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GAY TEEN SUICIDES SHOCK world SFGN Special Report Starts on page 2

October 6, 2010 • VOLUME 1 • Issue 37

The Second Annual Fort Lauderdale

Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Page 25

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CDC: Large Increase in HIV Infections

Scene from the movie Is It Just Me

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Best and Worst of Times

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AHF Offers Solutions to ADAP Crisis

Celebrates Columbus Day

Starts on Page 7

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October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Inspiration

Courtesy of Dan Savage / Wikimedia

It Gets Better: Dan Savage Speaks Out to Gay Teenagers

Dan Savage

By A. Sebastian Fortino

C

olumnist and writer Dan Savage launched a new channel on Youtube.com, titled the It Gets Better Project. He was touched by news of the recent suicides of Minnesota teenager Justin Aaberg, and Indiana teenager William (Billy) Lucas.

“I had the reaction I always have

when I hear about teenage suicides,” said Savage from his home in Seattle. “I wish I had five minutes to talk to these kids. I realized we don’t have to wait for an invite to talk to these kids who might be in despair.”

With all of the electronic media out there today, blogs, social networks and other sites Savage decided that he would speak to kids that might be bullied to the point of considering suicide.

The video of Savage and his partner Terry recounting their experiences of bullying is very touching. Over 225,000 people have watched their video.

“Gay kids that get bullied can’t envision a future for themselves.We should show them the future they could have.We need to give them a glimpse of what their life could become if they hang in there.”

Savage has not worked directly with gay youth before, but has given them advice through his column, “Savage Love.”

“I give sex advice to gay teenagers all the time.” Savage added that youth as young as 15 have requested his advice.

“So, I hear about teenage issues all the time, both gay and straight.”

As father to a pre-teen son Savage, who came out when the AIDS epidemic was “slamming the gay community” in the early 80s, did not think he would

SFGN BULLETIN Contribute to ‘It Gets Better’ Make a Difference

live to see himself happy, partnered, giving his parents grandchildren, or himself the joy of being a father.

His partner Terry gave very strong testimonial in the video, especially after recounting a story of being on a snowy mountaintop with his partner and son.

“Those moments make it so worth sticking out the bullying and the pain and the despair of high school. And if you can just do that, you have moments like that and so many more, ahead of you.” Terry went on to say later in the video, “Living well is the best revenge.”

There were some negative comments on the website. Saying that the leaders of and mentors in the gay community should not be telling youth to “laugh it out.”

SFGN asked Savage what he thought of the negative reaction.

“I don’t know what to say to the negative nellies out there, other than there will always be a group of gays that will disagree with how to mentor gay youth,” he said of the more than 100 videos that have been posted to the youtube channel.

“I have already heard from a lot of young gay kids that watching these videos has helped them.”

Savage added that groups like the Trevor Project are indeed more direct than youtube.com and therefore an important part of outreach and needs financing.

For more information please visit Youtube.com/itgetsbetterproject

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Related Articles:

Help young gay men and women feel better about themselves with words about yourself, your achievements and your success over adversity.

As the Watermark in Orlando, has done, we here at SFGN would like to invite our readers to share written accounts that “It Gets Better.”

Here’s how: • Write up your story • Sign it with your name (or initials), plus your age and occupation • Email it to ItGetsBetter@southfloridagaynews.com

• Gay Suicides Shock... page 6

“This needs to be a wake up call to everyone that teenage bullying and teasing is an epidemic in this country, and the death rate is climbing.

“We have an obligation to change this.”

• More suicides? Lesbians Found Dead in Canada...

Read on SouthFloridaGayNews.com

– Ellen DeGeneres

October 6, 2010 • Volume 1 • Issue 37

• Diplomat Suicide... page 13 • Fed Grants Award to Stop Bullying... page 32 • Brian McNaught... page 33 • Watch Jarrett Terrill’s PSA on Teen Suicides on SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Local News

Resnick Appointed President of Advisory Council

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ust in time for the new school year, The Golden Rule Foundation, a nonprofit agency dedicated to building character in school-age children, has announced the appointment of Wilton Manors Mayor and Broward League of Cities past president Gary Resnick as president of the organization’s Community Advisory Council. Resnick’s duties as president will include leading the organization in its mission to foster the development of Broward County’s youth through overseeing fundraising initiatives, community projects and students’ class work.

“As elected officials in Broward County, I believe that one of our biggest responsibilities is to serve as models for the future leaders of our community,” said Mayor Resnick, who is also a shareholder at the Gray Robinson law firm. “It is my honor to assume the presidency of the Advisory Council and

continue my support of education. I challenge all elected officials to turn their attention to education and our youth.”

During Resnick’s one-year tenure as president of the Broward League of Cities, the organization resurrected its Scholarship Program, now in its second year. Its aim is to support students who plan to seek a career in municipal government.

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October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Campaign Watch

LaMarca’s Alibi Bar Holds Reception for Mayoral Candidate

By Jarrett Terrill

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Where Business Comes to Succeed.

For advertising opportunities, call John Fugate: 954-530-4970

hip LaMarca is running for Broward County Commission District 4 against the current County Mayor Ken Keechl.

On Tuesday, the Gold Coast Log Cabin Republicans gave LaMarca a chance to infringe on territory that Keechl may consider his own – the most recognized gay venue in Broward County, Georgie’s Alibi.

Around 20 people huddled into the back bar at Georgie’s to hear LaMarca Chip LaMarca give his pitch; some of them Democrats but mostly Log Cabin Republicans. LaMarca spoke of wanting the area to be a “safe and healthy place to live” and “ethical conflicts” are a major concern within the “current commission.”

Aside from speaking about Wilton Manors specifically, LaMarca made sure to display his Republican credentials too. He expressed his interest in reducing taxes and limiting government – two points which are sure to appear in any Republican campaign.

“We want to keep the government out of what we do on a regular basis”, LaMarca said, “and we have to be able to keep people in Broward County [referring to the tax burden].”

Some friends of the LaMarca campaign who tagged along from Lighthouse Point were eager to tell SFGN that they don’t believe Ken Keechl – the first openly gay mayor of a county in Florida – can automatically count the gay vote as his own.

“There is this thing called the Dangerous Dog Ordinance,” said Suzanne Citere who runs a dance studio, “and it’s something that pet owners like myself might not like if they really look into it.

Keechl made this law that’s like a one-strike law and it’s really an unfair way to handle these situations. People could have their pets taken away from them because of an everyday accident.”

While the ordinance in question might not seem like a gay issue on the surface, Citere is correct that many gays and lesbians are dog owners – a higher percentage than our straight counterparts.

SFGN asked LaMarca if there was anything that could be done on the county level to facilitate gay adoption in Broward County and he responded that it was “more of a state-level matter” before taking the opportunity to express that he was for civil unions but against gay marriage.

Mr. LaMarca also wants SFGN readers to know that he refutes the claims made by Keechl at the GLBT Democratic Caucus which I reported on July 27. He says although he did meet Keechl in the manner described, he did not say anything in relation to gay men wearing dresses and that Keechl must have fabricated the statement. (See: Keechl Fires Back, July 27, 2010)

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October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Odd but True

No Pride in PhiLadELPhia on the Drive Enjoy LifE, LibErty and thE Pursuit of haPPinEss

By A. Sebastian Fortino

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ilton Drive is the epicenter of gay life in Wilton Manors, or WilMa, as it is affectionately known. With gay bars, restaurants and shops lining each side.

One such gay-owned business is Gallery XO, located at 2376 Wilton Drive, operated

by Tommy LaFashia and his partner Maciel Cantelmo in the Belle Isle complex. They live upstairs above their gallery. It is easy to locate the Cantelmo-LaFashia home, residence-cum-gallery, as they have pride flags celebrating their life and their community displayed on the second floor balcony.

Therefore, what place could be better to display the bright, rainbow pride flags, symbol of the LGBT community? Oddly enough, not on the main drag of a gay village, above a gay owned business, from the balcony of a gay home.

“We were notified that we are not allowed to have the pride flags. We wanted more info, as to why. The homeowner’s association that said we can have American flags, but not rainbow flags,” said LaFashia. “So, they want us to take them down.”

This is very odd. According to Wikipeda, “Wilton Manors has approximately 1270% more gay men per capita than the national average.”

LaFashia, a native of Pennsylvania, and Cantelmo, from Brazil, had a similar experience as this happened to the couple before, in another “gay village.”

“This happened in Rehoboth, DE at a seasonal rental we took one summer. Within 2 weeks we had a letter from the homeowner’s association saying we couldn’t have rainbow flags. The homeowner’s association in Re-

hoboth tolerated American, holiday, and special event flags, but not the pride flag.

This is just ridiculous,” Cantelmo and LaFashia said.

According to the Belle Isle homeowner’s association, the only flags permitted are American flags.

“They also said we can’t have signs on windows facing the drive,” said LaFashia ironically. There are about ten storefront units on the ground floor of Belle Isle, and they all have signs promoting their enterprise. In some cases the name of the business is painted on the actual window. Scoop, a closed café next door to Gallery XO, still has signs in the windows, and gay pride flags in the balcony above.

Gallery XO’s owners say that their landlady, the owner of the unit, is incredibly supportive. She told them that she has no problem with the flags. However, their issue does not lie with her, it lies with the homeowner’s association. As they are leasing the property they cannot voice their dismay directly to the homeowner’s association.

Initially they put the flags up for the pride event, in June. Yet the couple elected to keep them up after they got so many compliments from friends, passersby and clients alike. The flags seem to have brought them some luck, especially as many businesses on the Drive are struggling due to the lackluster economy.

“I keep telling everybody if this is a bad economy I can’t tell,” LaFashia told SFGN. “We have been off-the-hook-busy and people are spending money, not just looking! It’s been great.”

Maciel was – as usual – busy working on a canvas in the gallery space. He added - and the irony should not be missed friends of Dorothy, “Two words, about the flags, unconstitutional and archaic, we’re not in Kansas.”

The couple does not want to cause trouble for the owner of the unit, but does wish to keep up their pride flags. Alternately, they might consider putting up a Brazilian and an Italian flag, the heritages of Cantelmo and LaFashia respectively.

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October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Gay Teen Suicides Shock the World An Editorial by Norm Kent

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his is the South Florida Gay News. com. We are the real community newspaper in town. Forgive me if I do not run a ‘Best of Florida’ contest seeking out our community’s ‘Hottest Bartender.’ That is not what this newspaper or I am all about.

We are about news, content, and reality, painful though it may be.

We report our wins and our wounds. This week those wounds are very large and cut very deep.

Late Friday, we learned that a young gay man, Raymond Chase, took his own life at Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island, where he was a culinary student.

In an astounding and remarkable month, this was the fifth documented LGBT teenage suicide in America in the last three weeks.

The recent pattern has to generate alarm.

As we go to press, on Tuesday, October 5th, news reports from Toronto reveal that the bodies of two young lesbians have just been found in a mutual suicide pact.

Last week, Tyler Clementi’s death made the national news, and how could it not?

The young and closeted violinist could not handle the humiliation and jumped off the George Washington Bridge when he discovered classmates had published a secret video on the Internet of a sexual encounter he had with another man.

On September 23rd, 13-year-old Asher Brown, from Houston, Texas, shot himself in the head. His grieving parents said he had been persistently harassed by other students who thought he was gay. Asher Brown’s uncle told a big gathering of mourners and family supporters on Saturday, Oct. 2 that school bullies “ripped him up and tore him down everyday.”

Bright balloons floated in the air as Reverend Truong, his uncle, a minister, eulogized his nephew- “The bullies picked on my

nephew because of the way he dressed, how he talked, and the fact he was small. He was a David among Goliaths; but Asher’s heart was so big! His heart made him a giant.”

Fifteen-year-old Billy Lucas, of Indiana, hanged himself on September 9th. Classmates said he had been bullied and tormented for years over his sexual orientation. “People would call him ‘fag’ and stuff like that, just make fun of him because he’s different basically,” said friend Dillen Swango, who indicated on that same day, some students told Billy to kill himself.

Another 13-year-old, Seth Walsh from Minnesota, died in the hospital on Wednesday, eight days after attempting to hang himself from a tree. He is said to have endured taunts and abuse for being gay from other students; “chronic, non-stop teasing,” his older brother said.

Close to 600 townspeople crammed into the small church in rural Tehachapi, California, to remember the teen who loved Pokemon, adored French fries above all other food, and had an obsession with disco music.

“He was different. He knew he was different,” Seth’s mother, Judy Walsh said. “He was a very loving boy, very kind. He had a beautiful smile. He liked fashion, his friends, talking on the phone. He was artistic and very bright.”

Events are being planned across the country in the coming weeks to mourn the loss of these young people, and to take action to stop bullying crimes that lead to suicide. SFGN will support these events in every way we can.

To help stop the cycle that leads young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning people to feel they are alone, connect them to The Trevor Project. There is a place that’s free of bullying and judgment online, where young LGBTQ people, their friends and allies ages 13-24 can con-

nect safely and be themselves.

More than 13,000 young people already belong to TrevorSpace.org, and more youth join every day. If you or someone you care about shows warning signs for suicide, please do not hesitate to call The Trevor Lifeline at: 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-4887386). The call is free and confidential.

It is unclear whether suicides for young gay men are up, or if there has been better reporting of their deaths. LGBT students are known to be at a higher suicide risk than their heterosexual peers. One thing is clear.

The rapper 50 cent is a moron. A public figure subject to criticism, there are few words that can’t be said derisively over his homophobic rant last week on Twitter: “If you a man and your over 25 and you don’t eat pu**y just kill your self damn it.

The world will be a better place. Lol” No, the world will be a better place without bigotry, and if these national organizations like the Task Force want to do

something more useful with their lives then throw cocktails parties in fancy hotels, let them lead a national drive to drive 50 cent’s albums off store shelves where gay shoppers congregate, like Target, Borders, or Barnes and Noble. Let 50 cent know we won’t give a dime to support those who support him.

In response to the suicides, Dan Savage has launched the It Gets Better project, where adult LGBTs create videos reassuring teenagers that however bad things are, they will get better. Savage has been flooded with videos from around the world, encouraging bullied, gay teenagers to hang in there.

Sebastian Fortino has the story on Page 2.

Gay life is more open and honest than any other time in our country’s history. But these tragic suicides should remind all of us that there is another world where people still live with pain.

Let us all do what we can when we can to tame the aggressiveness of mankind and restore humanity to our lives.

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October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Memorie Italiane Italian Memories

By A. Sebastian Fortino

I

was twenty years old when I spent my summer semester abroad in Italy. My boyfriend at the time, a now-famous cabaret performer was cheating on me with his boss. He thought I was too foolish to realize, but I did and decided to study abroad, hoping he would miss me.

Initially, he was jealous at my departure.

Yet, less than two weeks into my Italian sojourn he left me for his boss. That the boss was eventually arrested for embezzling from his company is another story.

When he dumped me, I was miserable. I wept on the steps of the Scala Sancta with a Danish stranger whose boyfriend dumped him through that new-fangled thing called email.

Being young, horny, and in Europe I realized it was a shame to waste time crying in beautiful, cheap – pre-Euro – sunny Italy.

Instead, I had to find romance, to crown my trip to Italy with “amore.”

So, after my fellow students went back to the hotel after dinner and drinks I said I could find my way back on foot, “To admire Rome at night.” However, my intention was to find the nearest gay bar. I was dogged in my research of Italian men. I was not dis-

suaded even in Florence, where I was nearly raped by a man named Marco at a bar called “Il Tabasco.”

However, I did not find romance during any of my “escursioni sole” through the streets of Rome, Florence, or on the main piazza of Orvieto where I hunted an Italian boy who always wore the same pair of white, Prada shoes.

One night, when the whole group was together at a nightclub called, “l’Alibi” a very attractive boy with dark blond hair and wide, sunny, Alpine-skied eyes came to our table.

He was led to out table by a rather rude boy from Guatemala named David.When he was introduced our eyes met. His name was Stefan, he was from Zurich and he soon rose to go to the bathroom. My first thought was – as many a person feels when they meet someone at a bar – that he would never return.

While he was in the bathroom David announced he was going to get drinks. “Sebastiano,” we had all Italianized our names, “he is for me! Leave him alone, I see how you look at him.”

Stefan came back from the bathroom before David returned from the bar. I realized I had little time alone with him and rose out of my chair, smiled at Stefan, and took the

seat next to him.

“I studied in France, and this is my first time in Italy. What’s Switzerland like,” I asked.

David returned with drinks several minutes later, and was not pleased to find me with Stefan. He kept trying to “nudge” his way in. Stefan was not persuaded. David kept giving me the evil eye whenever he could.

Stefan knew a small restaurant near the club, and for the next few nights that he was in Rome I separated from my group and met him for dinner. The lady that ran the café, despite her gold crucifix, called us “bei ragazzi felici” and wished us – the “happy beautiful boys” the best of luck.

As it was his last night, we went to the Piazza Minerva, where a young Audrey Hepburn once flirted with Gregory Peck, and we ate our moonlit gelato staring at the Pantheon. Then, I insisted we take a cab past all of the great sites at night.

Stefan, ever the Swiss traveler, had his rucksack with him so I dropped him off at the train station. Which, if you have not seen it, is perhaps Rome’s ugliest building.

I was quite in love with him, being a

romantic art history student. Stefan, who studied engineering, was so very sensible. He realized that once I returned to New York, there would be an ocean between us.

However, we kissed under the full moon which bathed the eternal city in light as it had since the time of Romulus and Remus. I cried as the cab took me home, back to the Irish College, where my alma mater, Fordham had arranged for lodgings.

A few weeks later, I wrote my first short story about meeting Stefan. While the professor was largely unimpressed one “good thing” did come of her…critical eye.

She asked if I could get in touch with him, I said yes. I had to create my first email address to contact him, and next summer I went to see him in Zurich. He came to New York soon afterwards. Stefan is still one of my dearest friends. Happily, we see each other at least once every 2 years.

He is my greatest Italian memory, as I have only about a dozen pictures from that trip.

My ex, spitefully gave me a camera he knew was faulty and I recorded only 10 percent of my happy Italian memories.

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October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Express Your Italian-American Pride with GITA!

By A. Sebastian Fortino

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ultural organizations that fly the Italian flag take time to celebrate being Italian. One such organization in the Fort Lauderdale-area, is the Gay Italian-American Association (GITA). The group’s initials spell out the Italian word “gita” which means an outing, or little trip.

Each month Primavera Restaurant located on Oakland Park Boulevard, hosts a dinner for members, or those that wish to become members, merely by taking part in the excellent dinner hosted by Chuck Murabito, owner of the restaurant and a founder of the GITA. “The group started when two Italian guys came to Fort Lauderdale, who wanted to meet and network with other Italian speakers,” said Murabito. “Now, about seven years later, we have 900 names on our email list.

To think we started with only a pizza party

that shocked us by attracting 90 members in one night.”

The group has a diverse following – some members are themselves Italian, while others are interested in Italian language classes, trips to the opera or ballet, or their bridge group.

In terms of members who are not Italian, but interested in experiencing the culture, Murabito’s partner, Juan Branger is an excellent example. The Venezuela-born Branger supports the club by Italianizing the names of guests and members when they walk in. I became Sebastiano, and if your name is Luke, expect your nametag to say Luca.

Members of the group enjoy the camaraderie that the club provides. Friendships are made over bowls of pasta and glasses of Chianti.

Chuck Murabito and Juan Branger

“The dinner is the most popular,” Murabito beamed. “Everyone in Fort Lauderdale seems to be from somewhere else. When you grow up Italian-American it’s wonderful to come together to celebrate Italian culture, and, of course the food!”

On average about 120 people come to the dinners, some have attended since the group began. Murabito took over Primav-

era about five years ago. Like every proper Italian, hospitality is in his blood, and taking over the restaurant also allowed GITA a large, warm, welcoming atmosphere for meetings.

Bobby Caruso, of Deerfield Beach is a retired aerospace engineer who retired to Fort Lauderdale in 1997.

If you are familiar with famed early 20th Century opera singer Enrico Caruso, who died in 1921, Bobby has an interesting bit of family lore.

“My father had a cousin who sang opera, and the timing is about right,” said Caruso of his possible ancestor.

As with many stories told in the Italian-American Diaspora about ancestors from the old country, this must be accepted as family myth, not necessarily fact. If you are ItalianAmerican chances are you have a family tale of being the bastard descendants of dukes, or that you’re most-certainly is related to Marconi, who invented the telegraph, Caruso’s contributions to GITA, however, are not mythical. continued on page 32

Local News

Gallery Partner Investigated in Miami Heat Dancer’s Death

By Richard Gary

was killed instantly.

Police initially reported that toxicology reports were pending, but on he Managing Partner Saturday, CBS 4 reported that ofof the very popular ficers responding to the scene Wilton Manors based gave indications Careaga had Dennis Dean Galleries, Mario been intoxicated at the time Careaga of Fort Lauderdale, conof the incident. The television tinues to be investigated for a station’s news report indicatpossible charge of DUI Maned that “an officer on scene slaughter in the accidental and who spoke to Careaga “noted tragic death of a young Miami signs of impairment including Heat dancer, Nancy G. Lopezbloodshot eyes, slurred speech, Ruiz, 22, last month.

Mario Careaga strong odor of an alcoholic bevAccording to the Fort Lauderdale police, Careaga of Fort Lauderdale erage being emitted from Careaga’s breath was driving his 2009 Mercedes-Benz on Sep- and Careaga had difficulties supporting tember 10 at 9:30 p.m., when it struck and himself.”

The CBS report noted that Careaga has jumped the median at 700 North Federal Highway, where the road divides with East not been charged with a crime but a search Sunrise Boulevard. The Mercedes then fa- warrant was issued stating “there is probatally struck Lopez-Ruiz and her 2003 Suzuki ble cause to believe that Mario Careaga was GSX R motorcycle from behind. The dancer continued on page 28

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October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Young Professional Spotlight

By Joey Amato

Jason Tamanini

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ason Tamanini is no stranger to South Florida nightlife. Known by enthusiasts throughout the east coast, Tamanini has already left an indelible mark on LGBT culture at just 29 years old.

Tamanini’s first foray into nightlife came when he held the prestigious position of General Manager at China White, one of Fort Lauderdale’s most remembered establishments. After China White closed its doors, Tamanini ventured south, ultimately taking on the title and responsibilities of Regional Director for Halo in both Miami Beach and Washington D.C. Never one to remain stagnant, Tamanini discovered an opportunity to bring him back to Fort Lauderdale and reunite him with his old friends. “I opened the Miami loca-

Gino Campodonico

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ino Campodonico is one of South Beach’s most recognizable figures.

As an employee of Tara Solomon’s prestigious public relations firm, TARA Ink., he spends most of his time hobnobbing with the rich and famous and sipping cocktails at South Beach hotspots. He may be the envy of many, but things were not always easy.

Campodonico was born in Madison, Wisconsin and spent his early years living in Lima, Peru. When he was seven, his family decided to relocate back to the Unites States and settled in Miami. Campodonico, who was raised Catholic, struggled with his sexuality from a young age.

“The biggest challenge I faced as a teenager was during high school. Even though I wasn’t out of the closet, it was obvious to those around me that I was gay,” he tells SFGN. “My friends and I enjoyed making films and participating in the school plays.” But the spotlight drew attention to Campodonico’s sexuality and he became the constant target of bullies. “This is still an issue in schools and it makes me sad and angry at the same time.

I want kids that are going through the same thing right now to know that it gets better.”

It was at Florida International University, where Campodonico was studying mass communications and marketing, that he found his calling. “My professor encouraged me to pursue an internship at a local PR firm called at Harrison & Shriftman,” he states. “I fell in love with public relations during my first week. It embodied everything I love: writing, networking and being creative.”

In 2007, shortly after graduating, Campodonico landed a position as Executive Assistant to Tara Solomon and Nick D’Annunzio, principals of TARA, Ink., the same organization he is employed by today. The 26-year-old is currently an Account Executive in the Hospitality & Entertainment division of the firm, where he oversees accounts including: The Forge Restaurant & Wine Bar, RA Sushi and STK Restaurant.

Campodonico has been working his way up the ladder, due to his success as a publicist. “One of my first career highlights was getting one of our clients in The New York Post’s most reputable column, Page Six.” This was followed by hits he achieved in The New York Times and TV Guide.

Campodonico counts Tara Solomon as one of his greatest inspirations. “Her expertise and reputation is unparalleled,”

tion of Halo, now MOVA, and positioned it as the top brand in the market,” he states.

“But then I was approached with a once in a lifetime opportunity to manage and help launch The Manor with a team of the best in the business for the past 30 years.”

At the Manor, Tamanini oversees all aspects of operations including private events, community outreach, human resources, restaurant and nightlife operations.

Tamanini holds a prestigious degree in psychology with a minor in business from the University of Pittsburgh. “I chose to delve into this line of work because it’s always evolving,” Tamanini states. “I enjoy the human interaction, use of various business skills I have acquired over the years and being ahead of the curve.”

Immersing himself in the entertainment business has been one of Tamanini’s greatest challenges. “Through community outreach, and establishing substantial business rela-

tionships, I helped to ensure that I am taken seriously as a participating member of the business community.” He counts his colleagues at the Manor as some of his greatest mentors. “Over the past eight years of being in this business, I have built an amazing group of friends that I can rely on,” he states.

Even though his work schedule is a bit different from the majority of people – he typically begins work at 4 p.m. and leaves in the wee hours of the morning – Tamanini still finds time to support many local and national charitable organizations. “The Human Rights Campaign, Broward House, AHF and Care Resource, just to name a few, are all very close to my heart. I do whatever I can to support them.”

In his spare time, the Philadelphia native enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to his iPod and enjoying great food and wine.

says Campodonico, “She taught me so much about Miami, public relations, fashion and life.”

Never one to be content, his biggest ambition is to “continue making a name for myself in the public relations industry and constantly evolve with new media. I want to become a recognizable name in the PR realm across the nation.”

In his spare time, Campodonico enjoys, dining out, discovering new music, travelling and spending time with his boyfriend Joseph. He is also working to promote the Miguel Paredes National Gallery at South Beach’s iconic art deco National Hotel, which takes place during Art Basel Miami Beach 2010.

For more information on Jason and the Manor Complex, please visit TheManorComplex.com.

To learn more about Gino Campodonico, visit Taraink.com

10

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

SFGN BRIEFS

By Joey Amato In a strong show of support to the LBT community in South Florida, the Aqua Foundation for Women has providing funding to numerous local organizations for a total of $60,000 including the organization’s largest grant to date of $20,000 for Safe Schools South Florida.This is in addition to their 2010 Legacy grants in which Aqua awarded $20,000 to four organizations within the community.

Among the recipients of funds include The Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, O-Cinema, SunServe,The Alliance for GLBTQ Youth,The Pride Center at Equality Park,The Women’s Theatre Project and YES Institute.

Since its inception, The Aqua Foundation for Women has awarded over $300,000 to South Florida’s LBT community. Their new annual gala, Aqua Affair will take place on November 13 and will honor grant recipients, scholarship recipients and inform supporters of the organization’s agenda for 2011.

For more information, visit Aquafoundation.org

SunServe Receives $100,000

employee to work on LGBT youth issues in Broward County. Kris Drumm, MSW has worked with the LGBT community over a span of 25 years, in Florida and in New York City. Drumm directs SunServe’s One Heart Interactive socio-drama youth ensemble, as well as coordinates the weekly youth group.

SunServe has received a $100,000 bequest from long-time Broward County resident, Lenore Rothman. The gift, which was guided by Frank Guida, Jr. will increase support for the Noble A. McArtor Senior Center and will allow SunServe to increase the hours of its Youth & Families Services Schwarzenegger ReDirector to full-time. peals Antigay Law Lenore Rothman was a Everyone’s favorite Broward County resident “governator,” Arnold for more than 60 years. Her Schwarzenegger signed a father was a builder and bill Wednesday to repeal a was responsible for much 60-year-old antigay law reof the development of quiring state officials to seek Lantana. Rothman worked a cure for homosexuality. with her father in construcThough the law was tion and in the real estate barely enforced, “It was aspect of the business. She misguided and foolish at loved riding horses, tennis, the time. It’s completely golf, the theatre and was unacceptable now,” AsArnold a women’s rights activist. semblywoman Bonnie Rothman died on November 25, 2009.

Lowenthal said, according to the Contra SunServe’s Director of Youth & Family Costa Times.

Services will be the first full-time dedicated The law was prompted after a 6-year-old Nate mandos / wikimedia

Aqua Foundation Awards $60,000 in Grants

Los Angeles girl, Linda Glucoft, was molested and murdered by the grandfather of one of her friends in 1949. After much public outcry, the state enacted laws to support the study of pedophilia, which then also roped in the study of eradicating homosexuality. The remaining part of the law, which evaluates the inner workings of pedophiles, will stay in the books as a memorial to Glucoft.

Arsht Center Celebrates Five Years with Gala More than 500 of Miami’s most influential arts patrons, philanthropists, and business and civic leaders will gather on Thursday, October 28 as the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County marks its 5th Anniversary Season with a special Gala event starring Broadway performer and four-time Tony Award-nominee Raúl Esparza.

This year’s 5th Anniversary Season Gala will honor the Center’s legacy to date, the evolution of its mission as a ‘world-class, community-based’ performing arts center,

11

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

SFGN BRIEFS and its future direction as the Miami community continues to invest in the institution.

The black tie evening of dinner and dancing will begin at 7 p.m. The entire evening will carry a black-and-white motif. Proceeds from the Gala will support the Center’s mission-driven arts education and community outreach programs.

For more information, please call (786) 468-2020 or visit Arshtcenter.org.

Local Musician Honored On September 12, local musician and conductor, Dan Bassett was named by the Miami Herald as one of twenty local artists under the age of forty who are already making an impact in the arts in South Florida. Only four of the artists chosen were musicians and Bassett was the only gay-affiliated artist.

Bassett has been the conductor of the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble, based in Ft. Lauderdale, for five years. As conductor, he has transformed the wind ensemble’s concerts into multi-media shows featuring video productions, backdrops and local talented

singers, dancers and visual artists. With the wind ensemble he has collaborated with local groups such as the Ft. Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus, In Harmony, Lambda Chorale and MCC Sunshine Cathedral Choir.

event will receive a medal of St. Francis for their pet’s collar. Guests are reminded that all four-legged friends should be on a leash.

Indianapolis Bakery

Hate Crime charged in west palm bar fight

rainbow-colored cupcakes for next month’s National Coming Out Day. Just Cookies owner Lilly Stockton defended her bakery’s decision last week, first claiming that the shop does not make cupcakes, and then telling a reporter that she did not have sufficient materials to make the rainbow colors. Contradicting her statement, her husband David Stockton, told reporters they are “a familyrun business, we have two young, impressionable daughters and we thought maybe it was best not to do that,” The controversy prompted an Indianapolis radio station to hold a “Gay Cupcake

A South Florida man has been charged with beating a man during a bar fight because he was gay.

John Richard Shannon was out with friends in West Palm Beach last month when he started arguing with another man he accused of being a homosexual. According to the police report, Shannon used several homophobic slurs and told the victim that a cast on his arm was because he had beaten up another homosexual.

When the victim defended himself Shannon began screaming until he was kicked out.

Police said he sneaked back in the bar and punched the man in the face with his cast.

Last week, Shannon admitted he punched the man and may have uttered the homophobic slur.

He is charged with aggravated battery, with the enhanced upgrade of “evidencing prejudice while committing

In addition to the wind ensemble, Bassett also con- Refuses Order for ducts the South Florida Pride Jazz Ensemble and Rainbow Cupcakes Marching Band. For more information about the Officials in Indianapolis are turning up the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble, visit www. heat on a bakery that refused to take an orpridewindensemble.org. der from a student diversity group seeking

Movie of the Month Congregation Etz Chaim’s monthly Movie Mogul series continues with the presentation of “Defamation” on Tuesday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the synagogue,1881 NE 26th Street in Wilton Manors, Admission is free.

Call 954-564-9232 for more information.

Bless Your Pets!

The Parish of Saints Francis and Clare will conduct an Animal Blessing on Sunday, October 10 at 3 p.m. at the Humane Society of Broward County’s West Griffin Road location. All attending this 13th annual

Party”. Nearly 400 people had indicated that they planned to attend the event.

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THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT THAT IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN SEVENTY TWO (72) HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED FEE OR REDUCED FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT.

12

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Delray Dentist Offers Affordable Treatment Plans

By Cliff Dunn

D

r. John Sarris not only offers anxiety free dentristy at his office on Federal Highway in Delray Beach, he has a financial plan suited to meet your needs.

Anticipating a patient’s hygienic needs as well as budgets, Dr. Sarris, who moved to South Florida from South Jersey twelve years ago, has one plan for as little as $599 a year, which in- cludes a crown, two free prophylaxsis cleanings, and discounted periodontal treatments.

By treating the toothache, the root canal, the filling and the crown, under one umbrella, Dr. Sarris is able to coordinate a savings to the patient, cutting the normal prices of individual treatments with separate dentists.

“It can save you over $500 a year if you

Dr. John Sarris

were to go to a dentist a la carte,” Dr. Sarris points out. Depending on the plan you select for your treatment regimen, you can save hundreds and hundreds of dollars, acquiring veneers, restorative crowns and new fillings.

“People everywhere are hurting in this economy,” the doctor recognizes, “so our goal was to develop something affordable which integrates in preventative care.”

The soothing and modern offices of Dr. Sarris offer cosmetic dentistry, as well as botox and juvaderm services. Hoping to soon open a second office in greater Fort Lauderdale, Dr. Sarris offers a complete and diverse practice, including dentures, implants, root canals, extractions, gum surgeries, along with general dentristy.

One of his more unique skills is dealing with TMJ pain or TMD Disorders, often caused by ‘bad bites.’ “That can leave you weak,” Dr. Sarris advises, “with jaw pain, as well as head and neck pain.

Trained at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Sarris is impressed with the advances in dental procedures over the last decade alone. “Dental anesthetics are so advanced that you never feel any pain anymore. We have all the relaxants to insure your comfort while being treated.”

Still he notes, there is nothing as important as brushing, flossing and rinsing on a regular basis. “And no cheating,” he adds, “five minutes with a regular toothbrush; two if you are using electric – which are better.”

Highly touted by his patients, Dr. Sarris accepts multiple insurance plans, Care Credit, and is affiliated with nearby hospitals.

International News

Photo of lesbians kissing in Tiananmen Square taken in 2006 by manifesto.com.cn / Kenneth T

Beijing Police Raid Gay Hotspot

By Gillian Wong (AP) BEIJING — Beijing police raided a popular outdoor hangout for gay men and took dozens in for questioning over the weekend as part of a security sweep ahead of China’s National Day holiday, an activist said Tuesday.

At least 80 gay men were taken away from a park in the capital’s Haidian district by police during night raids on Saturday and Sunday, said Guo Ziyang, a project manager with the Beijing Working Group of Gay Movement, a non-governmental group that promotes gay rights.

The men were brought to the police station where they were questioned and asked to show their identity cards, said Guo, who interviewed several of the men. He added that there were rumors that some men were made to take blood tests.

Beijing’s Public Security Bureau did not immediately respond to a faxed list of questions.

The Global Times newspaper cited Zi Xiangdong, a spokesman with the bureau, as saying the campaign was part of the city’s annual security inspection ahead of the National Day holiday. He did not say what regulations the men who were taken away were suspected of violating, the paper said.

Police officers and SWAT teams swarmed the Mudanyuan Park in about 20 vehicles, the paper said, citing witnesses.

U.S.-based Chinese AIDS activist Wan Yanhai, founder of the Beijing Aizhixing Institute, said his group “strongly condemned” the raid.

Wan said in a statement the raid was “extremely rude, violent and lacking in legal basis.”

Wan urged police to release all individuals taken away from the park and issue an apology.

Gay rights in China have come a long way since the years just after the 1949 communist revolution when homosexuality was considered a disease from the decadent West and feudal societies, and gay people were persecuted. Sodomy was decriminalized in 1997, and homosexuality was finally removed from the official list of mental disorders in 2001.

But homosexuality remains a sensitive topic and gays are frequently discriminated against and ostracized.

Chinese authorities often blanket the country’s capital with tight security ahead of special anniversaries such as the Oct. 1 National Day, which is followed by a weeklong holiday.

Last year, ahead of the 60th anniversary of communist rule, Tibet was closed to foreign tourists, submachine gun-toting SWAT units were mixing among crowds in Beijing, activists were rounded up and even kite-flying was banned in the capital. Security was also tightened in 2008 ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

China plans to close its border with Kyrgyzstan during the holiday period, said a man surnamed Wang at the Yierkeshitan Port on the border with the Central Asian country, although he did not know when exactly the border would be closed.

13

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Diplomat Kills Himself After Testing HIV+?

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Jeffrey Seth Selzer, eSQ. • Scott A. WeiSS, eSQ.

By Kilian Melloy

P

olice in New York City say that the wounds that killed a Nicaraguan diplomat may have been self-inflicted, despite their horrific nature.

Nicaraguan senior consulate officer César Mercado was found dead in his apartment in the Bronx on Sept. 23, according to a New York Times article published the same day.

The body was found that morning by Mercado’s driver just inside his unlocked apartment. Mercado had suffered knife wounds to the neck and abdomen. The door was shut and the apartment seemed in good order.

A Sept. 25 New York Daily News article said that, according to authorities, the presence of a shallow wounds might indicate that the injuries had been self-inflicted. The body showed evidence of what one investigator called “hesitation wounds--where you’re trying to see how painful it is.” Added the source, “He was really feeling down and out for the last week.”

Police found two household knives in the bathroom. Considerable blood was also in the bathroom. One scenario posits that Mercado slashed his own neck and stabbed himself a dozen times in the abdomen while standing in the bathroom, and then made his way toward the front door before collapsing just short of reaching it.

As for motive, investigators theorize that Mercado might have killed himself because he had just learned that he was HIV-positive.

But strands of human hair were also found in Mercado’s hands, suggesting an alternative conclusion: that the diplomat was the victim of an attacker whose hair he pulled, possibly in self-defense. No definitive conclusions could be drawn from the results of the preliminary autopsy, the article said.

At least one friend of Mercado’s rejected the idea that the diplomat took his own life. “It was an animal, whoever did this,” Amparo Amador told the media. “He didn’t kill himself.”

Marcado’s death took place days prior to the second annual National Gay Men’s HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day. A Sept. 27 press re-

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César Mercado

lease from the National AIDS Fund (NAF) noted the event and said that the organization “has long been committed to helping men who have sex with men (MSM)--both living with, and at risk for, HIV/AIDS--prevent the spread of the disease, and access the life-saving care they need if they are living with disease.

“The goals of National Gay Men’s HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day are to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS among gay men; encourage HIV testing, early diagnosis and linkage to care; promote better understanding of the complex factors that drive HIV transmission among gay men; and obtain broad based support to acquire needed public and private resources and sound governmental policies to prevent new infections among gay men and to provide treatment for gay men living with HIV/AIDS,” the release added.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that nearly one in five American MSMs are living with HIV. Nearly half of them do not know it: an estimated 44% of HIV+ MSMs have not been tested for HIV. With testing, HIV+ individuals can begin life-saving treatments and take steps to ensure that they do not infect others in turn. Timely treatment is crucial for HIV+ individuals. By beginning treatment as soon as possible, health authorities say, HIV+ individuals have a greater chance of enjoying near-normal life expectancies.

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14

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

SFGN Editorial

October 6, 2010

The Message from Michigan Norm Kent, Publisher

E

arlier this year, Chris Armstrong, an openly gay junior and former intern at the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, was elected president of the University of Michigan Student Assembly, which represents tens of thousands of students at one of the country’s most prestigious schools.

It was a quiet victory that we probably should have covered somewhere in our paper. After all, UM is located in Ann Arbor, where America’s first openly LGBT candidate was elected to public office. Kathy Kozachenko, an out lesbian, won a seat on the Ann Arbor City Council in January of 1974. Today, though, Chris Armstrong is a national student hero.

Shortly after the MSA election in March, Andrew Shirvell, a University alum and assistant attorney general for the state of Michigan, took aim at the Michigan Student Assembly and Armstrong in particular.

He started a hateful blog directed at Armstrong’s homosexuality.

Shirvell’s moronic blog railed against Armstrong’s “radical homosexual agenda,” demanded his resignation as student presChris Armstrong

ident, and at one time displayed a rainbow flag with a swastika in the middle of it next to Armstrong’s image. Subsequent posts labeled Armstrong a liar, an elitist, a racist, and a “viciously militant homosexual activist.”

How bad was the blog? Shirvell even posted that Armstrong was a ‘privileged pervert’ backed by ‘violent supporters.’ Too bad they weren’t. Maybe one of them would have cut off this prick’s balls.

As the debate went front and center nationally, landing on Fox, CNN, and Anderson Cooper, everyone but the Attorney General of Michigan, Mike Cox, seemed to recognize that his employee’s comments were the rantings and ravings of a blatant bigot, a ‘public servant’ paid by state funds in an office charged with defending the civil rights of its citizens. What a freaking disgrace.

To his credit, Armstrong and the student assembly stood strong. He said in one address that “I will not back down. I will not flinch. I will not falter. I will not succumb to any unwarranted attacks. What I will do is I will carry on with the utmost pride and vindication.”

He is a young man to be applauded. If

OUT Magazine wants credibility when they publish their annual OUT 100, they name a kid like this and not some drunk flight attendant who slides down the emergency chute of an airplane.

News like this travels faster on the Internet than it does in a weekly paper. By the time you read this column, you will have probably learned that Shirvell has announced he is taking a ‘leave of absence’, and will face a subsequent disciplinary hearing. By now, the Attorney General is regretting not having acted sooner. Given an opportunity to exercise leadership, make a statement, and summarily fire his employee, he was weak and vacillated. Fortunately, the gay community did not.

There is something to be learned from this week-long focus on a young student in Michigan, not unlike the lesson taught earlier this year when a young lesbian in Mississippi was told she could not go to her high school prom. Not unlike the lesson taught to the former Mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Jim Naugle, when he ragged on gays in South Florida two years ago. The message is that we count, we matter, and we don’t have to take crap from anyone anywhere anytime anymore.

We are not just here, queer, and every-

where, a chant heard in the 1970’s when we tried to start a civil rights movement, with pioneers like Kathy Kozachenko, of Ann Arbor, leading the way. Forty years later, we are not only here, we are a political force to be reckoned with. My dad is long gone, but his birthday last week reminded me of a popular phrase which was the calling card of his infantry unit in World War II, the Fighting 94th: ‘Don’t Tread on Me.’ We may not be allowed in your army, America, but watch out. We now have our own. And it is not those big shot organizations holding fancy cocktail parties. It is individuals like Chris Armstrong everywhere standing up to intolerance anywhere.

Write to the Editor Please send your letters to: Letters to the Editor, SFGN 2520 N. Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 OR EMAIL: editor@southfloridagaynews.com

Jesse’s Journal – Returns Next Week!

Revealing Sam Steward An Interview with Justin Spring Read next week in SFGN.

15

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Off the Wall

Raffaele and Anselmo

By Pier Angelo Guidugli

“In Honor of all Italian-Americans whose achievements have enriched the social, cultural and civic vitality of this city, region and state”

– Legend incised on the base of “The Stonecutter Memorial” – Barre,VT

T

he first time I saw my Aunt Olga after coming out of the closet was in her hometown of Barre, Vermont.

“Come let’s go to the cemetery and see where your ancestors are buried,” she said to me, “It is a while since you have been there.”

The grounds of the lushly landscaped Hope Cemetery contain some of the finest examples of memorial sculpture in the country. Innovative, touching, even horrifying but always filled with humanity.

Each grave and monument depicts a story and illuminates the history of the city and the granite industry. Here the stonecutters have been creating the monument of their dreams for their own resting places. A balanced granite cube resting precariously on one corner, self-portraits and statues, a ponderous granite armchair, even a relief of a husband and wife sitting up in bed, hands joined in eternal friendship, a sailing ship, a race car, a soccer ball, replicas of The Pieta’, of The Last Supper, small masterpieces in their own right.

We paid our respects to my uncle Leo, his gravestone is a bassorilievo (bas-relief)

of a bucolic scenery reminiscent of Tuscany, with himself, his wife Olga, and their little dog Corky, looking into the distance. We walked around the cemetery and checked on cousins, second cousins, distant relatives with the same last name as mine, people I never met but always heard about.

And then we were standing in front of a grave that was not part of the usual visits. I was tired and wanted to leave but my aunt just stood there without saying a word. I thought she was paying her respects to some old friend. Up to that day she had never said much about my being gay. According to her, she always knew, and she always loved me.

No big deal.

As time stood still I asked her why she was standing in front of this particular site.

“Don’t you see”? The stone looked like the matching headboards of twin beds pushed together – very plain compared to the rest of the monuments around. In fact, it was almost out of place in its stark simplicity and humility.

Suddenly, the names engraved on the granite hit me: Anselmo Fiordalisi 1892-1960 / Raffaele Balzi 1899-1961.My jaw dropped and for a moment I thought I needed air.

“Yes” my aunt said.

Anselmo arrived at Ellis Island on December 17, 1920, when he was 28 years old; Raffaele, on December 19, 1920, was

21. Both were from the small village of Collegnago, near the Carrara marble quarries.

They could not get a berth on the same ship so they sailed from Genoa, on different vessels, a few days apart.

Stonecutters and carvers by trade, they reunited in New York after clearing immigration. They had come steerage class to economize. The food was not the best but it was substantial and everything was relatively clean. They boarded a train and headed for Barre, home of the largest granite quarry in the world. The town had a population of 15,000 people, and half of them worked in the granite industry.

Vermont is one of the smallest states in the union but it has a strong, liberal, independent, “live and let live” tradition, peppered with a bit of anarchism and socialism compliments of the early Northern Italian contingent of stoneworkers.

While doing research for this column I met an 80 year old carver who said: “I figger to tend my own business and let the other feller do the same. That way folks get along.

Meddlin’ is what makes all the trouble.”

My cousin Tom remembers Anselmo and Raffaele: “They always lived together in the North End of the city where all the Italians had settled, worked in the sheds, went about their business without bothering anybody. In the winter they helped the neighbors shoveling snow from the front entrance of the houses. Went fishing on weekends, or headed for the woods, looking for mushrooms, during harvest season.

The whole town knew and accepted them without a second thought. They often came to our house and sat around the kitchen table with my dad, drinking wine or grappa, talking about life and the old country. They were very good and helpful to my mother and my grandmother.”

My other cousin, Paula, remembers, as a teenager, bringing them food when they were sick, “My nonna would often send me over to see if Raffé and Poldo, as they were affectionately called, needed anything. Anselmo was quiet and dignified, kind of sad looking, but proud too – always dressed in black. Raffaele was not very big, but wiry and strong, his manner was one of good fellowship; his glance was as friendly as his smile.”

In the winter time, when severe weather conditions would close the quarry for months, workers would then go to the big cities looking for part time employment.

Raffaele often went to New York City and worked in construction. He became an avid

baseball fan and loved going to Yankee Stadium. Back home in Barre, he followed his beloved Yankees over the wireless.

They were silent role models. I like to believe they were happy. In a town of blue collar people, all struggling to make ends meet, always covered in dust from the cutting sheds, many of them dying of silicosis – the stoneworker TB – they were courageous trailblazers. And so they lived, quietly and without fuss or bother, without any selfconsciousness as a couple, for 40 years.

Anselmo passed away in 1960. Raffaele took care of him during his final illness and joined him a year later. They left very clear instructions that they had to be buried side by side, for eternity. Nobody objected.

Perhaps, in a very romantic way, the seeds of Vermont’s groundbreaking gay marriage law can be traced to the heritage and simple heroism of Raffaele and Anselmo, whose peaceful and contemplative final resting place is immensely distant, in more ways than mileage, from places like New York, San Francisco, and Fort Lauderdale, cities fighting over matters and measures settled by the hearts of loving couples so long ago.

Ciao Raffé and Poldo, R.I.P,.. and Grazie.

.com

16

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Rev. Irene Monroe

The messology of Bishop Eddie Long

W

hen preachers pontificate too much from on High about the sins of homosexual sex, the cautionary tale is to be careful of what you say, because your words invariable will come back to bite you, as we are seeing with Bishop Eddie Long.

Called by the Southern Poverty Law Center as “one of the most virulently homophobic black leaders in the religiously based anti-gay movement,” it came as a surprise, sending seismic shock waves across the African American church community, when news broke about Long’s alleged sexcapdes with two male teenagers -- followed immediately by a third allegation -- while they were enrolled in his ministry for teen boys.

Long is a flamboyant man, and likes to flaunt his gifts. As one of the Black Church’s prominent pastors of “prosperity gospel,” his bling-bling theology unabashedly flashes not only his Gucci sunglasses, gold necklaces, and Rolex watches, but also unapologetically flashes his muscular physique in the latest too tight-fitting spandex workout togs.

Long has been rumored, for some time, to be gay. And for those inside of Long’s stained-glass closet at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, they have known of the bishop’s penchant for pubescent boys, whom he calls “spiritual sons.”

Sadly, however, Long, like too many African American ministers on the “down low,” has erected his bully pulpit denouncing gays while using his clerical authority to

court and to covet them.

During his infamous anti-gay march in December 2004 titled “Stop the Silence,” which denounced same-sex marriage, Long

Long’s is not alone – to be gay or rumored to be gay – in denouncing homosexuality.

For example, speaking at the November 2009 Church of God in Christ’s 102nd Holy Convocation International Youth Department Worship Service, Pastor Donnie McClurkin told his audience, “God did not call you to such perversions. Your only hope is Jesus Christ. Were it not for this Jesus I would be a homosexual today. This God is a deliverer.”

The poster boy for African American exgay ministries attributed his homosexuality to being raped twice as a child, first at age

Bishop Eddie Long and President George Bush share a moment

stated, “In essence, God made Eve to help Adam replenish the earth. Woman has the canal...everything else is an exit. ...Cloning, homosexuality, and lesbianism are spiritual abortions. Homosexuality is a manifestation of the fallen man.”

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eight at his brother’s funeral by his uncle, and then at age thirteen by his cousin, his uncle’s son. Confusing, however, samegender sexual violence with homosexuality, McClurkin misinterpreted the molestation as the reason for his gay sexual orientation.

McClurkin “testi-lies” that his cure was done by a deliverance from God and a restoration of his manhood by becoming the biological father of a child.

Another example lies in Bishop T.D. Jakes, the internationally known African American evangelical star dubbed as the black Billy Graham. His ranting against homosexuality came back to bite him in January 2009 in the form of his oldest son’s, Jermaine Jakes, arrest in a sex sting for openly soliciting gay sex from an undercover vice detective in a public park just a few blocks from his church, The Potter’s House, a 30,000 member megachurch in

Dallas, Texas.

Bishop Jakes is now tight-lipped on the topic of homosexuality, because his son’s arrest has the African American LGBTQ community abuzz with rumors resurfacing his own sexuality.

In September 2005 activists Keith Boykin and Jasmyne Cannick kicked off a five-part series, “Outing Black Pastors,” on their respective websites querying publicly whether prominent pastors in the black community, like Bishops T.D. Jakes, Donnie McClurkin, and Eddie Long, who constantly rail against LGBTQ people, were actually struggling with their own sexual orientation.

The mess Long now finds himself in is emblematic of the Black Church’s down low “politic of silence” concerning sexuality.

J.L. King who became the country’s poster boy by exposing the behavior in his bestseller, stated, not surprisingly, that many of his partners were churchmen. “There are gospel conventions throughout the nation for churches. There is one for ushers, Sunday school departments, music departments and ministers. ...These events allow men to meet men and to have sex while away from their hometowns. Many midnight concerts turn into affairs where brothers are cruising each other. I’ve been there, seen it, and done it,” King states in his book.

Many African-American men on the DL say there are two salient features that contribute to this subculture -- white gay culture and the Black Church.

The Black Church’s conservative gender roles and anti-gay theology create a hidden homosocial community of DL male clerics who find camaraderie at black pastors or at all-male conferences where Long took his spiritual sons.

Long has not created the homophobic climate in the Black Church, but he has certainly contributed to it.

With a membership of over 25,000, Long’s church is the largest African American megachurch in the Southeast. And as the largest it can begin, with his sex scandal, to effect change by embracing a liberating, healthy, and holistic understanding of human sexuality.

And in so doing, Long would be creating a model of pastoral care not only for heterosexuals or homosexuals, but most importantly, for himself.

Reverend Monroe is an African American lesbian minster, PH.D. student @ Harvard Divinity School, and freelance writer for numerous LGBTQ zines.

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October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

General Gayety

DADT’s Hectic September

By Leslie Robinson

B

Often in our struggles we’ve had to count oy, there’s been a lot of action around Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) late- on politicians, judges and voters treating us ly. Let’s all follow the bouncing ball. fairly because it was the right thing to do.

On Sept. 9, a federal judge in California Now we actually have public opinion on our declared DADT unconstitutional. Judge Virgin- side—according to a recent ABC News/Washia Phillips of Federal District Court struck ington Post poll, over 75 percent of Americans down the military’s ban on openly gay sol- think gays should be allowed to serve openly diers after the plaintiffs challenged the law in the military. Such approval feels weird, but under the First and Fifth Amendments to I could force myself to get used to it.

Again on Sept. 21, the GLBT site JoeMythe Constitution. It was the Log Cabin ReGod.com reported on the Senate vote, and publicans that brought the suit.

On Sept. 10, every gay organization kicked someone left this comment: “All Faggots must itself for allowing the gay GOP’ers to get die.” The message was traced to the office of Georgia Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss. there first.

On Sept. 22, Chambliss’ office issued a On Sept. 12, two gay and two lesbian soldiers, all DADT victims, escorted Lady Gaga statement saying that so far it was unknown to the MTV Video Music Awards. The five which person there left the comment. Then I issued a statement saying people involved wore dress apparently the senator hires uniforms—for Lady Gaga, an Alexander McQueen en- Now we actually staffers with the soul of a plum pit. semble including tall gold have public opinion On Sept. 23, U.S. governfeathers on her head is a on our side ment lawyers filed to stop dress uniform. The former Judge Phillips (see Sept. 9) military members looked from issuing an injunction dignified and handsome.

On Sept. 13, I wondered if I could get a that would immediately halt DADT. They argued she should confine any injunction military escort for going to Safeway.

On Sept. 20, Lady Gaga turned up in Port- to the 19,000 members of the Log Cabin land, Maine, to speak at a rally aimed at Republicans.

Now there’s a bizarre idea. Only Republipressuring the state’s two senators to vote for DADT repeal. She suggested a new poli- can gays can be soldiers.

In further bizarreness, the White House cy for straight soldiers who are “uncomforttried to explain why government lawyers able” being around gay soldiers.

She said, “Our new law is called ‘If you were defending a policy President Obama wants to eradicate. Press Secretary Robert don’t like it, go home!’”

On Sept. 21, every American soldier in Gibbs must go through Excedrin like candy.

On Sept. 24, a federal judge in Tacoma, Afghanistan and Iraq claimed to be uncomfortable around gay soldiers and asked to Wash., ruled that Maj. Margaret Witt, a lesbian and decorated flight nurse booted from go home.

Also on Sept. 21, political D-Day arrived. the Air Force, should get her job back. U.S. The “D” wound up standing for “Doofuses.” District Judge Ronald Leighton, an active In the Senate, each Republican and two Republican, became emotional as he recalled Democrats voted against repealing DADT. some of Witt’s testimony.

He decided her discharge advanced no leEverybody accused everybody of playing gitimate military interest, and in fact weakpolitics, and everybody was right.

This vote was a blow to the gay solar plex- ened her squadron. So an open lesbian is gous. But it’s possible the Senate might address ing back to the military.

Two weeks of a DADT roller coaster. Forthe issue again after the elections. We can hope during a lame-duck session the senators get cautiously optimistic – I’m nauseously will act more like owls and less like ostriches. optimistic.

National Coming Out Week

By A. Sebastian Fortino

I

n light of the recent suicides of gay youth, which have come to national attention, we chose in this issue to highlight the suffering, the abuse, and the bullying that questioning youth have to put up with in their teenage years. By no means are we ignoring National Coming Out Day. Instead, what we hope for, to come out of these tragedies, is that people will feel encouraged to speak out against the violence and pain that has led these young people to take their own lives. We hope, that if you can you will, mentor people in your life that might be in the closet or face discrimination at school, or at work. We hope you will comfort those that suffer in silence, that want to hear words of encouragement where there might only be words of hostility.

We at SFGN – and other gay publications whose job it is to educate the community – hope that you will support anti-bullying bills that come to your school district, city, county, state, and hopefully someday, on the federal level so that we will no longer have to bury these kids.

Take a moment of silence to be thankful for your life, and mourn the loss of our youth.

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October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

19

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

More AIDS Stories Online at SouthFloridaGayNews.com

October 2010

South Florida Gay News.com

CDC: Large Increase in HIV Infections Among Gay Men

By Penn Bullock

T

hree decades have passed since the HIV virus first invaded bloodstreams and wiped out a generation of gay men. Yet today the epidemic is broadening. A study released last month by the CDC shows that HIV infections increased 17 percent from 2005 to 2008 among “men who have sex with men” (MSM).

Equally alarming is that almost half of MSM with HIV don’t know they have it, making them less likely to take precautions with sexual partners.

The study, published as part of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, surveyed 8,000 gay men in 21 major cities.

It found that HIV disproportionately impacts gays who are black or impoverished, a trend that the CDC attributed to a lack of education about HIV within those groups.

Overall, the study found, one in five gay men have HIV, a statistic that was blared across the media.

The research also shows that young, sexually active gay men, particularly those in minority groups, are least likely to know

their health status despite climbing infection rates among men who have sex with men. This increase in HIV infection comes at a time when infection rates for heterosexuals and intravenous drug users are falling.

But Kristofer Fegenbush, who is the manager of the PALS Project, run at the Pride Center at Equality Park, which counsels and supports HIV-positive individuals disputes some of the claims. He believes the media headlines were slightly deceptive, and that the study had shortcomings.

“The headlines don’t truly explain the data,” Fegenbush says. “The study overrepresented poor people and ethnic minorities,” Fegenbush asserted, “and it ignored HIV rates in rural areas, where the virus could be less prevalent.”

He fears that the headlines could stigmatize gay people.

Whatever its limitations, the study does present the gay community with an uncomfortable truth: despite endless campaigns exhorting gays to practice safe sex, the virus is on the rise. In Florida, too, figures show its continued spread. And the increase appears to be peculiar to the

Kristofer Fegenbush

gay community; among heterosexuals and intravenous drug users, HIV rates are falling. So why are HIV rates getting worse for gays? Has the gay community failed to take the virus seriously?

“I hate to make generalizations, but among some young people there’s a sense of being

Volume1, Number 3 invincible,” Fegenbush says. “Some of them think, ‘I can take a few pills and I’ll be fine.’”

Fegenbush mainly ascribes the continued rise of HIV to broader social problems. Gays live on the margins of America, where they’re susceptible to loneliness, depression, low self-esteem, and the urge to self-medicate. Widespread alcohol and drug abuse among gays, Fegenbush says, stems from social marginalization; and mind-altering substances encourage selfdestructive behaviors, like unprotected sex with strangers. But addiction isn’t the sole problem. As Fegenbush points out, a single night of drinking can impair decision-making and lead a man to forgo a condom – and one night is all it takes to contract HIV. Bombarded by messages about safe sex, Fegenbush believes that gays have succumbed to what he calls “condom fatigue.”

Rubbers are still of the utmost importance, but combating HIV at its roots, he says, requires a community effort to “address underlying issues: isolation, depression, stigma, shame, lack of self-assertiveness and connection to a supportive community.”

Fegenbush emphasizes the importance of teaching “sexual negotiation” – that is, having sex on one’s own terms and resisting the pressure to bareback. And he adds that there needs to be a new focus on educating couples, which constitute a large number of new cases, owing often to infidelity, poorly planned open relationships, or sero-discorcontinued on page 20

20

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

The Best of Times and the Worst of Times

By David Mixner

I

n recent months, the media has been filled with encouraging news about progress in treating HIV/AIDS. At the very same time, we have been dealt some real setbacks. The lesson is the same as it always has been: embrace and celebrate the progress, and don't let up the pressure until there is a cure.

The good news is indeed reason to celebrate. From the International AIDS Conference in Vienna came word that promising new gels have been developed that could dramatically lower the infection rate among at risk women. The Wall Street Journal recently published a story indicating that scientists have discovered three powerful antibodies that can neutralize 91percent of HIV strains.

The bad news is that the economic situation is wrecking havoc with HIV/AIDS

budgets both here and abroad. Many states are freezing the ability of people with HIV/ AIDS to receive treatment. AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) funds have either been cut way back or frozen, making it impossible for new clients to access to them. Unless this is corrected, it could mean a death sentence for some people.

It's crucial for every American that cares about this horrendous epidemic to keep up the pressure, seek new funds, and hold lawmakers accountable for their actions.

Given the uncertainty with the economy and ADAP, it makes Medicare funds for treating HIV/AIDS even more critical in assisting people with the disease.

Medicare provides a vital source of health coverage for around 100,000 people with the disease. In 2006, Medicare became the single largest source of federal financing for

The fact of the matter is that the IPAB, like any other agency of government, can make bad decisions.

And if they do, we have absolutely no recourse to change them.

Personally, I can't think of a worse scenario than for our research leaders to be on the cusp of a cure, only to be denied the necessary resources because a government panel has blown research and development into the stone ages.

We must not be shortsighted in our zeal to bring down health care costs by David Mixner has been involved in public life creating policy thwarting future research and as an activist and writer for over forty years. He has had and reversing already two bestselling books, Stranger Among Friends and achieved progress. Stated Brave Journeys, both published by Bantam Books. simply, if we go this route, HIV care. The number of people with HIV we would only blunt the more laudable and receiving Medicare benefits has grown over courageous goal of saving lives and one day time, reflecting growth in the size of the eliminating this horrific disease once and HIV positive population and an increased for all. lifespan for people with the virus.

As thrilled as I was with the new healthcare law, there is one part that is extremely disturbing. Especially since my journey over the years has taught me the urgent continued from page 19 need to hold public officials accountable dance between partners. for their actions in this battle for a cure.

Finally, Fegenbush laments the gay Quite simply, with the creation of an encommunity for directing an undercurtity called the Independent Payment Advirent of derision and phobia toward indisory Board (IPAB), we could lose our ability viduals with HIV. Fearing the shame of a to pressure lawmakers for change. This new positive result, people opt not to get testboard is simply not accountable to anyone. ed. They’d rather not know their status.

While the IPAB is tasked with cutting With so many gay men unknowingly Medicare spending, it is exempt from any infected, getting tested must be the first judicial or administrative review of its deciand most critical stage in the ongoing sions, and is barred from probing the govfight against HIV. Indeed, in a statement ernment's spending patterns on specific to the press, Kevin Fenton, director of healthcare providers, such as hospitals. the CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Shackled by such restraints and yet danViral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, gerously unaccountable to Congress, the summed up the agency’s new study: “The people or the courts, this board could turn message is clear… We need to increase its attention to successful programs in Mediaccess to HIV testing so that more MSM care to carry out its cost cutting mission. know their status, and we all must bring The mere existence of an unchecked, new energy, new approaches, and new powerful agency making life-determining champions to the fight against HIV among decisions should be worrisome to everyone. men who have sex with men.”

Draconian decisions by IPAB to limit access If you’re in need of an AIDS test or conto medicines to treat HIV will be free from doms, the Pride Center offers both for free. judicial review, the need for advance public Visit glccsf.org, or call (954) 463-9005. notice, or even appeals from patients.

HIV Infections

21

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Spirit News Briefs Woman pleads guilty to $23M health care fraud MIAMI (AP) - A Miami clinic owner has pleaded guilty in a $23 million health care fraud scheme.

Federal officials say 58-yearold Flor Crisologo owned and operated an HIV infusion clinic and submitted approximately $23 million in bogus claims for HIV injections. Crisologo pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

Crisologo said she and her conspirators paid Medicare patients kickbacks if they said they received treatment at the clinic even though the HIV infusions were either not provided or were not medically necessary.

Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 23.

Boise man charged with exposing partners to HIV

around the world, told reporters Friday that African governments need to honor pledges made at an African Union summit in 2001 BOISE, Idaho (AP) - A 31-yearto devote at least 15 percent of old Boise man infected with the national budgets to health. virus that causes AIDS has been To date, only a half dozen councharged with exposing at least tries have done so. Machel blamed one sexual partner to HIV. Michael V. Everhart a lack of political will.

Michael V. Everhart was ar“We have to prove ourselves raigned Tuesday in District Court charges are possible, both in Ada County and in other jurisdictions if we are to have the courage to on one count of knowingly atlook into the eyes of our children tempting to transfer bodily fluids and say, ‘We do care,’” she said. infected with the human immuAIDS doctors, Strengthened health systems nodeficiency virus. He remains activists call will mean more pregnant women jailed on $500,000 bail. for more health will get prenatal care and be Ada County Sheriff Gary funds tested for HIV, the virus that Raney says Everhart confessed JOHANNESBURG (AP) - Docto having sex with at least 21 tors and AIDS activists on Friday causes AIDS. Those who test positive can take drugs that will people he met online since he urged African governments to prevent HIV from being transwas diagnosed last October, but fulfill a decade-old pledge to only one of the five partners spend more of their own money mitted to infants.

Dr. Avertino Barreto, Molocated so far says the encounter on health if they want internazambique’s deputy director of happened in Ada County. tional help in fighting AIDS. health, said foreigners cannot be County health officials are Graca Machel, a longtime expected to help if Africans don’t trying to locate other potential advocate for children in her help themselves. partners and Raney says other homeland of Mozambique and

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October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Hastings Urges Dems to Move on ADAP Funding Crisis

By Norm Kent

C

ongressman Alcee L. Hastings (DMiramar) has sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Majority Whip James E. Clyburn calling on the House of Representatives to bring an emergency supplemental of $25 million to the floor for a vote as soon as possible to provide relief to state ADAPs, and for Congress as a whole to take swift and meaningful action to ensure that low-income, uninsured, and underinsured people living with HIV/

AIDS have reliable access to their lifesaving medications.

“Our nation’s AIDS Drug Assistance Programs are experiencing a funding crisis.

Thousands of our most vulnerable citizens are counting on Congress to ensure that they have access to the medications they need to stay alive.

“To make matters worse, the Census Bureau reports that the number of uninsured Americans rose sharply last year to an alltime high of 50.7 million due to the difficult economy. It is projected that tens of thousands more individuals will soon require the

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ues to support robust funding vital services that state ADAPs for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS provide to low-income, uninProgram, including the HIV/ sured, and underinsured indiAIDS Treatment Modernizaviduals living with HIV/AIDS. tion Act, the Minority HIV/ “This issue hits close to AIDS Initiative, and the Nahome. Currently, of the 3,214 tional AIDS Strategy. individuals on ADAP waiting Due to a federal funding lists, Florida has 1,712. This is shortfall, state budget cuts, and outrageous! an increase in the number of “Congress must increase its Alcee Hastings individuals who rely on state commitment to state ADAPs while continuing to fund other AIDS pro- ADAPs for HIV-related medications, nine grams. This problem is not going away; we states, including Florida, have had to creneed a long-term solution until the Afford- ate ADAP waiting lists and cut services.

State ADAPs are funded through the Ryan able Care Act takes full effect in 2014.

Congressman Hastings has been a long- White HIV/AIDS Program, which was estime advocate for the HIV/AIDS commu- tablished in 1990 to help provide health nity, having introduced a resolution to rec- care services to low-income individuognize the life and legacy of AIDS activist als living with HIV/AIDS in the United Pedro Zamora and legislation to increase States. It currently serves more than half access to voluntary screening for HIV/ a million people, many of whom are unAIDS and other sexually transmitted dis- insured and the majority of whom are uneases (STIs). In addition, Hastings contin- derinsured.

23

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Fitness Studio Develops Program for HIV+ Men Program Said to Be First of Its Kind

By Joey Amato

F

or people living with HIV, exercising regularly is a critical component in remaining healthy. No one advocates this more than Peter Jackson, personal trainer and owner of Push Fitness in Oakland Park, who has drawn on his experience to develop a program for positive men of all fitness levels to get fit in a fun, small group environment.

“Strength and cardio training are so very important for HIV positive individuals,” said Jackson, a certified fitness expert with 15 years’ experience who has trained scores of positive men over the years.

“The major headline confirmed by one study after another is that regular exercise stabilizes or reverses declines in CD4 cell counts. This is a big deal,” said Jackson, “because these are cells responsible for identifying and attacking infection as well as cancerous cells.”

He continued that strength training has also been shown to minimize the long-term side effects of many medications including elevated blood pressure, cholesterol, tri-

glycerides and blood sugars. “And not least of all,” said Jackson, “exercise increases energy levels as well as muscle mass and strength and goes a long way to improving mood and self-confidence. This is a benefit we also need -- regardless of our status!”

The “+Fit” program developed

by Jackson comprises strength, cardio and flexibility training in a small group limited to six men.

The hour-long workout is broken into three 20-minute segments, where Jackson and one of his trainers provide hands-on instruction and make each session a fun, synergistic group experience.

“Our first group, a bunch of guys from Positive Attitudes, is having a blast with their twice-weekly sessions,” he said. “After just a few sessions they have already noticed improved stamina and strength,” he said. “It’s amazing how quickly the body responds to the stimulus of exercise.”

There are a number of precautions that need to be observed when training HIV+

AHF Offers Solutions to ADAP Crisis

By Richard Gary

A

s the State of Florida grapples with a budget shortfall that is crippling its AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and forcing the state to place more than 1,700 low-income Floridians on waiting lists to access lifesaving AIDS medications, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has proposed a solution to state health officials and seven leading AIDS drug companies that would create a public/ private partnership to resolve the drug crisis and get vulnerable Florida AIDS patients on

to lifesaving antiretroviral treatment.

Under AHF’s proposal, the AIDS drug companies—all of which already have some form of patient assistance programs for low-income patients in need of medications—would provide free drugs to Florida patients on waiting lists, and AHF, along with other participating pharmacies, would absorb the cost of dispensing the drugs by waiving dispensing fees and other applicable service fees.

AHF currently serves more than 15,000 Floridians living with HIV/AIDS through a variety of programs including eight AHF

Peter Jackson

individuals, warned Jackson. “Because fatigue is typically common with this condition, the trainer must insist on hydration throughout the workout and be acutely aware of the signs of exhaustion and overtraining. We recommend a gradual increase in intensity over the course of training and 45 to 60 second rest periods between sets.

“Most importantly,” said Jackson “the client’s body fat percentage must be monitored carefully. While building lean muscle is one of the goals, we advocate maintain-

ing a percentage of body fat higher than we would for someone whose immune system has not been compromised as wasting is always a concern with this disease and something we must guard against.”

Furthermore, Jackson will be presenting a joint seminar, along with nutritionist Rigoberto Ng of Care Resource, at Push Fitness on Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.

For more information on the +Fit Program or the seminar, please contact Push Fitness at 954-530-4304.

Pharmacies located throughout the state. Florida can manage the AIDS drug crisis in Florida now has the nation’s largest ADAP a more workable manner.

“The program AHF is proposing will be waiting list as well as the third highest HIV implemented at no cost to papopulation in the country. tients, the State of Florida, and “To address the AIDS drug crithe pharmaceutical companies,” sis in Florida, AHF is proposing said Michael Kahane, Southern a program that streamlines the Bureau Chief for AIDS Healthdrug donation process by cencare Foundation. “AHF’s protralizing the availability of free posed program is only for patreatment for patients at the tients on Florida’s waiting list. pharmacy level,” assert Michael Michael Weinstein Any willing pharmacy is welWeinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “We propose uti- come to participate in this program. Particilizing available resources—free donated pating pharmacies will dispense the drugs to medications from all the major AIDS drug patients at pharmacy locations.”

On June 1st, Florida became the twelfth companies—coupled with the streamlined dispensing of the drugs via AHF’s own and state—and the first high-prevalence state, as other pharmacies located throughout Flor- it ranks third in the nation for the number of ida.” Kahane says that by better harness- reported cases—to institute a waiting list for ing the goodwill of the drug companies, patients to receive lifesaving AIDS drugs.

24

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Second Annual Fort Lauderdale

Gay and Lesbian Film Festival From Dramas to Documentaries

By A. Sebastian Fortino

F

rom October 7 through 10 Fort Lauderdale will host the second annual Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Fifteen films of interest to the gay community have been selected. The festival opens with a not-so-ordinary costume drama, “The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister,” which recounts the extraordinary life of Anne Lister, 1791-1840. Lister is touted as the first modern lesbian, who was aware of her identity and did not let Victorian norms prevent her from living her life honestly.

Other films include “The Four-Faced Liar,” about a set of friends living in Greenwich

Village. It focuses on roommates and friends Trip and Bridget, who both spend a good amount of time talking about chasing women and their sexual exploits.When the decidedly less Bohemian Molly and David meet them at their favorite bar, named the Four-Faced Liar, Molly and Bridget start a clandestine romance, despite Molly’s plans to marry David.

“Is it Just Me,” follows what happens when an average – although very good looking – guy, Blaine, discovers he accidentally sent a picture of his sexy, go-go boy roommate, Cameron to his romantic hopeful. Blaine convinces Cameron to stand in for him until he can clear up the little accident. Will Cameron play nice? You’ll have

to watch the movie to find out!

“Off and Running,” is a touching documentary about an African-American girl, Avery, who was adopted early in her childhood by a Jewish lesbian couple. As she grows older Avery wishes to learn more about her identity and decides to contact her birth mother for answers. This journey of adolescent self-discovery has been praised by Roise O’Donnell.

Other titles are “Baby Jane,” an ode, not really a remake of the similarly-named Betty Davis and Joan Crawford mid-1960s gay cult classic. Interesting Florida connection – openly gay actor Vincent de Paul who was discovered on South Beach by the late Ver-

sace has a key role in the film. Interesting gay Hollywood angle – Billy Clift, the director, is the nephew of gay icon Montgomery Clift. As the Davis and Crawford characters are played by men in drag, not women, this will surely fulfill all your campy dreams.

Of course, what film festival would be complete without a kickoff party! So keep your calendar open for the Grand Opening of the 2010 Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, which will take place at The Manor on Wilton Drive on October 7.

For more information, films, and show times, please visit FLGLFF.com and TheManorComplex.com

Scene from Is It Just Me

26

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com Presented by

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October 23, 2010 • 8PM Evening includes a Grand Opening reception at 6:30pm.

For tickets call 954.462.0222 or visit AventuraCenter.org All programs, artists, dates and times are subject to change.

et’s face it, Sunday, Oct. 10 Columbus Day isn’t exactly his afternoon, one of the key holidays stop by Scanon the calendar and to dals for the third top it all off, it doesn’t annual Bubba’s always fall on a Monday, Country Fair. For either. But in 2010, we those of us who lucked out and many of grew up in America’s us—especially our Italheartland, the fair ian-American friends— is just like a slice of will be celebrating a home.Visit the booths long weekend. For of local merchants and those of us who aren’t community organizaItalian-American, the tions, sign up for the weekend is also Fort pie eating contest or Pie Eating Contest Lauderdale Leather just enjoy a cold drink Pride weekend culminating in the Mr. Ram- with friends.You find the old fashioned fun rod contest on Sunday, Oct. 10. And of at 3073 NE 6th Ave. course, in South Florida, most of us rarely Monday, Oct. 11 need to come up with an occasion to hit the bars and clubs anyway. f you’re one of the lucky guys who get Here’s a look at the week’s events: Columbus Day off, recuperate from the long weekend poolside at The Depot Thursday, Oct. 7 Cabana Bar & Grill at its brand new location, 2935 N. Federal Hwy. The heat ick off the holiday weekend a little and humidity have pretty much subsided early by rolling back the clock—no, so it will be a beautiful day of fun in the it’s not daylight savings time—just That 70’s Party at The Manor. Dig that leisure sun. Order some food from the Brothel Boys, Scott and Gary, suit out of the closet and don’t forget to and head down to slather on some Wilton Manors. sunscreen, too.

Styx’s Chuck Panozzo will be Tuesday, Oct. 12 performing live and legendary Studio 54 nd, if you’re DJ Robbie Leslie one of the will be in the booth. lucky guys who did Admission is $20 and get Monday off, take proceeds benefit six the edge off of that HIV/AIDS charities. first day back at The manor is located work by stopping by at 2345 Wilton Dr. The Stable, 205 E. Oakland Park Blvd.

Friday, Oct. 8 in Oakland Park.

Tuesday is underouth Beach proChuck Panozzo of Styx wear night and after moter Edison a quick glance at some of the bartenders, Farrow is one busy man and on Fridays, the tedium of work will be the last thing on he presents “Hype” at Bar 721, 721 Linyour mind. coln Ln. DJ Smeejay provides the beat.

T

FLICKR / zoejazzmama

An Evening with

Arrive early and enjoy free vodka cocktails between 10 and 11 p.m. Oh, and don’t forget to mark your calendars because Farrow is launching a new party on Oct. 17 at Liquid that is certain to change dynamics of SoBe on Sundays. We’ll have more details next week.

I

K

A

S

27

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

By the Night Owl Navarro Speaks Out on Bullying

Gaga Ranked #44 Lady Gaga made it to #44 on the New Statesman’s list of “People Who Matter in 2010,” which recognizes individuals “with global influence and the power to change our world.”

Gaga is the only singer selected for the list, where she sits alongside political leaders, business magnates and visionaries. The publication commends Gaga not only for her record breaking sales and digital achievements, but above all, her role as “champion and heroine” to millions of Little Monsters who consider her “the ultimate self-professed freak.”

The article notes, “While she is mainstream enough to sell huge quantities of records and duet with Beyoncé (on the nine-minute song ‘Telephone,’ whose video features prison bondage and lesbian kisses), she has established herself as an ambassador for the marginalized, the lonely, the misunderstood.”

In response to recent coverage of multiple suicides by teenagers being harassed by antigay bullies, Jane’s Addiction rocker Dave Navarro wrote a statement for blogger Perez Hilton, urging LGBT teens, “DO NOT LET THEM WIN.” Navarro writes: “The strength and character it must take to stay true to yourself in such an unforgiving microcosm are qualities that a major portion of Real the world lacks… Sad, but Housewives true. It’s just how it is at the of Miami moment. However, it’s that Unveiled very strength and character First there was that gives the world hope Orange County, then Dave Navarro for a new way of thinking New York, Atlanta, and acceptance in the future and when one New Jersey, D.C. and Beverly Hills were of our children gives in and gives up, it is not added to the mix. Now, the next piece of only a tragedy but a victory for those who the franchise brings Bravo to South Beach fear diversity. DO NOT LET THEM WIN!” for the Real Housewives of Miami. The The musician recalls moments in high Advocate reported that the show was origischool when he considered suicide: “Person- nally supposed to be called Miami Social ally, I have seen a lot of darkness and tragedy Club, but decided to change the name to that has felt insurmountable. The murder of generate instant viewer interest. my mother, my battle with drug addiction, This installment of the series features diva the loss of friends and family. Utter depresextraordinaire Elaine Lancaster, basketsion and despair. Of course the thought of ball great Scottie Pippin’s wife Larsa, suicide has crossed my mind a time or two. former Miami Heat baller Glen Rice’s exLet me share this. THANK GOD I never wife Christy, art scene socialite Adriana took that action. The friends I have made, Sidi, Venue Magazine editor Alexia Echthe experiences I have had, the laughter I everria, public relations maven Marysol have shared would have all been missed. In Patton, and charity scenester Lea Black. hindsight, some of my darkest moments now It is reported that Elaine Lancaster, whose seem so small and insignificant that I am real name is James Davis will appear on amazed I gave them so much power at the the show both in and out of his heels and wig time. I am even able to laugh about it now.” when the show premieres later this year.

Anderson Cooper Gets Daytime Talk Show

Cooper says in a statement. “It’s fun and interesting to work in daytime television.

The format is unique Anderson Cooper and you can really go will host a new, one-hour in-depth on a wide daily daytime talk show range of fascinating that will cover social isand compelling stories. sues, trends, events, pop With this new proculture, and celebrities, gram I hope to relay reports Entertainment important information Weekly. The syndicated and relate to people series is expected to preand the audience in a miere in fall 2011 and be completely different taped in front of a studio way. It’s an exciting audience in New York. opportunity to show “Over the course of another side of myself the past few years, I’ve Anderson Cooper and create something had the opportunity to work on a number of daytime programs,” worthwhile and special in daytime.”

MCB IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA, DEPARTMENT OF STATE, DIVISION OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS, AND THE FLORIDA COUNCIL ON ARTS AND CULTURE. FUNDING FOR THIS ORGANIZATION IS PROVIDED IN PART BY THE BROWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BROWARD CULTURAL COUNCIL. MCB PROGRAMMING IS MADE POSSIBLE WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND THE CULTURAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL, THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY MAYOR AND BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, CULTURAL AFFAIRS PROGRAM, CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL. MIAMI CITY BALLET HAS COMPLIED WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF CHAPTER 496, FLORIDA STATUTES, THE SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS ACT. OUR REGISTRATION NUMBER IS CH1034. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800) 435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. CARLOS GUERRA & PATRICIA DELGADO: PHOTO © GIO ALMA.

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October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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and ongoing.” Sousa asked witnesses to the continued from page 8 under the influence of an alcoholic beverage crash – or anyone else with information that and/or controlled substance at the time of could have value in their inquiry – to contact this crash.” The warrants indicate Careaga Traffic Homicide Investigator Jonathan Graham at 954-828-5125. is being investigated for The new Heat dancer, DUI Manslaughter. one of a small percentage The investigative reports of female motorcyclists, reveal that a passenger in was reportedly driving Careaga’s car – Ray Stapleto her home in Plantaton, Jr. – also confirmed tion from a dance team that Careaga was behind practice when she was the wheel during the inkilled. The Miami Heat cident. Investigators took start their season this blood and DNA samples month. Their dancers, from Careaga and also and even star Dwayne searched his car.

Wade, have promised to “In DUI cases, such as memorialize their partthese, police routinely Nancy G. Lopez-Ruiz ner’s loss over the course await the results of detailed toxicology reports before making for- of the season.

Dennis Dean, is, of course, a renowned mal charges. It can take months to acquire these reports and gather witness statements photographer, whose studio is a home for together,” stated Russell Cormican, a Fort Mark Magazine and The Agenda. He is in no way connected to the case. Last year, he and Lauderale criminal defense attorney.

Ft. Lauderdale Police spokesperson Sgt. Careaga hosted a benefit at the studio for Frank Sousa said the investigation is “open Share A Pet.

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29

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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30

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Study Finds More Gay Characters on Network TV

By Frazier Moore AP Television Writer By Frazier Moore

number of comedy series has increased from only 8 to reflects 11, including newincomedies “not the shift American “Runningtowards Wilde” (Fox), “Hellcats” (CW), culture greater awareness and AP Television Writer “(Bleep) My Dad (CBS), and but midseaNEW YORK – The number of gay and understanding ofSays” our community, also son show “Happy Endings” (ABC). bisexual characters on scripted broadcast a new industry standard that a growing NEW YORK – The number of gay and ABC led the networks in gay reprenetworkcharacters TV has risen this season number of creators and networks are bisexual onslightly scripted broadcast sentation, with 7.2 percent or 11 regular to 23 outTV of has a total of slightly nearly 600 adopting,” GLAAD President Jarrett Barnetwork risen this roles, season characters of a total of 152, followed according to athe Gay Lesbian rios said inout a statement. to 23 out of total of&nearly 600Alliance roles, byHe Foxpointed with fivetoout of programs 100 (5 percent).

On Against Defamation. such as ABC's according to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance mainstream cableand channels, the number of The 15th annual “Where We Are on TV” “Modern Family” Fox's “Glee” as indicaAgainst Defamation. regular characters rebounded to 35 after a report released Wednesday found 3.9 tors that “mainstream audiences embrace The 15th annual “Where We Arethat on TV” two-year decline. percentreleased of actors appearing found regularly characters and want to see well-craftreport Wednesday thaton3.9 gay HBO features prime-time network drama and comedy ed stories about the ourgreatest lives.” number of percent of actors appearing regularly on gay and bisexual characters, with 10 regular series in thenetwork 2010-11drama seasonand willcomedy portray prime-time and recurring characters. The HBO drama gay, lesbian bisexualseason characters. series in theor2010-11 will portray "True Blood" is the most inclusive series upor from 3 percent in the 2009gay,That's lesbian bisexual characters. on television, featuring six characters, the 10That's season.

The increase in 2008-09 was up from 3 percent in the 2009group found.

2.6 season. percent.

Only six of in the2008-09 23 gay and 10 The increase was The overall increase in gay characters lesbian characters thisofseason 2.6 percent.

Only six the 23are gaynonand “not only reflects the shift in American white, GLAAD found. lesbian characters this Using seasoninformation are nonprovided

by ABC, CBS,Using Fox, NBC and CW, culture towards greater awareness and white, GLAAD found. information understanding of our community, but also the groupby reviewed 84 Fox, scripted anprovided ABC, CBS, NBCseries and CW, a new industry standard that a growing nounced air this season. the grouptoreviewed 84 scripted series annumber of creators and networks are The only announced to original air this programming season. adopting,” GLAAD President Jarrett Barnounced by the gay-focused cable networks The only original programming anrios said in a statement. here! andby Logo unscripted,cable alternative nounced the isgay-focused netHe pointed to such programs as ABC's programming, so Logo they were not part of this works here! and is unscripted, “Modern Family” and Fox's “Glee” as indicayear's character count, GLAAD alternative programming, so theysaid. were tors that “mainstream audiences embrace thethis number broadcast drama notWhile part of year'sof character count, gay characters and want to see well-craftseries featuring GLAAD said. regular or recurring gay characters unchanged from last year, the ed stories about our lives.”

While theis number of broadcast drama series featuring regular or recurring gay characters is unchanged from last year, the number of comedy series has increased from 8 to 11, including new comedies “Running Wilde” (Fox), “Hellcats” (CW), “(Bleep) My Dad Says” (CBS), and midseason show “Happy Endings” (ABC).

ABC led the networks in gay representation, with 7.2 percent or 11 regular characters out of a total of 152, followed

by Fox with five out of 100 (5 percent). On mainstream cable channels, the number of regular characters rebounded to 35 after a two-year decline.

HBO features the greatest number of gay and bisexual characters, with 10 regular and recurring characters. The HBO drama "True Blood" is the most inclusive series on television, featuring six characters, the group found.

The overall increase in gay characters

31

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Taste of the Island Annual Festival Promises Great Cuisine

By Joey Amato

F

Ghosts, Ghouls and Ghastly Glee Come to Miami Circus Takes Horrific Twist Spectacle Circo de los Horrores James L. Knight Center, 400 SE 2nd St., Miami October 7 – 17 Tickets $20-$80 at Ticketmaster.com Or 1-800-745-3000

By J.W. Arnold

T

he circus will take on a ghoulish twist in a new show making its U.S. debut this weekend at Miami’s James L. Knight Center – just in time for the Halloween season.

According to the local producer, Javier Francisco Santos, who is bringing the show to Miami for the first time, “Circo de los Horrores,” incorporates many of the types of gymnastics and acts that are commonplace in the popular “Cirque” – style productions, but with an original thematic twist: “The show got its start in Spain.The creators asked themselves how they might come up with a show that was different and unique,” Santos recalls. “They decided to try the horror theme and it was a huge hit.”

While Halloween is a traditional holiday

in the United States and Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead, most European countries do not celebrate a similar holiday. The creators and producers had to carefully conceive and script a show that would appeal to as many people as possible, without the holiday tie-in the show will enjoy in Miami.

“It was a hard sell at first. I think audiences thought it would be gross and we would be cutting people up,” Santos says with a chuckle. “But, the great success of the show is the comedy. There is more laughter than fear. After three years of touring in Spain, we knew we had a hit.”

“Circo de los Horrores” still offers some chills and thrills. The lobby and theatre will be transformed into a spooky haunted house before the troupe of 30 performers takes the stage. Each performer adopts a character, many inspired by the folklore of their home countries, including Spain, Argentina, Russia and Kenya.

Contortionists and acrobats will emerge from the mists and lead onlookers to a 19-century Gothic cemetery. Screams will pierce the darkness as they pass guillotines and caged performers.

“The haunted house is the scariest part, but then the fun really begins,” Santos promises.

ood lovers, mark your calendars. The 5th annual Taste of the Island will take place on Monday, October 25 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Richardson Historic Park and Nature Preserve, in Wilton Manors.

The evening, filled with great food, music and a silent auction will benefit the Wilton Manors Historical Society, Wilton Manors Main Street, Wilton Manors Leisure Services Department and the

Wilton Manors Kiwanis Club. Proceeds from the Silent Auction will benefit the Friends of Library.

Last year’s event featured over 50 restaurants and vendors and an additional 10 wine tasting stations. This year, the event will feature fine culinary cuisine from renowned restaurants such as Lola’s on Harrison, Maracas Mexican Bar and Grill and Aruba Beach Café in addition to Wilton Drive staples including Rosie’s Bar & Grill, Georgie’s Alibi and Galanga Thai Kitchen.

Advance tickets will are available for $30.00 and can be purchased at Wilton Manors City Hall and the Richard C. Sullivan Public Library of Wilton Manors. For more information, please call 954-565-1445.

32

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

SFGN Special Report: Bullying in Schools

GITA

Fed Grants Awarded to Address Bullying in Schools

By Dana Rudolph Keen News Service

T

he U.S. Department of Education announced today (Oct. 5) the awarding of $38.8 million in grants to 11 states from a new Safe and Supportive School program. The timing comes just days after a media blitz about the suicides of five teenagers, at least four of whom were bullied for being gay or being perceived as gay. But anybody who knows Washington knows Tuesday’s grants weren’t made in reaction to the recent news.

“It would be inaccurate to say we’re doing this as a response to recent events,” said Kevin Jennings, Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS) at the U.S. Department of Education.

Jennings, the nation’s top official for promoting safe schools, said the latest string of teen suicides driven by anti-gay bullying is, sadly, not a new trend.

“The problem of greater rates of suicide among LGBT youth being linked to school bullying is something that has been documented and known for a very long time,” said Jennings.

Jennings has some experience in the matter. As a teenager, he himself attempted suicide and had been the subject of relentless bullying in middle school and early high school.

He founded the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in 1990 to help promote safe and respectful climates for LGBT youth in schools. And the week in April 2009 when the Obama adminis-

Kevin Jennings

tration offered him the position as head of OSDFS, news broke about the bullyingrelated suicide of 11-year-old Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover of Springfield, Massachusetts, who had been the subject of anti-gay taunts. That news, he said, inspired him to take the job.

Jennings, in an interview, said Education Secretary Arne Duncan has also been long aware that “bullying and harassment are first and foremost an education issue,” because he understands kids will not want to be in school if they are bullied and harassed.

Jennings points to Duncan’s hiring of him for the safe schools position as proof of the Secretary’s commitment, and notes that Duncan met with GLSEN student leaders even before that.

Duncan also released a statement October 1 in response to the news of the recent suicides. But Jennings notes that he and Duncan have been prioritizing efforts to prevent bullying since they each took office.

The Safe and Supportive Schools grants announced this week are to “measure school safety” and “to help intervene in those schools with the greatest safety needs.” The eleven states chosen to receive this initial round of grants are: Arizona, California, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

For the complete article on the Federal Grants Awarded, go to: SouthFloridaGayNews.com/bully

continued from page 8

“I helped get the Italian language classes going again, after they stopped for two years,” said Caruso. “I want to be fluent, and have been learning Italian with the group for the past five years. If I can’t become fluent it’s just fun to learn as much as I can in Italian.”

Joining the group, and the friendships that have developed among members based on cultural identity and heritage makes it special to all members. Bringing a bevy of your own friends, and introducing them to ItalianAmerican culture, which is much more than the Sopranos, is also a top reason to join.

John Tiura is a sprightly 76-years-old. The Brooklyn native, retired from Merrill-Lynch 16 years ago, but still has clients whose portfolios are in his care.

“I have lived in Florida since 2006, when I first came here, I was afraid I’d hate the heat,” Tiura laughed with SFGN. “I always go to the dinner, unless I’m out of town. When I first started going everyone wanted to sit with me. At its height, I had about 30 guests who went with me. Now, I generally have about 15 friends at the dinners.”

Tiura is “pretty fluent in Italian” and travels to Italy as much as possible.

“I used to go quite frequently to Italy, but when you get older your luggage feels heavier,” he said. SFGN suggested he hire an “assistant” as did the Rev. George Rekers a few months ago to handle his bags on his next trip to Italy, at which he responded with a chuckle.

“You might say I’m a pretty friendly kind of guy, always good for a laugh. That’s why I love meeting so many different people, and partaking in the events – the potlucks, and the holiday parties – and activities. It’s the congeniality of the group and the fun of meeting new people.”

The friendliness of all the members SFGN spoke with is a testament to the vitality of the group.

“We all just want to have fun, Italian style,” said Branger, Murabito’s partner of 21 years.

While the group is not a financial success – that was never the goal of GITA – Murabito hopes Primavera will allow him something special in the future.

“Hopefully, I can make enough money to retire to Italy,” said Murabito, which is a dream of many of us with a vowel at the end of our last name share.

So, the next time you want some Italian culture with your pasta, just say, “Andiamo a GITA,” or “Let’s go to GITA.” For more information go to Gaygita.com

33

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

SFGN Special Report: Bullying in Schools

Is Moscow’s Mayor a Gay Bully?

Brian McNaught

By Brian McNaught

I

s it absurd to suggest that Yuri Luzhkov, the recently deposed Mayor of Moscow, is possibly a closeted homosexual? He called the planned gay parade there “satanic,” and has blocked every effort of gay people to gather in pride. Why is he so vocal on the issue, and what damage have his harangues had on the physical and emotional well-being of young gay people living there?

What about Andrew Shirvell, the assistant Attorney General of Michigan, who calls gay people “sick freaks,” and is so obsessed with making life miserable for the openly gay student body president at the University of Michigan that he has spent six months writing a blog about him? What are the chances that he, like so many other homophobic bullies, is actually a closeted homosexual who hates his attraction to other men, including the student body president?

Bishop Eddie Long is the anti-gay black preacher with a 25,000 member congregation, and he believes that “greed is good.”

The odds are very high that he is a closeted homosexual. He’s been charged by four young men recently with sexual assault. An anti-gay bully and a closeted homosexual – in my experience, there seems to be a pattern.

Men who feel secure in their sexuality are not threatened by the sexuality of other men. Women who are satisfied in their sexual needs, don’t care what other people do sexually. Corporate Human Resources professionals, and those leading efforts at Diversity and Inclusion, should be aware that the dog that barks the loudest usually is making up for its feelings of inadequacy. That’s why they’re generally the smallest dogs. “Yappers,” we call them in our neighborhood.

Well-known anti-gay yappers in the news today include the Rev. Fred Phelps, who pickets at funerals with “God Hates Fag”

signs, and Tony Perkins, President of the hostile Family Research Council. Both of them seem way too personally preoccupied with the gay issue not to have their own

Yuri Luzhkov

sexuality scrutinized. Will they, one day, also be found to be the hypocrites that Ted Haggard, anti-gay evangelical preacher, and George Rekers, co-founder of the Family Research Council, have been exposed to be?

Whenever I speak on a college campus, I always assume that the student who most wants to challenge me with questions of “sickness” and “immorality” is most likely struggling with his homosexuality. The same is true in corporations. The most hostile people are generally the ones most in need of personal support in their comingout process.

It wouldn’t surprise me to one day learn that the roommate of Tyler Clementi, who drove the Rutgers student to commit suicide this past week, came out of the closet himself. Why was Dharun Ravi so taken with his 18-year-old roommate’s kissing another man that he sent the video of the teenage petting across the campus on the Internet? Why was he yapping?

Most of us who are gay are well aware of the long history of self-hating homosexuals, or their spouses, leading vitriolic campaigns against us. Regrettably, our heterosexual colleagues are not always as aware. They know that FBI founder J. Edgar Hoover waged a vicious war against communists and homosexuals, but they don’t know he cross-dressed at home, and had a male lover.

They know that Anita Bryant led the nation in a war against gay people in the 1970s, but they don’t know her husband was bisexual.

Is every anti-gay bully gay, or married to someone whom they suspect is? No, not necessarily, but every one of them is compensating for something. While the gay civil rights movement has had the support of many black people, for instance, black ministers, as a group, have been notoriously homophobic. They denied that AIDS was a black issue, and thus threw gasoline on the fire of the epidemic that swept through their community. They preach hell fire and brimstone about homosexuality to their predominantly female congregations and their predominantly closeted gay choirs. They vociferously oppose gay marriage when the vast majority of their members are single parents. Why - because of the Bible? There are lots of white ministers who preach the Bible but are nowhere near as preoccupied with the issue as are black preachers. For me, it’s a case of the small dog yapping either because of homosexual inclinations, or feelings of personal inadequacy.

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Walsh was 13. Asher Brown was 13. Billy Lucas was 15. All of them had been bullied to death. It’s got to stop. The only way it will stop is if we educate ourselves as a nation about sexuality, and get past our fears of it.

By far, corporations are doing a better job of educating their employees on gay and transgender issues than any other segment of society. Churches are the worst places to expect wise and accurate words about human sexuality. Schools are nearly as bad.

There’s an epidemic of feelings of sexual inadequacy in this country. This emotional sickness kills innocent bystanders like Tyler, Seth, Asher, and Billy. Self-hating bigots need to be stopped and exposed. They roam the halls of Congress and hold court in pulpits across the country. They are not just sexually immature college roommates or grade school classmates. They are mayors of big cities, assistant attorneys general, and radio and television talk show hosts who rant about morality.

Stopping the damage done to gay and transgender people by anti-gay yappers requires both that we call people on their bigotry, and that we accept that ignorance is the parent of fear, and fear is the parent of hatred.

34

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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954.530.4970

or fill out form online at SouthFloridaGayNews.com/classifieds ACCOMMODATIONS

CONDO FOR SALE

Licensed Massage

PERFECT VACATION RENTALS. From $69/Night & $395/Week.Beautiful Studio, 1 & 2 BR Apts. with Full Kitchens. Clothing optional heated pool, laundry, parking. Close to Gay Dania & Nude Haulover Beaches. Incl. Cable, Tel. & Wi-Fi Internet.

Pets Always Welcome.

Call (954) 927-0090 or visit www.LibertySuites.com

MUST SEE! 3/2 OAKLAND PARK SFH gated community w/pool A+ cond 285K 440-281-5409 Open House 9/18, 9/19

Disclaimer The following advertisers listed under the category “Licensed Massage” are state licensed in Florida and provide therapeutic massage services.

------------------------------------------------WILLIAM HARRELSON licensed massage therapist. Offering Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage. Call today and make an appointment. 954-627-2773 MA#53595 ------------------------------------------------Highly skilled professional massage therapist.10 yrs experience offering trigger point,myofacial, reflexology, sports,Thai, & relaxation. Serving all of South Florida.

Thomas Yang (754)368-1833 Package Deals available Lic# MA33868 (Chi energy) ------------------------------------------------NCBTMB Certified, FL Lic. MA51008 Very reasonable IN Call Studio rates by mature, experienced LMT. In West Central Palm Beaches. Early/Late OK 561-254-8065 ------------------------------------------------professional therapeutic maSsage deep tissue, swedish, stretching. mon-sun, 10am-8pm in/out call, NONSEXUAL. ft,lauderdale. call robert 954-497-2372 lic: MA 19604

Cleaning Services Italiano Home Cleaning Service Honest,Reliable,Quality cleaning for your home. Bi-Weekly or one time available. I guarantee my work. Serving Broward Area Call David 954-608-8913 ------------------------------------------------Cleaning Services Years of Experience. Condos, Apts, Homes, Offices, Move Ins/Outs. Weekly or Bi-Weekly.

Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, Middle River Terrace, Fort Lauderdale Area.

Great References. Call BJ 954-512-3957

COMPUTER/TECH Computer/Network Support For Home or Office Personable and Reliable Computer Network Support Professional with over 15 years of Enterprise Level Experience.

Affordable Rates.

Contact Peter at (954) 816-4126 Or peter@netechsystems.com

FORECLOSURE FREE FORECLOSURE DEFENSE ADVICE! We offer a free consultation to discuss your particular situation. Don’t wait, you can do something about the pressure.

We have answers. Call for a no obligation meeting. Financial Rescue Inc. 954-5661228. info@financialrescueinfo.com

Help Wanted J.MARKS RESTAURANT: Servers and Front Desk Greeters. Please apply in person Monday - Thursday between 2-4PM at 1245 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

Home Improvement Master Carpenter. Over 25 years expe­ rience. I do it all. Call Jay at 561-596-8651

Insurance & Financial Allstate Direct: personal auto,home, condominium,boat and life insurance. For a free quote call Joe Mier 305-754-7414 ------------------------------------------------CORRECT COVERAGE INSURANCE Life/Health/Group/Dental/Disability Income/Annuities call toll free 1-877-646-2238 or 954-561-8297 Jim Rakvica www.correctcoverageinsurance.com

MORTGAGES FHA, FANNIE Mae, VA & Jumbo Mortages- Direct Lender. Experts in Purchase & REFI of ALL Types of properties & condos. Unmatched Rates & ClosingBurti- OFFICE: BR.>954-294-2540 PB.> 561-883-2424 U.S.>1-866-4FHA MORTGAGE (866-434-2667)

Moving & Shipping GUYS and DOLLIES moving+storage+ packing+crating+shipping+”A” Rated member of the BBB. regestered movers since 1976. major credit cards accepted. for free price quote call 954-566-1270

Painting PROFESSIONAL PAINTER AVAILABLE. 7/ days/week exterior/interior houses/condos/apartments. References available. call 954-471-2211

Personal Training If you are ready to make a healthier you a lifestyle call Christy Fritch,BS CPR certified 954-445-2540

Pressure cleaning isita pressure cleaning driveways, houses, sidewalks, rust removal, FREE ESTIMATES. Call Peter today. I spray it away” 954-654-5795

Professional Services

Calendar Model

Butler Plumbing One of South Florida’s best plumbing service companies - Professional plumbing services along with kitchen and bath remodeling. 100% quality work. One year warranty on workmanship. Call 561-6137338 - www.butlerplumbing.com -------------------------------------------------EXCLUSIVE PHOTOGRAPHER for all the special events you could imagine call J.R. Davis at 954-523-0520 ------------------------------------------------High Quality Diamond Brite Resurfacing, Coping, Tile, Leak Detection, Pool Repairs and More Call All Pro Pools, Inc at 954-684-5688 www.allpropoolsinc. com Licensed and Insured Pool Contractor

-------------------------------------------------EXPERIENCED PART-TIME CAREGIVER available. Friendly, 55-year-old gay man will come to your home to help with chores or personal caregiving to patients or elderly. References available. Call Gary: 954-471-5111 -------------------------------------------------Home Health Aid Full or part time, live in or out. CNA experience, references, exercise, nutrition, special anti-cancer diet if interested. Call Jeff for no obligation consultation. 954-854-2420 -------------------------------------------------Looking for a nanny that will be taking care of a 5 year old boy and a 2 year old girl, if interested contact Robertericsson62@yahoo.com -------------------------------------------------Movers. At Cousins USA Moving & Storage, we want you to smile when you think of moving day, and we want you to tell a friend how pleasant your moving experience has been. For more info on about how we can make moving day a good day. Call toll-free at 1-888-300-MOVE, ask for Carlos.

------------------------------------------------Computers. In-home service by nice, reliable guy with over 30 years experience. Find computers confusing? Want your own website? Computer sluggish?

Got a virus? Business database design. I can repair or upgrade your computer and provide training. A+ Certified. Call 954-2952220 or E-Mail: ComputerGuyFTL@aol.com -----------------------------------------------CUSTOM ALARM Steve Falasca specializing in: Residential, Commercial, Security Alarms, Home Audio, and Closed Circuit T.V. For an estimate call Steve 954-725-3633. Also Licensed & Insured 91-CLVD-420-X ----------------------------------------------TRUSTFUL CLEANERS 4 YOU For residential,commercial,move in and move out clean up call Edson &Carlos at 954-822-3598

PSYCHIC READING CHRISTINE PSYCHIC READER advice on all problems of life such as love, career, marriage, also available for parties call (954) 851-4586

REAL ESTATE WWW.GAYREALESTATE.COM Free Instant Access to Ft. Lauderdale, Wilton Manors & the Nation’s Top Gay & Lesbian Realtors. On-line or Toll Free 1.888.420.MOVE (6683) -------------------------------------------------THE SHAPIRO GROUP INC Residential Property Management LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER www.shapiroproperty.com 954-434-0175 -------------------------------------------------Nelson Moscoso, realtor keytoyourfuture@aol.com historicaldistricts.com -------------------------------------------------Wilton Manors 3/2 Duplex.

Pool,central A/C ,W/D,Tile Floors Updated Kitchen&Baths. 1500/mo.

954-563-8990 -------------------------------------------------FT LAUDERDALE/LAUDER LAKES PRIMARILY GAY PARK. Hurricane Ready 1,600sf 2BR/2BA 1 Yr Old, 32’ Party Deck overlooks huge Lake. Manufactured Home. Wood Cabinets & Granite Tops, Slate & Marble floors. Immaculate. Real Show Place! Pics @ www.twitpic.com/ photos/FLParadise4Sale Cost $205K+, Sell $149,900, Call 954-817-6233

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-------------------------------------------------FREE FORECLOSURE DEFENSE ADVICE! We offer a free consultation to discuss your particular situation. Don’t wait, you can do something about the pressure.

We have answers. Call for no obligation meeting. Financial rescue, Inc 954-566-1228 info@financialrescueinfo.Com

Rent/Lease FOR RENT: Downtown Fort Lauderdale location Church Sanctuary & Meeting Room. Call 954-731-8173.

-------------------------------------------------1/1 renovated apt. close to shopping, beach & I95. Lush landscaping w/fountain, paver patio, Small Pets OK. $650/ Mo. Call 954-462-7817 -------------------------------------------------Wilton Manors 1BR/1BA one block from shopsRestaurants/nightlife. A/C, ceiling fans Terrazzo floors,laundry room with washer and dryer. large screened in pool & patio. $900/mo. includes:electric cal 954-563-4442 -------------------------------------------------Wilton manors Large 2BR/1BA in 4 plex. newly renovated, CAC, polised terrazzo floor, new bathroom, fenced yard. $1150/mo F/S 954-566-8049

SELF-DEFENSE Women on Guard. Non-lethal, selfdefense and home protection products call Susan Eaton or Martha Martines at 954-532-0600 or email us at info@ womenonguard.com

Volunteer Section BROWARD MEALS ON WHEELS Broward Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to make deliveries to its clients who reside in Davie and Dania, two areas most in need of help currently. Requirements: must own car, proof of drivers' license and insurance; 2 hour time commitment, background check will be conducted, volunteers will attend Orientation before starting delivery service.

To apply, please visit: www.bmow.org -------------------------------------------------Volunteers needed immediately.

Two cat-only shelters are merging and need volunteers for daily chores, socializing cats, manning phones and/ or helping with adoptions. Shelter in Pompano Beach on Atlantic Blvd.

Call Sharon Fomes at 954-673-0848

Island CIty PIZZa “Home of tHe original uncut pizza”

October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

35

954-561-4272 BusinessCard Directory WHY UNCUT? TECHNOLOGY

PIZZA The oils and juices stay on the pizza until you are ready to eat not on the bottom of the box so your pizza crust stays hard and doesn’t go limp.

PLUMBING

Island CIty PIZZa “Home of tHe original uncut pizza” “WOW” • Dennis J from Sfgn “Best Pizza I’ve Ever Had” • Bob r from fX

954-561-4272

“To Die For!” • evan corey

WHY UNCUT?

The oils and juices stay on the pizza until you are 1913 north avenue wilton manors ready andrews to eat not on the bottom of• the box so your

pizza crust stays hard and doesn’t go limp.

“WOW” • Dennis J from Sfgn ACCOUNTING “Best Pizza I’ve Ever Had” • Bob r from fX “To Die For!” • evan corey

Attorney

Raymond J.

Posgay

ADVERTISING

1913 north andrews avenue • wilton manors

attorney at law

Full Charge Bookkeeping Services

1217 East Broward Blvd • Ft Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-764-5543 • fax 954-522-0123 • rjp1217@aol.com

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE, TITLE INSURANCE PROBATE, WILLS, LIVING WILLS, TRUSTS

This space can be yours for only $100/week Call 954.530.4970

marketplace directory SECURITY

BEAUTY

DENTIST

ANTIQUE CARS

HEALTH

FINANCIAL SERVICES

TILES & STONES

PEST CONTROL

TIRES

LAWYERS

BARS

ADVERTISING

This space can be yours for only $75/week Call 954.530.4970

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October 6, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com