the message of intolerance, exclusion and division.”

- Patrick Rogers Pastor

“Because of my sexual orientation, I had been a victim of prejudice and hate throughout my life,” Rogers said. “Sixteen years ago, I refused to live as a victim any longer. I now embrace my sexuality as a gift from God and a citizen of our country. I am an advocate for equality and respect for all people. Not only is that the foundation on which our country was built (my Dad served in the Navy and fought on the beach in Normandy) it is also the foundation of my Christian religion.”

Rogers said Seiler’s response to the prayer breakfast is empty political rhetoric.

“I don’t book the special soloists who sing at our church on Sunday morning but if a singer was booked is openly racist and runs an organization who promotes racism sang at our church and promoted racism, those in attendance would feel that our church endorses racism,” Rogers said. “His explanation is not acceptable. His attendance at the MAYOR’s breakfast sends the clear message that he endorses the message of intolerance, exclusion and division.”

Along with Daly’s distraction, the issue of separation of church and state has been raised. Chaz Adams, Fort Lauderdale public affairs manager, said the prayer breakfast is not a city event.

“No City tax dollars are expended toward the event nor are any City resources used in support of it,” Adams writes in an email. “The Mayor does not invite nor does he select any of the speakers. He serves in an honorary capacity and looks forward to offering remarks that focus on compassion, kindness, tolerance, respect and inclusion.”

Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Dean Trantalis told SFGN he’ll be there to hear it. Trantalis, an openly gay man, said he, like Seiler, is attending the prayer breakfast.

“This is our home,” Trantalis said.

“I’m going to hear what he (Daly) has to say. It’s amazing that in this day and age there are still people that espouse antigay hate and discrimination continues to rear its ugly head. We still have work cut out for us.”

Pastor Patrick Rogers, whose congregation is welcoming to all.

Photo Credit: United Church of Christ Fort Lauderdale, Facebook.

4.26.2017 •

15

A look back at Photo: Steven Shires.

OUT 50

NEWS local

JULIA LANDIS THE EXTREME COUPONER “If your passion is the community, then go and work in the community.

Never think that you don’t make a difference.”

Craig Jungwirth.

Photo Credit: Broward County Sheriff’s Office.

Man Who Threatened Wilton Manors Locks Self in Courthouse Bathroom Jason Parsley

See who else was featured this year!

Visit SFGN.com/2017Out50

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C

raig Jungwirth, the man who was courtroom, literally running out of the door,” accused of threatening Wilton Manors Cormican said. “I told the process server to with a Pulse-style attack, locked chase him and serve him.” himself in a bathroom in a Broward County Eventually Cormican found that Jungwirth courthouse on Thursday to avoid being had locked himself in a family bathroom. served with a lawsuit.

When it became clear Jungwirth wasn’t The lawyer who witnessed the scene going to come out on his own, Cormican unfold called it “bizarre,” saying he’d never asked for backup from the Broward Sheriff’s seen anything like it.

Office. Three armed deputies were sent to Bob Young, the former organizer of Beach intervene in the standoff.

Before anyone could Bear Weekend is attempting physically unlock, or break to sue Jungwirth to reclaim “When the down the door Jungwirth finally the rights to the event. Young judge said that, attempted to leave. At that time sold the rights to Jungwirth the process server tried to several years ago for $150, but Jungwirth serve Jungwirth who refused Jungwirth never paid. Now immediately to verbally acknowledge him.

Young wants it back.

There’s only one catch. turned around Finally Jungwirth wiggled his way through the deputies while Up until now Jungwirth has and fled the the process server threw the avoided being served the courtroom, lawsuit at him telling him he lawsuit, which is a requirement literally had been served. for a civil suit to proceed.

“I’ve never seen anything Jungwirth filed a motion running out of like it,” Cormican said. “It was to quash service. The judge the door.” bizarre.” denied the motion saying it - Russell Cormican Cormican is confident was premature since he hadn’t Lawyer Jungwirth has now been served. been served yet. At that time And if he re-files the motion Bob Young’s lawyer Russell Cormican asked if the judge would order to quash?

“No way in hell he will win that,” Jungwirth to stay in the courtroom so they could officially serve him at that time. The Cormican said. “I’m sure that will be enough judge said he didn’t know if he had the to constitute legal service of process and, unless Jungwirth files an answer to the suit authority to do that.

“When the judge said that, Jungwirth within 20 days, we will file a motion for immediately turned around and fled the default judgment against him.”

4.26.2017 •

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Teens Could Lose Access to Free STD Testing in Palm Beach County Chris Persaud

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C

J Riehl never liked how clinic workers treated him when he would get tested for sexually transmitted diseases and infections.

It was the subtle things. Raised eyebrows, disapproving facial expressions and uncomfortable body language when Riehl would tell them he is in an open relationship.

“Whenever they’re investigating my sexual history, the tone they’re using is judgmental of that kind of relationship,” said the West Palm Beach videographer.

But Riehl, a transgender male, never feels judged when he visits Planned Parenthood clinics.

“Flyers I’ve seen in Planned Parenthood clinics are OUT Magazine on the table,” he said, “Or one I recently saw written by high school and early-college kids who were queer.”

Palm Beach County adults like Riehl, who is 25, usually have the means to pay for STD testing, either directly or through health insurance policies.

Teenagers have less means. So Planned Parenthood clinics in Palm Beach County offer free or inexpensive STD testing, sexual education, contraception and birth control to them. Teens do not need to prove they live in the county.

Clinics in the county serve around 1,300 teens, said Lillian Tamayo, CEO of Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida. Her chapter covers Florida’s east coast, Gainesville and Tallahassee. Palm Beach County’s Planned Parenthood clinics are the only ones in South Florida that offer teens free testing.

But the “free” part has become uncertain since April 13. President Donald Trump on that day signed a bill to let states deny some federal money to organizations that provide legal abortions, like Planned Parenthood.

Abortions make up three percent of its

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services, the organization reported in 2014.

Tamayo said her chapter gets around $60,000 from a Title X grant to Florida. Title X money is meant for organizations that help the poor with contraception, pregnancy health, and related services. All that federal money goes to Palm Beach County’s Planned Parenthood clinics to help pay for testing, sex ed, pregnancy testing, contraceptives and birth control.

Republican Governor Rick Scott is no friend to Planned Parenthood. Last year he signed a bill to cut state spending to clinics that do abortions. In 2015, when state health officials found no evidence Planned Parenthood traffics in fetal organs, Scott’s staff tried to cut this fact from the eventual press release.

SFGN asked Scott’s office if he plans to cut Title X money to Planned Parenthood clinics. His office has yet to reply.

Tamayo is not hopeful.

“I’m sure if it wasn’t a governor Rick Scott, they would say ‘Oh my God, we provide X amount of dollars to a private provider who has expertise in this work, and disenfranchised women can match these public dollars,’” she said. “A great public private partnership to provide quality public health care.”

Republicans dislike Planned Parenthood because their clinics perform abortions. But abortion is only one part of women’s health, Tamayo argues, and clinics educate women on their options, including adoption and pregnancy care if patients decide to have their babies.

“Those are decisions that are between her and her family, her god, and her doctor,” she said. “Shaming women when they’re making these deeply personal decision is heartless and cruel. And politicians have no right to insert themselves in that deeply personal process.”

4.26.2017 •

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Convictions

Seeing In The Dark

Y&R Actor Thom Bierdz on Schizophrenia and His New Memoir

Belo Cipriani

I

n 1986, Thom Bierdz catapulted into stardom with his role as Phillip Chancellor III in the popular daytime drama “The Young and the Restless.” The Wisconsin native quickly became a sex symbol, a regular on soap magazines, and won fans around the country and beyond.

Bierdz was in the height of his career when his 19-year-old brother, Troy, murdered their mother, Phyllis, with a baseball bat, in their hometown of Kenosha, WI. Now, more than two decades after the horrific tragedy, Bierdz shares his harsh journey to forgiving his brother in his stunning memoir, “Forgiving Troy.”

Bierdz’s debut book is brutally honest, emotionally uncensored, and skillfully brings readers into the aftermath of the murder, surviving Hollywood as a gay man, and the perceptions of mental health before the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.).

“Curiously,” said Bierdz, “Troy’s disputed onset of paranoid schizophrenia in his teens was debated by many doctors. My mom tried to get him help by taking Troy to 40 doctors, but most felt he was only faking symptoms of schizophrenia, while only a few believed he actually was schizophrenic.

There is no denying he did become schizophrenic and is today.”

While many blame Phyllis’ death on the Wisconsin court system, as they ignored her multiple pleas for help each time her son threatened to kill her, Bierdz takes a completely different stance. He said, “I do not know how a system can stop killing, since mental ‘illness’ is so variable. Millions of people threaten to kill others -- so how can outsiders really know who will?”

“If you asked me on a spiritual level,” continued Bierdz, “do I feel Troy was fated to kill mom, I would say no, that none of us are fated to do anything.”

Still, Bierdz does feel that if the A.D.A. had been around when his mom was seeking mental health services for her schizophrenic son, things may have turned out differently. And while Bierdz does feel medication can help, he wants to ensure that people know pills are only one option for some conditions.

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“I cannot dispute that the anti-psychotic meds Troy now takes in prison miraculously take away most of his hallucinations and other symptoms. As a man who is over 50, and not on any pills, I cannot deny Ambien did, in fact, help my insomnia previously, and that medicines can help and cure people. But, I feel that is primarily because the patient’s mindset believes in a cure pill.

We all know placebos have a 30 percent cure rate. My intent is to empower the patient, for them to see they deserve perfect health, and they can attain that in numerous ways, pills being only one option,” he said.

Above everything, Bierdz wants people to know that schizophrenics are not necessarily dangerous people and that, statistically, they are less dangerous than people without any mental illness. He does, though, think that people with any type of mental or physical condition would benefit from reducing the stress in their lives and eating whole foods. (He is especially a big supporter of veganism.)

In 2015, Warren Hohmann, from KTLA News in Hollywood, flew to Wisconsin with Bierdz to visit Troy, and captured much of their story through interviews. The clips were later woven into a documentary film also called “Forgiving Troy,” which shows how Bierdz and his baby brother rebuilt their relationship.

“Troy and I were experiencing similar anxiety challenges -- him in prison, me in the prison of Hollywood, etc.,” said Bierdz about the film.

Bierdz still acts occasionally, but now focuses mainly on painting. In fact, he has become Hollywood’s favorite realist painter and is in high demand.

“While I do realism for clients, my best stuff is when I spill my brain and do expressionism,” Bierdz said.

EBook copies of Forgiving Troy may be purchased through all online retailers and paperback copies can be obtained via www. thombierdz.com. The documentary may be streamed for free on YouTube.

To learn more about and follow Thom Bierdz, you can find him on Facebook at Thom Bierdz and Thom Bierdz II and on Twitter @ThomBierdz.

Belo Cipriani is a disability advocate, a freelance journalist, the award-winning author of Blind: A Memoir and Midday Dreams, the spokesperson for Guide Dogs for the Blind and the national spokesman for 100 Percent Wine — a premium winery that donates 100 percent of proceeds to nonprofits that help people with disabilities find work. Learn more at www.belocipriani.com.

4.26.2017 •

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column letters to the editor

S

Seiler’s Silence

o very often, we want to believe nice things about people, or believe the nice things they say to us are truly reflections of their feelings at all times. But Maya Angelou once said, “When people show you who they are, believe them.”

For 55 years there has been a mayoral prayer breakfast organized by a group autonomous from the mayor’s government offices. This year will be no exception, but it has been widely publicized that Jim Daly from the virulently anti-gay Focus on the Family will be a featured attendee. Daly’s anti-gay rhetoric is both vast and deep. As an ordained minister I completely disagree with his erroneous take on the bible and will continually publicly say so.

When Fort Lauderdale’s current mayor, Jack Seiler, is campaigning, he is friendly with the LGBTQ community.

He welcomes gay dollars, just not LGBTQ rights. Seiler voted against a resolution calling for marriage equality when we were fighting that battle, yet he was re-elected with a war chest that included money from our community.

Now, after repeated calls for him to take a stand publicly in support of our community he dives, dodges, deflects, and refuses.

The mayor was very responsive last week when I emailed him about the problem with featuring Daly at the prayer breakfast. While we have met on several occasions, we are nothing more than “fundraising acquaintances” seeing each other rarely at charity and Democratic events.

So when his first response seemed like boiler plate, I emailed back asking for him to directly respond to what I wrote in the first email. He did. We emailed six different times over the course of two days. Seiler absolutely gets kudos for engaging in dialogue, and being quickly responsive to a constituent he barely knows, if at all.

Content, however, was the problem. Seiler claims he can do nothing because he didn’t organize the breakfast, cannot refuse to attend every event during which he may disagree with another speaker, and claimed to be a long-time friend of the LGBT community. While the first two points seem reasonable, the third cannot be believed in light of his refusal to support marriage equality.

Politics. It’s true, compromises must be made, so I requested an easy compromise in the next email.

He could attend, if he must, and not even ask for the homophobic Daly to be removed: “Thank you so much for continuing to engage with me in conversation. This is very upsetting to people in

the community and to everyone who believes in faith as a vehicle of unity rather than condemnation. Jack, it is frustratingly evident that you are consistently refusing to stand up for the LGBTQ community. Daly is a mouthpiece for a virulently anti-gay organization, Focus on the Family. He consistently berates, belittles, and condemns LGBTQ people. If you are consistent, then let’s break this down to one simple question: Do you condemn Daly’s anti-gay rhetoric?”

His response: “You can listen to my remarks at the breakfast.

I have a long history of supporting LGBT rights (domestic partnerships, gay adoptions, supporting non-discrimination language in Florida law, LGBT employment protections, LGBT opportunities, etc.)

Just because I haven’t supported every issue doesn’t make me anti-LGBT. As stated before, I am truly amazed by any individual or group that takes an intolerant and disrespectful position of criticism, condemnation, and constant complaints, while attacking another individual or group for being intolerant or disrespectful. Again, Happy Easter.”

I asked the mayor if he would attend a prayer breakfast where the featured speaker was a known leader of the KKK, because, hey: tolerance. He did not respond to that question.

I will tolerate someone’s right to be homophobic, racist, sexist, et al, but when those views begin to infringe on the rights of others they have reached a line they cannot cross.

When justice and legal protections are not equal, and when hate-speech (and its speakers) are given a public platform and given false equivalency to a level of respectable discourse, it is time to turn off the microphone. Believe what you like, but your privilege does not give you the right to oppress others.

Tolerance is not a magic word that gives every bigot or misogynist a pass to vomit anything they believe into the world; tolerance is able to respect the humanity of all while demanding justice for all.

We are asking for one simple statement unequivocally supporting our community and condemning Daly’s homophobic hate-speech. But Seiler’s tolerance of the intolerable tells us everything we need to know. He is not a friend of the LGBTQ community if he will not take a public stand in support of us.

Mayor Seiler may be reached at 954-828-5003 or via e-mail at jack.seiler@fortlauderdale.gov.

He is not a friend of the LGBTQ community if he will not take a public stand in support of us.

Katy Peterson

Would Mayor Seiler Attend a White Supremacist Luncheon?

T

His answers ring hallow

hank you so much for your article on Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Friend or Foe? The LGBTQ community relies on articles like this to bring to the forefront who our true supporters are. I also read in a blog that Seiler was the only S. Florida mayor to not support “Mayors for Freedom To Marry” before it became legal. Is there a pattern here?

In S. Florida the LGBTQ community has a significant voice.

Mr. Seiler cannot get elected without us. He hides behind the same lame “canned” email excuse he sent to many who emailed to voice their dissatisfaction: “Thanks for your input. However, I have not invited anyone to be the speaker. There is a host committee that organizes and manages this event, and they have done this for decades. As Mayor, I am an honorary host and speaker. My message is and will be one of kindness, compassion, inclusion, tolerance and respect.” Poor poor Mayor, just doing his job, a victim!

What crap! Just by being there he gives credence and support to this anti LGBT bigot. Would he also attend a white Supremacist, KKK, David Duke, Nazi, luncheon? Oh, well, sure, but perhaps only to give his message of “kindness, compassion, inclusion, tolerance, and respect.” Is there not one other preacher in all of Florida who openly displays a message of acceptance and love?

Why Jim Daly?

His appearance there is an affront to his constituents who make up one of the largest LBGTQ communities in America.

When they’re running for office they love us. It’s the time in between that we see who they really are. Personally, I see who he really is and I’m done with Mr. Seiler!

Anyone else attending who we should know about?

George L.

Let your voice be heard!  Submit your own letter to Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com 22

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4 .26.2017

Convictions

Editorial Cartoon

Editorial Cartoon

By Andy Marlette

4.26.2017 •

23

COLUMN speak out

SFGN Staff

Speak

UT

SFGN’s “Speak OUT” is a weekly feature giving a regular voice to South Florida LGBT leaders.

As Trump’s first 100 days approaches, what are your concerns about his administration?

“

With Trump pretty much all of the advances achieved on LGBT equality are threatened. Trump rolled back guidelines designed to protect transgender students. His proposed budget would slash critical funding for HIV/AIDS research. He appointed homophobic people such as Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price to lead some of our country’s most important departments.

In fact, the administration’s current cabinet might very well be the most anti-LGBT we have ever seen. We need to be very concerned and vigilant that any changes to the Affordable Care Act do not allow medical discrimination or exclusions to coverage for LGBT Americans.

With Trump’s opposition to marriage equality and the removal of LGBT questions from the census and the issue of LGBT civil rights removed from the White House’s official webpage, it is clear that we and our families are not valued equally by this president.

We have struggled too long to be relegated to a second-class citizen status by this Republican government at best indifferent and at worst opposed to our rights as Americans.

We must therefore dedicate these next years, especially with elections in 2018 and 2020, to supporting candidates and organizations advocating for our equality and the best of our American values.”

— Justin Flippen, Vice Mayor of Wilton Manors

“

Our greatest concerns in dealing with President Trump are his unpredictability, lack of political sophistication, and irrational thinking. The players keep changing, with the exception of his daughter and son-in-law. But what influence do they have? LGBT issues aren’t on his radar, but limiting our rights and visibility are priorities for his right wing, so-called Christian supporters. Resistance is a day by day activity, carrying forth issues in the courts, and rapid-fire responses to his bumbling.”

— Brian McNaught, noted columnist, author and LGBT activist

Speak 24

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UT

Visit SFGN.com/SpeakOut to see more of this week’s responses. Send an Email to Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com if you know of a LGBT community leader that should be or wants to be a part of this list.

4.26.2017 •

25

LIFESTYLE photos

out shine film festival

The 19th Annual MiFo LGBT Film Festival, from April 21 to April 30, kicked off with the 2017 Angel Awards. The recipients were Carol Coombes and Jaie Laplante for their commitment to the festival as well as the LGBT community as a whole.

J.R. Davis

x

To see many more photos, visit SFGN.com on Facebook.

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27

community announcement

Chamber Chat

Time for Some Financial Spring Cleaning Edward Jones Financial Advisors

Be Yourself...

WE SUppoRT YoU. SFGN’s transgender issue featured a guide to transitioning, local trans organizations and tips for allies.

Check it out online... no matter who you are.

T

his year, as you start tidying up around your home and yard, why not also do some financial spring cleaning?

Actually, you can apply several traditional spring cleaning techniques to your financial situation. Here are a few ideas: • Look for damage. Damage to your home’s siding, shingles and foundation can eventually degrade the structure of your home. Your investment portfolio is also a structure of a sort, and it, too, can be damaged. Specifically, you may have deliberately constructed your portfolio with an investment mix – stocks, fixed- income vehicles, cash instruments, etc. – that’s appropriate for your goals and risk tolerance. But over time, your portfolio can evolve in unexpected ways. For example, your stocks may have grown so much in value that they now take up a larger percentage of your holdings than you had intended, possibly subjecting you to a higher degree of risk. If this happens, you may need to rebalance your portfolio.

• Get rid of “clutter.” As you look around your home, do you see three mops or four nonfunctional televisions or a stack of magazines from the 1990s? If these items no longer have value, you could get rid of them and clear up some living space. As an investor, you also might have “clutter” – in the form of investments that no longer meet your needs.

If you sold these investments, you could use the proceeds to fill gaps in your portfolio.

SFGN.com/2017 TRANSISSUE 28

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• Consolidate. Do you keep your lawnmower in a shed, a rake in your garage, and your gardening tools in the basement? When working on your outdoor tasks, you might find

it more efficient to have all these items in one location. You could also have your investments scattered about – an IRA here, a new 401(k) there, and an older 401(k) someplace else. But if you consolidated all your investments in one place, you might cut down on paperwork and fees, and you wouldn’t risk losing track of an asset (which actually happens more than you might think). Even more importantly, when you have all your investments with one provider, you’ll be better positioned to follow a single, centralized investment strategy.

• Prepare for a rainy day. As part of your outdoor spring cleaning, you may want to look at your gutters and downspouts to make sure they are clear and in good repair, so that they can move rainwater away from your home. Your financial goals need protection, too, so you’ll want to ensure you have adequate life and disability insurance.

• Seal leaks. In your home inspection this spring, you may want to investigate doors and windows for leaks and drafts. Your investment portfolio might have some “leaks” also. Are investment-related taxes siphoning off more of your earnings than you realize? A financial professional can offer you recommendations for appropriate tax-advantaged investments.

This spring, when you’re cleaning your physical surroundings, take some time to also tidy up your financial environment. You may be pleased with the results.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor and in conjunction with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Gay and Lesbian Business Exchange.

Feature pets

Stronger than Prairie Wind Sadly Dakota (ID 574004), a beautiful 13-year-old feline was also given up because her family moved away. She is a petite gal, weighing just 8 pounds, and she is hopeful someone with a big heart will give her a home where she can spend her golden years.

Dakota gets along with other mellow felines and older kids. Her adoption fee has been sponsored thanks to a generous cat lover…she just needs a family to love.

Can you make her wish come true?

CUT THIS OUT AND SAVE IT! Post it on your fridge!

LGBT Radio & Podcasts

Florida’s LGBTQ Radio Show Heard every Saturday 7PM - 8PM on

Dakota

When you adopt from the Humane Society of Broward County all pets are spayed or neutered before going home. In addition, they receive preliminary vaccinations, heartworm test for dogs over seven months, feline leukemia test for cats, a limited 10-day health care plan courtesy of VCA Animal Hospital, a bag of Purina ONE food and more. The adoption fee for dogs over six months is $100 and felines over six months are $30. For more information call the shelter today at 954-989-3977 ext. 6. The Humane Society of Broward County is located at 2070 Griffin Road, just a block west of I-95 and opens daily at 10:30 a.m. To see who else needs a home visit www.humanebroward.com

Or Streaming Live on 850WTFL.com

Radio’s ONLY LGBTQ Talk Show Go to www.Facebook.com/GetOutSouthFlorida for more information.

You don’t want to miss it.

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LIFESTYLE photos

LIPS Easter Brunch April 16th, LIPS hosted a Gospel Dragalicious Sunday morning with tons of champagne, mimosas and bloody marys.

As a plus, there was a competition for best Easter themed bonnet.

Carina Mask

Nicollette

To see many more photos, visit South Florida Gay News on Facebook.

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lifestyle books

‘My Son Wears Heels’

by Julie Tarney

Terri Schlichenmeyer

T

he first day your toddler said he could dress himself was a day you’ll never forget.

He tried, you have to hand it to him.

When he was done, part of his outfit was out of season and the other part was out of style, the colors were painful together, and nothing matched except his bright eyes and proud grin. You figured he’d learn and, as in the new book “My Son Wears Heels” by Julie Tarney, so would you.

Though Julie Tarney had known since he was born that her son, Harry, was a unique little guy, she was still taken aback when he asked how she knew that he was a boy.

Harry was just two years old then, and Tarney thought it was a normal question for a child that age. But his next comment – that he was a girl “inside my head” – sent her to her parenting books.

Tarney had no real frame of reference, other than a well-used copy of Dr. Spock.

She was the eldest of two girls, born in Wisconsin to a mother who was controlling and distant; even if she could have asked her late mother about parenting concerns, Tarney probably wouldn’t. Instinct told her that there was nothing to worry about, though she fretted that Harry was gay; she also worried that she’d somehow ruin him if she didn’t completely support his freespiritedness.

As he grew up, Harry’s creativity grew, too; he loved to play dress-up and experiment through pretend. Wigs and shoes were his passion, but he also liked skirts – all of which Tarney successfully prevented him from wearing in public.

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c.2016, University of Wisconsin Press $24.95 / higher in Canada 213 pages Even so, by time he was ten years old, Harry had his own fashion sense and had gotten bullied for it. He knew he was different, but he was too young to articulate how.

At fourteen, Harry came out as gay.

Through the years, while Harry worked to understand more about himself, his mother went through a period of personal acceptance, too. She discovered that she could be a single mom, and survive. She learned that loving herself wasn’t a bad thing – and that she could never “screw up” her son by loving him.

At its very basic, “My Son Wears Heels” is a good book. It showcases how one mother encouraged her son to openly explore who he was, and how his journey allowed understanding within hers. And if that was all there was in this book, you’d probably be very happy; instead, there’s a lot of plumping-up in this tale.

Author Julie Tarney drops product names like she’s in a grocery store, sometimes right down to the ad tagline; that’s often followed by minute details that seem inconsequential, as though they’re merely filling conversational silence. Add recreated dialogue, quoted from more than 20 years ago and, well, continuing can be a challenge.

Again, great premise, good story, too much fluff, and if that bugs you, too, then take a pass. Unless you can overlook its padding, “My Son Wears Heels” is no shoein.

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LIFESTYLE photos

‘son’ premierS at Island City Stage Live theater for the LGBT community/networking and mingling event at Island City Stage.

It was the world premiere of James L Beller’s play, SON. Carina Mask

Gloria Garcia (Lesbo go go’s resident photog rapher)

tage) nd City S tor @ Isla ) c o e g ir d o g g Lesbo anagin (Founder hilders (m i tt C e n in to rt n a M zA m Alvare and Hola

To see many more photos, visit SFGN.com on Facebook.

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outeats Special Advertising Section

25

Photos: Dori Zinn.

Years

Prime Rib.

Dori Zinn

Caprese Salad..

Tropics Restaurant + Bar

If you’ve never set foot inside Tropics in the 25 years since it opened, you may want to get there — immediately, if not sooner.

Thanks to Gary Hillis and his new ownership partners, you’ll notice a bit more in the restaurant. There’s an updated game room that features poker three nights a week. There’s still a piano bar with entertainment every night. There’s new televisions and much more lighting, but it’s the dining upgrades that you’ll notice the most.

Don’t worry, you can still get amazing drinks for super cheap, but try coming in for lunch. What was once dead at Tropics, Hillis and his team brought lunch back.

There are features like burgers your way, made with certified angus beef burgers.

There’s also other sandwiches like the French dip or Reuben, but don’t skip over Salmon.

the salads, like the pepper-seared tuna.

If lunch isn’t your thing, you’d be hardpressed to skip dinner. When Hillis and his group took over last June, they made sweeping changes to the food quality at Tropics. He admits he heard from a lot of patrons that the drinks were great, but no one was staying for meals. He went right to work updating ingredients and his kitchen staff to create the best options for customers.

New Executive Chef Dylan Cole has been running the kitchen for a couple months and is already showing off his talents.

From appetizers to entrees to desserts, everything at Tropics is fresh, made from scratch, and sometimes, if you show up on a good day, one-of-a-kind.

If you’re looking for comfort, try the classics. Start with spinach dip, massive

crab cakes with cranberry coulis, or the added for $1.49 each. Order your preferred decadent lobster bisque (if you’re feeling temperature and chefs will dip it in au particularly adventurous, go for all three). jus before plating it. This adds all those If you finish any, though, you may not have juices back into the meat before you dig room for an entrée — but you definitely in — a truly exceptional dish! Wednesday should. also offers a full rack of baby back ribs for For entrees, they might change $12.95. They’re slow cooked until they fall depending on the day you come. On off the bone and basted with a homemade Mondays, you can get a select choice of BBQ sauce. You can try all-you-can-eat ribs 10 entrees, all priced at $10. Choose for $17.95. from favorites like baby back If you can handle dessert ribs, stuffed shells with after a meal selection Choose from meatballs, or the fresh like that, ask your catch of the day. While server what Chef Cole favorites like the prices may have gone has whipped up that baby back ribs, down for this Mondayday, as desserts are only special, the portion stuffed shells with made from scratch sizes are still very much and usually vary. meatballs, or the the same. Bring your On a recent visit, we fresh catch of appetite! enjoyed a brownie ice the day.

On Tuesday or Thursday, cream mousse cake, enjoy 2-4-1 entrees on completely chocolate, and everything from pot roast to drizzled with raspberry sauce. mojo pork. A fan favorite is the No matter what you do, make salmon your way — try it poached, grilled, time for Sunday brunch. For $20.95, enjoy blackened or oven roasted. Make sure you all you can eat from the raw bar, carving dip it in the dill cream sauce — it makes station, waffle station, omelet station, and a great dish even better! Cole says the dessert station. Other stations and features salmon is the king of dishes on Tuesdays rotate in and out, depending on what Chef and Thursdays, as the restaurant goes Cole has decided to serve that week. through 60 pounds each week!

Of course, you can always come in for If you’re on the hunt for red meat, come the expertly made drinks, as there may not on Wednesday for the prime rib. The slow be a better martini in town. But don’t look roasted slab is coated with garlic, thyme, for a happy hour. The drinks are always a and other seasonings and cut into 8-ounce great price, so every hour is happy hour! pieces, but additional ounces can be

If You Go:

Tropics Restaurant + Bar 2000 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305

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(954) 537-6000 www.tropicswm.com

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lifestyle food Park & Ocean

Luigi di Roma

Rick Karlin

Batter Up!

It’s spring and that means the beginning of baseball season and I’ve visited two new restaurants. One hit it out of the park and the other struck out. And that’s about as far as I can go with baseball metaphors, so let’s focus on the restaurants.

Luigi di Roma 718 S. Federal, Deerfield Beach 954-531-6151 luigidiroma.com You can tell a lot about a place by its web site. On the splash page for Luigi di Roma there is a statement of the core values its owners feel are important. Although the restaurant had only been open a few days when we stopped by for an early dinner on the way to a movie, it was crowded and everyone appeared to be having the time of their lives.

I can see why, from the warm greeting we received from the hostess to the bright smile on the face of our handsome waiter, everyone seemed to want to provide the best food and service that they could. Even the busboy was charming. They certainly live up to one of their stated values, “We want every guest to feel welcome; as if they’re visiting our home and not a restaurant... friendly service provided by caring people.”

We had planned on sampling some of the happy hour specials, served from 4-7 p.m. and available only in the bar or on the patio.

The bar was packed and it’s easy to see why with such delicious offerings as; sausage on ciabatta bread, eggplant pancakes layered in mozzarella and ricotta with marinara sauce, fried calamari and a chicken parm panini, all for $6 each.

To add to the appeal, cocktails, beer and glasses of wine are half-priced. It’s no wonder we couldn’t find a seat. Rather than sit on the

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patio, we opted to pass on the happy hour specials and order from the regular menu in the dining room.

The fare consists of the Italian-American classics you’d expect, as well as some unexpected twists, including an entire section featuring house-made pastas. Two appetizers that you might want to choose for the table include the aptly named “Italian Feast,” a platter of chicken meatballs, sausage, eggplant pancakes, fried peppers, and ricotta. Similarly, the “Antipasto Platter,” presents a hearty mix of prosciutto, capicola, salami and fresh mozzarella with roasted peppers, olives, tomatoes and artichoke hearts. It’s $25 for either platter, which easily serve 6-8 people. If you’re with a smaller group, both platters are available in halfsized portions for $15.

The best way to test an Italian restaurant is to order a simple bowl of spaghetti in marinara sauce. Luigi’s (I feel like I can be on a first name basis with the place, as I am clearly smitten-and it has nothing to do with the extremely handsome staff) pasta is sheer perfection; cooked perfectly al dente and lightly dressed in a fresh marinara studded with chunks of fresh tomato and slivers of basil. The meatballs in the meatball parm sandwich were so light they practically floated off the toasty roll. I truly believe that the only thing keeping them earthbound was the yummy melted mozzarella. Even the sautéed zucchini, green beans and potatoes served on the side felt as if someone’s momma had just turned them out of the pan.

I want to stop back soon and try some of

Two new places: one good, one bad

the more unusual dishes; sautéed mussels in shallot-white wine sauce served over fettuccini or the beef short ribs with broccoli rabe, served over rigatoni with a dollop of ricotta.

I may get a group together to try the family-style dinners, available Sunday through Tuesday, for groups of four or more.

The $20 per person tab gets your group a Caprese salad, fried calamari, gorgonzola or Caesar salad and meatballs and sausage in gravy over rigatoni.

Park & Ocean 3109 E. Sunrise, in Birch State Park, Fort Lauderdale 954-563-2900 ParkAndOcean.com Park and Ocean, located right in Birch State Park has got a great location. It’s from the Society 8 restaurant group behind Avant in Delray and the recently closed Beauty & the Feast in the Atlantic Hotel, long named one of the best restaurants in South Florida. So you might think this would be a slam dunk (I know I’m mixing my sports metaphors here), but, sadly, it’s not.

Let’s start with the fact that it’s a glorified concession stand and is set up as such. Picnic tables, plastic lawn chairs and plastic cups, don’t say casual chic to me, they just say cheap. The web-site touts that the “Caribbean & Southern influenced menu offers an eclectic mix of “farm to table” items.” If you consider Mexico part of the Caribbean, then maybe, but…no.

So much seems to be done without thinking about the big picture. Food is served on cheap, disposable plastic plates which blow away the minute you lift your sandwich to take a bite. There’s a giant Jenga set made from cut 2x4 planks. The tower is perched atop a barrel and it looks like loads of fun, and I’m sure it is, unless you’re trying

to have a conversation and the tower of wood crashes onto the concrete, accompanied by the screams of children.

Oh, did I mention it’s set up right next to the entrance to the restaurant, so those walking in not only have to avoid the pieces of 2x4 underfoot, they can also have it topple on them as they enter? It’s this lack of foresight that plagues Park and Ocean throughout.

There’s no signage to indicate the restaurant’s location in Birch State Park (BTW you have to pay for admission in order to park near the restaurant, unless you’re lucky enough to snag one of the limited parking spaces on A1A). When you do get to the building, you still might not realize it’s a restaurant; the sign outside touts kayak and paddleboard rentals. If you look closely enough, you might see the restaurant’s name—with no other explanation of what it is. Once inside, there’s nothing to indicate how to order, whether to be seated or wait to be shown to a table. It turns out, you order at the counter, carry a sign to place on your table (which the wind keeps knocking over) and wait for someone to wander out of the kitchen and try and find you.

The food is well-prepared if underwhelming.

There are a variety of bowl dishes (veggie and fruit salads) sandwiches include burgers, Cubans (ah-there’s the Caribbean) and a delicious grilled cheese with shrimp, as well as some uninspired tacos.

For those seeking something heartier, there are a few entrees; rotisserie chicken, pulled pork and brisket. The restaurant also offers specialty beers, in-house cold brewed coffee iced tea on tap and made-to-order smoothies.

Park and Ocean is certainly not a destination dining spot, but if you find yourself in Birch State Park or on the beach near Sunrise… no, I’m sorry, it’s not worth it, even then.

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The Summer Heats Up

J.W. Arnold

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4/27

theater The House Theatre of Chicago’s 2012 sold out hit, “Death and Harry Houdini,” returns to the Arsht Center in Miami through May 21. Actor and magician Dennis Watkins performs Houdini’s original magic tricks, including the most renowned and dangerous escape, the Water Torture Cell, in this dark and visually stunning roller coast ride through the life of the legendary magician. Tickets are $50 at ArshtCenter.org.

FRI

4/28

fundraiser Are you feeling lucky? Voices of Pride, the Gay Men’s Chorus of the Palm Beaches, hosts Drag Bingo tonight at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 100 N. Palmway in Lake Worth. Bingo starts at 7:30 p.m. and special performances will be offered all night long. Admission is $25 and includes one book of games. Additional books are $5 and refreshments will also be available for purchase. For more information, go to VoicesOfPride.org.

Thursday

4/27

television

Tune in to Logo tonight at 8 p.m. for the hugely anticipated premiere of the LGBT network’s new reality series, “Fire Island.” In the first episode, six friends travel from Manhattan to Fire Island to experience the summer adventure of a lifetime. The boys explore the island, attend the Pines Party, and then tensions flare when an afternoon pool party goes off the rails. Check local listings for channels and show times.

Photo Credit: Logo.

SAT

4/29 SUN

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5/1 TUE

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theater

opera

event

television

The Broadway hit, “Matilda,” comes to the Broward Center this week and runs through Sunday, May 7.

Based on the children’s book by Roald Dahl and set to score by Tim Minchin, this musical is the story of a precocious 5-year-old girl with the gift of telekinesis, who loves reading, overcomes obstacles caused by her family and school, and helps her teacher to reclaim her life. Tickets start at $33 at BrowardCenter.org.

Florida Grand Opera closes its 2017 season with Verdi’s comic opera, “A Masked Ball.” Gustavo is a beloved leader surrounded by conspirators.

He also harbors a secret shame: he adores Amelia, the wife of his closest friend and loyal minister, Count Anckarström. At a masked ball, the count joins the conspiracy and stabs Gustavo. Playing April 29 through May 13 at the Arsht Center in Miami. Tickets at FGO.org.

Ahoy, sailor! Fleet Week Port Everglades kicks off tonight at Esplanade Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Sailors from the visiting U.S.S. New York, Coast Guard cutters and Marines will assemble 6 p.m. for the All Hands on Deck welcoming party hosted by FPL. The military will be in South Florida for a week of recreational activities, community service projects and ship tours. Schedule at BrowardNavyDaysInc.org.

Elisabeth Moss (“Mad Men”) and Joseph Fiennes (“Shakespeare in Love”) star in the highly anticipated new series, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” which debuted on subscription service Hulu on April 26. Based on Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel, a totalitarian, theocratic society in New England has overthrown the U.S. government. The story explores themes of women in subjugation.

Tune in at Hulu.com.

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A&E film

Film Festival Announces New Name, Wraps Up 19th Season

J.W. Arnold

“Play the Devil,” a film from Trinidad and Tobago, is part of the international lineup at the OUTshine film festival this weekend. Photo Credit: Splice Studios.

A

fter two seasons as the MiFo (Miami/ Fort Lauderdale) LGBT Film Festival, the 19-year-old festival adopted a new name, OUTShine, at its opening weekend in Miami.

According to organizers, “MiFo” made sense to consolidate the names of the Miami festival and its Fort Lauderdale counterpart, but further explanation always seemed necessary. Chair Mark Gilbert came up with the new title, which was embraced by the board and South Florida LGBT film community, and underscores its “brightness, broad appeal and dynamic multi-cultural location.”

The Miami festival concludes on Sunday, April 30. A Filmmakers Awards Brunch will be held at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables at 11 a.m. The Fort Lauderdale festival is scheduled for October.

Here are some of the highlights, along with capsule reviews, of films from OUTshine’s closing weekend: “Play the Devil” Southeast Premiere Thursday, April 27, 9:15 p.m.

Maria Govan, dir.

Trinidad & Tobago, 92 min., 2016 Gregory, a gifted working-class teenager, stars in a play that brings him to the attention of James, an affluent businessman. The two men strike an uncanny friendship as James takes Greg under his wing, pushing him to discover himself professionally, creatively, and intimately.

SFGN: This guy belongs on a sexual offender registry! A fascinating look at the cultural taboos of homosexuality in Caribbean culture.

“Sensitivity Training” Southeast Premiere Friday, April 28, 6:45 p.m.

Melissa Finell, dir.

U.S.A., 87 min., 2016 Serena is a misanthropic microbiologist -great with bacteria, but horrible with people.

After crossing a line with a colleague, Serena is forced into sensitivity training with Caroline, the bubbly lesbian assigned to be her coach.

Caroline and her sunny disposition represent

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everything Serena hates, but Caroline is determined to make Serena an acceptable human.

SFGN: Melissa Finell’s writing is simply brilliant! One of the best comedies of the festival.

“The Constitution (Ustav Republike Hrvatske)” East Coast Premiere Saturday, April 29, 7:30 p.m.

Rajko Grlić, dir.

Croatia/Czech Republic/Slovenia/U.K., 90 min., 2016 Croatian with English subtitles Four very different people live in the same building, but avoid each other because of the differences in how they live, what they believe in, and where they come from. They would probably never exchange a word, but misfortune pushes them towards each other.

SFGN: One of the most beautifully shot films of the festival, at times evocative of the work of Fellini and the European masters.

“Tamara” East Coast Premiere Sunday, April 30, 3 p.m.

Elia K. Schneider, dir.

Venezuela/Uruguay/Peru, 110 min., 2016 Spanish with English subtitles This drama tells the remarkable, true story of Tamara Adrián, Venezuela’s first transgender politician. Tomás Adrián is determined to follow his heart, even though it will turn his whole world upside down and put his life at risk as he struggles to become the woman he truly is.

SFGN: While “Tamara” is not the best film in the festival, it offers a moving portrait in courage from a transgender pioneer.

Somebody send Caitlyn Jenner a ticket!

“Like Foam (Como La Espuma)” World Premiere Sunday, April 30, 7 p.m.

Roberto Perez Toledo, dir.

Spain, 93 min., 2017 Spanish with English subtitles An emotional journey of lost human beings trying to find themselves takes place in what could be considered a fairly strange place: an orgy in a Spanish mansion. A message circulates from mobile phone to mobile phone, attracting a diverse group of strangers searching for a connection.

SFGN: A screening copy was not available, but the trailer had us intrigued.

Take a chance, especially if you enjoy European film.

For a complete schedule and tickets, go to MiFoFilm.com.

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A&E theater Aaron Tveit takes the stage at Fort Lauderdale’s Parker Playhouse on Saturday, April 29. Submitted photo.

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Actor Returns to South Florida for Evening at Parker Playhouse

nt.

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aron Tveit already knows the way to Fort Lauderdale’s iconic Parker Playhouse, which has been celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The actor lived behind the theater in Victoria Park while filming three seasons of USA network’s drama, “Graceland,” here in South Florida.

“I drove by Parker Playhouse every single day, so I know where I’m going,” Tveit said.

The native New Yorker still has fond memories of his time in South Florida.

“It was a wonderful place to spend the winter for three years. I really enjoyed my time there. The people were welcoming and the locals were very nice,” he recalled.

“I really found my niche between where I was living (just two blocks behind the Parker Playhouse) and the coffee shops.”

On Saturday, April 29, Tveit will return to the old neighborhood for an evening of songs and stories about his career.

“For the first time in many years, I actually have some time off,” he said.

Tveit got his break on Broadway in 2006 as Link Larkin in “Hairspray” before moving on to “Wicked,” “Next to Normal” and “Catch Me if You Can.” Television audiences caught his performances on “Ugly Betty,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “The Good Wife” and “Gossip Girl” before he landed the lead role as a young FBI agent in “Graceland.”

Last year, he earned rave reviews for his steamy performance as Danny Zuko in Fox’s live broadcast of “Grease.”

“The fact that it was live, I really had to rely on my Broadway experience to keep my nerves in check,” he admitted.

His independent film, “Created Equal,” is starting to hit the festival circuit across the country.

“TV is where a lot of the great writing is,” Tveit said. “Film is hard, and I’m open for the next theater project. It’s always a matter of timing and how things fall together, whatever the next great thing that comes my way.”

In the meantime, Tveit enjoys the opportunity to escape to the links. When he wasn’t filming in South Florida, he could be found golfing. In between rounds and rehearsals—he adores Stephen Sondheim’s music and cites “Assassins” as his favorite Sondheim show—Tveit enjoys video games and quiet moments at home.

“I’m sillier than people might expect,” he confessed. “At meet and greets after my shows, people are always surprised at how open and talkative I am. That’s who I am,” he said.

For now, the 33-year-old performer is in an enviable position: “I’ve been so unbelievably blessed with the work and varied work I’ve gotten to do…I hope this wealth of work is what I get to do for another 10 years.”

Broadway and television star Aaron Tveit appears at the Parker Playhouse at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 29. Tickets start at $33 at ParkerPlayhouse.com.

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April 26 - may 2

Datebook

Theater Christiana Lilly

Calendar@SFGN.com

Tickets $35 to $50, use “Empire” for $10 off general admission. Call 888-202-1708 or visit BathhouseTheMusical.com.

Son

Top

Picks

A Masked Ball

April 29 to May 6 at the Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. When a nobleman discovers his wife might be having an affair with the king, his best friend, he is determined to kill him.

Tickets $16 and up. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.

They’re Playing Our Song

Through April 30 at the Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave. in Lake Worth. A composer teams up with an aspiring lyricist and as their work together grows, so does the relationship. Tickets $38. Call 561-5866410 or visit LakeWorthPlayhouse. org.

Aida

Through May 7 at the Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.

Aida, a Nubian princess, and Amneris, an Egyptian princess, fight for the affections of Radames. Tickets $52.50 and up. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

broward county Neil Diamond

April 26 at 8 p.m. at the BB&T Center, One Panther Parkway in Sunrise. The Grammy Award winner celebrates 50 years on stage with a world tour. Tickets $20.75 and up.

Visit TheBBTCenter.com.

* Everclear

April 27 at 8 p.m. at Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. The band makes a stop in South Florida for favorites like “Santa Monica” and “Father of Mine.”

Tickets $33 to $225. Call 954-462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.com.

Bathhouse: The Musical

Through April 30 at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive in Fort Lauderdale. Billy goes to a bathhouse for the first time on a mission to find love -- and quickly discovers that’s not quite what everyone else is there for!

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Through May 7 at Island City Stage, 2304 N Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. On the morning of his mothers’ wedding, the son of a lesbian couple discovers an accusation that tests their relationship. Tickets $35. Call 954-519-2533 or visit IslandCityStage.org.

Friday Night Sound Waves Music Series

Fridays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Hub, Las Olas Boulevard and A1A in Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy live, outdoor music spanning genres and tributes every Friday evening through November. Free. Visit FridayNightSoundWaves.com

palm beach county * Soul Crooners: Classic Soul, Motown & More

April 27 to 30 at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Travel back to the soul tunes of the 1970s with tributes to Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, James Brown, and more. Tickets $30 and up.

Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

miami-dade county

Vivaldi 4: Nu Deco Ensemble and DecadanceTheatre

April 28 at 8 p.m. at the Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Miami’s very own Nu Deco Ensemble is joined by New York City’s DecadanceTheatre for a hip hop revision of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.” Tickets $28 and up. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.

* Red Hot Chili Peppers

April 29 at 8 p.m. at the AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The Peppers tour in support of their 11th album, The Getaway. Tickets $49 to $99. Call 786777-1000 or visit AAArena.com.

Marjorie Prime

Through May 7 at the Main Street Playhouse, 6766 Main St. in Miami Lakes. Marjorie is deteriorating, much to the dismay of her daughter and son-in-law. However, a holographic duplicate of Marjorie’s husband

keeps her memories alive. Tickets $30. Call 305-558-3737 or visit MainStreetPlayers. com.

Death & Harry Houdini

Through May 21 at the Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Hop on a ride that takes you through the life of the majestic and mysterious Harry Houdini. Tickets $50. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.

Outdoor Music Series

Third Thursdays at the Perez Art Museum Miami, 101 W. Flagler St. in Miami. Come out for live music from DJs and musicians by the bay. Drink specials available. Free with museum admission. Call 305-375-3000 or visit PAMM.org.

The Big Show

Fridays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. at Just the Funny Theater, 3119 Coral Way in Miami.

A collection of comedy mixing the likes of improvisation and sketches. Tickets $12. Call 305-693-8669 or visit JustTheFunny.com.

Arcadia

Through April 30 at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre, 201 Clematis St. in West Palm Beach. Traveling through the 19th and 20th centuries, a mystery occurs at Sidley Park on the property of the Coverly family.

Tickets $66. Call 561-514-4042 or visit PalmBeachDramaworks.org.

* Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

May 5 at Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansburys Way in West Palm Beach.

Performing for four decades, Petty is joined

by Joe Walsh and his band to celebrate the anniversary with songs like “American Girl,” “Learning to Fly,” “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” and more. Tickets $55 and up. Visit WestPalmBeachAmphitheatre.com,

Free Friday Concerts

Fridays at 7:30 p.m. at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts, 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach. Enjoy live music from the comfort of your picnic blanket or lawn chair every week, for free! Returns in October. Call 561-243-7922 or visit DelrayArts.org.

* Denotes New Listing

#OrlandoUnited: Every week, SFGN will pay tribute to one member of our community who was lost in Orlando.

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Datebook

Community Christiana Lilly Calendar@SFGN.com

Top Picks Movie Series: Do I Sound Gay?

April 27 at 7 p.m. at the Stonewall National Museum, — Wilton Manors Gallery, 2157 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Through interviews with gay icons, an exploration of the “gay voice” and if it really exists. Suggested donation $5. Visit Stonewall-Museum.org.

MiFo LGBT Film Festival

Through April 30 throughout Miami. The film festival, joining forces with Fort Lauderdale for the second year, showcases LGBT films from around the world. Visit MiFoFilm.com.

Sue Latta Sculptures

Through April 30 at The Box Gallery, 811 Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach. The mixed media artist and her wife were co-litigators in one of the court cases fighting for marriage equality. Donations benefit youth programs at Compass GLCC. Visit TheBoxGallery.info.

Broward Support Services Gender Bender Youth Group

Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at SunServe Campus, 1480 SW Ninth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. A group for LGBT youth 13 to 21 to discuss gender, gender expression, binary systems, friendship, family and whatever else comes up! Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com

PFLAG

Tuesdays in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and Southwest Ranches. A support group for parents of LGBT youth 13 to 21. Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com for dates and locations.

SunServe Youth Group

Tuesdays and Thursdays in Fort Lauderdale, Southwest Ranches, Coral Springs and Hollywood. A support group and night of fun for LGBT youth 13 to 21.

Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com for dates and times.

Survivor Support

First and third Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Broward Health Imperial Point Hospital cafeteria, 6401 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. Find support from counselors and peers who have lost loved ones to suicide. Call the Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention at 954384-0344 or visit FISPOnline.org.

broward county * Author Series: “Learning to Listen”

May 4 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Stonewall National Museum — Wilton Manors Gallery, 2157 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. The Miami Herald’s Steve Rothaus interviews Gary Burton on his 50 years of being in the jazz scene as an out musician. Suggested donation $5. Visit Stonewall-Museum.org.

* Diversity Honors

May 6 at 7 p.m. at Hard Rock Live, One Seminole Way in Hollywood. A celebration of the community’s LGBT advocates, benefiting the Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center. Tickets $200. Call 954-463-9005, ext.

105 or visit PrieCenterFlorida.org.

The Way We Worked

Through May 6 from noon to 8 p.m. at Art Gallery 21 at the Woman’s Club of Wilton

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Manors, 600 NE 21st Court in Wilton Manors.

The traveling Smithsonian exhibit comes to Wilton Manors, featuring videos, interviews, and photos from the last 150 years showcasing how Americans of all backgrounds work. Free.

Call 954-661-4740, email artgallery21wcwm@ gmail.com, or visit http://bit.ly/2ko5Ahl.

Home: Documenting Our Home Life

Through May 7 at the Stonewall National Museum — Wilton Manors, 2157 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. An exhibit examining safe spaces and what we call home. Free. Visit Stonewall-Museum.org.

Life Coaching

Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Latinos Salud Clubhouse, 2300 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Get one-on-one life coaching from certified CRCS coaches. For guys living

April 26 - May 2 with HIV, their partners, and anyone who identifies as transgender. Free. Call 954-7656239 or visit LatinosSalud.org.

Rest Your Mind

Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at Kadampa Meditation Center, 241 W Prospect Road Ste. B in Fort Lauderdale. Start your week with relaxing meditation to center yourself. Free. Visit MeditateinFortLauderdale.org.

Man2Man Discussion

Mondays 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. A weekly informal discussion group among gay men of all backgrounds. Contact John Beuscher at 954-319-4292 or email johnnybushwick@ aol.com.

palm beach county Women Musicians Through Time

Through April 28 at FAU’s Wimberley Library.

777 Glades Road in Boca Raton. The exhibit explores the history of women in music with photos and sound archives spanning genres.

Free. Call 561-297-0080 or visit FAU.edu.

Andrew Reid: Public Art/ Private Works Exhibition

Through May 20 at The Box Gallery, 811 Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach. Once moving to South Florida, the illustrator has made a name for himself as a large-scale artist and and one of the forefathers of the mural craze. Email PalmBeachFineArtGallery@gmail.com

Transcendence

Meets at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. A closed transgender youth support group for teens ages 12 to 19. For more information, email youth@ compassglcc.com.

Zumba Fitness

Mondays at 6 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Get moving with a certificated Zumba instructor for an infusion of exercise and dance moves.

Donation of $5 or more. Call 561-324-1626 or visit CompassGLCC.com.

Sober Sisters

Mondays at 6:15 p.m. at Lambda North, 18 S. J St. in Lake Worth. A support and discussion group for female recovering alcoholics. Visit LambdaNorth.net.

Out of the Closet, Into the Light

Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at MCC of the Palm Beaches, 4857 Northlake Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens. AA for the LGBT community. Free. Call 561-775-5900 or visit MCCPalmBeach.org.

miami-dade county Arsht Center Farmers Market

Mondays from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza for the Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Purchase fresh food from local farmers, including fruits, vegetables, meats, prepared foods, as well as chefs, live music, and cooking demonstrations. Tickets $45 to $75. Free.

Visit ArshtCenter.org/en/Visit/Dining.

Yoga

Tuesdays from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at Jose Marti Park, 362 SW Fourth Ave. in Miami. Yogis 18 and older of all levels are invited to a practice lead by a certified instructor. Bring your own yoga mat, water, and towel. Free. Call 305358-7550 or visit BayfrontParkMiami.com/ Yoga.html.

Book Study

Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Drolma Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1273 Coral Way in Miami. Buddhist monk, Gen Kelsang Norbu, will lead classes on learning the foundations of Buddhism. Call 786-529-7137.

Yoga in the Garden

Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Drive in Miami Beach. Hit the mat for an indoor yoga practice overlooking the garden. Tickets $10 Wednesdays, $15 Saturdays. Call 305-6737256 or visit MBGarden.org.

key west Tea Dance: A Key West Tradition

Sundays at 4 p.m. at La Te Da Hotel, 1125 Duval St. An early evening dance in the Key West tradition. Call 305-296-6706 or visit LaTeDa.com.

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Business Directory attorney Law office of george castrataro 707 NE 3rd Ave #300, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954.573.1444 Lawgc.com Law office of Robin bodiford 2550 N Federal Hwy #20, Fort Lauderdale, FL 954.630.2707 Lawrobin.com

attorney Selzer law 1515 NE 25th St, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954.567.4444 SelzerLaw.com law office of Shawn Newman 710 NE 26th St, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954.563.9160 Shawnnewman.com

To place an ad in the Business Directory, call our sales team at 954.530.4970

attorney

dental

law office of Gregory Kabel 1 East Broward Blvd #700, Fort Lauderdale, 33301 954.761.7770 gwkesq@bellsouth.net

a&e

Oakland Park Dental 3047 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 954.566.9812 Oaklandparkdental.com Andrews Dental Care 2654 N Andrews Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33311 954.567.3311 Andrewsdentalcare.com

Ft Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus PO Box 9772, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33310-9772 954-832-0060 www.theftlgmc.org Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida PO Box 39617, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33339 954-763-2266 Gaymenschorusofsouthflorida.org

Island City Dental 1700 NE 26th Street, Ste. 2, Fort Lauderdale, FL 954-564-7121 Islandcitydental.com

final arrangements Kalis-McIntee Funeral & Cremation Center

call us to reserve space!

2505 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-566-7621 Kalismcintee.com

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fitness

leitner training www.LeitnerTraining.com

In Home Therapeutic Exercise and Personal Training COMFORTABLY and PRIVATELY AT HOME One on One, Pairs or Small Groups

Specializing In: Alzheimer’s Hypertension Osteoporosis Gastric Bypass Cardiovascular Disease Sports Injuries Clinically Obese Diabetes Type I and II Mature Adults Multiple Sclerosis Cerebral Palsy Muscular Imbalances Corrective Posture Stability/Strength/Core 50

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Over 35 Years in the Health and Fitness Industry Experienced in clinical, field and academia National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer Corrective Exercise Specialist American Heart Association Basic Life Support Instructor (CPR) American College of Sports Medicine, Member University Department Chair and Professor of Sports Medicine/ Fitness/Exercise Science

954-290-6701 Rick Leitner, Master of Science Exercise Physiologist, Health Educator

financial services

furniture

health

health Dr. Tory Sullivan 2500 N Federal Hwy #301, Fort Lauderdale, FL 954.533.1520 Torysullivanmd.com American Pain Experts 6333 N. Federal Hwy, Ste. 250, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 954-678-1074 Americanpainexperts.com

professional services

WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR

FINANCIAL NEEDS Taxes IRS Issues Accounting

Bookkeeping Small Business Advising

handyman Miami/Broward/Palm Beach Paint/Caulk/Remove Grout/Yard Work Fix Drips & Switches/Debris removal Assembles Furniture & Appliances Repair or Fix Call "Avrom" Keith 786-227-9981

call us to reserve space!

954-667-9829 ACCOUNTING@STERLINGACCOUNTING.COM

2435 North Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305

florist

Income Tax Preparation •Individual •Small Business •Free Consultation Doug Turner, Enrolled Agent Best Books & Taxes, LLC 2201 Wilton Drive, Suite 4 bestbooksandtaxes.com

954-565-1041

Call today for appointment

sfgn.com 4.26.2017 •

51

Business Directory To place an ad in the Business Directory, call our sales team at 954.530.4970 professional services

BAJJ Storm Protection, Inc. Hurricane Impact Windows & Storm Shutters - Residential & Commercial

Family Owned 20 + Years Experience Licensed & Insured References Senior & Veteran Discounts

FINANCING AVAILABLE Call JOE - Operations Manager (954) 494-0366 Schedule a FREE Project Quote

restaurants Storks Bakery 2505 NE 15th Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954.567.3220 Storksbakery.com BEEFCAKES 1721 N Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 954.463.6969 boardwalkbar.com J. Mark’s 1245 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 (954) 390-0770 Jmarksrestaurant.com

retail Peace Pipe 4800 N Dixie Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 954.267.9005 Facebook.com/peacepipefl

The Best Cellar

Boutique Wine Shop & Wine Bar

Licensed & Insured

954-725-3633

The Ultimate Wine Tasting Experience

custom alarm

Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat., at 8:00 p.m.

contractors, Inc.

Est. 1989 “Experience Matters” Service after the sale! ▶ residential security ▶ commercial security ▶ closed circuit tV www.customalarmcontractors.com 52

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ONLY $15 PER PERSON! 954-630-8020

call us to reserve space!

1408 N.E. 26th St. Wilton Manors, FL 33334

sfgn.com

LIFESAVER useacondom.com

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Business Directory To place an ad in the Business Directory, call our sales team at 954.530.4970 spirituality

real estate Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors & Oakland Park REMODELED homes:

2 bedroom/2 bath condos from

$135,000

Ocean/Intracoastal

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THE BEST SERVICE, THE BEST RESULTS SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST!

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Your South Florida Specialist for Over 18 Years

from

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sports Tennis Lessons at Hagen Park in Wilton Manors. Individual or group lessons. Call Robert 732-604-0362 for more information.

call us to reserve space!

therapy MM28611 MA65936

WILTON MANORS MASSAGE

$

75 HOUR

$

100 1.5 HOUR

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CHRIS TUNKUS

954.258.8779 1322 NE 4th Avenue • Fort Lauderdale WILTONMANORSMASSAGE.COM

call us to reserve space!

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VOTED

call us to reserve space!

SFGN Classified$ To place a Classified Ad, call Tim Higgins at 954.530.4970 or email at Tim.Higgins@sfgn.com

accommodations APRIL SPECIALS FROM $595/WEEK PERFECT FOR VACATION & RELOCATION Beautifully Furnished & Fully Equipped Studio & One Bedroom Apartments w/Full Kitchens in Gay Tropical Resort Setting, Incl. Wi-Fi, free laundry, private parking, utilities, prem. cable. Central to Haulover Nude Beach & Wilton Manors. Located just south of the Airport in Historic Dania Beach. Longer term Monthly rates available for 3 months+ Stays. Pets Always Welcome.

Call Joe or Jack at (954) 927-0090 or visit www.

LibertySuites.com

electrician

HARRY’S ELECTRIC RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL - Additions, renovations, service upgrades, breaker panels,FPL undergrounds, code violations, A/C wiring, ceiling fans, recessed, security & landscaping, lighting, pools, pumps, Jacuzzis, water heaters, FREE PHONE ESTIMATES 954-522-3357 Lic & Ins. www.harryelectrician.com

handyman

HUSBAND FOR RENT - Is he procrastinating home repairs? He says he will do it tomorrow?? After the football game?? We fit right in - in the house or the yard, small or big jobs: tile, dry wall, paint, plumbing, roof leaks, broken furniture, irrigation, fences, and more! It doesn't cost to hassle us to see the work - so why wait?

Neat, clean work for a reasonable price. Call Haim at 954-398-3676, sidnalll@yahoo.com

help wanted

EMERALD IRISH CLEANING - Established for 30 years. 3 hours of cleaning for $75.00. Mention this ad and get $15.00 off the 75.00.Use time as you wish.

English speaking *hand-scrub floors* Cleaning supplies included. Service guaranteed 954-524-3161’’

employment - full time EDUCATED/ARTICULATE/SAVVY - We are an international auto dealer specializing in purchasing new luxury vehicles for our overseas clients. Looking for well spoken, educated, successful and savvy individuals to assist with purchasing of these vehicles.

Pay is great from $2-$5000 per unit for what is usually only five hours of your time. For further information please inquire and call 1-844-397-6785. To apply go to http://careers.fleetexport.com J. MARK'S Restaurant NOW HIRING - Line cooks (Saute, Grill, Salad), Servers, Front Desk & Busboys.

Apply in person Mon - Fri: 1490 NE 23rd St, Pompano Beach or 1245 N Fed. Hwy, Fort Lauderdale CHEF WANTED - Tropics Restaurant in Wilton Manors is looking for a new chef. Searching for a competent, creative chef that understands the restaurant business.

Must be able to run the line during busy shifts. Passion for food and a good attitude are a must. Holidays, nights, and weekends are required. Competitive wages.

Apply in person at 2000 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors.

THE CLUB FORT LAUDERDALE NOW HIRING We are looking for a few good men to join our team.

Verifiable customer service experience is required.

MUST PASS A DRUG TEST. The position entails a LOT of cleaning during your shift. We are open 24/7, so you must have a flexible schedule. We offer competitive wages and excellent health benefits. Submit your application and resume to the front desk. 110 NW 5TH Ave Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33311 – (954) 525-3344 www. clubft.com HOME HEALTH CARE - Home Health Care Aid/ Companion Position Available. Patient has moderate dementia and is ambulatory. Exceptional working environment. CLEAN BACKGROUND CHECK IS REQUIRED. Please submit resume w/cover letter including salary requirements and availability to: P.O. BOX 2213 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33303

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licensed massage MASSAGE BY DENNIS - $60 per 90 min-Out calls higher. Swedish, Deep Tissue, manscaping available. All clients and Body types welcome, Reflexology and Feet.

Couples Discounts. Delray Beach. 22 years’ experience.

MA18563 Call Dennis 561-502-2628.

music lessons

VOICE LESSONS & MUSIC THEATRE COACHING - Over 30 years experience. Students have performed on (and off) Broadway, in National & International tours, recorded solo albums & placed in prestigious competitions. www.kreutzmusic.com 617-967-0575

piano WANT TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE PIANO? Learn from an experienced teacher. All levels and ages welcome. Learn to play classical, popular, jazz, or show tunes. Visit www.edwinchad.com or call 954-826-9555 for more information.

sfgn.com painting GREGG'S PAINTING - I paint both interior and exterior.

Great rates, free estimates. I am detailed-oriented, friendly, reliable, punctual, and neat. No job too small. Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Call Gregg at 617-306-5694 or 954-870-5972 Email: gmanbenn44@gmail.com

pool service

COOL POOLS- RELIABLE POOL SERVICE Professional pool service.Covering Wilton Manors, Lighthouse Point, and eastside of Pompano Beach. 15 years experience. Licensed and insured.Free estimates.

Call 954-235-0775.

rentals wilton manors

MIKE THE RENTAL GUY - NE Lauderdale/Wilton Manors/Oakland Park-1/1 from $990, 2/1 from $1140.

Victoria Park-1/1=$1090.00 cable included. Credit & Income Requirements-Pets okay with restrictions Call for Details Mike 561-703-5533 or miketherentalguy@ aol.com

Get more bang for your buck!

Place an ad in SFGN’s Classifieds

954.530.4970

real estate oakland park SLEEPY RIVER ACRES WATERFRONT HOME Come live in the best neighborhood in Oakland ParkThis 2 bedroom/ 2 bath home sits on two sides of the waterfront on an over 16,000 sq ft lot. Build your dream home surrounding $500,000 plus home or live comfortably in this one! $325,000 Brian Bedigian, PA Coral Shores Reality. 954-205-5275, realtorbrian@aol. com

real estate wilton manors UNITED REALTY GROUP - $149,900 2 bed 1 bath1 block to the drive. Low maintenance-NO RENTAL RESTRICTIONS! DUPLEX $349,000 Quiet street Both 2 bed 1 bath-Huge Yard Call for details Michael Tublin 561-703-5533

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