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May 30, 2012 • Volume 3 • Issue 22

Whistleblower rocks city Lesbian files discrimination suit page 6

NEW POLL ON OBAMA GAY MARRIAGE STANCE INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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Cyber Centers Support LGBT Youth

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McNaught’s Notes

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One Magical Weekend

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PAGE 12

History of Gay Days

LOCAL NEWS May 30, 2012 • Volume 3 • Issue 22

Cyber Centers in Tri-County Area Support LGBT Youth Summer Jobs Initiative helps LGBT youth find employment

By Andrea Dulanto

I

t’s difficult to find a job in this economy. Not exactly a newsflash, is it?

But if you’re a low-income LGBT youth with no access to a computer— your chances of getting a job are even worse.

President Obama’s Summer Jobs+ initiative, the David Bohnett Foundation and David Bohnett Cyber Centers are working to solve this problem.

The Summer Jobs+ initiative was developed by the federal government and the private sector in order to offer more employment opportunities for low-income youth. Almost 100 employers from businesses, non-profits and government have set out to provide 250,000 positions.

Compass in Lake Worth,and The Pride Center at Equality Park in Wilton Manors.

The six computers at Pridelines Youth Services are currently set up with the Summer Jobs+ Bank as the homepage.

“Youth find out about the Cyber Center through word-of-mouth, through our outreach to Dade & Broward high schools, our web site and announcement of special events,” said Luigi Ferrer, Program Director at Pridelines.

Complete with Microsoft Office and free printing,

Of course, some businesses aren’t hiring. But Summer Jobs+ encourages employers to list opportunities outside of paid positions. Youth can apply to learn “life skills” such as connecting with mentors or building a resume. “Work skills” can be acquired through unpaid internships.

In order to connect youth with these opportunities, the Summer Jobs+ initiative established the Summer Jobs+ Bank, a searchable database located at the U.S. Department of Labor web site: www.dol.gov/summerjobs.

But without a computer and a reliable Internet connection at home, LGBT teens and young adults will continue to deal with obstacles to employment.

That’s why the David Bohnett Foundation has sent out a call to LGBT youth: if you need free Internet access to search the Summer Jobs+ Bank, stop by a David Bohnett Cyber Center.

Philanthropist and technology entrepreneur David Bohnett started the Bohnett Foundation, which is “committed to improving society through social activism” (bohnettfoundation.org). Since 1998, this commitment has been affirmed with funding for over 60 Cyber Centers—many of them at LGBT community organizations throughout the U.S., connecting youth and adults with technology resources.

According to the Bohnett Foundation web site, executive director Michael Fleming is a member of the White House Council for Community Solutions and was involved in planning the Summer Jobs+ initiative. So it makes sense that Cyber Centers will move the plan into action.

In South Florida, there are three David Bohnett Cyber Centers: Pridelines Youth Services in Miami,

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the computer lab is available to anyone between the ages of 14 and 24.

advice of someone they can turn to. The mentoring program at Compass provides a safe place… [with] …a qualified, trusted, caring adult to serve as that stand-in.”

The first Cyber Center in the Southeast United States was at Compass. It is also one of the largest with 16 computers, offering workshops on resumes and social media for visitors of any age.

Rice shared how LGBT youth often find Compass and the Cyber Center: “We get a lot of referrals from school guidance counselors, mental health professionals.” She also discussed how word-of-mouth from Compass youth is a compelling way to inform others about the programs.

At The Pride Center, Executive Director Robert Boo hopes to promote the Summer Jobs+ Bank via social media, and considers the searchable database as a pivotal resource: “These job possibilities will provide potential career paths and will help cultivate healthy functioning LGBT youth.”

According to Boo, there were over 1,400 visitors to the Cyber Center in April 2012. “The David Bohnett Foundation has contributed greatly to our Cyber Center,” he reflected. “Just four years ago in our old location on Andrews Avenue, we could only provide two work stations.” They now have 10 computers in the front lobby, and volunteers available to help youth and adults.

As the Summer Jobs+ Bank gains momentum, the David Bohnett Cyber Centers will connect low-income LGBT youth to employment opportunities. But Cyber Centers offer more than a free Internet connection. They offer connection to the LGBT community with mentors, programs and services. LGBT youth are not only given a chance to find a first job, but they are also given a better sense of who they are and who they want to be.

But it’s not just about placing kids in front of a computer.

“The youth have made [the Cyber Center] their second home,” Ferrer said. “They do homework, school projects, hang out with friends, apply for jobs.

The Cyber Center provides free Wi-Fi…our conference room often doubles as our study hall.”

In addition, visitors can receive job search support, including help with their resume or interviews.

This sense of community is invaluable on a personal and professional level because young people may arrive with few resources.

“Most LGBTQ youth experience a withdrawal of familial support when they come out,” Ferrer noted. “[They] are told to leave home… [or]…that first job at an uncle’s business disappears.”

Pridelines Youth Services- Cyber Center Monday- Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

9526 NE 2 Avenue #104, Miami Shores, FL 305-571-9601 Pridelines.org

Compass- Cyber Center Monday- Thursday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Friday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

201 N. Dixie Highway, Lake Worth, FL 561-533-9699 Compassglcc.com

Cyber Centers can connect young adults with other programs located at LGBT organizations.

The Pride Center at Equality Park- Cyber Center

“When you don’t feel good about yourself, it’s hard to succeed in the world,” said Ryanmarie Rice, a staff member at Compass. “There’s a lot of isolation with youth who can’t come clean with their families. They are missing out on the wisdom and

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Saturday - Sunday, Noon – 5 p.m.

2040 North Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors, FL 954-463-9005 PrideCenterFlorida.org

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

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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.

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May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Wig Ministries:

Where Gays are the ‘Chosen Ones’

By Justin Wyse

submitted photo

“B

eing chosen isn’t a choice!

Gay’s are the other chosen people” according to Reverend Jamie Grace of WIG Ministries. Rev. Jamie is providing a revival style services that’s the middle of the week weekend on Wednesdays in Wilton Manors. Spirituality has been around for a couple thousand years and gay people have been running the entertainment and cultural aspects ever since.

WIG’S mission as a gay empowerment organization is to dramatically lower the statistics of gay teen suicide in our culture by infusing a rich sense of gay spirituality and gay community into the lives of gay teens, as well as our adults and non-gay allies.

WIG services strive to celebrate gay spirituality, our fabulous culture and our powerful history in a fun, festive musical/service and in a non-religious fashion.

Remind, Remember & Re-educate! As gay men and women we are highly evolved beings. Similar to perfect beings we share equal masculine and feminine qualities. “A risk Rev. Jamie is taking to encourage the

next generation to get up to speed with how great being gay really is. Being gay is its own spirituality.”

Please join Reverend Jamie and his fabulous group of service members every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. with services starting at 8pm. Services are located at The Manor Complex in the main disco.

2345 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 | www.wigministries.org | 754-444-1WIG | wigministries.org@gmail.com.

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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Charity Raffles off Mercedes Benz

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submitted photo

F

ood 4 Friends, Inc. is raffling off a 2012 Mercedes Ben z SLK 250. The raffle tickets are $100.00 each, with only 1000 being sold (chances of winning are 1-1000).

The car is arctic white, with beige leather interior. It is a hardtop convertible model, two-seat sports car with a 7 speed automatic transmission. Tickets are available at www.Food4Friends.us. If the winner does not wish to take this car, the dealership will exchange it for any other product they sell from their Mercedes, BMW, Cadillac/Chevrolet, or Chrysler/Jeep product line. Or they will purchase the car from the winner for $48,000.00.

Food 4 Friends, Inc. is a not-for-profit charity, founded by part-time resident of Wilton Manors, Jaime Schneider. The organization provides a food bank, clothing bank and book exchange for people living in southern Delaware with HIV and AIDS. This organization also provides nutritional food, toiletries, household supplies and other items such as fresh produce, and canned items.

The food bank is located inside the Christiana Care Health & Wellness Center at the

Stockley Center in Georgetown, Del. It caters to people of all walks of life, no matter financial ability, from southern Delaware, including Rehoboth Beach.

The raffle tickets will be sold until they run out or up to the night of the selection on Saturday, June 23. This will happen during the charity’s first annual “BEACH BALL 2012” at The Cordrey Center, just outside of Rehoboth Beach, Del. The Beach Ball will feature dancing under the stars to jazz and standards, food from three local restaurants, and a silent auction and an open bar. The BEACH BALL 2012 is limited to 300 event tickets. They are $75.00.

Ticket sales are brisk, so don’t delay.

Visit Food4Friends.us for more information. Or call Jaime Schneider at 410-218-7377.

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

5

COVER STORY

North Miami Beach Sued for

Discrimination

Whistleblowing former employee alleges ‘Lesbian Discrimination’ Story and photos

by Gideon Grudo

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rug deals. Lies. Theft. Discrimination. Sex. Whistleblowing. House arrest.

Threats.

This isn’t a novel — it’s part of a narrative brought up in a lawsuit against the City of North of Miami Beach by Debbie Fernandez, a former city employee suing the people she claims have cost her not only a job, but a decade of emotional distress.

“It’s devastating because, generally, I’m not angry — I understand that people have to do what they have to do,” Fernandez said about her history with the city. “But they singled me out. The higher-ups, they had a problem with me. I never had a problem with them.”

Fernandez — who identifies as a lesbian — filed a 29-page suit in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court on May 29, accusing the city of nine counts of discrimination and violation of city, county and state statutes. Fernandez’s attorney is seeking a ‘writ of mandamus,’ demanding she be immediately reinstated to her position with one of the city’s water plants.

According to Attorney Loring Spolter, the writ is rare, but when granted, it is a command from the court requiring the city to abide by a judicial directive. It is based on the premise that a municipality or government agency has clearly violated one of its own procedures or bureaucratic guidelines, and orders them to now act in accord with the law.

Spolter is seeking the writ against the North Miami Beach’s Civil Service Board, which hears and votes on actions pertaining to internal affairs and complaints. According to city records, after listening to Fernandez’s story in January 2012 — the one she will be soon telling in county court — this board voted to rehire her.

The following month, however, the city filed a petition to undo the board’s decision, which was approved. The suit by Fernandez alleges that this petition, along with the reversal of the decision to rehire Fernandez, violated the city’s own ordinances.

SFGN reached out to North Miami Beach

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Above: Debbie Fernandez. Inset: Water Treatment Plant, where she worked. city officials, including the mayor, city manager, and the Civil Service Board. As of press time, no one from the city has responded to SFGN’s inquiries.

From marijuana to house arrest For now, Spolter is waiting to see the result of his writ of mandamus, involving merely the most recent in Fernandez’s tale.

Until then, he’ll be focused on Fernandez’s alleged journey of discrimination and hardship with the city, which they claim began in 2002.

Fernandez’s then-boss and an operations manager for North Miami Beach, George Bonnema, allegedly ordered staff to use city vehicles to fetch the illegal drug, which they did. When one of them told Fernandez about

it, she complained internally. The city manager commenced an investigation, where Bonnema, who is now deceased, admitted his wrongdoing.

Claiming he was helping his wife, who was a “manic depressant” who popped pills, “along with very bad diabetes,” Bonnema acknowledged, “So, I asked him, ‘Hey, can you get me a little marijuana so I can give it to my wife as a Valentine gift?’” The Fernandez claim alleges that while that case was closed without discipline, it opened up a decade of abuse against her, subjecting her to “illegal punishment and/or retaliation.”

Placed on paid administrative leave unjustly, Fernandez feels, the lawsuit claims that for approximately 16 months, she was effectively “placed on ‘house arrest’ requiring she obtain authorization to leave her home

during her 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. work hours.” It would be nearly 18 months before she was allowed to return to the Norwood Water Plant, her original place of employment.

When she came back in 2004, Fernandez claims her supervisory status was compromised and her work tasks were denigrating.

For example, she cited an instance where she was required to use a toothbrush and acid to scrub out tile grout from the floor.

The lawsuit claims an ex-employee of the city, who had served as Fernandez’s boss for a short while after her return, allegedly told Fernandez that he was instructed to try and get rid of her.

“He specifically told me they not only wanted me gone, but they didn’t like me because I was a dyke and a lesbian,” Fernandez told SFGN.

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

The Brief From meaningless work to unemployment Fernandez alleges the city then brought her up on false charges, accusing her of stealing a weed cutter from city residents.

The accusation led to a hearing to determine whether or not to fire Fernandez. The city accused her of having a ‘negative attitude toward supervisors and the Department,’ and an inability to work well with others. The lawsuit claims the case was specious, and wrongfully put her job in jeopardy. Again, Fernandez was placed on administrative leave.

In August 2006, North Miami Beach Director of Human Resources Beverly Hobson wrote Fernandez a letter, reinstating her to active work, this time as a wastewater program coordinator — an office job — and warning her to be “courteous and professional in [her] dealings with co-workers, subordinates, and supervisor.”

It covered a slew of allegations, dating back to the Bonnema-marijuana incident and coming up to date with the lawn equipment theft allegation. None of the complaints against Fernandez were conclusive enough to fire her, Hobson wrote, but added that the complaints against her were legitimate in their nature.

“There is no evidence that any of the complaints against you were based upon discriminatory or retaliatory motives,” Hob-

Through the years since, Fernandez felt she was beaten down. She said she became tired of fighting for a living; for meaningful employment.

son wrote about Fernandez’s internal complaints about being singled out. “It appears that your motive for making the allegations was a preemptive measure against the matters pending against you.”

Spolter’s lawsuit disputes the city’s claims, asserting that while Fernandez got her job back, she was delegated menial and inconsequential tasks neither commensurate with her experience or background. Through the years since, Fernandez felt she was beaten down. She said she became tired of fighting for a living; for meaningful employment.

Fast forward to the summer of 2011, when a mechanic working under Fernandez was allegedly asked by city officials if Fernandez’s sexual orientation had made it hard to work alongside her.

Mr. Tamont Wilson, the fellow employee, has provided a statement confirming that he was questioned by city personnel about Fernandez’ sexuality.

He purportedly replied, “What does this have to do with Debbie’s work?”

Fer nandez kept working, kept trudging, “through all this,” she said, hoping things would change for the better — but that’s when she got fired.

The lawsuit reads. “[Fernandez] was being singled out for discrimination and/or retaliation, due to being a Whistleblower and also as a result of being: a lesbian, someone who was unwed/unmarried, a family member of a non-traditional family by living with another female, and female.” To support his claim, Spolter noted that in a proposed city layoff of employees, Fernandez was the only person in her department so terminated. He claims it was unjustifiable.

The second, third and fourth counts all allege violations of Florida’s Civil Rights Act as they pertain to marital status, gender, and anti-retaliation provision, respectively. These counts are based on Fernandez’s treatment by North Miami Beach in the years following her continued abuse by administration, according to the lawsuit.

The fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth counts all allege violations of Miami-Dade County Ordinances on Unlawful Employment Practices as they pertain to gender, marital status, familial status, and sexual orientation, respectively. These allegations are based on the city’s treatment by the city, as well, claiming she was targeted for her specific status in these categories — from being a lesbian to being a female.

The final count seeks a writ of mandamus, alleging that not reinstating Fernandez per a Jan. 23 decision to do so by the North Miami Beach’s Civil Service Board violated the city’s own charter, and demanding she be reinstated before the trial even goes to court.

Attorney Loring Spolter said he hopes to give Fernandez the job she once had, along with the life she once led.

“I loved my job,” Fernandez said. “I used to care about what I did. I cared about serving the people of the city. I felt proud — this is...

This is emotional.”

Plaintiff: Debbie Fernandez

Defendant: City of North Miami Beach

Counts: • Violation of Florida Whistleblower Act • Violation of Florida Civil Rights Act — Marital Status • Violation of Florida Civil Rights Act — Gender • Violation of Florida Civil Rights Act — Anti-Retaliation Provision •M iami Dade County Ordinance on Unlawful Employment Practices — Gender •M iami Dade County Ordinance on Unlawful Employment Practices — Marital Status •M iami Dade County Ordinance on Unlawful Employment Practices — Familial Status •M iami Dade County Ordinance on Unlawful Employment Practices — Sexual Orientation • Writ of Mandamus

The lawsuit

Debbie Fernandez with girlfriend Ayne Ruderman (left)

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

The first count of the lawsuit alleges a violation of the Florida Whistle Blower Act, pertaining to Fernandez’s bringing to light the 2002 marijuana incident.

7

NATIONAL NEWS

submitted photo

Did a Miss. State Rep Call for the Death of Gays? the least of which is its high association with the development and spread of HIV/AIDS: 2) Confusing behavior which is harmful to children who have a deep need to understand the proper role of men and women in society and the important differences between men and women, and fathers and mothers; and 3) Undermines the longstanding definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, a definition which has been key to all aspects Miss. State Rep. Andy G pson and family: Does he or doesn’t he want gays to be killed? of social order and prosperity. Anytime that definition is ississippi state Rep. Andy Gipson weakened our culture is also weakened. And (R) answered President Obama’s yes, that is also true for other conduct which recent endorsement of gay mar- weakens marriage’s importance of society.”

After the Huffington Post wrote a story riage on Facebook by quoting a passage of the bible that says men or women who partici- about his Facebook messages Gipson respondpate in homosexual behavior should be put ed with another post to clarify his meaning.

“Well it’s been an interesting day to say to death. the least. Here at home I’ve received severGipson wrote: “Been a lot of press on Obama’s opinion on al threats in one day, to me personally, via “homosexual marriage.” The only opinion email and on the phone, and at least one apthat counts is God’s: see Roman’s 1:26-28 and parent death-threat left on the answering Leviticus 20:13. Anyway you slice it, it is sin. machine to my whole family. Apparently the Huffington Post (a California-based liberal Not to mention horrific social policy.” blog) ran an article falsely stating or implyLeviticus 20:13 reads: “If a man has sexual relations with a man ing that my facebook post citing Leviticus as one does with a woman, both of them have 20:13 was to “suggest” that gay people should done what is detestable. They are to be put to be put to death. I reject and resent that accudeath; their blood will be on their own heads.” sation; I have NEVER condoned or requested the killing of ANY PERSON. I believe all are While Roman’s 1:26-28 reads: “ Because of this, God gave them over to created in the image of God, and one of the shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged 10 Commandments is “Thou shalt not murnatural sexual relations for unnatural ones. der.” What I did intend and did say is that the In the same way the men also abandoned nat- Bible clearly defines homosexual conduct ural relations with women and were inflamed as morally wrong - a sin. I cited this and anwith lust for one another. Men committed other scripture for the purpose of pointing shameful acts with other men, and received out that the conduct is sin, in defense of my in themselves the due penalty for their er- stance against same-sex marriage. What I ror. Furthermore, just as they did not think it find amazing is that the same people assertworthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, ing the virtue of “tolerance” will tolerate all so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so views except the view of Scripture - and, as evidenced today, will call and threaten me that they do what ought not to be done.”

Later during that same thread Gipson re- for referring to a Bible passage! Of course, we are all sinners, all in need of God’s grace. sponded to a follower by writing: “Sorry I’ve been busy and not had a chance Only Jesus Christ can provide the grace we to reply. David, in addition to the basic princi- all need, including the folks who left those pal that it is morally wrong, here are the three hateful messages on my answering machine. social reasons it’s horrific social policy: 1) Un- I pray for them that they would see and unnatural behavior which results in disease, not derstand the truth.”

M

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May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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B

RASILIA, Brazil (AP) – A measure allowing same-sex civil unions passed its first legislative step in Brazil’s Congress, where it has lingered for 16 years.

The human rights committee in Brazil’s Senate approved a measure Thursday that would change law to say a civil union is between two people, without specifying gender. It doesn’t approve gay marriage.

However, Brazil’s judiciary has already cleared the way for gay marriage in the nation, setting national precedent.

Last year, the top court approved civil unions for same-sex couples. State courts have since allowed those unions to become full-fledged marriages.

The bill is sponsored by Sen. Marta Suplicy, who says legislators need to put into the penal code what courts are already allowing.

The bill must pass other Senate committees before going to a full vote.

NC Amendment Banning Same-Sex Marriage in Effect

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ALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – North Carolina’s constitutional amendment slamming the door on same-sex marriages is now in effect.

But the debates on its full meaning continue.

The State Board of Elections on Wednesday certified the results of North Carolina’s May 8 primary elections, including the constitutional amendment defining marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman. That step means the ban is added to the state constitution, which makes it much harder for lawmakers to change in the future.

The amendment has left municipal managers wondering if cities and towns can offer benefits to the same-sex partners of their employees. Nine local governments already offer the benefits.

Charlotte’s city council is asking for a legal opinion from Attorney General Roy Cooper before deciding whether to offer partner benefits.

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S

ES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The AN FRANCISCO (AP) – The daughpresident of the Iowa and Neter of Cuban President Raul Castro braska conference of NAACP brought her fight for gay rights to branches says he’s struggling with the a U.S. forum, stressing the need to secure group’s national board resolution to supsocial equality for all, regardless of sexual port same-sex marriage. orientation. Mariela Castro was set to speak The Rev. Keith again Thursday on a Ratliff Sr. told The panel on sexual diDes Moines Register versity at the Latin (http://dmreg.co/ American Studies Jcu8NG) that SaturAssociation. day’s endorsement has Speaking in Spanmade him uncertain ish through a transabout his future with lator on Wednesday, the group. Ratcliff is Castro addressed one of 64 members medical professionof the national board als and transgender of directors for the advocates at San National Association Francisco General for the Advancement Hospital. of Colored People.

She has an interRatliff, of Maple national reputation Street Missionary as an outspoken gay Baptist Church in rights advocate and Des Moines, has long lobbied her father’s opposed same-sex government to marriage. cover sex reassign“Marriage equality, ment surgery under Mariela Castro (wearing hat) for me, is between the national health a man and a woman, period,’’ he told the plan, which it has since 2008, and to legalize Register on Tuesday. “There is no other same-sex marriages, which so far it has not. definition for me.’’

“If we don’t change our patriarchal and Ratliff didn’t attend Saturday’s leadership homophobic culture...we cannot advance as retreat in Miami, where the board voted a new society, and that’s what we want, the to back a resolution supporting marriage power of emancipation through socialism,’’ equality, calling the position consistent with she said. “We will establish relationships on the equal protection provision of the U.S. the basis of social justice and social equality ...

Constitution.

It seems like a Utopia, but we can change it.’’

“Civil marriage is a civil right and a matter of civil law,’’ said NAACP President BenNeb. Gov. Urges Public jamin Todd Jealous. “The NAACP’s support Vote on Gay Bias Laws for marriage equality is deeply rooted in the Fourteenth Amendment of the United INCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska’s States Constitution and equal protection of governor says city ordinances barring all people.’’ discrimination against gay and transSame-sex marriage is legal in six states, gender people should be put to public votes. including Iowa, and the District of ColumThe Lincoln Journal Star reports (http://bit. bia. Nebraska is among 31 states that have ly/KQIRzo) that Gov. Dave Heineman, at a passed laws or amendments banning gay news conference Tuesday in Lincoln, cited marriage. a recent opinion from the state attorney According to the website of the Iowa/ general’s office. It said cities would have to Nebraska State Conference of NAACP amend their charters to offer protections Branches led by Ratliff includes Iowa to groups not covered by state law. branches in Ames, Burlington, Cedar Rapids, The opinion issued May 4 said voters Davenport, Des Moines and Sioux City; and could approve changes to city charters to Nebraska branches in Lincoln and Omaha. extend protections to groups not covered Ratliff said the national board’s deciby state law, but local governments lack the sion effectively sets the local policy as well, authority. Neither city charter was amended. which makes him reconsider his NAACP Opinions issued by the office lack the membership and leadership role. force of law but guide legislators and “I’m praying over the matter,’’ Ratliff said.

He said he wants to talk to other national officials statewide and often are cited in disputes over hotly debated issues.

NAACP officials before making his decision.

Local News Update Kecskemety to Hospice; McCallion to Hospital

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ob Kecskemety, after a scare at Broward General, has recovered sufficiently so as to be moved to a hospice in Hollywood, but doctors have acknowledged there is nothing else they can do for his inoperable and spreading cancer, except make him as comfortable as possible. Friends are posting notes on Facebook which he is able to read and appreciate.

At the same time, SFGN wishes good health and recovery to long time Lazy Lakes resident and Log Cabin pioneer Joe McCallion, hospitalized with severe lung problems. A long time member of the MCC and American Veterans for Equal Rights, McCallion is also a former gay bar owner, and was one of the earliest gay rights advocates and activists in Broward County.

L

Pompano bill

Brazil Senate Comm. OKs Civil Unions

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Nebraska’s anti-discrimination laws and federal regulations don’t extend protection to gay and transgender people.

Omaha narrowly adopted an ordinance in March that said employers, employment agencies, job training programs, labor groups, public accommodations and businesses that contract with the city are barred from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation. It provides exemptions for religious organizations.

Omaha city attorney Paul Kratz has said the city’s legal team disagrees with the attorney general office’s opinion, and he doesn’t think it will have any effect on the new ordinance.

Backers argued that the proposal would make Omaha a more welcoming city to a diverse workforce. Opponents countered that the proposals would add an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy and open up businesses to lawsuits.

Lincoln’s ordinance was approved on May 14 but won’t go into effect for 15 days.

Castro’s Daughter Focuses on Gay Rights in U.S.

submitted photo

SFGN BRIEFS

Iowa-Neb. NAACP Leader Can’t Back Gay Marriage

Bob Kecskemety

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Sentence Given, but U.S. Webcam Saga Not Over

By Geoff Mulvihill Associated Press

Scott Herman: Republican from North Carolina wants to be trusted

SCOTT HERMAN MAKES BALLOT

L

ocal openly gay republican Scott R. Herman recently made the ballot to run for the Florida House of Representatives, District 94 in Wilton Manors.

“I’m honored that the people decided I deserve to be on the ballot, but that was the easy part,” he said. “Now, I will work even harder to earn their trust and their vote. I will be the effective voice for stronger action and real representation for the district.”

Herman moved to Wilton Manors from North Carolina two years, ago, where he held public office, and said he was the first openly gay Republican to hold office in North Carolina history. He is also a veteran of Desert Storm and Desert Shield.

So far no other republicans have stepped up to challenge Herman. If he were to be elected he said he’d be the first openly gay candidate to win a seat in the Florida legislature.

Herman’s democratic challenger will be Perry E. Thurston who currently represents District 93, but is switching districts. Thurston was elected as a State Representative for House District 93 in 2006. He was reelected in 2008 and 2010.

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

submitted photo

submitted photo

T

he legal saga is far from over for an Indian-born, former Rutgers University student sentenced to 30 days jail for using a webcam to spy on his roommate kissing another man. The cultural fallout could continue, too.

Dharun Ravi, 20, was sentenced last week, two months after a jury convicted him of 15 criminal counts, including invasion of privacy and bias intimidation and seven counts dealing with covering up a crime.

The case drew national attention when the roommate, Tyler Clementi, committed suicide days after the September 2010 spying. The case touched a nerve among gay rights and anti-bullying activists as an example of the harassment and challenges that young people, and young gays and lesbians in particular, can face.

Among those speaking out was President Barack Obama.

Clementi killed himself after viewing dozens of times Ravi’s tweets about what he saw. One of them said, in part: “I saw him making out with a dude. Yay.’’ Judge Glenn Berman’s sentence was far less than the 10-year maximum for bias intimidation — and apparently less than prosecutors were expecting.

Within hours after the sentence was imposed, the Middlesex County prosecutor’s office announced it would appeal, arguing the sentence was too light for such serious crimes.

Ravi’s lawyers are also likely to appeal the conviction itself on several of the counts. They say the jury got it wrong by

Gov. Chris Christie: Will he pardon Ravi? convicting him at all. They have until July 5 to appeal.

In court Monday, a judge denied Ravi’s motion to overturn the conviction and either dismiss the charges entirely or grant a new trial.

There have been clues in court filings and arguments to some issues might be appealed.

Ravi’s lawyer, Steven Altman, raised a significant one in court Monday when he said Ravi did not get a fair trial, in part because of a ruling the judge made last year denying Ravi and his lawyers access to some documents found on Clementi’s computer.

Berman, who reviewed them, said that they were not pertinent to the case.

Altman continues to take issue. He says that although the judge made clear that

Ravi was not charged with Clementi’s death, his suicide loomed over the case, making Clementi’s state of mind important.

The documents may have shed light on that, he said. “Only your honor knows what was in it,’’ Altman told the judge.

The story of Clementi and Ravi could resonate outside of court, too.

Clementi’s parents have launched a foundation in their son’s honor to address issues including online civility, bullying and suicide.

Ravi’s supporters are calling for lawmakers to change to the state’s statute on bias intimidation so someone in Ravi’s position in the future would not be convicted of what is widely called a hate crime.

They have also sent a petition to Gov. Chris Christie requesting a pardon for Ravi.

With so much in flux, even the next step in in question. The judge told Ravi to report to jail on May 31.

But the appeals could push back that reporting date.

In an interview with the The Star-Ledger newspaper, Ravi said he did not apologize for his actions largely because it would have been seen as insincere. He said anything he would say “would sound rehearsed and empty.’’

“When politicians give public apologies, to me, it always sounds so insincere and false,’’ Ravi said in the interview, which was conducted before Monday’s sentencing but published after it. “No matter what I say, people will take it that way.’’

Ravi did not address the judge Monday, and the judge criticized his lack of apology. Clementi’s brother James said hearing an apology this late from Ravi would not be meaningful to him.

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Obama Team Trumpets New Polling on Gay Marriage

By Julie Pace Associated Press

W

Will supporting

gay marriage hurt Obama?

ashington (AP) – President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign is beginning to express some confidence that the president’s historic, yet politically risky, embrace of gay marriage may not hurt him in the November election.

In a conference call announcing efforts to get gay and lesbian voters engaged in the Obama campaign, officials said poll numbers on same-sex marriage were increasingly tilting in their favor.

“A lot of recent polls show that support for gay marriage across the country is growing,’’ said Clo Ewing, an Obama campaign spokeswoman.

That includes a Washington Post-ABC News poll out Wednesday showing 53 percent of Americans say gay marriage should be a legal, a new high for the poll. Thirty-nine percent, a new low, say gay marriage should be illegal.

A separate poll showed that just 7 percent of registered voters said Obama’s public support for gay marriage raised concerns about supporting him. For 31 percent of voters, the president’s announcement reinforced their support of him and for 62 percent of voters, it did not make a difference, according to the NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll.

Immediately following Obama’s announcement of support for gay marriage, White House and campaign aides readily acknowledged that the political fallout was unclear.

Obama himself said it was “very hard to say’’ whether the issue would hurt him in his fall campaign against presumptive Republican

nominee Mitt Romney.

Despite the new national polling, Obama’s embrace of gay marriage comes with political risks. Thirty states have voted against gay marriage, including North Carolina, a key battleground state where voters approved a ban on same-sex unions the day before Obama announced his public support in a television interview.

The president’s announcement earlier this month ended his lengthy self-described “evolution’’ on the hot-button social issue. While the White House insisted Obama always planned to make his views on gay marriage known this summer, some aides worried that doing so could hurt him politically with socially conservative voters in swing states, like Virginia and North Carolina.

Other Obama aides see the president’s support for same-sex marriage as an opportunity to boost enthusiasm and fundraising among gay supporters and young people. With that in mind, the Obama campaign has sought to turn the president’s embrace of gay marriage into an area of contrast with Romney, highlighting the former Massachusetts governor’s support for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex unions.

“Romney’s position on same-sex marriage is also historic but not in the way it should be,’’ said Joe Solmonese, a co-chair of Obama’s campaign. “He has pledged to write discrimination into the constitution.’’

The Obama campaign also announced a new effort Wednesday to boost voter registration and turnout in the gay and lesbian community through phone banks, house parties and other grassroots outreach efforts.

A CELEBRATION OF FRIENDS K BOOW O N UR JUNE 21-24, 2012 ON O TE! I WEBS

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HOST HOTEL: HILTON FORT LAUDERDALE AIRPORT

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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Questions from a Teen ‘Down Under’

By Brian McNaught

A

n Australian university student in Brisbane wrote asking for a perspective on his research project.

Specifically, he had four questions for which he wanted answers. There was a day when such a message from ‘down under’ would have been as startling as retrieving a message in a bottle. But in today’s world, there’s nothing shocking about how global the LGBT civil rights movement has become.

Patrick learned about me from a piece I wrote for CNN on “Why Gays Should Come Out at Work.” He asked, and I replied, to the following questions.

1. Do you think helping a person to deny his or her sexual orientation is doing harm to his or her overall well being?

Yes. Studies have shown that forcing a lefthanded person to use his or her right hand impacts their self-esteem. Diminished selfesteem impacts emotional health and productivity. The same can be said about forcing Gay people who deny their sexual orientation are unhappy people.

Heterosexual people who attempt to have gay people deny their sexual orientation are abusing them, and are fully responsible for the unhappiness they create.

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a person with a homosexual orientation to act as a heterosexual. Doing so increases the risk of physically and emotionally-damaging behaviors, such as running away from home, engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors like unprotected anal sex, excessive use of alcohol and drugs, and thoughts of self-destruction.

The happiest gay and lesbian people I have encountered in my nearly 40 years as a sexuality educator focusing on these issues are those who embrace their sexual orientation as good, and who thus feel free to pursue a fully loving life. I have never met a person who regrets coming out of the closet.

Gay people who deny their sexual orientation are unhappy people. Heterosexual people who attempt to have gay people deny their sexual orientation are abusing them, and are fully responsible for the unhappiness they create.

Let’s assume that a gay person has good reason for refraining from having sex, such as when he enters the seminary. Trying to make him feel guilty about being gay by referring to his sexual orientation as a “sin,” “sexual immaturity,” or as “disordered” has the opposite of the intended effect. Guilt is the energy for the repetition of unacceptable thoughts and feelings. The more a person feels guilty about his or her feelings, the less likely he or she will be able to respond to those feelings in an emotionally healthy manner. Instead, the gay seminarian should be encouraged to embrace his homosexual feelings as an important part of his make-up.

2. Although workplaces and schools have policies that do not tolerate prejudice and discrimination against homosexuality, there are still cases of homosexuals who are criticized and bullied. Are you able to

identify the gaps in such policies and also suggest some solutions for schools and workplaces to look into such gaps so that homosexuals are not criticized and bullied because of their sexual orientation?

If a school, church, workplace, or other entity wants to eliminate bullying, it can do so only by providing to all members of its group a good education about sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression.

Ignorance is the parent of fear. Policies don’t eliminate ignorance. Policies often make ignorant people feel angry. That anger gets taken out overtly and covertly on the people whom they fear.

GEORGES FOLON

McNaught’s Notes

Non-discrimination and zero tolerance policies need to be clearly stated, understood, and enforced, as promised. Equivocation on the enforcement of policy creates chaos. But for true change to happen, group members need to be given the tools to understand which of their behaviors are inappropriate and why.

Diversity education programs that simply include sexual orientation and gender identity as elements of an overall training are generally not effective in ending anti-gay and anti-transgender bias. The most successful education programs include “putting a face on the issue,” which helps personalize the impact of bullying.

3. Although some homosexuals receive great support from their loved ones when

they ‘come out’, there are others who go through a great deal of emotional turmoil. Could you provide suggestions on how homosexuals could ‘come out’ to their loved ones?

Telling the significant people in your life that you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender is a very personal act, and should be done with wisdom, strength and self-esteem.

People who live in a culture or home, worship in a church, or work in an environment that is hostile to homosexual or transgender people face far more obstacles to having their coming out be remembered happily. But that doesn’t mean that an unwelcoming environment will create an unhappy coming out, nor that a welcoming environment will foster happy memories of coming out. A great deal depends upon the person who is coming out.

He or she gives others the cues they need on how to respond. Disclosing that you are gay communicates shame. Declaring you are gay communicates pride. Prior to coming out, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, to the best of their abilities, should surround themselves with emotionally healthy people, and learn as much as they can about the successes in the lives of others who are LGBT. The “It Gets Better” testimonies on YouTube are a good place to begin the process of self-affirmation, prior to coming out in a public way.

4. What are some practical ways for traditional Christians to understand the teachings of the Bible regarding homosexuality?

They have to decide whether they believe Jesus when he said that the law was made for man, not man for the law. That’s true no matter where in the world they live.

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 Brian-McNaught.com for more information.

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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One Magical Weekend – GayDays in Orlando One Magical Weekend, presents two of the premier events during GayDays in Orlando each year.

Here’s a roundup of their events.

Friday Night June 1: The Crown Jewel of the week, RipTide at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Waterpark An aquatic spectacle filled with as much splash and spirits and revelry one could possibly fathom…6,000 of LGBT’s finest… screaming down the water rides and surfing the tidal wave at the 52-acre world class waterpark. From 8 pm to 2 am…if you can’t get juiced about this private party then you ought to check your own pulse.

Yeah…it’s that good.

Brought to you by the boys of Let’s Go Play and presenting sponsor Bud Light, this legendary event will feature thousands of hot boys and girls dancing and frolicking to the amazing beats of DJ Randy Bettis. The park is all ours for the night, so you can let your imagination run wild.

Gently cruise down Castaway Creek with a “new” friend or catch a six-foot wave in the Wave Pool. Or just chill on the Sandy White Beach with friends new and old? There is something for everyone; it’s impossible not to have a great time.

A portion of the ticket sales will go to two in-need Florida HIV/AIDS charities (www.browardhouse.org and www.hopeandhelp.org). Giving back has never been this much fun!

Back for another exciting year behind the turntables at Riptide at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, will be international DJ/ Producer Randy Bettis. From mega-events of thousands to intimate house parties, DJ/ Producer Randy Bettis is among the most sought-after mixmasters in the dance-music industry. Sign up for their Newsletter at www.onemagicalweekend.com and receive

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a FREE 6-hour podcast of Randy’s RipTide 211 set…amazing.

Saturday, June 2: Red T Shirt Day at Magic Kingdom The first event, in 1991, had 3,000 lesbians and gays from Central Florida going to area theme parks on one day wearing red shirts to make their presence more visible.

By 1995, the event had grown to 10,000 gays and lesbians traveling for the gay day at Disney. As of 2011 approximately 150,000 LGBTs, their families, friends and supporters attended the six-day gathering (including various pool parties, conventions, festivals, a business expo, activities for kids, etc.) with 20,000 to 30,000 going to WDW on the final day. Held on the first Saturday in June (with numerous other events in the area during the preceding week), it is now one of the largest gay pride events in the world.

Sunday, June 3: Drink Around the World and Retro T at Epcot A new addition last year to One Magical Weekend, Drink Around the World and Retro T-Dance at EPCOT with one of the most famous Retro Music DJ’s in existence, DJ Robbie Leslie. Robbie has been performing on the international circuit for 35 years. Think the Saint and the Saint-AtLarge, Studio 54, Underground, Private Eyes, Palladium, the Red Parrot, 12 West, and the Ice Palace. Robbie has been the resident DJ for RSVP Vacations for 17 years. Join us in Germany, Italy, Mexico and England along with hundreds of other new friends…then for a Retro T at the private Odyssey Disco.

For the spectacular finale, join us at our private VIP close up viewing area of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth…Epcot’s world renowned fireworks and laser show.

Visit www.onemagicalweekend.com for more information. Also join the excitement at www. facebook.com/letsgoplay and www.twitter. com/riptideorlando.

May 30, 2012 • 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

Theater Broward County

*South Florida JAZZ presents The Bad Plus

The Bad Plus -- pianist Ethan Iverson, bassist Reid Anderson and drummer David King -- have broken down the walls of jazz convention and created an uncompromising body of work. The Bad Plus will be at the Miniaci Performing Arts Center on June 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40. The Bad Plus is both thrilling and provocative, which makes it one of the most acclaimed bands on the jazz scene. Visit southfloridajazz.org

*Dance Dimensions 2012 Spring Performance

Dance Dimensions end of the year spring performance.

Featuring talented students from the ages of 3 on up sharing their love of dance with the community. Performance will be held June 2-3 at the Broward Center. Show times may vary.

Visit BrowardCenter.org

Kathy Griffin Returns

Popular comedienne Kathy Griffin is back for more applause at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on June 2 at 8 p.m. Two-time Emmy winner, NY Times bestselling author, Grammy nominee, 2009’s GLAAD Vanguard recipient and 2011 Trevor Project Life Award honoree Kathy Griffin is a multi-faceted performer with a rapid fire wit.

She has been making audiences laugh for years discussing Hollywood gossip and celebrity blunders. Visit SeminolehHardRockHollywood.com

Palm Beach County *Boy

Inspired by the Oscar nominated Two Cars, One Night, Boy is the hilarious and heart-felt coming of age tale about heroes, magic and Michael Jackson. Boy is a dreamer who loves Michael Jackson. The Wall Street Journal says Boy is, “Super-exuberant and super affecting…a comedy with a serious core.” Catch this amazing play at the Mos’Art Theatre on Wednesday, May 30 at 3 p m. Visit Mosarttheatre.com

*KeyHole

If you like action and adrenaline Keyhole is for you. Keyhole has it all: from gangsters to police to a great love between a husband and wife. Keyhole will be at Mos Art Theatre on May 31. Visit Mosarttheatre.com

Proof

This Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning drama Proof will be at the Palm Beach Dramaworks located at 201 Clematis Street. This play is about a daughter of a brilliant but mentally disturbed mathematician tries to come to grips with her possible inheritance: his insanity. Visit Palmbeachdramaworks. org/index.php

The Fantasticks

The Fantasticks is the world’s longest running musical and is about captivating love story about a boy, a girl, two fathers and a wall, the narrator, El Gallo, creates a world of moonlight and magic, then pain and disillusionment, until the boy and girl find their way back to each other. The score, which includes “Try to Remember,” is as timeless as the story itself! Visit Palmbeachdramaworks.org/index.php

Miami-Dade

*The Third Baila Flamenco Festival “Vacations in Spain”

Dance Studio Baila Flamenco, part of Hispanic Flamenco Ballet presents the 3rd Baila Flamenco Student Dance Festival. “Vacations in Spain” will be at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center on Sunday, June 3. This festival features over 60 performers, ranging in ages from 3 and up, gathering together to celebrate the culmination of their 2011-2012 season. The Festival features ballet, classical Español, folklore and Flamenco dance styles. Visit BrowardCenter.org

*Summer Shorts

Summer Shorts is one fast and furiously fun program of the nation’s hottest “short” plays! Strung together in a whirlwind of bite-size nuggets, these mini-plays will one minute have you laughing hysterically and the next shocked beyond belief. Hang on for the ride of your life in this wonderful evening of theater that promises something for absolutely everyone!

This amazing play will be at the Carnival Studio Theater in the Ziff Ballet Opera House on June 1. For more information Visit arshtcenter.org

The Lion King

Experience the phenomenon of Disney’s The Lion King.

Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle at the Ziff Ballet Opera House through June 10. Times vary. Thrill to the pulsating rhythms of the African Pride Lands and an unforgettable score including Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning song “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life.”

Let your imagination run wild at the Tony Award-winning Broadway sensation Newsweek calls “a landmark event in entertainment.” Visit Arshtcenter.org

Key West

Red Barn: Match

This Broadway hit stars like the hysterical Tom Luna as Tobi Powell, an eccentric and endearing dancer, choreographer and teacher. A married couple arrives at Powell’s apartment to interview him about his life, but it is soon evident that their agenda is as multi-layered as Tobi’s life story. Call 305-2969911 or Email: info@redbarntheatre.com

Key West Pops: Kiss Me Kate

The annual musical-in-concert features Cole Porter’s production starring Susan Powell and Richard White. This classic from the Golden Age of Broadway musicals is pure entertainment gold with hits songs and great dance sequences. The guest artist roster is to reflect the Pops’ usual practice of bringing together out-of-town artists and Key West favorites. Starts at 7:30 p.m. and is at the Tennessee Williams Theatre. Call 305-296-6059 or Email: info@ keywestpops.org

Community Calendar Broward County *How I Got My Kid

Come hear personal stories from LGBT families In a powerful, narrative-driven format! Several families will share the distinct processes they pursued in expanding their families.

This night represents the first in a new “Growing My Family’ series at the Pride Center on June 5 at 7 p.m. The processes of adoption, foster care, surrogacy or alternative insemination/IVF can seem daunting, requiring significant commitments of time, emotional energy and financial resources.

Vegetarian Potluck Dinner w/ Love Panel Discussion

Come out to the Drolma Buddhist Center on June 2 for an evening of food, fun, and meaningful conversation. The topic is love, and here is how it works: bring your favorite vegetarian dish, and after dinner there will convene for the Love Panel. Our distinguished Master of Ceremonies, Gui Passow, will draw the questions out one-by-one, and pose them to the panelists: Gen Norbu, Tatiana Buonassisi, Carol Strandberg, and “Buddha Bob” Brockman. Their job is to answer your questions, with the occasional participation of the crowd (you!). Cost $5. Visit Meditationinfortlauderdale.org

Meditation Classes

These meditation classes will be held at the pride center thorugh June 6 in room 206. Attachment is one of the most Insidious and pervasive delusions, lurking in our minds almost all the time. These classes will be held by western Buddhist teacher Tatiana Buonassisi. Visit MeditationInFortLauderdale.org

continued on page 28

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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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.

We often feel helpless, wanting to help people but not knowing how, or not having what it would take. We need to develop wisdom to benefit others effectively, and we also need to be skillful with our body and speech. This comes from a real understanding and empathy for others’ experiences, and unconditional love. As we cultivate these, we will find our efforts to benefit others becoming far more powerful. $10/ class or $30/series. The series began May 27 and on June 3 with It’s Not about You: Exchanging Self with Others, and June 10 with What are they Going Through? Compassion.

Visit Meditationinfortlauderdale.org

Cleaning Yourself: The Four Powers of Purification

Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do the same things keep happening to us, even though we have already learned from them? This is the result of negative karmic imprints. Until this karma is exhausted, suffering will keep appearing, and we will continue to feel stuck in a cycle.

Learning how to purify this negativity before it ripens is one of the kindest things we can do for ourselves. $10/class or $30/series includes vegetarian food. Series begins June 14 with It is Not About Guilt: The Power of Regret, and June 21 with Faith & Compassion: The Power of Reliance, and June 28 with Making Up for the Past: The Power of the Opponent Force, and July 5 with Setting Realistic Goals: The Power of Promise. Visit Meditationinfortlauderdale.org

Leadership Broward Foundation Hosts 30th Anniversary Celebration

The Leadership Broward Foundation, Broward County’s premier leadership development organization, hosts “30ROCK- Dancing through the Decades” in celebration of its 30th anniversary. Evening features cocktail reception, dinner, dancing and performance by The Sheffield Brothers.

Event will take place on Friday, June 8. Cocktail reception at 7 p.m. Midnight anniversary party at 8 p.m. at the Signature Grand located at 6900 State Road 84 In Davie. Tickets are $100 per person. Contact Suzanne Higgins at 954-767-8866 or Suzanne@leadershipbroward.org

By J.W. Arnold

Learning from Death, Waking up to Life

It can feel like our life is one mundane task after another, until we are exhausted, with no time or energy for spiritual activities. Worse, our preoccupation with worldly affairs is a source of tremendous anxiety and frustration, leaving us with no peace or contentment. Strangely, the most powerful solution to these problems is to remember that we are going to die. By seeing our existence in this much broader context, we realize what really matters and make time for it, finding deep satisfaction and fulfillment. From Joyful Path of Good Fortune. $10/class or $30/series begins June 17 with Overcoming Anxiety: The Eight Worldly Concerns, and June 24 with Freedom from Denial: Death is Certain , and July 1 with Making Every Moment Meaningful: The Time of Death is Uncertain, and July 8 with Preparing for the Future: At Death and Afterwards, What Helps? Visit Meditationinfortlauderdale.org

Corporate Challenge of Florida

Opening ceremony begins August 2012. Corporate Challenge of Florida is bringing the spirit of the Olympics to Broward County. Offering many different sporting events throughout Broward. The largest sporting event in South Florida will have the opportunity to show unity, sportsmanship and camaraderie. Each company’s registration fees will support the American Heart Association, breast cancer research, Make a Wish Foundation and more local charitable South Florida organizations. Visit Ccoffl.org/thanks.php

Meditation After Work

On Mondays from 6-6:30 p.m. there will be Guided meditation w/ western Buddhist teacher Gui Passow. Looking for a way to rest and re-charge before starting your evening? Come in for a free guided meditation to clear your mind at the end of the day. This class is free at Drolma Buddhist Center. Call 954-537-9191 or visit meditationinfortlauderdale.org

Queer Youth Nights

LGBTQ & allied youth 13-21 are welcome any time after 6 p.m. at the SunServe building on Wilton Drive for a great place to meet new friends, play board games and a Queer Themed Movie at 7 p.m. Email Afrosch@sunServe.org

continued on page 20

courtesy of the colony hotel

The Power to Benefit Others: Skillful Means

STAGE DOOR

Will and Anthony Nunziata

Double the Pleasure Twin singing sensations Will and Anthony Nunziata make return appearances at Palm Beach’s Colony Hotel Royal Room, June 1-2, 8-9 and 15-16. The handsome crooners will debut a new cabaret show, “Make Someone Happy,” featuring lots of swing and classic pop standards. Enjoy a gourmet prix fixee dinner and show for $90 per person or the performance only for $60. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the hotel box office, 561-659-8100.

A Summer Tradition Continues at Arsht

Tundra Tuesday

Kickoff Party May 29, 2012 $5 Martini Madness $5 Appetizer Menu $3 Domestic $4 Imports Vodka Luge Dinner For Two at Tundra Drawing See our web page for details and coupons:

tundralasolas.com/tuesdays Tundra Las Olas, 1017 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301, 954 761 2122

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One summer tradition you can always count on in June is City Theatre’s Summer Shorts festival, one of the most popular theatrical events of the year. This year’s festival will include nine short plays, performed at the Arsht Center’s Carnival Studio Theatre, Friday, June 1 – Sunday, June 17.

If you like “Saturday Night Live,” you’ll love the fast-paced program from some of the country’s most talented playwrights and performed by a troupe of seasoned local actors. They’ll have you laughing in minutes as they shift from story to the next. The 17th annual festival includes “The Audition Play” by Israel Horovitz, “Reality Show” by Mark Swaner and “The Man from Mars” by Christopher Demos-Brown.

Tickets are $35 at ArshtCenter.org. The festival almost always sells out, so reserve your seats today.

not take the stage again.

Last week, we learned TWTP found a new home in Boca Raton at the Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park, also home to the Boca Raton Theatre Guild, where Genie Croft, founder and artistic director, had been recently directing. TWTP plans two shows for the 2012-13 season, including Delval Divas, a comedy by Barbara Pease Weber, Nov. 2-18, and Faye Sholiton’s The Interview, Jan. 4-20, 2013. According to Croft, a third production is “not an impossibility.”

We’re just pleased that smart lesbians will again have a place to flock, as noted by a prominent South Florida alternative weekly. Now, we just need to find a home for the gay-centric Rising Action Theatre that had most recently called the Sunshine Cathedral home before closing last season.

And Yet More Theatre News

Since we’re talking about the Boca Raton Theatre Guild, that company also announced its 2012-13 season: Director Genie Croft will stage Sylvia, the comic tale of a middle-aged couple that moves back to New York City; however, their life gets upended when the husband adopts a most unusual canine. Sylvia will run Sept. 28-Oct. 14.

Two of South Florida’s top talents, Choreographer Ron Hutchins and Music Director Eric Alsford, join director Keith Garsson for Kander and Ebb’s hit musical, Chicago, in March.You’ll be humming along More Theatre News to familiar favorites like “All that Jazz,” South Florida drama lovers collectively “Cellblock Tango” and “Razzle Dazzle” in sighed in desperation last winter when this elaborate musical production that has The Women’s Theatre Project (TWTP) become one of the longest running shows announced it had lost its performance on Broadway. space in a downtown Fort Lauderdale warehouse. With a sour economy and For more information, go to BRTG.org or call support for the arts floundering in the Willow Theatre Box Office, 561-347-3948. general, many feared the company might

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

photo by Steven Shires

Nolan – Pingpank Birthdays Couple Celebrates May Milestone Birthdays

John Knox Village, Pompano Beach, residents Robert C. Pingpank (l) and Richard T. Nolan (r) , a couple since 1955, celebrate their 75th birthdays within three days of each other at the end of May. In 2009 they were married legally in the chapel of Trinity College, Hartford, during their 50th class reunion. Their family friendly website is at www.nolan-pingpank.com

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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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.

WIG: Wild Inspirational Gatherings

WIG is a new and exciting weekly event that will inspire and empower you to celebrate life. Imagine a gay revival mixing spirituality, disco meditation, drag divas, WIG’s Gayngster Choir and a fabulous message from Rev. Jamie! WIG seeks to empower gay youth, adults and our allies with positive energy, a fun environment and a gay spirit. Doors open at 7:30, curtain up at 8. Tickets: $10 suggested donation, VIP booth seating $30. 754-444-1WIG (1944)

Saturday Nite Alive

The free event will showcase the best of Fort Lauderdale Beach for 11 fun filled Saturday nights: June 2 through August 11 (7 p.m. – 11 p.m.). The entertainment lineup includes more than 20 high-energy entertainment acts i.e. Billy Bones, Taiko Drummers, Swahili, House of Flying Cards, Rafael & Ligia and the Bahamian Junkanoo Revue. Each Saturday night, entertainers will perform on the sidewalks along the west side of AIA on Fort Lauderdale Beach from Hall of Fame Drive to Castillo Street. Visit Wizard-Entertainment.com

Man2Man Discussion Group

Man2Man Discussion Group meets at the Pride Center on Mondays from 7 until 8:30 p.m. Any subject may be discussed. Members regularly reassemble afterwards for ‘repast’ at The Courtyard, PeterPan Diner. Visit Glccsf.org

Latinos Salud’s programs

Multiple programs and groups for bi/gay Latino guys. Latinos Salud’s SOMOS program is for guys 18 to 30. All proceeds will benefit Latinos Salud in our efforts to educate on HIV Prevention and testing. Every Thursday night at 7 p.m. join the Core Group, and help plan alternative activities. Also offers Popular Opinion Leader group for guys ages 25 to 44 and a Life Coaching program for guys ages 18 to 44. Come by Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for free one-on-one life coaching with certified CRCS coaches. Located at 2330 Wilton Drive. Call 954-533-8681 or visit Latinossalud.org

SunServe Youth Programs

LGBTQ Inclusive Youth Prom (ages 13-21) Saturday, June 2, from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. in Fort Lauderdale. A safe place to be yourself and meet new friends. Special guest MCs, DJS and performers. Friday night queer youth. A safe space to be yourself. Ages 13-21 between 6 to 10:30 p.m. Queer Themed Movie showing at 7 p.m. Gender Bender Youth Group for ages 13-21 on Mondays at 7-8:30 p.m. Youth Group for LGBTQ youth and allies 13-21 in Fort Lauderale, Plantation, Coral Springs, Southwest Ranches, Deerfield Beach, and Hollywood. Check website for days and times. Located at 1480 SW 9th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315. Visit www.

SunServeYouth.com

Latin Night Bingo

Latin night bingo and dinner fundraiser for Hildana Ciser at the Pride Center in the main hall, building A. The Latin inspired dinner starts at 530 p.m. and bingo starts at 730 p.m. Dana will be raffling away one of her paintings. Don’t miss out on owning an original Dana work of art. There are sponsorships available for those interested. The will also be an open snack bar for all that attend. Call 954-463-9005

GLBTA Diversity Summit

The Florida Diversity Council is please to be sponsoring its Inaugural GLBTA Diversity Summit on Friday, June 22 at the Pride Center at Equality Park from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Registration for the half day event is $49 and the event will be held at The Pride Center in Wilton Manors, Florida. Visit Glbtsummit.com

Buddhist Meditation Classes: Happiness from a Different Source

All the happiness there is in the world arises from wishing others to be happy. By abandoning self-centered thoughts and replacing them with the belief that others are important, we will overcome our suffering and find true happiness inside our own hearts. $10/class or $30/series includes vegetarian food after class. Call The Drolma Buddhist Center at 954-537-9191.

Intimate Partner Abuse Group

SunServe is offering a new weekly support group for LGBT people that are experiencing abuse in their intimate relationships, or have just left an abusive intimate relationship.

Abuse includes: name calling, put downs, slurs, humiliation, isolation, being kept from friends and family, economic deprivation, threats, intimidation, violence, sexual coercion, and sexual violence. Call 954-764-5150 extension 104.

Dream Car Classic

Every Sunday of the month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pre-1980s classic cars, modern classics and custom cars from 19812012 will be showcased. $10 car registration from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (Show Car Entrance: 20th Avenue & Tyler Street).

People’s Choice Award - 2 Classes; Top Ten Vehicles Award.

Call 954-214-2457

Living Healthy

Fusion in Wilton Manors will be having a free workshop on healthy choices, and healthy living on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This workshop provides interactive learning, practice and mastery techniques for a healthier and more active life, and positive changes for quality of life. Call 954-630-1655

Community-Wide Weight Loss Challenge This is a community-wide eight-week weight loss program aimed for people ages 15 to 80 to shed excess weight. The “Body Beach Challenge” will take place through June 2.

Part of the proceeds will benefit the 2012 Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.

Cost is a $25 registration fee. Participants will receive a body transformation guide with weight loss and healthy living guidelines as well as a spiral bound daily exercise and nutrition guidebook. The individual with the most dramatic improvement will be declared the winner. The grand prize includes a $400 personal training package at Push Fitness.

Visit PushFitnessFTL.com.

Life Coaching program

Latinos Salud’s Life Coaching program is for Latino gay/bi guys ages 18-44. Come by Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for free one-on-one life coaching with certified CRCS coaches. Set your goals, and meet action steps to make them come true. Stop in for more info at 2330 Wilton Drive or call 954-765-6239. Visit Latinossalud.org

Sex and Love Anonymous

S.L.A.A. believes that sex and love addiction is a progressive illness which cannot be cured but which, like many illnesses, can be arrested. It may take several forms -- including, but not limited to, a compulsive need for sex, extreme dependency on one or many people, or a chronic pre-occupation with romance, intrigue, or fantasy. Meets at The Pride Center at Equality Park in Bldg A, Room 200 Fridays 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Visit Slaafws.org

A Survivor Support Group

A Survivor Support Group is being held on the first and third Wednesday of each month at the 211 Community Center, 250 NE 33rd Street, in Oakland Park. The Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention (FISP) is sponsoring this free support group and is open to all family members and friends of those who have died by suicide. Call 954-384-0344 to register. Meets from 7-8:30 p.m. Visit Fisponline.org.

Grief Support Group

Meets every 3rd Tuesday at American Burial & Cremation Center @ Jennings Funeral Home 1801 E. Oakland Park Blvd. from 2-4 p.m. Call 954-731-4321.

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Eating Disorder Support group

Meets Friday evenings from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. At Sun Serve’s Wilton Manors location at 2123 Wilton Drive, second floor.

A “drop-in” psycho-educational support group. Free. No registration required. Donations welcome. Call 954-764-5150

SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch

First Sunday of every month. An ideal way to relax and enjoy Fort Lauderdale’s scenic Riverwalk. Live, outdoor concert series bringing the area’s best local jazz artists. Listen to the soulful sounds on four different stages. Well-behaved, leashed pets welcome. Plenty of room for chairs, blankets and picnic baskets.

Young Adult GLBT

A social group open to all LGBT people ages 18-35. Meets Fridays at the Pride Center in Wilton Manors from 7:15-9 p.m.

Meeting starts with a discussion on current events followed by introductions and then a group activity. Visit PrideCenterFlorida.org/contact-us

Boardwalk Friday Fest

Come out to Hollywood Beach Theatre East of A1A at Johnson St and the ocean. Admission: Free every Friday of every month. Live jazz, blues, pop and everything in between along Hollywood’s signature 2.5 mile boardwalk. Charming oceanfront cafes and restaurants serve up delicious innovative cuisine while you enjoy the best array of live music and tropical ocean breezes. Visit Hollywoodfl.org or call 954-924-2980

Toastmasters

Most Toastmasters meetings are comprised of about 20 people who meet weekly for an hour or so. Participants practice and learn skills by filling a meeting role, ranging from giving a prepared speech or an impromptu one to serving as timer, evaluator or grammarian. Toastmasters meet at the GLCC/Pride Center Monday at 7:15 p.m. Call Ted Verdone at 954-566-2074 or email: Tedverdone@comc​ast.net

Safe “T”

Safe “T” is a support group for gender variant adults. Meets Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Sunserve’s Wilton Manors location at 2312 Wilton Drive, second floor.

A “drop-in” psycho-educational support group. Free. No registration required. Donations welcome. Call 954-764-5150.

Tuesday Night Eatin Meeting

Tuesday Night Eatin’ Meeting will be held at The Alternative MC Clubhouse at 4322 NE 5th Ave in Oakland Park. Fun, food, and fellowship. There will be hamburgers, hotdogs, all the fixins, cold drinks, desserts, and snacks. Meeting begins at 8 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. Visit Alternativemc.com/events/ florida-events

Gay Men’s HIV+ Long Time Survivors’ Group

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. Meets on 1st and 3rd Thursday at SunServe 2312 Wilton Drive from 6:30 – 8 p.m. No cost. Donations welcome.

Gay Male Empowerment Group

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

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. Starts at 7 p.m. Call 954-630-1655.

Women4Women Support Group

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

May 30, 2012 • 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.

Palm Beach County *Male Revue

Check out who will be at MARA on June 27. Show starts promptly at 9pm and runs until 2 a.m. $10.00 cover to party all night. Open to the first 200 people and then the doors are shut to keep the crowd to a minimum so the dancers can pay individual attention to each attendee. Four hot hunks, one low cover and 200 screaming fans. Open to women and men.

Visit Maraglobaldimensions.com

*Stonewall Ball Black and White Party

The doors always open at 8:30 p.m. on June 30 and the ball features several live entertainment acts, a silent auction and dancing as we gather in a celebration of history. Palm Beach casual, cocktail and costumed attire, in black and white, is encouraged. Regular admission is $25, or $15 with Compass memberships. Visit Compassglcc.com

*Lake Worth Downtown Bike Night

The Lake Worth bike night is fun, and it’s for a cause. Join loads of people in downtown Lake Worth every Thursday from 7pm-10pm. The event is free and open to bikers and nonbikers. For more information visit Lakeworthbikenight.com

Motivation Man Triathlons

Choose your distance and choose your race! Ready to prove you can do it solo or did you want relay participation with friends? Either way, it’s your way to swim, bike and run through picturesque streetscapes and historic neighborhoods of The Palm Beaches. This event is free to spectators and will take place in beautiful Downtown West Palm Beach.

For more information Visit Motivationman.com

Music for the Mind

Kretzer Piano presents Stuart School of Music. Offering lessons in piano, voice, clarinet, guitar, violin, viola and cello from a faculty of nine professional teachers. Honor students along with faculty members will perform. Proceeds will benefit music scholarships and the school’s music education program. Takes place June 19 at 7 p.m. at the Harriet Himmel Theater. Visit Kretzerpiano.com/local-events-concerts

PFLAG

PFLAG is a monthly support, coming out and rap groups for families of & for Gay, Lesbian, Bi, and Transgender people. Meeting in Palm Beach County is at 6:30 on the third Wednesday of the month. Call or e-mail Carol at 561-716-9464 Pflag@pobox.com

New Alternatives

Social group with regular outings and social mixers for LGBTQ ages 18 to 30. This meeting will take place at The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Palm Beach County. Email matthew@compassglcc.com or Visit Compassglcc.com.

Sober Sisters AA

Support group is dedicated for lesbians who are recovering from alcoholism. Meeting happens every Monday at 7 p.m. at Lambda North Clubhouse. Visit LambdaNorth.net

PBC Gender Support Group

All ages support group dedicated for transgender individuals.

This meeting happens the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. These meeting will take place at The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Palm Beach County. Visit Compassglcc.com

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. Classes are Wed. at 9 a.m. Cost is $20 and RSVP is suggested. Call 561404-2011. Visit OrchidWeb.org

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

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

Paths

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

Living Buddhism

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

Miami-Dade

Transgender Symposium

On Sat. June 16 at 8 a.m. till 4 p.m. come the Coral Gables Congregational Church, Fellowship Hall for this amazing discussion featuring Internationally Recognized Sexologist Marilyn Volker. This workshop has a $10 registration fee. The registration fee, payable when attendees sign-in, helps cover cost of materials, continental breakfast and lunch. This is going to be one workshop you will not want to miss. For more information email Melanie@safeschoolssouthflorida.org

European Film Festival 2012

The European Film Festival [in Miami] has a unique position in the landscape of the major film festivals. For the last 6 years, thousands of film enthusiasts and industry professionals from all over the world meet in Miami and transform the city into an international capital of amateur cinema. Opening night Thursday May 31. Visit Europeanfilmfest.org

Sizzle Apocalypse Soak Him Pool Party

Sizzle has landed “The Pool” where it will host the largest pool party ever at the Finnegan’s river located on Miami’s Historic riverfront. The atmosphere will be absolutely captivating. The Soak Him pool party is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Featuring amazing entertainment, a show stopping swimwear fashion show starring the Men of Sizzle, and a head-turning hot body contest. For more information visit Sizzleevents.com

Good Orderly AA

Aids Quilt Panel Workshops

Seniors vs. Crime

Lambda Dade Clubhouse

These meetings now take place at Lambda North at 18 S. J Street, and geared toward recovering alcoholics. Every Tues. and Thurs. at 7 p.m. and on Sat. at 5:30 p.m. These meetings will help recovering alcoholics cope with the stress of everyday life without the use of alcohol. Email tcamie@aol.com Seniors vs. Crime is a free service that provides help to seniors who have been victimized by businesses or service providers and need assistance. This event will take place at Mae Volen Senior Center at 1515 W. Palmetto Park Road. By appointment only so call 561-736-3820 or 561-395-8920.

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 p.m. 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.

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

Miami Beach Community Health Center’s “Making Memories” will assist those interested in creating an AIDS Quilt panel as a way to pay tribute to a life lost to AIDS. Workshops are held the fourth Saturday of every month through October. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Workshops are free. Visit Miamibeachhealth.org or 305-538-8835 or 1-800-393-1290 A meeting place for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender communities and friends in recovery. Hosts Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Al-Anon, Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA), Debtors Anonymous (DA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA), meetings. (305) 573-9608. 212 NE 24th Street. Miami. Visit Lambdadadeclubhouse.org

Key West

Key West Pride

On June 6 - 10, come show your pride in our tropical paradise, and you’ll find yourself in the midst of a celebration unlike any other. From the opening party to the closing parade, you’ll discover quickly that the best place to show your pride is on an island whose official motto is “one human Family.” The welcoming island invites you to join us at Key West Pride!

Visit Gaykeywestfl.com

continued on page 22

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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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. *St.

Mary Star of the Sea Basilica Ceremony

Celebrate the designation of St. Mary Star of the Sea as a Minor Basilica by the Vatican at a solemn mass with the conferral of the insignia. Located at 1010 Windsor Lane, St. Mary Star of the Sea is the oldest Catholic church in South Florida.

Archbishop of Miami Thomas Wenski and Father John Baker of St. Mary are to preside. A ceremonial procession is set for 6:45 pm on May 31 and the mass is at 7 p.m. Please arrive early since a large crowd of worshippers is expected. Visit Gaykeywest.com

17th Annual Golf Tournament

One of the longest running golf tournaments in the Florida Keys, the event supports scholarships for Florida Keys students in the hospitality and culinary fields of study. Just $100 per player includes greens fees at Key West Golf Club, goodie bag, food (Breakfast and Lunch), drinks, hot dog stand, Mimosas and Bloody Marys and much more! Team up with four of your friends or sign up individually. Call 305-2964959 or Email: executiveoffice@keyslodging.org

*Mercury Marine Ladies Dolphin Championship

Female anglers have seven (7) ways to win $10,000 in cash and prizes for catching dolphin during the one-day event.

A $3,000 cash prize is to be awarded to the angler catching the single heaviest dolphin during the day-long tournament.

The second-place angler is to receive $1,500 cash and the third-place angler is to receive $500 in cash. A boat prize of $2,500 will be presented to the team weighing in the heaviest aggregate weight of two dolphins. Contact: Lee Murray 305296-0364 or 305-797-1117 or e-mail: lee@murraymarine.com

nightlife Broward County 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, Friday and Saturday night live DJs. 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) 567-5978.

Large bar/ nightclub, amazing drink specials in Wilton Manors! Wednesday’s after 9 p.m. $10 Miller Lite Beer Bust

Boardwalk

1721 N. Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311. (954) 4636969. 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 9 p.m. $3 U-Call-It Shots

The Club Fort Lauderdale

Bathhouse. 110 NW 5th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL, (954) 5253344 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.

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 Fort. Lauderdale Beach. Wednesday All the fun, half the price 2-4-1 All Day, All Night

Corner Pub Bar

PJ’s Corner Pocket

Cubby Hole

Ramrod

1915 N. 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.

823 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 7289001. 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 drinks 9 p.m. to close

The Depot Cabana Bar and Grill

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

Dudes Bar

3270 NE 33rd St Fort Lauderdale FL 954-568-7777. Sexy hot men starting to shake the booty daily from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Sundays enjoy karaoke with Peter Petrucci. Great drink specials every Monday with $1 well drinks from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

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.

Johnny’s

1116 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, (954) 5225931. Monday Dragon with TP Lords, Daisy D. and DJ Rob Sky Some of the hottest guys around with great happy hour drink specials. Bring all your friends to this sexy Bar.

The Manor

2345 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (954) 626 0082 Come Dine, Dance, Drink, Mingle and of course Relax. 2 for 1 happy hour Tues-Friday 3-9 p.m. Indoor/Outdoor Dining. Dance the night away Thursday through 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.

Mona’s

502 E. 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 8 p.m. Enjoy College Boy’s Choice 2 for 1

Monkey Business

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

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

Discotekka

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.

Scandals Country Western Bar

Every Saturday

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

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

Johnny’s

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 4 p.m. to 2am

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.

Smarty Pants

Score

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.

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.

The Stable

Swinging Richards

Sidelines Sports Bar

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.

17450 Biscayne Blvd, N Miami Beach, Fl 33160 954-357-2532 Tuesdays-Saturdays from 6p.m. to 6 a.m. Come and enjoy fully nude guys dancing to the best music in South Florida.

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.

1057 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, Fl, 33139. (305)5389478. 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.

Palm Beach County

Key West

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

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.

Twist

The Cottage (Tea-Dance Sundays)

Naked Grape Wine Bar

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.

Fort Dix

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 5 p.m., Hot Male Dancers 6 p.m., Karaoke 11 p.m.

Mara (Thurs-Sat)

1132 North Dixie Highway, Lake Worth FL $3 Drinks. No Cover.

Open till 5 a.m. Ladies night on Thursdays and Karaoke on Fridays.

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.

The Bar Lake Worth

2211 North Dixie Highway Lake Worth. (561) 370-3954 Thebarlakeworth.com. Men and women share this mostly-locals space as a calm and friendly watering hole. The bar often features live music which can be a nice break from thumping bass.

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.

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Club Space

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.

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

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.

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

Miami-Dade

801 Bar

The Bourbon St. Pub

724 Duval St. (305)296-1992. Key West’s premier video bar with LIVE DJ’S nightly. A taste of N’Awlins in the heart of Old Town – Enjoy Key West’s hottest music videos on the large screen while the boys entertain on the bar. No Cover.

La Te Da

1125 Duval St. 305-296-6706 Fun Gay-Friendly atmosphere.

Cabaret entertainment during season including Randy Roberts and Chris Peterson. Enjoy great live music Tuesday thru Sunday with Lenore Troia. Cover charge may apply. Great outside bar if you just want to enjoy a cocktail and chat while people watching on Duval Street.

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 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Hooray for Hollywood!

Photo BY Frank Worth, courtesy of NAC Gallery

Long lost photos capture glamour of Tinseltown

By J.W. Arnold

A

new exhibition of long lost photographs by Hollywood paparazzi Frank Worth will bring the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to Fort Lauderdale this summer.

The exhibition, a collection of 60 original silver gelatin prints, will be on display at NAC Gallery, 3325 NE 32nd Ave. in Fort Lauderdale, and includes many candid images of the most iconic figures of the period, including Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Frank Sinatra and Jerry Lewis.

A native of New York, photographer Worth moved to Los Angeles as a young man in 1940 in hopes of finding a career coving the film industry as a news photographer.

He landed a job with the International News Service and soon became close friends with some of the biggest names of the era.

According to gallery owner Vincent Harrison, the magic of the images is in their spontaneous nature: “Frank was a close friend with many of his subjects and he managed to capture them in those rare, relaxed moment when they were just being themselves. The photos are extraordinary and showcase the real personalities of these Hollywood legends.”

Worth shared a fascination with sports cars with James Dean. The actor invited him to go behind the scenes on the sets of Rebel Without a Cause and Giant. Just a few years after Worth arrived in Los Angeles, crooner Frank Sinatra came to Hollywood, and they, too, struck a close, lifelong friendship.

Through Sinatra, Worth met and became acquaintances with other “Rat Pack” regulars, including Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

He also regularly photographed Oscar and Golden Globe ceremonies and after-

parties, candidly capturing the Marx Brothers, Errol Flynn, Rock Hudson, Sofia Loren and Judy Garland.

One of Worth’s most famous images was taken while he was on Marilyn Monroe & location in New Sammy Davis, Jr. York during on the set of the making of How to Marry a The Seven Year Millionaire Itch. Director Billy Wilder positioned Marilyn Monroe, her skirt blowing up, over a subway grate. He caught the legendary director positioning the actress in the pose that would make her famous.

According to Harrison, the rare and valuable collection of negatives that accumulated over Worth’s 60 year career were forgotten and only found after his death in 1999. Appraisers have called the collection one of the most extraordinary of its kind.

Harrison, a young British expat, thought the exhibit would make the perfect first exhibit for his new gallery in Fort Lauderdale’s emerging North Beach art and design district, located just north of Oakland Park Boulevard and west of Route A1A. The exhibit will open on Saturday, June 2 at 7 p.m. with appropriate red carpet flair.

Guests who arrive dressed as their favorite ‘50s film or television stars will receive a limited edition, certified lithograph of one of Worth’s photographs.

In addition to regular exhibits at the Fort Lauderdale gallery, NAC Gallery is also hosting exclusive monthly exhibits and events in Miami, including receptions with artists. This series kicked off earlier this month at the tony Epic Hotel with an exhibition of works by acclaimed modern expressionist painter Diego Jacobson. The artist was on hand to discuss his works and sign books.

“We want to take the art experience to the next level,” says Harrison. “You can look at the art on a wall or you can experience it. That’s our goal at NAC Gallery.”

“The Seven Week Itch” Hollywood Photographs by Frank Worth Opening Night Party: Saturday, June 2, 7 p.m.

NAC Gallery, 3325 N. 32nd St., Fort Lauderdale For more information, go to NACGallery.com

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

23

By Matt Moore Associated Press

W

edding bells will ring this summer for Marvel Comics’ first openly gay hero, super speedster Northstar, and his longtime boyfriend.

The New York-based publisher said Tuesday that Canadian character Jean-Paul Beaubier will marry his beau, Kyle Jinadu, in the pages of “Astonishing X-Men’’ No. 51.

That’s due out June 20.

Northstar revealed he was gay in the pages of “Alpha Flight’’ No. 106 in 1992, one of Marvel Entertainment’s first characters to do so.

Ten years later, in 2002, Apollo and the Midnighter were married in the pages of “The Authority’’ published by DC’s Wildstorm imprint.

Since then, numerous comic book heroes and villains have been written as gay, lesbian or transgender, from DC Comics’ Kate Kane, aka Batwoman, to Hulkling and Wiccan in the pages of “Young Avengers.’’

Comics, as a medium, have embraced LGBT characters, including the introduction of Kevin Keller by Archie Comics. Comic strips have done likewise.

This month, cartoonist Tom Batiuk is writing about a gay couple trying to attend their high school prom in “Funky Winkerbean,’’ a move that has divided the fictional community.

“As I sit in on the classes at my old high school, I see how the younger generation’s attitude toward gays is more open and accepting than that of their predecessors,’’ Batiuk said.

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For Marvel, the upcoming wedding is a way to further embed same-sex issues in its contemporary universe.

“The Marvel Universe has always reflected the world outside your window, so we strive to make sure our characters, relationships and stories are grounded in that reality,’’ said Axel Alonso, Marvel’s editorin-chief.

Author Marjorie Liu, who is writing “Astonishing X-Men,’’ said the decision to have the pair marry was appropriate.

“As a writer, and a romance novelist, no less, I’ve always found it a bit odd when characters in comic books remain in relationship limbo for years at a time,’’ she said.

“Certainly, that happens in real life, some relationships just never grow, but the wonderful thing about stories is that they tend to move readers and characters forward,’’ Liu said, adding that Northstar pops the question in issue No. 50, which is due out on Wednesday.

“And, in this case, it was time to do the

COURTESY OF MARVEL COMICS

Gay Wedding Planned for Superhero Northstar

Cover preview of Jean-Paul and Kyle’s wedding issue.

same to Northstar and Kyle, who have one of those rare comic book romances that actually works.’’

As for the event itself, Liu said the wedding will take place in New York City, where

gay marriage is legal, but given that Northstar is on the X-Men, it remains to be seen if the event will be trouble-free.

“As for the ceremony ... well, what wedding ever goes off without a hitch?’’

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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A Short History of Gay Days in Orlando What is Gays Days?

O

rlando Florida’s Gay Days Celebration is not a single event. It is a total gay and lesbian vacation experience. Gay Days is comprised of multiple events staged at world famous attractions, gay & lesbian clubs, and unique venues secured for the purpose of creating a gay and lesbian atmosphere at Orlando’s greatest theme parks and at multiple parties occurring during this long weekend. We have young, old, all races and beliefs, parents, gay AA groups, and every other section of our community attending Gay Days each year.

Gay Days began in 1991 as a single desig-

nated day (always the first Saturday in June) when the LesBiGay community and friends were encouraged to “Wear Red and Be Seen” while visiting the world’s most popular theme park. From it’s beginnings (spearheaded by the GLBT Community Center, local activists, businesses, and the online friends and users of Compu-Who) with 3,000 attendees, this one-day park visit has evolved into a week long, citywide celebration offering round the clock activities including multiple theme park visits, cocktail soirees, concerts, and a host of internationally renowned parties. Gay Days attracts over 150,000 celebrants from across the nation and around the globe!

Gay Days: Survivor From the 2002 Gay Days Program

S

ince its inception in 1991, Gay Days has survived both criticism and indifference and has emerged as not just a survivor, but a winner. It’s been attacked by the American Family Association, it’s been besieged by undercover photographers attempting to covertly capture images of sexual misconduct in one of the favorite family playground, it’s endured the dire prophecies of Pat Robertson, and it has suffered the indignity of signs at Disney entrances “warning” others of the presence of large numbers of gay and lesbian visitors. And for many years, it was pretty much ignored by the press and Orlando’s hotel/motel industry.

Today, most of the controversy and apathy have disappeared. The protesters and the warning signs at the Magic Kingdom entrance have been replaced by smiling cast members welcoming Gay Days visitors with unscheduled entertainment at the Castle Forecourt, expanded park operating hours, and a fireworks display usually reserved for the peak summer season and holidays.

Hotels and motels all over Orlando are signing the “Gay Days Friendly Pledge” and requests for interviews center around economic impact and entertainment value rather than conflict and comets from hell.

When 1 Gay Day became Gay Days

O

ne sign of the event’s refusal to die has been its relentless expansion.

What began as a single-day visit to the Magic Kingdom has expanded to a weeklong vacation celebration attracting more than 135,000 Gay Days revelers to more than 40 citywide events. Attendees from across the nation and around the globe will infuse an estimated $100 million-plus dollars into the local economy.Year after year, old events continue and new events and new life is added to this annual event. Local business and club owners add to the excitement with special nights and expanded entertainment options aimed at Gay Days attendees.

But the growth of the phenomenal event was gangly and chaotic, with no central hub of activity, no Gay Days information center,

26

and most regrettably, no central agency to help visitors acquire tickets for the myriad of events. Gay Days was gaining popularity, but it was getting more and more difficult to plan for.

Web-Based Company Nets Gay Days Unity & Acceptance

W

hen GayDayS.com launched in April of 1998, not only did Orlando’s Gay Days gain an impressive state of- theart marketing tool, it acquired the first ever year-round staff of professionals dedicated to establishing Gay Days as a fully recognized and respected addition to the Central Florida tourism and cultural calendar. In 1999, GayDayS.com/Gay Days, Inc., was added (albeit with some hesitation by the OCCVB) to the membership roster of the Orlando/ Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Now GayDayS.com is a member of VISIT FLORIDA, the state tourism agency.

They are actively working to bring more GLBT tourism to Florida throughout the year. GayDayS.com is also a member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), the Metropolitan Business Association and is a registered seller of travel in the state of Florida.

Gay Days Wins – Detractors Retreat

I

n the end, persistence, tolerance, and economics won out. The espionage efforts have proven expensive and ineffectual.

The Southern Baptist boycott has been pretty much a failure, and Pat Robertson’s dire warnings of hell and brimstone have failed to set the city on fire. Now, hotels are rushing to become a Gay Days Co-Host Hotel property, national businesses like Bud Light & Esurance are sponsors, national media attend and highlight the major economic benefits, and the Mayor of Orlando and the Mayor of the Board of County Commissioners have offered Gay Days visitors a hearty welcome and have even attended Gay Days events. *Reprinted from GayDays.com

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

27

CompassPoints… biweekly column from compass in lake worth

The Superhero Within

submitted photo

By Julius White

I

submitted photo

was recently asked to select a superhero who best defines my character. Like many, I have a favorite hero, but the challenge was exploring why I felt a kinship with that champion. The hero I chose was Buffy the Vampire Slayer and what I discovered during this exercise was an opportunity for self-empowerment as I defined the hero within myself.

Growing up I always felt disenfranchised no matter what ‘community’ I tried to fit into. I realized early on that I am a unique individual and rejection was all too familiar. I had my bouts of angst and depression – and I know these things are common – but what I took from Buffy’s story is that it does not matter how the world sees you, or if anyone praises you for what you have done. What matters is what you are willing to fight for your convictions. I have faced demons in my past and I consider myself to be an ever-evolving human being. There will always be figures in the shadows waiting to pounce. I have accepted that as the nature of the world.

Ultimately we must face them, conquer them, and the spoil of war is growth.That is why I connect with Buffy. I see every challenge as an opportunity for growth and I know I cannot do it if I do not believe in myself.

Today’s campaigns challenge us to stand up against bullying, band as one to fight marriage inequalities, and occupy the streets to combat economic disparities. The strength

28

of these campaigns are derived from the fiery passions of the number of individuals they can galvanize for their cause. Effectively each of these individuals are powerful beings and certainly heroes in their own rights. In fact, any one of us who stands for justice is a hero but where do we find our strength?

As a fan of all things Buffy I really connected with her story as a teen. On the surface Buffy represents the typical victim (she is a petite blond female and seemingly vulnerable) in a universe full of devils, demons, witches and human predators; in a horror film she would be ideal prey. But as we know appearances can be deceiving.

Buffy is truly the strongest person on the planet, gifted with the power to overcome any and every obstacle or villain. Her tale is really a coming of age story and one huge allegory for the demons we face in real life.

Her character matures from being the naïve captain of the cheerleading squad to accepting her destiny as the “chosen one.” Though her friends and family aid her, her strength lies within her self-determination and will to live. In moments when Buffy stops believing in herself the world literally begins to crumble around her.Victory comes when her faith in the fight against evil is restored: even if she is fighting for those who would not fight for her.

Here, at Compass, we are assembled to diminish stereotypes and challenge long-standing misconceptions about the character of the LGBT community. We empower each other, ourselves and define our heroes within. By summoning the hero that lives in each of us we become stronger individuals and as strong individuals we build powerful collectives that can create groundbreaking movements. Count yourself among a league of heroes as you break the silence against bullying, walk for AIDS and race for the cure for cancer. March hand-in-hand for same-sex marriage and be the voice for those who have yet to find their own. But first I extend this challenge to everyone: who is the superhero that best defines you?

Julius White is an HIV Case Manager at Compass.

He can be reached at julius@compassglcc.com.

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

MARY’S 10 Ways to Improve PLACE

By Mary Bondi

S

elf-esteem is the way we perceive or value ourselves.

Low self-esteem can affect nearly every aspect of your life. For example it may affect the partners you choose, the work you do or how you allow others to treat you. Self-esteem is based on beliefs.

Once an individual feels they have a low self-esteem or do not value themselves, they tend to make choices to support that belief.

Many factors contribute to low self-esteem, however a common factor includes our upbringing.

If a healthy self-esteem was not nurtured in a person’s early development they will most likely show some of these signs of low self-esteem somewhere throughout their life span. They include: being overly concerned with what others think; always accentuating the negative; inability to accept compliments; socially withdrawn, perfectionism, feelings of “less than” when comparing themselves to others; questioning their own opinions; thinking their views are less valid than others; and a constant need for validation.

With support from counseling and groups you can discover how to defeat low self-esteem and the negative image you have of yourself. The image that you may have learned early in your life is not a true representation of your authentic self.

In order to have a healthy self-esteem you must believe: “No matter what others think of me or what I do, no matter what happens to me or around me, I can always love and value myself.”

Below I have included some helpful techniques. These will help challenge your self-defeating beliefs and start you on your journey towards improving your self-esteem. These tools will require pen and paper. They will not work if you do

Your Self-Esteem them in your head.

As you start these exercises, you will most likely have a critical voice inside you that will make you question what you are doing and will result in your resistance in doing the work. Be aware of this and know that this is natural. Whenever we want to break into a higher level of living or consciousness we will be met with resistance, excuses and a host of other reasons not to grow. There will be a part of you that wants to stay with the status quo, as it is familiar. Fight through this to get to your reward and to your next level.

Exercises: 1. Pay attention and write down all negative thoughts you say to yourself daily (self-defeating inner-dialogue). How many times do you make statements like “You can’t,’ “You are not good at,” “You will never” or “You never do anything right?” Look at these messages and ask your self is this message really true? “Do I know this message to be 100 percent true, without any doubt? What do I get out of thinking this?”

2. Replace each negative thought with a positive, more realistic one right away. Once you take notice you will be surprised how often you criticize or say hurtful things to yourself.

3. List 10 things of value about yourself.

Appreciate them and know that they are unique to you. Write them down and look at them daily.

4. Take notice of the times when you blame yourself with no logical basis.

5. Say a clear “yes” to things you really want to do and a clear “no” to those things that do not fit for you at the moment. Stay firm with your boundaries.

Individuals that struggle with low selfesteem have great difficulties in the area of setting up boundaries and following through with them.

6. Give yourself rewards. Do something just because you are unique and special.

7. Spend your free time with people

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Counseling helps clients determine the self-defeating behavior that continues to contribute to the individual’s self-esteem and challenges these thoughts toward positive change.

who help you feel good about yourself… people who treat you well-avoid negative people and those who mistreat you.

8. Make a list of your talents. Writing them will help you see how talented you truly are.

9. List your five greatest accomplishments. For example, learning to speak a foreign language or overcoming a great

obstacle in your life.

10. List your strengths and things you admire about yourself.

Thoughts create our reality. If we start with negative thoughts then reality will more likely follow this path. Below are some alternative thoughts for you to try.

“I am a valuable person. I am loveable. I am learning to be comfortable with myself.

I respect and believe in myself apart from others’ opinions.”

Be aware of your judgments. Judgments are our beliefs of what is right and what is wrong. Be aware of how you may criticize yourself with words like “should,” “shouldn’t,” “must,” “ought,” and “have to.” These judgmental statements tend to cause individuals to feel guilty, or think they did something wrong.

Keep in mind that this is not a substitute for therapy as low self-esteem is expressed uniquely in each person. Counseling helps clients determine the self-defeating behavior that continues to contribute to the individual’s self-esteem and challenges these thoughts toward positive change. It assists clients in getting to the root cause of what I call in my practice “personal lies” or erroneous beliefs.

Remember it is never too late to change your beliefs and live your best life.

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To place an ad, call Sales Manager

954.530.4970

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REAL ESTATE COLDWELL BANKER - In a tough market, you want a tough Realtor. In this market you need Andy Weiser. Call 954-5609667 AndyWeiser@aol.com www.AndyWeiser.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------RAINBOW REALTY Wondering what your home is worth?

I offer a FREE online market analysis and more at www.

SunnyHomesForSale.com Call Keith Blackburn 305-798-5455 KeithSellsFlorida@gmail.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------CASTELLI REAL ESTATE SERVICES Main Office 954-563-9889 2227 Wilton Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305 --------------------------------------------------------------------------ATLANTIC PROPERTIES The Dale Russell Network, 2039 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-608-6919 --------------------------------------------------------------------------BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Michael McClure, Realtor 954-873-9976

RENT/LEASE MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE AREA. 1BD/1BA $725/MO. All tile, eat-in-kitchen & large effic $700/Mo. elec included w/ a 12 month lease. For more details call 954-467-2501 --------------------------------------------------------------------------FOR RENT IN WILTON MANORS 2BR / 1BA Renovated with Stainless Steel Appl, WD Hookup, New Central AC, Front and Back Porch, approx 1200 sf. bathroom tile updated, call 754-300-9994 --------------------------------------------------------------------------SPACIOUS 1BD FOR RENT Wilton Manors. Large 1BD $900.

Large outdoor patio. Onsite management, pool and laundry.

1411 N. Dixie Highway, 33304 Las Siesta Apts. Call Barry 800-507-6073 --------------------------------------------------------------------------2 BEDROOM- WILTON MANORS newly renovated, wood floors, 2 story wi $1,100/mo. Pool, bbq, good parking. 954-6841239 / teafitz52@gmail.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------POMPANO BEACH ROOM 4 RENT $140/week, 1 week deposit, $280 moves you in. Non-smoking house located half way between Sample Road and 10th St. 2 blocks west of Federal Highway off of 51st Street 33064. Call 954-494-4444 --------------------------------------------------------------------------IMPERIAL POINT EFFICIENCY Newly remodeled, new appliances, utilities included. 1 mile to beach - all tiled floors. $600.00/Mo. Call 954-551-1974.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------RIVERSIDE PARK CONDO 2/1 Near Downtown Las Olas, gated, updated kitchen, bath, quiet, C/A, tiled and private backyard. $800/month F/L/S 954-732-2438 --------------------------------------------------------------------------LAKE RIDGE STUDIO 2 room waterfront studio. Walking distance to restaurants, theater, shopping. Parking available. $600/Mo. Electric, cable, internet included. First/Last required.

Call 954-873-7048.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------LET ME FIND THAT PERFECT RENTAL OR HOME FOR SALE FOR YOU ABSOLUTELY FREE! At no cost to you, we review hundreds of properties in Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors areas to meet your specifications and price range. We will even review and prepare the final lease to insure your protection. Call Dick at 954-616-7662 Century21 Hansen Realty --------------------------------------------------------------------------ALIBI AREA - FURNISHED EFFICIENCY Efficiency w/ private entrance and parking. Walk-in closet, ceiling fan, A/C, kitchenette, laundry on-site. Electric & DirecTV included. No smoking. No pets. $625/Mo. First + Sec. 6 month lease required. Call 954-682-9428 or 954-249-1181.

ROOMMATES ROOMMATE WANTED Share a 3BD house in Wilton Manors, $600/Mo. Includes utilities. Mature professional gay male. Call Gary 954-268-6547 --------------------------------------------------------------------------TOWNHOUSE CLOSE TO THE DRIVE 2BD/2.5BA Townhome to share with professional, non-smoker. No Drugs. Employeed. $600/Mo. + 1/2 Utilities. Unfurnished bedroom. Pool, parking. 2 blocks to the Drive. Call Juan 786-553-5129.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------ROOMMATE TO SHARE 3BD/1BA WILTON MANORS HOME GWM seeks roommate - non-smoking (outside ok), no pets, can work on dep, all the regular stuff included, $500/month.

Send a little info about you. E-mail me placetlive@aol.com. 5 min walk to Boardwalk Bar and Monkey Business. 10 min walk to Wilton Drive.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------ROOMMATE WANTED - 3BD/2BA IN OAKLAND PARK WEST OF I-95 . Nice, quiet home in the Isles of Oakland Park. Available Now. Responsible non-smoker to share home with 2 professionals. Must like cats and dogs. Pool with Clubhouse.

Clean, employed, drug-free. $550/Mo. Deposit required. Call Sam at 786-417-3093.

Full Charge Bookkeeping Services

May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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May 30, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com