AZ SHERIFF ‘OUTS’ Page 8 HIMSELF!
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February 22, 2012 • Volume 3 • Issue 8
Time for
Gay Softball INSIDE THIS ISSUE
page
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Damian Siriani (on left), Ray Wilhelm (throwing)
Take a Trip to the ‘Creating Change Conference’
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page
Celebrating Black Gay History
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page
Kathleen Turner on Local Stage
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page
Page 14
Gay in Argentina: Not a Bad Thing
Winner of the 2011 Stars of the Rainbow Media Star Award
SoundBiteQ
February 22, 2012 • Volume 3 • Issue 8
New newsworthy news From the publisher’s desk
Doggie Brunch at Victoria Park Diner Should be a Bark and a Blast!
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On Monday night Ed held a party at a popular new watering hole, the Wilton Bier Gardens, for his guests, friends and supporters. There was a great turnout, and Manors’ Mayor Gary Resnick read a proclamation declaring Monday February 13 as ‘Ed Lugo Resort Day.’ Maybe that means he gets to pay all our taxes for that day. That works for me. Another new advertiser, Nuts About Yogurt, just opened their doors at 2207 Wilton Drive. Nuts About Yogurt is dedicated to serving only the finest frozen yogurt and delectable toppings in a clean and interactive environment that perpetuates a social and friendly atmosphere. Hit them up now but also leave some room in the tummy for their grand opening on Wednesday, March 14 at 5:30 p.m. Tell them SFGN sent you. Just across from our bench on the drive, my favorite is the Strawberry Banana! The company was founded by a group of nutritionally-motivated people who were unwilling to give up sweet treats but still wanted to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Owner Leor Barka said “We hope to empower you to make the same intelligent decisions about desserts by offering healthier choices that are equally as tasty (if not tastier) as their guilt-ridden counterparts.” Yes there is the annual walk for the Animals on Saturday, March 3rd, that is well advertised in our paper, but how about our own remarkable Doggie’s Best Friend Breakfast at the Victoria Park Diner? This event is going to be fun! Bring your pooch to a Sunday Brunch, two bucks for eggs and bacon in a
THE REGULARS
By Karl Hampe
JR Davis
ocally, congratulations to new advertiser Ed Lugo Resort for winning Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Award for ‘Top 5 US Hotels for Best Service.’ Owned and operated by Ed Lugo, this luxurious gem is located in the heart of Wilton Manors, adjacent to the Manor Entertainment Complex.
Wilton Manors’ Mayor Gary Resnick and Ed Lugo bowl, and all the water he can drink. And free coffee for us two legged types. Meet the staff of SFGN at the Victoria Park Diner on Sunday March 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for our Man’s Best Friend Breakfast and help out the Pet Project, which will be given all the proceeds. And you can bring some dog or cat food to donate as well. Olga’s Victoria Park Diner is located at 1730 East Sunrise Blvd in Fort Lauderdale, and the parking lot will be barking up a storm. Do not deny your pooch this Sunday pleasure! See you there for sure. The Rainbow Business Coalition has announced its intention to publish a “Fab Guide” in April to serve as an LGBT Visitor’s Guide to Broward County. They are looking for ads, of course, and the deadline is fast approaching. Reece Darham at Island City Fitness can fill you in on the details. Local businesses got a boost last week when Barry Minoff, who owns many properties on the Manors Drive, hosted a Pizza and Salad lunch. Titled ‘Wilton’s Dixie Corridor Meeting,’ Metro Premier Properties’ Deborah L. Goedde was also sharing updates on improving local entrepreneurial ventures, and it seems there have been a few lately, with many new businesses setting up shop. One staple on the Drive is Realtor John Castelli. John is the President of the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale, and his organization runs
Editorial Offices 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 FAX: 954-530-7943
a charitable foundation, which is hosting their annual auction event April 12 at the visually awesome Pier Tops Restaurant located at the Hyatt Regency on the 17th Street Causeway in Fort Lauderdale. There are few views more spectacular in South Florida than the one at sunset while in the revolving penthouse tower. Received notice that the South Florida International Press Club is distributing its 2012 Community Service Awards March 31, and this year’s winners include the popular long time LGBT journalist, Steve Rothaus, of the Miami Herald, whose popular daily blog is read by thousands. On March 28, Brian McNaught, our own columnist, author, and corporate specialist, sponsored in part by State Farm, will be doing a benefit for the Stonewall Library, delivering a lecture on corporate diversity. Check the ad out in the back of this week’s book. As gay life goes mainstream, so do so many of our stories. A marvelous must read in the January 31 edition of the Palm Beach Post was a Scott Eyman profile on life partners Alan Shayne and Norman Sunshine, who met at a Broadway matinee more than 50 years ago. Together, they share a West Palm Beach condo, and the story chronicles their life together, as a Warner Brothers television executive and artist. They have written a revealing memoir, ‘A Double Life.’…Other great pieces you might want to catch up on is first, a NY Times article by Adam Liptak which appeared yesterday, about the “slow stroll” the gay marriage issue is taking to get to the Supreme Court, and second, a remarkable Rolling Stone magazine feature, “One Town’s War on Gay Teens,” in their February issue. The story talks about LGBT children being brutalized by other kids in Congresswoman Michelle Bachman’s evangelical-driven home district, which has led to an alarming amount of suicides. We are coming upon the annual Miami Beach Winter Party, engineered to benefit the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. The hedonistic bacchanal which serves solely a fund raising purpose and is therefore not covered significantly by us runs Feb. 29 to March 5 at venues throughout Miami Beach and Miami. For information, visit www.winterparty.com.
Norm Kent Publisher norm.kent@sfgn.com Pier Angelo Guidugli
Chief Executive Officer Creative Director. . . . . . . . . . George Dauphin george.dauphin@sfgn.com Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marian Aldhahi Online Website Director. . . . Dennis Jozefowicz Office Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Swinford
Editorial Editor in Chief. . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com Copy Desk Chief . . . . . . . . . Michael Anguille Arts/Entertainment Editor . . . JW Arnold jw@prdconline.com Business Editor . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Gary Senior Features Correspondents . . . . . . . . . . T ony Adams Jesse Monteagudo Correspondents. . . . . . . . . . . D onald Cavanaugh Gideon Grudo Lisa Lucas Mike Rothman Denise Royal Tana Velen
Contributing Columnists. . . . Wayne Besen
Susan Estrich Brian McNaught Victoria Michaels Leslie Robinson Dana Rudolph David Webb
Health Columnist. . . . . . . . . . Peter Jackson Editorial Cartoonists. . . . . . . K arl Hampe Darryl Smith
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Marketing Director. . . . . . . . . John Fugate Sales Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Trottier Sales Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . Terri Esterby Sales Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . Edwin Neimann Sales Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Tisdale National Sales Representative.Rivendell Media todd@rivendellmedia.com Distribution Manager. . . . . . . JR Davis South Florida Gay News.com is published weekly on Wednesdays. Our paper is a member of the Associated Press. The views and opinions expressed within this publication, in bylined columns, stories, and letters to the editor are those of the writers expressing them. They do not represent the opinions of South Florida Gay News.com, Inc., or the Publisher. They are included to promote free speech and diversity of thought. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations in SFGN, and it would be careless to do so. For the sake of readable newswriting, the word “gay” in SFGN should, when relevant, be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community. All of the material that appears in SFGN, both online at www. southfloridagaynews.com, and in our print edition, including articles used in conjunction with our contract with the Associated Press and our columnists, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Thus, nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher of SFGN, at his law office, Kent & Cormican, P.A., 110 Southeast 6th Street, Suite 1970, Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33301. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs. Copyright©2012 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.
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February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
Suicides Concern Wilton Manors Officials By Larry Barszewski and Dana Williams Sun Sentinel
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services for SunServe, said the large percentage of city residents in the 40-to-60-year-old age group and the city’s large gay and lesbian population stand out the most. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention shows the 45-to-54 age group accounts for one in five suicides nationally, the highest proportion of any
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
submitted photo
ILTON MANORS – An uptick in suicides has caught the attention of city officials, who fear they may be dealing with more than a statistical aberration. “When you look at our numbers, they don’t jump out at you,” Chief Paul O’Connell Police Chief Paul O’Connell said. “When you age group. The 40-to-60-year-old age group makes up compare it to a population of 11,000 to 12,000 people, that’s when you get the real picture of 42 percent of Wilton Manors’ overall population, but only 30 percent of the county’s, achow it impacts a small community.” The city has scheduled an April 19 town hall cording to U.S. Census data. That same age meeting on suicide, hoping to provide resi- group accounted for 64 percent of the suicides dents with information about how to recognize — 14 of 22 — in the city the past four years. Campbell, whose Wilton Manors-based sowarning signs and where to turn for help. It is putting the program together with help from cial service agency serves the lesbian gay, bisexual and transgender communities, said the Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention. Over the past four years, this city of un- sexual orientation could also be playing a role. “Anytime you have a marginalized comder 12,000 people has had five more suicides than Weston, which has about 65,000 peo- munity, that is a risk factor in and of itself,” ple, and only one fewer suicide than Mira- Campbell said. Rosen said even though there’s not a glarmar, which has 122,000 people, according to figures from the Broward County Medical Ex- ing connection between the suicides and the city’s large gay and lesbian population, that aminer’s Office. The medical examiner reports five or six doesn’t mean a connection doesn’t exist. “Many gay and lesbian people do not let suicides in the city in each of the past four years, compared with only two suicides each anyone know what their orientation is,” in 2007 and 2006. The numbers for the last Rosen said. “Stigma is one of the biggest four years translate into an annual rate of 47.3 things we deal with.” A study published in 2011 in the Journal suicides per 100,000 population – the highest in the county and more than triple the coun- of Homosexuality said an increasing body of research has shown a “significantly elevated ty’s rate of 14 per 100,000. “When you start to see an increase in a suicide risk among [lesbian, gay, bi-sexual small community like that, they’re going to and transgender people] compared to heterohave their hands full,” said Jackie Rosen, ex- sexual people,” but acknowledged there is no ecutive director of the Weston-based FISP. A “official or generally reliable” way of delving FISP fact sheet says for every successful sui- into statistics when death records don’t usucide, there are as many as 25 others who at- ally include a person’s sexual orientation. Rosen said there’s another reason that has tempt suicide. Among last year’s suicides, O’Connell said probably contributed to the increased suicides a 40-year-old gay man hanged himself in Oc- since 2007: the economic downturn. She said tober after breaking up with his partner; a other issues gays and lesbians face can com44-year-old man with a history of mental ill- pound the impact of the economic situation, ness shot himself in August; and a 52-year- such as being rejected by family members. “Without question, the economy is playing old man — married with children — stepped in front of a train in June, conflicted about a part in the depression levels and depression is the No. 1 cause of suicide,” Rosen said. “If whether he was straight or gay. While O’Connell said the suicides seem you’re dealing with having a job problem, and to involve every part of society — “straight, you’re dealing with family relational probgay, rich, poor, old, young” — mental health lems, those are two of the things that are very professionals see several potential factors be- high causes of depression and not being able to cope.” hind the city’s increase. Katharine Campbell, director of clinical The Sun Sentinel and SFGN are media partners.
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Queer Speak
21st Century Quotes on Gay Rights
-- N.J. Gov. Chris Christie on his decision to veto the gay marriage bill. He does support civil unions.
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Bob Jagendorf
“I know this is a very emotional issue and a very divisive issue in my state,” N.J. Gov. Chris Christie said in an interview on Piers Morgan Tonight. “The only way we have to amend our constitution in New Jersey - which is by referendum - let’s put it on the ballot and let’s let the people decide. And if the people in New Jersey, as some of the same sex marriage advocates suggest the polls indicate, are in favor of it then my position would not be the winning position but I’m willing to take that risk because I trust the people of the state.”
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
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CRIME Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1000.An additional reward of up to $24,000 STOPPERS being offered by anonymous friends and family. Anyone with 954-473-TIPS information about the identity or location of the suspect(s) is asked to call crime stoppers. We do not want your name, just your information!
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
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CompassPoints… biweekly column from compass in lake worth
‘Creating Change Conference’ Brings together LGBT activists; highlights the plight of LGBT individuals worldwide
By Matthew McWatters
We were able to talk to people all over the country and get a bird’s eye view on local issues from facing all parts of the globe.
Uganda, Malaysia, and Guyana. The activists shared their experiences of fighting for equal rights in countries that criminalize homosexuality and whose citizens face certain danger for expressing themselves. Right now, the Ugandan parliament is considering a bill that would impose the death penalty for homosexuals. Hearing Ugandan activist Val Kalende speak about the intimidation and violence that occurs
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Matthew McWatters
submitted photo
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he “Creating Change Conference” took place on Jan. 25 to 29 in Baltimore, Md. Along with roughly 3,000 other LGBT activists, I gathered to receive training, hear about the state of the movement, and attend peer-led workshops. The attendance of the conference was incredibly diverse, with all spectrums of the community and every demographic being represented. Most pleasurable about this conference was meeting my counterparts in other parts of the country to compare notes on the challenges and opportunities of running a gay and lesbian community center. It’s also enlightening in that the event seemed to collectively motivate all of the attendees to help advance the LGBT movement. Compass CEO Tony Plakas and Communications Director Ana Zagazeta were my conference buddies during this jaunt, and we made sure that Compass had a voice on the national stage. One of the most moving parts of the conference was an open forum on the state of gay rights throughout the world. The panel consisted of LGBT rights activists from
just for standing up to make her voice heard was really difficult in that they don’t even have the most basic rights of recognition in their country. We also had a visit from NAACP President Benjamin Jealous who lent his support to our cause. He stated that both of our movements run parallel and we should embrace each other in the proverbial trenches. United States Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan was also on hand to recommit his support for equal housing. He stated that the federal government had a vested interest in seeing that all persons are free of discrimination and committed his office to achieving this goal. The conference was amazing. We were able to talk to people all over the country and get a bird’s eye view on local issues from facing all parts of the globe. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am thrilled that I was able to represent Compass. Matthew McWatters is the Youth Program Coordinator of Compass. He can be reached at matthew@compassglcc.com.
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
South Florida’s Amazing Race courtesy of cbs
Local charity presents a version of the ‘Amazing Race’ in three local cities.
Above: Contestants Andy and Tommy ride an
JR Davis
elephant in Thailand during a segment of the
Amazing Race on CBS. Left: Nikki Adams and Terry DeCarlo at an event for Broward House.
By Gideon Grudo
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o car, no cellphone, no help from friends — and that’s just the beginning. It’s Broward House’s take on the amazing race. Unlike they do in CBS’s Emmy-awardwinning Amazing Race, contestants in this version will only race in three cities: Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors and Oakland Park. It all happens on April 21. “If anybody’s seen the television show, we’re going to follow it more or less — only not worldwide,” says Nikki Adams, Broward House’s community liaison. “We’re always looking for ideas for fundraisers that are outside the box — not just dinners.”” The tasks will be challenging, but “doable,” according to Adams. Director of Marketing and Events, Terry DeCarlo, emphasized that contestants shouldn’t expect a silver platter in this contest. “This won’t be simple — it won’t be an easy day for them,” he said about the contestants. “They’re going to go into places they would never go into. Even to get to their locations, they have to solve a clue.” The event is DeCarlo’s brainchild, who said that “I would look at and say — ‘oh my god, that looks like fun, I want to do that.’” Like other Broward House events, this one will raise funds for the HIV/AIDS community, which is how they landed the grand prize: A
ride for two in the Goodyear Blimp, invaluable since it cannot be purchased regularly. “Because we are a charity, [Goodyear was] open to our idea.” Adams said, adding that the winner will also get two flight tickets from JetBlue to any domestic destination. Adams said that events like these, other than providing a positive outlet for the community to interact and challenge itself, offer a way to fill in funding gaps at a time when “government spending has been cutting back and back.” It costs $25 for a team to sign up, and each team is expected to raise a minimum of $400. Broward House will help in that department, showing contestants how to start a donation site. There’s no deadline to sign up for the April contest, but there is a capacity limit of 50 teams, and it’s fast approaching. As of press time, over 20 teams have signed up [Adams knows I’m calling her Monday around 3p to update this number, if need be]. The kick-off party is on Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. at The Manor nightclub (during happy hour), where Broward House staff will be answering questions. They’re also going to come equipped with a computer so people can sign up on the spot and (hopefully) make a sober decision. To sign up now, go to www.browardhouse.org.
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
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Arizona Sheriff ‘Outs’ Himself
submitted photos
Comes clean after threats from ex
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu at a public function (above), and his profile photo on Adam4Adam (inset)
By Bob Christie Associated Press
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LORENCE, Ariz. (AP) — A nationally known sheriff resigned from presidential hopeful Mitt Romney’s Arizona committee and acknowledged he was gay amid allegations of misconduct made by a man with whom he previously had a relationship. But Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu vowed Saturday to continue his bid for the GOP nomination in Arizona’s rural 4th Congressional District race. He denied claims he tried to threaten the man, a Mexican immigrant and a former campaign volunteer, with deportation if their past relationship was made public. The man’s allegations were first published Friday in the Phoenix New Times, an alternative weekly magazine. Babeu, a first-term sheriff who has gained widespread attention with his strong opposition to illegal immigration and smuggling, said the accusations were an attempt to hurt his political career. He said he had called presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s staff to say he would step down from his post as state campaign co-chair. “This whole rumor, this whole of idea of who I am in my private life has been shopped around,” Babeu told reporters during an hour-long press conference Saturday in front of his sheriff’s office. “This was a way, the hook, of how this could be brought out, and to malign and attack a sheriff who does stand for conservative principals, who does enforce the law.” The man’s lawyer, Melissa Weiss-Riner, released a statement Saturday saying the man
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retained her firm’s services because he was contacted by Babeu’s attorney and “felt intimidated.” “Jose continues to live in fear, and is currently in the process of moving again,” she said. “Therefore, he is not available to speak with the media at this time.” Weiss-Riner earlier told the New Times that Babeu’s attorney and campaign consultant falsely told her client that his visa had expired. Babeu told reporters he believed the man, identified only by his first name Jose, was living in the country legally. The New Times posted a photo provided by the man of the two embracing. It also posted a cellphone self-portrait of a smiling Babeu in his underwear and another of what appears to be the shirtless sheriff in a bathroom, posted on a gay dating website. The man provided the magazine with photos of himself and Babeu and text messages between the two. Babeu didn’t deny their authenticity. The huge congressional district where Babeu is seeking election runs from western Arizona all the way to the desert south of Phoenix. Its voters are heavily Republican and generally very conservative. Babeu issued a sweeping denial of any wrongdoing in front of his headquarters. The press conference was attended by about three dozen high-ranking uniformed deputies, local elected officials and citizens. “I’m here to say that all the allegations that were in the story were untrue — except for the instance that refers to me as gay,” Babeu said. “That’s the truth — I am gay.” For the complete article, go to: sfgn.com/babeu
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
By Associated Press Mass. student attacked for supporting gay rights
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RIDGEWATER, Mass. (AP) – Authorities are trying to identify two people who attacked a writer for the student-run newspaper at Massachusetts’ largest state university because of an opinion piece she wrote in support of same-sex marriage. Bridgewater State University spokesman Bryan Baldwin said on Saturday that the assailants approached Destinie MoggBarkalow on campus. The man questioned her about the article titled ``Prop 8 generates more hate’’ before the woman accompanying him punched the victim, leaving her with a bruised eye Thursday evening. No one has been arrested and authorities are investigating the attack as a possible hate crime. University President Dana Mohler-Faria sent an email to the entire school condemning the attack and reminding everyone authorities will not tolerate actions that impede or curtail the rights of members of the campus community to express themselves freely.
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ONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Gay rights advocates are planning a rally at the Alabama state capitol to urge lawmakers to expand the state’s hate crimes law to include violence against gays and lesbians. Activists gathered Sunday in Montgomery on the 13th anniversary of the slaying of Billy Jack Gaither, a Sylacauga man who was brutally stabbed and beaten before his body was burned on a pile of tires. Authorities determined Gaither was targeted because he was gay. The Birmingham News reports the state hate crimes law sets mandatory minimum sentences for crimes motivated by race, ethnicity and religion -- but not sexual orientation. State Rep. Patricia Todd, D-Birmingham, has introduced a bill to expand the hate crime law but lawmakers have taken no other action.
Gov. Chris Christie vetoes gay marriage bill as vowed
By Angela Delli Santi
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RENTON, New Jersey (AP) – Gov. Chris Christie rejected a bill allowing same-sex marriage in New Jersey by quickly vetoing the measure Friday and renewing his call for a ballot question to decide the issue. The veto came a day after the state Assembly passed the bill. The state Senate had passed it on Monday. Christie, a Republican who opposes same-sex marriage, had vowed “very swift action’’ once the measure
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
Courtesy of STate Of Washington
SFGN BRIEFS
Gay rights groups rally to expand hate crimes law
Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire
reached his desk. In returning the bill to the Legislature, Christie reaffirmed his view that voters should decide whether to change the definition of marriage in New Jersey. His veto also proposed creating an ombudsman to oversee compliance with the state’s civil union law, which same-sex couples have said is flawed and promotes discrimination. Proponents of the New Jersey bill said gay marriage is a civil right being denied to gay couples, while opponents said the definition of marriage as a heterosexual institution should not be expanded. The legislation contains a religious opt-out clause, meaning no church clergy would be required to perform gay marriages and places of worship would not have to allow same-sex weddings at their facilities. Another gay marriage supporter, Washington state Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire, also reached out to Christie, a practicing Catholic. Gregoire sent the governor a letter last month offering to talk about gay marriage because, in her words, “while I am
a Governor, I am also a Catholic.’’ The Roman Catholic Church opposes same-sex marriage. Gregoire signed a gay marriage measure into law in Washington on Monday. Her spokeswoman, Karina Shagren, said Christie hasn’t responded to the letter. Lawmakers in New Jersey have until the end of the legislative session in January 2014 to override the veto. Democrats are hoping that support for gay marriage – 52 percent for gay marriage, 42 against it, in New Jersey, according to one recent voter poll – will continue growing.
Orlando domestic partners registry may be expanded
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RLANDO, Fla. (AP) – A central Florida county mayor says she supports expanding a domestic partners registry already on the books in Orlando. Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs tells the Orlando Sentinel that if approved by the county commissioners, the county would honor the system set up by the city’s leaders. Orlando’s domestic partner registry allows same-sex and unmarried heterosexual couples who register to get certain protections, including the right to visit each other in hospitals or make health care decisions for each other. The expanded registry would apply to other cities within Orange County unless they chose to opt out. Jacobs says she plans to meet Monday with gay advocates. She plans to present the proposal Tuesday to the county commission.
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February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
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February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
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GAY BLACK PRIDE
SoFla Organizations Celebrate Sexual and Racial Identities By Gideon Grudo
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Greg Bistolfi
string of young people committing suicide and being bullied bee’s already seen the tracause of their sexual orientation,” ditional celebrations of said Roger Williams, a co-modGay Black History Month erator and planner for the week(GBHM): Town hall meetings, cookend events. “Some people take for outs, movie screenings, interfaith granted that we’ve come so far — meetings, and varieties thereof. So a lot of times we forget that there this year, Bishop Makalani-MaHee and his crew decided to dance to Bishop Makalani-MaHee are many who are still struggling with coming out.” the tune of a different rhythm. The reading, he said, will speak to those isFrom poetry readings to a block party, the weekend of Feb. 24 should supply the kind of sues, “getting us to realize that we shouldn’t artsy expression and entertainment that may forget those who’re still fighting those battles have been lacking in past GBHMs, Makalani- everyday.” Williams said that one of the issues facing MaHee said. He’s the founder of Black Gay Pride South Florida, which together with Bro- the LGBT community of color is partly a natuthasSpeak will be hosting and organizing the ral human phenomenon. “I think it’s a little bit different — in the festivities. “The community’s art is a reflection of its black community it’s not homophobia. It’s culture. You really want to know a culture, an issue of manhood. We’ve had through you look at its art,” he said. He added that slavery, through Jim Crow, to seize our manthis weekend will showcase “what queer and hood,” he said. “The oppressed tends to opsame-gender-loving people of African descent press others — it’s part of our psychology as bring to the art here in South Florida.” That’s human beings. Black men are marginalized why it’s been decided to move toward a more — so they turn around and marginalize other artistic side. But art is not the only motivation black men in the LGBT community.” The reading opens up the weekend for two behind the events, particularly the first one. Award-winning poets Marvin White and other events: Rhythm and the Word showSheree Greer will be reading their material casing spoken word performances by Greer, during Rising to the Love we Need — A Pride White and Makalani-MaHee, and Old School Reading. The event’s namesake is the work of Family Reunion Block Party featuring historiAssotto Saint, a “Black gay literary pioneer cal “old school jams.” These events, Williams and social activist,” according to a press re- said, are atypical and will provide the comlease. From playwright to visual artist, White munity a new venue of expression. There are so many club events with music is currently a fellow for Cave Canem, a national poetry organization and is a board member and alcohol, he said. “We wanted to basically display black, of Fire and Ink, a national LGBT community of writers. Greer is a published author — an gay talent — not just because it’s Black Gay excerpt from her upcoming novel will appear History Month — we wanted to display that talent in a different environment,” he in the Best Lesbian Romance 2012. “There has been over the past few month a said. These events will be “a little more ce-
rebral, a little more intellectual.” People won’t have to worry about the clothes they wear or about the club environment. People can come relax and ask questions, Williams said, emphasizing that the event is open for everyone. “You don’t have to be African-American,” he said. “It’s something to do outside of the typical South Florida gay scene.” New York-trained poet and short fiction writer G. Winston James is part of BrothasSpeak, a major force in shaping the weekend events. An author of many books and editor of anthologies, James’s work will be published in the upcoming anthologies For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Still Not Enough and Love, Christopher Street: Reflections of Gay New York. “The best of writers are, in a way, keeping a record of what‘s happening in our community — both politically and spiritually,” James said. “It’s important for us to support our artists — supporting the creation of living testimonies of people in our community.” These events, James said, allows BrothasSpeak to stand up in the South Florida LGBT community.
“We wanted to be a part of the planning this year — to show that we’re not only just sitting around and talking,” he said, hoping that the poems, like his own, will create conversation among people they wouldn’t normally have. “I tend to write a lot about desire and its complications — I’m telling the truth in ways that people don’t necessarily want to hear.”
Follow the Voices
What: Rising to the Love we Need — A Pride Reading When: Friday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Where: T he Pride Center 2040 N. Dixie Hwy Wilton Manors, FL 33306 How much: Free What: Rhythm and the Word When: Saturday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Where: M iami-Dade LGBT Visitors Center 1130 Washington Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33139 How much: Suggested $10 donation What: Old School Family Reunion Block Party When: Sunday, Feb. 26, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Where: The Pride Center 2040 N. Dixie Hwy Wilton Manors, FL 33306 How much: Free
FAU Offers Avenue of Discussion to LGBT People of Color By Gideon Grudo
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acing a double-edged sword, the LGBT community of color has to deal with two sometimes-less-than-accepting groups. The LGBTQA Resource Center at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton is trying to help. They offered for people to come discuss their experiences in a familiar environment — with others who might share those experiences. These support groups, commiserated on Feb. 1 and Feb. 15, were a new approach for students to get help where they might need it most. These meetings come on the heels of Gay Black History Month. “I think it’s really important to celebrate gender diversity during Black History Month,” said Lauren Walleser, an LGBTQA specialist. “I think it’s important for everyone to realize that all of our experience are very different based on the different identities we have — those difference should be celebrated.” After the Feb. 15 group adjourned, Walleser felt it was a success. “It went really well — it’s just so great to have this safe space and this time for students to share their experiences with each other,” she said. “Dealing with homophobia and racism at the same time makes some people feel like they’re targeted for racism within
the white community … and for homophobia within the black or Hispanic communities.” Ryan Ebanks, student governor of the Boca campus of FAU, identifies as gay, and said these groups are essential for the community. He was born in the States, and his lineage is Jamaican. “Being black and gay is its own monster,” Ebanks said. “You see that you’re not the only person going through these experiences.” These experiences sometimes come in the form of bullying, Ebanks said. “I’ve had friends with me who’re gay — they get treated terribly when they’re out on the Breezeway,” he said, adding that he’d “seen them get called names, snarled at — it’s weird.” Ebanks wants to see these support groups continue out of February, and be ongoing indefinitely. He said that the community needs these support groups during a time when they may get little support otherwise. Walleser identifies as lesbian and is white, so she said she couldn’t offer direct advice. However, as she’s run these sessions, she recommends that people of color in the LGBT community “join groups where all of your identity can be validated — try to find allies and people who will accept you and with whom you can share your experiences.” To get involved, go to www.fau.edu/lgbtqa/
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
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Sports Fan? South Florida’s Gay Softball League ‘Wants You’ By Mike Anguille
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n any given Sunday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Mills Pond Park in Fort Lauderdale bustles with men and women who assemble to play a popular variation of “America’s favorite past-time.” In droves they come, all to play softball and escape – at least for 7 innings – the rigors of daily life. The catch? This is more than just an ordinary softball league: it’s a well- established, nationally sanctioned, non-profit gay softball league. Roughly 95 percent of those playing are a part of the LGBT community and, while some women do play in the league, most of the players are men who – like many other softball enthusiasts are there not only for the game, but also for friendly competition. Most of them are professional, blue-collar, aged 25 to over 60, who come to be a part of a community. They come to play their beloved sport with those they can best identify with. “Softball means a great deal to these people. It’s their life and it’s their livelihood,” says Paul Falcone, 44, the elected chairperson of the league. “They can’t wait for Sundays. Family is a little hokey of a term to use, but to explain the friendships that come out of it and, especially for me, [how] the league helped me come to terms with who I am [with my sexuality]. I knew it was OK when I joined the league and became a part of a team.”
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Photos: Hurricane teammates gather for a show of solidarity. Falcone has been a part of the league since its inception in 1994, but the roots of gay softball are much deeper, as the Website of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance points out: “NAGAAA’s current membership includes over 680 teams from 37 leagues throughout the United States and Canada” Indeed, it’s no small, grassroots organization. Even the South Florida chapter, known formally as the “South Florida Amateur Athletic Association” is home, at current, to about 25 teams – all of whom are invited to participate in NAGAAA’s world series tournament – hosted in a different city each year. Teams are confined to a total of 18 members, but as Falcone notes, “most only carry 13-15” and “rarely change once they are put together.” Each season (there are two in South Flor-
ida because of the accommodating weather) lasts approximately a couple of months, according to Falcone. Teams are broken in to divisions based on ability so as to make for equal match-ups, and after it’s all said and done, there is a double elimination playoff. There is a small “A” division, comprising the most elite players, but it is mostly teams from divisions B-D who then participate in a double elimination playoff to determine who goes to the World Series. Regardless of the “fairness given to every level of skill,” Falcone adds, the reason that the league has and continues to grow in popularity is not because of the competitive aspect, but rather because of the feelings of camaraderie the players bring with them on and off the field. “…Keeping that sacred place where we can all be who we are is as important… Regardless
submitted photos
SPORTS
of the strides made in the LGBT community – it’s a place of unity that we lose in all walks of life when we walk off that field, not just in terms of sexuality, but in terms of the general divisiveness in society. Just turn on the TV and you can see it. Softball, that field, that need for others, that teamwork and mutual reliance is what makes it so special if even only for that short time.” And it’s this message that continues to resonate with both the members and potential members of the league. Currently, Falcone says, there are 376 participants in the league. This year, it is anticipated that number will rise to 400 as a result of recruitment efforts. “We already have 50 new members this year and hope for many more. All they have to do is come and try-out and they’re in.” Falcone adds that “everyone who tries out will become a part of a team,” and goes on to say that, even if more people than there are teams come to the tryouts, the league will not hesitate to expand. “Everyone should be able to be a part of this, LGBT, non LGBT, whatever…he says.” Dues are $40 a year for membership and covers both seasons. For more information on this story, or for signup information, please contact Paul Falcone at (954) 465-8559 or email him at Falcone2006ws@ aol.com.
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
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Guest Editorial
Florida’s Drug-Testing of the Poor Proves a Failure …But some states still want to follow their example
By Kellen Russoniello
their laws to apply only to applicants that have aroused reasonable sushe recent push picion, these states are for implementhoping to avoid constituing drug testtional problems like those ing for potential welfare that ultimately invalidatrecipients across severed the Florida law and al states has revealed at a similar Michigan law least two things: 1. The in 2000 (which was afpolicy is not economicalfirmed in 2003). Several ly sound; and 2. It really states have also tried to brings out the hypocrisy drug test those who seek in some elected officials. unemployment benefits, Last summer, Florida state employees, and priimplemented a law revate sector employees, quiring all welfare apGov. Rick Scott including the passage of plicants to submit to a mandatory drug test before receiving any an Indiana law that requires drug testing for benefits (Applicants had to pay the $30 for the those in a state job-training program. When pressed, legislators that support this test themselves, only to be reimbursed later if they passed.) Not surprisingly, the program policy try to justify their position by claiming was brought to a quick halt. Back in October that the taxpayers should not subsidize drug of 2011, a federal judge ruled that the Florida addiction. But taxpayers pay for much more than just welfare. Some of their money goes drug testing law was unconstitutional. Further, in the few months that the pro- towards paying their legislators’ salaries. gram was up and running, it was shown that Wouldn’t this same rationale justify drug only 2% of welfare applicants tested positive testing legislators? This has been the tactic of for drugs. About 9% of the general popula- many Democratic state legislators to thwart tion reports using drugs in the past month. Republican efforts to test welfare applicants. In fact, a Republican State representative So much for Governor Rick Scott’s theory that the poor use drugs more often than the in the Indiana General Assembly recently pulled a bill after another representative rest of the populace. Even more striking is the amount of mon- amended it to include drug testing for legislaey that Florida lost from this poorly designed tors. The bill was reintroduced and passed by policy. The Tampa Bay Online estimated that the Indiana General Assembly the following $3,400 to $8,200 in savings would be recog- week, which included a section requiring legnized every month from drug testing welfare islators to submit to random drug tests. Misapplicants. As it turns out, the program is es- souri and Tennessee currently have bills that timated to have cost Florida over $200,000. would require legislators to submit to drug From any perspective, this policy can be re- tests. These were introduced in reaction to a slew of bills aimed at requiring drug tests garded as a failure. Despite the lessons that can be learned on different areas of the population. It seems from Florida’s debacle, several states are that the legislators who want to drug test the still considering implementing programs poor aren’t really convinced of the merits of to subject their impoverished population the program when applied to themselves. Hopefully, state politicians will come to their to drug tests. The Huffington Post reported that twelve states attempted passing legis- senses as knowledge about the failure of Florilation in 2011 that would require drug tests da’s policy becomes more well-known. But givfor welfare applicants. Florida, Missouri, and en this country’s track record on drug policy, I Arizona were the only three that succeeded. wouldn’t recommend holding your breath. However, Pennsylvania has just begun a pilot program in Schuylkill County that subjects Kellen Russoniello ia a George Washington Unicertain applicants to drug tests. By tailoring versity Law student and NORML Legal Intern courtesy of ongo.com
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Letters to the Editor
Commissioner Rodstrom, Pick Up the Flag and Carry It with Pride!
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ack in 2010 when Pridefest relocated their annual Pride event to the City of Oakland Park, I honestly didn’t give it much thought until I compared the municipal ordinances of Oakland Park, Wilton Manors and Fort Lauderdale, and there was a sound justification to relocate the event out of Fort Lauderdale based on public policy. In 2010, the cities of Oakland Park and Wilton Manors already provided benefits to the domestic partners of city employees and they adopted a non-discrimination policy inclusive of ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity.’ To Oakland Park and Wilton Manors credit, through public policy, they demonstrated how they valued LGBT people as equal counterparts in the work place. This past September 8 the Fort Lauderdale Mayor and Commissioners quietly and sheepishly adopted an ordinance to extend benefits to the domestic partners for its work force of more than 2,300 city employees. When addressing the issues of discrimination, Fort Lauderdale’s municipal ordinances fails to have an inclusive non-discrimination policy to protect LGBT employees in the work place, nor does it require the same in contracts for vendors doing business with the city like that of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. For several years LGBT activists have lobbied and been vocal with Fort Lauderdale’s elected officials and candidates vying for office, to recognize our needs and value us as a marginalized community of people. While officials continue to make appearances and promises at LGBT-events and functions, their promises often go unfilled and action has been cowardly and slow.
At the February 8 meeting of the Dolphin Democrats, Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom sponsored the pizza social that precedes the general membership meeting. It’s a customary gesture made by various candidates vying to gain the support of gay Democratic activists. I took the opportunity to publically challenge Rodstrom on her lack of leadership in bringing forward pro-equality ordinances. I was horrified not only with her insulting response of saying she was unaware of such need, but also stating she refuses to do anything until after her colleagues are re-elected in the city’s March run-off election. Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom clearly is out of touch and unable to carry the water for our community. In the year 2012, we must reject apologists for complacency. We need to demand bold courage and leadership of our candidates and elected officials. Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom, while you are possibly gay-friendly, you are no champion for the LGBT-community. It’s time to pick up the flag and carry it with Pride and be a champion! – Michael Emanuel Rajner, BSW
More letters to the editor on page 30
Write to the Editor Please send your letters to: Letters to the Editor, SFGN 2520 N. Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 OR EMAIL: jason.parsley@sfgn.com
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
McNaught’s Notes
Scripture in Paprika Is No Prize By Brian McNaught
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n the late 1950s, kids my age used to look forward to the prize in the box of Cracker Jacks. We dug through the caramelized popcorn to find it. Sure, it wasn’t worth more than a penny, but it was fun to find. Yesterday, I opened up a bottle of Hungarian paprika to make goulash for a large group of friends, and found inside a piece of “edible potato starch paper” with two biblical citations. I looked up the Old and New Testament passages to see if they were Right Wing Christian antigay rhetoric, but they were harmless references. Nevertheless, the citations were no prize, and they didn’t belong in a bottle of paprika. I called the owner of the spice store, with whom I had just spent a pleasant half hour learning about his new enterprise. I took his
business card because I wanted to recommend him to friends who are resurrecting a town in the Adirondacks, and who are looking for quality goods to be sold there. “I found a biblical quote in my paprika,” I said. “Do you have those pieces of paper in every spice and herb bottle?” When he answered, “Yes,” I told him that I didn’t believe in mixing commerce and religion, and that I couldn’t recommend him or his product to others. I was particularly grieved that there was no warning that I was going to be proselytized. In the newspaper this week, there was a story of an Evangelical Christian graduate student in a counseling program at Eastern Michigan University who refused to work
with gay clients. She claimed religious discrimination when she was dropped from the master’s program. The university’s classes are paid for with taxes rendered by the people, including gay people. President Obama is being charged with religious intolerance because he is forcing religious institutions that receive tax dollars to provide free contraceptives in their health plan. Catholic Charities in Massachusetts, also funded by the government, have stopped their adoption services because they refuse to place children in gay households. There are corporate managers, and even corporate human resource personnel, who because of their religious beliefs, refuse to support company policy on valuing all diversity. They give lip service to the company, but they minimize the complaints or needs of their LGBT employees. What is it with so-called “people of faith” feeling free to proselytize their beliefs to people who are only trying to make a good Hungarian goulash? Why would a professional person, who wants to counsel others to better emotion-
al health, refuse such service to people who don’t share his or her religious beliefs? Do Catholic charities and hospitals feel it better for an unwanted child to be born and to stay in foster care rather than be adopted by a loving gay person or same-sex couple? And worst of all, how can a person being paid good wages by a corporation, fail to do their job because it conflicts with their religious beliefs? Why stay at that company? All of us are entitled to believe whatever we choose about whether there is a God and an afterlife, but people who decide to force those beliefs down the throats of others on edible potato starch paper, or to ignore their professional responsibilities, need to pay for their arrogance, intolerance, and dereliction of duty. 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 Fort Lauderdale and Provincetown. Visit Brian-McNaught.com for more information.
History In Perspective
The Marlin Beach Affair: When Fort Lauderdale’s LGBT Community First Stood Up By Fred Fejes The Broward County LGBT Community History Project
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n 1977 an event took place that marked the birth of LGBT political activism in Broward County. Although the LGBT community has been a part of Fort Lauderdale even before it became a place on the map, it was only in the 1970s that it emerged as a visible community. Riverside and Sailboat Bend, with its Key West ambiance were the first neighborhoods with sizable concentrations of lesbians and gay men. Gay owned businesses and bars began to appear and organizations like the Metropolitan Community Church reflected the growing organized community. For the most part, the larger heterosexual community ignored the emerging gay presence. Compared to Miami’s larger and more visible community, the LGBT community in Fort Lauderdale was fairly quiet. In 1967 there was a well-publicized grand jury investigation about crime and homosexuality in Broward, along with a Fort Lauderdale news series on homosexuality in Broward. The grand jury report’s major outcome was the indictment of a well-known local crime figure for gambling. Homosexuality was an ignored footnote. Since then, although there were occasional bar raids and arrests for “lewd behavior” in the parks or along the beach, the resort economy and culture of Fort Lauderdale created a relatively relaxed scene.
The warm weather and beautiful beaches made Fort Lauderdale a perfect destination for the growing lesbian and gay tourist trade. While some gay men and lesbians opened up early guesthouses and most hotels did not blink when two men or women rented a single room, it was the opening in the mid-1970s of the renovated Marlin Beach Hotel as America’s first explicitly gay resort hotel that really marked Fort Lauderdale as a gay tourist destination. Completed in 1952 the Marlin Beach was the jewel of the beach’s hotels. Just across AIA (where Beach Place is today) it had over 105 rooms, a stage and dance area two restaurants, and a courtyard with a large pool. One of the restaurants was downstairs and had a large aquarium type window onto the pool, allowing diners to enjoy their meals while watching the under-water goings-on in the pool. Both the hotel, and the dining room window were featured in the 1960 movie Where the Boys Are and helped establish Fort Lauderdale as the place to lie in the sun in the day and party at night. However the 1960s were not kind to the Fort Lauderdale Beach and the Marlin. With jet flight becoming popular, tourists began to discover newer fresher places like Las Vegas, the Caribbean and Hawaii. The opening of Orlando’s theme parks stole the family trade. South Florida tourism began to decline. Fort Lauderdale’s beach area became the destination of spring break students and others
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
looking for beaches, warm weather, parties, and cheap hotels. With them came a large population of panhandlers, “street people,” hustlers, drifters, and druggies. Like other hotels on the beach, the Marlin Beach quickly became run down and lost its glamour. However in 1972 it was rescued when a group of gay entrepreneurs bought it and planned to turn it into a top-class resort catering to the emerging lesbian and gay tourist market. They spent more than $300,000 renovating it and featured it in a 1974 ad campaign in national gay magazines promoting it as “America’s premier gay resort,” making Fort Lauderdale again the place “Where the Boys Are.” All of this occurred under the Fort Lauderdale establishment’s radar. Neither the city nor business leaders condoned or even knew about it. However in late November 1976, the Fort Lauderdale Beach Improvement Association, the civic group charged with trying to increase the tourist business issued a report on the conditions of the beach. It noted the many problems, particularly the large population of “street people” and drifters. It also highlighted Marlin Beach and its gay clientele, noting the hotel’s national advertising campaign and its reputation as a popular gay resort hotel. It cited the number of arrests of young male hustlers who were drawn to the area by the presence of the hotel. This news came as a shock to Fort Lauderdale’s mayor E. Clay Shaw, a conservative Re-
publican who had been a member of the city commission since 1971 and was elected mayor in 1975. One of his major goals was to revitalize Fort Lauderdale tourism and, in his view, the presence of an openly gay hotel on the beach ruined any chances of drawing tourist trade. “If a family from the Midwest comes to Fort Lauderdale and sees men making love on the beach what will they think...they’ll never come back,” he said. The head of the city’s Hotel Resort and Hotel Association agreed and noted that the presence of a gay hotel was “a social stigma and it will drive families away.” The city’s major newspaper The Fort Lauderdale News headlined the story of the mayor’s disapproval writing: “Mayor Shaw is Adamant – The City’s Gays Must Go.” According to the newspaper, the mayor’s goal was to eliminate every vestige of homosexual activity from the beach. “If he had his way, the Marlin Beach... will go straight.” Check back next week for part 2 of this story. Have a comment on this story or a memory about Fort Lauderdale to share? Go the Broward County LGBT Community History Project blog: http:// Browardmemory.blogspot.com. Fred Fejes is Director of the Broward County LGBT Community History Project. He is a Professor at Florida Atlantic University and author of Gay Rights and Moral Panic: The Origins of America’s Debate on Homosexuality
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Playwright Draws on Recovery for New Play “….I woke up in a filthy and disreputable hotel room on 43rd Street in Manhattan. The lower half of my body was lying on a floor mattress while my upper torso and head was facedown on the soiled, multi-cigarette burned carpet. Sleeping next to me was my then boyfriend-slash-drug dealer— a man as tortured as he was beautiful—a trail of bloody syringes, matches, and some empty crack baggies separating the two of us in bed.”
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hese are the words of playwright Matthew Lombardo, author of High, a play opening March 1 at the Parker Playhouse. But they don’t come from that play, but rather his own reckoning with an addiction to crystal meth that nearly destroyed his career. Sitting comfortably in a Wilton Manors coffee shop— he does all his writing here now—the handsome writer relates his story: “I didn’t want to write this play because I would have to sit across a table with interviewers like you. I would have to divulge the whole back story, but it just kept eating away at me, this personal experience,” Lombardo explains. Lombardo had been a model child, son, citizen in so many ways for the first 36 years of his life; until he was swept off his feet by “Aquaman,” a dazzlingly handsome man with golden hair and blue eyes who would sweep him away from the solitude of his success as a writer and into the spinning world of meth. “I had never tried a drug,” he recalls. “If you asked friends from high school, they wouldn’t believe it could happen to me. I was writing for television by the time I was 25, so focused on my career and being the best little boy in the world. I never had the opportunity to do what my fellow gay men were doing.” But, one bad decision led to seven years of dizzying drug use and he hit the proverbial rock bottom. Lombardo was broke and homeless. His reputation was shattered. Family and friends refused to answer his calls unless he got help. He was alone and isolated. Lombardo found the help he needed at Lambda South, a meeting place in downtown Fort Lauderdale for lesbians
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and gays in recovery. He pulled the pieces together, determined to fight his addiction and get clean. Sheldon Epps, a friend with the Pasadena Playhouse, gave him that chance and within two years, he had two plays on Broadway, “Looped,” a play about an infamous dubbing session with actress Tallulah Bankhead, and High, a story that doesn’t sound too different from his own. High isn’t autobiographical, but Lombardo has met many young men in South Florida like Cody Randall, the young protagonist played by Evan Jonigkeit, struggling feelings of shame, remorse and worthlessness. “He’s at the intersection of addiction, faith and forgiveness and it’s an intersection where the traffic light is broken. But it’s not just a play about addiction, it’s a play about those who try to help people with addiction,” adds Lombardo, describing the sponsor in the play, a tough nun portrayed by Kathleen Turner, who deals with demons of her own. He is quick to point out that everyone knows someone with an addiction, whether it be alcohol, sex or food: “It doesn’t matter if it’s a drink, a dick, or a piece of devil’s food cake….but (addiction) is the only disease where people get mad at you for having it. They ask, ‘Why can’t you just stop?’ People assume there’s a certain amount of free will involved,” say Lombardo. At each stop on the tour—the show has already played Hartford, Cincinnati, Broadway and Boston and will hit 12 cities in all—there have been talkbacks following the performances and events to raise awareness about addiction in each community. Lombardo, who is co-producing the tour, specifically
Left insert: Author Matthew Lombardo Above: Kathleen Turner and Evan Jonigkeit play a scene
picked cities where he knows crystal meth is a huge problem. “This is the first high profile play that deals with meth and specifically how it affects the gay community,” he points out. Opening night at the Parker Playhouse will include a benefit for Lambda South, the place Lombardo associates so closely with his recovery. The facility burned on Dec. 26, 2010 and reopened last September. While Lombard seems to have been successful in his own efforts, he acknowledges the odds are still against him. In the notes to High, he writes: “I know the odds are against me. That only 1 in 3 will survive and recover. And with crystal meth addicts the odds get even worse. For there’s only a staggering 6 percent chance of recovery after 5 years of continuous clean time. So I certainly have my work cut out for me. But what keeps me clean today is simply what medical professionals surprisingly all agree is the most effective: a belief in a power greater than oneself. And so it is within that, I introduce my new play High as a testament to the Power of Faith and the Belief in Miracles.”
High by Matthew Lombardo Feb. 29 – March 4 Parker Playhouse, Fort Lauderdale Tickets $46.50 – 66.50 at ParkerPlayhouse.com For more information about programs at Lambda South, go to LambdaSouth.org
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
submitted photos
By J.W. Arnold
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
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By Brian Swinford
Have an event you want to list? If so send me an email at Calendar@sfgn.com.
Theater Broward County
Palm Beach Key West *Waterfront Playhouse presents: County Dinner and Disco
Christopher Staton
*denotes new listing
An Evening with Kate Clinton
Stonewall National Museum & Archives presents legendary comedian Kate Clinton on March 17 at The Parker Playhouse. Kate Clinton is a faith-based, tax-paying, America-loving political humorist and family entertainer. Visit ParkerPlayhouse.com
*Dan Savage
On February 26, 2011 8pm ArtsUnited is proud to present the hilarious and frank sex advice columnist, author, journalist, pundit, and political humorist Dan Savage in Savage Love, as the finale performance of ArtExplosion 11 Int’l LGBT Arts Festival. Tickets are $25/35 at 954 462-0222. Visit Browardcenter.org
South Florida Symphony Orchestra The 55-piece orchestra, under the music direction of Sebrina Maria Alfonso, will perform Shostakovich: Festive Overture; Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, featuring pianist Jeffrey Chappell; and Ellen Taafe Zwilich: Symphony No. 5. Come see this 55 piece orchestra set on March 11 at 2 p.m. Visit Oldshool.org
Top Gun! The Musical
Come to the Empire Stage on Feb. 9 through March 4 for this this new satirical musical. For anyone Dan who’s ever cringed through Cats, scratched their heads at Legally Blonde the Musical, felt the need for speed or wondered, “who thought THAT would be a good idea?”, comes this new satirical musical. Writer Billy Palmer is about to crash and burn. Visit TopGunFtl.com
Billy Elliot
This musical will be showing at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Feb. 29 to Mar 11. This show is about one boy’s journey to make his dreams come true. The story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising passion that inspires his family and his whole community. Visit Browardcenter.org
Savage
Miami-Dade
Get your tickets early because on Feb. 27 this event is a sellout every year. Disco, famed diner food, drink, and ambiance meld together. Come dressed as your favorite cook, waitress, diner patron, disco diva or dude. Who’s going to win the costume prize this year? This event will take place at the home of Bert Whitt and Dennis Beaver. Showtime 7 p.m. For more information call the Box Office at 305-294-5015 or Email Box_Office@waterfrontplayhouse.org
Community Calendar Broward County
On Friday March 2 at 8 p.m. come to The Adrienne Arsht Center for Pilobolus. Celebrating 40 years of defying gravity, this incomparable dance company has delighted, dazzled and amazed audiences across the planet with their superhuman flexibility and fascinating forms that challenge the limits of the human body. Visit Arshtcenter.org
On Saturday, March 10, Downtown Fort Lauderdale will transform into a sea of green for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority and the City of Fort Lauderdale. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. along East Las Olas Boulevard and end at Huizenga Plaza. Visit GoRiverwalk.com
TacoStock
It’s here! The first annual Taco Cook-off with craft beer and local music, all at beautiful Esplanade Park in Downtown Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. For the pre-sale price of $25, you will receive 6 tickets that can be used for either tacos or craft beer, or both. Brewers such as Cigar City, Magic Hat and others will be showcased. Visit GoRiverwalk.com
Love, Desire, & Relationships: Transform Your Life
*Sex and Love Anonymous
S.L.A.A. believe 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. More information at The Pride Center at Equality Park in Bldg A, Room 200 Fri, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visit Slaafws.org
Exhibit of Nudes and Nature Studios
Pilobolus
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival
Mangum Gallery will host the first South Florida exhibit of critically acclaimed New York photographer Kelly Grider, involving 30 original works of romantic nudes and nature studios. The exhibition runs Feb. 17 to March 15. Grider’s work is a mix of the romantic and ethereal. “Grider blends sensuality, eroticism, awe and power.” Call Greg Mangum at 954-514-7149. Visit MangumGallery.com
Love is the most important thing in our lives. We want to love better, and we can if we stop thinking so much about what others can do for us, and start thinking more about cherishing them. $10/class or $23/series includes vegetarian food after class Feb. 16 - The Meaning of Life: Learning to Cherish Others; Feb 23 - Connecting with Gratitude: The Kindness of Others; March 1 - The Source of Happiness: Benefits of Cherishing Others. Call Elizabeth Jurado at 954-537-9191
Conquering Anxiety: Life & Death, Self & Others
We suffer a lot from anxiety. Anxiety over our wishes and plans, our successes and failures, reputation, finances, etc is the source of most of our mental pain. We need a fresh perspective that will get us out of our obsession with our own problems of the moment. $10/class or $23/series; Feb 12 - Starting with Joy: Our Precious Human Life; Feb 19 Overcoming Worry: Death Meditation; Feb 26 - Changing Our Focus: Exchanging Self with Others. For more information call Elizabeth Jurado at 954-537-9191
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IT IS BY FAR THE BEST THING SHE HAS EVER DONE!” Rex Reed, New York Observer
“A MUST-SEE!” – Broadway World
KATHLEEN TURNER
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DIRECTED BY
WITH AND
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EVAN JONIGKEIT
ONE WEEK ONLY! FEB 29 - MAR 4
TICKETS AND GROUP DISCOUNTS: 954.462.0222 • PARKERPLAYHOUSE.COM Concept & Design © 2010 WONDRISKARUSSO COM Photo of Evan Jonigkeit LANNYNAGLER COM Photo of Kathleen Turner MANFREDBAUMANN COM
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February 22, 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. Stage Door: Highlighting the Arts
photo: Seminole Coconut Creek Casino / ralph notaro
By J.W. Arnold
Renee Graziano at the Sorrisi Italian Restaurant at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
Don’t Mess with this Broad! Renee Graziano-Pagan, star of VH1’s hit reality series, Mob Wives, was in town last weekend for an appearance at the newly expanded Seminole Casino at Coconut Creek. The tough talking daughter of convicted mobster Anthony Graziano has exposed the daily challenges of “the life” and, in the course of two seasons, become a gay icon of sorts, along with her hot blooded co-stars. “I have my ‘crew’,” she said with a big smile, referring to her circle of close gay friends on Staten Island. Graziano was also pleased to announce the show had been extended three episodes and taping continued through Christmas. The biggest misnomer about her life in a mafia family, “It’s not that glamorous,” she said, matter-of-factly. “Not at all,” but she doesn’t regret the decision to allow cameras into her home and life.
Dance, Billy, Dance! A decade before Glee, American Idol and Dancing with the Stars made singing and dancing popular, there was Billy Elliott, the touching British movie about a blue collar lad who dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer. Like so many other heartwarming movies, the film went to Broadway and won over critics and audiences alike. The Broadway production just closed after four years, but the touring production of the Tony-winner is headed to Fort Lauderdale’s Broward
Center as part of the Broadway Across America series, Wednesday, Feb. 29 – Sunday, March 11. Tickets are $29.25 – 81.25 at BrowardCenter.org.
Colorful Drama in West Palm Beach Palm Beach Dramaworks brightens up its new Clematis Street digs with The Pitman Painters, an uplifting tale from the writer of Billy Elliott, about a group of miners in northern England who enroll in art appreciation class and wind up developing their own painting skills to international acclaim. Along the way, playwright Lee Hall explores the intersection of politics and art during a trying period in recent British history. This production, directed by J. Barry Lewis, was recently extended to March 18. Tickets are $55 at PalmBeachDramaworks.org.
Brothers, Sing On! An ensemble from the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida will join the men of the Sanctuary Choir of Second Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale, on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. for L’amore vince, a night of musical cabaret with the theme, “Love wins.” The event, which includes music performances accompanied by light hors d’oeuvres, will benefit music programs at the church and a portion of proceeds will be donated to LGBTQ youth outreach initiatives at SunServe. Tickets are $10 and are available by calling the church at 954-564-7600.
February 22, 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. 2012 Duck Fest Derby
The Global LGBT Summit May 3–6, 2012, in Philadelphia www.equalityforum.com
ISRAEL FEATU R E D N A T I O N
The Duck Fest Derby presented by JM Family is one of Fort Lauderdale’s signature events as 15,000 rubber ducks make their way to the finish line down the New River to win the Grand Prize of a six night Hawaiian getaway, complete with volcano and surfing experience. Will take place Sat, Feb. 25. at Esplanade Park located at 400 S.W. 2nd Street in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Ducks can be “adopted” for $5 each by visiting www.duckfestderby.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. The group meets from 7-8:30 p.m. Visit Fisponline.org.
Grief Support Group
Grief Support Group led by Heartland Hospice meets every 3rd Tuesday at American Burial & Cremation Center @ Jennings Funeral Home 1801 E. Oakland Park Blvd. from 2-4 pm. Call 954-731-4321. If you need support in your time of loss they invite you to attend.
Alternative MC Tuesday night Eaten Meeting
Tue Nite Eatin Meeting will be held at The Alternative MC Clubhouse at 4322 NE 5th Ave in Oakland park. There will be fun, food, and fellowship. There will be hambergers, hotdogs, all the fixins, cold drinks, desserts, and snacks. The meeting will begin at 8pm and end around 9pm. For more information Visit Alternativemc.com/events/florida-events
Gay Men’s HIV+ Long Time Survivors’ Group
This is a support group that gives men who have been HIV+ for a long time (5 yrs +) the opportunity to give and receive support around topics of interest and issues for concern that are raised by the members. This group meets on 1st and 3rd Thursday at Sunserve 2312 Wilton Drive from 6:30 – 8 p.m. There is no cost, but donations are welcome.
Gay Male Empowerment Group
Topic discussions include issues and concerns about being a gay man in South Florida. Meets on Thursdays at the Pride Center from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Call 954-353-9155 or e-mail info@ sunserve.org.
PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
Eating Disorder Support group
This group will meet Friday evenings from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. At Sun Serve’s Wilton Manors location at 2123 Wilton Drive, second floor. This is a “drop-in” psycho-educational support group. No registration required, free- however donations are welcome. Call 954-764-5150 for more information
Meets on the 2nd and 4th Tues. of the month at the Sunshine Cathedral at 1480 SW 9th Avenue to support the parents of LGBTQ youth in Broward. No charge. Visit Community.pflag.org/pflagfortlauderdale for more information.
Green Market in Pompano
GreenMarket Pompano Beach
At the corner of Dixie Highway and Atlantic Blvd. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Includes the freshest fruits and vegetables, juices, baked goods, seafood, gourmet teas and coffees, as well as orchids, plants, and health-related products and services. Held every Saturday through April 28. Also features art shows, antique automobile shows, and environmental exhibits. Visit GreenMarketPompano.com
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. Everyone is welcome to attend, including well-behaved, leashed pets. There is plenty of room to set up chairs, blankets and picnic baskets to experience the fabulous entertainment.
Florida Renaissance Festival
Journey back to the 16th century, Feb. 11 to March 11, as you step through castle gates and into the days of yore. Explore the artisans’ village and view live demonstrations of glassblowing, steel-fighting, archery, and more. Weekends only, plus President’s Day, 2/20 Visit Broward.org/Parks/QuietW
Young Adult GLBT
A social group open to all LGBT people ages 18-35. This group 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 Broadwalk. 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 954-599-7916 or email: Tedverdone@comcast.net
Safe “T”
Safe “T” is a new support group for gender variant adults 18 plus that meets Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Sunserve’s Wilton Manors location at 2123 Wilton Drive, second floor. This is a “drop-in” psycho-educational support group. No registration required, free- however donations are welcome. Call 954-764-5150.
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SunServe Therapy Groups
Provided for the LGBT community at SunServe on a regular basis. Groups require an intake interview. Call the Intake Coordinator at 954-764-5150 to learn which therapy groups have openings. Visit SunServe.org
Fusion Wilton Manors - Connections
Gay men’s group discussion. Different subject every week. Dr. David Fawcett, a gay therapist, who has been in private practice in Fort Lauderdale for the last ten years, leads the event. No charge with no commitment to attend every week. Starts at 7 p.m. Call Fusion Monday-Friday at 954-630-1655.
Women4Women Personal Growth Support Group
This is a safe and loving place to explore all the concerns and topics raised by group members. This open drop-in meeting is held Wednesdays at 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the New Sun Serve Building at 2312 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Call 954-764-5150
Man2Man Discussion Group
Man-2-Man talk is an informal discussion group of gay men, with all age ranges and backgrounds welcomed. Bldg A, Room 206. Visit Glccsf.org/calendar/
Palm Beach County
*The Third Annual Gay Polo Tournament The Third Annual Gay Polo Tournament will be held April 14 at the Grand Champions Polo Club located at the corner of Lake Worth Road and South Shore Boulevard in Wellington from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature top polo players from the Gay Polo League (GPL). Visit GayPoloTournament. blog.com/tickets/ or call 561-753-3389. Cost: $20 General Admission. Please provide your own chairs. $175 Tailgate space – Includes eight general admission tickets & one tailgate parking space.
*Victory After Party
Dinner and dancing, featuring renowned DJ, Adam West, at the Victory After Party to celebrate the International Gay Polo Tournament sponsored by The Rotary Club of Wellington at Graffito at 3410 Equestrian Club Road, Wellington, FL. on Sat. April 14 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 each and include twohour open bar, buffet dinner and fun. Contact: Maggie Zeller at 561 715- 9262. Visit Wellingtonrotary.com
*Palm Beach State College’s Drama Club Palm Beach State College’s drama club, the Palm Beach State Players Club, will be hosting a night of play readings on March 2nd and March 3rd at 8 p.m. at the Lake Worth Campus in the Humanities Building in the HU114 Black Box Theatre. The plays are originals works from students and alumni. The proceeds will benefit the drama club. Tickets are $5 cash only! e-mail Melissa Betterly at Betterlm@palmbeachstate.edu
February 22, 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. *Celebrate Pride South Florida with Equality Florida
Are you ready to celebrate Pride this March 10-11? Pride is an incredible opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate our strength, our diversity, and (of course) our pride. It’s also our best chance to build the grassroots power to win equality in 2012. Join Equality Florida members from across South Florida at Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale as we all celebrate Pride South Florida 2012.
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. For more information on this group please email matthew@ compassglcc.com or Visit Compassglcc.com.
Sober Sisters AA
Support group is dedicated for lesbians who are recovering from alcoholism. This meeting happens every Monday at 7 p.m. at the beautiful 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 pm. These meeting will take place at The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Palm Beach County. For more information Visit Compassglcc.com
Beach Bon Fire
The city of Lake Worth invites everyone to come out and enjoy the beach bon-fires with a different dress up theme each night. Bonfire Dates: January 13th (New Year) & 27th (Favorite Movie), February 10th (Pirate) & 24th ( 70’s Night ). Visit Lakeworth.org
Good Orderly AA
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
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 PM. Residents $40 per 8 week session, Non-Residents $50 per 8 week session, Drop-ins $10 per class. To register, please call 561-804-4902.
MS Walk - The Palm Beaches
Sign up for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society 2012 MS Walk on Sunday Feb 26 at 7am. Help raise awareness and funds for research, programs, services and advocacy. MS Walk is the rallying point of the MS movement; a community of friends, family and co-workers coming together with a shared commitment and determination to create a world free of MS. Visit Walkfls.nationalmssociety.org
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
Jazz on the Palm
Jazz on the Palm - Downtown West Palm Beach Waterfront - Gather with friends and family to enjoy the diverse vibrant sounds of jazz under the stars every 3rd Friday of month at the new Downtown West Palm Beach waterfront concert series. Free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Visit Wpbgo. com/2010/06/jazz-on-the-palm
BrothasSpeak
This group is a black gay men’s discussion group that is held at the Compass in West Palm Beach. Every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. this group will be directed toward issues for and about black men. Visit Compassglcc.com
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
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
Yoga
Yoga with Deborah will change your life. Bring a mat and get ready to stretch the stress away every Tuesday at The GLCC in Palm Beach from 6 to 7 p.m. This yoga experience will uplift and transform your life. $6 Entry Fee. You must bring your own mat. Visit Compassglcc.com
Living Buddhism
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
*Gay & Lesbian Walking Tours of South Beach
The MDGLCC, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL), present a 90 minute guided Gay & Lesbian Walking Tour of South Florida on Feb 25. Tour starts at 5:00pm and depart from the MDPL Art Deco Welcome Center at Ocean Dr. and 10th St. Miami Beach. Reservations are not required. Tickets are $20, and can be purchased at MDPL’s Art Deco Welcome Center at Ocean Dr. and 10th St. FREE to MDPL and MDGLCC members. RSVP today call 305-673-4440 or email mdglcc@ bellsouth.net.
*LBT Career Enhancement Workshop
Perhaps no place was hit hardest in during ‘The Great Recession’ than South Florida. Whether you’re out of a job, facing job insecurity, and underemployed or if you’re finding it difficult to start your career after earning a degree, you are not alone! On Feb. 23, at 6:30 p.m. find support and nurture strength of spirit with this roundtable discussion about making the best out of unemployment. Call 305-397-8914.
*Rhythm & The Word An Event of Black Gay Pride South Florida
Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. Black Gay Pride South Florida, Aqua Foundation For Women, and The Miami-Dade LGBT Visitor Center present Rhythm & The Word featuring spoken word artist Chunky and percussionist Bishop S.F. Makalani-MaHee, with artist/authors Marvin K. White, Sheree Greer, Rajindra Narinesingh, Lorenzo Robertson, and Natalie Kennedy performing readings from their works. Suggested donation of $10. Call 305.397.8914
*Miami Beach International Fashion Week
March 21 - 24, 2012, Miami Beach Convention Center at 9 p.m. Emerging Designers Prelude & Miami Style Showcase featuring Florida’s Fashion Stars. Prelude Designers: Lisu Vega, Zula Studio, Crystal 4 U, By Misha, K. Hendrik, Erin Healy. Miami Style Designers: Viviana G. for Petit Pois, Kayce Armstrong for Art of Shade, Ema Savahl Couture. For more information visit Miamifashionweek.com
*South Beach Wine & Food Festival
The Food Network’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival will be on Feb. 23 - Feb. 26 and presented by FOOD & WINE is a national, star-studded, four-day destination event showcasing the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs, and culinary personalities. To date, the festival has raised more than $14 million for the school. Visit Sobefest.com
*Celebrate the ‘Month of Love’ with A Wine Appreciation Class
PUT ON YOUR WALKING SHOES. Because they no longer can. Victims of ALS often lose the ability to walk before ultimately losing the ability to dress, speak, eat, breathe and survive. Join the walk to defeat ALS and help us come one step closer to striking out Lou Gehrigs disease. Sign up at walktodefeatals.org
South Florida Walk to Defeat ALS Sat Mar 3 | Check-in 8:30 am Topeekeegee Yugnee Park
For true passion and a long-lasting love, why not treat yourself, or someone you love, to a six-week wine appreciation course? Join other sympathetic souls every Monday from Feb. 20 to March 26 from 6:00pm to 7:45pm. $275.00 per person. Limited to 16 people. For more information call 305-442-4408
Business Builders Luncheon
MDGLCC presents its monthly networking program held on the last Thursday of each month. This month it will be at City Hall the Restaurant. Registration at 11:30 am with luncheon/ networking from noon to 1 p.m. Includes seated style lunch limited to 25 people. Please bring a friend. RSVP requested: 305-673-4440 or mdglcc@bellsouth.net
continued on page 24
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
Presented by: Quantum Rehab
(A Division of Pride Mobility Products)
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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. Aqua Girl 12
There will be 14 diverse events for everyone to choose from. Aqua Girl is more than a party…it’s a week for a cause. Aqua Girl there is something for everyone including dance parties, a comedy show, live music, pool parties, a bowl-a-thon, a jazz brunch, a dine-out event, a VIP reception, and celebrity meet-and-greets. From May 2 - 6 in South Beach.
Miami City Ballet 26th Anniversary Gala
Three of the world’s biggest artistic sensations come together for one spectacular evening when Miami City Ballet, Florida’s Internationally Acclaimed Company. The performance and gala take place on Thursday, March 1 at 7 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center. Call 305-929-7010
Pride After Party - Poolside SwimWear Fashion Show & Auction
You’re not going to want to miss this super sexy after party event co-sponsored by The Depot Cabana Bar, Pride Factory and Pistol Pete SwimWear. Performances by Signal 2 and Special Meet & Greet with The Voice Finalist Beverly McClellan. Email Marc Scharphorn at Marc.ftltrainer@gmail.com
Winter Party
From Feb. 29 to March 5 come to party at the Winter Party, which has grown into one of South Florida’s premier events. The Beach Party is set to be held on Sunday March 4th and attracts over 6,000 people to dance on the sands of Miami Beach every year. For more information, go to Winterparty.com
Aqua Foundation’s Second Annual Family BBQ
The Aqua Foundation for Women will be having their second annual family BBQ on Feb. 26 from noon to 4 p.m. This event is the perfect opportunity for LBT families to connect with one another in a fun, social place. The beach and playground will be available for your use, there will be delicious food on the grill, and there will be fun activities for all ages. Visit Aquafoundation.org
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Lambda Dade Clubhouse
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
*Presidential Descendants to Recall First Ladies
February 25 in Key West come feel like a President while you recall the first ladies. Descendants of three former United States presidents are to share memories and insights about their “first lady” ancestors during a presentation at Key West’s Harry S. Truman Little White House, Florida’s only presidential museum. The unique event is scheduled for 4 p.m., on the west lawn of the 111 Front St. residence where former President Truman spent 11 working vacations during his 1945-1953 administration. Visit keystix.com or call 305-294-9911 *52nd Annual Key West House & Garden Tours
Tour five elegant and unique homes of Key West on March 17-18. Proceeds help benefit the Old Island Restoration Foundation. Presented by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, this house and garden tour offers a rare opportunity to see inside some of Key West’s magnificent, charming and tropical residences. For more information call 305-294-9501 or email tickets@oirf.org
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
ART
By R.E. Frederique
On Feb 25-26 Key West is bringing it old school with the Old Island Days Art Festival. The 47th annual juried fine art show is set on lower Whitehead Street and Caroline Street in historic Old Town. The highly acclaimed show, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, features oil paintings, watercolors, sculpture, photography and other offerings by artists from around the United States. Call Lois Songer 305-294-1243 or Email: Kwartctr@earthlink.net.
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, fri-sat night live dj’s. Monday & tuesday -- $9 entry fee
Atomic Boom
2232 Wilton Drive ,Wilton Manors, FL 33305, (954) 630-3556 Best Sound & Light Show in Broward County. Mondays Porn Bingo with Desiree Dubois. $3 Margaritas, $1 Draft
Bill’s Filling Station
2209 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, (954) 567-5978. Large Bar/ Nightclub, Amazing. Drink Specials in Wilton Manors. Wednesday’s After 9pm $10 Miller Lite Beer Bust
Boardwalk
1721 North Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311. (954) 463-6969. A Cute Little Hangout in Fort Lauderdale Pool-Room/Game Room on One Side and a Bar-Strip Club on the other. Mondays $3 Well & Dom, after 9pm $3 U-Call-It Shots
Steve Walker, Iconic Gay Painter, 50, Passes Away
H
is work has been a recognizable part of gay culture for at least the past two decades. Steve Walker’s paintings can be described as pensive, quiet, emotional, haunting, empathetic, knowing. The men who inhabit these paintings tell a story that is at once very personal, yet seemingly familiar to all gay men. Walker himself saw his work as having a universal message. He once said, “As a homosexual, I have been moved, educated and inspired by works that deal with a heterosexual context. Why would I assume that a heterosexual would be incapable of appreciating work that speaks to common themes in life, as seen through my eyes as a gay man?” Twice in the past two years, Steve Walker has been gracious enough to allow SFGN to use one of his paintings in our publication. Once as the cover for SFGN’s issue for May 24, 2010. Then again last year, as an illustration for Pier Angelo’s moving requiem after the loss of his partner Jack. The painting Pier had chosen for this purpose was titled “Lost at Sea.” Walker
informed us that, “Ironically, in the painting is my last true love, Turker... who died at the age of 29.... I think of him every day.” Walker added, “Ten years later, the sadness is still overwhelming.” Entirely self-taught, Steve Walker began painting in the early 1990s after visiting the galleries and museums of Europe. The popularity of Walker’s paintings increased over the years and now sell at prices in the thousands of dollars. Among his most popular paintings are the images that depict the “Wave Wall” on Fort Lauderdale Beach. His work is represented mainly by Lyman-Eyer Gallery in Massachussets. Steve Walker died of a heart attack on Jan. 4 at his home in Costa Rica. The funeral will be held in his native Canada on Feb. 25 at 11am – at the Our Lady of the Visitation Parish in Ottawa. As for his legacy, Walker himself said it best in an autobiographical note: “My paintings contain as many questions as answers. I hope that in its silence, the body of my work has given a voice to my life, the lives of others, and in doing so, the dignity of all people.” SFGN intends to feature the paintings of Steve Walker in the Spring issue of our glossy magazine, The Mirror. The quality of reproduction will more faithful to the originals than it would be in newsprint. courtesy of Lyman-Eyer Gallery
*Old Island Days Art Festival
The Club Fort Lauderdale
Bathhouse. 110 Northwest 5th Avenue,Fort Lauderdale, FL ,(954) 525-3344 Good. Clean. Fun. 1/2 price rooms...Tuesday Nights and 1/2 price Lockers. Thursdays Nights. Always busy.
Clubhouse II
Bathhouse. 2650 E. Oakland Park Blvd , Fort Lauderdale, Florida (954) 566-6750. A Private Club for Bi/Gay men. Bear and Cub Thursday $4 Off For Bear & Cub. Tuesday Leather Night - $4. off wear any type of leather.
Corner Pub Bar
1915 North Andrews Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33311, (954) 564-7335. Redefining What a Bar Should Be. Thursday’s Margarita. Madness $4, Monday’s Underwear Night. 2 for 1 until 9:30 p.m.
Cubby Hole
823 North Federal Highway ,Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 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 on Drinks 9 p.m. till Close
The Depot Cabana Bar and Grill
2935 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 537-7076. Voted the “Friendliest” Gay Bar in Fort Lauderdale. Monday’s $1.99 Drinks and $.50 Wings Open to Close
Georgie’s Alibi
2266 Wilton Drive ,Wilton Manors, FL 33305 ,(954) 565-2526. Fort Lauderdale’s Best & Longest Happy Hour. Wednesdays $2 Domestics & $1 Schnapps after 9 p.m. Wednesdays
Johnny’s
1116 West Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, (954) 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. 2-4-1 Happy Hour Tues-Friday 3-9pm. Indoor/Outdoor Dining. Dance the night away Thursday - Sunday. Live Music Weds, Fri, Sat, Sun - Visit themanorcomplex.com FOR MORE DETAILS.
Matty’s on the Drive
2426 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (954) 564-1799. Matty’s is one of the few bars in Wilton Manors that’s just that –a bar. Wild Wednesday’s $.75 Drinks, 13 Drinks for less than $10. 5 p.m.
continued on page 26
February 22, 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.
502 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 525-6662. The eclectic décor and a friendly staff makes. Mona’s a great place to have fun in Fort Lauderdale. Thursday’s College Boy’s Night 8pm Enjoy College Boy’s Choice 2 for 1
Naked Grape Wine Bar
2039 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, (954) 563-5631 A Casual, Hip, Fun Experience and if You Have a Taste for Deliciously Unique Wines, You Need to Make This Your Next Stop! Happy Hour All Night on Thursday
New Moon
2440 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, (954) 563-7660 Your neighborhood lesbian bar in the heart of Fort Lauderdale and just minutes from Ft. Lauderdale Beach. Wednesday All the fun, half the price 2-4-1 All Day, All Night
PJ’s Corner Pocket
924 North Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 533-0257. One of The Most Diverse Bars in Fort Lauderdale. $2 Drinks Every Wednesday, Spades Every Thursday
Ramrod
1508 NE 4th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 763-8219 South Florida’s Leading Levi, Leather and Uniform Bar/Club. Every night is Bear Night. Bear Happy. Hour Every Thursday. Caged Hunks Sat Night
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
Oakland Park, FL 3334, (954) 567-2432. Scandals Gay and Lesbian Country Western. Dance Bar in Wilton Manors. Tuesdays Pool League, and Free Dance Lessons
Sidelines Sports Bar
2031 Wilton Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305, (954) 563-8001 Sidelines Sports Bar and Billiards is a unique, friendly, And accepting place to relax with a cold beer, great drinks and Martinis. Happy Hour M-F 4pm to 2am
Smarty Pants
3038 North Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306, (954) 561-1724. Great Local Hangout in Fort Lauderdale with Great Drink Specials. Saturday’s Free Breakfast to Order – 8 a.m.
The Stable
205 East Oakland Park Blvd., Oakland Park, FL 33334, (954) 565-4506 A neighborhood bar with a different theme every night, from drag shows and bingos, to bears and underwears.
Torpedo
2829 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, (954) 587-2500. Your Dance Destination Till Dawn. Open Late for You To Devour The Night. Open 7 nights a week till 4 a.m.
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Monkey Business
2740 North Andrews Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33311, (954) 514-7819. The Monkey Business Bar is a Small Outdoor Bar Among The Shops Just off Marina Blvd. No Frills But Comfortable and a Great Place to Stop and Meet Good People. Happy Hour 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Palm Beach County The Cottage
522 Lucerne Ave, Lake Worth, Fl, 33414. (561) 586-0080 Great Service, Great Food, Full Stocked Bar, Great Professional Tea-Dance every Sunday
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Mona’s
Fort Dix
6205 Georgia Ave, West Palm Beach, Florida 33405 Directions, (561)533-5355. Mostly local crowd looking to mingle and relax. Place rocks with a Fabulous DJ on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday T-Dance.
H.G. Rooster
823 BELVEDERE ROAD, WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA 33405, (561)-832-9119. H.G. Roosters is West Palms oldest gay club. Sunday’s Complimentary BBQ 5pm, Hot Male Dancers 6 p.m., Karaoke 11 p.m.
The Lounge
1132 North Dixie Highway, Lake Worth FL $3 Drinks No Cover open till 5AM New location Better than Ever.
The Mad Hatter
1532 North Dixie Hwy ,Lake Worth, FL 33460. (561) 547-8860. Cheap drinks, friendly bartenders, and free pool SundayThursday. Stop by and relax at this no-attitude haunt.
*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.
Miami-Dade Johnny’s
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.
Swinging Richards Club Space
34 NE 11th St ,Miami ,Florida, 33132,(305)350-1956 Space Miami Voted Best U.S Club IDMA 2011. The go-to venue for any nightlife enthusiast in the nation, the club is proudly marching on into its second decade of operation.
Club Sugar
2301 SW 32nd Ave, Miami, Florida, 33145, (305)443-7657. All the sweetness you’ll need in one club. Every Thursday “drag wars” with TP Lords. $5 house drinks & $4 Domestic beers all night.
Discotekka
950 NE 2nd Ave, Downtown Miami, Florida 33132,(305)3509084. One of the best night clubs In Miami. Every Saturday the hottest DJ’s from the top performers. Drink Special Every Saturday
Score
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.
Swinging Richards
17450 Biscayne Blvd, N Maimi Beach, Fl 33160 954-3572532 Tuesdays-Saturdays from 6p.m. to 6 a.m. Come and enjoy fully nude guys dancing to the best music in South Florida.
Twist
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.
Key West
801 Bourbon Bar
801 Duval St. , Key West, Florida,(305)294-4737. Cabaret shows upstairs with nightly performances by famed performers Sushi, Kylie, RV Beaumont, Margo, and others. Happy hour specials daily from 11a.m.- 8 p.m.
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.
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
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She’s Living for This on here!TV and here! By Andrea Dulanto
Yet the question becomes: is it funny? rag queens In the Helen and variKeller parody, a ety shows Super Nanny (Justin are a perfect fit. Vivian Bond) acts as Both are known for the miracle worker campy, cabaret-style for Helen (Sherry entertainment. Both Vine). But the skit have a penchant for falls flat with predicttongue-in-cheek able tropes: the humor and sensory Keller parents drink overload. And both liquor for breakfast, gravitate towards and Helen spits up glitter, sequins, and oatmeal and pea the spotlight: all the soup as the “Super world is a stage. Nanny” tries to feed In this tradition, her. The twist is that here! TV premieres Helen learns to spell She’s Living for This the word “dildo.” on Friday, Feb. 24. This envelope has The variety show been pushed bewill air every other fore—it is shock for Friday after that. It the sake of shock. features celebrated Throughout Sherry-Martini drag performer Sherthe half-hour show, ry Vine, who has appeared everywhere from Sherry and the other cast members deliver YouTube to Barcelona to Project Runway. intentionally bad jokes between sketches She’s Living for This styles itself after the and musical performances: “What does bun“classic” variety shows such as “Sonny & gee jumping and a hooker have in common? Cher, Carol Burnett and Benny Hill.” They both cost about a $100 dollars and if But can it live up to its predecessors? the rubber breaks, you’re screwed.” Of course, the variety shows of the 60s, But where is the real humor? It comes out 70s and 80s were of their time and place, in unexpected places such as a memorable and so is She’s Living for This. scene with “Busted,” a drag queen aptly What are the new influences? Of course, named for her bad make-up and bad attitude. the aforementioned YouTube. Sherry Vine An intriguing musical highlight is guest has made a name for herself by posting Lady star Justin Vivian Bond, who performs a song Gaga parodies on the video-sharing web from her album, dendrophile. Afterwards, site. One of her most popular videos is her she is interviewed by Sherry and the show’s take on Bad Romance: “Sh*t my pants.” humor becomes more authentic as they Yes, it’s that kind of party. reminisce about the club circuit in the 90s. If you don’t like a little vulgar in your variIn some ways, the premiere of She’s Living ety show, then stay out of the kitchen. The for This is trying to deliver what’s expectpremiere for She’s Living for This reflects this ed—the YouTube vulgarities, the old format influence in a gratuitous moment of full-fronof the variety show. tal male nudity as well as in a John WatersYet the show has more potential when esque parody of the Helen Keller story. it leaves behind those expectations and beBut many of us have been singing in the key comes more of itself. Whether that means of vulgar for years. From South Park to Family a more subdued sense of humor or more Guy to any comedy by Judd Apatow, the enve- interviews, She’s Living for This would do well lope has been pushed again and again. to create its own direction. In a way, this is exactly what we should She’s Living for This expect and encourage from any variety show featuring a drag queen hostess. Let’s Friday, February 24, 2012 push the boundaries, test the limits of good here! TV taste—so we can get to the truth of things. heretv.com submitted photo
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submitted photo
Letter to the Editor
Response to South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble’s New Youth Band I wish I could play the triangle. It really doesn’t seem that hard. Sunday night, I sat with amazement, happiness and maybe some moist eyes watching and listening to the Youth Pride Band and South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble’s performance at Broward Center. In their inaugural performance, the Youth Pride Band showed us a wonderful side of our next generation. I don’t know if all, or any, of the some two dozen young performers are gay or lesbian and, in fact, it doesn’t matter. They came to develop their skills as musicians under the mentoring of the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble and to provide a show that stepped so beyond what most high school bands might present. At a time when the news shows young people using a can of spray paint and graffiti as their instrument of expression, I saw glowing faces, disciplined in their music and shining instruments leaving notes of joy for their families, friends, and an audience gathered in
30
support. Many hearts were touched. As the parents stood to be recognized, I saw one man salute the Youth Pride Band. Was it to his son or daughter, gay or straight, or was it to the simple fact something new was born in an evening. Some of the show and expression had to do with bullying in the schools, particularly of GLBT youth. I applaud Dan Basset, Adam DeRosa and all the members of the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble and all those in attendance for reaching out and providing a supportive place for young musicians. They should always know, there are people everywhere ready to help those that are facing a tough time in school or at home for simply being who they are. If you are being bullied, reach out. You will find friends and, you never know, you may just learn to play the triangle….it really isn’t that hard.
John Grzeszczak Hammerhead Aquatics
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
31
TRAVEL
Argentina: Celebrating Life, History, Beauty and LGBT Friendliness By Joey Amato
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Native Argentinian saddles up
offices, and lofts located along picturesque canals. The locals spend afternoons strolling along the docks, riding bikes on the wide pathways, and lingering over coffee and pastries at riverfront cafes. Puerto Madero attracts businessmen during the day and a fashionable, and affluent crowd at night. It is lined with elegant restaurants serving Argentine steaks and seafood specialties. The Argentine Catholic University campus and a private art museum call this neighborhood home – among numerous other establishments. After a few days touring Buenos Aires, our group headed north to the province of Misiones. Over 35 percent of this area consists of sub-tropical rainforest. One of the highlights of this region are the incredible San Ignacio ruins, founded in 1632 by the Jesuits during the Spanish colonial period. Priests José Cataldino and Simón Maceta erected the original mission near the year 1610. In the 18th century, the mission had a population of around 3,000 people, and enjoyed a rich economy, helped by the nearby Paraná River. After the Suppression of the Society of the Jesuits of 1767, the Jesuits left the mission a year later, and the mission was destroyed in 1817, as well as other missions in the area. What remains is a remarkable display of some of the most well preserved ruins
I have ever visited. Our knowledgeable tour guide walked us through the sprawling compound, pointing out fine details and craftsmanship at every turn. One cannot appreciate San Ignacio until they see it up close. There was a certain mystique about the ruins that kept me captivated during the entire visit. At sundown, guests are invited to partake in an incredible laser and light show, which rivals most shows you would expect to see at Walt Disney World. If you have time, stop by one of the small shops that surround the ruins. This is the best place to find local crafts and souvenirs. I purchased a beautiful geode wind chime for less than $10 in addition to a few other items. Argentina is a fairly inexpensive country to visit, especially when compared to Brazil. For a truly unique Argentinean experience, check into Santa Cecilia, a historic Estancia built in 1908, located in close proximity to the ruins. The property features a large main house consisting of four guestrooms each with private bath, a charming sitting area and an expansive dining room. Guests here will indulge in traditional cuisine prepared by a private chef while partaking in wonderful conversation with fellow travelers and the gracious hosts. Guests at Santa Cecilia are encouraged to live like the gauchos and partake in horseback riding and a variety of other outdoor
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hen I first received an invitation to visit Argentina, I really didn’t know what to expect. It’s seemingly always been overshadowed in the media by neighboring Brazil, so I really had to do my research to see exactly what I was going to experience. After about an hour of scavenging through Google, I realized that I needed to accept the invitation. This would only be my second time visiting South America and I was very eager to discover a different country and culture. Over the years, I had heard many positive things about Buenos Aires and Argentina as a whole, but I had yet to experience them first hand. I spent countless hours researching various regions of the country and was most excited to put my four years of Spanish language studies to use. Upon my arrival to Buenos Aires, I quickly became familiar with the enormity of the city. With a population of approximately 12 million people, it is easily one of the largest cities I’ve ever visited, second only to São Paulo. My first observation was how European the city felt. I immediately noticed signs of the city’s Italian influence and began to see hints of Spain scattered throughout the Argentinean capital. The neighborhood I was staying in was named Palermo, derived from the still-existing Franciscan abbey of Saint Benedict of Palermo, who was the complementary patron saint of Palermo, Sicily. Being of Sicilian descent, I felt at home. Palermo is the largest neighborhood in Buenos Aires, adorned with cobblestone sidewalks, outdoor cafes, and a mix of traditional and modern architecture. I checked in at one of the swankiest properties in Palermo:Vitrum Hotel. The hotel’s concept is a fusion of fashion, art and cuisine, and the main attraction is a restaurant inside the hotel called Sushi Club, which has been voted one of the best Japanese restaurants in Buenos Aires. Vitrum Hotel is everything the modern day traveler needs in a hotel. With complimentary wireless Internet throughout, this hotel is perfect for a quick business trip or a vacation with a partner. Buenos Aires is divided into many neighborhoods, my favorite being Puerto Madero, one of the newest and trendiest places in town. The neighborhood is filled with upscale residential apartments, restaurants,
activities. After our wonderful tour of the countryside, we were treated to a delicious BBQ meal. From Santa Cecilia, it is short ride to Iguazú Falls, one of the greatest natural wonders of South America, and the world for that matter. After a short walk through the lush jungle, you can soon begin to hear the thunderous falls, but it is that first glimpse which is truly breathtaking. Iguazú is actually a network over 275 different waterfalls spanning 23 kilometers in distance. The most impressive waterfall, known as “the Devil’s Throat,” is 80 meters high, and is considered the “original” waterfall. Three ring-shaped balconies allow visitors to get a close look at “Devil’s Throat,” which spans 492 feet in length. One of the best places to stay while visiting Iguazú is Loi Suites. The hotel, set on 600 hectares in the Iryapu jungle is only 15 minutes away from the falls and has a total of 162 beautifully appointed guest rooms. Built in 2009, the resort features a spa, convention centre, restaurant, Tiki bar, and game room in addition to Internet access throughout. Swinging bridges connect multiple buildings, which was actually quite enjoyable, but could be dangerous if you’ve had one too many cocktails. After a wonderful night’s rest at Loi Suites, we boarded our LAN Airlines flight back to Buenos Aires, where we celebrated Gay Pride. Although the parade isn’t as large as São Paulo, it still was a site to be seen. Thousands of revelers partied in the streets until the wee hours of the morning. Gay life in Buenos Aires alone definitely makes it worth the visit. The locals are all very friendly and although I did not have the chance to visit any mega-clubs during my stay, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of nightlife options available in the city. Everything from LGBT-owned restaurants, to traditional bars to swanky ultra lounges were all within walking distance of the city center. Some places I would recommend include: Sitges, Zoom and Glam. Also, the Axel Hotel is worth seeing for its widely popular Sunday “T-dance.” It was really hard to say goodbye to my new friends I made in Buenos Aires, but one thing is for certain, I vowed to visit Argentina again. Gay friendliness aside, it was the friendliness of the people which ultimately made the journey so enjoyable.
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
MARY’S PLACE By Mary Bondi
Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, Healthy Life
I
have been practicing as a licensed psychotherapist in the LGBT community for 20 years. I have always had a strong desire to give back to the community in different ways. One of the ways I have done this is by writing self-help articles in six different publications, magazines, and newspapers throughout my career. My belief is that we are all here to help one another and I found writing to be a rewarding way to offer guidance for those interested in growing. I have offered a monthly column to the readers in these different venues. Some of these were strictly educational and others were devoted to offering readers an opportunity to email questions or topics that they wanted addressed in future columns. Over the years I have received letters of gratitude, appreciation and encouragement from those who have enjoyed and benefited from my writings. I am glad they enjoyed them but I must admit that the pleasure was mine. It has been a year since I have written any community articles and I have missed it tremendously. This is why I have decided to start writing and devoting a monthly column in the SFGN. This column will start off with
articles of different topics. However, if there are any areas of interest or questions any readers may want answered please feel free to email them to mary@marybondi.com. It will be called Mary’s Place. As a professional, I feel it is important to guide others in their journey in life and to help them reach their full potential. I believe those who want to improve their lives and are willing to seek information and/or confront themselves will find this information useful. They will be able to make major positive changes in their lives. We are all worthy and deserving of the abundance that the universe has to offer us. Living to our fullest potential is just one of those things that we all deserve (I will be writing more about abundance in future articles). In private practice, my methodology is designed to use a combination of modalities and to offer my client’s the latest tools to facilitate their healing. Every one is unique and grows and responds in different ways so I custom tailor the sessions to what the client needs. One of my most important roles as a therapist in this community is to offer my client’s a confidential, safe, and caring space to help facilitate their growth. I hope you will enjoy the articles. I wish you all the best on your journey. In peace and happiness. Mary Mary Bondi is a licensed psychotherapist, licensed hypnotherapist and a EMDR practitioner. She has practiced in Fort Lauderdale for 20 years and specializes in LGBT concerns. She uses cutting edge modalities in her practice such as EMDR and HYPNOSIS which help facilitate rapid healing and growth. She welcomes you to visit her website at marybondi.com or call her for caring and confidential counseling.
February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
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FAST, RELIABLE SERVICE, AT YOUR PLACE or ours! New PC’s and Laptops • Virus Removal.Hardware Repairs • Telephone Systems.PCLauderdale • 279 E Oakland Park Blvd. 954.636.3322. www.pclauderdale.com
INEXPENSIVE ELECTRICIAN. Electrician 55.00 an hour or set price. Residential,Commercial& Industrial work Fans,Outlets, Service changes Licensed and Insured, EC0001777. 954-931-5121
HOUSEKEEPING POSITION AVAIL.
Cheston House accepting applications/resumes, must have resort exp./friendly/ reliable/responsible Apply in person at 520 N. Birch Road or send resume to chestonhouse@bellsouth.net -------------------------------------------------
SALON MANANGER & STYLISTS
NOW Hiring Talented, Strong Leaders for our Miami locations. Must have a FL Cos. Lic. and Management Experience. Unlimited income potential, Benefits, REDKEN Partnership FREE Advanced Education, & MORE! Call Melissa at 754484-4885 or apply today www.careersbyhaircuttery.com EOE -------------------------------------------------
WOMEN’S SHOES UP TO SIZE 16!
We have Sexy & Stylish shoes and boots with heels up to 6 inches. To view our footwear, go to www.carringtonshoes. com. Like Us on Facebook or Follow Us on Twitter for updates on sales & specials. -------------------------------------------------
FOR SALE – 2 TIX ATLANTIS SO CARIB CRUISE
2 tickets to sold-out Atlantis South Carrib Cruise March 17-24. Large C2 room with patio. $1819 each plus $150 change fee. Call Jim at 619-992-9973 -------------------------------------------------
BARTENDERS WANTED
TWIST, the popular gay bar and club in South Beach seeks bartenders to join our team. We look for bartenders with experience working in high volume situations that are fun, friendly and outgoing people with a positive attitude. Candidates should be responsible, accurate and honest, team players that can work late nights and weekends. Interested persons can send or email resume or apply in person Mon–Fri from 2pm to 6pm. TWIST,1057 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139 / www.twistsobe.com / valentino@twistsobe.com
------------------------------------------------LOCKSMITH & GLASS SERVICES All Pro Locks & Glass, Inc..24/7 Commercial & Residential.954-780-5188 office / www. aplag.com. Servicing Southeastern Florida
HELP WANTED SOUTH FLORIDA GAY NEWS IS HIRING If you are retail and customer focused, computer literate and proficient, web knowledgeable, have outside or Inside sales experience…then you’re hired! Advertising Sales Representative. Call on clients, guide their advertising campaigns and make a good living. Fax your resume to 954-530-7943 or email norm. kent@sfgn.com ------------------------------------------------MAC EXPERT NEEDED. Looking for an expert Mac user. Come to my Ft. Lauderdaelhame and show me how to use my Apple products correctly and efficently.Please Email qualifications, hourly rates, and availability to: macxprt2011@yahoo.com
------------------------------------------------EXPERICENCED WAITER. Italian Restaurant seeking a professional and experienced waiter.PT/FT time position available. Fort Lauderdale area. Call 505-554-7103 ------------------------------------------------COMPANION FOR ELDERLY GENTLEMAN with dementia; full/part time, experienced, clean background check, mature, good natured, in good health. Submit resume, including references and pay requirement to: PO Box 2213, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33303
INSURANCE & FINANCIAL ALLSTATE DIRECT: PERSONAL auto, home,condominium,boat and life insurance. For a free quote call Joe Mier 305-754-7414 ------------------------------------------------FIVE STEPS TO FINANCIAL SUCCESS: 1. Prove to us that you have the personality to talk to people on the phone and keep their interest. 2. Do this successfully for one month at $10 per hour. 3. We will sponsor you to take the 215 Florida Insurance License course. 4. We will sponsor your fingerprints to be sent to the insurance department. 5. We will sponsor you to take the state insurance license test pass and you will begin earning up to $100,000 per year selling health and life insurance over the phone as a licensed insurance professional. Are you up to the challenge??? Call Brian at 954-200-0140 to get started today! ------------------------------------------------HEALTH INSURANCE Major Medical, Hospital-Surgical, Rx’s, also guaranteed issue. Reasonable rates. Call DSR Associates 954-922-278
LEGAL SERVICES CREDITORS CALLING? Call Us! The Law Offices of GeorgeCastrataro, PA. Serving Clients With Integrity and Compassion 954-573-1444 ------------------------------------------------PROUDLY SERVING THE SOUTH FLORIDA GLBTX COMM. since 1993. Law office’s of Robin L. Bodiford, PA specializes in Bankruptcy, Probate, Wills&Trust. Call 954-630-2707
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------------------------------------------------SELZER & WEISS, ATTORNEYS AT LAW Last Will & Testament, Living Will. Health Care Power of Attorney (POA) w/ HIPAA release, Durable Financial POA, for $399.00. PERSONAL INJURY: Free consult, if no recovery, no fee or cost to you. 954-567-4444.
LICENSED MASSAGE AFFORDABLE, AWESOME MASSAGE BY JIM Offering Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports and Lomi Lomi Massage; All in a very comfortable, relaxed and Private Massage Studio conveniently located on the SE corner of Oakland Park Blvd and Federal Highway. Nationally Certified & Licensed. Call Jim Libonati at 954-600-5843. info@massagebyjim. com #MM22293 SPECIAL: First Time Client Rates ------------------------------------------------THE BRITISH POUND John Maroussas LMT Sports Massage, Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular, Trigger Point, Swedish, Salt or Sugar Scrubs. Private Studio w/ Shower. Wilton Manors Location near Bill’s Lic#MA51123 954-999-2240
MOVERS ALWAYSS MOVING know what you’re paying before you move! Licensed & Insured MC/ Visa/ Discover Accepted Family owned 20 years. Complete moving Services. Flat Rate& Free Estimates Call 305-650-9080
PERSONAL TRAINING IF YOU ARE READY TO MAKE A HEALTHIER you a lifestyle call Christy Fritch,BS CPR certified 954-445-2540
REAL ESTATE KELLER WILLIAMS REALTYTed Adcock, Realtor Cell: 954-609-4393 tedftl@aol.com ------------------------------------------------LUSH 2 BEDROOM HOME FOR SALE Oasis close to restaurants & highway Private & landscaped yard for relaxing Hardwood flooring in living room Call Ana Salazar @ Keyes 954-593-3089 ------------------------------------------------LAKE HOME FOR SALE 2 bd, 1 ba, mod. kit w/grnte, den, open floor plan good for parties, gay neigh., mins. to Wilton Manors, Priced to sell @$86,000. Won’t last!!! 954-448-9446
RENT/LEASE MIDDLE RIVER &LAKERIDGE 1BD/1BA $680/Mth. $175/week w/ a 12 month lease. Pay your deposit and you are in* for more details call 954-527-9225 ------------------------------------------------HUGE 3/1- HALF DUPLEX NEW KITCHEN, Tile Floor throughout, Huge Fenced yard, washer/ dryer, pets ok, pet owner, $1100. / mo 954-791-4195
------------------------------------------------1/1 FRENCH DOORS/PRIVATE PATIO Middle River Terr, lg. 1/1, tile floors, walk-in closet, your own fenced patio/ garden, pets OK, coin W/D, quiet mostly gay bldg, $795./mo. 954-791-4195 ------------------------------------------------VERY PEACEFUL RESIDENCE LAKERIDGE HOUSE: very private, immaculate XLg 1BR, private gated entry, CAC, WD, tile flooring, walk-in closet, ample storage off street parking, fenced patio ZEN meditation/orchid gardens front/rear VERY quiet. Minutes to Publix, $985/mo. Call Joe: 954-610-6712. ------------------------------------------------TWO BEDROOM MIDDLE RIVER HOMES CONDO. Two bedroom, two bath condo in pet friendly building with wash/ dryer in unit. Close to Wilton Manors. First and second floor units available March 1. $975 f/l/s. Jimmy Cunningham licensed Real Estate Agent Castelli RE Services 954-303-7380. ------------------------------------------------GAY ANDREWS AVENUE Large 1/1, all utilities incl, granite, d/w, private fenced tropical yard, all tile, vaulted ceiling, adt security. $750. Call 772-626-1345 ------------------------------------------------BEAUTIFUL 2/2 HOME FOR RENT Beautiful and totally renovated large 2 bedroom 2 bath private home with parking and large yard. New appliances, Jacuzzi tub in master bathroom, stone flooring, crown moldings, tall kitchen cabinets, impact windows, alarm, etc. Located near Wilton Manors; $1,200/ month. Contact Ilan @ 561-330-0688 ------------------------------------------------RIVERLAND CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN Duplex 2BD/1BA or 4BD/2BA also available efficiencies and 1BDs. Large pool, new A/C units, 1 or 2 kitchen, large living room/family room/screened in porch, private back yard. Call Butch 954-632-6639. ------------------------------------------------FOR RENT Studio $700, 1BD $800 (all utilities included & pool) in Oakland Park. Call 786-546-0533 ------------------------------------------------SENIOR COMPLEX – WYNMOOR VILLAGE 2BD/2BA, 3 golf courses, 20 tennis courts, 17 pools, $850/Mo. Yr. Larry 347-907-3665. Avail April 1st.
ROOMMATES ROOM 4 RENT IN 2 BED/1 BATH. Clean! $500 mo. includes utilities. North of Sunrise/East of Andrews.Walk to Wilton Manors.Must be gay friendly male/female. Call 954-297-9270 ------------------------------------------------ROOM FOR RENT in immaculate 2 bedroom 1 bath single family home. Fully fenced backyard, new granite/cherry kitchen. Close to public transport and Wilton Manors. Pets welcome. $500 includes utilities. 201-696-8752
DATING New FREE Dating Website SameSexConnections.com
SFGN offers a FREE classified ad to anyone who is unemployed and looking for a job. JUst call Mike Trottier to ask for details: 954-530-4970 February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
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February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
Ads starting as low as $35 a week!
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February 22, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com