02/02/11 V2I5 by South Florida Gay News

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What’s Next for Obama?

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February 2, 2011 • Volume 2 • Issue 5

A DEATH IN UGANDA Gay Activist Murdered STORIES ON PAGES 7, 14

MARC HOFER/AFP/Getty Images

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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Lawmaker’s ‘Fearless’ Campaign

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Martha Wash’s ‘Fortitude’

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Nathan Manske’s ‘Driftwood’

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Miami Beach’s ‘Fashion Week’

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Staff Report

SFGN Announces Staff Changes Jason Parsley Assumes Role as Managing Editor

Parsley

Rudolph

By Joey Amato

he torch has been officially passed. Jason Parsley, 33, will assume the role as Managing Editor of South Florida Gay News. Parsley will be leaving his position as a veteran writer with the Forum Publishing Group, part of the Sun-Sentinel, where he served as staff writer since 2007.

Mainly contributing to the Wellington Forum, Parsley also covered news in Boca Raton, Lake Worth and Royal Palm Beach. Many of his pieces also appeared in the Sun-Sentinel. A Palm Beach resident, Parsley brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role, having held the title of Editor in Chief of University Press, Florida Atlantic University’s weekly newspaper. While in this position, Parsley was responsible for overseeing the publications budget and administering all aspects of the newspaper, including editorial, layout and distribution. He wrote prolifically, including award winning investigative pieces for the student paper. Parsley has earned numerous ac-

colades for his work including awards from the Florida Press Club, Institute on Political Journalism and the Society of Professional Journalists. He lives with his partner of eleven years in Boynton Beach. Stated Norm Kent, “Jason brings to the paper credible experience in news and journalism. As SFGN enters its second year, his skill set will enhance our writing, provide continuity, and insure stability.” Parsley has won a half-dozen awards – and more than $5,000 – for his investigations into FAU’s Student Government. He exposed financial corruption that forced a student body president to resign, as well as ethical lapses that resulted in the ouster of a chief justice. He was named Florida’s College Journalist of the Year and was runner-up for the national title. In addition, SFGN formally announced last week that John Fugate has been promoted to Sales Manager. “In the two months since the former manager’s departure, John has doubled his sales, and earned the right to the promotion,” says publisher Norm Kent. “We are glad to see John has stepped up to the plate and is determined to grow the business.With John’s enthusiasm, we have tripled our Miami venues and also expanded to Key West.” Fugate held the position of distribution manager prior to his promotion. Additionally, SFGN announced today that Dana Rudolph, a proud lesbian mom who is a feature writer for the Keen News Service, will be writing her columns on parenting exclusively in the South Florida market for SFGN. Dana’s column, ‘Mombian,’ covers a range of topics, including reviews of LGBT-inclusive media for children and parents, interviews with authors and filmmakers, practical tips for survival as LGBT parents, and reflections on how political and legal issues specifically impact LGBT parents. Additionally, SFGN has added editorial cartoonist Gary Markstein from Creators Syndicate, and his humorous visions will soon enhance these pages, as will some legal advice columns from Personal Injury attorney Robert Spector, offering answers to common legal questions everyone encounters with simple car accidents or a slip and fall at a supermarket.

February 2, 2011 • Volume 2 • Issue 5

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

Norm Kent Publisher and Editor in Chief publishernorm@southfloridagaynews.com Pier Angelo Guidugli

Chief Executive Officer Creative Director. . . . . . . . . George Dauphin george.dauphin@southfloridagaynews.com Online Website Director. . . . . Dennis Jozefowicz

Editorial Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . Jason Parsley jason.parsley@southfloridagaynews.com Lifestyle & Features Editor. . . A. Sebastian Fortino sebastian.fortino@southfloridagaynews.com

Political Affairs Editor . . . . . . Jarrett Terrill jarrett.t@southfloridagaynews.com Arts/Entertainment Editor . . . Mary Damiano marysfgn@gmail.com SFGNites Editor. . . . . . . . . . . JW Arnold Business Editor . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Gary Senior Features Correspondents . . . . . . . . . . J esse Monteagudo Tony Adams Correspondents. . . . . . . . . . . P enn Bullock Amy Paonessa Steve Fritz Jason Shutts Contributing Columnists. . . . W ayne Besen AJ Cross Susan Estrich Brian McNaught Leslie Robinson Dana Rudolph Editorial Cartoonists. . . . . . . S teve Sack Darryl Smith Calendar Editor. . . . . . . . . . . Matthew Clark

Sales

Sales Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . J ohn Fugate Classifieds Manager . . . . . . . . Brian Swinford Finance Manager. . . . . . . . . . . Chris Grobels National Sales Representative.Rivendell Media todd@rivendellmedia.com

Distribution Managers. . . . . . JR Davis, Walter Franco Printing and Publication . . . . Miami Offset South Florida Gay News.com is published weekly on Wednesdays. Our paper is a member of the Associated Press. The views and opinions expressed within this publication, in bylined columns, stories, and letters to the editor are those of the writers expressing them. They do not represent the opinions of South Florida Gay News.com, Inc., or the Publisher. They are included to promote free speech and diversity of thought. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations in SFGN, and it would be careless to do so. For the sake of readable newswriting, the word “gay” in SFGN should, when relevant, be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community. All of the material that appears in SFGN, both online at www. southfloridagaynews.com, and in our print edition, including articles used in conjunction with our contract with the Associated Press and our columnists, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Thus, nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher of SFGN, at his law office, Kent & Cormican, P.A., 110 Southeast 6th Street, Suite 1970, Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33301. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs. Copyright©2011 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

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February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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AIDS Walk 2011Debuts By Norm Kent

he Florida AIDS Walk 2011 is a 10 kilometer walk that will take place on Sunday, March 20th, beginning and ending at Huizenga Plaza in Fort Lauderdale. Last year’s event raised $460,000 with the participation of 3,000 walkers, 400 volunteers and 143 teams. SFGN will be joining in as a sponsor, and its staff will participate with teams in the March. In 2010, the GLCC/ Pride Center team raised nearly $25,000. Local bars, including Team Sidelines, the Alibi, and Scandals, also made measurable contributions in the thousands. Funds raised by Florida AIDS Walk will enable the expansion of free HIV testing and prevention education in Florida’s Broward and Miami Dade counties, and provide healthcare and support for HIV-positive individuals throughout the state. With the community’s support, AHF Pharmacy, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Out of the Closet, and each of the 2011 Florida AIDS Walk Beneficiaries – Sun-

Serve, Broward House, Women In Network, and The Pride Center at Equality Park – will be empowered to carry out this mission. AHF’s Out of the Closet Thrift Stores offers free HIV testing and treatment referral through an AHF Pharmacy built adjacent to the store. AHF’s nonprofit pharmacies employ only HIV specialists; all profits received are reinvested in AHF’s local and global programs. For 2011, the Florida AIDS Walk family is dedicated not only to raising awareness of the fact that more than 167,000 Floridians are living with HIV/AIDS, but also to generating as much financial support as possible to provide the care and services that is needed for those living with AIDS. You can participate by registering as a Team Captain or Individual Walker, volunteering on the day of the AIDS Walk, or donating to sponsor an individual walker or a team, or give directly to Florida AIDS Walk. Some major sponsors already enrolled for 2011 include AT & T and the Wells Fargo Banks.

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February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

National News

Stanford Students Fight ROTC Due to Transgender Discrimination Transgender Individuals Are Still Barred from Military Service AP–Palo Alto, CA – Several student organizations have launched a new campaign against the return of ROTC to college campuses in light of the repeal of DADT due to their policy of discrimination towards transgender service members. The National Marriage Boycott, the largest national youth-led LGBT rights organization, has called for youth activists on college campuses that include gender identity in their non-discrimination clause to oppose the introduction or return of ROTC to their institutions. On the campus of Stanford University “Students for Queer Liberation”, an LGBTQ rights group, is currently lobbying Stanford administration and organizing against the return of ROTC to campus.

The Military Leadership Diversity Commission issued the recommendation of a ban on transgender service member as part of a draft report on diversity in the services. The final report is due to lawmakers this spring and commission members are meeting this week in Virginia to debate final changes. This treatment of transgender service members was recently highlighted in the Washington Post article titled “Transgender Vets Want Military Access For Own” telling the story of First Class Autumn Sandeen and her trials as a trans-women veteran.

“Now, more than ever, is the time for college students across the country to take a stand and organize against transgender discrimination, an issue that has been historically ignored by the mainstream gay rights agenda” said Alok Vaid-Menon, President of Stanford Students for Queer Liberation. “A re-introduction of ROTC on college campuses (including Stanford, Harvard, and Columbia) that include ‘gender identity’ in their non-discrimination clause is a fundamental violation of policy and an endorsement of discrimination.”

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February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Obama Appoints 3 to Prominent Positions By Lisa Keen

resident Obama on Wednesday (January 26) appointed two prominent gays to important positions in his administration and nominated an openly gay attorney to a judgeship for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Roberta Achtenberg, a longtime lesbian civil rights activist in San Francisco and the first openly gay presidential appointee (under President Clinton), has been named as a commissioner on the U.S. Civil Rights Commission. She will be one of eight members of the commission—four of who are appointed by the president and four appointed by Congress. Jeffrey Levi, who once headed the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, received an appointment as a member of the newly created Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health at the Department of Health and Human Services. And Obama nominated openly gay attorney J. Paul Oetken to become one of 44 judges serving the federal district court that

encompasses Manhattan. The U.S. Senate must approve Oetken’s nomination. If approved, Oetken would become the second openly gay judge in that federal district – along with Deborah Batts. He would be the third openly gay federal judge in the country—along with Emily Hewitt of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Batts and Hewitt were both appointed by President Clinton. Oetken is not President Obama’s first openly gay nominee to the federal bench. In April of last year, he nominated Edward DuMont to a position on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal District. If approved, DuMont would be the first openly gay appointee to a federal appeals court. But DuMont’s nomination—along with that of many others—has been tied up by Republican opposition in the U.S. Senate. Oetkin served as associate counsel to the President in the Clinton White House and served as an attorney-advisor with the Clinton Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel. He currently works as senior vice president and associate general council for Cablevisions Systems Corporation. Oetkin

Roberta Achtenberg

served as a clerk for former Justice Harry Blackmun, one of the U.S. Supreme Court’s more liberal justices. Achtenberg, who co-founded the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and is a former member of the of San Francisco Board of Supervisors, is best known as “that damn lesbian.” That’s the designation flung her way by notoriously anti-gay U.S. Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC). Helms opposed Achtenberg’s appointment as Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Op-

portunity at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under President Clinton. The Senate approved her appointment over Helms’ objections. She later worked with the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and the San Francisco Center for Economic Development. She is currently a member of the California State University Board of Trustees and Vice Chair of the Board of the Bank of San Francisco. Jeff Levi was the first lobbyist ever hired by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and later served as its executive director. Levi served as Deputy Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy under President Clinton and worked, for a time, as an associate editor of the American Journal of Public Health. Levi has worked on HIV policy issues since the beginning of the epidemic and currently works as Executive Director of Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), a non-profit organization dedicated to making disease prevention a national priority. He is also professor of health policy at George Washington University’s School of Public Health and Health Services.

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Next up for Obama: Marriage Equality for Gay Americans By Kerry Eleveld

ess than a month after President Obama repealed “don’t ask, don’t tell,” defending the so-calledDefense of Marriage Act – the law that makes gay Americans second-class citizens by outlawing federal recognition of their legal marriages. This action underscores the point that the battle over gay rights is just beginning. As Obama was preparing to sign the repeal legislation late last month, I was granted the first ever one-on-one interview with him as president by a journalist from a news outlet for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. While I felt it important to give the president the opportunity to elaborate on this singular achievement – one that would help restore his relationship with LGBT Americans and with his broader progressive base – I also wanted to discuss marriage equality. Nearly every country in the world that has legalized same-sex marriage began first by

The President tapes the weekly address Orion Energy Systems in Wisconsin, White House Photo, Pete Souza

allowing gays to serve openly in the military. Given that openly gay men and women would soon be fighting and, in some cases, dying for their country, I wondered whether the president thought it was time that those women and men be entitled to full marriage rights. “Like a lot of people, I’m wrestling with this. My attitudes are evolving on this,” Obama responded. “What I know is that, at

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minimum, a baseline is that there has to be a strong, robust civil union available to all gay and lesbian couples.” His current position on gay marriage that this is an issue he struggles with as he watches his gay and lesbian friends marry and create loving households – goes beyond his 2008 campaign stance, which was simply to support civil unions. (Earlier in his political career, as a candidate for the Illinois state Senate, Obama supported full marriage rights for same-sex couples.) But the president is facing new terrain now that some gays in the military will undoubtedly be lawfully wedded to their partners. For example, will the families of those service members have access to the same benefits and support networks that their heterosexual counterparts have? Will their spouses be the first informed if they pay the ultimate sacrifice in the course of defending their country? There is a serious flaw in the president’s position of viewing civil unions as a path to giving same-sex couples equal relationship recognition: The federal government does not recognize civil unions for the purposes of spousal benefits. In fact, no legislation to formalize civil unions exists at the federal level. That means that advocates of civil unions, Obama included, are suggesting for lesbian and gay couples a status for which the federal government has no definition and no frame of reference within its codes, and one that provides no path to legal recognition. Meanwhile, his administration continues to defend a law that expressly prohibits the federal government from honoring samesex marriages, which are legal in five states and the District of Columbia. The day after I interviewed the president,

he was reminded at a news conference by ABC’s Jake Tapper that the military doesn’t recognize civil unions either. Realizing the inherent flaw in his prescription for equality, Obama was left with few options other than using the question as a starting point for national discussion. “This is going to be an issue that is not unique to the military,” the president responded. “This is an issue that extends to all of our society, and I think we’re all going to have to have a conversation about it.” I hope that the president is serious about leading that discussion, much the way he did with his landmark Philadelphia speech on race in 2008. That, too, was considered troubled territory that many of his advisers warned against broaching - yet it became a moment that helped define Obama’s character. With equality legislation stalled in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, one of the most significant advances Obama can make between now and his 2012 reelection campaign is to evolve fully on marriage equality. The repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” was a turning point in the marriage discussion. It poses a major challenge and an opportunity for the president. While he, like many Americans, grapples with the fact that civil unions provide no remedy for gay taxpayers with regard to federal spousal benefits, he has enlisted the most powerful lobby in the nation to work on behalf of gay rights - the U.S. military. Once repeal is implemented, the military will begin to move toward eradicating the inequalities endured by gay service members. Indeed, 67 percent of service members told the Pentagon’s study group that lifting the ban would have a positive effect or no effect at all on readiness - surely those service members will care that their comrades in arms get equal treatment. I would bet they will insist on it. Kerry Eleveld was the Washington correspondent for the Advocate for the first two years of the Obama administration. She is editor of EqualityMatters.org. This article originally appeared in the Washington Post on January 21, 2011.

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

International News

Scuffle and Slander Mar Ugandan Activist’s Funeral

Pastor Removed after Demeaning David Kato’s Life in Sermon to bring words of comfort to the mourners and said the final blessing over David’s battered remains…The bishop said he was horrified by what he witnessed from his fellow Christians and yet was honored to be there and to have the final word of love and peace for David.” “What happened at the funeral disgraced this nation and disgraced the soul of the person who had died,” activist Julian Pepe Onziema said. In another address, however, Sylvia Tamale, dean of the law school at Makerere University and a prominent critic of the harsh anti-homosexuality bill currently before parliament, called on the government to speak out against injustice in the country.

David Kato

News compilation by Norm Kent

ngry words from a homophobic pastor marred the funeral of murdered Ugandan gay activist David Kato last Friday, when he called on homosexuals to repent or “be punished by God”. An emotional ceremony to mourn Kato, who was bludgeoned to death on January 26, was coming to an end when Anglican pastor Thomas Musoke launched into his anti-gay tirade, shocking the mourners, who included foreign diplomats and dozens of gay men and women in attendance. The U.K.’s Guardian reported that Musoke denounced Kato, stating, “The world has gone crazy, and people are turning away from the scriptures. They should turn back; they should abandon what they are doing. You cannot start admiring a fellow man.” Witnesses at the memorial service said that while many present cheered Musoke’s hateful diatribe on, Kato’s former colleagues at Sexual Minorities Uganda, where he worked as an advocacy officer, promptly shouted him down. Berating the pastor for his attempt to demean Kato’s life, one woman screamed “We have not come to fight and you are not the judge of us. As long as he’s gone to God his

creator, who are we to judge Kato?” Others lunged at Musoke, and a young lesbian named Kasha, a colleague of Kato’s, grabbed his microphone. A minor melee unfolded, and as the scuffle escalated, police were forced to restore order. Eventually, they wound up escorting the hostile pastor away from the funeral service. “The diatribe against LGBT people was finally replaced by the voices of those for whom David fought and died,” stated Episcopalian News Service reporter David Ogle, who wrote about the incident on his blog. Ogle commented that “The Church of Uganda took a pastoral opportunity for healing and reconciliation with family members and LGBT people and allies and turned it into an anti-gay political rally.” Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, who runs the Kampala-based St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation, an advocacy organization that works on LGBT issues in Uganda was one of those people who came to the podium and restored order. As an excommunicated bishop of the Church of Uganda, Senyonjo has no standing in the official hierarchy of the church. And he wasn’t called upon to speak originally. According to Ogle, Senyonjo “found a way

A statement from US president Barack Obama praising Kato as a “powerful advocate for fairness and freedom” was read out to the crowd, subdued after the pastor’s removal. Kato’s mother and some of his closest friends struggled to contain their emotions as various speakers, including Kato’s twin brother, paid tribute to his life and work. “I feel very lonely,’’ said John Mulumba Wasswa, Kato’s older twin brother. “My brother was a very brave person, very courageous.’’ Three tents had been erected in a clearing, and Kato’s body was displayed in an open white coffin. A large crucifix lay on top. Kato’s colleagues later covered it with a continued on page 28

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

SFGN BRIEFS Further Anti-Gay Wyoming Legislation On Monday, Jan. 24, the Wyoming house passed an amendment that could formally ban the recognition of same-sex marriages performed out of state. Then on Tuesday the senate went further by initially passing an amendment to constitutionally ban gay marriage. Senators voted 21-9 in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 5, which defines marriage as a union only between two people of the opposite sex. Even though Wyoming’s Republican governor, Matt Mead, supports the ban, the legislation would need to clear two more senate votes before advancing to the house, where passage is not certain. If it made its way to Mead’s desk and is signed, it would then be placed before voters in a 2012 referendum. The proposed constitutional amendment was originally worded to ban recognition of all gay unions; it’s since been changed to make civil unions a future possibility. Matthew Shepard was brought up sparingly. “People have been careful to not bring up his name in vain,” Jason Marsden, Executive Director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation said.

However, Shepard’s murder continues to cast a pall over Wyoming. Marsden wonders why state legislators would choose to forward demoralizing legislation that would add to a perception that Wyoming is unwelcoming to the LGBT-community.

Gay-for-Pay’s Wife Speaks Reese Rideout’s wife Becki talked about their comfort level with his career choice, saying that the decision comes down to money, in the new U.K. issue of Marie Claire. “Now, his focus is gay porn, which, despite what people think, I’m more comfortable with,” said Becki, both are originally from Oregon. “I can accept him being with other men more easily than other women. He got into it after he was offered $1,500 simply to masturbate on a gay website called randyblue.com. Straight porn only pays men $300 a scene, but gay porn pays up to five times as much.” Nick added, “I can have sex at work without thinking about the other person because I’m genuinely straight. But gay sex is tough if you’re straight. Now I watch footage of women or think about Becki when I’m film-

Reese Rideout video

ing. Working in gay porn is better all round. I get paid more and treated with respect.”

death threat from a man who saw him hanging fliers on campus for the gay association. “Shaken, but unharmed, Moro decided to help turn that act of hatred, the first he’d suffered since he’d come out at age 17, into something constructive: Italy’s first accredited university course on gay studies on offer this winter at the Milan university school of political science,” reports the AP. The AP calls the course “something of a revolution” for Italy, where the Roman Catholic Church dominates cultural life despite the potential for popular left-wing politician Nichi Vendola to become Italy’s first openly gay prime minister. Times must be changing for the conservative nation, as nearly 200 students showed up for the first day.

Hawaii Appoints Gay Judge

Hawaii governor Neil Abercrombie nominated Sabrina Shizue McKenna to the Hawaii Supreme Court, where she will be the first openly gay judge. Her appointment is The first accredited university course on gay studies is being offered this winter in Milan. subject to confirmation in the Hawaii senate judiciary committee. Giacomo Moro, a 23-year-old biology maAccording to the Star-Advertiser, McKenna, jor conceived of the course in response to a

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February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

SFGN BRIEFS But Choi refuses to pay because he was 53, is a longtime state judge. Gov. Abercromdischarged under DADT. Choi told President bie, a Democrat, called the appointment Obama exactly that in an open letter. “the most important decision” in his career. “It would be easy to pay the $2,500 bill McKenna said that being the first openly gay and be swiftly done member of the court with this diseased could give hope to chapter of my life, others who feel they where I sinfully cannot succeed due to deceived and tolertheir sexuality. ated self-hatred Also on Tuesday, the under Don’t Ask senate judiciary comDon’t Tell. Many mittee approved a civil thousands have unions measure, which wrestled with their now goes to the senate responsibilities and for consideration. The expedient solutions Democratic-controlled when confronted legislature wants to Lt. Dan Choi with issues of this send the bill to Gov. Abmagnitude. I unercrombie for approval derstand you also wrestle with issues of our this year. Last year, former governor Linda equality. But I choose to cease wrestling, to Lingle, a Republican, vetoed gay civil unions. cease the excuses, to cease the philosophical grandstanding and ethical gymnastics of Choi Refuses political expediency in the face of moral duty. Military $2,500 My obligations to take a stand, knowing all The Army wants Lt. Dan Choi to cough the continued consequences of my violations, up $2,500 — the “unearned portion of your are clear. I refuse to pay your claim.” enlistment or reenlistment bonus.”

Chick-fil-A Backed Retreat: No Gay Couples allowed

retreat for a philanthropic group funded by Chick-fil-A will not welcome same-sex couples. The WinShape Foundation was started in 1984 by Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy and his wife, Jeannette, to fund summer camp programs for children. WinShape also sponsors a retreat center for couples at Berry College in Rome, Georgia, running programs and counseling for both unwed and married couples on how to have “a successful Christian marriage.” The ‘Good as You’ blog discovered that WinShape officials were just saying no to same-sex couples. “WinShape Retreat defines marriage from the Biblical standard as being between one man and one woman,” the foundation said. “and we welcome those who offer

wholesome, educational conferences and programs that are compatible with Biblical values and WinShape’s purpose.” Representatives at Chick-fil-A’s headquarters told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that they were not “anti-anybody” but they believed in “the Biblical definition of marriage” only. Now the story has been clucking nationally. The chicken chain caught flak last month when it was discovered it had sponsored a marriage event run by the anti-gay Pennsylvania Family Institute. Chick-fil-A later dropped its name from banner ads promoting the program. In 2009 the company also supported the anti-gay group Focus on the Family, but its spokespersons insist they do not “discriminate in their franchise selection process,” just in case your lickin’ for a chicken.

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Sugar Chest Antique Mall Offers History and Artifacts By Jason Shutts

ucked away in a rather typical South Florida shopping mall, the Sugar Chest Antique Mall is a anything but generic, with a sprawling 30,000 square feet of unique and sought-after artifacts. It is owned by a mother and daughter team, Kathy Sciortino and Dawn Sciortino, and it is home for a pleasing display of extraordinary collectibles. They have combined their individual strengths and passions to bring together 200 vendors, each with a different specialty. In one area you might find West African Fertility Dolls, another may have reproduction flatware from Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, or something as unique as prostitute tags from Kansas City. Due to the scale of the space, it’s impossible to see everything in one visit. After three hours there, I barely skimmed the surface. For anyone who loves antiques or anything vintage, or unique, this will become your favorite destination.

For both of these passionate businesswomen their passion is clear: it’s trying to find one knockout piece. “Some fantastic artwork that has come through here, furniture, glass, some great mid-centuries and primitives, and don’t forget the chandeliers too,” said Kathy Sciortino. An impressive collection of chandeliers hang above each aisle of the antiques mall. The Sugar Chest Antiques Mall also stocks original replacement parts, should your vintage or heirloom chandelier need some repairs. The Florida Highwaymen, were a group of around thirty African-American artists, who are a special piece of Floridian Art History. During the 1950s and 60s these artists were led and instructed by A.E. Backus. Largely selftaught, they traveled through Florida, painting landscapes and other scenes, and selling them out of the trunks of their car to businesses. They are some of the prize items at the Sugar Chest Antiques Mall, many are by acclaimed painter James Gibson. To com-

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plement this genre of Floridian themed work, there is also an extensive collection of Fort Lauderdale history. With postcards, photographs and other memorabilia, the past of our area can be seen in its original context. “If you’re here, you can pretty much find whatever it is you wanted! We’re a great resource for so many designers,” said Dawn Sciortino. However, the Sugar Chest is not all business! While many Antique Malls are dedicated to selling – and selling alone – the Sugar Chest takes pride in educating and engaging visitors and antique enthusiasts. They provide many extras to the experience, whether it be a pianist playing on Saturdays, or trips to large antique events. One such excursion is an upcoming trip to Mount Dora on Feb 19th, or one of the up-

coming lecture series the Sugar Chest conducts. Venture to the Sugar Chest and you may come out with a lesson in history along with an artifact for your living room. For more information or to register for the February 19th Mt. Dora trip, please visit TheSugarChestAntiqueMall.com.

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Just Ask Jared Polis About What Makes Him Fearless

By Jarrett Terrill

hat do smoking pot and using the Internet have to do with being gay? Just ask Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO), who has launched the ‘Fearless Campaign.’ Jared Polis is actually the first American man elected to Congress after being first open and out as a gay man. Tammy Baldwin of course may have been the first open lesbian elected but men like Steve Gunderson and Barney Frank were first elected to the House of Representatives prior to disclosing their sexual identity. Rep. Polis is already clearing the way for Congress to do things a bit differently, with the launch of ‘The Fearless Campaign.’ He and other members of Congress will caucus around issues that have, in the past, seemed too hot for most politicians to touch – like marijuana legalization. For example, ‘The Fearless Campaign’ states very clearly in the first line of its statement on fair drug policy that “every comprehensive, objective government commission that has studied the issue over the past four decades has recommended that adults should not be criminalized for using marijuana.” The campaign also discusses LGBT issues, which are probably the most controversial that the Representatives will tackle. “It’s about empowering our political leaders with the moral courage to vote fearlessly on the politically charged issues of today, says Polis, “regardless of

the perceived political risk.” Polis is actually the driving force behind the operation, stating “I chose issues that are rarely and meekly talked about in the corridors of power, but that many main street Americans care about. As a member of Congress I have been disappointed that Congress hasn’t moved forward in these areas, and I hope that Fearless Campaign will lead to it doing so.” The Six issues that Polis wants his Fearless Campaign to address and advocate are, in his words: • Strengthening education. (Education Reform) • Fixing our broken immigration policy (Immigration Reform) • Fighting for LGBT rights and equality for all (LGBT Issues like marriage and nondiscrimination) • Repealing the failed prohibition of marijuana (Decriminalization or Legalization) • Removing special interests from our food policy (FDA Reform) • Ensuring that the Internet remains free, open, and neutral (Net Neutrality) Already, the Fearless Campaign has been highlighted by The Advocate Magazine, The Michigan Medical Marijuana Association, Yahoo News, Politico.com, The Huffington Post, all of the newspapers in Colorado and many others. The campaign promises to unite advocates in a unique way that big tent politics has failed to do so thus far and give them an opportunity to act “from the inside” with our Congress.

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

LGBT Aging Institute Seeks Help on Website

he National Resource Center on LGBT Aging is conducting a survey to gather input from a wide range of people on the website it is creating. The site will provide educational information, training, and technical assistance to organizations and LGBT older adults on a variety of important issues related to LGBT aging. The Center is the first federally-funded entity to address the needs of LGBT older adults. Given this historic importance, input to the design of the website is critical. The information provided will be used to help determine what content to include and how effective the Center is in reaching its intended audiences. “Answers will be anonymous and will not be linked to you in any way. However, if you wish to be contacted in the future, there will be an optional question at the end of the survey where you may provide contact information,” stated Hilary Meyer, the director for the resource center. The deadline for completing the survey is February 6, 2011. To access the survey, please

go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/lgbtagingcenter. The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging is a nationwide program of Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) and ten partner organizations (American Society on Aging; Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity, Hunter College; CenterLink; FORGE Transgender Aging Network; GRIOT Circle; The LGBT Aging Project; National Association of Area Agencies on Aging; National Council on Aging’s National Institute of Senior Centers; Openhouse; and PHI). If you have any questions about the survey, please send an e-mail to: info@lgbtagingcenter.org

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February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Media Matters

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his week’s cover story in the Broward New Times by Leslie Minora features a South Florida same-sex couple, Andy and Todd Bludworth-McNeill, who traveled to Panama to start a family through surrogacy. They chose Central America because Florida surrogacy laws require that a couple be legally married – and Florida does not recognize gay marriage. It’s a good piece worth picking up or reading online at http://www. browardpalmbeach.com

cr e aal e sst a tte es e r lv i lc eis

2 2 2 7 W i l t o n D r i v e Wilton Manors Florida 33305

his awkward photo is from the current issue of GQ Magazine, where Ted Haggard declared himself to be bisexual and confessed to snorting all that crystal meth he’d previously claimed to have purchased to throw away. Thanks to the Joe. My. God. Blog for this one.

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February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

SFGN Guest Editorial

February 2, 2011

What David Kato’s Death Can Teach the World By Navanethem Pillay

ews of the brutal murder of Ugandan human rights activist David Kato has reverberated around the world. Kato was beaten to death at his home outside of Kampala on January 26. He had dedicated much of his working life to helping those persecuted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In the months leading up to his death, he had himself been a target of a hate-campaign mounted by a local newspaper, The Rolling Stone, which printed his name, photograph and address alongside those of dozens of others the paper claimed were gay or lesbian, and called for them to be hanged. Just last month, he and two other litigants took the newspaper to court, successfully securing an injunction against the newspaper to prevent it publishing similar stories in future. Kato’s visibility as an openly gay man and an activist for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people has understandably fuelled speculation that he was the victim of a fatal homophobic attack. At the time of writing, a police investigation continues into the circumstances of his death. We must await the outcome of judicial proceedings to know who killed him and why. But whoever is responsible and whatever their motive, we know the fear felt by many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals in Uganda and elsewhere who continue to face widespread prejudice and the constant threat of homophobic violence. Kato’s death robs them of a brave and eloquent advocate. If Kato’s murder stimulates discussion about the violence and discrimination facing people because of their sexual orientation or their gender identity, then his death will not have been completely in vain. That discussion must inevitably address the question of decriminalizing homosexuality. Criminal sanctions for homosexuality

remain on the statute books in more than 70 countries, including Uganda. Such laws are an anachronism, in most cases a hangover from the old days of colonial rule. They are inherently discriminatory and constitute a violation of the human rights of those whose conduct they seek to sanction. States often justify the existence of these laws with reference to popular opinion. Yet popular opinion alone can never justify depriving certain people of their rights. People are entitled to disapprove of homosexuality. They are entitled to express their disapproval. But they are not entitled to harm or inflict violence on their fellow human beings, nor to use the criminal law to have them arrested, imprisoned, even in

prejudice born of ignorance. And like other forms of prejudice, the most effective longterm response is information and education. Over the past half century, we have seen a marked shift in public attitudes in almost all societies towards race, gender and disability.

some cases executed, simply because they disapprove of them. Decriminalizing homosexuality is an essential first step towards establishing genuine equality before the law. But real, lasting progress cannot be achieved by changing laws alone. We must change minds as well. Like racism and misogyny, homophobia is

The challenge, for all those who believe in human rights and non-discrimination, is to encourage a similar shift in public attitudes towards those whose sexual orientation or gender identity differs from that of the majority in society. This is a major undertaking that will require the involvement and commitment of us all.

Basic messages on non-discrimination, equality and human rights should be included in school curricula everywhere, reinforced by effective public education campaigns that engage the general public. The role of civil society is vital. Wherever social progress has been achieved over the last hundred years, it has involved the concerted efforts of communitybased groups and other nongovernmental organizations. Today, with the presence of social media and Internet-based campaigns, the potential impact of civil society-led public education is greater than ever. We at the United Nations must be prepared to support and encourage this change. UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon has already committed himself to the task. Speaking on Human Rights Day on December 10, 2010, he pledged to work for the worldwide decriminalisation of homosexuality, using both private diplomacy and public advocacy to mobilise support. “Violence will end only when we confront prejudice”, he said. “Stigma and discrimination will end only when we agree to speak out. That requires all of us to do our part; to speak out at home, at work, in our schools and communities; to stand in solidarity.” Ms Pillay is the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Mombian

Rainbow Bibliography Helps Librarians Help LGBTQ Youth By Dana Rudolph

ith all the recent media attention about the need to support LGBTQ youth, it is notable that the American Library Association (ALA) is in its fourth year of giving librarians the tools to do just that. The ALA on January 15 published its fourth annual Rainbow Bibliography, a selective but wide-ranging list of recommended LGBTQ-inclusive books for readers under 18. Five days earlier, it bestowed the first-ever Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Awards to honor the very top titles in the field. Wisconsin high school librarian Lynn Evarts, who chairs the committee that chooses the Bibliography, says the list is especially important for librarians who may be challenged if they put LGBTQ-inclusive books on their shelves. If that happens, she said, “you can whip this list out and say, ‘Look, this ALA committee said this was a recommended title. Back off, buddy.’ As a librarian in the school, I like to have that to support me.” The 31 titles on the list are a mix of styles and genres, including graphic novels, a photo essay, and celebrity biographies, as well as more traditional fiction and non-fiction works. Evarts observed that LGBTQ content is often only part of the stories, indicating

that such content is “becoming more normalized.” It is still important to have books where being LGBTQ is the central character’s focus, she noted, but added that “Some students won’t pick up a book if it’s identified as a “gay book.” Having kids simply meet LGBTQ characters in books that are not defined by their gay content, “gets those characters in more kids’ hands.” The big gap this year is in books for younger readers. The only two on the list are Dogs Don’t Do Ballet, by Anna Kemp, one of the Bibliography’s Top Ten Titles, and Tutus Aren’t My Style, by Linda Skeers. Evarts said both are what she calls “subversive gay picture books” without any overt LGBTQ content. It was a struggle to find books with clear LGBTQ content for younger readers this year, she noted. The committee considered a few others, but decided they fell short in the quality of the writing or illustrations. Of the Top Ten books, Evarts said, “what made them stand out in almost every instance was the characterization.” Ones that she especially liked included Geraldine McCaughrean’s The Death-Defying Pepper Roux, a high-seas adventure about a young teen befriended by a cross-dressing steward named Duchesse. She also said middle grade girls in par-

ticular will like Amy Ignatow’s humorous graphic novel The Popularity Papers. It tells the tale of two girls (one of whom has two dads) via the notebook pages they pass back and forth. “Once again,” she said, “this is a book kids are going to pick up, not really knowing that there’s gay content, but loving it regardless.” For older readers, she says the committee “went absolutely crazy” for Wildthorn, by Jane Eagland, a historical novel about a 19th-century girl who wants to be a doctor and loves her cousin Grace, but is tricked into an insane asylum. Another standout was Will Grayson, Will Grayson, by John Green and David Levithan, about two teens—one gay, one straight—with the same name, whose lives cross paths and whose tale ends with a high school musical. On the nonfiction side, Evarts commended the scope and accessibility of the 15-title series The Gallup’s Modern Guide to Gay, Lesbian & Transgender Life by Mason Crest Publishers, which covers topics like LGBTQ health and mental health, politics, coming out, LGBTQ characters in the media, LGBTQ people of color, LGBTQ people of faith, and LGBTQ culture around the world. And not in the Top Ten, but worth a mention, she said, is Vivek Shrya’s self-published God Loves Hair, about an Indian-Canadian boy who loves to wear his mother’s sari and lipstick. What impressed her most, she said, was the role of religion in the book. “He goes through all week long being taunted and teased, saying to himself, ‘My god loves me the way he made me,’ and that’s what saves him.” The ALA this year also bestowed its inau-

gural Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Awards as part of its famed Youth Media Awards, which include the prestigious Newbery and Caldecott medals. The winner was Brian Katcher’s Almost Perfect, about a teen boy who falls for the new girl in his small town, only to discover she was born a biological male. Also honored were Will Grayson, Will Grayson; Love Drugged, by James Klise; Freaks and Revelations, by Davida Willis Hurwin; and The Boy in the Dress, by David Walliams. The awards and Bibliography point to the increasingly important role librarians can play in directing young people towards appropriate LGBTQ resources and support. Evarts, who has been a school librarian for 25 years, said, “I think that of all the people in the school, school librarians in particular can support any youth who seems to be struggling.” She feels that because they are not teachers or administrators, they can sometimes be “less intimidating.” “I’ve had actual situations,” she recalled, “where I dealt with young people who didn’t know where else to go.” She advised, “You need to have this stuff on your shelves, be you a public library, be it a school library, and you have to have it where kids can find it.” “Kids do use them, they do look at them,” she asserted. “I think that that’s why this list is so important.” View the full Rainbow Bibliography at rainbowlist.wordpress.com. Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of Mombian (www.mombian.com) a blog and resource directory for LGBT parents.

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February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Wayne Besen

Obama’s Stable Gay State of the Union

f the election were held today, Barack Obama would capture an overwhelming majority of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender vote. Indeed, I believe that the LGBT community will be his most loyal block of supporters other than African Americans – and maybe Latinos if Republicans insist on passing more Arizona-type immigration laws. This support was not a foregone conclusion. Obama’s relationship with the LGBT community has been much like a stormy marriage that is saved by the husband delivering bouquets of red roses only moments before the divorce papers arrive. With flowers in hand, the disillusioned spouse remembers why she fell in love in the first place. The repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was a gigantic, magnificent bouquet that staved off a mutiny of LGBT voters. I’m still not sure if the Obama administration realizes how spellbindingly close it came to a catastrophe with the gay demographic. Without repeal, many LGBT people would have concluded that the Democrats were impotent and no different than the Republicans, so if they can’t get their rights, they might as well get a tax cut.

I disagree with this line of thinking because the Democrats are better on economic issues and generally believe in concepts like evolution and separation of church and state. However, it would have been an uphill struggle for the Democrats to explain why they deserved support when they could not get the job done while controlling all of Washington. The absence of Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell repeal would likely have rocked the gay establishment as well. I imagine staff shakeups at most of the major LGBT organizations and the ushering in of new strategic paradigms. We would also have seen a continued power shift to grass roots direct action groups who would bitterly vie for control of the movement. However, the tumult was averted and the malcontents somewhat pacified because the president delivered on his promise to abolish the ban on gays in the military. It is true that Obama has not been the “fierce advocate” that he promised to be, but he has also not been a fair-weather friend. In a pivotal moment he came through, made good on his pledge and alleviated the deep anxiety of a community inured to betrayal. While Obama is no longer viewed

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Speaker of the House John Boehner before delivering the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Jan. 25, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

through rose-colored glasses, his delivery of the DADT roses saved the marriage and he enters this year’s State of the Union speech with LGBT support largely in tact. Sure, we are extremely disappointed that the Employment Nondiscrimination Act did not pass and that the Defense of Marriage Act is still on the books, but there is no doubt progress was made on Obama’s watch. At least we advanced enough to stop the nihilistic urge of some to support whatever Republican troglodyte is given the nomination in 2012. Don’t get me wrong – the push for fullequality continues unabated and pressure will be rightfully applied to Obama and Congress until we become full and equal citizens. However, we all know that not much will get done at the national level with Republicans in control of the House. The larger roll played by Tea Party activists – which are really just recycled fundamentalist GOP ideologues rebranded with triangular hats – will not help matters. The next opportunity for real progress will occur after Obama is presumably reelected (depending on the economy) and beats a Tea Party Republican who repels America with zany ideas. A cartoonish “conservative” topping the ticket might also drag down the entire GOP and lead to democrats gaining more seats in Congress – once again creating high hopes. (If you don’t think an extremist will win the GOP nomination, check out the recent elections

in New Hampshire to see the direction of the Republican Party) It will be fascinating to see if a secondterm Obama, unencumbered with re-election, continues “evolving” to the point where he openly embraces marriage equality. Indeed, this is a question that will continue to follow the president throughout his tenure. Just this week, in fact, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had to deflect a question on this topic. At a briefing, a reporter brought up the inconvenient fact that while running for the Illinois state senate in 1996, Obama supported marriage equality in a questionnaire for The Windy City Times. Interest in this issue will only increase as public support rises. Today, the organization Freedom to Marry held a press conference reminding Americans that recent CNN and Associated Press polls showed that a majority of Americans now believe that same-sex couples should be able to get married. And Maryland may be on the cusp of legalizing marriage equality, bringing fairness to both the District of Columbia and its northern border. A new poll by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies shows that 51-percent of Maryland voters favor a law allowing same-sex couples to wed. The nation’s economy is still recovering and the political situation in America remains tense. But the state of the union with most LGBT voters – following a two-year rocky relationship – remains quite stable, although not entirely satisfying.

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Matthew V. Tsien

Private Bradley Manning Is No Gay Role-Model Guest Columnist

courtesy of wikimedia

ince late December, the GLBT com- rass his country and her allies during the munity has celebrated repeal of the difficult Global War on Terror. In fact his “Don’t Ask; Don’t Tell” policy that e-mails explicitly state that he wanted to precluded Gay soldiers from serving open- create “chaos and disaster.” For many Gays, this behavior was exhilaly. Simultaneously, another event has cast a dark cloud over the reputation of all gay rating; but some would argue that there are soldiers and potential soldiers who intend hundreds of thousands of Gay people who have served in our Armed Forces since the to become open about their sexuality. The story concerns the Wikileaks’ scan- days of Valley Forge, and would never – dal that published hundreds of thousands ever – resort to betraying their country or of potentially damaging, “SECRET” US put at risk other American lives, no matter how uncomfortable they documents on the Interfelt being emotionally net. Wikileaks, a left-wing, locked up in the proveranti-American activist bial closet. group, headed up by an Private Manning’s beandrogynous-acting feltrayal is a hideous dislow named Julian Assange, service to the character received these documents and self-sacrifice of every from Army Private BradGay or Lesbian soldier ley Manning, an avowed who has been decorated 21-year-old gay kid, acwith Purple Hearts, Medcording to the front page of als of Honor, Combat the New York Times. Service Medals, HumaniWhile many in the Gay Private Bradley Manning tarian Service Medals; community have “celebrated” Mr. Assange and his gay Army accom- and of course, the Iraqi Freedom Medals, plice, there are many Gays who find Bradley the Afghanistan Campaign and Global War Manning’s alleged treason an embarrassment on Terror Medals. And to the thousands who to patriotic Gays who currently serve or want are buried in our military cemeteries. Furthermore, he has served to embarrass to serve in the Armed Forces. We are told by the New York Times, that his Commander-in-Chief who has used poPrivate Manning was working as an “Intelli- litical capital to make life easier for our nagence Analyst” and had computer access to tion’s Gay soldiers. And it is not just President Obama who is all these files that have since been published by the Wikileaks organization. We are also let down by this sad excuse for a professiontold that “poor Private Manning” was so al soldier. Many Republican defense and inemotionally frustrated by his homosexual- telligence officials who worked with Presiity and his inability to express it “openly”, dent Obama to repeal “Don’t Ask; Don’t Tell that he decided to do his utmost to embar- are let down.

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Naval Academy Honors Burial Request of Gay Marine By Matt Clark

ationally respected gay blogger ‘Joe. My. God.’ was spot on last week when he reported that the U.S. Naval Academy has honored the final wishes of a gay Marine who had told his husband that he wanted his ashes interred at the USNA Columbarium. John Fliszar was a 1971 graduate of the Academy, but what’s so heartwarming, Joe reports, is how the Academy treated his husband, Mark Ketterson. Here is the rest of the story: The memorial coordinator asked about his relationship to the deceased. Ketterson said that John Fliszar was his husband.“They were always polite, but there was this moment of hesitation,” Ketterson recalled.“They said they’re going to need something in writing from a blood relative.They asked,‘Are you listed on the death certificate?’ ‘Do you have a marriage license?’” He was and they did, the couple having been married in Des Moines when gay marriage became legal in Iowa two years ago. Ketterson sent a copy of the mar-

The list includes George Bush’s Defense Secretary and former CIA Director, Robert Gates; Republican US Senators Richard Lugar (IN), the former Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Susan Collins (ME) of the Armed Services Committee, Scott Brown (MA) of the Veterans Affairs Committee; and Mark Kirk (IL) a former Marine officer who served in Iraq and on the Homeland Security Committee...all are among the several Republicans who voted for repeal of DADT and stood up for the expected “good character” of patriotic gays in and out of uniform. Gay people are entitled to disagree with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; after all, half of the people in the original 13 colonies did not support General George Wash-

riage license.That changed everything. “I was respected,” he said. “From that moment on, I was next of kin.They were amazing.” The USNA alumni association sent Ketterson a letter expressing condolence for the loss of his husband.The USNA says Fliszar’s interment followed standard operating procedure. “His next of kin was treated with the same dignity and respect afforded to the next of kin of all USNA grads who desire interment at the Columbarium,” said Jennifer Erickson, a spokesperson for the academy. “We didn’t do anything differently.”

ington, who faced endless defections and many who hoped the British would kill him to end the American Revolution. But, many gays will quietly acquiesce that no one, regardless of sexual orientation, is entitled to betray our country and allies, however imperfect. Today, Private Manning sits in isolation behind bars – no longer able to wear head phones listening to his precious Lady Gaga CDs. He awaits his court-martial, which will probably lead to life-long imprisonment. Let us hope that he and his GLBT cheer-leaders understand that not all open gays stand with them. Matthew Tsien is an Air Force Captain, (Ret.); and the former Membership Director of the

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February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

ShearSex Scissor Sisters’ frontman on his second puberty, performing naked and the band’s Lady Gaga love affair

The music on _Night Work_ is The wait won’t be four years like some of the band’s most sexual. Is it was for Night Work then? Well, it was just three and a half. (Laughs) it true: Does art imitate life? The album is very much about our lives But it definitely won’t be that long. that we lead and then our fantasy lives that So, also in my Twitter finds, I came we lead – so a lot of it does imitate life. A lot of it is just imitating the dreams going across a photo of you in a jockstrap. on in my brain. But it’s a very sexy record, Oh, great! and I think we were feeling sexy when we were making it. Why are you always the naked one in the group? Your work, as far back as “Filthy/ I… um… just get hot on stage. That’s Gorgeous,” has always had a sexy the main reason. (Laughs) I usually don’t feel to it. How do you explain those get naked onstage, but I get excitable and usually it just feels better. The less I have on, constant themes of sexual explorathe more I can move around. It’s the reason tion and liberation in your music? I think that this is the first record where why Iggy Pop is always ripping his shirt off, we’ve really explicitly explored that. So so he can move and do his thing. there’s a lot of celebratory stuff, but then You’re looking beefier than ever, there’s a real dark side to it; we love seeing two sides of the same coin. But it was just too. Lots of Muscle Milk, huh? time for us to take the fringe and the I’ve been drinking a lot of Muscle feathers away a bit. Milk. I’m preparing for my future as an exercise guru.

By Chris Azzopardi

David Sherry

hey’ve always been gorgeous, but it took a decade before the Scissor Sisters, with their third album Night Work, became full-on filthy. The romp-pop album, released last year, is done up in cheeky softcore innuendo about “funking” someone, the late-shift grind (literally) and “big” surprises. Our chat with frontman Jake Shears had many of them – from the conversation that united the band with Lady Gaga for the megastar’s 2011 Monster Ball Tour to the favorite gay icon he wants to meet (Tom Petty?). Shears also talked about the, well, sheer amount of clothing he wears, his wardrobe faux pas and how he defines himself – according to the Urban Dictionary. Your Twitter page says you’ve been in the studio recently. Are the Scissor Sisters recording some new music? Yeah, I’m in the studio as we speak. We’re writing new music. We’re back in New York for a moment, so we just thought we’d come in and play around and have fun. So yeah, we’re writing, definitely. continued on page 30

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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ReFriday, Feb. 4 member Betty White’s breakout performance in that candy bar commercial, anyone? ne of the most talented female imperWord on the street is the commercials sonators in South Florida is Electra. may not live up to the hype this year.And She does the Lucille Ball “Vitameatavegone perennially clever advertiser, Doritos, amin” skit perfectly every time and regularly .egami elgnis a sa nwohs sa temleh fo edis tfel esu ton oD announced this week that they would be brings audiences to tears. She has a new res.temleh eht fo edis thgir eht no sraeppa ylno ogol ’sreleetS ehT ereh nwohs snoisrev edis-tfel laiceps ehT .knalb si edis tfel ehT pursuing social media and philanthropic taurant, the Wine Cellar, 199 E. Oakland Park .tfel eht ot ecaf taht stemleh LFN fo sgnipuorg ni ylno esu rof era .flesti yb noisrev siht esu ton oD alternatives with their Super Blvd. and performs her amazing shows at Bowl advertising budget.What’s 7 p.m. on Fridays. Reservations are recommended. NOTNA-NOSIBOR ARIEDAMup with STthat? AOC ELITXET )XEH( LMTH ELACSYARG B/G/R K/Y/M/C EN yrediorbmE yrediorbmE With yrediono rbmparticular E stnto emraG beW gnitnirp W/B oediV gnitnirp c4 gnitnir ties PiZZa Saturday, Feb. 5 CaLZone C kcalB ssecor 6922 0081/0001either team 009 andCthe T 50prospects 04-91 SMP 000000 %001 0/0/0 001/05/05/07 We are now taking orders for those enjoying the SUPER BOWL of advertising entertainment stomboLi here’s a big gay cruise from home, Call us to place your pizza order today. 3642 7311 CBC37 CT 4601-41 SMP 216BFF %04 03/371/832 /001/52/0 C 53 sanDWiCHes waning, we’ve opted for the leaving Port 0Everglades saLaDs this 7922 5001next best 100thing—Peter 0 CT 1060-11 SMP FFFFFF %0 55weekend 2/552/552 and South 0/0Florida /0/0 )etihW euqa Burke’s Sunday Tea Cruise! promoter Hilton Wolman is 8142 7411 7751L CT 3671-81 SMP 03C06C %55 01/01/312 0/001/001/01 C6 Join Peter and DJ Richie throwing a huge bon voyage party 1913 north andrews avenue • wilton manors, Florida 33311 on 8342 6611Rich Ufor S43the 2 proverbial CT 0593-91 SMP 677200 %08 at Exit 66, 501220 /15/0Almond 02/0Ave. /56/0 01 C 08 three hour cruise along Fort Lauderdale Beach. DJs Ralpi 3842 7801 CBC07 CT 0000-61 SMP FACA5A %03 261/161/551 03/0/0/5 C 92 the New River and Intracoastal Rosario and Abel—collectively .snoitacilbuP roloC ENOTNWaterway AP eht fo snoitidabout e tnerructhe ot reMusette fer ,sdradnatyacht. S roloC EPeter NOTNAP eht roF .known sdradnatS ras oloC“Rosabel” ®ENOTNAP eht —will hctam ot dbe edne tni ton era egathe p siht no nwohs sroloc providing .devreser sthgir llA .CLL seitreporP LFN 0102 © .cnI ,enotnaP fo kramedart deretsiger a si ®ENO always plans plenty of hot entertainment and beats and look for a special performance there will be plenty of snacks and drinks.And, by Power Infiniti. Discount advance tickets for those closeted sports fans who still want are available at HiltonWolman.com. to catch the game, you’ll be home in plenty Sunday, Feb. 6 of time to take in those commercials.Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the early every bar in South Florida will cruise at GayTeaCruise.com. be showing the Super Bowl, but It’s going to be a big week in South Florida arguably the best place to take in the game and here’s a look at some of the other is our own gay sports bar, SideLines, 2031 highlights: Wilton Dr. in Wilton Manors.The bar, which went non-smoking earlier this year, has unWednesday, Feb. 2 dergone a facelift.Take in a game of pool or here’s no easy way to categorize sultry darts during the game, but don’t miss those singer Debra Hampton. Known to commercials on all the TVs Other SFGN advertisers that will be hosting many as “The Voice,” she’s this wild combination of Bette Midler and Crazy Janice the Super Bowl party include the Corner Pub and the Manor Entertainment Complex! from “The Muppet Show.” You can check her out on Wednesday nights beginning at Monday, Feb. 7 7:30 p.m. at Mojo restaurant, 4140 N. Federal Hwy. in Fort Lauderdale. ondays are always tough after a busy weekend, but you can take the Thursday, Feb. 3 edge off at Mona’s Cocktail Lounge, 502 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. he Palace, the beach bar on South Mona’s is a very friendly neighborhood Beach, celebrates its 23rd anniversary establishment and it’s Happy Hour all night tonight with an open bar from 7 – 8:30 p.m. long on Mondays. Tiffany Fantasia and Noel Leon will

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February 2, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Martha Wash Returns the Love By Amy Paonessa

By Karl Hampe

THE REGULARS

rtists with gay followers know what it means to be supported by a community of loyal, adoring fans. That’s why it’s no surprise when artists are willing to lend their talents to causes supporting the community that shows them so much love and support. Legendary vocalist Martha Wash is one of these artists, and she will be returning the favor by performing at the first ever FORTitude Weekend, a benefit for several local and national gay charities that will take place over President’s Day weekend. “The gay community is my largest fan base,” Wash says. “They’ve really supported me throughout the years.” Martha Wash was destined to become a singer, pretty much from birth. “I started as a little girl,” she tells me. “My godmother told my mother that I was singing in the car at age 3, and she said ‘keep an eye on her, she can sing.’ That led to singing in church, then school.” Though best known for her R&B and dance hits, Wash favors another genre as most special to her. “Since I grew up singing gospel, that has always been nearest to my heart.” Wash toured Europe while still in high school, studying opera. After school, her training as a dance diva began back in her hometown of San Francisco, in the mid- to late-seventies. It was in that burgeoning gay mecca that she became one half of the disco duo Two Tons of Fun, and began sing-

ing with dance and drag legend Sylvester. Wash credits this creative relationship with Sylvester as her introduction to both the music industry and the gay community who would become her lifelong fans. “I consider working with Sylvester as kind of my training,” Wash allows. “I really enjoyed those times.” Two Tons of Fun became the Weather Girls in the early 1980s, and Wash scored

her first big hit with the Grammynominated classic, “It’s Raining Men.” The 90s found Wash recording vocals for numerous groups, including C+C Music Factory, who scored a huge hit with Wash on uncredited vocals for “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now).” Tired of being a session musician and ceding the spotlight and praise to more conventionally “telegenic” artists, Wash decided to strike out on her own. A string of #1 dance hits followed, ensuring that Wash’s powerhouse voice was indeed the real star. The singer continues to be prolific today, working on a new album that she says leans a little towards the pop side of the fence, but will still please her disco-loving fans. When you’ve been in the business as long as she has, “you kind of have to broaden your horizons to keep things interesting.” Wash is a woman of many passions. Aside from recording and performing, she is in

the midst of writing her memoirs, penning a children’s book, and acting as the official spokesperson for Quality Services for the Autism Community (QSAC), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing services to children and adults with autism. Wash says that the organization’s commitment to adults living with autism is what struck her most. “After learning about autistic children I thought to myself ‘what becomes of these children once they’re grown?’ QSAC provides services for those adults.” With a heart as big as her voice, Martha Wash is yet another example of the fantastic tastes of the gay community. After all, we’ve been some of her biggest supporters throughout her marathon career, and we’re very rarely wrong. Wash will return the love by performing as part of the FORTITUDE Weekend, on Sunday, February 20. Fortitude is a new GLBT benefit weekend featuring over 12 events throughout Fort Lauderdale during President’s Day Weekend 2011, February 17-21, 2011. Fortitude includes a film festival, comedy night, live concert, Women’s and Men’s pool parties, sunset cocktails, brunch, and nightclub/ bar events. All proceeds from Fortitude go to charity. amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, is the main national beneficiary, while the Pride Center and the Miami-Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festivals are two of the local charities. For more information visit the official site at www.FORTITUDEweekend.com

NOW THROUGH APRIL 17

Miami City Ballet

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

25TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON!

comPany Premiere!

50 suPerB dancers 4 thriLLinG Premieres 1 Great orchestra

Paul taylor’s Promethean Fire

“the best new dance i’ve seen in ages.” The WashingTon PosT

feb. 11-13 adrienne arsht center mar. 4-6 kravis center mar. 11-13 Broward center renato Penteado

program iii

MCB Principal Dancer

Scotch Symphony Promethean Fire Nine Sinatra Songs

JOHNNY DEPP (as Jack Sparrow) and ORLANDO BLOOM (as Will Turner) in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003). Photo provided by PHOTOFEST

Presented by Exhibits Development Group in cooperation with Cosprop Ltd., London, England

tickets from $19! Call 305.929.7010 Toll Free 877.929.7010

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ACT Presents ‘Clowns’ A

ctors Community Theatre of Davie presents Herb Gardner’s hilarious and touching comedy, “A Thousand Clowns”, directed by Jerry Jensen. “A Thousand Clowns” focuses on the relationship between eccentric comedy writer Murray Burns and his precocious nephew, Nick. Performances at the Pine Island Multi Purpose Center, 3801 S. Pine Island Rd. in Davie, run from Feb. 18 through Feb. 27, with Friday and Saturday performances

at 8:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday performances at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $10.00 if purchased in advance, and $12.00 at the box office. To order tickets, or for more information, please call 954-767-5637 or 305823-5330, or E-mail billfra@usa.net.

561-832-7469 kravis.org

ThiS projeCT iS SUpporTeD iN pArT BY AN AWArD FroM The NATioNAL eNDoWMeNT For The ArTS. ArT WorkS. 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. Top phoTo: reNATo peNTeADo, MArY CArMeN CAToYA iN PrometheaN Fire, AND BoTToM phoTo: reNATo peNTeADo, phoToS © Gio ALMA.

1/21/11 3:36 PM

Theatre Preview

954-462-0222 browardcenter.org

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February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

To list your event in Matt’s Datebook, send all the information to Matt.Clark@SouthFloridaGayNews.com

o you have anything planned for the weekend? If you don’t know where to go, or where the hotties are hiding, I’m pretty sure I can point you in the right direction. My club pick of the week would HAVE to go to the newly formed “Bubble Gum Friday’s” at the Manor. Skeptical? Don’t be. If you are looking for music you wish you’d hear play at a club, instead of just from your iPhone, this is the place to be! Candy-Stick wielding Oliver and Anjo are the perfect hosts, attending to any question or need you might have with a prompt and courteous response. They’re also great eye candy, which is definitely a bonus! Hit the dance floor and you’ll be submerged in the brilliant light show that will keep you on your feet all night! With a sophisticated, fresh atmosphere and affordable $3 drink specials, how could you possibly go wrong? If you’re sick and tired of staring into the depths of your cranberry and vodka, why not enjoy a show? Watch a foreign film. Take a stroll through an art exhibit. There’s plenty of options. Here, let me throw you another bone. Next weekend kicks off the 11th annual LGBT “ArtExplosion” and as members of the gay community, it’s up to us to show our support. The festivities last till the 26th of February, concluding with a presentation by Dan Savage, who is well known throughout for his pro-gay journalism and political wit. In the meantime there will be countless performances and artists from all over the LGBT community ready to entertain and inspire you! Will I see you there? Till next week. ;) Matt

Broward Center 201 Southwest 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 (954) 462-0222 February 1. . . . . . February 2. . . . . . February 5. . . . . . February 6. . . . . .

Barry Douglas Improvised Shakespeare An Evening with Diana Krall Celtic Woman – Songs from the Heart February 7. . . . . . Jean-Yves Thibaudet February 9. . . . . . Jackie Ryan in this Heart of Mine February 11. . . . . Great Big Sea February 11-13. . The Tales of Hoffmann February 13-14. . Cirque de la Symphonie-Symphony of the Americas February 15-27. . West Side Story February 17-20. . An Evening with Lucille Ball February 26. . . . . ArtExplosion Finale (LGBT event)

March 3 . . . . . . . . John Mellencamp – No Better Than This Tour March 4 . . . . . . . . Kenny G March 5 . . . . . . . . Tripsichore Yoga Theatre presents – The Witches March 22 . . . . . . . Romantic Masterpieces – Symphony of the Americas March 5 . . . . . . . . Tony Bennett March 24 . . . . . . . Madama Butterfly

Barrage at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Parker Playhouse

Miniaci Performing Arts Center

707 Northeast 8th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 (954) 763-2444

3100 Ray Ferraro Jr Blvd, Davie, FL 33314 • (954) 262-5480

February 10. . . . . February 12. . . . . February 14. . . . . February 17. . . . .

The Pink Floyd Experience Barrage “Animado” Tango Inferno Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra February 19. . . . . FORTLAUGHS February 24-27. . Ella March 4 . . . . . . . . The Fab Four (Beatles Tribute) March 10-13. . . . . S’Wonderful March 11-13. . . . . Miami City Ballet – Program III March 16 . . . . . . . In the Mood (Big Band) March 18 . . . . . . . Naturally 7 March 25-27. . . . . Spring Awakening March 30-April 24.Wicked

Aventura Arts & Cultural Center 3385 NE 188th Street, Aventura, FL 33180 • (305) 466-8002 February 5. . . . . . The Wizard of Oz February 9-13. . . T ime After Time: The Song of Jule Styne February 28 . . . . . Miami International Piano Festival March 1 . . . . . . . . Foreign Film Series: Still Walking March 5 . . . . . . . . Amor de Tango March 16-27. . . . . Circumcise Me April 2. . . . . . . . . . Neil Diamond Tribute Concert April 5. . . . . . . . . . Foreign Film Series: Summer Hours April 9 . . . . . . . . . Barbra Streisand Tribute Concert

February 9. . . . . . The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman February 12. . . . . . S outh Florida JAZZ: Brazilian Trio February 13. . . . . Beauty and the Beast March 12 . . . . . . . W e Four – Celebrating John Coltrane March 21 . . . . . . . P at Metheny Trio – South Florida JAZZ

Miramar Cultural Center 2300 Civic Center Pl, Miramar, Florida 33025 • (954) 602-4500 February 11. . . . . D ance Theater of Harlem Ensemble February 12. . . . . . T he Music Man, Broadway Revival February 18. . . . . Jungle Book February 22. . . . . Turandot March 20 . . . . . . . New Shanghai Circus March 22 . . . . . . . Madama Butterfly

Adrienne Arsht Center 1300 Biscayne Boulevard,Miami, Florida 33132 • (305) 949-6722 February 2. . . . . . February 2-6. . . . February 3-4. . . . February 9. . . . . . February 10. . . . . February 10-13. .

Chamber Orchestra Kremlin CROWNS Wait, Wait... Don’t Tell Me Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Clay Aiken RHAW/Rennie Harris Awe-inspiring Works February 11-13. . Miami City Ballet: Program III

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Musical Monument for Miami Beach Kravis Center for the Performing Arts State Road 710,West Palm Beach, Florida 33404 • (561) 833-8300 February 1-6. . . . February 2-6. . . . February 8-13. . . February 7. . . . . . February 7-8. . . . February 8. . . . . . February 9-10. . . February 11. . . . . February 11. . . . . February 12. . . . . February 13. . . . . February 14. . . . . February 14. . . . .

Capitol Steps Young Frankenstein Capitol Steps 102 Years of Broadway Deutsche State Philharmonic Shirley MacLaine An Evening of Rodgers & Hart with The John Pizzarelli Quartet 2010-2011 Gala Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons Abba the Concert Peking Acrobats Dmitry Kouzov, Cello Dudu Fisher

Rising Action Theatre 1480 SW 9th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 • (954) 561-2225 February 1-14. . . Killing of Sister George

Bank Atlantic Center 1 Panther Pkwy, Sunrise, FL 33323 • (954) 835-8000 February 14. . . . . Andrea Bocelli February 20. . . . . Ozzy Ozbourne

Maltz Theatre 1001 East Indiantown Road, Jupiter, FL • (561) 575-2223 February 5. . . . . . February 7. . . . . . February 9-10. . . February 11. . . . . February 13. . . . .

ne Man Star Wars Trilogy Show O The Jazz Singer – The Movie Defending the Caveman Barrage A Tribute to Louis Armstrong

Hard Rock Live! 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314 • (954) 797-5531 February 4. . . . . . February 10. . . . . February 16. . . . . February 25. . . . .

Penn & Teller Enrique Iglesias – Euphoria Tour Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons George Lopez

new cultural landmark was inaugurated on Miami Beach, last week with a week-long of musical fanfare. The New World Center brings contemporary curves to the streamlined Art Deco facades of Miami Beach. The distinctive design comes to Miami from the artistry of renowned architect Frank Gehry. The result of close collaboration with New World Symphony artistic director Michael Tilson Thomas, the facility will serve as the home for an orchestra that has pushed the boundaries of classical music and technology. Gehry and Tilson Thomas have “worked together” before. A young Gehry babysat for the musical prodigy. Decades later, they dedicated a facility the octogenarian Gehry calls one of his proudest achievements. In remarks to the media, Gehry noted that it was the educational mission of the Symphony that attracted him to the project. The Symphony serves as a training orchestra for the next generation of musicians who will be performing in ensembles around the world. Unique to the symphony is its use of the Internet to facilitate teaching and innovative performances. As a result Gehry’s building is completely wired

By J.W. Arnold with the latest technology. In addition to superb acoustics, the performance hall was designed for the projection of multimedia and broadcast of concerts, both globally and locally. Many of the symphony’s concerts will be projected on the east wall of the building in a distinct outdoor park space called the SoundScape. (Attendance at concerts is considered consent from concertgoers to have their likenesses broadcast, so don’t fall asleep!) To officially dedicate the building, New World Symphony performed a series of concerts to showcase the space’s musical and multimedia versatility. On Wednesday, Jan. 26, the opening concert included opera composer Richard Wagner’s overture to “The Flying Dutchman,” American composer Aaron Copland’s Symphony No. 3, and the world premiere of “Polaris:Voyage for Orchestra” by British composer Thomas Ades and an accompanying film by Tal Rosner, which was projected on the “sails” of the concert hall. This performance was repeated on Friday night and broadcast in the SoundScape to an audience of hundreds. The hall also sparkles for smaller scale chamber works, as evidence on Thursday, Jan. 27 with a program of mu-

sic by Franz Schubert, including quartets, choral works and lieder or art songs. Unlike the Arsht Center’s large Knight Concert Hall with thousands of seats, the New World Center is an intimate space, with only about 750 seats.The space is versatile as it is suitable for chamber music, but not overwhelmed when the full orchestra performs. Tilson Thomas rounded out the weekend’s events with two performances on Sunday, Jan. 30 of Modest Mussourgsky’s well-known “Pictures at an Exhibition.” Accompanying the romantic music were films created by students at the University of Southern California film school that were also projected both inside and outside the Center. As the symphony settles into its new space, look for other innovative uses of technology to enhance the orchestra’s music. At the press opening last week, Tilson Thomas commented that he was so amazed with the acoustics and versatility of the space that the orchestra’s creative team was rethinking the 2011-12 season that has already been largely finalized. For more information about upcoming performances and events at the New World Center in Miami Beach, please visit NWS.edu.

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Heard it on...

“Family Shield” Shields Young Shoppers From Elton John’s Us Weekly Cover By A. Sebastian Fortino In many conservative communities it is common to see a plastic “shield” over a magazine cover that is considered risqué, or offensive. Normally these protect young minds from seeing images of scantily clad women, or men. A supermarket in Mountain View, AR however decided that Us Weekly’s cover, showing a delighted Sir John with his partner

David Furnish, holding their newborn son Zachary Jackson Levon FurnishJohn should be censored. A plastic shield read, “Family Shield. To protect young Harps shoppers.” Soon after, a Harps shopper took a photo of the censored image and tweeted it to gay celebrities like Ellen Degeneres, Neil Patrick Harris and – most-likely gay celebrity – Anderson Cooper. That Harps shopper, @jennhudd, received overwhelming responses to the censored image. The cover, according to one Harps’ employee, puts the store “in a no-win situation.” Meaning parents would have to educate children about gay families. Oh no, not that! We live in a society where every time Lindsey Lohan falls off the sobriety wagon it makes front page news, where the ribald, drunken antics of the Jersey Shore cast is celebrated as “entertainment,” and yet an image of a gay family is considered offensive.

If a child asked about the cover, and a parent was not ready to explain what a gay family is, couldn’t they have simply said, “That’s Elton John’s brother...the baby’s godfather”?

Watch What Happens when Jonathan Knight comes out Jonathan Knight has officially come out of the closet, a week after the pop star accidentally outed him on Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live.” In a blog post published Thursday on a members-only section of the New Kids on the Block website, Knight confirmed his sexual orientation for the first time publicly but claimed he had actually privately revealed he was gay “almost twenty years ago.” “I have never been outed by anyone but myself! I did so almost twenty years ago,” the singer wrote, according to a screengrab from Towleroad.com. “I never knew that I would have to do it all over again publicly just because I reunited with NKOTB!” “I have lived my life very openly and have never hidden the fact that I am gay!” he

Come Watch The Super Bowl

Jonathan Knight continued. “Apparently the pre requiste [sic] to being a gay public figure is to appear on the cover of a magazine with the caption ‘I am gay.’” Knight went on to say he believes “that you live your life by example, and not by a caption on a magazine!” “If there ever has been any confusion about my sexuality, then you are someone that doesn’t even know me!” he added. The 42-year-old, who will soon embark on a joint tour with the NKOTB and the Backstreet Boys, noted that he won’t be addressing his love life publicly again.

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February 2, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Ugandan Activist’s Funeral continued from page 7

large rainbow flag. By many, his death is considered to be a ‘Stonewall’ moment for Ugandan gays. The Guardian reported that Kato was one of few openly homosexual men in the country, and was regarded as the “grandfather” of the gay community due to his long struggle for equal rights. His death came just three weeks after he won a court victory against a newspaper that had called for him to be hanged. The murder attracted condemnation from around the world, but received more muted coverage in Uganda. The incident highlighted the deep, religiously-stoked homophobia that exists in Uganda, and which Kato’s friends still believe may have caused his death. The funeral was held near Kato’s ancestral home of Namataba, outside Kampala, and was attended by about 300 people, including family, friends, and members of the local community. A busload of gay activists arrived from the capital wearing T-shirts featuring Kato’s face, or rainbows or the slogan “The struggle continues”.

While the investigation into the killing continues, the government continues to insist that it was a normal crime unconnected to his work or sexuality. In a statement, the Ugandan Media Centre said that “investigations point to aggravated robbery as the reason for murder”. It said the main suspect, a man who allegedly lived with and worked for Kato, was still at large. But Maria Burnett, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch, said the government should not be publicizing any conclusions so quickly. “The police need to do their job properly, and it not helpful to say this was simply a robbery before the investigation is completed.” Many feel that is just an excuse to cover up the government’s hostility towards homosexuality. Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda and gay men and women face regular harassment. The controversial bill introduced in 2009 and still before the country’s parliament would see the death penalty introduced for certain homosexual acts. The bill prompted international condemnation and hasn’t come up for a vote.

SFGN also recommends you read Wayne Besen’s piece asking the US Congress to honor David Kato. Go to: sfgn.com/kato

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues,’’ U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said. “We urge Ugandan authorities to quickly and thoroughly investigate and prosecute those responsible for this heinous act. David Kato tirelessly devoted himself to improving the lives of others.”

The introduction of the anti-homosexual bill in 2009 followed a conference in Kampala that was attended by American activists who consider same-gender relationships sinful. The U.S. evangelicals believe gays and lesbians can become heterosexual through prayer and counseling. It was a prominent member of one such group, The Family who wrote and introduced The

Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda’s Parliament. Some gay Ugandans still resent that American intervention. “The grand plan is for Uganda to be used as a proxy in a global war against homosexuality. Once the bill passes in Uganda, the hope is to spread copycat bills throughout Africa,” stated Wayne Besen, Director of Truth Wins Out, a group which exposes the frauds of ex-gays and wouldbe evangelicals. His thoughts are echoed by gay Ugandans, who resent the American’s intervention. “Make no mistake about it,” said Val Kalende, a Ugandan gay rights activist, “David’s death is a result of the hatred planted in Uganda by U.S evangelicals in 2009,’’ said “The Ugandan government and the socalled U.S evangelicals must take responsibility for David’s blood.’’ * Editor’s Note: This story is a compilation of news reports published by the Associated Press, the Guardian in the U.K., and the Episcopal News Service. There is not exactly a free press in Uganda. NK

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

T R A V E L

I’m From Driftwood, 50 State Tour These Boots Are Made for Walking

By A. Sebastian Fortino

ast year SFGN had the opportunity to speak with Nathan Manske, the Brooklyn-based founder of I’m From Driftwood, a website which collects the stories of LGBT people across the country. Manske created the site so that people struggling with their sexuality would have a place to read, watch, and share stories to simply let them know “they are not alone.” Normally the I’m From Driftwood team collects submissions, and takes video of people sharing their stories. However, beginning in September of last year Manske, his brother Nick and cameraman Marquise Lee set out on a 50 State Tour to collect stories. Yes, all 50, including Hawaii and Alaska. Traveling and meeting with people is of course different than receiving submissions. “One thing is that traveling to the stories adds a very personal touch,” said Manske. “Meeting all of these people fills in a little something, it establishes a personal connection. Seeing their emotions gives me more of a relationship behind the scenes, and pulls out much more emotion than a written story.” Manske says that written, submitted tales of LGBT struggles and life – on one hand - offers the ability for deep, personal reflection.Yet being on the scene gives Manske a role rather like a confessor, as many of the people he spoke with are not able to talk freely in their own community.The word confessor, at least in terms of a religious connotation, was very appropriate in some states. He said that he found the hardest, often most painful stories in both the Deep South and Utah. “Their stories were about accepting or struggling to accept their sexuality because they were still religious. They would not abandon their faith and often were struggling to find a way to balance it with their sexuality,” Manske said. “Utah was a close second,” in terms of the stories being real “downers” about LGBT life and attitudes towards it. “We were not actively looking for Mormon – or ex-Mormon – stories, but sure enough almost every single story was from

Above: Nathan Manske, Nick Manske and Marquise Lee. Inset: Pink boots placed at the lake of a certain former female Vice Presidential candidate’s home.

a Mormon. Some were happier than others, but like in the Deep South many left their faith or struggle to find a balance between the two.” One uplifting aspect of the IFD 50 State Tour was the hospitality of LGBT hosts across the country.The team only spent about 10 days in hotels, during a four-month trek across the nation, especially with PFLAG supporters. Manske’s journey coincided with a very interesting time in American LGBT-history. When they set out, it was September and the media was abuzz with stories of gay teen suicides and bullying. They heard many stories from both gay people and their allies about issues of bullying and suicide. Manske, however, also saw a shift in dialogue about gay issues during his journey. “By November when the media honed in on the DADT struggle the stories shifted,” said Manske. “Before the repeal we talked to a lot of soldiers about it although they would not appear in the videos.” In addition to collecting stories and meeting people all across the country this was – of course – a road trip, with the exception of

Hawaii and Alaska where they did not need cars. Alaska, in a way, was the most surprising state, to Manske. Not only in terms of the dramatic scenery. “After the beach in Hawaii we landed in Alaska, surrounded by snow covered peaks. We knew we wanted to go to Wasilla,” the home of she who will not be named. “Somebody in Anchorage, where we were based, donated a bed and breakfast for us to stay in. We didn’t have a car, so our guide named Christopher picked us up in Anchorage, took us on a tour of mountain ranges, then took us right to the home of [well, you know who we mean]. Christopher had this idea that since her home is on the water, and no one in Alaska owns the water, we should walk out on the frozen ice and take pictures with her house in the background.” Marquise Lee and Manske, whose Texas blood did not allow him to feel comfortable walking out onto the frozen ice watched as the guide tried to prove it was frozen enough for people to walk on. “After he jumped on the ice we realized it was fine to walk on. So we gave in and got some pic-

tures in front of the house on the ice.” In addition to this and many other memorable photos the team had a pair of pink cowboy boots, an homage to the fact that Manske’s hometown of Driftwood is a town in Texas. They photographed them in front of state monuments, and scenic attractions. However, despite the fun of the experience Manske’s mission is still to collect, comfort and educate those in distress over their sexuality. In the wake of the gay suicides and bullying, and video responses on such websites as It Gets Better, when Manske asked if he feels he helped initiate such stories and public messages he was very modest in his response. “I hoped that I have helped someone get motivated or make them feel as if they are not alone. More so than my site or It Gets Better I believe it is the digital community that is working to educate and comfort,” he said. From his home in Brooklyn, Manske said his next tour will be more regionalized, to portray an in-depth look at LGBT life across the country. “This time we got two to six videos per state. Down the road I would like to have regional tours, where I spend more time, and collect more stories. I think this will be the best way to do it,” he said. “This tour was successful, but it was more of a shotgun approach, now I want to do the laser approach.” Regardless of his approach, this nativeborn Texan has really hit the bull’s eye in terms of connecting with and collecting the stories of people who might otherwise not be heard and giving hope to the hopeless. For more information, please visit ImFromDriftwood.com

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Shear Sex continued from page 19

The other thing is I felt like I sort of crossed over the line from being a kid and a boy, which I felt like I was going to be forever, into being a grown man, which has definitely changed the way that I think about things, the way that I perform and the things that I wear. It’s been like hitting a second puberty. When you look back at your career – going from Brooklyn clubs, kind of struggling to find an audience, and now opening for the biggest superstar in the world – how do you feel about how far you’ve come? I really look back fondly at the last 10 years. This year, it’s going to be 10 years since our first performance, so I feel very proud – but, at the same time, I also feel unfit. I feel like as a band we have a lot more to say, and I just think this band is going to constantly turn itself on its head.

America was probably the best American tour we’ve ever done. There’s something so exciting about touring America at this moment for us. I don’t know what it was about this record, but it seemed to make a connection with a real core audience – even more so than the last couple of records. With our American audience, we really found kind of a center and the shows, because of it, were super exciting. They really were some of the most exhilarating shows we’ve had in a long time. I still get really excited about playing in America. We’re so well received in Europe and in all these other places, but playing in America still feels uncharted and super exciting.

It’s going to be the gayest show of the year, without question. (Laughs) It’s also just really nice to do something that comes from something real rather than something set up by record labels. This comes from a real love of one another, and it’s going to be super exciting Why do you think you’ve been able because we’re going to be playing for tons of to connect better outside of America? people who have no idea who we are. It’s a great platform for us. It’s funny: This last tour we had through

Nor is he a gay icon. He’s not really a gay icon, I guess. But he is for me. I just grew up listening to his music and I’ve just always been a massive fan. My tastes really run the gamut; I’ve got real obsessions and influences and inspirations that I think people couldn’t really predict. You never liked when people would refer to the Scissor Sisters as a “gay band.” Do you feel like you’ve been able to shake that label over the years? With this last record we sort of shook it in a way, and then figured out how to wear it. I think it was always really frustrating for me in a lot of ways just because I always felt like being called a “gay band” was a categorization that put us in a second tier, like we were a second-rate creation. But our songwriting and our performances can stand up to anybody else’s, and can stand up next to the best – and labeling it with our sexual preference above all else is demeaning.

However, on the other hand, we are a gay band and there are three gay men and a woman, who might as well be a gay man, and that’s shaped our aesthetic, it’s shaped who we are, it’s part of what we sing about, it’s part of the sexuality we express.There are two sides to it, and I think that we are less insecure about it. If you wrote your own entry, what would you write? God.That’s a tough question. Rock music fanatic. Horror lover – not “whore” lover.Video gamer. Exuberant and sexual. Former elf. I grew up always feeling very puckish, like A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I always felt like kind of a very energetic mischievous elf, but I don’t know if that’s really applicable anymore. But that’s how I’d describe myself. I love that I’m in the Urban Dictionary; that’s exciting! For the complete article, go to: sfgn.com/sisters

LATE BREAKING NEWS

Florida Republican Leader Wants Ban on Adoptions Back

ean Cannon, the speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, wants to return the ban on adoption by same-sex couples. The 33-year-old ban was overturned by the courts last year, and former governor Charlie Crist ordered the Department of Children and Families to stop enforcing the ban. Former attorney general Bill McCollum decided not to appeal the ruling, and the window for appealing has since closed. Cannon discussed his views in an interview on Jan. 20 with the Florida Baptist Witness, where he said that the Republican-controlled legislature would be prepared to attempt to resurrect the adoption ban depending on how the is-

sue plays out in more court districts or the administration of Gov. Rick Scott. “Until we know how the governor and DCF secretary are going to apply it, it’s not a foregone conclusion that the Legislature should step in,” said Cannon. “If we think we should, we’re certainly prepared and willing to do so.” Last month, Gov. Scott appointed an administrator, David Wilkins, with fundamentalist Christian ties to lead DCF. The governor opposes adoption by same-sex couples, but he insisted that reinstituting the ban was not on his agenda. ACLU leaders, who won the legal battle in court the first time, vowed to contest any renewed attempt to impose it againd.

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

S P O R T S

SFAAA Sign Up This February By Steve Fritz

ebruary is a time for baseball fans and players alike to start coming out of their winter hibernation. Further upstate, Major League Baseball’s pitchers and batters are reporting for early Spring Training. As for Broward County, the South Florida Amateur Athletic Association (SFAAA) starts their 2011 season tryouts at Wilton Manor’s Mills Pond Park on Sunday, February 6 at 10:00 a.m. “I’m feeling hopeful,” admits SFAAA Secretary and Recruiting/Draft Chairman Dominick Concepcion. “Spring is really the important season because all the top-seeded teams go to the 2011 Gay World Series. This year it will be held in Chicago. Last year it was in Columbus, Ohio. That went well for us. We placed in the Top Ten for all divisions except for the A Division.” For those who aren’t familiar with the SFAAA, it’s the longest-running gay softball league in the tri-county area. Over the last two decades it has expanded into four divisions; A, C, D and Open. Currently this league houses slightly over 20 teams. It is also part of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Association and the Amateur Sports Alliance of North America, thus making it possible for the top teams in each division to have national play. This year there will be 16 weeks of regu-

lar play, starting February 27 and it will go on through May. From there, the top teams from each division will go on to Chicago for national bragging rights. For the record, there is also a Women’s Conference, the SFSF Softball League. For lack of a better term, it is a “sister” conference to the SFAAA. “We’ve got a lot of flyers out and have been handing out a lot of cards last January,” says Concepcion. “We’ve gone to a lot of local bars, but have also reached out anywhere between Miami and West Palm Beach. One way or another, everyone who shows up will end up on a team. So definitely come out. This is always a big event for us. It helps build camaraderie and connections. That’s really what the SFAAA is about. Not to forget playing in a sport that we all love to play and are very passionate about. It also really helps support the sense of community.” To find out more about the SFAAA, you can go on the Web and learn more through their website www.sfaaa.net. They have also created a recruiting video, which you can see on YouTube. Just go to the site and search out “Spring 2011 SFAAA—Come Out and Play.” Otherwise, for those who feels playing the game is more than something you do at your local bar, you should come on down to Mills Pond Park for the tryouts. It’s another way to work up a good sweat.

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February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Advertorial

Passages

Kalis-McIntee Offers All Funeral, Cremation and Transfer Services

Lois Kessinger

Josh baumgartner

For more information:

Kalis-McIntee Funeral & Cremation Center 954-566-7621 2505 North Dixie Highway Ft. Lauderdale/Wilton Manors, FL www.kalismcintee.com email: kalismcintee@fdn.com

he South Florida Gay News acknowledges the passing of the lovely and charming Lois Kessinger, a gracious host at Georgie’s Alibi, and a wealth of LGBT functions in South Florida. Lois, of course, was the mother of George Kessinger, the entrepreneur who gave us Georgie’s Alibi, and supported many of our community’s notable charities.

hat you expect from a funeral establishment... embalming, preparation, and refrigeration on premises. We do not use “middle men” to care for your loved one. If you choose another funeral service provider, ask where your loved one’s remains are. Ask where the embalming and preparation are done. Ask where they are held until the cremation process is approved. Don’t be surprised if your loved one is at a facility other than the “funeral home” you have entrusted with their final arrangements.

Bernie & Marcia McIntee

FGN has learned of the early passing of Wilton Manors resident Josh Baumgartner on January 20, 2011. Raised in Eddy, Texas, Josh was a fan of the Texas Rangers and the Texas State Historical Association, Josh was also very fond of local establishments such as the Manor Complex and Georgie’s Alibi. He also had a sweet tooth for To the Moon, and Ryan Dixon has formed a team in his honor to compete in the AIDS Walk next month.

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JOHN ABBRUZZESE SouthFloridaGayNews regrets the passing of our friend. We extend our best to his family and loyal colleagues at SunTrust.

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February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

VIEWS OF THE NEWS The eldest daughter of former President Bush made gay news blogs all over the country yesterday when she announced that, unlike her dad, she was supporting gay marriage. Barbara Bush even took part in an HRC video endorsing gay marriage. No word yet on whether she got advice from Mary Cheney, the lesbian daughter of the former Vice President. But don’t you just wish some of these Republican stalwarts listened to their kids just a little bit more?

Ken Keechl The GLCC had a Founder’s Event last Tuesday at the Gallery One Hotel.The chilly weather for all was warmed considerably by former Broward County Mayor Ken Keechl, when he announced to the crowd that he was taking $50,000 of the proceeds from the Mayor’s Charity Gala last year and donating it to the Pride Center at Equality Park. It’s a wonderfully generous donation that will support their all important Capital Campaign and help pay down the mortgage on their new facility. Kudos to Ken! He attended the event with his partner,Ted Adcock.

Barbara Bush

Chaz Bono Cher’s son, Chaz Bono was spotted at the Sundance Film Festival promoting Strawberry-Kiwi HINT Water at the premier of his new documentary film “Becoming Chaz.” The documentary features footage of Chaz’s gender reassignment surgery in 2008 and rumor has it that he has already signed a sequel to continue to change people’s hearts and minds about the subject. Look for an exclusive interview of Chaz in a future issue of SFGN.

Scene from Kaboom

Gregg Araki’s latest film, “Kaboom,” which had its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival last year and was shown this week at the Sundance Film Festival is available on demand through Sundance Selects this week. The filmmaker has created an erotice upbeat campus comedy about sex, drugs and the end of the world, liberally spiked with horror and science-fiction ingredients.

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Beach Fashion Week Starts with Awards We have about 66 designers from 25 countries coming in.” Beth, an international fashion model for many years, founded MBIFW to suit her passion. “My greatest desire is to lend a helping hand to educate the young designers in our world today. Through a better understanding of this global market, these designers learn what it takes to succeed on an international level.” Among the paparazzi was culture blog “Queer New York” correspondent Christopher Adams wearing a handpainted shirt and bag designed by emerging NYC fashion artist, Baad Lamb. “I just bumped into Dee Adames who By Tony Adams n January 27, Miami’s top fashion designers was the winner of the Season 2 Shear Genius show on and their models, stylists and hairdressers Bravo. She is a fierce but friendly lesbian and I wish I was going to be in Florida long enough to book an appointjoined celebrity guests for an event sponment at her new shop here in Miami Beach.” sored by Tiffany & Co at Mondrian, the upscale bay Mauricio Botero appeared wearing a pair of glitter front residence hotel on West Avenue in South Beach. and gator skin shoes by Maison Martin Margiela from The event was both the kick off of the 13th annual their new store in the Melin Building , 3930 NE 2nd Miami Beach International Fashion Week (MBIFW) and its 2nd annual Humanitarian Awards night honor- Avenue, in the Miami Design District. He had accented this with a dangerously studded silver ring by ing ten of South Florida’s most philanthropic folks. Miami artisan Naomi (available at LoNomada.com). MBIFW is a not-for-profit corporation providing Models wearing designs by Somy Ali, one of the ten competitive scholarships in the fields of fashion honorees and a Miami-based Bollywood star, wove design, jewelry making, photography and graphic through the crowd. Her So-Me Designs is a socially arts. Beth Sobol, founder and president of MBIFW conscious clothing company founded to raise awarelaunched the entity originally to help designers from ness about issues such as peace, sustainability and Latin America gain exposure, and has guided its anti-violence; and to raise money for global humaniexpansion. “We now show working designers from around the world. These are designers who have a fol- tarian causes. lowing in their own countries but are not yet known in the US market. During Fashion Week, you’ll meet Miami Beach International Fashion Week will run March designers from Dubai, India , Pakistan, the Carib3-6. For schedule and ticket information: visit www. bean, South and Central America, Canada, Australia. miamifashionweek.com

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Crossword Puzzle

Down 1 Writer Yukio 2 They yell “Yer out!” Across 3 “Just missed!” 1 Accessories for 76 trombones 4 Carbon compound 6 Room in 32-Across 5 It’s hung in a deli 10 Radio switch 6 Well-endowed old goats? 14 “___ roll!” (winner’s cry) 7 Gertrude’s partner 15 “Uh-oh!” to Shelley 8 Screw around 16 Richard of And the Band Played On 9 Italian wine city 17 Sewing kit item 10 First name in mysteries 18 Pinball Wizard foul 11 Rita Mae Brown’s Rita Will, e.g. 19 Make ___ dash for 12 He went to Hollywood 20 Secretary of State 13 Dose of AZT, e.g. 23 SEP, e.g. 21 Bird of myth 24 Comedian Amsterdam 22 Pester, as Albert to Armand 25 What you tell pests to take 26 SASE, for one 27 Study of Shakespeare’s feet 28 Scrap of cloth 29 Russian astronaut 30 Wood for Billy Bean’s bat, perhaps 31 Where to find Moby Dick 32 Spanish hero, with “El” 32 Lorca’s house 35 Up to one’s butt (in) 33 Premature ejaculation meas. 36 Hither’s partner 34 Start of a statement by 20-Across 37 Rose to Dorothy, on Golden Girls 39 Sandy’s sound in Annie 38 Old abbr. of Nureyev’s land 42 Depp’s cross-dressing role 39 Caesar’s salutation 43 Sniff out 40 Painter Brooks 47 It shoots off hot stuff 41 Played the coquette 49 Where you stick it in the bull 44 Bayou Boy and Other Stories 52 Islamic leaders author Lars 53 Ben Stiller’s mother Anne 45 Newspaper issue 55 Alexander ingredient 46 Dorothy and Auntie Em, for 56 End of the statement example 59 Gyro bread 48 Line of Todd Oldham clothing? 60 “Catch you later” 49 Gondola courses 61 Rutstein of Disappear Fear 50 Bruin Bobby 62 Dollar bills 51 Made erect 63 Series terminal 54 Patronize, as a Rubicon restaurant 64 GLAAD’s “___ the Media” project 57 Lone Star sch. 65 Adam, created by a woman 58 Naked Maja painter named George 59 US Mail compartment 66 Teacher’s faves 67 Sews the hose See solution on page 35 From the Secretary of State

February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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February 2, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

S P O R T S

The beautiful game heads to anti-gay Qatar

By Dan Woog

hen the World Cup kicks off in Qatar in 2022 there will be no alcohol. There will also be few gay people in the stands, watching the most popular sports event on the planet. FIFA – soccer’s world governing body – stunned the world late last year with the announcement that the quadrennial tournament heads for the first time to the Middle East. It was a coup for Sepp Blatter. FIFA’s president already helped steer the 2010 World Cup to South Africa, a first for the continent. The same day he announced Qatar for 2022, he said that Russia would host the 2018 event. That too was a first. Some observers thought Blatter, who wields great influence over the politicized voting for host nations, was angling for the Nobel Peace Prize. But Blatter’s statement a few days later torpedoed any hope for such an award. Instead, it set off a human rights firestorm that reached from Qatar to FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, to England and the U.S. – anywhere on the globe where soccer is played. In other words, everywhere. Immediately following Blatter’s announcement about Qatar, questions arose. How can games be played in heat that reaches 125 degrees? What will happen when hard-drink-

ing fans arrive in a country where public consumption of alcohol is forbidden? And how can LGBT fans travel to a nation where homosexuality is strictly forbidden? Asked at a news conference if he foresaw any cultural problems, the 74-year-old Blatter replied, “I’d say they (gay fans) should refrain from any sexual activities.” His tone was jocular. He then turned serious, saying simply he was sure there would be no problems. A FIFA spokesman said there would be no further comment. Howls of indignation arose from gay and straight organizations – sports-minded, and not. Former NBA basketball star John Amaechi – raised in England, the birthplace of soccer – was among the first to respond. He said, “It’s absurd. It’s not about people having sex in public and being sanctioned for it; it’s the fact that Qatar was one of 79 countries to sanction executing gays at the United Nations. “FIFA has endorsed the marginalization of LGBT people around the world. Anything less than a full reversal of his position is unacceptable… . If sport cannot serve to change society, even temporarily during the duration of an event like the World Cup that invites the world to participate, then it is little more than grown men chasing a ball

and we should treat it as such.” Amaechi did not limit his criticism to Blatter. Referring to giggling by reporters when the gay question was asked, the basketball player said, “It is the most childish response I could imagine. This does make it harder for footballers that are gay, but let’s not limit this. This story is big enough, his influence is big enough, to impact young people in school, people in workplaces, anybody who is perceived to be gay or is gay.” Blatter’s comments, Amaechi said, underscore that “the seat of power, straight white men” are “very, very clearly uncomfortable with this issue and certainly not interested in taking it seriously.” Kick It Out, an organization combating racism in soccer, spoke out against Blatter’s remarks too.Chairman Herman Ouseley said, “It was all frivolity and laughter, but it’s a serious business. People’s existence he has ridiculed. “We can’t have that from the top of the world governing body.You’ve got to show leadership because you’ve got to influence the standards of behavior required and then you’ve got to enforce it when there’s a failure.” Juriv Lavrikovs, communications director at the European branch of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, said simply, “This is not a joke. This is a matter of life and death to people.”

Qatar enforces its anti-sodomy laws strictly. An American serving a six-month sentence for homosexuality also received 90 lashes. Gay Football Supporters Network chair Chris Basiurski noted, ““Many LGBT people live in countries where they would face execution or imprisonment if discovered. These people deserve our help, our respect and our support.” “They, like the rest of us, do not deserve to be laughed at… . Mr. Blatter is naive to think that by taking the beautiful game to Qatar, it will bring an end to discrimination in the Middle East. “He says that football is ‘everything for everyone,’ but he has not yet explained just how FIFA is going to ensure that LGBT football players and supporters will be welcome in Qatar.” Blatter later condemned discrimination “against any human beings be it on this side or that side, be it left, right or whatever.” He did not mention anti-gay discrimination specifically. The powerful chairman still has his job. And the World Cup is still headed to Qatar. Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccer coach, gay activist, and author of the “Jocks” series of books on gay male athletes. Visit his website at www.danwoog.com. He can be reached care of this publication or at OutField@qsyndicate.com.