11/23/11 V2I46 by South Florida Gay News

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VOTE AND WIN PRIZES! November 23, 2011 • Volume 2 • Issue 46

THE PINK SWASTIKA THEORY INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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Robin Tyler: LGBT Pioneer

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Did Gays Cause the Holocaust? page 8

This Osmond is a Little Bit Scary

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McNaught:

Elaine Noble is Nice

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thanksgiving:

It’s All About the Food

Winner of the 2011 Stars of the Rainbow Media Star Award November 23, 2011 • Volume 2 • Issue 46

SoundBiteQ

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

Norm Kent Publisher norm.kent@sfgn.com

Notes from Publisher Norm… New newsworthy news

ongratulations to our own Jason Parsley, Editor in Chief, for winning first place in the Florida Press Club’s Community News writing category this year for his work in the South Florida Gay News. Kudos to Mark Haines as well, Founder and CEO of Mark’s List Media, who takes over as Publisher of Mark Magazine and the Florida Agenda this week, with the resignation of Bobby Blair, who is going to move into the business development of the company. Speaking of weekly media entities, we bid adieu to City Link, the Sun-Sentinel weekly launched in 1991 by the Tribune Company. According to its competitor, New Times, City Link is expected to cease publication within the coming weeks. Not a merry Christmas in this very difficult time for print journalism. In order to adapt to our own needs and model our ‘.com’ name, SFGN has contracted with JasonPatrick Chuyko of App-It to develop an iPhone and Android app for your travel and reading convenience. We will also be welcoming a new salesman to our staff this week. Hope you all get to meet the very talented Eddie Niemann, a renowned concert pianist looking for a legitimate day job.

Zuccotti Park this week

Protesters returned to Zuccotti Park in Lower Manhattan on Saturday for an afternoon of events that included the first same-sex wedding to take place at Occupy Wall Street. The New York Daily News reports that activists Jonathan Lopez, 19, and Ivan Cabrera, 18, were married in “an unofficial ceremony.” Speaking of which, Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch -- who represents parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties -- introduced the “Outlawing Corporate Cash Undermining the Public Interest in our Elections and Democracy” (OCCUPIED) Constitutional Amendment today…Kudos to North Miami’s Scott Galvin, fighting to protect the nature preserve in that community. It’s great to see any politician fighting for the kind of green that is good for the community instead of his own pocket.

Scott Galvin

THE REGULARS

By Karl Hampe

Jason Parsley

We’d also like to welcome some new sponsors to our newspaper this week including Massage by Jim, Baumann Cosmetic & Research Institute, Center Stage, 305Kitchen.com and Pines Plaza Hair Stylist. Remember without these advertisers and others we’d have no newspaper so please check them out.

Pier Angelo Guidugli

Chief Executive Officer Creative Director. . . . . . . . . George Dauphin george.dauphin@sfgn.com Online Website Director. . . . . Dennis Jozefowicz Designer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Bistolfi Office Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Swinford

Editorial Editor in Chief. . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com Arts/Entertainment Editor . . . JW Arnold jw@prdconline.com Arts Correspondent. . . . . . . . Mary Damiano Business Editor . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Gary Senior Features Correspondents . . . . . . . . . . T ony Adams Jesse Monteagudo Correspondents. . . . . . . . . . . P aul Domenick Ed Donato Donald Cavanaugh Lisa Lucas Denise Royal Michael Anguille Contributing Columnists. . . . W ayne Besen Susan Estrich Brian McNaught Victoria Michaels Leslie Robinson Dana Rudolph Health Columnist. . . . . . . . . . Peter Jackson Editorial Cartoonists. . . . . . . S teve Sack Darryl Smith

Sales

Marketing Director. . . . . . . . . J ohn Fugate Sales Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Trottier Miami/Dade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terri Esterby National Sales Representative.Rivendell Media todd@rivendellmedia.com Distribution Managers. . . . . . JR Davis, Kenneth Justeen 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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November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Breaking News

Justice for King Plea deal in California gay classmate killing By Greg Risling Associated Press

Southern California teenager pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder for killing a gay student during a computer lab class three years ago in a plea deal that will send him to prison for 21 years and avoid a retrial. Brandon McInerney, 17, pleaded guilty to the murder charge, as well as one count each of voluntary manslaughter and use of a firearm, said Ventura County Chief Deputy District Attorney Mike Frawley. McInerney is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 19. The case drew wide attention because of its shocking premise: McInerney, in a fit of homophobic rage, killed 15-year-old Larry King at E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard because he was offended by King’s dress and how the victim interacted with him. Larry King’s father, Greg King, told

KABC-TV he understands why prosecutors agreed to the plea deal. “I don’t think that 21-year sentence is justice for my son, but I understand the reality that was facing the DA of trying to convict a defendant who was 14 ... when he committed the murder,” Greg King said. Comic Ellen DeGeneres, a lesbian, weighed in on her talk show shortly after the shooting and said gays shouldn’t be treated as second-class citizens. McInerney was only 14 at the time of the February 2008 shooting. Several jurors said after the teen’s trial earlier this year that he should never have been tried as an adult. A mistrial was declared in September when jurors couldn’t reach a unanimous decision on the degree of guilt. The panel took a series of votes, the last one with seven jurors in favor of voluntary manslaughter and five supporting either first-degree or

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

second-degree murder. The trial had been moved from Ventura County to Los Angeles because of pretrial publicity. Frawley said prosecutors agreed to the plea deal because of uncertainty about what might result from a second trial. “We took that into account and looked at what it would take to protect the community,” Frawley said. “The total time in custody for 25 years will do that.” The murder conviction will be stayed, and the plea deal calls for McInerney to be given the harshest sentence under California law for voluntary manslaughter 11 years and use of a firearm 10 years, Frawley said. McInerney is ineligible for time served or good behavior because he pleaded guilty to murder. After serving nearly four years since King’s slaying, McInerney will be released just shy of his 39th birthday. Prosecutors had previously offered a plea deal that would have sent McInerney to prison for 25 years to life, but his attorneys passed. A phone message left with defense attorney Robyn Bramson was not immediately returned. Eliza Byard, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, said in a statement the plea agreement ends a tragic chapter.

“Ventura County along with communities and school districts everywhere must come together to promote a culture of respect and nurture the true potential found in every individual regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression,” Byard said. King was shot twice in the back of the head in front of stunned classmates. Authorities maintained the shooting was premeditated and deserving of a murder conviction. During the trial, prosecutors noted at least six people heard McInerney make threats against King in the days before the shooting. Prosecutors also contended McInerney embraced a white supremacist philosophy that sees homosexuality as an abomination. Police found Nazi-inspired drawings and artifacts at his house, and a white supremacist expert testified at trial the hate-filled ideology was the reason for the killing. Prosecutors, however, dropped a hate crime count against McInerney in preparing for a second trial. Defense attorneys acknowledged McInerney was the shooter but explained he had reached an emotional breaking point after King made repeated, unwanted sexual advances. They also argued their client came from a violent upbringing and juvenile court would have been the best venue to try him.

Robin Tyler, Pioneer of LGBT Rights, Visits Florida By Paul Domenick

Featured in the back row (l-r): Brian Knicely, Stonewall Director; Brian McNaught; Chuck Wolfe, executive director of the Victory Fund; Texas City Commissioner Joel Burns, and SFGN Publisher Norm Kent. Front row: Jim McNeil, Elaine Noble, Diane Olson and Robin Tyler

The lawsuit is not the first time Tyler has stood up to pave the way for equal rights. In the 1970’s, she was the first openly out-of-thecloset gay or lesbian comic on stage and television. She has since been called the “mother” of gay comedy. When asked why humor is so important to her causes, she stated, “Humor is the razor sharp edge of the truth. It is a very controlling medium. Humor has been used against us [the LGBT community], but now we can use it as a medium to bolster ourselves.” Tyler, in fact, was the first to begin using women as the subject of humor, not the objects. “When any civil rights movement is going on, the objects of that movement come out aggressively in the use of humor,” she said. “That is what I’m doing.” In 1994, Tyler produced the first International Gay Comedy Festival, which took place in Sydney, Australia. She has

chronicles her life story for the audience. Morgan Hurley, a copy editor for SDGLN said of the show, “I found myself totally enamored with the bold and gregarious entertainer she was, long before I knew her name. You must go see this show.” Anyone will be able to see, in fact. It is currently in the process of being edited for a recorded release. Tyler and Olson have been together for now 18 years. The secret of their long-lasting marriage, Olson says, is that “we don’t try to change each other, even though we’re as different as night and day. It was important that I fell in love with her [Tyler] as she is, not as what she could be.” Indeed, their relationship is still, according to Tyler, still “very strong, “ as they accept each other on each other’s terms. Total civil rights, inside and outside of all relationships. Paul Domenick

submitted photo

obin Tyler, the pioneer within the grassroots movement of the LGBTI civil rights movement, was in Fort Lauderdale recently to celebrate Stonewall National Museum & Archives “Our Stars” exhibition. The exhibition at Stonewall features artifacts submitted by LGBT pioneers from all over the United States. Tyler’s visit was especially important to the LGBT community in Florida, as it seeks to learn from her participation in what she calls nothing less than a “civil rights movement.” Tyler believes in “total civil rights,” not domestic partnerships and other halfattempts to pacify the community. Canadian-born Tyler has played a seminal role in the struggle for equal rights, both in her current role as Executive Director of The Equality Campaign and as the first lesbian plaintiff to sue the state of California challenging the ban on same sex marriage. Regarding the Equality Campaign, she says, “We are a grassroots all-volunteer organization, which has raised money through the sale of t-shirts, etcetera, to give money to grassroots activists all over the country who may not have the money for posters, mailings, and other things. We operate on a minuscule budget and are there to help grassroots campaigns. We never actively raise money. So we are not in competition with any other organization as we are so small and very grassroots.” Tyler and her partner, Diane Olson, became heroes to many when, in February 2004, they turned their personal fight to marry into a public case for the world to see as the first lesbian plaintiffs in California Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage lawsuit, challenging the ban on same-sex marriage (Tyler et al v County of Los Angeles). In May, 2008, the supreme court granted equal marriage rights, which was later overturned by the voter initiative Proposition 8. Tyler’s eye is now focused on Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California in 2008. The day after it passed, Tyler and Olson filed a brief asking California’s Supreme Court to overturn the law, which it failed to do. The law was later overturned though in federal court, but the judge stayed the decision pending appeal. Some of Tyler’s efforts to overturn Prop 8 can be found on YouTube, in a series of PSA’s she co-produced called, “Stop the Hate, No on 8.”

additionally produced 25 major outdoor Women’s Music & Comedy Festivals, giving thousands of upcoming lesbian comics a starting point. And on June 19, 2011, Robin returned to the stage at the Acme Theatre in Hollywood to film her one woman comedy show, “Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Groom: The Robin Tyler Story.” With just a stool and a small table at her side, Robin

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

The Transvestigator

Record Breaking ‘Broward Gala’ Success

Victoria Michaels, Jodi Ihme and Jean Rich at the Gala

his years Annual Broward Gala featured an overwhelming crowd which included community leaders, political hopefuls, and dozens of key elected officials gathered together and helped raise a record breaking $260,000 plus for LGBT rights. The event took place Nov. 13, at the Museum Of Art in Ft Lauderdale. The evening was a fundraiser for Equality Florida Institute and a night to honor Teri Williams and Michael Rajner for their work ending bullying and securing equal rights for LGBT Floridians. The evening comes on the heels of a tremendous victory for equality in Broward- passage of an Equal Benefits Ordinance that requires companies doing business in with Broward to provide the same benefits to domestic partners that are given to married couples. Deputy Director for Equality Florida, Stratton Pollitzer took to the stage as the award ceremony got underway and as he glanced out over the audience of on-lookers he was taken back and said, “Wow, I wish you could see this from up here on the stage, this is a huge crowd tonight. It’s so big that we had to flow out onto the balcony tonight.” Indeed it was a record breaking crowd and you could just feel the energy in the room. After the audience’s thunderous applause settled down Stratton commented,

JR Davis

By Victoria Michaels

long ago seemed impossible, but today they are successful and growing. New Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, Robert W. Runcie was in attendance said “As new Superintendent I want it understood to parents, teachers, faculty, staff and our students that bullying is something that is not going to be tolerated within our district. We need to better teach our students tolerance, proper behavior, and to appreciate diversity to make them better individuals for a better world and it’s a topic I plan to stay on top of.” Executive Director of Equality Florida, Nadine Smith, presented the second Voice of Equality Award to Michael Rajner. “For your fearless advocacy on behalf of our students, our health, and our families by always speaking out for full equality you have made Florida a more just place for us all,” she said. Smith described Rajner as an advocate who is driven by his work which is built on passion and a person of encouragement. Stated Rajner: “When people ask me what I do I sometimes have to scratch my head and think, and then say I suppose what I do best is agitate. There are so many people suffering needlessly and for that reason we need to be there voice. As gay individuals many of us create our own families, we

struggle sometimes to find that acceptance within our own families and we come up with these extended families to celebrate much like we have here tonight. One of the things we still need to do is fight, and fight as a family. We are all a voice of equality in this room and abroad. We need to use that voice both not only to advocate for one another when we see an injustice, but we also need to make certain that we get up to Tallahassee. What I do is nothing special, what I do we can all do.” In so many ways I was motivated and inspired by the energy that I received from listening to these individuals and their desire to make a change. I know it’s fair to say that I don’t know where I will be next week, yet I can honestly say I now know where I will be in February... I’m packing for Tallahassee! Victoria Michaels is the reigning Miss Florida 2011 F.I. and serves as an advocate for the LGBT community. She is transgender (male to female), and before her transition in 1999 she was a student at the College Of Philadelphia and worked as a show producer at WDEL AM News radio in Delaware. She is currently a premiere emcee at Boardwalk Bar in Fort Lauderdale. Visit Missfla.com or Myspace.com/missvictoriamichaels for more information. Email her at VictoriaMichales@aol.com.

“We have a lot to celebrate tonight as what a great year this has been.. another year where we’ve seen tremendous progress.” Presenting the first award of the evening was De Palazzo, Chair of Equality Florida, who spoke vibrantly when referring to the first recipient of the “Voice Of Equality Award” Teri Williams. She described Williams as a “walking talking” model of leadership, compassion, fire, and energy who has a special place in her heart for the LGBTQ youth. Williams’ role in the Broward School District is coordinator and specialist of the office of diversity and cultural outreach and prevention. In that department she spends much dedicated time insuring that the needs of LGBT human youth are met fairly and consistently. Palazzo said to Williams as she gave the award to her, “For your unwavering commitment for safety and respect for diversity in our schools. With you as an ally no student facing bullying is ever alone.” Stated Williams: “This is so humbling and it is so critical that we are systemic with the actions that we take, and that’s where Equality Florida comes in on a state and national level.” Williams spoke about the vision she had to create peaceful and safe schools that not

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

World AIDS Day at Compass Begins Tuesday panels to remember their loved ones. Others have come from all By Donald Cavanaugh over the nation. ompass Gay & Lesbian Community Center will mark “I weep every time I see this collection,” said 2010 visitor Mary the Dec. 1 observance of World AIDS Day with South Ownby. “All these young lives that obviously touched the many Florida’s largest display of Quilt panels from The Names people who created these panels are awe inspiring.” Project and a number of activities starting on Tuesday Nov. 29 and On Thursday, Dec. 1, formal opening ceremonies for the Quilt continuing to Saturday Dec 3. will be held at 6 p.m. in the stage-end of the North Room. Mem“This is an important event for everyone,” said Lorenzo Lowe, bers of a local college GSA (gay-straight alliance) will formally Compass’ HIV Prevention Coordinator who is leading the many open a panel for all to see. staff members and volunteers involved in the program. “AIDS is Panels are twelve feet square and comprised of eight 3 by 6 a global issue and it’s something that concerns us all. Compass is quilts. A formal procedure has been established to open the pancommitted to helping raise awareness with these programs.” els with dignity and honor The four day for whom and what they observance starts represent. Tuesday, Nov. 29 with a The opening will be screening of The Ryan followed by the induction White Story about the of new panels submitted young hemophiliac who by county residents and contracted HIV/AIDS then a candle light vigil and through a medical prothe calling of the names of cedure and whose life people represented by the and whose family’s lives panels on display. were made hellish by Voices of Pride, the Gay ignorant, fearful people. Men’s Chorus of Palm White, who lived for Beach County, will provide more than five years music for the ceremony. after his initial diagnosis On Friday, Dec. 2, the in 1984, became the Quilt display will be open to poster boy for AIDS the public from 11 a.m. to support and fundrais4 p.m.Visitors are welcome ing. Federal law makers to spend some time with attached his name to the panels in remembrance legislation that provided of the many lives that have funding for people with been, and continue to be, HIV/AIDS, the Ryan A quilt entitled “Each Pink triangle has its story,” by Dana Fisher affected by HIV/AIDS. White Care Act of 1990. The Quilt display will open at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. At 5 The film is being sponsored by the Compass Youth Group and p.m, Rev. Taylor E. Stevens, an ordained interfaith minister, will ormembers of the group will hold a discussion of the film after its chestrate an interfaith program with representatives from a numshowing. Call 561-533-9699 for time. ber of faith communities sharing the observance of remembering. On Wednesday, Nov. 30, a Wellness Empowerment Series lunThe service will be followed by members of another GSA closcheon will be hosted in the Bistro Café and guests will be invited ing the Quilt panel. to preview the Quilt panels. Reservations are required for the “I saw Rev. Stevens’ program last year,” said Julie Seaver, Develluncheon by calling 561-533-9699. opment Director of Compass. “It was really powerful to hear all Suspended from a system of cables designed specifically to the different ways people express their beliefs. I will definitely be display the Quilt, panels are hung in a maze formation starting at there again this year.” one end of the Center’s auditorium (North Room) and ending a few feet from the stage area at the other. Call Compass at 561-533-9699 or email Lorenzo@compassglcc. Many of the panels on display have been requested by Palm Beach County friends and families who created and donated com for more information.

AIDS Awareness Comes to Clematis by Night

By Donald Cavanaugh

he Palm Beach HIV Community Prevention Partners have decided it’s time to bring World AIDS Day to West Palm Beach, especially since Dec. 1 falls on a Thursday – the weekly time for Clematis by Night that draws hundreds of people for a night out on the town. “We’re going to have a table on the street and distribute red ribbons and a variety of literature,” said Robert Scott, Early Intervention Consultant for the Palm Beach County Health Department, one of the members of the Prevention Partners. “We’re also sending a letter to the merchants asking them to display our poster and distribute palm cards with the World AIDS Day theme, ‘Getting to Zero.’” “We’ve never approached the Clematis Street merchants to help in the battle against AIDS,” he added. “We hope all of the businesses on the street will support our effort to reach zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS related deaths.” Members of the Community Prevention Partners will distribute palm cards and red ribbons and encourage people to get tested and learn how to protect themselves and their partners from infection. The palm cards have Web addresses where people can learn more and find a convenient testing location: HIVtest. org; WeMakeTheChange.com and bpchd.com. Participating agencies are: Compass, Inc., Comprehensive AIDS Program, Inc., Drug Abuse Treatment Association, Inc., Families First, Inc., Minority Development & Empowerment, Inc., Minority AIDS Initiative Network, Inc., Palm Beach County Health Department, Partnership for a Drug-Free Community of South Florida, Inc.,The School District of Palm Beach County, and United Deliverance Community Resource Center, Inc. For more information contact Robert Scott at the Palm Beach County Health Department at (561) 671-4191.

IMMIGRATION LAW ATTORNEY Attorney At Law 12000 Biscayne Blvd Suite 704, Miami, FL 33181 P.305-899-0333 F.305-899-9005 6

Questions About Residency? Asylum? Deportation?

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

November 23, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com

The minister of hate The life and times of AFA’s homophobic Bryan Fischer By Jody May-Chang and Jill Kuraitis of the Southern Poverty Law Center

or a week or two this August, the spotlight of national media attention cast a harsh light on a prayer rally in Houston entitled “The Response: A Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis.” Although it was billed as a non-political event held only to ask God for unity and righteousness, The Response drew a roster of hard-line religious rightists best known for their gay-bashing rhetoric. Some of those who were scheduled to speak merely caused the eyes of the crit-

ics to roll, like the “prophetess” who earlier in the year blamed the mass die-off of blackbirds in Arkansas on the acceptance of homosexuality. The heavy criticism centered on the American Family Association (AFA), a group that aggressively promotes “decency” in the media with a $20 milliona-year budget and a network of some 200 American Family Radio stations, and that paid for the event. The AFA, after all, had come under fire many times since its founding in 1977 by the Rev. Donald Wildmon, who has repeatedly suggested that obscene content on television and in the movies is largely due to the

media being controlled by Jews. On one occasion, the AFA demanded that an openly gay Arizona congressman be barred from speaking at the Republican National Convention and suggested that he be arrested under a state law criminalizing sodomy. A former network entertainment executive once called the AFA’s boycotts “the first step toward a police state.” But the criticism this summer of the AFA, fueled in part by the Southern Poverty Law Center’s 2010 listing of the organization as a hate group, really came down to the remarkable utterances of one man: Bryan Fischer, the loquacious, baby-faced “director of issue analysis” who joined the Tupelo, Miss.-based group in 2009 and has become its best known, and most eyebrow-raising, spokesman. Fischer, 60, graduated from Stanford University with a philosophy degree, but that hasn’t stopped him from claiming that “[h] omosexuality gave us Adolph Hitler, and homosexuals in the military gave us the Brown Shirts, the Nazi war machine and six million dead Jews” a complete falsehood, as any historian knows. Nor has it prevented him from suggesting that gay sex should be penalized in the same way heroin use is, or asserting that gay men and lesbians should be forced into controversial “reparative therapy,” which improbably claims to “cure” people of their homosexuality. Since joining the AFA, Fischer has said, against all the evidence, that “homosexuals, as a group, are the single greatest perpetrators of hate crimes on the planet, outside the Muslim religion.” He has claimed that non-Christian religions “have no First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion,” which would have been a surprise to the authors of the Bill of Rights. He said that the “sexual immorality

of Native Americans” was part of what made them “morally disqualified from sovereign control of American soil.” He even suggested the best way to deal with promiscuity would be to kill the promiscuous. Fischer did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Not content with insulting the LGBT community, the sexually active, Muslims and virtually all other non-Christians, Fischer has even crossed the Rubicon of race, saying that President Obama “nurtures this hatred for the United States of America and, I believe, nurtures a hatred for the white man.” In case that wasn’t enough, he recently added that welfare had “destroyed the African American family” and was incentivizing black “people who rut like rabbits.” These facts are well known. But what may be most remarkable of all about Fischer, aside from the fact that an organization that has more than 2 million people on its E-mail list hired him, are some of the details of how he spent almost 30 years as an increasingly radical pastor in Idaho. Despite being passed over as senior pastor of one church and abruptly leaving another, Fischer eventually came to be treated as the state’s leading voice of the Christian Right, wrote regular guest columns in the state’s largest newspaper and was named chaplain of the Idaho State Senate.

The Early Years Bryan Fischer was born on April 8, 1951, in a small town in Colorado, and moved in his early teens to California. Later, while continued on page 10

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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continued from page 8

attending Stanford, he landed an internship at Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, where he was befriended by senior pastor David Roper, a man who would influence him strongly. Three years after graduating in 1973, he married Deborah Marie Rogers, who is still his wife. Roper had attended Dallas Theological Seminary, the top ideological powerhouse of the most conservative wing of the evangelical movement. Fischer followed in his mentor’s footsteps, graduating from the seminary in 1980. While Fischer was in Dallas, Roper left California to become pastor of the Cole Community Church in Boise, Idaho, where he would remain for the following 17 years. Roper told the Intelligence Report that, later in 1980, he invited Fischer to join him in Idaho to help start the Cole Center for Biblical Studies. The center would become known regionally for the prominent locals who it graduated. At the time, however, Fischer had markedly different theological views than he does today, said Dennis Mansfield, who started the Idaho Family Forum and was then the state’s leading Christian Right spokesman: “Bryan brought me in to debate about his opposition to Christians being involved in government; he was a fierce opponent of it then. My opinion was that we should be involved in everything, and his was theological isolationism. I remember three debates where I crossed swords with him and found him to be one of the most intelligent men I’d ever known. But I won the debates, and … he did not like being beaten by the likes of me.” As time passed, Fischer increasingly embraced the strain of “dominionist” theology that suggests that Christians should seek to control government as well as spiritual matters. Simultaneously, a church insider said, Fischer developed a group of his own personal followers and was ultimately asked to leave the church. Roper denied that, saying Fischer left because he had “decided he wanted to do more in the political realm.” But Mansfield, who remains friends with Fischer after many years, said that Fischer was passed over when Roper decided to leave Cole Community Church. “Roper announced he was leaving and that he would select a successor,” Mansfield said in an interview. “A church of three to four thousand people is a significant Pacific Northwest church to be leader of. Ultimately, when the deci-

jority leader and majority caucus chairman had no idea that Fischer had been hired until he delivered the opening Senate session prayer that year. Betsy Russell, president of the Idaho Press Club and long-time Boise bureau chief for The (Spokane, Wash.) Spokesman-Review, said the post mattered. “One of the reasons he was able to achieve a platform is because he was given one by the state of Idaho quite officially: He was chaplain of the Senate. He held an official position… . I guess you could say he was a state-endorsed clergyman.” In the immediate aftermath of Fischer’s appointment, a woman named Jennifer Boyd wrote a letter to The Idaho Statesman. Boyd said she was a former member of Fischer’s Community Church of the Valley and recounted how she was excommunicated. “Fischer removed me from his congregation after my divorce,” she wrote, “which he deemed unacceptable, non-biblical and sinful.” She angrily accused Fischer of speaking “out of both sides of his mouth. … [H]e said one thing while he did another. … [H]e judges people … based on limited knowledge.” Bryan Fischer points the finger Despite the controversy, The Idaho Statesman began to quote Fischer regularly. Besion was announced, Roper chose a differ- Onward and Upward tween 1999 and 2009, when Fischer would ent pastor to head it up. Bryan was dumbBryan Fischer was on his way to local ce- leave the state, the newspaper quoted him struck and he told me he was resigning from lebrity. But that ascent was only really ce- in nearly 100 news stories and printed 16 of his position. mented in 2001, when the state’s Republi- his guest editorials huge numbers in the “I would imagine he felt so dishonored can then-majority leader, present-day U.S. relatively small Boise media market. that the order of things didn’t follow his Sen. Jim Risch, appointed him as the Idaho “Obviously, Fischer relies on polarizing ideas,” Mansfield said. “He and his wife State Senate chaplain. messages that catch the attention of rewere distraught they weren’t chosen. He deEven though the position was essentially porters, but it felt like he was able to conparted Cole Community [in 1993] and never honorary, paying $16.86 an hour to deliver trol the narrative around issues of reproduclooked back.” prayers to the Idaho Senate, it gave Fischer tive, queer and immigrant rights,” said Amy Mansfield said that very few people came easy access to the Republican leadership in Herzfeld, executive director of the Boiseforward to support Fischer then and that a state that has long been completely domi- based Idaho Human Rights Education Centhe two became close as a result. At a lunch nated by the GOP. Word of the appointment ter, a nonprofit group. “I do think that many held to discuss Fischer’s future, Mansfield of Fischer was not universally welcomed. Idaho news outlets helped Fischer earn nasaid he detected “a real brokenness and tional accolades.” humility in Bryan, and openness to new opLike Jennifer Boyd, Mansfield recalled beportunities. He came up with the idea of a “…The Nazi Party was birthed ing disillusioned with his friend’s ministry. community church, one that would have a In 2000, his son was arrested for possession in a gay bar…, Adolph Hitler’s different angle… . That became Community of a marijuana pipe. The story made the loinner circle included many Church of the Valley.” cal papers because Mansfield was then runAs he consolidated his new Boise church, ning for Congress. homosexuals, and… many if Fischer began to gain real prominence in “We went to Bryan and asked what to do, not most of the Brown Shirts, the state. He was first quoted in The Idaho and he was at a loss,” Mansfield said. “He Statesman, the state’s largest newspaper, in his notorious ‘Storm Troopers,’ didn’t have a practical solution. I thought, 1999. It was the beginning of his rise to na‘This isn’t helping anybody!’ We went lookwere also homosexuals.” tional stature. ing for another church that had solutions.” – Bryan Fischer “I used to be the go-to religious-right perMansfield said that families already had son for media in Boise because of IFF [the Idabegun leaving the congregation “in batho Family Forum],” said Mansfield, whose talions.” For him, the church had become a theological views have since softened con“The choice of one of Idaho’s most po- “professorial, debate-society culture” that siderably. “Then I ran for Congress and lost larizing religious leaders has sent shock did not offer solutions. to [now-Gov.] Butch Otter in 2000 and, of waves through the state’s churches and has Fischer did not react well to his deparcourse, became invisible. There was a gap some powerful senators reeling,” The Idaho ture, Mansfield said. “With Bryan, it was as without a spokesman for the religious right, Statesman reported in a Jan. 13, 2001, news if I had betrayed him. I was just another perso Bryan stood up to be that person.” story. It said that the Senate’s assistant ma- son who left his church.” NATHANIEL HOFFMAN

Bryan Fischer

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Another Church Conflict In the following years, Fischer developed a reputation for asserting men’s “authority” over women a position that made some in his congregation uncomfortable, along with many in the larger community. On Aug. 21, 2005, for instance, Fischer said in a sermon that while Scripture says that men and women are “equal in essence and existence and worth,” they are “NOT equal in authority.” That fall, the Dalai Lama was scheduled to visit Idaho as part of events surrounding the fourth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. In the run-up to the visit, Fischer disparaged Buddhism in remarks to his congregation, calling it a “godless myth” and a “terrible deception” that came “from the father of lies.” But that didn’t stop him from joining an interfaith discussion with the Dalai Lama, along with 100 other representatives of a variety of faiths and denominations in the region. There, he questioned the Dalai Lama about the nature of evil, telling a reporter afterward that the Dalai Lama’s view of it was “simplistic.” Things were coming to a head at the Community Church of the Valley. Mansfield, who had helped get the church started, said that church elders “had a meeting about a conflict with Bryan over who had the final say in the church.” Fischer insisted that he did, but Mansfield said it was actually the board. Exactly what that conflict was remains something of a mystery. Four days after the Dalai Lama’s visit, Fischer gave his last sermon at the church he had founded 12 years earlier. The following Sunday, a former ally, elder Robert Weisel, gave an emotional sermon about the prior week, saying how “sick last Sunday” had made him and speaking of the “ruin of friends.” He mentioned how another elder had been “vilified” and apologized to his fellow elders as a group. He said without explanation that the congregation had defeated the enemy of the Gospel. Fischer departed the church. The next summer, it changed its name to Christian Life Fellowship, but many members left for other congregations in the aftermath of what looked to the larger community like a major split. Fischer rebounded quickly. In late 2005, he incorporated the Idaho Values Alliance (IVA) as a nonprofit controlled by Fischer, his wife and their daughter. In 2007, the IVA became the state affiliate of the American Family Association.

Off the Deep End Fischer was now a public figure who was well known for his fondness for “hot rhetoric,” as the Idaho Press Club’s Russell put it. But he crossed another line in May 2008, when a fundamentalist conference called “Shake the Nation” was held in Idaho. One of the invited speakers was Scott Lively, whose book The Pink Swastika falsely claims that gay men largely orchestrated the Holocaust. After getting some criticism, Fischer responded with a press release saying the book was “well researched” and “documents the well-known historical fact that the Nazi Party was birthed in a gay bar, that Adolph Hitler’s inner circle included many homosexuals, and that many if not most of the Brown Shirts, his notorious ‘Storm Troopers,’ were also homosexuals.” None of this, of course, was true. But that didn’t seem to bother Fischer. And it clearly didn’t bother the AFA, which hired Fischer the next year as its director of issue analysis and moved him to Tupelo, Miss. Since that time, he has been a prolific blogger and the host of a daily two-hour AFA radio program, “Focal Point.” In recent months, the AFA has added a disclaimer to Fischer’s blog postings, but he remains its top spokesman. And what a spokesman he is. This summer, he said that despite the Supreme Court’s 2003 decision to the contrary, there is “no reason” why gay sex should not be recriminalized in all 50 states. Earlier, he summed up his view of “homosexual activists.” “Ladies and gentlemen, they are Nazis,” he said in July on his AFA radio show. “Do not be under any illusions about what homosexual activists will do with your freedoms and your religion if they have the opportunity. They’ll do the same thing to you that the Nazis did to their opponents in Nazi Germany.” That seems highly unlikely, to say the least. But it did underline the attitude of the AFA, whose officials did not seem to have read any of Fischer’s comments when they signed on to an ad accusing their many critics of “character assassination.” Jody May-Chang is an independent journalist specializing in LGBT and social justice issues. Jill Kuraitis is a journalist who specializes in human rights and the Rocky Mountain West. Both are based in Idaho.

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

P e r s o n a l I n j u ry • f r e e c o n s u ltat I o n

Thinking Out Loud

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hind the Occupy Wall Street had meant to write about semovement (The Nazis and the rious LGBT news this week, Black Panthers). but I accidently fell down And don’t forget the homothe sinkhole of celebrity gossip sexual agenda. in particular, the goings on of What all of this has to do one Alan Osmond (yes, those Oswith the family is not completemonds). It started with a video of ly clear. And when it comes to the former star discussing how homosexual difficulties, Alan’s Chuck Norris was consulted to having a lot more of those than help make the boys less effemiI am. Don’t get me wrong he is nate. They wanted to be “tough,” Alan Osmond compassionate towards homoAlan said an unsettling number sexuals because he says so. He uses lots of of times. When I hear about people hiring experts warm language like “reach out” and “assist to make them less girly, it has a faint smell them.” We are, never forget, the sons and of gay panic. Naturally, I wanted to know daughters of God. So how does he suggest his readers reach more. I learned that Alan is the proud owner of thefamily.com, dedicated to “strengthen- out to their LGBT loved ones? By gently telling ing the family” through inspirational words them that homosexuality is an abomination. and clip-art about God, gardening tips, holi- He has also provided some research links to day recipes, and countless nerve-rattling back up his assertion that homosexuality is a reports on the imminent collapse of civi- choice the “power of agency,” he calls it. He lization. Homosexuality or “homosexual even includes superscript footnote links for difficulties” is right up there with Marxism that extra bit of academic oomph. Here’s where Alan really let me down. You and tsunamis. I don’t mean to pick on Alan, because he’s see, I got kind of excited that he might have not the most egregious homophobe around. found some anti-gay material that I could But his website is riveting because it’s a per- sink my teeth into. This isn’t a masochistic impulse, but a genuine desire to have a subfect template for being a far-right wing nut. stantive conversation about LGBT issues Here’s how: Give regular props to Glenn Beck. Fill your that calls me to respond with something blog with video links showing an over-caf- more complex than, “You’re a moron.” I like feinated Beck at his blackboard of doom. to think that even people who don’t support Also use lots of capital letters and excla- us have come to their beliefs with a modimation marks, especially for words like cum of critical thinking. Without this, argu“AMERICA,” “CAPITALISM,” and “TERROR- ing for LGBT equality can feel like beating IST”! For extra hysteria, post bogus forward- up a bowl of Jell-O. So I clicked on Alan’s footnote links and ed emails about Nancy Pelosi and Obama as discovered that they all went to one place: a if they’re news. Tell people to be afraid, very, very afraid. nearly identical screed on the LDS website. Then tell them not to be afraid because I kept digging and eventually found myself they’re righteous and good. Repeat. It helps looking at the same few outdated studies to suggest that we’re preparing for some that the anti-gay folks have been picking kind of war, but be vague about the specifics. clean for 20 years, and more self-referential Periodically get sentimental about WWII. LDS material saying that homosexuality is a Those were the days, even if you were born sin because they said so. None of this is new. If you dress up fear in 1949. Use cartoons to explain how China is and bigotry as “family-friendly” and then about to buy Europe. On that note, post sub- scare the crap out of the kids, you can still tlety racist cartoons about Obama to lighten claim the mantle of wholesomeness. And it things up, and throw in a link to the “2011 would be funny if Alan Osmond were a oneWoman Driver Awards.” Also, feel free to off, but he’s not. He’s scary precisely because pitch your multi-level marketing body-care he’s so ordinary. “One Bad Apple” will never line in between stories on who’s really be- sound the same again. submitted photo

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

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Marcus Bachmann Threatens Truth Wins Out Over Bill From Truth Wins Out

presidential campaign. After TWO’s John Becker, ttorney and SFGN who went undercover, had publisher Norm Kent enough videotape evidence sent a letter to Bachto prove that “ex-gay” mann & Associates last week therapy occurred at Bachon behalf of Truth Wins Out mann’s clinic, he called the demanding that he cease and clinic and cancelled his desist from harassing the orremaining appointments. ganization. Despite widespread circulaTWO also launched a petion of TWO’s video foottition on Change.org urging age, Marcus denied the people to contact Bachmann therapy had taken place. and tell him to stop his petty “I cancelled my remainand vindictive threats against ing appointments in comthe LGBT organization. pliance with Bachmann & “Marcus Bachmann’s billAssociates’ stated proceing practices appear to be as Marcus Bachmann dure,” said John Becker, unethical as the ‘ex-gay’ therapy offered at his clinic,” said Truth Wins TWO’s Director of Communications and DeOut Executive Director Wayne Besen. “We velopment, “yet Marcus Bachmann himself will not be intimidated or bullied and do not called me and threatened to send the fraudulent $150 ‘bill’ to a collection agency by intend to pay Bachmann’s phony bill.” Last week, Bachmann personally called Friday. I find it odd that Bachmann handled the group’s Communications Director, John this matter personally rather than through Becker, leaving a voicemail in which he de- his billing department. This is certainly an manded $150 for cancelled July sessions of unorthodox way of doing business, much “ex-gay” therapy with a counselor at his like the unethical ‘ex-gay’ therapy offered at practice. He threatened that if TWO did not his clinic.”   Becker returned Bachmann’s call on Tuespay him by Friday he would turn the phony bill over to a collection agency. Last week, day and spoke with him for nearly seven the Law Offices of Kent & Cormican faxed a minutes in the presence of a reporter from letter to Bachmann’s Minnesota clinic. Ac- the local ABC/FOX affiliate in Burlington. The video of the tense exchange can be cording to the letter: “If you are persistent in this claim, and at- viewed at Truth Wins Out’s website. “We saw firsthand that the ‘ex-gay’ thertempt to employ the collection agency you have threatened to, you should know that apy practiced by Bachmann & Associates is my firm and our associates in your jurisdic- unethical and unhealthy for clients,” said tion would take legal action against you,” Becker. “What goes on in that clinic is reKent wrote. “Specifically, and you should jected by every respected medical and menmake no mistake about the same, we con- tal health organization in America.”   Truth Wins Out is a nonprofit organizasider your therapy and practices fraudulent. We have concluded your services are dubi- tion whose goal is to create a world where ous and questionable, not worthy of any bill- LGBT individuals can live openly, honestly ing at all. We consider your fees and charges and true to themselves. TWO fights antipart of a larger civil conspiracy to defraud LGBT religious extremism, monitors antiLGBT organizations, documents their lies vulnerable individuals.”  In July, TWO went undercover and exposed and exposes their leaders. TWO specializes Bachmann & Associates for practicing a form in turning information into action by orgaof discredited “pray away the gay” therapy. nizing, advocating and fighting for LGBT The revelation rocked Michele Bachmann’s equality. submitted photo

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

By Associated Press

Officials probe cause of Fire Island blaze

fficials have yet to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a multi-million-dollar complex of nightclubs and restaurants in a community on New York’s Fire Island. The blaze erupted last week in Fire Island Pines. Firefighters spent hours dousing flames at the Pavilion nightclub and other structures near the center of the community south of Long Island. No one was injured. The nightclub complex was purchased last year for a reported $17 million. Other restaurants and businesses, and a neighboring home, were also damaged. A spokeswoman for the Suffolk County police said the arson squad is investigating. Fire Island Pines is a well-heeled community and a well-known gay enclave. Pines residents earn more than $300,000 annually and summer rentals often fetch as much as $10,000 a week.

ay rights pioneer Frank Kameny was honored last week with a Capitol Hill memorial service in the same room where the House Un-American Activities Committee once targeted gays in 1968. Kameny is credited with staging the first gay rights protests in front of the White House and Philadelphia’s Independence Hall a few years earlier in 1965. He had been fired from his job as a government astronomer in 1957 for being gay and instead devoted his life to fighting for gay rights. In 1961, he was the first person to take a case to the Supreme Court claiming discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Kameny died Oct. 11 in his Washington home. He was 86. U.S. Office of Personnel Management director John Berry, who is the highest ranking openly gay person in government, helped lead the remembrances. The office he leads succeeded the Civil Service Commission, which fired Kameny. “Frank broke the silence. He knew he was born equal to any man on earth,’’ Berry said. “We have lost one of the great champions of truth.’’ Berry grew up in the 1960s. He said he knew he was gay and interested in public service but was deterred because of the loathing for gays then in the ranks of government power. “Frank Kameny freed us from that,’’ Berry said. “His life cleared the path that I and countless others followed into public service.’’

The fire on Fire Island

Mayor of Topeka, Bill Bunten

Topeka mayor opposes partner registry

courtesy of Jordan Cohen, Fire Island News

SFGN BRIEFS

Gay rights pioneer honored in D.C.

opeka’s mayor said creating a domestic partner registry for the city would be “the wrong road to go down,’’ because he believes it would be another step toward legalizing gay marriage. Mayor Bill Bunten made his comments Tuesday during the Topeka City Council’s first reading of a proposal to establish the registry, which would allow unmarried adult couples to register their relationships with the city to gain easier access to benefits such as health insurance and hospital visitation rights, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported. “I’m afraid I’m too old for this,’’ Bunten said. “What I see happening all throughout this city and across this country is a minimizing of the need for a man and a woman to have a family.You don’t have to do that anymore. It’s accepted, and I think that’s the wrong road to go down.’’ The registry would give couples documented proof of their relationship, which is required by some private businesses that extend benefits to their employees’ domestic partners, said councilman Andrew Gray, who is sponsoring the proposal. Companies would not be required to offer benefits to domestic partners and the registry would not grant the rights or benefits of marriage to the couples, he said. And it isn’t intended to destroy or minimize traditional marriages, Gray said. The registry will benefit more heterosexual couples than it will lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples, said Jason Chaika, chairman of the Kansas Equality Coalition’s political action committee. It defines a domestic partnership as a relationship between two unrelated, unmarried, cohabitating people, regardless of gender, who are in an interdependent relationship. “This is not about gay marriage or eroding marriage in any way,’’ he said. “This is about offering benefits. This is about facilitating businesses to move to this city.’’

Okla. City Council votes to add gays to policy

he City Council in Oklahoma City has voted to change its equal employment opportunity personnel policy and add gays to the list of those protected. The resolution was recommended by City Council member Ed Shadid. It adds sexual orientation to the list of protected equal employment opportunity classes and passed on a 7-2 vote Tuesday. City policy already provided equal opportunity without regard to race, creed, ethnic origin, color, religion, disability, sex or age. Shadid said his instinct as a businessman is to provide equal protection to everyone. Councilmen Skip Kelly and Larry McAtee voted against the measure saying they see no discrimination against gays in city offices and that federal and state law don’t provide explicit protection to gay people.

Police: Jealousy motive in Vegas bartender slaying

ealousy and a broken relationship may have spurred an enraged Tennessee man to shoot a bartender more than 15 times, killing him in the storeroom of a lounge several blocks east of the Las Vegas Strip, police said last week. Tracy Dale Kauffman entered a gay bar called The Garage, pulled out a .40-caliber handgun and opened fire at bartender Phillip Wells at about 5:30 a.m. last week, police said in an arrest report. The only two customers fled out the front door. Kauffman, 50, of Knoxville, Tenn., pursued Wells and kept firing as Wells retreated to the storeroom and fell to the floor, police said. Kauffman fired about 15 more shots, reloaded and continued shooting until the gun was empty, according to the police report. Kauffman was arrested about 10 hours later at McCarran International Airport,

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

where police said he planned to take a flight back to Knoxville. The Clark County coroner reported Tuesday that Wells was 36 years old. He died of multiple gunshot wounds. Police said Kauffman admitted shooting Wells. “They had a past relationship,’’ Las Vegas homicide Lt. Lewis Roberts said of Kauffman and Wells. “I think that’s going to be the motive for the killing.’’ About 150 customers, friends and members of Las Vegas’ gay community held a candlelight vigil late Monday outside the bar, several blocks from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Brazil grants residency based on same-sex-marriage

ay couples are gaining new rights in Brazil. The government has granted a Spanish man the right to permanent residency based on his marriage to a Brazilian man. The decision published Monday in Brazil’s Federal Register follows a decision in October by the country’s Supreme Court recognizing same-sex marriage. That change leads to a series of benefits for gay couples, such as the right to jointly file taxes and to jointly adopt a child.

Hate crimes increase in Miss.

he FBI has released a report that shows hate crimes in Mississippi rose from two to 11 over the past year. However, Nsombi Lambright, executive director for the Mississippi chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, tells The Clarion-Ledger she believes the number of hate crimes in Mississippi is much higher than the FBI report suggests. Sometimes victims won’t report the crimes “because they are scared of retaliation,’’ she said. “You also have counties that are not reporting the incidents.’’ Nationwide, hate crimes remained about the same, going from 6,604 in 2009 to 6,628 in 2010, according to the FBI. Of the 63 participating agencies in Mississippi, Gulfport was the only one to report a hate crime in 2010. More than two-thirds of Mississippi’s counties failed to file a report with the Justice Department. Mark Potok, director of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Project, said he believes the total number of hate crimes is much higher. “There have been

Emails show effort to avoid gay link in Tenn. bill

Tennessee Legislature

two major Justice Department studies and the upshot is the real level is about 200,000 hate crimes a year.’’ One reason is “more than half of hate crimes are never reported,’’ he said. Of the hate crimes reported nationally to the FBI, nearly half were motivated by race while religion made up a fifth of the attacks. Sexual orientation made up 19 percent of the crimes, and nearly 13 related to ethnicity or national origin. Less than 1 percent related to disabilities. Nearly a third of hate crimes took place near homes or residences, the FBI reported. Another 17 percent took place on highways, roads, streets or alleys. Nearly 11 percent took place at schools or colleges. While religion motivated about a fifth of the hate crimes, less than 4 percent actually took place on the property of churches, synagogues or temples, according to the report. Of the 6,008 known offenders, nearly 59 percent were white and more than 18 percent were black, the FBI said. The remainder included other races.

he main lobbyist for a state law that overruled local protections for gay and lesbian workers led an orchestrated effort to portray the bill as being about best business practices rather than opposition to homosexuality. Emails to lawmakers from Family Action Council of Tennessee President David Fowler came to light as part of a lawsuit challenging the Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act, signed into law in May. Fowler told The Tennessean he did what any good lobbyist would do in providing lawmakers with arguments that could garner support for the bill. It prohibits local governments from creating anti-discrimination regulations that are stricter than those of the state. The law nullified a Nashville ordinance that had passed in April barring companies that discriminate against gays and lesbians from doing business with the city. During the 2011 legislative season Fowler expressed to legislators his concern that Nashville’s ordinance would force Chris-

tian business owners to compromise their religious beliefs in order to do business with Metro. However, he coached lawmakers to stick with the economic argument, and he provided them with statements denying that the law was “about preventing homosexual and transgender rights.’’ On April 26, Fowler wrote to Sen. Mae Beavers, “We don’t need more regulation of business and business sure doesn’t need the 348 different cities coming up with their own ideas of what a discriminatory practice is. That’s the line and you just repeat it like (Rep.) Glen Casada did last night when the bill passed the House 73 to 24. “Will the homosexuals be upset? Sure.’’ Casada, R-Franklin, and Beavers, R-Mt. Juliet, sponsored the legislation. Some of Fowler’s emails contained admonitions not to pass them along to anyone. A Jan. 29 email to state Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, describes efforts to persuade the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce to oppose Nashville’s ordinance. “We sure don’t need any loose lips getting word to the Chamber about what I think and for sure not (the Tennessee Equality Project)!’’ it states.

Gay marriage push in Wash. begins

ay marriage supporters say it’s time to make Washington the seventh state in the country to fully recognize unions between same-sex couples. At a news conference last week a coalition called Washington United for Marriage announced it would lobby the Legislature to approve a gay marriage law next year. In 2009 the Legislature passed, and voters later upheld, a bill that greatly expanded the rights of same-sex domestic partners. That measure was known as the “everything but marriage’’ bill. Washington United for Marriage will stage a series of suburban town halls in the coming weeks to rally support. Gay marriage is legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia.

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

SFGN Editorial

November 23, 2011

Mom Can Wait! Norm Kent, Publisher

his is the week I was going to write go swimming at night, but he would already about my mother. She passed away be in the pool. The best was when he would on August 3, just about 90 days go for a midnight dip, then run back upstairs before her 90th birthday, which would have to the bed and try to claim his pillow, soaking wet. He was not a practicing lawyer, but been today. Mom was a picture of endurance and I could not open the car door in the morning optimism, energy and strength. She was a without him jumping into it. Then I would dancer in her 70’s, a golfer in her 80’s, and have to spend about thirty seconds convinca performer her entire splendid life, and ing him I am the one that is supposed to be oh, how she loved those theater openings. in the driver’s seat. Everyone knows that Goldens have a marShe so looked forward to every new seavelous temperament, and Retrievers espeson at the Broward Center cially so, but I wish I for the Performing Arts. And could have explained to if you think I am outspoken Rescue that it was not or opinionated, you should necessary to retrieve have heard mom, because from the backyard and everyone was entitled to her bring up to the bed, opinion. But mom, this collizards and mice. He umn is not about you. Sorspent his days tracking ry, you have been bumped. them down. And he also You see, mom, last week, taught his human a new I lost my dog, and you trick. He would bring know how I love my pets. me a ball, you see, and I You once said to me that would throw it. And then “When I die, I should only Rescue he would bring it to me live long enough to come again. And I would throw back as one of your dogs. it again. And again and They live the life of royalty.” You said I should name my dog Prince or King, because again- until I learned to throw it just the way he wanted. Usually, that would mean getthat is how they lived. Some of you have met my mom. She would ting up off the couch repeatedly, so I would come to the office every Thursday and we retrieve the ball from under a chair where would take her to lunches at the Manor or he hid it. He would test me to see if I could the Floridian. She was at the SFGN anniver- find it. Sometimes, that would be my whole sary party at J Marks. But all of you know my stretching exercise for the day- reaching under a couch to find the ball Rescue would dog Rescue. He was at our office every day. Rescue was born in Mexico, and was an il- push to the most unreachable part. This puppy had an indomitable spirit and legal immigrant. I gave him a home when he was about to be put down for an incurable loving disposition, and was essentially the hip condition. “Gosh,” I thought, “if you put SFGN mascot, coming to the office day afdown a dog for bad hips, I hate to think what ter day as we put the paper together. He they would do to me because of my knees.” got along with everyone, and his job was to So I will have a lame dog, I thought. He can make sure no one left any food in the garbage hold up my cane. Two Thanksgivings ago, I cans that he did not recycle in his stomach. brought Rescue home, and for two years, I Last Friday, we finished an office meeting to had a remarkably affectionate partner who discuss the Holiday schedule, and everyone was inseparable. That is a lot longer than a stepped outside for some fresh air, a cigarette, or a snack. Somehow, Rescue stepped lot of gay relationships. It is not just that Rescue was inseparable; outside and into the path of a car on Dixie he had a hard time separating the fact that I Highway. Just like that, moments after playwas the person and he was the dog. I had a fully bouncing on the couch, he was gone; hard time explaining to him it was my bed taken from us in a sudden, final, traumatic and my pillow, and not his. I would want to instant. Two and a half years old.

It is the first time I have ever lost a pet to an accident like that. All my dogs have lived full lives. I so prided myself in teaching my partners to keep their distance from moving vehicles and passing cars; to chase baseballs instead. In the past month, we discovered Rescue had a rare eye condition as well, which could lead to early blindness. We were treating him around the clock with special meds. I have to think it was worse than we realized; that his vision was terribly impaired at that fateful moment when his life

abruptly came to an end. I have to deal with the fact that I am somehow responsible, not properly watching for my partner. I would like to ask my mom what she thought. I know she would understand, and have an explanation. Heck, I know she would even understand me writing this column about Rescue instead of her. Moms always understand what the rest of the world does not. I miss you, Rescue. Oh, you too Mom! Happy 90th birthday. Happy Thanksgiving.

Letter to the Editor

Barnes & Noble’s Redesigns Store for Worse I was recently in the Barnes & Noble, located at 2501 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. I was totally shocked at what I saw in this store. The store is being redone and on the second floor were rows and rows of Christian books and propaganda, a home schooling section and a row just for bibles. I felt as if I walked into a Christian bookstore. The gay section was completely eliminated and only two shelves were devoted to sexuality. The store is also expanding the children’s’ section at the expanse of traditional book sections. So now the second floor is 50 percent children’s section, 25 percent Christianity and only 25 percent traditional subjects. I asked a cashier who was redesigning this bookstore and was told that it was a corporate decision. Somehow I thought that this was a store management decision. It is hard to believe that a book chain like Barnes & Noble would turn its stores into Christian bookstores. The Human Rights Campaign has given Barnes & Noble the highest rating of ten. I wonder about this evaluation now. Can you please explain why this particular store had changed its format for the worst? If this is a store management decision then please remove this manager. If this is a corporate decision then from now I will do my book buying at Amazon.com. – Paul Guzzardo

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

McNaught’s Notes

I Don’t Mind Giving to Nice People By Brian McNaught

Burns, we insisted she allow us to pamper her with smoothies, good food, and neck massages. She and Joel came to Fort Lauderdale for the Stonewall National Museum’s “Our Stars” exhibition. She received Stonewall’s Heritage Award, as has Frank Kameny, Barbara Gittings, and Barney Frank. Now 68, and fighting a bum knee, she graciously made an effort to meet and show an interest in every person who attended the fundraiser in our home. Afterwards, as a group of us sat in the living room eating ice cream sundaes, Elaine shared stories of her recent work in Albania and elsewhere to create safe spaces for LGBT people. But she also asked everyone else about themselves. Fame and fortune don’t make us worthy of attention. It’s our shared humanity that makes us a candidate for kindness. But it’s never owed, and it should always be greatly appreciated. Brian McNaught was named “the godfather of gay diversity training” by The New York Times. He works with corporate executives globally, is the author of six books, and is featured in seven educational DVDs. He and his spouse Ray Struble divide their year between Ft. Lauderdale and Provincetown. Visit BrianMcNaught.com for more information.

Paul Domenick

here are two sets of cousins who gesture. And they seem to care how you play on our beach in Provinc- feel. Grumpy, self-centered, impolite, and etown each summer. The two ungrateful people are much less fun or easy brothers are very polite, attentive, and to show kindness to. Some Wall Street bankers can be really grateful. Their cousins, a boy and a girl, never say, “Hello,” “Please,” or “Thank you,” fun to be kind to, not because they’ll give even when prodded by their embarrassed you anything but a smile in return, but simply because they’re parents. It’s easy for me nice people. The same is to give popsicles and true of some superstars Fudgesicles to the young in sports, entertainment, brothers, to take them and the fine arts. Not out on the boat, and to all poor people, spiritual have splash fights with people, or liberal Demothem. It’s a lot less easy crats are easy to give for me to do the same for to, especially when they their cousins. I do it so expect to receive somethat they don’t feel left thing from you. And I’ve out, but I don’t enjoy it. even met one or two soThe other day, as I cially conservative Rewas waiting in traffic, publicans, believe it or a young man with the not, who are appreciative Homeless Voice in his of kindness, even from a hands was walking begay man. tween cars with a nerThe group that is vous smile on his face. hardest for me to get my It was apparent from his arms around is LGBT face how uncomfortable Elaine Noble leaders, or people of he was asking for money. “That’s hard work,” I said to him as I means, who feel that they are owed somehanded him a dollar. “It can’t be easy for thing. Their sacrifices, their fame, or their money somehow merits deference, conyou to do.” “Thanks,” he smiled with relief. “Believe stant gratitude, and special attention. It’s really hard for me to be obsequious to rich, me, I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t have to.” Some people, regardless of their age or gay people, or to those with political influcircumstance, are easy and fun to give to. ence, just to get help in an important, comThey stop and pay attention to what is be- munity, non-profit project. And then there are the ones who you ing offered to them. They show pleasure and express gratitude for the gift or kind would never know are rich, famous, or in-

fluential, because of their kindness and thoughtfulness to others. They usually don’t need to be asked. They see the need and they offer help. Elaine Noble is such a person. Though she doesn’t care, she’ll be remembered in our history books as the first openly gay person to be elected to a state legislature, something she did in Massachusetts in 1974. She is the daughter of a Pennsylvania coal miner, and has been courted by a coterie of famous lesbian, gay, and feminist historic personalities such as Harvey Milk, Bella Abzug, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin. But you wouldn’t know it from talking with her. Elaine created the country’s first position of mayoral gay liaison, started “Gay Way,” Boston’s first gay radio program, and represented the U.S. gay community at the first international community gatherings and White House meetings. Elaine ran for the U.S. Senate, started the Pride Institute, an alcohol rehabilitation center for the gay community, and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for lesbian and gay candidates and causes. In addition, she’s a really nice person: polite, kind, appreciative, interested, and gracious. When Elaine was with Ray and me for the weekend, along with Fort Worth City Councilor and all-around nice guy Joel

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“We treat you like part of the family!” November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

WALK-INS EMERGENCIES

The Rare Reporter

Child Sexual Abuse a Concern for Everyone, Especially LGBT Parents

ost people would probably agree there is no resource that a society cherishes more than its children so it is hard to fathom how sexual predators manage with such apparent ease to carry out horrendous, undetected assaults on children practically under the noses of their families and others who are charged with their protection. As horrific as the crime of child sexual abuse is there are no firm estimates of its prevalence because it often goes undetected and underreported, according to agencies that study child abuse. Less than 100,000 crimes of sexual abuse are reported each year because children fear telling anyone, and adults who become aware of the activity are often reluctant to contact law enforcement agencies even though there is usually a legal requirement to do so. With so many LGBT households now raising children, it is obviously vital that all parents be

aware of the tactics used by sexual predators to seduce children without arousing the suspicion of their families and of the symptoms victims of child sexual abuse exhibit. The critical need for sustained intervention into child sexual abuse recently gained national attention following a grand jury’s indictment of retired Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky on 40 counts of child sex abuse involving eight victims over a 15-year period. The victims reportedly came into contact with the now 67-yearold married Sandusky in connection with the Second Mile, a children’s charity the former football coach founded. Although Sandusky denied this week in an NBC interview of engaging in any type of sexual activity with the pre-pubescent boys, he acknowledged showering and “horsing around” with them after exercise. He also admitted hugging young boys and putting his hand on their legs when they sat next to him.

courtesy of the daily beast

By David Webb

His admission shocked viewers and confirmed in many minds what was already suspected Sandusky is most likely a pedophile who has taken advantage of young boys with the unwitting complicity of their families. It is a devastating scandal that will likely rival the one that rocked the Catholic Church a decade ago when it became known that untold numbers of Catholic Church priests sexually abused young boys and violated the trust of their families. If the charges against Sandusky are true the accounts by the victims portray a classic pattern of enticement and betrayal practiced by the former football coach in his pursuit of the young boys. Likewise, the lack of action by those who knew about Sandusky’s alleged criminal activity parallel what often happens when the abuser commands power and respect in a community. Much of the difficulty in combatting child sexual abuse can be attributed to its relative youth in terms of public awareness about the crime. The first studies on the molestation of children began in the 1920s, and the first estimate of the prevalence of the crime was reported in 1948. In 1974 the National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect was founded, and the Child Abuse and Treatment Act was created. Since then awareness about the problem has grown dramatically, and much more is known about deterring the crime and assisting victims of it. Children’s advocates have identified “red flags” to help parents and others protect children from sexual predators. They warn parents to be wary of someone who wants to spend more time with their children than they do, who attempts to be alone with a child, who frequently seeks physical closeness to a child such as hugging or touching, who is overly interested in the sexuality of a child, who seems to prefer the company of children to people their own age, who lacks boundaries, who regularly offers to babysit, who often gives presents or money to children, who

frequently walks in on children in bathrooms or locker rooms, who frequents parks where children gather, who makes inappropriate comments about a child’s appearance or who likes to photograph children. Signs of possible sexual abuse in children include a fear of people, places or activities, reluctance to undress, disturbed sleep, mood swings, excessive crying, fear of being touched, loss of appetite, a drastic change in school performance, bizarre themes in drawing, sexually acting out on other children, advanced sexual knowledge, use of new words for private body parts and a reversion to old behavior such as bedwetting or thumb sucking. Aside from the moral responsibility to protect children and other weaker members of society that all people share, it is essential to intervene in child sexual abuse because of the long-lasting psychological damage it usually causes. The problems can include feelings of worthlessness, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and distorted views of sexuality. Victims of child sexual abuse also are at a higher risk to become sexual predators as adults, making it a crime that begets more crime. The Sandusky scandal will undoubtedly lead to devastating repercussions for Penn State, for the Second Mile charity with which the former football coach is no longer affiliated, and for law enforcement and university officials who became aware of concerns about the former football coach’s activities and failed to act on them. It’s hard to imagine that Sandusky’s future holds anything in store other than a lengthy prison center. But the real tragedy if the allegations are true will be the lasting impact upon the victims. David Webb is a veteran journalist who has covered LGBT issues for the mainstream and alternative media for three decades. E-mail him at davidwaynewebb@yahoo.com.

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Domestic Partnership Benefits Proposed for Feds Under the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2011, a federal employee and same-sex domestic partner, who are not related by blood and are living together in a committed intimate relationship, would be eligible to participate in federal retirement, life insurance, health, workers’ compensation, and Family and Medical Leave benefits to the same extent as married employees and their spouses. Such emCongresswomen Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Tammy Baldwin ployees and their domestic partners would likewise assume the same obligations as those that apply to married By Richard Gary ongresswomen Tammy Baldwin (D- employees and their spouses, such as antiWI) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) nepotism rules and financial disclosure rehave jointly introduced the Domes- quirements. A broad coalition of organizations and fedtic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2011. The bill would put the federal gov- eral employee groups have endorsed the legernment on par with a majority of Fortune islation including 9 to 5; the Family Equality 500 companies by extending employee ben- Council, the Human Rights Campaign, and efit programs to cover the domestic partners the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force of federal employees to the same extent as Action Fund. those benefits cover spouses of federal employees. Similar legislation in the Senate was introduced last week by Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME). “The federal government must set an example as an equal opportunity employer,” said Congresswoman Baldwin. “If we are to treat all federal employees fairly and recruit the best and the brightest to serve in government, we need this legislation.” Nearly 60 percent of Fortune 500 companies now offer health benefits to employees’ domestic partners, up from just 25 percent in 2000. More than 8,000 private-sector companies make such benefits available to employees’ domestic partners, as do the governments of 18 states and at least 150 cities and towns from Juneau, Alaska to Atlanta, Georgia, and from Portland, Maine to Albuquerque, New Mexico. “I am pleased to co-sponsor this legislation because we are a nation that prides itself on treating everyone as equals and this bill assures that we bring those same ideals to the regulations that guide federal benefits for domestic partners of federal employees,” said Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen. “We have taken steps to gain equal rights for all but much remains to be done. Passage of this legislation will be one step in the right direction. I am pleased that the Senate has also introduced a similar bill.”

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

November 23, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com

submitted photo

Scott Thompson Up Close & Personal

Kids in the Hall comedian on gay men being neutered by women and how bullied kids should ‘grow a pair’

Scott Thompson and Kevin McDonald, also of Kids in the Hall

By Chris Azzopardi cott Thompson is still a kid in the hall, but his outlook on life it doesn’t always get better, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy ruined our community and “the world isn’t kind to us” is very much of a grown-up who’s been gay for a while. Thompson, 52, has been out publicly since his career launched in the ’80s with The Kids in the Hall, a sketch comedy show that helped push homosexuality into the mainstream with outrageously funny drag acts and monologues. During our recent chat, Thompson looked back at The Kids in the Hall and how it wouldn’t have existed without AIDS; offered a solution to the bullying problem (“fight back”); and talked about the difference between him and Kathy Griffin – she makes you feel good about yourself, and he doesn’t. Why talk about sex, race and death during this show? What else is there? I like going to the places that make people uncomfortable, because that makes me comfortable. Also, Kevin and I balance each other. He’s much more the yin and I’m the yang. As the show went along, I thought I should focus on these three things because they excite me and make people uncomfortable, and that’s what we want to do. Standup is a great form for that. continued on page 36

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

It’s All About the FOOD! By Chef Marci Boland Organic Catering and Events 954-568-2383

hanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It is all about the FOOD! It celebrates abundance, and giving thanks. Far too often we forget to give thanks to family, friends and the world at large. Gratitude is the attitude that keeps us in balance. The downside is that Thanksgiving and the holidays are hardly known for being the easiest times to lead an environmentally friendly lifestyle. There’s all the travel, the trash, and of course, the mass consumerism, all of which rack up a big carbon footprint. Some Tips to “GREEN” your Thanksgiving Holiday. Stay close to home – Why not skip the headaches and save some carbon by sticking close to home? Make a new tradition with your friends and family that live in your area. Keep it simple and Buy local – Treat yourself to an Organic Turkey –it really does make a difference. Check out your local farmer’s market for fall goodies like squash, greens, potatoes, yams, pumpkins and evergreen herbs like rosemary and sage. Local Farmers markets to make a point to visit: Riverwalk Trust Urban Market/ Marando Farms/ Wilton Manors Green Market. Get extras at the thrift store – If you’re in need of a gravy boat, a vase

for that organic bouquet centerpiece, a few extra glasses or a table runner, check your local thrift and consignment stores. Many of the thrift stores are a fundraising store for worthy non-profit organizations.You can find some real gems in these places. Out of the Closet and Try the newly opened Funky Flamingo 2nds- both are a treasure trove of great things to dress the house. Decorate with natural materials – There’s absolutely no reason to run out to the mall and purchase a bunch of Thanksgiving-themed junk that was made in China and will fall apart by next year. Skip the cheesy seasonal décor and take a cue from nature. I bake a loaf of pumpernickel bread in the bread machine and turn it into a treasure chest by slicing off the top and carving out the middle, filling with real gold and silver painted assorted nuts- Call me if want more directions. Wind a string of lights around some branches in a planter or tall vase.You could also purchase a living plant that can go into the garden next spring, or pick up a bouquet or organic blooms from your local independent florist. # 1 Tip to “GREEN” you Thanksgiving: have your entire meal made for you by Organic Catering and Events- save the time, electricity, waste, and let us cook it for you Happy Thanksgiving!

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup SERVINGS 6 to 8

the leeks and pears. Toss to combine and continue to roast for another 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and browned.

INGREDIENTS 1 large butternut squash (about 3 pounds), peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces 2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil C oarse sea salt or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 3 leeks, white and light green parts only, cleaned and sliced 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces 1/2 cup white wine 1/4 cup brandy 7 cups chicken or vegetable broth (lowsodium if canned) or water 1 large sprig fresh thyme plus additional leaves for garnish 1-inch piece gingerroot, peeled and grated 1/ 4 cup crème fraîche or sour cream, for garnish (optional) 1 tablespoon chopped crystallized ginger, for garnish

3. Remove the thyme sprig and puree the soup either with an hand held blender, or in batches in a blender or food processor. Transfer the soup to a medium mesh sieve set over another pot. Use a rubber spatula to press the solids through the sieve. If the soup seems too thick, thin it with a little water. Season with salt and pepper.

PREPARATION 1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place the squash and carrots in a roasting pan large enough to hold them in one layer (or use 2), and toss with the oil and salt and pepper. Roast for 10 minutes, then add

4. Just before serving, warm the soup over low heat. Serve in warmed bowls, drizzled with crème fraîche or sour cream, if desired, and garnished with the crystallized ginger and a sprinkling of fresh thyme leaves.

2. Remove the pan from the oven and immediately add the wine and brandy, using a wooden spoon to scrape the vegetables and their caramelized juices from the sides and bottom of the pan. Transfer the vegetables and liquid to a large soup pot. Pour in the broth or water, adding additional water if necessary to cover the vegetables by 1 inch. Add the thyme sprig and grated gingerroot and bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 1 hour.

www.OrganicCateringandEvents.com

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Miami Beach Community Health Center presents

THROUGH THE EYES OF

LOVE

In honor of World AIDS Day “Eternal Energy” by Barry Gross

Join Miami Beach Community Health Center as they recognize World AIDS Day with creative expression and heartfelt compassion.

ART EXHIBITION

November 29 - December 3 Tuesday, 6pm - 8pm (Opening Reception) Wednesday - Friday, 7:30am - 7 pm • Saturday, 9am - 3:30pm Miami International University of Art & Design,1501 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami A collection of paintings, sculptures and fashion designs, created by featured presenter Barry Gross and other fine artists, express how HIV/AIDS has affected the lives of so many. (Free admission)

AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT CEREMONY December 1 at 9am

Miami Beach Community Health Center, 710 Alton Road, Miami Beach Pay tribute to those who have lost the battle to AIDS over the years and celebrate life with care providers, friends and family.

www.miamibeachhealth.org • 305-538-8835

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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Everyone's favorite dragapella beautyshop quartet, The Kinsey Sicks, regales audiences with their twisted version of a holiday musical comedy. Contains adult content and language. For tickets & group discounts callBroward Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s AutoNation Box Offce 954.462.0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org

BrowardCenter

Scan to get your tickets now!

Become a VIP and enjoy access to priority seats and privileges while supporting the Broward Center.

All programs, artists, dates and times are subject to change

November 23, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com

By Brian Swinford

Have an event you want to list? If so send me an email at Calendar@sfgn.com.

*denotes new listing

Theatre Broward County Lombardi

This is the story of legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi and his wife Marie. The play takes place mostly in November of 1965, when a young journalist from New York City, Michael McCormick, comes to live with the Lombardi family in order to write a story. Takes place at Mosaic Theatre at the American Heritage Center for the Arts on Nov 10-Dec 4. Visit Mosaictheatre.com

Beauty and the Beast

The most beautiful love story ever told comes to life at the Broward Center on Nov 15-27. Based on the Academy Award winning animation feature film, this eye popping spectacle has won the hearts of over 25 million people worldwide. Visit BrowardCenter.org

Miami

This morality play about the cost of lying and the price of truth telling, examines a troubled family and a father who placed duty to his family above the lives of others, and now must face the consequences. This play is showing at The Palm Beach DramaWorks Clematis Theater Nov. 12 through Dec. 11. Visit PalmBeachDramaWorks.org

Come to the Gable Stage at the Biltmore Hotel on Nov 5- Dec 4 and see this stunning two-man play, which won the 2010 Best Play Tony, examines the nature of art and creativity, illustrated by the ramblings of abstract expressionist artist Mark Rothko as he works with a young apprentice. Rothko is working feverishly in his studio on the Bowery to complete the biggest commission in the history of modern art. Visit Gablestage.org

All My Sons by Arthur Miller

*The Effect of Gamma Rays on Manin-the-Moon Marigolds

The Palm Beach Dramaworks will showing The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds. A rarely revived cult play from 1970, Paul Zindel’s Pulitzer Prizewinning drama depicts a mentally unbalanced woman’s effect on her two teenage daughters, and one girl’s struggle to keep her dreams alive. Will star Laura Turnbull and her real-life daughter, Ariel Hoffman. Visit Palmbeachdramaworks.org

The Pembroke Pines Theatre of the Performing Arts will be showing The Secret Garden on Oct. 28-Nov. 27. This is a moving musical with a soaring based on the classic children’s book. For more information visit Pptopa.com

Judy Gold

The Coral Springs Center for the Arts is proud to welcome back comedienne Judy Gold, for one night only, December 3rd at 8:00pm. Judy Gold gets around. It’s pretty hard to miss Judy these days. She’s the saucy, gregarious host of HBO’s “At the Multiplex with Judy Gold” and is a regular fixture on Comedy Central’s “Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn” and “Hollywood Squares.”

Guys and Dolls

In a dead heat with Gypsy for the title of best musical ever written, this classic is based on Damon Runyon’s short stories about Broadway gamblers, nightclub singers and Salvation Army babes funneled through a brilliant score by Frank Loesser and book by Abe Burrows. Takes place Oct. 28-Dec 4 at Broward Stage Door Theatre. Visit Stagedoortheatre.com

*A Christmas Carol

On Dec. 9 to 11 feel the Christmas spirit at the Broward Center for Performing Arts with the play A Christmas Carol. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts and the Performance Project production depicts the antics of Scrooge as he rediscovers the joy of Christmas Day combined with music, dance and special effects accompanying the arrivals of ghosts. Visit Browardcenter.org

*Miracle on 34th Street

On Dec. 17 The Broward Center for Performing Arts will be playing Miracle on 34th Street. In a story faithful to the film, Kris Kringle, aka Santa Claus, goes on trial, Macy’s becomes the friendly store to shop, two lost souls find each other and a little girl discovers her childhood through her belief in miracles. Visit Browardcenter.org

*Cirque Dreams Holidaze

From Dec. 27 to Jan. 1 come to the Broward Center for Performing Arts for Cirque Dreams Holidaze. Created and directed by local resident Neil Goldberg, Cirque Dreams Holidaze is an original new musical extravaganza filled with spectacle, imagination and whimsical dreams. Visit Browardcenter.org

*The Motherf**ker With The Hat

From Jan. 7-25 come to the Gable Stage at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables and see The Motherf**ker with the Hat. Was there ever any doubt that GableStage would be the first to stage last season’s Broadway drama about a former drug-dealing addict trying to kick his habit despite the “help” of friends and a troubled sponsor? Visit Gablestage.org

*Shrek the Musical

Between Dec .6-11 come to the Adrienne Arsht Center and see the hilarious play Shrek the Musical. Based on the first of three animated films, the show had a respectable run on Broadway with its satiric fairy tale about the titular monster, a gorgeous princess and a smart-aleck donkey all learning that you shouldn’t judge a boogeyman by the chartreuse color of his skin. arshtcenter.org

Get ready for a holiday treat Dec. 7 through Jan. 1 at the Actors Playhouse. Move over Scrooge, it’s time for Jacob Marley to tell his story! Join Marley and his heroic behind-the-scenes effort to save old Scrooge’s soul - and in the process save his own, in this delightful gem of a show. Visit Actorsplayhouse.org

Lobby Hero

From Nov. 10-27 come to the Alliance Theatre Lab at Main Street Playhouse and watch this critically acclaimed play that tells the story of Jeff, a luckless young security guard trying to get his life together after being thrown out of the navy. Visit Thealliancetheatrelab.com

Wally Cardona: Tool Is Loot

On Jan. 21 come to the Colony Theatre watch this play where each choreographer solicited weeklong encounters with nondance experts, treating their artistic positions to the constant reassessment, opinions and desires of an “outsider”, creating a new work with each expert. 8:30 p.m. Visit Tigertail.org

continued on page 27

By J.W. Arnold Artists Fight HIV/AIDS

Mean Girls Rule

Since the earliest days of the AIDS epidemic, the arts community has brought voice to the horror and dismay felt by the LGBT community. On World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, local artists and organization will observe another anniversary with a variety of events: HIV/AIDS is certainly no laughing matter, but comedian Margaret Cho will be in Fort Lauderdale to raise awareness and critical funding for Broward House, a non-profit service organization based in Fort Lauderdale. The outrageous and provocative Cho, a longtime advocate for the LGBT community, will perform one show at the Parker Playhouse on Dec. 1 following the community World AIDS Day observance at the Shoppes of Wilton Manors parking lot. Tickets are still available for $30 at BrowardCenter.org. In Miami-Dade County, Miami Beach Community Health Center presents “Through the Eyes of Love,” a juried exhibition featuring nationally recognized artist Barry Gross, Wednesday, Nov. 30 through Saturday Dec. 3. In addition to works by Gross, who recently opened a gallery in Fort Lauderdale, the exhibition will include a wide variety of mediums, including paintings, photographs

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

DEREK NICOLETTO

On December 1, 2011, the fiercely blunt and provocative Margaret Cho will showcase her non-conformist brand of humor at the Broward Center’s Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale. Broward House is presenting the comedy Diva as part of their World AIDS Day commemoration. Tickets start at only $30 and are available at BrowardCenter.org/ margaretcho

Red

STAGE DOOR: HIGHLIGHTING THE ARTS

The Secret Garden

Comedian Margaret Cho

Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol

Palm Beach

If you loved cult films like Heathers, Mean Girls and Bring It On, then you’re going to love Death for Sydney Black, the all-girl play by Leah Nanako Winkler in its world premiere run at Fort Lauderdale’s Empire Stage. Produced by Nicole Stodard’s Thinking Cap Theatre, Death for Sydney Black is a dark comedy that includes cross-gender casting, singing, dancing, lesbian themes and even live ukelele music! The production closes Nov. 27, so don’t miss the last performances. The playwright will be in attendance for Saturday’s show for an audience talkback. Tickets and more information are available at ThinkingCapTheatre.com.

Oy, vey! They’re back! The irreverent girls of the dragapella singing group are back in Fort Lauderdale next weekend as part of the Margaret Cho at the Parker Playhouse Broward Center’s Pride Series. Nothing’s sacred when they and fashion by several local artists. take the stage—especially the Christmas The exhibition, along with panels from story—for their unique holiday show, Oy the AIDS Memorial Quilt, will be on display Vey in a Manger. The crazy quartet will at Miami International University of Art perform two shows on Saturday, Dec. 3. and Design, 1501 Biscayne Blvd., and is For tickets or more information, go to free. For more information, go to MiamiBrowardCenter.org. BeachHealth.org.

November 23, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com

To Submit Listings Email: Brian at Calendar@sfgn.com Fax: 954-530-7943. Please include a brief description, address, phone number, date, time and cost.

Key West

August: Osage County

In Key West at the Waterfront Playhouse on Dec 20, it’s August in Oklahoma. A father is missing, a mother is in the grip of addiction, a marriage is unraveling and lies are being exposed. This raucous dark comedy transforms one family gathering into an evening filled with sex, secrets, and really inappropriate behavior. One of the most lauded plays of the decade, August: Osage County is a can’t-miss hilarious and stinging look at the American family. Visit WaterfrontPlayhouse.org

Dead Man’s Cell Phone

In a quiet cafe a cell phone rings. And rings. The stranger at the next table has had enough. She confronts the owner of the cell phone, but, well...he’s dead. She begins to answer his calls and suddenly finds herself enmeshed in his life and family. Unfortunately, the dead guy has quite a number of shady loose ends. This plays opening night is Feb 2 at The Waterfront Playhouse at 8pm. Visit Waterfrontplayhouse.org

Community Calendar Broward

Celebration of Life Service Seminar

Preplanning your Burial or Cremation Celebration of Life Service Seminar will be at the Church of the Holy Spirit Song, (2040 N. Dixie Hwy (Equality Park) Tuesday, November 29 at 6:00 PM. A light dinner will be provided. In this brief seminar you will learn about your many options and the benefits of prearranging your service your way. This is sponsored by American Burial & Cremation Center @ Jennings Funeral Home. RSVP is a must - 954-731-4321.

Greif Support Group

SE Florida Chamber Expo

On Jan 28-29 come to the War Memorial Auditorium and see what your local businesses have to showcase. Come and see your local community’s businesses products and services. Free Admission. From 10am-6pm. For more information please call Gino Alessio 561-245-8985. *A Toy’s Story: A Night For Giving Wednesday, Dec. 14, Marc Silverstone Presents A Toy’s Story: A Night For Giving With special performances and appearances. Benefiting SunServe, Broward House, Kids in Distress and other local charities. Admission: $10 pre-sale tickets + an unwrapped toy. This event will be taking place at The Manor Complex. For more Information Visit Anightforgiving.com

Safe “T”

Safe “T” is a new support group for gender variant adults 18 plus that meets Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Sunserve’s Wilton Manors location at 2123 Wilton Drive, second floor. This is a “drop-in” psycho-educational support group. No registration required, free- however donations are welcome. Call 954-764-5150.

*Yoga With Bill

This Event will take place every Saturday morning at 8 a.m. just north of Sunrise on A1A, at the tunnel entrance from Birch State park. It is open to all levels of practice and I ask for a $5.00 donation. The only equipment that is needed is a bed sheet to practice on. Yoga mats don’t work on the sand. There is also a full moon yoga on the beach the first Friday of the full moon each month at 6:30 on the beach in front of La Hermitage. For more information call Bill Rodowsky at 954.803.2716

Via Luna Italian Sunday Brunch

Sundays, Noon to 3 p.m. Savor the most spectacular oceanfront Sunday Brunch in Fort Lauderdale. A mouthwatering selection of breakfast favorites, gourmet delicacies, grilled-to-order dishes, fresh seafood, pasta and meatball buffet, imported cheeses, charcuteries, carved meats, lavish desserts free flowing Mimosas and Bloody Marys- all with an Italian twist- await at a spectacular Sunday Brunch with personalized Ritz-Carlton service. Visit Ritzcarlton.com

Greif Support Group led by Heartland Hospice meets every 3rd Tuesday at American Burial & Cremation Center @ Jennings Funeral Home 1801 E. Oakland Park Blvd. from 2-4 pm. Call 954-731-4321. If you need support in your time of loss they invite you to attend.

Light-Up Lauderdale

Eating Disorder Support group

The All New Broward County Fair

An Eating Disorder Support group is starting Nov. 4. This group will meet Friday evenings from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. At Sun Serve’s Wilton Manors location at 2123 Wilton Drive, second floor. This is a “drop-in” psycho-educational support group. No registration required, free- however donations are welcome. Call 954-764-5150 for more information

*Out for Equality

On Nov. 30, GetEQUAL will host “Out for Equality.” The event will be held Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m., at Miami Dade College’s Kendall Campus in room K143. Visit Outforequality.tumblr.com

*Ribbons For the Children

Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center requests the pleasure of your company at the 6th Annual Ribbons for the Children art exhibition and benefit auction benefiting the children’s diagnostic & Treatment Center to support children and families with HIV/AIDS. This event will be taking place Fri. Dec 2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale. Visit Childrensdiagnostic.org

*Pancakes by The Pool - Fundraiser for Naked Cabana Boys Softball Team

On Dec. 10 come help the Naked Cabana Boys Softball Team. “Sponsored by The Depot Cabana Bar & Shawn & Nick’s Courtyard Cafe Triple Play Meal: Pancakes, Eggs, Sausage or Ham, Bloody Mary or Mimosa $10 Advance Purchase Three Seatings - 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Purchase tickets from any of the Naked Cabana Boys Team Players. Visit Fortlauderdale.gaycities.com

*10th Annual Inlet Challenge Bicycle Ride

Kids In Distress hosts its 10th annual KID Inlet Challenge Bicycle Ride on Dec. 4, an at-your-own- pace outdoor scenic ride along A1A from Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach. Cyclists choose from Century (100 miles), Metric Century (62.5 miles), Half Metric (31 miles) or Beach Cruiser (15 miles) rides. Riders can register individually or as a team of four or more. Additional benefits apply to teams of 10 or more. Visit Inletchallenge.org

Light Up Lauderdale is a holiday centric promenade of lights in Riverwalk Park. This event connects the cultural, historical and business districts along New River. November to January 2012. Visit www.goriverwalk.com The All New Broward County Fair is scheduled for Nov. 17-27 in Pembroke Pines. Celebrating 36 years. See the Winterfest Fantasy Boat Student Art. Visit BrowardFair.org

Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade Get ready to catch your share of peppermints and candy canes at South Florida’s premier holiday celebration, the 56th Annual Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade. An estimated 40,000 people will line the Broadwalk. Takes place Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. Call 954-921-3404

Bereavement Support Group

Bereavement Support Group is a support group led by a Hospice of SE FL social worker to assist those who have lost a loved one in the grieving process. Light refreshments will be served. This group will meet beginning October 18 from 2-4 and every 3rd Tuesday of the month at American Burial and Cremation Ctr. @ Jennings Funeral Home 1801 E. Oakland Park Blvd. Call for reservation 954-731-4321.

Gay Men’s HIV+ Long Time Survivors’ Group This is a support group that gives men who have been HIV+ for a long time (5 yrs +) the opportunity to give and receive support around topics of interest and issues for concern that are raised by the members. This group meets on 1st and 3rd Thursday at Sunserve 2312 Wilton Drive from 6:30 – 8 p.m. There is no cost, but donations are welcome.

Gay Male Empowerment Group

Topic discussions include issues and concerns about being a gay man in South Florida. Meets on Thursdays at the Pride Center from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Call 954-353-9155 or e-mail info@sunserve.org.

PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)

Meets on the 2nd and 4th Tues. of the month at the Sunshine Cathedral at 1480 SW 9th Avenue to support the parents of LGBTQ youth in Broward. No charge. Visit Community.pflag.org/pflagfortlauderdale for more information.

continued on page 28

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

To Submit Listings Email: Brian at Calendar@sfgn.com Fax: 954-530-7943. Please include a brief description, address, phone number, date, time and cost. SunServe Therapy Groups

Provided for the LGBT community at SunServe on a regular basis. Groups require an intake interview. Call the Intake Coordinator at 954-764-5150 to learn which therapy groups have openings. Visit SunServe.org

Fusion Wilton Manors - Connections

Gay men’s group discussion. Different subject every week. Dr. David Fawcett, a gay therapist, who has been in private practice in Fort Lauderdale for the last ten years, leads the event. No charge with no commitment to attend every week. Starts at 7 p.m. Call Fusion Monday-Friday at 954-630-1655.

Women4Women Personal Growth Support Group

This is a safe and loving place to explore all the concerns and topics raised by group members. This open drop-in meeting is held Wednesdays at 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the New Sun Serve Building at 2312 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Call 954-764-5150

Palm Beach Beach Bon Fire

The city of Lake Worth invites everyone to come out and enjoy the beach bon-fires with a different dress up theme each night. Bonfire Dates: November 11th (Hawaiian) & 25th ( Thanksgiving ), December 9th (Winter) & 23th (Crazy Holliday shirt ), January 13th (New Year) & 27th (Favorite Movie), February 10th (Pirate) & 24th ( 70’s Night ). Visit Lakeworth.org

Buzz Bake Sale 16

The Buzz Bake Sale is back and better than ever on Dec 3. Sixteen years and still going strong with more bands, more music and much more for your money. The Buzz Bake Sale is a South Florida Tradition, taking over West Palm’s Cruzan Amphitheatre and kicking the holiday season into high gear with a whole day full of live Rock. Visit Buzz103.com

*Tuscan Wine Dinner at Morton’s

Morton’s The Steakhouse in West Palm Beach will be hosting a four-course dinner with special guests Bob and Gudrun Cuillo, the owners of Livernano and Casalvento Wineries. The evening will feature Livernano & Casalvento Wineries’ Tuscan wines paired with Morton’s signature dishes. Enjoy this wonderful event on Fri. Dec 2 at 630pm. Mortons.com/ palmbeach/specialevents.

3rd Annual Town of Palm Beach United Way 5k Turkey Trot

The “Islanders” of the Town of Palm Beach United Way invite you to join them on Thursday, November 24, 2011 for the 3RD ANNUAL TOWN OF PALM BEACH UNITED WAY 5K TURKEY TROT! Kick-off the holiday by touring the beautiful island of Palm Beach with your family, friends and neighbors. Visit Palmbeachunitedway.org/turkeytrot

*Cocktails for Compass

Cocktails for Compass is the largest fundraiser which recognizes Compass’ top donors and supporters while highlighting the successes of the year’s achievements and programs. 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit Compass. This year’s event is Dec. 18 at Club Colette, Palm Beach. Visit Events@ compassglcc.com

Yoga On The Waterfront

Lake Pavilion at 101 S. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL / Yoga On The Waterfront in downtown West Palm Beach on Wednesday Evenings at 5:45 PM. Residents $40 per 8 week session, Non-Residents $50 per 8 week session, Drop-ins $10 per class. To register, please call 561-804-4902.

YOGA Among the Orchids

It’s time for Yoga Among the Orchids at the American Orchid Society, 16700 AOS Lane, Delray Beach. Relax and replenish the flower inside with an hour of breathing exercises, toning, and yoga poses under a canopy of lush orchids. This is orchid headquarters so pick up a few pointers from the pros in between sun salutations. Classes are Wed. at 9 a.m. Cost is $20 and RSVP is suggested. Call 561-404-2011. Visit OrchidWeb.org

Jazz on the Palm

Jazz on the Palm - Downtown West Palm Beach Waterfront - Gather with friends and family to enjoy the diverse vibrant sounds of jazz under the stars every 3rd Friday of month at the new Downtown West Palm Beach waterfront concert series. Free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Visit Wpbgo. com/2010/06/jazz-on-the-palm

BrothasSpeak

This group is a black gay men’s discussion group that is held at the Compass in West Palm Beach. Every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. this group will be directed toward issues for and about black men. Visit Compassglcc.com

Christmas on Las Olas, Tuesday, Nov. 29 By Brian Swinford

hristmas on Las Olas is part of the Winter-fest celebrations. It’s a very popular one-night event and a real treat for families and anyone

living in the area. Las Olas is the most elegant shopping street in Fort Lauderdale that dresses up for the holidays and celebrates Christmas with a much anticipated end-of-the-year street party. The boulevard is closed to traffic so people can walk up and down without having to worry about watching out for cars. People have a wonderful energy as they walk, talk, laugh and spend a good time outside with friends and family. The shops are open late and restaurants and bars are filled up. People mix and mingle in street listening to school choirs sing holiday tunes and live bands and performers play on stages This event is sure to bring the holiday spirit to all. Between Southeast 6th Avenue and Southeast 10th Avenue. Around 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

To Submit Listings Email: Brian at Calendar@sfgn.com Fax: 954-530-7943. Please include a brief description, address, phone number, date, time and cost. Sunday on the Waterfront

Sunday on the Waterfront is a free concert series, which takes place the third Sunday of most months in the beautiful downtown West Palm Beach Waterfront area. Bring blankets, chairs, and coolers or purchase treats at the concert. Free parking in all city lots and at city meters. 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. May through October. Visit OnTheWaterFront.com

*Miami Launch by FIAT

Join dot429 and FIAT 500 for the inaugural event in Miami at Area 31 in The Epic Hotel. They’ll be kicking off Art Basel with their signature 429INSPIRED series. Visit Dot429.com

80’s Baby

Paths is a social/discussion group held at Compass in Lake Worth. This men’s group takes place every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Paths men’s group will be discussing relationships, coming –out, safer sex issues and more. Visit Compassglcc.com

Come to Badrutts Place every Tuesday and re-visit the days of bad fashion-sense and egos bigger than baggy pants. Happy hour is on Tuesday nights. European tradition and cuisine, with an 80’s twist, meet for a night that’s a bit more tasteful than acid-washed jeans. DJ Lenym plays 80’s favorites and there’s half off drinks from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Ladies drink complimentary cosmos until 10 p.m. Visit Badrutts-place.com

Yoga

*Miami International Art Fair

Paths

Yoga with Deborah will change your life. Bring a mat and get ready to stretch the stress away every Tuesday at The GLCC in Palm Beach from 6 to 7 p.m. This yoga experience will uplift and transform your life. $6 Entry Fee. You must bring your own mat. Visit Compassglcc.com

Living Buddhism

MIA features contemporary, cutting-edge art of all media including photography, painting, mixed-media, sculpture, installation and video. The fair is unique in the unparalleled support it provides to the local arts community. This year MIA will be held aboard SeaFair. The opening night is Jan. 12, 2012. Visit Mia-artfair.com

On the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. Compass in Lake Worth will be holding a discussion group for overcoming obstacles and obtaining happiness. This group is great for getting internal enlightenment. Release your inner stress, and become free. Visit Compassglcc.com These meetings take place at Compass, and geared toward recovering alcoholics. Every Tues. and Thurs. at 7 p.m. and on Sat. at 6 p.m. These meetings will help recovering alcoholics cope with the stress of everyday life without the use of alcohol.

Miami

Swan Song

On November 28 at 11pm-5am will be the last chance to see all the people you met at The White Party. Swan Song sets the stage as the longest-running favorite party of locals and tourists alike at this legendary multi-room indoor and outdoor entertainment complex, with a sweet spot for everyone. Twist Nightclub is the only place to go for the final send off and thank you from Care Resource and the 27th Annual White Party Week. No cover. For more information visit Whiteparty.org

AmoryRoss

Good Orderly AA

*US Sailing’s 2011 Rolex Miami OCR

This event will take place Jan 22-28 and isbeing held at the US Sailing Center in Miami a mainstay on the winter circuit for sailors who are campaigning for the next Olympic and Paralympic Games. The event is part of the ISAF Sailing World Cup, a world-class annual series for Olympic sailing. Visit Rmocr.ussailing.org

continued on page 30

World AIDS Day 2011

munity on Dec 1 for this wonderful evening in Wilton Manors. In Palm Beach County Compass is holding several events in honor of World AIDS Day. Here’s a list: By Brian Swinford Tuesday, Nov. 29: Showing of orld AIDS the film The Ryan White Story. Day is Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 10 the naa.m. to 8 p.m.: Largest section of the tional day when the AIDS Memorial Quilt Display in south world pauses to reFlorida will be open for the public to view member those lost this day through Saturday evening. A Wellto this terrible ness Empowerment Series luncheon will disease and for a look be hosted in the Bistro Cafe. toward the future. This year is the Thursday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.: Opening 30th Anniversary of the disease. There Quilt Ceremonies including candle light vigil, are events happening all over South new panel induction ceremony, calling of the Florida, including the 4th Annual World names and Voices of Pride performance. AIDS Day Candlelight Walk 2011 in WilFriday, Dec. 2: HOPE Youth Program ton Manors. This event is to remember all youth and mentors will discuss and share the friends and family that we have lost their thoughts on The Ryan White Story. to HIV/AIDS and a Rally to look toward Saturday, Dec. 3: Compass opens the future. Leading this year’s candlelight at 3 p.m. and an interfaith service and walk which begins at Hagan Park will closing ceremonies will take place from 5 be Margret Cho, the hilarious stand-up p.m. to 7 p.m. comedian. Come join the whole com-

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

South Florida Symphony Orchestra Launches New Season By Donald Cavanaugh

“O

recorded with many orchestras around the country. In 2002 she became the first American of Cuban ancestry to conduct and hold a permanent guest conducting position with Cuba’s premier orchestra. The orchestra had an aggressive schedule last year also but after a successful concert in October, they were forced to cancel the rest of the season for lack of funds. “That’s really behind us,” Lorber said. “There were a number things at play that forced us to cancel but we’ve been able to regroup and are looking forward to a successful season.” According to Lorber several of their supporters in Key West thought they were losing the orchestra and withdrew their support. At the same time, new board members from the other counties were unclear about their duties as fundraisers so anticipated funds did not materialize. “It was very unfortunate,” said Lorber, “but we have pulled through and are positioned for growth and stability.” “We have a new board,” she added. “We’ve received funding from the Community Foundation of Broward to train the board members to know what they have to do and how to do it. We have several new corporate sponsors who do business in all four counties.” According to Lorber several of their approximately 200 musicians helped raise funds over the summer and ticket sales are already doing well with their ad blitz just about to start. Lorber noted that the orchestra has received $25,000 toward a $100,000 fall campaign and has received cash, pledges and in-kind advertising in excess of $150,000 in a newly formed legacy group, The Stradivarius Society, for long term commitments. This writer has not yet heard the South Florida Symphony Orchestra perform but past reviews of earlier performances have been extremely positive. The hope is that they can continue on the path of financial health so Palm Beach County can lay claim to a piece of a symphony orchestra.

bviously we’re not a gay orchestra,” said Jacqueline Lorber, CEO of the South Florida Symphony Orchestra. “Some of us are gay but we are first and foremost a symphony orchestra dedicated to providing quality music for our audiences.” “What’s more important,” she continued. “Is the fact that our gay audience members feel welcome and comfortable at our performances, something that isn’t always true when they attend other professional musical programs – particularly for couples.” In their 14th performance season, the orchestra has an aggressive schedule planned for their Master Concert Series starting Dec. 1 at the Tennessee Williams Theater in Key West; followed on Dec. 2 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. On Dec. 4 they will be at the Crest Theatre at Old School Square in Delray Beach; and finally at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center on Dec. 6. Similar schedules are planned for the last week in Jan 2012 and again for the second week in March. “We’re the only symphony orchestra that performs in all four South Florida counties,” said Maestra Sebrina Maria Alfonso. “We bring professional musicians in from all over the country to rehearse and perform in a short period of time but it works because all our musicians are active performers.” The themes for the three December schedules are “Spice of Life,” “Fire and Ice,” and “Masters of their Universe,” featuring respectively the Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4 (Italian), Beethoven Symphony No. 3 (Eroica), and the premier performance of American composer Ellen Taafe Zwilich’s Symphony No. 5. “Zwilich has won many awards and is considered one of the outstanding composers of our day,” said Alfonso, herself an award-winning conductor. “Her music is accessible and recognizable. You will want to hear this concert.” A Key West native and graduate of the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, MD, Alfonso has been conducting since 1994 when she made her debut with the American Symphony Orchestra at Avery Fisher Hall. Visit SouthFloridaSymphony.org for more Since then she has conducted and information.

To Submit Listings Email: Brian at Calendar@sfgn.com Fax: 954-530-7943. Please include a brief description, address, phone number, date, time and cost. *Homestead Championship Rodeo

This exciting event will take place Jan. 27-29 at the Doc Demily Rodeo Arena in Miami. This seven-event rodeo includes bull riding, saddle-bronc riding, bareback-bronc riding, calf roping, team roping, steer wrestling, and women’s barrel racing. The fun also includes cowboy poetry performances, a parade, live music and dancing. Visit Homesteadrodeo.com

Key West

Key West ‘Bight’ Before Christmas Holiday Celebration

On Nov24-Dec31 come get you’re jiggy on with great live holiday music, games for the kids, free cookies and eggnog, holiday cheer and a chance for photos with Santa highlight this event. Created as a gift to the community, the gala is produced by the Key West Bight Preservation Association and tenants of the Key West Bight. For more information call: Tom Stroh 305-304-2633

Key West Triathlon (TRIKW)

The second annual Olympic Distance and Sprint Triathlon event returns to Key West! A full-day Expo from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. is planned for Dec. 2 at the Casa Marina Resort; race is scheduled Saturday morning, Dec. 3. Limited to 1,200 participants. Visit web site for details and registration. For more information call: 305-294-0693

Keys Chorale 2011 Holiday Concert

On Dec 9, come see The Keys Chorale at Florida Keys Community College, under the direction of Dean Walters, presents its annual holiday concert featuring seasonal favorites from around the world. Highlights include a featured selection of “Gloria” by Antonio Vivaldi, accompanied by a small instrumental ensemble. Tickets for Friday night are $30 for reserved seating and $20 for general admission. Staged at the Tennessee Williams Theatre. For more information call 305-296-1520

Pirates in Paradise 2011

nightlife Broward 321-Slammer

Bathhouse. 321 W Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33311. Slammer sex club the best place to cruise for the hottest gay men. Thursday’s is leather night, fri-sat night live dj’s. Monday & tuesday -- $9 entry fee

Atomic Boom

2232 Wilton Drive ,Wilton Manors, FL 33305, (954) 630-3556 Best Sound & Light Show in Broward County. Mondays Porn Bingo with Desiree Dubois. $3 Margaritas, $1 Draft

Bill’s Filling Station

2209 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, (954) 5675978. Large Bar/ Nightclub, Amazing. Drink Specials in Wilton Manors. Wednesday’s After 9pm $10 Miller Lite Beer Bust

Boardwalk

1721 North Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311. (954) 463-6969. A Cute Little Hangout in Fort Lauderdale Pool-Room/Game Room on One Side and a Bar-Strip Club on the other. Mondays $3 Well & Dom, after 9pm $3 U-Call-It Shots

The Club Fort Lauderdale

Bathhouse. 110 Northwest 5th Avenue,Fort Lauderdale, FL ,(954) 525-3344 Good. Clean. Fun. 1/2 price rooms... Tuesday Nights and 1/2 price Lockers. Thursdays Nights. Always busy.

Clubhouse II

Bathhouse. 2650 E. Oakland Park Blvd , Fort Lauderdale, Florida (954) 566-6750. A Private Club for Bi/Gay men. Bear and Cub Thursday $4 Off For Bear & Cub. Tuesday Leather Night - $4. off wear any type of leather.

Scheduled Nov. 24 – Dec. 4, The Pirates in Paradise Festival celebrates the glorious days of sail & seafaring adventure and offers tall ship pirate sails, pirate encampments, music, storytelling, re-enactments, literary activities and live theater. Featuring 11 days of swashbuckling fun, over 30+ special events are scheduled at the Truman Waterfront alone! The Festival’s Pirate Village features lots of pirate booty, vintage vittles and grog, as well as wares from some of America’s finest period artists and crafters... including exquisite handcrafted leatherwork, jewelry, pottery, glass, fibers, photography, and paintings. Outdoor stages feature non-stop entertainment and swashbuckling swordplay by national performance troupes. Visit Piratesinparadise.com

Corner Pub Bar

Schooner Wharf Bar 21st Annual Lighted Boat Parade

2935 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 5377076. Voted the “Friendliest” Gay Bar in Fort Lauderdale. Monday’s $1.99 Drinks and $.50 Wings Open to Close

On Dec 10th enjoy lighted and decorated vessels from rowboats to tall ships proceed around Key West’s Historic Seaport and harbor areas. before the boat parade, at 6 p.m., the Gerald Adams Elementary School Steel Your Heart Band will welcome spectators with songs of the season. Holiday revelers can watch and applaud from bars, restaurants and resorts in and around the Historic Seaport. For more Information call 305-292-3302

1915 North Andrews Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33311, (954) 564-7335. Redefining What a Bar Should Be. Thursday’s Margarita. Madness $4, Monday’s Underwear Night. 2 for 1 until 9:30 p.m.

Cubby Hole

823 North Federal Highway ,Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 728-9001. The Cubby Hole is one of Fort Lauderdale’s Most Unique and Popular Neighborhood Bar for Men. Underwear Wednesday’s. Boxers n’ Briefs get 2 for 1 on Drinks 9 p.m. till Close

The Depot Cabana Bar and Grill

Georgie’s Alibi

2266 Wilton Drive ,Wilton Manors, FL 33305 ,(954) 565-2526. Fort Lauderdale’s Best & Longest Happy Hour. Wednesdays $2 Domestics & $1 Schnapps after 9 p.m. Wednesdays

Johnny’s

1116 West Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, (954) 522-5931. Monday Dragon with TP Lords, Daisy D. and DJ Rob Sky. No cover, drags/trans drink free 10 p.m. to midnight . Everyone else gets $3 drinks all night!. Finally something fun to do on Monday 18+. FRIDAY NOV 25 FT LAUDERDALE: RIHANNA “Talk That Talk” Album Release Event. Celebrating the hit single “WE FOUND LOVE” with Calvin Harris. Free Giveaways. DJ TPROMIX

52nd Annual Key West House & Garden Tours

Come tour a series of elegant and a unique part of Key West on Dec 27-28 decorticated for the holidays! Proceeds help benefit the old Island Restoration Foundation. Presented by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, this house and garden tour offers a rare opportunity to see inside some of Key West’s magnificent, charming and tropical residences. For more information call 305-294-9501 or via email tickets@oirf.org

Florida Keys New Year’s Eve Celebrations

The Southernmost City celebrates with a conch shell drop at Sloppy Joes Bar, 201 Duval St.; a descending 6-foot red high heel shoe carrying drag queen Sushi at the Bourbon Street Pub/New Orleans House complex, 724 Duval St.; and a pirate wench descending from a tall ship mast in the island city’s Historic Seaport. For more Information call: (305) 296-2388, (305) 293-9800

The Manor

2345 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (954) 626 0082 Come Dine, Dance, Drink, Mingle and of course Relax. 2-4-1 Happy Hour Tues-Friday 3-9pm. Indoor/Outdoor Dining. Dance the night away Thursday - Sunday. Live Music Weds, Fri, Sat, Sun - Visit themanorcomplex.com FOR MORE DETAILS.

Matty’s on the Drive

2426 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (954) 564-1799. Matty’s is one of the few bars in Wilton Manors that’s just that –a bar. Wild Wednesday’s $.75 Drinks, 13 Drinks for less than $10. 5 p.m.

AFTER DARK

By J.W. Arnold Giving Thanks

hat are you thankful for this Thanksgiving Day weekend? We’re thankful that South Florida has such a vibrant and diverse scene, with literally something for everyone. If you don’t believe us, just take a look at some of the exciting events in store for the long holiday weekend. Whether you’re visiting for the legendary White Party or just hanging out with friends in one of the many neighborhood bars, there’s plenty going on. Here’s a look at some of the highlights for the upcoming weekend: Wednesday, Nov. 23 ick off your holiday early at Score, 727 Lincoln Rd. in Miami Beach. The irrepressible Lady Bunny will be making a special appearance in the DJ booth, providing a perfect opportunity to burn off a few calories before Thursday’s foodfest. Just down the street, MOVA marks the start of the White Party Week with White Heat. Local favorite Daisy D. will be spinning and Finlandia vodka cocktails are $4 all night long. MOVA is located just off Lincoln Rd. at 1625 Michigan Ave. in Miami Beach.

Thursday, Nov. 24 on’t have anywhere to go for Turkey Day? Head over to the Alibi, in the Shoppes of Wilton Manors, for the annual orphans Thanksgiving buffet at 5 p.m. Enjoy the Alibi’s award-winning cuisine with all the hunky softball players in town for the Hurricane Showdown. Lots of local bars celebrate Turnabout, with the staff offering some gender-bending fun for the customers. Tonight’s that memorable night at The Stable, 205 E. Oakland Park Blvd. in Oakland Park. The bar opens at 4 p.m. with the show starting at 9 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 25 onight is Evolution, the White Party, which moves to its new venue at the Miami Seaquarium. And, with a new location comes new, longer hours and special attractions, including a fireworks show. DJ Joe Gauthreaux and Pagano will be provid-

ing the music and JES will perform live. Tickets and weekend passes are still available at WhiteParty.org and proceeds from the week benefit local HIV/AIDS service organization CareResource. Not headed to the White Party main event, check out the grand opening of Swinging Richards, South Florida’s most revealing new stripper bar, 17450 Biscayne Blvd. in North Miami Beach. Funnyman Leslie Jordan (“Will and Grace,” “Sordid Lives”) will be your host, but we have the feeling your eyes will be locked on something else! Saturday, Nov. 26 ttitude is gratitude” is the motto of the night at Discotekka, which is celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday with a Pilgrims vs. Indians theme. DJ George Ferrero headlines, with DJ Carlos G. for the afterhours event. Discotekka is located at 950 NE 2nd Ave. in downtown Miami. This is your last chance to catch RandyBlue.com star Reese Rideout performing at the Boardwalk, 1721 N. Andrews Ave. in Ft. Lauderdale. This hot young man is performing two big shows each night, Nov. 23-26.

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Sunday, Nov. 27 ne of the signature events of White Party week is Muscle Beach, the surfside tea dance on Miami Beach. This year, the party features DJs Michael Tank and Gustavo Scorpio. It’s an amazing setting for an amazing party on the 12th Street Beach. Tickets are still available at WhiteParty.org. DJ Marc Scott has always been one of our favorites with his signature retro sound. He launches a new monthly party tonight at the The Manor, Teddy Bear. Enjoy the best dance hits of the ‘70s and ‘80s, along with plenty of drink specials at Wilton Manors’ largest dance club. The Manor is located at 2345 Wilton Dr.

Monday, Nov. 28 romoter Hilton Wolman and Score Productions bring back URGE to cap off the long holiday weekend.The party gets started early at 8 a.m. runs all day long at Dream, 1532 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach.

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

To Submit Listings Email: Brian at Calendar@sfgn.com Fax: 954-530-7943. Please include a brief description, address, phone number, date, time and cost. Mona’s

502 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 525-6662. The eclectic décor and a friendly staff makes. Mona’s a great place to have fun in Fort Lauderdale. Thursday’s College Boy’s Night 8pm Enjoy College Boy’s Choice 2 for 1

Monkey Business

2740 North Andrews Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33311, (954) 514-7819. The Monkey Business Bar is a Small Outdoor Bar Among The Shops Just off Marina Blvd. No Frills But Comfortable and a Great Place to Stop and Meet Good People. Happy Hour 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Naked Grape Wine Bar

2039 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, (954) 563-5631 A Casual, Hip, Fun Experience and if You Have a Taste for Deliciously Unique Wines, You Need to Make This Your Next Stop! Happy Hour All Night on Thursday

New Moon

2440 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, (954) 563-7660 Your neighborhood lesbian bar in the heart of Fort Lauderdale and just minutes from Ft. Lauderdale Beach. Wednesday All the fun, half the price 2-4-1 All Day, All Night

PJ’s Corner Pocket

924 North Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 533-0257. One of The Most Diverse Bars in Fort Lauderdale. $2 Drinks Every Wednesday, Spades Every Thursday

Ramrod

1508 NE 4th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 763-8219 South Florida’s Leading Levi, Leather and Uniform Bar/Club. Every night is Bear Night. Bear Happy. Hour Every Thursday. Caged Hunks Sat Night

*The Lounge

1132 North Dixie Highway, Lake Worth FL $3 Drinks No Cover open till 5AM New location Better than Ever.

The Mad Hatter

1532 North Dixie Hwy ,Lake Worth, FL 33460. (561) 547-8860. Cheap drinks, friendly bartenders, and free pool SundayThursday. Stop by and relax at this no-attitude haunt.

Tag Bar

25 Northeast 2nd Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33483 954-8013247. Delray Beach’s only Gay Bar. Mon - Sun: 4 p.m. - 2 a.m. Awesome Drink Specials

Miami

Club Space

34 NE 11th St ,Miami ,Florida, 33132,(305)350-1956 Space Miami Voted Best U.S Club IDMA 2011. The go-to venue for any nightlife enthusiast in the nation,The club is proudly marching on into its second decade of operation.

Club Sugar

2301 SW 32nd Ave, Miami, Florida, 33145,(305)443-7657. All the Sweetness you’ll need in one Club. Every Thursday Drag Wars with TP Lords. $5 House Drinks & $4 Domestic Beers all night

Discotekka

950 NE 2nd Ave, Downtown Miami, Florida 33132,(305)3509084 One of the Best Night Clubs In Miami. Every Saturday The Hottest DJ’s from the Top Performers. Drink Special Every Saturday

Johnny’s

Rosie’s Bar and Grill

2449 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, (954) 567-1320 Wilton Manor’s Best Burger in Town. Try the Fat Elvis. Happy Hour 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Miami 62 NE 14 Street Downtown Miami Florida (305)640-8749 No Cover 7 nights a week. The hottest men in the universe strip shows nightly from 6 p.m. Sexy from Wall to Wall. Saturday SEPT 3 in Miami. FIRE & ICE at the SPOT…The Hottest POP, Hip Hop and Latin alongside the COLDEST Electro and House Beats. all on Miami’s Best Sound System.

Scandals Country Western Bar

Score

Oakland Park, FL 3334, (954) 567-2432. Scandals Gay and Lesbian Country Western. Dance Bar in Wilton Manors. Tuesdays Pool League, and Free Dance Lessons

Sidelines Sports Bar

727 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, Florida, 33139,(305)561-5521. Score is located in the heart of South Beach, In the thriving and infamous promenade, Lincoln Road. Bigger Saturday’s Sexy Male Dolls

2031 Wilton Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305, (954) 563-8001 Sidelines Sports Bar and Billiards is a unique, friendly, And accepting place to relax with a cold beer, great drinks and Martinis. Happy Hour M-F 4pm to 2am

Swinging Richards

Smarty Pants

Twist

3038 North Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306, (954) 561-1724. Great Local Hangout in Fort Lauderdale with Great Drink Specials. Saturday’s Free Breakfast to Order – 8 a.m.

The Stable

205 East Oakland Park Blvd., Oakland Park, FL 33334, (954) 565-4506 A neighborhood bar with a different theme every night, from drag shows and bingos, to bears and underwears.

Torpedo

2829 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, (954) 587-2500. Your Dance Destination Till Dawn. Open Late for You To Devour The Night. Open 7 nights a week till 4 a.m.

Palm Beach The Cottage

522 Lucerne Ave, Lake Worth, Fl, 33414. (561) 586-0080 Great Service, Great Food, Full Stocked Bar, Great Professional Tea-Dance every Sunday

Fort Dix

6205 Georgia Ave, West Palm Beach, Florida 33405 Directions, (561)533-5355. Mostly local crowd looking to mingle and relax. Place rocks with a Fabulous DJ on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday T-Dance.

H.G. Rooster

823 BELVEDERE ROAD, WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA 33405, (561)-832-9119. H.G. Roosters is West Palms oldest gay club. Sunday’s Complimentary BBQ 5pm, Hot Male Dancers 6 p.m., Karaoke 11 p.m.

17450 Biscayne Blvd, N Maimi Beach, Fl 33160 954-357-2532 Tuesdays-Saturdays from 6 p.m. til 6 a.m. come and enjoy Fully nude guys dancing to the best music in South Floirda. 1057 Washington Ave, Miami Beach , Florida , 33139, (305)538-9478 Never a Cover…Always a Groove. Resident star DJ Mika spins tribal. Every Saturday TWIST is full of the hottest men in Miami. Muscle boy dancers taking it off in the Bungalow Bar.

Key West

801 Bourbon Bar

801 Duval St. , Key West, Florida,(305)294-4737 Cabaret shows upstairs with nightly performances by famed performers Sushi, Kylie, RV Beaumont, Margo, and others. Happy Hour specials daily from 11a.m. – 8 p.m.

Club Aqua

711 Duval St.,Key West, Florida,(305)294-0555 Monday’s Dueling Bartenders. Your Bartender’s sing, shake, and stir their way through happy hour 5:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

Kwest

705 Duval St. , Key West, Florida,(305)292-8500 Key West All-Male Strip Club. Daily Happy Hour from 3-8 p.m., And a piano sing-a-long every Wednesday night.

Pearl’s Patio Bar

525 United Street, Key West, FL(305)293-9805 ext. 156 Pearl’s Patio is a great place to enjoy a drink and relax. Happy Hour – every weekday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday’s are Extended Happy Hour 5pm-9pm

Virgilio’s

524 Duval St, Key West ,Florida, (305)296-8118 Classic Cocktails, Italian Cuisine ,Live Music. $5 Martini Mondays, Late night dancing in Their Garden Bar Setting.

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Annual SMART Ride Breaks Records More than $675,000 raised for AIDS charities

Staff Report

ast weekend more than 600 people made the journey from Miami to Key West for the The Southern Most/ AIDS Ride – The SMART Ride. The adventure started Thursday with orientation, a display of portions of the AIDS quilt, a walking timeline as a recognition of milestones in the thirty year battle to concur and curtail the spread of HIV/AIDS, and finally a candlelight vigil and opening ceremonies. Friday morning as the sun rose above the horizon a perfect rainbow appeared in the sky as the riders started their two-day ride from Miami to Key West. “It was an incredible moment when we opened this years ride and the riders began to depart under a beautiful skyline the wind carrying them South,” said SMART Ride founder, Glen Weinzimer. When they arrived two days later, the

riders where hailed in a parade the likes of which only Key West could do, finally ending at the AIDS Memorial at the white street pier. From the stage the riders and crew were introduced to throngs of well wishes that filled the pier. The rider less cycle entered the ceremonies representing all those that have been lost to AIDS over the past thirty years. It was then revealed that for the first time in the history of the SMART Rides more than $675,724 had been raised to date – a 40 percent increase over 2010. “Despite hard economic times, despite a bad economy, people proved that when it matters we can pull together to help the communities we live in, ADAP, Ryan White funding cuts make this years results even that more gratifying,” Weinzimer said. Visit TheSmartRide.org for more information.

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Jesse’s Journal

Tell It to the Keehnen By Jesse Monteagudo

raphers, Spiritual Seekers, His and Herstorians, Family Makers, ‘Zine Creators, Masters & subs, Sitcom and Music and Slasher Folks, Street and Courtroom Activists, Movers and Shakers, Risk-Takers, Instigators and more.” These “chatty discourses” are arranged in alphabetical order by subject, ranging from Paul Adams to James D. Woods. In between the reader will find interviews with Dorothy Allison, Kate Bornstein, Quentin Crisp, Emma Donoghue, Jack Fritscher, Jewelle Gomez, Harry Hay, Janis Ian, Paul Monette, Jack Nichols, Camille Paglia, Ru Paul, Michelangelo Signorile, Pussy Tourette and Edmund White, just to name a few. Though most interviews took place in “the Gay 90s,” some are as recent as 2005. How did Owen Keehnen get all those people to sit down and talk to him? “I’m pretty friendways found it fascinating to read the ly,” he replies. “Plus, books and then be able to ask about they’re pushing a prodthe process. I wasn’t a tough interuct so it was in both our viewer but I was an enthusiastic best interests to chat. For and informed one. Eventually the the most part the publiOwen Keehnen publishing world changed a lot, I cists loved me because I was always excited about their authors and lacked computer skills, I stopped working in books. Most LGBT publicists in those days the book industry for a bit, and got disconhad several clients and I became known for nected. Every once and a while I will do an doing the work, making it pleasant, and get- interview, but mostly it’s through someone ting it out there -- so they started calling me, I know.” As an interviewer, Keehnen “wanted to sending me books. The authors liked me because I always read the book and would ask capture a bit of the person and the way they informed questions. It was a matter of build- approached their art or their lives. My goal was to reveal. I didn’t want to do a mere press ing a reputation.” Keehnen admits that he “loved” inter- release for the book or the movie or whatevviewing the LGBT community’s heroes and er. I liked to dig deeper regarding the process.

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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wen Keehnen’s career interviewing the LGBT community’s best and brightest began 20 years ago, when he worked at The Unabridged Bookstore in Chicago: “One of the first times I was scheduled to host an author’s event the turnout was nil. To cover the awkwardness of the situation I boldly pulled out a notebook and asked [author] Bert Herrmann if I could interview him for a local paper,” he wrote. “The following day I sold the interview to Chicago Outlines, a local LGBT paper.” “I enjoyed the experience. Bert Herrmann was an interesting guy, it was an added bit of income, and I got a byline to boot,” Keehnen added. “Soon I was calling publishers and asking what LGBT authors were coming to town and appearing elsewhere....In mere months publishers and publicists began calling me to try to get word out about this author’s book or that author’s upcoming appearance or some project that needed coverage. Then I started moving beyond authors into activists and other folks of interest to the LGBT community.” Over the next few years, Keehnen did “hundreds of interviews.” Soon this “journalism sideline” made him famous and his interviews appeared in queer publications across the USA. Two decades later, Keehnen collected over 100 interviews in a book he gave the activist title We’re Here, We’re Queer (Prairie Avenue Productions; 486 p.; $19). This book’s lengthy subtitle says it all: “Chatty discourses with Hot Dykes, Drag & Assorted Queens, Butch/Femme, Cultural Outlaws, HIV/POZ, In Your Face Pornographers, Multi-Racial Queers, Transgressive Photog-

giants. “I was a budding writer so for me talking one-on-one with all these folks, the giants and the up-and-comings and the inbetweens was great. I was also an activist so all that was a big interest of mine. It was literally being paid to get advice and tips and talk about writing or to talk with really fascinating people about activism in whatever form. With the writers especially I al-

I wanted to get into to how the interviewee wrote, what compelled them to perform or write or be an activist or whatever. I was called an interviewer/therapist more than a few times.” Keehnen admired his subjects, or at least their achievements, and deliberately avoided asking hard questions. “I wanted to learn about them and a lot of times that meant having them open up. For me I tend to have a better time with that by being nice.” Even when the subject was reticent or difficult, Keehnen would attribute it to his or her shyness or exhaustion, or the introversion that is typical of most writers. Keehnen is also known for his interviews of gay adult performers, which he collected in STARbooks Press’s popular Starz series. These differ from Keehnen other interviews, he admits, in that “the research for the porn interviews required a lot less reading.” The “XXX guys” in Keehnen’s Starz interviews “were sort of pushing themselves as a product so a lot of times you didn’t get much more than the product being sold. Sometimes the guys opened up but for the most part you would get the porn persona. Also I think the writer and activist interviews cover a lot more ground, while doing four books of interviews with porn stars is a little more limited in scope.” Keehnen dedicates We’re Here, We’re Queer to the late John Preston (1945-1994), “who opened the door.” Preston, whom Keehnen calls “the most inspiring” of all his subjects, “was an amazing man and a wonderful writer.” (Full disclosure: I knew Preston and contributed to two of his anthologies; and I agree with Keehnen’s assessment of the man.) “Preston was a mentor. He did so much for me and for a lot of newer writers. He was the definition of what it means to be a part of a writing community and I’ll never forget the confidence he had in me. It was definitely a game changer.” Perhaps, the interviews in We’re Here, We’re Queer will be a “game changer” for a new generation of LGBT writers and activists.

TRAVEL P hotograph y b y T on y A dams

Tales of the Canyon I Part Three

Final part of a series detailing Alyson Adventures’ Grand Canyon tour By Tony Adams

hite water rafting, hiking and camping in the Grand Canyon with a small group of gay men whom you have never before met is not the same as embarking on a gay ocean liner cruise where intimacies are optional and personal privacy is maintained. On an ocean liner, you’ll be one of thousands with good chances of selecting suitable companions and avoiding the incompatible. In the canyon for eight days, I was one of only 12 men. This was a smaller than typical Alyson Adventures group, and the raft can easily accommodate 16 travelers. We spent the entire eight days as a closely knit team hiking, swimming, eating, and plowing through the rapids together. With the two-man crew navigating our motorized raft and cooking all our meals, we had plenty of time to get acquainted. Each man had his own story that he’d unlock at some lazy moment. Sometimes it would on the raft while drifting through the calm stretches of the river, or while relaxing in a clear shallow pool at the base of a waterfall, or perhaps as we hiked upstream to yet another gorgeous secluded chasm, or maybe at dusk at the campsite. Confidences were also sometimes shared one-on-one as we got to know each other. There were many small moments of bonding that built up over the days we spent together. When one man might be having difficulty scaling some rocks in the course of a hike, the man before him would turn and offer a hand while the man behind him would cover his back with a solid two-handed butt boost. Assembling and sharing a tent with a buddy in the dark during an unexpected rainfall is another route to bonding that will erase any trace of an inner diva. Although nudity is not required, modesty and anxiety about body image were soon tossed overboard as we found ourselves reacting to 100° air temperature by shedding gear and jumping into streams and under waterfalls, and wading into the Colorado River at the end of each day to wash the grit and sweat off our skin and

out of our clothing. These moments built intimacy and trust among us that no amount of casual group sex could achieve, although that dynamic was never off the table. (I kept an explicit diary, but what happened in the canyon will stay in the canyon.) With the soaring walls of stone and the river’s rapids providing all the drama we needed, our interactions were entirely cordial and playful. The personalities of the group were a writer’s dream. There was the Rabbinical student with a made-for-TV New York

accent. There was a witty New Englander who got all my musical comedy references and had a fine baritone. I believe he found romance with the rugged southerner who repeatedly insisted that I actually do speak with an accent, although anyone with an ear will tell you otherwise. When I asked the baritone why he had selected this trip, he said, “I’m always up for a bromance, but seriously, I was looking for adventure. I was tired of sitting around.” This sentiment was echoed by the 12-year

couple in their 50s who were from the Pacific northwest. They said that earlier in their relationship, vacations were always destination-oriented. Now they go for adventures, knowing that full mobility may not be something they will always enjoy as the years progress. Others had different motivations. A young dentist was adjusting to a break-up that he did not anticipate. A banker from the southwest was in similar circumstances. Some of the men had children from previous marriages; some had grown up out and proud. There was a fellow who owns an Internet business and was on the trip to overcome his fear of water. He seemed to succeed spectacularly. I will always remember his kind assistance during one hike when I had lagged behind, deciding that the path ahead looked too dangerous. He empathized with my fear of heights and with his gentle encouragement. I realized that my hesitance was unfounded. He talked me around that bend and we soon caught up with the group. The glue that bound us was our handsome host, Darin Hollingsworth, a careful leader who, captivated by the canyon when he took this trip a few years ago, made a radical career move away from corporate work— including a stint as director of the Liberace Museum in Las Vegas—becoming a tour host for Alyson Adventures. Under his watchful eye, we remained properly hydrated, safe and secure from the moment of our arrival until that sad moment on the eighth day when, having disembarked, we boarded a bus for the uphill ride back to what canyon people call “Rim World.” At dinner back in Las Vegas on our final night together, Darin said that we had been a fairly typical group. We all agreed that this is an adventure worth repeating, and I certainly wouldn’t mind exploring other places with guys like my canyon companions. For part 1 of the series visit http://bit.ly/ sfE7FP. For part 2 of the series visit http://bit. ly/rtqJ6x. To book a tour, go to Alyson Adventures at http://www.alysonadventures.com/ gay/arizona/rafting.htm

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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Scott Thompson You’ve been doing that your whole life, especially with Kids in the Hall. Looking back, what do you think made that show so successful? We were lucky. Society was being forced to confront homosexuality because of AIDS, so we just came along at the right time. If AIDS hadn’t happened I don’t think we would have happened. At least Buddy Cole (a character of his on Kids in the Hall) wouldn’t have happened. AIDS in many ways pried open that door. We were discovered in a fairytale kind of way; those things don’t happen very often. They happen almost never. Was that show the high point of your career? So far. The funny thing is, I’m still a “Kid in the Hall.” It was 22 years ago today that our special aired. How is that possible? We were just kids! Hard to believe it’s been that long? Yes, it is – because Kevin and I are on stage, and we’ve known each other now for 25 years, and we’re still behaving like children. I mean, our show is so stupid! It’s weird, Kevin and I get off stage and we’re like, “What are we doing? We’re middleaged men. We have no right to act this silly.” But it’s great! (Laughs) That’s what keeps you young. We’ll never get old at this rate. If you didn’t have that attitude, you may have not overcome some of what you did in your life, like cancer a couple years back. I talk a lot about cancer in the show. What’s interesting is that I’ve discovered it’s a taboo. Now that homosexuality is completely boring I’ve been handed a new topic that people are uncomfortable with. I talk a lot about the side effects of chemo – like when I grew breasts! Suddenly I’m talking about cancer and hormones and transgenderism, and what could be more topical? I had bigger tits than Chastity... I mean, Chaz! (Laughs) I’ve been thinking a lot about this, the whole transgender thing. When I had cancer, the chemo converted my testosterone to estrogen, I grew little tits like Jodie Foster in “Taxi Driver,” I became very emotional, I became obsessed with “Twilight,” I lost my ambition and my sex drive. I’m thinking, “But that doesn’t make me a woman; I’m just a man with a hormonal imbalance.”

You feel like the lion tamer. It’s very powerful. The vast majority of people are sheep, but when they get angry, they’re lions. They don’t think. Mobs don’t think, so if one person does something you gotta slap them down because it will catch fire. I think of a heckler as a cancer cell, so the moment I see it appear I have to destroy it immediately or that will spread.

You were halfway there. I was! And now I’m back, because I went through testosterone therapy. So I’m myself again and I can’t tell you what that was like. Well, I do – I tell it onstage. You say homosexuality is boring. Did you ever think you’d see the day when you’d be saying that? Never, no! You know, today I was sitting in Starbucks having my tea and I look at the story about what we were two years ago, what our targets were, and in many ways the targets were straight white men in suits – that was the enemy. Now I go, I feel bad for straight white men! (Laughs) I feel like they’re the new woman. Like, straight white guys can’t say shit. There’s this huge national dialogue going on about bullying, and I had a terrible time as a child. But women are bullying now! Let’s be honest, look at the role of gay men on television – for a gay male to be on television he has to be neutered, and who’s doing the neutering? Women. Straight men don’t do it; they don’t give a shit. They are jealous of how much sex we have. It’s women who are neutering us. They want us to be their shopping companions, but they don’t want us to be doing spit roasts or sucking cock in back alleys. Which shows are you referring to? Every show. Point to a gay male on television who’s a man and who’s sexual. (Modern Family) is a hilarious show but there are two gay men who aren’t really allowed to be physical or touch each other; it’s implicit that they’re monogamous, which we know is nonsense. They have to raise a Chinese girl! How feminizing is that? And on every makeover show, everyone talks about gay men like they’re little poodles. We have Queer Eye for the Straight Guy to thank for that. Exactly. I remember when it first came out and I went, “Oh god, stop – you’re going to ruin everything.” And it absolutely did. Every fucking show is full of that. I talk a lot in the show about my chemotherapy, about getting those tiny breasts and having to have a mammogram, and that’s when I was introduced into the world of breast cancer. Breast cancer is out of control. Not the actual disease but the program behind it. Seriously, the other day I saw a Pepsi truck that was painted pink and that had a ribbon on it and I’m thinking, “Pepsi, you fucking cause cancer!” It’s like a fist be-

And then you’ll have man boobs. (Laughs) That’s right! So if I don’t slap ’em down it will metastasize into a riot and they’ll attack me. I’ll probably never get over my childhood. And my heart breaks for these boys, and I know it’s so sad. I was reading the other day about these schools for gay kids and I just think that’s the wrong approach. They’ll never get the skills they need. That’s segregation. That’s just racism. So I don’t like any of those trends. I think that’s absolutely wrong.

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ing the spokesperson for domestic violence. You’ve addressed bullying before, specifically how the It Gets Better campaign is basically a lie – it might not get better, you say. What would you tell bullied kids, then? Grow a pair. Here’s the thing: The world is not kind to us; it never really will be. The gay male is always going to be at the bottom. I believe the things that happened to me as a child scarred me terribly, and I wish somebody would have helped me with some of the things that happened. But you have to fight back. So much of these bullying campaigns are part of the trend that we were just talking about – the recasting of gay men as eternal victims. And it’s like, fight back! Fathers should start teaching the boys how to punch. He does that to you, here’s what you do:You fucking punch him in the face.

Did you ever feel bullied as a professional comedian? Is labeling a comic “gay” a form of bullying? Oh, constantly. That’s total bullying. It’s putting you in a category that makes you lesser. When you hyphenate anything, that’s basically lessening you. How about just “comedian”? I reject all those hyphenates. That’s just – no. I don’t want any hyphenates. I don’t want any handicap. It’s like affirmative action – that’s not good. I don’t need that. I can stand on my own two feet. Right. We don’t call Kathy Griffin or Sarah Silverman “straight comedians.” Exactly. And here’s the thing: Gay men almost never come to my shows.

I could never do it as a kid. I couldn’t either, but with standup comedy you have that microphone – wow, is that powerful.

They don’t? Hardly at all, no. That’s always been an issue. The shows with Kevin and I are packed with straight people and a sprinkling of gay men – and I mean a sprinkling. Because I’m not a ghetto queen. I wish more gay men would come out. I think gay men are so used to being victimized that they think that a standup comedy club is a place where they’ll be attacked unless the standup comedian is a woman, like Margaret Cho or Kathy Griffin. Those women – and I love them both – make gay men feel good about themselves.

Did your scarred childhood lead you to comedy? Yeah, absolutely. When I’m on that stage, and if you come at me, you’re going down.

And you don’t? (Laughs) No! You hit the nail on the head. I never thought of it that way, but no, I guess not.You got me.

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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INSURANCE & FINANCIAL ALLSTATE DIRECT: PERSONAL auto, home,condominium,boat and life insurance. For a free quote call Joe Mier 305-754-7414

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REAL ESTATE PALM AIRE. 1BD/1.5BA Condo, all new kitchen & appliances, W/D, patio facing golf course, Priced To Sell, Call 954-971-9713 ------------------------------------------------1/1 CLOSE TO WILTON MANORS &downtown, half duplex, quiet community, private parking, water/garbage included 600/mo + one month security call 954-736-7583

------------------------------------------------VERY PEACEFUL RESIDENCE Lakeridge house: very private, immaculate XLg 1BR, private gated entry, CAC, WD, tile flooring, walk-in closet, ample storage off street parking, fenced patio ZEN meditation/orchid gardens front/ rear VERY quiet. Minutes to Publix, $985/ mon. Call Joe: 954-610-6712. ------------------------------------------------KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY- Ted Adcock, Realtor Cell: 954-609-4393 tedftl@aol.com ------------------------------------------------ANDREWS GARDENS: Oct. 1st Occupancy. 5111 NW 1st Ave., cozy, clean, happy 2/1 private home. Patio, fenced, paver drive, close to everything. 985/mo. (1st + sec.). 954-629-0393. ------------------------------------------------620 NE 7TH AVE, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33304 For Sale: 250,000. 3 Bedrooms 2.5 Bath. Call John Castelli at (954) 563-9889 ------------------------------------------------TWO BEDROOM MIDDLE RIVER HOMES CONDO. Two bedroom, two bath condo in pet friendly building with wash/ dryer in unit. Close to Wilton Manors. First and second floor units available March 1. $975 f/l/s. Jimmy Cunningham licensed Real Estate Agent Castelli RE Services 954-303-7380. ------------------------------------------------THE SHAPIRO GROUP INC. Residential Property Management LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER. www.shapiroproperty. com 954-434-0175 ------------------------------------------------LUSH 2 BEDROOM HOME FOR SALE Oasis close to restaurants & highway Private & landscaped yard for relaxing Hardwood flooring in living room Call Ana Salazar @ Keyes 954-593-3089 ------------------------------------------------3321 NE 37TH ST FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33308 Listing # F1113917: 4 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms. Price: $825,000 call Jason Johnson Office Phone: (954) 563-9889 ------------------------------------------------HOLLYWOOD OCEAN FRONT CONDO FOR SALE ON PENTHOUSE LEVEL 2 Bed/2 Bath, Newly renovated. Only Motivated Buyers. 2,200 sqft. $570,000. Call 954-328-7412 Ronnie ------------------------------------------------DISCREET PRIVATE SECURE. FT LAUDERDALE BEACH CONDO $169,900. Building & Unit totally renovated. Ocean views from Bedroom Balcony Living Room. Intracostal Apartment elegant. Bob McGlynn Exit Realty. rebobmac@ yahoo.com 954-478-6321 ------------------------------------------------GAY ANDREWS AVENUE Large 1/1, all utilities incl, granite, d/w, private fenced tropical yard, all tile, vaulted ceiling, adt security. $750. Call 772-626-1345

RENT/LEASE MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE. 1/1 $695/ mth or $175/wk with 6 or 12 mth lease 2/2 $880 or $225 wk. pay dep & u r in call, 1/2 off 1st mth call for details (954)527-9225 ------------------------------------------------BEAUTIFUL LG. 1/1. Middle River Terr. French doors lead to your own private patio/ garden, tile throughout. Small quiet mostly gay bldg. Pets Ok, coin W/D 795./ mo. 954-791-4195 ------------------------------------------------HUGE 3/1- HALF DUPLEX New Kitchen, Tile Floor throughout, Huge Fenced yard, washer/ dryer, pets ok, pet owner, $1100. / mo 954-791-4195 ------------------------------------------------2/2 WILTON MANORS. Quiet area, w/pool, laundry, small pets accepted. First and 1 month deposit. Call Astrid: 954-806-7607.

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ROOMMATES GAY/GAY FRIENDLY ROOMMATE WANTED IN BOCA. Located in Boca Raton, right off Military Trail (north of Palmetto Park). Available now. 1 Unfurnished bedroom/ 1 Full Bathroom for rent in townhouse. Neighborhood is family friendly, safe and gated. Community has its own pool and tennis court. Very close to shopping, restaurants, I-95 and schools. Looking for a mature, easy going, gay/gay friendly individual. Non / outdoor smoker preferred. $650.00/ month with a 6 to 12 month lease. Water + Trash included. Call Jeff 561-315-0746 ------------------------------------------------ROOM 4 RENT IN 2 BED/1 BATH. Clean! $500 mo. includes utilities. North of Sunrise/East of Andrews. Walk to Wilton Manors. Must be gay friendly male/female. Call 954-297-9270 ------------------------------------------------ROOMMATE WANTED TO SHARE TOWNHOUSE IN S. POMPANO. $450 a month. Everything included. Male or female. Call Margie at 954-829-3933. ------------------------------------------------VICTORIA PARK LARGE TOWNHOUSE Lge. Pvt. Bedroom w/full use of home Key West Style Street with view. References with happy stable life. $625 plus 1/2 utilities. cbado@Live.com or 954.709.0505 ------------------------------------------------FTL-CORAL RIDGE POOL HOME Male to share remodeled 4BD/4BA home w/2 males. Unfurn, W/D, chef’s kitchen, wi-fi, lg pvt backyard w/dive-in pool,1.5 mi to beach. $800/mo. 954-609-9405. ------------------------------------------------ROOM FOR RENT in immaculate 2 bedroom 1 bath single family home. Fully fenced backyard, new granite/cherry kitchen. Close to public transport and Wilton Manors. Pets welcome. $500 includes utilities. 201-696-8752

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

SPORTS

Galen Dodd Blocks, Hits, Comes Out

Ian Dodd

At 15 the volleyball player is believed to be the youngest athlete to reveal his sexuality

Galen Dodd

By Dan Woog

t 6-feet-4-inches and still three months away from his 16th birthday Galen Dodd might have been expected to play basketball. There’s pressure to do so on every tall boy. But Galen prefers volleyball. He appreciates the mental aspect of the game, along with its physical challenges. “I like to use my mind,” the Southern California native says. “I like being mentally fit, not just physically in shape.” Galen is as intelligent and articulate, as he is a powerful middle blocker and opposite hitter on his high school and club teams. He’s also courageous. In August he came out publicly to the world. Two months later he told his story on Outsports. He is believed to be the youngest athlete ever to do so on that website. But this is 2011, not 1951 (or even 2006). Galen’s teammates, coaches even opponents have been, he says, “100 percent supportive.” In some cases, his openness has helped solidify friendships between Galen and straight teammates. That’s impressive even more so when you learn that a number of his club teammates attend an all-boys Catholic school. “The younger generation is a lot more accepting than their parents,” Galen says simply.

In fact, after coming out Galen has met “a lot” of openly gay volleyball players, both male and female. One is Travis Turner. He is the director of Balboa Bay Volleyball Club in Newport Beach one of the top club teams in the nation and while Galen was on a plane to Minneapolis in July for the Junior Nationals tournament, he heard members of Travis’s team talking and joking about Travis’s sexuality “in a good way.” Later, in Arizona for the USA Volleyball High Performance Training Camp and Championships, Galen met Travis. They talked only about volleyball, but back home in California Galen emailed him. He asked the coach about the advantages and drawbacks of coming out. A long phone conversation followed in which Travis said, “If a coach wants you and you can contribute to the team, nothing else matters.” A couple of days later, Galen decided to come out publicly. (His family and some friends already knew.) Galen did it the 2011 way: on Facebook. Suddenly he was engulfed in a tsunami of positive responses. Some came from players he barely knew. “They just wanted to say congratulations,” Galen explains. After three days, he had 82 likes and 47 comments. And, Galen says, “no one deleted me.” The Outsports story was next. It had been a source of support for Galen for months, he says, “and I just wanted to give back some of what I’d gotten.” That story circulated quickly throughout the volleyball world. “Everyone at my club (Southern California Volleyball) saw it,” he says. “My team loved it.” He was a bit worried about the response from his coach at Palisades Charter High School. But he too was “totally supportive,” Galen says. A former member of the Southern California Volleyball Club sent the story proudly to every coach he knew. A Los Angeles teacher asked Galen to speak to the entire school. And, Galen says, he heard from several college coaches. They told him that when he’s ready to look at schools, he

November 23, 2011 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

should know that the environment on their campuses is welcoming and accepting. Still, Galen’s ride to out volleyball poster child was not always smooth. Last season when many of his club teammates were from that Catholic school he was closeted. “Every practice I would hear some sort of comment about something or someone being ‘gay’ or a ‘fag,’” he wrote on Outsports. “Each time I cringed thinking of how I would never be able to be who I truly am with them. “Even though those terms are not meant to be harmful, and don’t even seem relevant to what the speaker is trying to express, it has become common language among teenagers and young adults.” But that’s all in the past. Galen’s current club team is one of the best in the country. His teammates, he says, are “11 other guys

that have my back.” His two coaches are “nothing but fantastic.” So what’s ahead for Galen Dodd? His answer is as clear as you’d expect from any high-level competitive volleyball player, gay or straight: “I am really excited about the new season. I have three more years of high school, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.” And, he adds, “Our club volleyball team is going to Junior Nationals in Dallas. We lost in the bronze medal round last year. This time, we’re looking to win it.” 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.

November 23, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com