01/02/13 V4I1 by South Florida Gay News

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JANUARY 2, 2013 • Volume 4 • Issue 1

. e l p o e p e t i r o Your fav . s e c a l p e t i r Your favo . s g n i h t e t i r Your favo

page 13

Exclusive Winter Arts Preview page 37

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

27 28

page

Tracy Baim’s new book

page

Name Changing Ain’t Easy

30 32

page

Traveling Chicago page

Meet Shawn Newman

The Biggest Gay Moments of the last twelve months

page 4

Top 3 on SFGN.com By Sergio N. Candido

Last week’s hottest items that couldn’t wait to be printed

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

Publisher Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com

Glee’s Creator Ryan Murphy Becomes a Father

Chief Executive Officer Pier Angelo Guidugli

Murphy and his partner, David, welcomed their son on Christmas Eve Ryan Murphy, the cocreator of hit TV shows “Glee” and “American Horror Story,” got the Christmas gift he most wanted: he became a dad. The producer and his husband, David Miller, welcomed their son Logan Phineas Miller Murphy on Christmas Eve, E! Online reports.

According to E!, the couple shared the news in an email to family and friends. “Logan Phineas Miller Murphy, Born December 24, 2012 9:47 a.m.,” part of the email, as quoted by E!, read. The announcement also said the baby weighed in 6 lbs., 6 oz and measured 21 inches long. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last October, Murphy revealed his desire to be

a father. “People always say when you have a child it brings you back to when you were a kid, and I’m excited to do that. I had a very rocky, difficult, emotional childhood with my parents,” he told THR. The TV mogul has been married to his husband secretly married last summer.

Mexico Lifts Blood Ban on Gay Donors

Editorial

Editor in Chief Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com

Managing Editor Gideon Grudo gideon.grudo@sfgn.com

Website Director Dennis Jozefowicz

Online News Director Sergio N. Candido sergio.candido@sfgn.com

Graphic Designer Mark Pauciullo

Arts/Entertainment Editor JW Arnold jw@prdconline.com

International Travel Editor Joey Amato

Business Editor Richard Gary

Sports Editor Ryan Dixon ryan.dixon@sfgn.com

Only people with HIV and hepatitis are now prohibited from donating blood

Reports assert Mexico has become the first country in the Eastern Hemisphere to allow gays to donate blood. As first reported in English by Blabbeando blog, a new health regulation first approved in August would be going into effect this week, thus ending a 20-year ban on gay blood

donations. The story was originally reported last week by Mexican media outlet Animal Politico. According to its story, Mexico will now allow LGBTs to donate blood without any restrictions. Under the new law, the only people banned from donating blood would be HIV-positive individuals or their partners, people with hepatitis, and people who engage in “risky sexual practices” regardless

Correspondents

of their sexual identity. A similar bill has been approved by Argentina’s congress; it is set to go before the country’s senate next year. In the U.S. any man who has had sex with another man since 1977 is banned for life from donating blood. The federal policy was enacted in the 1985, when the risk of AIDS from transfusion was first recognized.

Tony Adams Jesse Monteagudo Donald Cavanaugh Andrea Dulanto

Contributing Columnists Wayne Besen Brian McNaught Leslie Robinson Dana Rudolph David Webb Michael Verdugo Ric Reily Victoria Michaels Calendar Editor Brian Swinford Editorial Cartoonists Karl Hampe Darryl Smith Staff Photographers J.R. Davis Pompano Bill Steven Shires

Petition Asks Hate Group Designation for WPC Thousands of people unite against the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church

The ultraconservative We s t b o ro Baptist Church has gained notoriety with its inflammatory anti-gay displays at military funerals, but after the church promised to picket the funerals of the 26 victims of the Newtown shooting it isn’t just

gays getting irked anymore. An online petition was started on the White House website to designate the Kansas-based church as a hate group. Ever since Westboro unsuccessfully attempted to protest the funerals of the victims the online petition exploded with support, reaching almost 250,000 signatures and making it the most popular petition ever created on the White House website, according to the Huffington Post.The one-month goal

for White House petitions is 25,000 signees. The White House hasn’t yet responded on what it will do—if anything—in regard to the issue. However, the effort inspired others to start similar initiatives. Another petition calls for the church’s taxexempt status to be revoked. As of publication, the petition has 43,539 signatures with plenty of time before its Jan. 15, 2013 deadline.

& • Three More Quickies to Wake You Up Investigation on Murder of Gay Philadelphia Man Stalls

Investigators still have no leads in the murder of a South Philadelphia gay man.

•Brazilian Court Ruling Facilitates Gay Marriage in Sao Paulo The Brazilian city of Sao Paulo made it easier for gay couples to get married.

•Jupiter Man Arrested After Grindr Chat with Undercover Officer Shocker! Suspect faces prospect of spending between 10 years and life in federal prison

January 2 2013 • Volume 4 • Issue 1

ck Sti ith W s! U Read our daily stories at SFGN.com You can also find us on Facebook: SouthFloridaGayNews Twitter: @soflagaynews.

Sales

Marketing Director John Fugate Sales Manager Mike Trottier Sales Associates Edwin Neimann Justin Wyse National Sales Representative Rivendell Media todd@rivendellmedia.com

South Florida Gay News.com is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor are those of the writers. They do not represent the opinions of South Florida Gay News.com, Inc., or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations in SFGN. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT 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 the Associated Press and our columnists, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher of SFGN, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com. 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.

Associated Press Florida Press Association National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

NATIONAL NEWS

More House Republicans Support DOMA Repeal By Sergio N. Candido

nother Republican joins the ranks of those supporting a bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.

Rep. Charles Bass of New Hampshire has just become the second House Republican to co-sponsor the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that will be reintroduced in the House next year, according to the Advocate. He joins Rep. Richard Hanna of New York, who pledged support for the bill last week, and Florida Congresswoman Ileana RosLehtinen. “With Congressman Charlie Bass' announcement that he will be the 160th cosponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act in the 112th Congress, we add another Republican supporter for repealing the socalled Defense of Marriage Act,” Jo Deutsch, federal director for Freedom to Marry told the Advocate. “Whether in Washington, DC and the halls of Congress or in his home state of New Hampshire, Congressman Bass is a strong voice for what is fair and right. We are thrilled to have Congressman Bass join

Congressmembers Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Richard Hanna as Republicans who support the Respect for Marriage Act. We look forward to more Republicans supporting the freedom to marry in the new Congress.” DOMA is a 1996 law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, thus depriving gay couples of the rights and privileges granted to heterosexual couples, like filing tax returns together and maintaining estate rights after widowing. Originally introduced in 2011 in the Senate by Senator Dianne Feinstein, the Respect for Marriage Act was killed in the House. Legislators hope the new-found shift in attitudes, as seen in the last election, will be enough to pass the bill in the next legislative session. “I think he wants to be on the right side of his history,” Kathryn Lehman, a lesbian Republican lobbyist working on the repeal effort, said of Bass. “His state has marriage, and the Republicans control the House and Senate in New Hampshire. I think he wants to show solidarity with his state and I think he just thinks it’s the right thing to do.”

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January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

A Look Back on 2012

10 Stories that Impacted our Lives By Sergio N. Candido

I Marriage equality prevails at the ballot With the odds — and history — against them, LGBT organizations in four states, fueled by millions of dollars from celebrities like Bill Gates, put forth one of the biggest gay rights campaigns to-date to try and convince citizens to support equal rights. Their efforts paid off. Voters in three states, Maine, Maryland and Washington said “yes” to same-sex marriage last November, while Minnesotans voted against an amendment that would have defined marriage as only between a man and a woman.

II Obama supports gay marriage During his first term, the president was hesitant about throwing his full support behind gay marriage. However, that all changed on May 9, when he took to Twitter to announce the big news. “Same-sex couples should be able to get married.”—President Obama. That’s all it took. After that, Obama went on television and reaffirmed what he has said in less than 140 characters. His pledge was enough to gain the support of LGBTs nationwide, with heavyweight publications like the Advocate endorsing the president months before the final stretch of the race. In Florida, it is estimated the gay vote played a key role in the President winning the state

violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on sex.

III Supreme Court to hear gay marriage cases After many false starts, the U.S. Supreme Court decided in a private meeting in December to take on California’s Proposition 8, and one challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act. Whatever the court decides on both cases this year could affects millions of LGBTs nationwide. Passed in 2008, Proposition 8 took away the right to marry from gays and lesbians in California. The law was challenged by two gay couples who got a historic decision on Feb. 7, when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit found Proposition 8 unconstitutional. The proponents of the antigay law then took that decision to the Supreme Court. DOMA is a 1996 law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, thus depriving gay couples of the rights and privileges granted to heterosexual couples, like filing tax returns together and maintaining estate rights after widowing.

IV Trans employees get workplace protections In a landmark case, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled last April that employers who discriminate against an employee or potential employee based on their gender identity are in

The decision came after Mia Macy, a California transgender woman was denied a job. She had applied for a position as a ballistics technician at a laboratory of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Macy, a veteran and former police detective, initially applied for the position as male and was told that she virtually was guaranteed the job. After disclosing her gender transition mid-way through the hiring process, she was told that funding for that position had been suddenly cut. Another person was then hired.

has to lie about who they are in order to serve the country we love. Republicans want to write discrimination into our Constitution. But the Wisconsin I know believes that with each passing year and each generation, our country must become more equal, not less,” she said last year at the Democratic National Convention. The politician counted with the support of several LGBT organizations and Democratic PACs to make the jump into the U.S. Senate.

V Tammy Baldwin gets elected Baldwin became the first openly lesbian U.S. Senator in the last elections. Before that, she was a U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district since 1999. “Our president has made historic progress toward equality. He repealed ‘Don't ask, Don't tell’ so that no American ever again

VI Florida elects first gay legislators It may seem small compared to the national LGBT victories, but in a state where gay marriage is illegal, it’s a big stride forward that could help shift things in the right direction for gay Floridians. Last November, Joe Saunders and David Richardson became the first openly gay politicians to be elected to Florida’s state legislature. Saunders represents District 49 in Central Florida, while Richardson was elected to represent 113th district, which includes Miami Beach. The politicians were sworn in on Nov. 20. A late December survey of 1,261 registered voters found that 45 percent oppose gay marriage in Florida while 43 percent support it. That’s a change from last May when 50 percent opposed same-sex marriage.

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

VII

R&B Singer Frank Ocean Comes Out If there were any stereotypes left to be broken, they are gone now. Frank Ocean shook the hip-hop community when he revealed his first love had been a man in a blog post last July. Ocean’s coming out in the oftenhomophobic business of rap and hiphop music is living proof that things are getting better for the LGBT community.

Anti-gay religious rants gone viral Rev. Charles L. Worley of the Providence Road Baptist Church in Maiden, N.C. said gays should be put in an electrified pen and then killed off. Pastor Sean Harris of the Berean Baptist Church in Fayetteville, N.C. advocated parents should "punch" their male children if they seem effeminate. Curtis Knapp of New Hope Baptist Church in Seneca, Kan. called for government to do the dirty job and send homosexuals seven feet under. All in the name of God.

While many thought the news would be a turnoff for many fans, people appreciated his bravery. The media attention he received, coupled with his talent, put him at the top of the music charts this year. He was the best-selling artist for U.K. music retailer HMV, was named MTV person of the year, and received six Grammy nominations.

These are just some of the hate-filled messages pastors and preachers (many from North Carolina) delivered to their parishioners last May; caught on phone cameras for the whole world to watch on YouTube. Some have backed down due to mounting pressure and backlash, others stand their ground on what they said.

VIII

Anderson Cooper comes out CNN news anchor and war correspondent Anderson Cooper publicly announced he’s gay in a letter to long-time friend writer Andrew Sullivan of The Daily Beast last July. Sullivan wrote that, knowing that Cooper was gay, he asked him for his outlook on how the visibility of gay people was paramount for the LGBT community to gain full equal rights. Cooper responded by coming out of the closet and explaining why he didn’t publicly talk about his sexual orientation before. “The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud,” Cooper wrote.

IX Chick-fil-A It wasn’t so much the millions of dollars that Chick-fil-A donated to religious, anti-gay hate groups that sparked the controversy, it was just three words — and perhaps the way they were uttered — by company head Dan Cathy confirming that Chick-fil-A was “guilty as charged” for supporting what he considers traditional family values.

interview with the Baptist Press asserting the company had donated millions of dollars to anti-gay religious organizations through its charitable arm, people from all walks of life, from politicians to celebrities, weighed in on the issue. The controversy has cooled down since the summer.

In the weeks following Dan Cathy’s

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

PASSAGES

Active Volunteer Stephen Chalbaud Dies Courtesy of Safe Schools South Florida

ulio "Stephen" Chalbaud, resident of Miami Beach, left this worldly life for eternal peace on December 12, 2012 at the young age of 49. He is now our guardian angel and will be deeply missed by family, friends, colleagues and loved ones.

Florida and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, just to name a few. He had a heart of gold and showered everyone around him with love, kindness, affection, encouragement, understanding, compassion and support. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider making a donation in Stephen's memory to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (http://www.thetaskforce.org/donate/ honor), an organization where he was regarded as a star volunteer.

Stephen was born on September 18, 1963 in San Francisco. He moved to Venezuela as a young child and then to Dallas where he spent his formative years. His real home and heart, however, was in Miami Beach. A beautiful man inside and out, Stephen left a successful career in the modeling world to dedicate his life towards helping those less fortunate.

His partner Pietro Bonacossa said:

He spent many years working at Best Buddies and recently did volunteer work for Miami Children's Hospital, Safe Schools South

“My special friend and living partner Stephen suddenly and unexpectedly passed away last week, becoming a real angel and leaving a deep sense of loss for many who loved him in the community.”

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The Road SFGN Has Traveled

At 76 pages a few weeks ago, SFGN was bigger than New York’s Village Voice and some of the largest gay papers in the country. We have poured our heart and soul into creating a vibrant community newspaper, which captures the dimensions and depths of the South Florida LGBT community. We have featured national and local news, entertainment and theater reviews, editorial columns and comics, breaking news stories and crosswords puzzles. Our daily headlines inform constantly and our website, www.sfgn.com, is updated every day with breaking news. At SFGN, we do that as a business, supporting charities but making sure we don’t become one. The news is out there to report if you do it diligently, faithfully and honestly. We are here really, though, only because of you. We are here because you have been willing to invest in this community and this newspaper. We are not alone in our growth. Anyone witnessing the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida perform its Holiday Show has seen how a vision yesterday has become a spectacle today. We just gave an award to the GLBX Business Exchange for their exponential growth and influence in the community. Like the Mack Mixers, they have emerged as social and professional networking centers. Like us, they too just started a few years ago. Like us, they have found that the harder you work, the luckier you get. The key is delivering substance and honor, not pomp and puffery. Nightclubs like the Manor Entertainment Complex, the Alibi, Sidelines, Bill’s, Mona’s; they remain forces in our community because they give back demonstrably to the people

In our very first issue, we published a news-breaking story of a Hollywood police officer’s fight to keep his job in the face of departmental discrimination. Then we exposed an ex gay leader who was an excon. We revealed how a drag queen nearly lost her nursing job of 40 years because of a lewd action conviction 40 years ago. We have exposed con artists conducting Ponzi schemes in Wilton Manors and gay entrapment frauds in West Palm Beach. We have published ‘The Spirit,’ to remind us that AIDS is still pervasive and alive, rather than cured and conquered. But a newspaper’s duty is to report the truth and record the frauds. We have to tell you about the warts as well, from gay domestic violence to LGBT drug abuse. We have given life and attention to gay swim teams, soccer teams, softball teams and openly gay athletes competing in international competitions. We have sadly written about the loss of lives; passages of our friends. But we have also illuminated the lives of the LGBT community’s new leaders, open and out, serving in the military and getting married in city clerk’s offices.

See Pa

Have a wonderful and happy New Year.

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A I G H T S T R

F A C T S

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Publisher’s Welcome

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Frankly, it is hard to believe this office at 2520 North Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors was an empty shell 3 years ago, but here we are 156 issues of SFGN later, and it’s time to renew our lease. To the mix we have added The Mirror, and this week we’re publishing the sixth issue of our glossy, quarterly magazine. As newspapers crumble and close across the country, our business model is expanding. In an economy too much in the red, we are fortunately in the black.

who give to them. We try to mention them all, whether it is a charity hosted by Rosie’s, a benefit by Hotspots or another fund raiser by New Moon. The good you do comes back to you, but remember Karma, because so does the bad.

Ultimately, because The Mirror and SFGN are free, we are only Lewdbert Lam basted here because Lam of you. Personally, I have tried to be faithful to SIVE your investment, EXCLU SFGN making sure that your advertising dollar is treated with a corresponding commitment to credible journalism, legitimate news, and honest reporting.

On behalf of our staff, thank you for giving us the continuing opportunity to be a part of your lives.

am sitting in an office with 12 computers, 10 staffers. 5 salespeople, copy machines, water fountains and dozens of newspapers. Desks are cluttered with news copy, advertising contracts, interoffice memos and jelly beans from ‘To The Moon Marketplace.’ The parking lot is overcrowded with cars, and my lab, Shadow, is by my side.

By Norm Kent

achieve in the daytime, not who we sleep with in the nighttime.

We’ve written thousands of articles, hundreds of profiles, but everyday there is more to write, because our community is growing in stature and grace, recognition and force, socially, politically, and professionally. That this newspaper reaches four counties and over 500 distribution points, and can be seen in the lobby of local banks and national bookstores says it all for us.

P R E

Publisher’s Editorial

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My goal with SFGN is to record the gay and lesbian history rdugo’s of South Florida, from Mike VePage 3 the White Street Pier Stor y, AIDS Memorial in Key page West, to the emerging LGBT communities in Lake Worth. We deserve to be recognized by what we E INSID THIS ISSUE

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We have reported on Pride Festivals from South Beach to Australia, and showcased national and international LGBT leaders. There are in fact so many good and caring people in our community it is nearly impossible to cover everything everywhere. As more and more men and women lead openly gay lives, we learn how large the closet door has been, how big our universe of LGBT

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

CompassPoints… biweekly column from compass in lake worth

By Jamie Foreman

n September 2012, I visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and couldn’t move past the fourth floor, which chronicles the climate and history of Germany prior to the rise of Third Reich. I couldn’t move through the permanent exhibit because the history sounded eerily contemporary. The Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals 1933-1945 exhibit represents more than a highly respected traveling exhibit from one of the most respected and most visited institutions in Washington. The exhibit reflects the knowledge and lessons learned from one of the darkest chapters in history. More importantly, the exhibit serves as a tool to educate those who may not understand fully the potential consequences of hate and intolerance. Let’s imagine a period in history. Imagine that parts of your country were becoming more progressive, granting more and more rights to disenfranchised peoples. While rural areas were experiencing economic hardship and bitterness over war, metropolitan areas of the country were flourishing in a period of enlightenment, cosmopolitan living, and appreciation for the arts. Then, things start slowly changing from the fringes. A radical minority embraces a sense of nationalism and strong moral authority that sparks a broad national debate on the degenerate culture of liberal areas of the nation. Their mechanism for change is a simplistic, emotional, repetitive, and uncompromising control of the media. Incapable of sustained leadership, social progressives fail to unite and thereby fail to challenge the radical juggernaut. To the contrary, many believe hard-line leaders will become more moderate. After all, where you are needed, you are tolerated and thrive. Yet, things get worse. Elections become violent and contentious. Radicals start denigrating progressive peoples and erroneously blame them for the ills of

society. Hard liners launch an all-out attack on hairsplitting progressive intellectualism. The government erects barriers to education for some children. The government passes laws criminalizing the existence of progressive groups who do not adhere to the national conservative ideals. Finally, the government enacts legislation transferring legislative powers to the prime minister’s cabinet. Whether the changes were gradual or sudden, their consequences were nonetheless incomprehensible at the time. Of course, this is a truncated account of pre-Nazi Germany. As I publish this column reflecting on the Holocaust’s impact on gays and lesbians during Nazi Germany and the lessons we’ve learned from the tragedy, I can’t help but to be concerned. Although it seems like our country is moving in the right direction with more openly gay elected officials in office than ever before and samesex marriage now legal in 9 states, there is still a long hard road ahead where back steps could put freedom and security of millions of Americans at risk.

Exhibit is tool for positive change policies that enumerate protected classes of students, lists no categories of protection or worst yet they have no statewide laws that prohibit bullying in schools at all. If that wasn’t enough, out of those 24 states 6 of them have passed laws that forbid school-based institutions of LGBTQ issues in a positive manner. What does that mean? This means that those states have a written law that states that LGBTQ issues cannot be taught in a positive manner, no Gay-straight alliances in schools or out historic figures in history class. And if you look at hate crime laws in the United States it doesn’t get any better. Only 13 states include sexual orientation and gender identity in their state hate crime laws. Florida is among 16 states that recognize sexual orientation but not gender identity in their hate crime laws. The rest of the states are not inclusive of sexual orientation or gender identity in their hate crime laws. It all seems incomprehensible, doesn’t it? Yet, those are the facts, and we’re not in Iran,

Sudan or Uganda. This is right here in our backyard. James Smithson, founder of the Smithsonian Institute, once commented, “Every man is a valuable member of society who by his observations, researches and experiments, procures knowledge to men … It is his knowledge that man has found his greatness and his happiness.” Thanks to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Compass and Florida Atlantic University, there is hope through education. Every person in our community should make a promise to bring family and friends to see the exhibit and educate them on the consequences of hate. Education will serve as our most effective tool for positive change. The Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals 1933-1945 exhibit runs through January 25 at Compass , 201 N. Dixie Highway Lake Worth. Visit www.compassglcc.com for more information.

If you look at same-sex adoption, only a handful of states have legalized joint adoption and stepparent adoption. Furthermore, 9 states have passed laws that make it illegal for joint adoption or stepparent adoption. The rest of the U.S. is ambiguous to same-sex adoption. While we are celebrating great victories for same-sex marriage, most of the country is blanketed with a thick coat of constitutional bans against same-sex marriages, statue bans against same-sex marriages, and constitutional bans on samesex unions. Florida is unfortunately one of those states. As far as bullying goes, there are only 10 states that have laws that prohibit discrimination and bullying against students based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Florida is among 24 states that have gone as far as having laws that forbids school districts from having anti-bullying

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

ChamberChat Monthly Column From The MDGLCC

By Jorge Richa, Marketing & Programming Director

Transforming the way we network in 2013

etworking…it is the main function of a Chamber of Commerce. In 2012, the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC) provided close to 100 different networking experiences to its members and the south Florida community. From small intimate Member-to-Member lunches, to the less-frequent large scale Spotlight Mixers, we seemed to cover it all.

Now that we are returning to a more normalized economic growth pattern, Team MDGLCC has planned some changes for 2013 to transform the Chamber’s programming and make it more effective for our members. Returning to the monthly networking mix are our Spotlight Mixer’s and Spotlight Luncheons; large scale networking events that will also provide ample business/per-

sonal exposure to 100 to 300 people at one time. Also new to the monthly schedule is our “Maximizing You Membership Benefits” breakfasts; a 90 minute program geared to the new chamber member or to simply reacquaint yourself with all the many benefits available through your membership. This popular new networking opportunity is a must for any member who wants a refresher on all things MDGLCC.

In 2013, MDGLCC and our sister organization the MDGLCC Foundation Inc. (which runs the LGBT Visitor Center on Miami Beach, sponsored by MetLife) have put together several new educational and social outreach programs. With the goal of improving your business/professional wellbeing, topics will include Social Marketing Soup to Nuts, Starting Over, What do I do Now? and Speed Networking. The LGBT Visitor Center will also commence a weekly social program geared to bringing our locals and tourists together to meet and greet at a new South Beach location every Friday. As is our goal, we want all of our members to advocate on each other’s behalf and for the community to support our MDGLCC members. To make it easier for you to add all these great networking opportunities to your calendar, you can visit the new GayBizMiami. com (http://business.gaybizmiami.com/ events) and print or download the information so you don’t miss an opportunity to grow your business. Simultaneously, if you want to know what is going on in the local LGBT Community, make sure to visit GoGayMiami.com (http://www.gogaymiami. com/calendar) where all the LGBT Community Groups post their activities and initiatives.

Taste of Miami Returns

ne important community initiative is the 4th Annual Taste of Miami event -- Saturday Night Feeder – which will take place Saturday, Jan. 12, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., at the Miami Beach Convention Center. This year’s disco-themed culinary tour of Miami restaurants and caterers is again hosted by the LGBT Visitors Center as a fundraiser for the Center and the MDGLCC Foundation’s scholarship program, which this year will present a scholarship to a student from Johnson & Wales. Culinary students from Johnson & Wales will be on hand at the Taste event to be mentored by the participating chefs. Individual advance tickets to the Taste of Miami are $100 per person or $115 at the door.

Fourth annual event is back

For more information and to purchase tickets, contact Karen Brown at (305) 397-8914 or email her at Karen@ gogaymiami.com. Restaurants wishing to participate in Taste of Miami are also encouraged to contact Karen.

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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Photographs By Pompano Bill & Submitted photos

BEST RESTAURANT

J. Mark’s Restaurant 1490 NE 23rd Street, Pompano Beach 954-782-7000 1245 N. Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale 954-390-0770 www.jmarksrestaurant.com

or the second year in a row, J. Mark’s is the best restaurant in gayfriendly South Florida. “We’re very honored,” Michael Hobbs, the service manager at the Pompano Beach location, said. “We try to treat everyone like their special.” But that mantra applies to more than just J. Mark’s customers. “We certainly try and hire people who have that care factor,” Hobbs said. And to rival the restaurant’s outstanding customer service, of course, is the food served at its two locations in Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale. The slow roasted prime rib sliders remain one of the most popular menu items, according to Hobbs. The restaurant is no stranger to winning awards though. When the Jack and Jill Children’s Center, a non-profit organization benefiting children of low-income families, invited local “slider

specialists” to pick the best in town, J. Mark’s took first place. But the restaurant is known for more than just its sliders. “Bam bam shrimp is also very, very popular,” Hobbs said. He also listed the weekend brunches as one of the restaurants highlights. “The brunch is made to order, we certainly run drink specials for brunch… The $3 Bloody Mary or Mimosa seems to draw people in when it’s early on a Saturday or Sunday.” J. Mark’s in Pompano Beach celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, while the Fort Lauderdale location celebrates its third. “We have great food,” he said. To try their award-winning sliders, stop by J. Mark’s between 11:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Friday, 11:00 a.m. and 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Sunday. Brunch is served on weekends from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

And the winners are... Best social network

Mack Planet 954-779-6197 www.mackplanet.com

ack Planet is no stranger to the South Florida business community. For more than eight years, Mack has united the straight and gay and lesbian business communities through hosting sold out luncheons and mixers across Broward and Palm Beach counties. The group coined the term “Gay Owned, Straight Friendly.” And that’s why Mack won the SFGN award for Best Social Network for the second year in a row. But anyone expecting to repeat, “Hi my name is…” many times throughout one of Mack’s famous “Power Lunches” is in for a surprise — the group doesn’t do that. Attendees have the first 30 minutes to introduce themselves,

and then a speaker takes over for a brief presentation. The rest of the event is dedicated to enjoying lunch and developing professional friendships. But the lunches Mack hosts monthly are only one of the networking opportunities the company offers local businesses. There are also monthly cocktail parties, or “Mack Mixers,” hosted across Broward County and the Boca/Delray area. When the Boca/ Delray mixers started selling out, Mack Planet launched another monthly mixer for the northern parts of Palm Beach County. The next Mack Planet Power Lunch will be Tuesday, January 8 at the China Grill in the Fort Lauderdale Marina Hilton. Advanced registration is $33; the door price will be $40. Attendees are encouraged to bring plenty of business cards.

Best Barber

Best pizza

Mojo’s 2348 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors 954-566-2348 20437 State Road 7 # B4, Boca Raton 561-218-8700

Humpys Pizza 2244 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors 954-566-2722 www.HumpysPizza.com

he best haircut and hot shave in gay-friendly South Florida is only available at Mojo’s barbershop. Located on the Drive, Mojo’s also offers color treatment, manicures and pedicures. There is usually house music playing in the background, and Mojo’s even has a setup for DJ’s to spin for waiting customers. The $18 men’s haircut deal painted on the store’s window remains a highlight for most of the customers who reviewed the shop on Yelp.com. The barbershop is currently rated 4 / 5 stars on the site out of 7 reviews. Nick Raineri, one of the barbers and cousin of the store’s owner Joe, thinks the barbershop won for a few reasons. “Well I mean, it’s not only the locals, or who we are, but the service we

provide,” Raineri said. Most reviews of the barbershop agreed. “It’s a fun place to be, get haircuts, all the guys are shooting the shit.” Mojo’s is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.

Best happy hour

The Village Pub 2283 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors 754-200-5244 www.villagepubwm.com

othing says happy hour like tenhour drink specials at the Village Pub. Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., you can look forward to 2 for 1 on all drinks served to you by an incredible staff of bartenders. Usually most packed after 7 p.m., you have a wide variety of drinks and shots to choose from all day long. “Normal happy hour is pretty busy. People come in after work and relax and enjoy themselves,” said part-owner Jim Kessinger.

Most recommended drink? “A lot of people like our Angry Orchid cocktails. They mix it with different things and seem to like it a lot,” said Kessinger. Even after happy hour ends, the drink specials sure don’t. Each night, the Village Pub has excellent specials after 9 p.m. to keep your night going. Enjoy a $4 cocktail on Monday nights, $2 domestic beers on Tuesday and Thursday nights, $4 Angry Orchid cocktails on Wednesday nights, $6 martinis on Friday nights, or even a $4 special recipe sangria on Saturdays. Whatever you’re drinking, you’re sure to enjoy it even more at the Village Pub.

slice at Humpy’s Pizza will leave you wanting more. With its affordable prices and fresh, delicious ingredients, Humpy’s success has been high rising this year. Steve DeJong, co-owner of Humpys Pizza, believes Humpys’ fresh ingredients are what make their most unique pizzas the tastiest. “We do really interesting pizzas like bacon chicken with ranch, and spinach and walnut,” DeJong said. “We try to make all of our

ingredients here, we make the dough here fresh everyday.” So take your dough to Humpys and try some of theirs. It’s fresh. But they offer a whole lot more than pizza. They have pasta, sandwiches, and about sixteen flavors of cupcakes to choose from. That’s right, cupcakes. From pumpkin spice to chocolate peanut butter, Humpys Pizza sells these pastries just as quick as the pizza! Stop by today to try their $4.99 lunch special, which includes a slice, salad and soda. They are open from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Village Pub was also a top finisher in the contest for best place to pick up guys.

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Best Business group

Best BRUNCH

Gay & Lesbian Business Exchange (GLBX) 954-243-4535 www.ftlchamber.com

Tropics Restaurant and Piano Bar 2000 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors 954-537-6000 www.tropicsofwiltonmanors.com

fter a long Saturday night out, a quiet Sunday brunch is exactly what you’ll find at Tropics. While this restaurant in Wilton Manors offers a dinner menu every night, brunch is only served on Sundays. The buffet is lined with breakfast and lunch options, along with a full service bar. Brunch is served from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m and reservations are recommended. The buffet features breakfast and lunch traditions like eggs benedict, quiches, and the usual eggs and bacon. There are omelet stations and even a seasonal

The Gay & Lesbian Business Exchange (GLBX) celebrated its fourth year of carving table including prime rib. Plastic LGBT-friendly business on Dec. 13. GLBX, island flowers and booths decked with which is a council in the Greater Fort palm leaf designs give the place an old Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, school look. The restaurant and piano meets the first and third Tuesday of every bar has four main dining month in different venues across the city. areas along Michael Faerber, the GLBX Chair, knows with three fullwhy his council won the award for Best service bars. Business Group this year. “I think it has The Sunday brunch special something to do with value,” Faerber said. “The network events we do are not so offers two complimentary much socially-oriented as much as they’re focused on business. And that’s what mimosas or people look for.” Bloody Marys with the But GLBX is not like other LGBTbreakfast buffet friendly business groups. Where other all for $18. major cities, like Miami, create a gay Out of the 13 business group separate from their local Chamber of Commerce, GLBX is reviews on Yelp. partnered with its city’s chamber. com, 9 loved the Sunday brunch. Louis B. from Rose Valley, Pa wrote, “Brunch “Normally gay businesses create at Tropics seems to be a de rigueur standalone groups,” Faerber said. “I experience for the GLBT visitor to Fort personally do think, there shouldn’t be Lauderdale.” any kind of difference. Like I’m only doing

Best large gym

L.A. Fitness Multiple Locations www.lafitness.com

nlike gyms that are super centers, small clubs or franchises, L.A. Fitness is the gym that will satisfy your needs, no matter who you are and what your goal. “We offer a full body of amenities for any type of fitness need whatsoever, throughout all of our locations,” says Chris Cousineau, general manager of the L.A. Fitness location in Boca Raton. “No matter what you’re interested in, for losing weight or being healthy, we have for you a pool, sauna, jacuzzi, free weights, and sixty group fitness classes a week.” L.A. Fitness has a highly

trained staff that can make any workout effective while having fun doing it. They also offer full locker facilities and a babysitting zone called the Kids Klub if you can’t find someone to watch your kids during your workout. Check each club’s hours, but generally they are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays. This is the second year in a row L.A. Fitness has won SFGN’s Best Of competition.

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Best thrift store

n January 25, the best thrift store in gayfriendly South Florida will celebrate its fifth year of doing business and donating profits to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Out of the Closet, located on the Drive and next to the best pharmacy in gay-friendly South Florida, was also the chain’s first location on the east coast. It originated in California, but just recently opened its first European location in Amsterdam. Ricky Rizzuto, the store’s manager, thinks the store being located on the Drive contributes to its success. “We get a lot of business, we’re probably the busiest of the 22 or 23 ‘Out of the Closets’ that we have,” Rizzuto said. Don’t let the store’s name fool you though, Out of the Closet

business with the best business owner. Whoever offers the best service and the best product, should win.” Faerber has incorporated that view into the GLBX’s goals too. “As a chamber our goal is to help businesses grow and install specific educational programs for gay businesses next year,” Faerber said. “To break down the barrier, of the gay businesses and straight businesses.” And not just in Fort Lauderdale or Wilton Manors either. “We are not locally owned, we’re all over...The strength of the gay community is certainly not limited to Wilton Manors. We have a lot of members living in Sunrise, Hollywood, even Weston,” he said. But the GLBX is always looking for new members. “We do appreciate the support absolutely; we’re constantly looking for new members,” Faerber said.

Out of the Closet 2097 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors 954-358-5580 www.outofthecloset.org sells much more than clothing. “Whatever people are donating is what we’re selling,” Rizzuto said. And although clothing must be dropped off at the store, furniture and old appliances can be picked up. “Everything in our store has been donated,” Rizzuto said. “We have a truck that picks up furniture and large items everyday except Sundays and Mondays.” Aside from selling old clothes, furniture and appliances, Out of the Closet offers free HIV testing everyday, as well as STD testing Fridays and Saturdays. But Rizzuto thinks

the store won for more than its services. “Probably because of the wonderful atmosphere and hospitality,” Rizzuto said. “We give to everyone who comes in here, neatness, organization and prices.” Out of the Closet is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Best pet groomer

Best takeout

Chopstix 2601 N Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors 954-563-9902

hen you call Chopstix to order the best takeout in gay-friendly South Florida, you won’t finish ordering before breaking your English a few times. But even if the staff knows little English, the cooks know how to prepare incredible lo mein. If you walk in to the restaurant to place your order, you’ll be staring at faded pictures of the popular General Tso’s chicken. “Everything is fresh, everything is clean,” the restaurant’s order taker Yaqin “Samantha” Li said. Most of the reviews on Yelp.com agree with Li too. Chopstix holds four stars out of five on the website, based on 21 reviews. One reviewer noted Chopstix had replaced Lotus Kitchen in their book. The same goes for SFGN’s readers, who awarded Lotus Kitchen Best Takeout last year. Chopstix is at the corner of North Dixie Highway and North East 26th Street, next to Estrella Insurance and across the road from the Barton and Miller Cleaners.

Best tanning salon

Boca Tanning Club Multiple Locations www.bocatanningclub.com/

xpect a great tanning experience every time at Boca Tanning Club. With their top-of-the-line equipment and highest level of convenience, your skin will have that golden glow that will keep all eyes on you. Boca Tanning Club is home to state-of- the-art tanning booths and the most technologically advanced beds in the tanning industry — Super Beds. So, get your tan on four times as fast as you would at other salons. These beds give clients the strongest and fastest vertical tan on the planet. And wait, there’s more. Boca Tanning Club is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This unique concept of tanning at any hour of the day or night has drawn in clients from other cities because of its level of convenience when compared to other salons. In fact, “Jersey Shore” star and semi-professional tanner, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, is a Boca Tanning Club partner. With sixteen locations in south Florida, it’s easy to see why Boca Tanning Club was chosen as the Best Tanning Salon.

Wilton’s Manor Doggie Daycare Resort and Spa 2155 N. Dixie Highway 754-223-4776 www.WiltonsManor.com

hen you step inside Wilton’s Manor Doggie Daycare Resort and Spa, you’ll see all of the spoiled, joyful puppies chasing each other around an obstacle course. The daycare is an environment conducive for all dogs to play. The doggie daycare has indoor and outdoor sections for the big and small dogs. There is 900 square feet of indoor doggie play area for the smaller dogs, and 1,200 square feet of outdoor doggie play area for the larger dogs. Although puppies may get a bit muddy in the outdoor play area, owner Alan Aghazadian believes the daycare’s clean, state-of-the-art equipment play areas contribute to its success. “The most important thing is that we keep it very clean. Customers come in and tell us it smells clean, looks clean, and the dogs come home clean.” As for dog owners, at Wilton’s Manor, you can sit in the park’s special shady area and enjoy watching your dog train or play with others, while using the doggie daycare’s complimentary Wi-Fi. The daycare services are worth every dollar you pay. “We don’t undercharge but we don’t overcharge,” Aghazadian said. “We provide a greater service for comparable prices that you would find in your neighborhood.”

Best bath house

The Club Fort Lauderdale 110 NW 5th Ave 954-525-3344 www.theclubs.com

hether it’s to unwind and relieve that stress or meet new people and have a good time, the Club Fort Lauderdale is the place to be. Open 24 hours a day, you can spend your time relaxing by their outdoor heated pool by day or enjoy a midnight swim under the stars by night. A steam room and saunas are waiting just inside— the key to relaxation. For those of you who can’t break from your exercise routine, Club Fort Lauderdale includes a gym full of state-of-the-art exercise equipment. With an outdoor whirlpool and private cabanas, you’re sure to find just what you’re looking for at this bathhouse. While still retaining that sex appeal that all bathhouses should have, Club Fort Lauderdale strives to keep everything clean. “Our biggest thing is our attention to detail,” manager David McKeel said. “We’re very clean.” Besides being as spotless as possible, Club

Fort Lauderdale separates itself from most bathhouses by hosting events and bringing DJs on a regular basis to keep the place alive and happening. “It’s always new, it’s always clean, and it’s always open,” McKeel said. This is the second year Club Fort Lauderdale has won SFGN’s Best Of competition.

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Best city

Best adult store

Pride Factory 850 Northeast 13th Street, Fort Lauderdale 954-463-6600 PrideFactory.MyShopify.com

ne side of Pride Factory has racks stacked with gay adult DVDs and sex toys. The other end is a full clothing store with apparel from brands like Ruff Riders and Android watches. For the second year in a row, Pride Factory is the number one stop for all your fetish gear and novelties. “It’s very exciting to be recognized,” said vice president Lori Deak. “We appreciate the customers getting us there and voting for us.” The store features Fort Lauderdale’s largest lube selection and also sells rainbow pride trinkets like necklace tags,

Best beach

Sebastian Beach Intersection of A1A and Sebastian St. Fort Lauderdale Beach

he recent wave of beach erosion that damaged parts of Fort Lauderdale Beach left “Sebastian Beach” unscathed. In fact, throughout 2012 the “gay” section of Fort Lauderdale Beach across from the intersection of A1A and Sebastian Street has retained its popularity and its unique quality as a beach full of adult men (many of them clad in scanty bathing attire) with hardly a woman or a child in sight. Sometimes a clueless straight couple might drop a towel on Sebastian Beach, only to discover to their dismay the Beach’s unique demographics.

flags, and stickers as well as novelty and gag gifts. Out of its 4 reviews on yelp.com, three were positive feedback. Marqus R. from Fort Lauderdale wrote, “For the tourist, it’s well worth the stop since it is bigger and has a wider selection than most any other place in the state or, for that matter, in the south or along Coast.” Pride Factory offers a movie rental membership for their selection of adult and mainstream DVDs. Members can rent as often as they like and receive half price discounts for movies on Wednesdays.

Compared to other beaches popular with gay men, Sebastian Beach is a relative newcomer. Old timers might remember Miami Beach at 21st Street, or even Fort Lauderdale’s first “gay beach” across the legendary Marlin Beach Hotel. When the “Marlin” was torn down to make room for the touristy Beach Place, the center of gay seaside action moved a couple of blocks north, to Sebastian Beach. It didn’t hurt that gay guesthouses and resorts began to open nearby, which only added to Sebastian’s popularity with gay men from around the world. Long-term couples, groups of friends and tourists alike frequent Sebastian for its combination of sub-tropical climate, sandy beaches, warm waters and (of course) hot men. Though Mother Nature and climate change have placed the future of Fort Lauderdale Beach in jeopardy, there is no doubt that Sebastian Beach will remain popular with gay and bisexual men for years to come.

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Wilton Manors www.wiltonmanors.com

ilton Manors continues to be the center of LGBT life in South Florida. During 2012 several new, LGBT-owned businesses opened along Wilton Drive, only adding to that thoroughfare’s status as the gay Las Olas Blvd. or Worth Avenue. And not even the recession could keep LGBT people from buying property and moving into the Island City. South Florida’s most famous gayborhood combines a small-town atmosphere with all the amenities of urban life. The second city to elect an openly gay majority to its city government -- West Hollywood, California was the first city to do so -- Wilton Manors is the city with the second-highest proportion of same-sex couples (Provincetown, Massachusetts is number 1). The LGBT community continued to exercise its political clout in the November, 2012 municipal elections, electing openly gay city commissioners Julie Carson and Tom Green for another term. They join Mayor Gary Resnick to maintain the Island City’s LGBT majority.

SFGN is proud to be part of Wilton Manors’s LGBT community. In addition to our weekly newspaper and quarterly Mirror, SFGN published a handy-dandy Guide to the Drive (http://bit.ly/ZjWjYx) “Wilton Manors has become the soul, hub, and the epicenter of gay life in South Florida,” SFGN publisher Norm Kent wrote in the Guide. “What was once a farming community is now, in 2012, a growing urban village, driven and powered by many LGBT entrepreneurs. . . Our community has bite, kick, and a bark. We are here, and we are heard.” This is the second year Wilton Manors has won SFGN’s Best Of competition.

This is the second year Sebastian Beach has won SFGN’s Best Of competition.

Best Theatre

Mosaic Theatre 12200 West Broward Blvd., Plantation 954-577-8243

or 12 seasons, Richard Jay Simon’s Mosaic Theatre has pushed the theatrical envelope in Broward County. Tucked away in the intimate black box theatre at American Heritage School in Plantation, Mosaic, under the adept leadership of Simon, brought outstanding productions to Broward County. Audiences—and critical acclaim—flocked to many productions, including A Shayna Maidel, Side Effects, The Seafarer, The Irish Curse, and Collected Stories. The South Florida theatre community was shocked to learn, just a week ago after the closing the thriller The Birds, that Simon had resigned his position as Producing Artistic Director and the company’s board decided to close mid-season. Over the past two seasons, several other esteemed companies also suddenly shut their doors (Florida Stage, Caldwell Theatre, Promethean), some facing ongoing financial difficulties,

n its first production this summer, Island City Stage caught notice with The 20th Century Way, a thought-provoking drama about the entrapment of homosexuals in turn-of-the-century California. “One of the things we’re trying to do as we select plays is to explore themes that are relevant,” explained Artistic Director Andy Rogow. “That play was about an important chapter in LGBT history, but never relied on clichés. It worked on so many levels.” Rogow also aims to offer his audiences a wide variety of works, including comedies. The next production, opening on Jan. 5 at Fort Lauderdale’s Empire Stage, is Pig Tale, a farcical look at relationships when one partner in a couple is transformed into a pig. The remaining man must learn to love and care for the pig, an equally transformative experience. “It’s a light comedy, but there are definitely serious undertones about relationships and what it takes to make them work,” Rogow said. As Island City Stage continues to grow, Rogow envisions a company that will continue to serve its traditionally LGBT audiences, but also reach out to new audiences to become the major regional theatre in eastern Broward County, especially after the recent closing of Mosaic Theatre.

Slow Burn Theatre SlowBurnTheatre.org 954-323-7884

Island City Stage www.islandcitystage.org 954-678-1496

Best movie thatree

but Mosaic wasn’t on anybody’s radar screen. In an email to supporters, Simon explained he and his wife were expecting their first child and he just could not balance the demands of running a theatre company with his those of being a parent. Despite his board’s plea, he held steadfast and the board decided it would be better to end the season prematurely. Mosaic will be—and already is—missed by many in the theatre company, but it certainly deserves to be named “Best of ” 2012.

Best Theatre

he Gateway Theatre has long been a favorite with LGBT audiences, screening an eclectic mix of new releases, art films and indies. Located at the intersection of Sunrise Boulevard and Federal Highway, the Gateway has also long been a landmark, with its mid-century modern architecture and retro styling, harkening back to the glamour of the golden age of Hollywood. “It really is a throwback,” said owner Arthur Friedman, a movie producer and theatre owner who purchased the Gateway last year.

n just three seasons, Slow Burn Theatre has put South Florida audiences—and critics alike—on notice: this company knows how to do musicals. And we’re not talking the usual fare like South Pacific, The Sound of Music, and The Music Man, but challenging, gritty shows that don’t usually appeal to the blue-haired crowd. Shows like Urinetown, Assassins, Blood Brothers and Into the Woods. Despite insanely tight budgets, Artistic Directors Matthew Korinko and Patrick Fitzwater manage to create magic on the stage at the West Boca High School performing arts center. “A lot of people raised eyebrows,” said Korinko. “We took the gamble and we won. We were picking lesser-known shows, shows that were a little darker at times. These are the shows nobody else will do because they won’t be successful.” To the contrary, these shows have been hugely successful for Slow Burn. Korinko credits his audiences for sitting outside their comfort zones and embracing the company. Critics also responded and last year Slow Burn was awarded a prestigious Silver Palm Award as one of the outstanding new companies producing in South Florida.

Classic Gateway Theatre 1820 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale Friedman feels the film industry has “strayed” with the introduction of computerized special effects and “big ticket stars.” “Ever since I was a kid, I learned that the theatrical experience cannot be duplicated on television, video or any other new technology,” Friedman explained. “There’s something about being in a theatre with an audience watching a great movie that is magical and cannot be replicated. Having an emotional experience—laughing or crying, being thrilled— together with family, friends, neighbors and the rest of

the audience....is a feeling beyond words.” Audiences got a taste of classic Hollywood this fall, when Freidman presented the first Classic Film Festival at the Gateway, including the most beloved films of all time: Gone with the Wind, Citizen Kane, The Wizard of Oz and North by Northwest. This is the second year in a row Gateway Theatre has won SFGN’s Best Of competition.

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Best boutique gym

Best DINER

Peter Pan’s 1216 East Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 954-565-7177 www.mypeterpandiner.com

Island City Health and Fitness 2270 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manners 954-318-3900 www.islandcityfitness.com

little extra money can go a long way with a gym experience like the one offered at Island City Health and Fitness. With memberships starting at just $24.99, Island City Fitness caters to your body, mind and spirit with an experienced staff and state-of-the-art equipment to fulfill all of your exercise needs. The boutique gym offers a wide range of amenities like fitness classes, personal trainers, a spa, and even a café so you can indulge in a delicious smoothie following your workout. Not to mention, they offer customer service that you can’t find at most gyms. “We get to know our customers. They’re really like an extended family,” owner Reece Darham said. If you’re looking for a clean, supportive environment to build that bodacious bod, look no further. “Our cleanliness sets us apart. We have cleaning staff on site 80 hours a week and we really do strive to make our members feel welcome,” Darham said. The gym is currently undergoing a $1 million exterior and interior renovation so the gym you know and love will now sport a fresh, modern look this coming February. The gym will remain open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and new members will receive a free personal training session. This is the second year Island City Fitness has won SFGN’s Best Of competition.

t Peter Pan’s you can order breakfast, a margarita, and follow it up with some Greek food. And if you want something not on the menu, they’ll try and make it — just as long as it’s not a hotdog. “We don’t do hotdogs here,” said manager’s secretary Lisa Roberts. But they do almost everything else. They make about 60 different breakfast items along with a lunch and dinner menu filled with steaks, Greek food, and low calorie specials. The full liquor bar carries imported brews, cocktails, and wines. The diner is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and even holidays.

Peter Pan’s has also been baking fresh pastries and crafting deserts for more than 30 years. The Wilton Manors diner has been around since 1979 and still has that old school 80s décor mixed with a classic New York diner style. With mostly a local crowd, the staff knows its customers like they’re old friends giving this family owned diner

the ultimate home style feel. “We embrace the community,” Roberts said. “Everyone here is

Best clothing

The Outlet 2031 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors 954-369-3883

BEST CANDIDATE - DEAN TRANTALIS RUNNING FOR FORT LAUDERDALE CITY COMMISSIONER, STAYING IN SHAPE AT THE GYM

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

he Outlet is the only place on Wilton Drive where you’ll find a $90 Bespoke that’s $180 down the road, according to the store’s staff. Shoppers can expect to be surrounded by deals on Dormafi imports, and other clothing similar to what is sold at the high-end shops in Boca, Galleria, and Las Olas, at 50 percent off retail. This is the second year SFGN’s readers have rated The Outlet Best Clothing Store in gay-friendly South Florida, for its full range selection, according to the staff. The store also boasts a 7.6 out of 10 rating on foursquare.com, with photos and tips loaded by 90 visitors who have checked in more than 377 times. Wiltondriveonline.com reported The Outlet was in no danger of closing, when it also announced Bottom and Tops, a similar clothing store, had closed last April. The same is true today.

Best guest house

The Royal Palms Resort and Spa 717 Breakers Avenue, Fort Lauderdale 954-564-6444 www.royalpalms.com

hic. Sexy. Masculine. The best words used to describe the Royal Palms Resort and Spa. Following its 2011 renovation, the Royal Palms now includes 50 luxurious rooms each with a sleek, urban design aimed at making you feel right at home. Nestled just a mere block from Fort Lauderdale Beach, the Royal Palms has become a go-to destination for gay guesthouses. What can you look forward to during a vacation at the Royal Palms? Relaxing at the poolside oasis with other gay men— clothing-optional, a full-liquor bar and poolside café with tons of menu options, a comforting spa experience, a fitness center with personal trainers on site, and lavish round-the-clock service from the staff among other things. According to Assistant General Manager Philip Lafond, the key factor that makes the Royal Palms different from other guesthouses also makes it better. “Our number 1 priority is our customer service,” he said. “We really go out of our way to make everyone feel

BEST NIGHTCLUB

The Manor Complex 2345 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors 954-626-0082 www.themanorcomplex.com

unch on brunch and tapas by day; enjoy half priced bottle specials by night. The Manor Complex offers dance parties with special guest DJs all with no cover charge —something nearby Fort Lauderdale clubs can’t compete with. “There are a lot of other great clubs in South Florida,” said general manager Jason Tamanini. “I would say we won because we continue to try to stay ahead in promotions and marketing at no charge to our customers.” The lounge style club is splashed with

welcome. We treat everyone like family and we want people to know that this is their home away from home.” This is the second year in a row Royal Palms has won SFGN’s Best Of competition.

Red Swarovski crystal chandeliers and chaise couches, but this club isn’t all elegance and class. The Manor throws wild toga parties and weekly events like Bubble Gum Wednesdays with topnotch guest DJs and South Florida’s local drag performers regularly. The club also has events like Noche Latina Saturday and comedy shows with performers like Dana Goldberg. They have six main rooms for booking private events like weddings or parties. Not to mention there’s happy hour every week, Wednesday through Friday till 8 p.m and half priced bottle specials at certain events. “We’re very excited,” Tamanini said. “And we will continue to strive to do our best to satisfy the night club needs of all of South Florida.” This is the second year in a row The Manor Complex has won SFGN’s Best Of competition.

Best tea dance

Boom 2232 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors 954-630-3556

oom’s Jackhammer tea dance has been running every Sunday for nine years now and its ultimate happy hour and raging music keeps it going. “The type of music, the high energy, the friendly bartenders that we have, it’s practically everything you need to have a

great wtime,” said owner and creator of the Jackhammer Tea Dance, Russ Johannsen. Boom has a 50,000-watt sound system along with three bars and a multi-level dance floor with blasting disco music. One bar is best for socializing and a game of pool, while the other one leads to a dance era. Sunday drink specials include $4 well and domestic beers and $12 all you can drink draft beers. The venue moved around Fort Lauderdale three times, but the Sunday tea dance has always stayed as a regular weekly happy hour. Recently, Boom has killed smoking at one of the bars during tea dances. “Because smoking is out around the country,” Johannsen said. Out of Boom’s two dance sections, smoking on the dance floor is now forbidden as well. But before you snatch your pack of Marlboros and run, clubbers can still smoke at the video bar.

GM JASON TAMANINI AND CO-OWNER, PAUL HUGO

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Best drag show

Lips 1421 E Oakland Park Blvd., Oakland Park 954-567-0987 www.floridalips.com

here’s no shortage of big hair, high heels and good times at Lips Drag Dining. Drag queens double as waiters serving you delectable dining options and drinks from a full-liquor bar before commanding the stage and providing you with your entertainment for the night. Music plays and vibrant lights beam across the room as fierce female impersonators sing, dance and leave you cheering in your seat. “We’re very popular. We’ve got a good show, good girls, good food, and a good place,” owner Mitch Albert said. Lips is a host to celebrations of all kinds for people of all ages including bachelorette parties and birthdays

Best drag queen

where you get to engage with the drag queens hosting your party. “It’s very intimate. There’s interaction between the waiters and the customers before they take the stage,” Albert said. Open Tuesdays through Sundays, Lips hosts fabulous performances each night. Dine with divas like Cher and Diana Ross on Thursday nights or get a chance to win glamorous prizes at Tuesday’s Dragalicious Game Show among many other shows. All ages are welcome to enjoy dinner and a show. A cover charge of $10 will be applied on Fridays and Saturdays and $5 on Thursdays and Sundays.

Misty Eyez

isty Eyez or known as “The Eyez of Florida” and “The South Florida Sweetheart” has been performing around South Florida for the past 10 years. She’s known for hosting and singing at events like Fort Lauderdale Gay Parade and Stone Wall. When she’s not performing at special events, she hosts Bitchy Bingo at Lips in Fort Lauderdale every week and performs at other bars and clubs in the area. Performing at more than one local bar, she says, sets her apart from the other drag queens. “I’m always giving back to the community,” she said. “Some girls only work at one bar and I’ll always be up there doing as much as I can.” Eyez makes daily YouTube video for her account “ASK MISTY” where she’ll answer questions from subscribers and post “Misty Minute” tutorials for other queens on wig styling and putting on makeup along with her tips and drag queen secrets. She also answers anonymous questions through Formspring.com on everything from coming out to her personal life as a drag queen. She has won several awards for “Best entertainer” and “Best drag queen” from City Link and Kind of a drag.

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Best neighborhood bar

The Village Pub 2283 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors 754-200-5244 www.villagepubwm.com

rom the moment the Village Pub opened in October, its friendly atmosphere and exciting night life has drawn crowds of people. With two spacious openings and seating at the front of the place, you can kick back, relax and enjoy the fresh air and a drink from the full-liquor bar. If you’re looking for something more upbeat, a 400 square foot dance floor is waiting just inside. Maybe you’re looking for somewhere a little more intimate. A few steps will take you to the covered patio for some oneon-one time. At the Village Pub, there’s something for everyone. The Village Pub has that neighborhood feel so everyone is comfortable.

With a warm and welcoming staff, it’s no wonder the Village Pub is the place of choice for a night out. “The employees and bartenders are cordial to everyone. People can come in and enjoy themselves with no hassle,” part-owner Jim Kessinger said. “We serve good drinks and people like it here.” The Village Pub is open Sundays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Best coffee shop

StarBucks 1015 Northeast 26th Street, Wilton Manors 954-566-1304 www.starbucks.com

Best NonProfit

Broward House Multiple Locations 954-522-4749 www.browardhouse.org

roward House has been providing care and support for HIV/AIDS patients for 25

years. They have over 15 locations in South Florida that offer services like HIV testing and counseling, mental health therapy, support groups, and more. Broward House works with over 6,000 women, children, men, and families who are living or are at risk to HIV/AIDS. Broward House CEO Stacy Hyde prides Broward House on their

ommitment – connection – convenience. Three words that frame the success of Starbucks coffee shop. Starbucks has been around since 1971 and the commitment to their customers is what keeps them going. From their highest quality coffee in the world to the high level of customer service they present, Starbucks commits every cup of coffee to be a memorable experience for each customer. Millions of Starbucks drinks are

Manors is especially popular with the gay community with the locals hanging out from open to close. It’s a perfect spot to meet new friends or dates. Their menu has a wide variety of options from its hot chocolate to the cold double-chocolate chip Frappuccino, to kids’ smoothies. You will always find what you’re craving. Check each store’s hours, but they are generally open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., with some open 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

staff ’s passion for building up people’s spirits and building up their self-esteem. “South Florida has a strong community of valuable, outstanding social services organizations, it is an honor to be recognized as the representative for these place of healing,” Hyde said. “We provide our services in collaboration with our community, it is in this collaboration we are most effective.” Last November, Broward House hosted a World Aids Day event in Wilton Manors. It included a candlelit walk honoring those who lost their lives hosted by comedian Wanda Sykes and RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage. In April 2013, they’re putting on Dining Out For Life, an event sponsored by Subaru to help promote HIV/AIDS awareness.

According to the pharmacy’s Assistant Best pharmacy Director of the Southern Region Jeremy Zellers, working at AHF is the most rewarding job of his career. AHF Pharmacy “Getting to help people, Multiple locations from South Beach to getting to make the Wilton Manors decisions I would make if it 954 318-6997 were my pharmacy, to help www.ahfpharmacy.org the people that need the help.” Zellers gave SFGN reasons why. “I think we won because we care about the he best local pharmacy offers community.” free HIV testing and a 24-hour But the community AHF serves is not nurse hotline for its patients just local. The pharmacy currently treats in the Manor. Located next to Out of more than 120,000 patients in more the Closet on Wilton Drive and from than 26 countries, according to Zellers. North Miami to Fort Lauderdale, AHF “I want to thank the community, Pharmacy is a non-profit that donates 96 they’ve really come together to support cents of every dollar made to treating AHF and it’s much appreciated,” Zellers those living with HIV and AIDS. said.

sold each week, but each interaction between a Starbucks barista and consumer becomes a connection. Starbucks partners laugh with and share loving moments with their customers. With over 200 locations in South Florida, Starbucks has an unparalleled level of convenience for those grabbing a quick cup of coffee before work, or those sipping a drink while reading their favorite book in Starbucks’ warm, cozy environment. Their location in the heart of Wilton

Some Local AHF Pharmacy locations:

North Miami Beach Pharmacy 100 NW 170th St., Ste. 208, North Miami Beach 305-758-1984

NorthPoint Pharmacy 6405 N. Federal Hwy, Ste. 205, Fort Lauderdale 954-727-2174

South Beach WPA Pharmacy 1613 Alton Road, Miami Beach 305-538-5914

Fort Lauderdale Pharmacy 1785 E Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 954-462-9223

Wilton Manors Pharmacy 2097 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors 954-318-6997 (Toll Free: 800-618-6997)

Miami Pharmacy 2900 N. Biscayne Blvd., Miami 305-764-3780

South Beach Pharmacy 1510 Alton Road, Miami Beach 305-534-1294

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Best place to pick up girls

Best places to pick up SFGN

onestly, folks, there are 522 distribution spots in 4 counties for SFGN, and we are willing to expand to your location at your request. Always available at our offices on 2520 North Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors, you can also pick up SFGN and our new copy of the Mirror this week at the following venues. And of course, if you can only get to a computer, a PDF of our paper is also available at www.sfgn.com

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1. CVS Pharmacy 1150 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors 2. CVS Pharmacy 1 North Federal at Broward, Fort Lauderdale 3. Out of the Closet, 2097 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors 4. Holiday Park Library, 1300 East Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 5. Red Box at The Floridian Restaurant, 1400 East Las Olas, Ft Laud. 6. Red Box at Pineapple Point Guest House, 315 NE 16th Terrace, Ft. Laud. 7. Bob’s News, 1515 South Andrews, g Ft. Lauderdale shin is pu ia 4 y b b g o ru 8. Broward County Bus Terminal, East ph Howst homo e’s Canton n pa in Tow Broward Blvd., Ft. Laud. 6 Gay s 3 ye Goodbn 9. Tri Rail Station, Broward Blvd., Ft. Laud. 32Pope to Ja enter l Carp Nationa 10 CominDgay 10. Lambda Passages Bookstore, 7545 Out 5 Biscayne Blvd., Miami 11. LGBT Welcome Center, Washington Ave., Miami 12. Swinging Richard’s, 17450 Biscayne Blvd., N. Miami 13. MCC Church, 2011 South Federal, Boynton Beach 14. Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie H Highway, Lake Worth EAC , M B Strenganthce PAL Bal Core IT INcely IB 8 and Kni es 15. H.G. Roosters, 823 Belveder Road, West EXH Leav ewall 3 RIDA AYS Ston H FLO OF G el: 6 N T IO Trav nhagen 3 SOU Palm Beach CUT Cope ND RSE ME

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he best place to pick up girls has Happy Hours all day Wednesdays, Karaoke on Thursdays, and live music on Saturdays. Carol Moran opened New Moon eight years ago, after owning a Kick’s sports bar before that. This bar though is anything but a sports bar. “It’s a totally different vibe,” Moran said. “We’re a sports bar on Sunday.” Gaycities.com also rates New Moon — next to Vertigo Salon, and Island City traders on Wilton Drive — the number 1 lesbian bar in Wilton Manors. But the bar isn’t partial to

“They make sure they get introduced to someone.” New Moon celebrated Moran’s birthday on Dec. 16. with a free drink for partygoers who brought unwrapped toys for the Children’s Diagnostic Treatment Center. New Moon is open until 2 a.m., with Happy Hours also lasting from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on

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he average Saturday night at the Village Pub is just the atmosphere you’re looking for to meet new people. Always full of fresh faces, the Village Pub is the go-to bar this season. It’s the perfect place if you’re hoping to spot someone new from across the bar and strike up a conversation. Take them out Best places to pick up guys on the dance floor and show them a good time. When things do get serious, lead them out to the covered patio for the ideal intimate environment. The Village Pub With a variety to choose from the full-liquor bar, you can enjoy 2283 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors a drink with that cute guy you spotted from across the room. The lighting and the music make for a comfortable scene to relax and 754-200-5244 have fun when you do meet someone new. www.villagepubwm.com According to part-owner Jim Kessinger, weekends at the bar bring in a variety of people. The odds of meeting someone you like are great. “A lot of people come in on Friday and Saturday nights. We welcome everyone,” he said. “It’s a great place to be seen and have a good conversation.”

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

The Regulars

By Karl Hampe

January 2, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com

FEATURE

Gay Press, Gay Power Exclusive interview with Tracy Baim By Tony Adams

This sumptuous book, with 485 images, is divided into five parts including a history of the discrimination that gave birth to gay and lesbian publications, a series of essays by journalists in the gay trenches, the histories of ten gay publications in ten major cities, a study of the business side of gay publishing and a debate about the value of gay press in the online world of social media. The book is enlivened by the inclusion of some controversial voices and opinions. (Who doesn’t relish Yasmin Nair?) Given the current nervous predictions about the health of gay media and the mainstreaming of gay writing, Baim, who is the publisher of Chicago’s gay paper Windy City Times and the author of several books about gay culture, is convincing in her optimistic assessment.

egalitarian overall. 1969 is a pivot point for the country,” Baim said. “There was a ‘setting straight of the record’ energy in the early days of the gay press. It was all about representation and making sure that we were heard and seen. The straight media forced the formation of the gay press just like they forced the need of an African-American press because they stereotyped or ignored blacks and gays.” When I wondered if the New York Times’ featuring of the gay voices of Frank Bruni and Steve Petrow might be the kind of mainstreaming that will kill the gay press, Baim said, “It validates what we have been doing. It validates the LGBT voice that has been going on for years. Yes, it’s terrific that a paper that just 30 years ago couldn’t bring itself to use the word ‘gay’ now features out gay columnists, but people like me will always love working in the alternative media.” Photo courtesy of tracy baim

racy Baim is the editor of a remarkable new book that should grab you, given the fact that you are reading this review in a gay newspaper or on a gay website. Gay Press, Gay Power – The Growth of LGBT Community Newspapers in America is a fascinating and perceptive account of the history of gay news.

“There will never be a dearth of stories for us to do. There is always going to be more news for a particular community than can be had in a generalized newspaper. I feel very strongly that there will continue to be a need for the gay press. The challenge is for us to do a better job of it. Stonewall was a gay media game changer because it occurred in a moment of game changing overall. So much was happening all around it. The press was becoming more

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

FEATURE

What’s in a Name, Part Two The Ins and Outs of Changing Name and Gender By Diana O’Brien

t some point, most transgender people will find that the name that was assigned them at birth no longer suits them, and they choose a new name that affirms their gender identity. It is not uncommon for them to be known by this new name for years before they consider making this change legal. It is, after all, a difficult personal decision that impacts family, friends, careers and more. There are many good reasons for pursuing a legal name change, including personal safety, privacy, avoiding problems with various law enforcement agencies, establishing family, employment issues, and eliminating the distress of living with ‘the wrong name.’ Having identity documents that match gender presentation is an important part of transition from birth-assigned gender to experienced gender. With a little courage and perseverance, it is a realistic and attainable goal for most transgender people. Understanding this process (in Florida) is important for transgender people, as well as their allies in the rest of the LGBT community and beyond.

Just the Facts The first question usually asked is “How much will it cost?” This varies from person to person, but in Florida it typically will run about $500 to pay for the court filing fee, background check and updated driver’s license. The $401 court filing fee can be waived if the petitioner (the person filing for the name change) is unable to pay it, but everything else will still need to be paid. There are many other things that may need to be changed, too, including passport, vehicle title and registration, diplomas, birth certificate, and professional licenses. Changing these may cost as much as another $500. Unless the petitioner is a minor, adjudicated incompetent, or a convicted felon, it is probably not necessary to have an attorney — though it never hurts. You can file the paperwork and represent yourself in court. Changing a legal name does not require changing one’s gender marker. They are two entirely different processes. And while changing just the name requires a court order, the gender marker change requires a special letter from a physician. How long this process takes varies. The court case may take three to six weeks to come up after filing, but will be decided in a few minutes with the judge. Once the final judgment is entered and certified copies purchased, the rest of the work begins. Some agencies like the Social Security Administration and the Division of Driver Licenses require a visit to their office. Others may only need a photocopy or certified copy of the court order mailed to them. It may take a month or more to update all identity documents, licenses, and accounts.

Where to Start It goes without saying that the beginning of this process starts well before filing for a name change. There is a journey of self-discovery and acceptance, hopefully — but not typically —supported by family and friends. This journey often involves counselors and medical professionals. With that said, some practical considerations are listed below: •Finances: Is there enough money

Filing the petition

Upon completing the petition and complying with the fingerprint requirement, the petition must be filed with available to complete the process? the Clerk of the Court. The filing clerk will go •Checklist: Are all forms gathered, all through the petition and highlight anything information collected, all requirements that must still be filled out or doublechecked. anticipated and met, all accounts and Then the completed petition may be filed. contacts listed? Setting the hearing date •Support system: Is everything in place to 6 After receiving the petition and succeed? LiveScan result, the court will set a For more information on changing name and gender marker, ask Diana at diana. hearing date for the case. The court will then send a notice of hearing in the self-addressed obrien.ftl@gmail.com. stamped envelope that must be provided by the petitioner.

The Court Process 1

Obtaining forms

Because court forms and instructions are subject to change, it is advisable to purchase the packet PETITION FOR NAME CHANGE ADULT directly from the Clerk of the Court in your county of residence. Additional forms will be needed if filing for a waiver of the filing fee.

Following the instructions

2 and gathering information The petition asks for a great deal of information. It is important to gather everything needed before starting to fill out the petition. It is also a good idea to make a blank copy of the pages that must be filed, to have a master copy in case of mistakes.

Electronic fingerprinting

3 and background check

Florida requires LiveScan, a special kind of fingerprinting and background check. Most law enforcement agencies, including the Broward Sheriff’s Office, no longer provide LiveScan for name changes. The PETITION FOR NAME CHANGE ADULT contains a list of private providers throughout the state.

Filling out the petition

The petition packet is over fifty pages, but most of these are instructions. The pages to be filled out and filed are: a. Cover Sheet for Family Law Cases b. Notice of Related Cases c. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) d. Notice of Hearing The Disclosure from Nonlawyer form must be filled out if someone who is not a lawyer helps you fill out the forms. The Final Judgment of Change of Names (Adult) form should also be filled out and filed with the Petition.

Final judgment

It is necessary to appear at the hearing in front of the judge that is presiding over the case. The judge will ask several questions to verify that the intent of the petitioner is lawful. Once the judge is satisfied, the Final Judgment will be signed. Congratulations. If you’ve it to this point, your name is now changed!

Certified copies

Many other agencies are going to need a certified copy of the final judgment in order to change their records and issue new identification documents. It is important to purchase enough certified copies of the final judgment from the Clerk of Court for agencies that want to keep a certified copy.

Changing other Identity

9 Documents

The Social Security Administration is the next stop for name and/or gender marker changes. It takes a day or two for their database to upload the new information. Afterwards the driver license can be updated. The court order (and physician’s letter for gender marker), driver’s license and Social Security Card form the basis for updating everything else.

Changing other Identity

10 Documents

It is no small achievement to complete this process. Many of the agencies’ personnel have no cultural competency or diversity training in handling transgender customers, and may not even be familiar of their agencies’ protocols. There are many difficulties and obstacles to overcome. Good luck!

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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TRAVEL

OUT Destination: Chicago By Joey Amato When a city boasts a neighborhood appropriately named “Boystown”, you know you are in for a treat. Although it’s the 3rd largest city in the country in terms of population, Chicago seems vastly different from Los Angeles and New York. Maybe it’s the Midwestern mentality that generates passion and hospitality amongst the locals. Or quite possibly its picturesque border along Lake Michigan is what makes the Windy City a truly magical place. Getting around Chicago is simple. Guests arriving at either O’Hare or Midway airports can board a train to downtown making transportation virtually painless and inexpensive. Once downtown, visitors can stay at any one of dozens of large hotels or opt for smaller boutiques. I chose to stay at the spectacular Radisson Blu. The first of its kind in the United States, Radisson Blu, part of Aqua Tower, is a chic, 86-story towering oasis designed by Jeanne Gang near the border of Lake Michigan, which features luxurious guest rooms, state-of-the-art fitness center, conference space and Felini, an Italian-inspired restaurant and bar which was bustling with patrons almost every time I passed by. The hotel is located a short 10-minute taxi ride from Boystown, the heart of the LGBT community. This fall, the Art Institute of Chicago will present a tribute to Jeanne Gang, the developer of Radisson Blu and Aqua Tower. The exhibition titled, Building: Inside Studio Gang Architects will be on display from September 24 until February 24, 2013 in the museum’s Architecture and Design Galleries. The exhibit will feature over a dozen projects framed around four major issues facing contemporary architecture: its relationship to nature, questions of density, building community, and architecture as performance. In addition to Aqua Tower, SGA has developed other awe-inspiring projects including the Hyderabad O2, a highrise community in Hyderabad, India; an ecological revitalization project for Lincoln Park Zoo’s South Pond in Chicago; and

Harbor Knot, a concert venue, maritime museum, and public park designed for Kaohsiung, Taiwan. After an afternoon at the museum, head to Halsted Street, the heart of LGBT activity. The street is lined with dozens of gay bars, shops and restaurants perfect for a gaygetaway. The Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club is a premier destination venue for any occasion. The restaurant offers an innovative martini

the Brie Mushroom Burger and Halsted’s Homemade Shrimp Burger made with fresh shrimp mixed with peppers, onions and topped with an avocado and herb aioli. Boystown comes alive at sundown, where the streets are filled with revelers until the wee hours of the morning. There are almost too many gay bars to visit on one trip, but bar hopping is encouraged so you can feel the vibe of this wonderful destination. Start off

and cocktail menu, contemporary cuisine, entertainment by the world famous Kit Kat Divas and sleek decor. Entrees are given names of famous television and movie actors. Standouts include Gregory Peck, wagyu beef meatballs served with whole wheat spaghetti in a tomato-basil sauce. Another great selection is Bea Arthur, a delicious skirt steak accompanied by baby spinach, gorgonzola and bacon with a mustard vinaigrette. For traditional American fare, visit Halsted’s Bar & Grill where diners can choose from a large selection of starters and entrees including the restaurant’s famous selection of burgers. Some of my favorites included

at Sidetrack, the largest bar in the city, which features a great rooftop beer garden, and seven large rooms catering to nearly every musical taste and style. Just a few doors down is Minibar Ultra Lounge, one of my favorite destinations in the city. The cozy space is perfect for an evening cocktail with friends or a great opportunity to meet the locals in an intimate setting. The bartenders here as extremely friendly and pour great drinks. Roscoe’s is one of Chicago’s must-see venues and caters to a younger crowd. Food is served in the attached cafe next door and the outdoor patio gets packed in the summer. Check out the wet underwear contest the last

Thursday of each month hosted by drag diva Frida Lay. If partying isn’t your glass of vodka, catch a Cub’s game at Wrigley Field or during football season, head to Soldier Field and watch the Bears take on one of their NFC rivals for an experience not to be missed. You can’t truly experience Chicago without a trip to Navy Pier. The 50-acre oasis of entertainment, museums, activities, restaurants, and shops is the perfect place for some fun time with your partner or friends. The pier’s most eyecatching attraction is the 150-foot Ferris wheel, which offers great views of the city and Lake Michigan. Also check out the whimsical musical carousel, Wave Swinger lift-and-twirl ride, miniature golf course, and remote control boats. Catch a movie on Chicago’s largest movie screen at the IMAX Theater. Or take a dynamic high-speed motion thrill ride to Antarctica on the Transporter FX. Navy Pier is always a great place to spend the afternoon if this is your first time visiting the city. Just a brisk walk from the hotel is Millennium Park, located in the heart of downtown Chicago. The park is an award-winning center for art, music, architecture and landscape design. The result of a unique partnership between the City of Chicago and the philanthropic community, the 24.5-acre park features the work of world-renowned architects, planners, artists and designers. Among Millennium Park’s prominent features are the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue of its kind as well as the interactive Crown Fountain by Jaume Plensa and what locals refer to as “the bean.” While in Chicago, don’t forget to pick up a copy of GRAB Magazine or the Windy City Times for local LGBT news and events. Plan to stay a minimum of five days to truly experience all of the wonderful sites and attractions Chicago has to offer. For more information, ExploreChicago.org

visit

www.

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

FEATURE

Our Legal Man The Story of Shawn Newman By Donald Cavanaugh

rom the picture on his website, Shawn Newman could be your big brother, keeping his eye out for his little gay siblings; showing them the ropes of dealing with frightened parents, disapproving faith communities, the high school bullies, and more. The effect is reinforced when you meet him in person. Tall, calm and confident, Newman comes across as soft spoken and gentle. He’s extremely patient and explains the issues clearly, stopping for questions, probing the client’s understanding, making sure there are no surprises. Nevertheless, this gentleness belies a sharp mind, a persistent will and a conscientious compassion that asks the difficult questions today so you may avoid difficult consequences later on.

“Do you have a will?” he asks. “When was it last updated? How about powers of attorney? Civil union?” He doesn’t pepper you with these questions. They are asked conversationally, but he wants to be sure you know what could happen to you and/or your survivors if you don’t take steps now to avoid them. “Most of us have heard the stories about gay couples that didn’t make plans to protect joint assets and the deceased’s family stepping in and claiming everything,” he said. “Nothing is air tight but you have to be prepared to put up a good fight.” Newman was born a self-described “navy brat,” in San Diego where his father was stationed. The family moved to Missouri where he grew up — he went to college at Missouri State University, earning a

bachelors of science degree. He got a masters of business administration (MBA) from Kent State and his doctorate of law from Widner University School of Law in Wilmington, Delaware. “I was actually a late bloomer,” said Newman. “I went back to school when I was 40 and studied law. I became a patent attorney and hated it. It was just a lot of sliding paper around and totally lacked any human interaction. So I decided to pursue the law that affects people’s lives today and tomorrow.” He met his partner through friends in Delaware where they both worked for Dupont although they didn’t know each other at the company. They registered with Dupont as domestic partners but soon found out how little that meant when Newman’s partner needed knee surgery and Newman was denied family leave to care for him.

American Bar Association and the Broward County Bar Association. He’s a member in good standing of the Florida, New Jersey and District of Columbia Bars. He offers his services to clients in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach. Newman offers a free initial consultation and is available evenings and weekends, by appointment. If you or someone you know in Florida needs the assistance of an experienced Fort Lauderdale estate planning attorney, feel free to contact Newman at 954563-9160 In the interest of full disclosure, I have become a client of Shawn’s as a result of being asked to write this piece. As the reader can tell from the forgoing, I am very happy with Shawn’s work.

“That was when I realized I could do more with my law degree than paperwork,” he said. The couple moved to South Florida in 2008 and settled in Broward County. Newman opened his law firm in Wilton Manors. According to his website, he offers “service to individuals, life partners, traditional families, and small business owners in all aspects of estate planning and wealth preservation.” Newman sees himself as a simple family man. “Look,” he said, “my partner and I are just Ozzie and Ozzie with a dog for a child. That’s how we define our family. We’ve both been married before. We both came out in mid-life. We have kids and grandkids on my partner’s side. Some family members on both sides are fine with us; some are not. We work with that just like everybody else.” Newman is a member of the

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Salon 51 Oakland Park

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January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

SERIOUS DINING. HILARIOUS SATIRE. NOW PLAYING! Thursday - Saturday and select Sundays

For tickets and group discounts call Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office at 954.462.0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

A&E

Winter Arts Preview The South Florida Arts Scene is heating up! By J.W. Arnold

hen the temperatures dip up north, scores of vacationers and snowbirds flock to South Florida. While they are guaranteed a warm sun and pristine beaches, they also arrive at the peak of the arts season, with venues across the region packing their schedules with hot theatre, music and dance productions. Here’s a look at a few of the highlights to be found in South Florida this winter:

The reimagined 25th anniversary production of Boubil & Schonberg’s Les Miserables comes to the Arsht Center, Feb. 26 to March 3. Glorious new staging and sets inspired by paintings of Victor Hugo provide a fresh canvas for the musical that has thrilled fans around the world. From a team of producers including Jay-Z, and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, comes FELA! Directed by Bill T. Jones, this provocative hybrid of dance, theater and music explores the extravagant world of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, and has become an international sensation. Fela! runs March 19 to March 24. For tickets and more information, go to ArshtCenter. org.

Mary Poppins flies in to West Palm Beach’s Kravis Center, Jan. 29 to Feb. 3. Disney’s version of this classic tale is a little darker and definitely more adult, but a crowd pleaser, nonetheless. Billy Elliott the Musical then comes tapping on the stage, March 5 to March 10, in the tale of a young dancer who struggles with his working class British upbringing to pursue

his art. American Idol alum Constantine Maroulis takes on a challenging dual role in the hit Frank Wilder musical, Jekyll & Hyde, March 26 to 31. For tickets and more information, go to Kravis.org.

Photo by Kyle Froman

Miami-Dade

Palm Beach

the mystery writer are staged for the first time in this unique theatrical experience. In March, roll back the clock to the ‘80s with the first South Florida presentation of Flashdance at the Broward Center, March 5 to March 17. You’ll be singing and dancing to one of the biggest hits of the decade, “What a Feeling,” in this classic tale of a blue-collar working girl’s dreams and aspirations. For tickets and more information, go to BrowardCenter.org. Photo by Joan Marcus

With three world-class performing arts centers within 75 miles, South Florida always attracts the best Broadway touring shows. This year is no exception, as fans will have their picks of the biggest shows of the decade.

Broadway

Broward The Broadway hit, Wicked, comes back to South Florida for an extended run, Jan. 30 to Feb. 17, at the Broward Center. The story of Oz didn’t start when Dorothy arrived. It was just the latest chapter in the life of Elphaba, the “Wicked” Witch of the West. Agatha Christie’s Classic Mystery Series comes to Fort Lauderdale’s Parker Playhouse, Jan. 15 to Feb. 3. Original radio scripts by

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Jeanna de Waal as Glinda and Christine Dwyer as Elphaba

Billy Elliott the Musical — Kylend Hetherington (Billy) and the cast of “Billy Elliot the Musical.”

Regional Theater in bed and out. His fear of commitment is challenged when his trick du jour is transformed into a real pig and Johnny must find a way to change him back. For tickets and more information, go to IslandCityStage.org. The Broadway classic about “Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo.” gets a fresh retelling when Broward Stage Door in Coral Springs mounts Damn Yankees, Jan. 18 to Feb. 10. You’ll smile at the exploits of Joe Boyd as he sells his soul to the devilishly charming “Mr. Applegate” for the chance to dethrone the vaunted New York Yankees in this 1956 Best Musical winner.

information, go to PalmBeachDramaworks. org.

For tickets and more information, go to StageDoorTheatre.com.

Palm Beach The award-winning Palm Beach Dramaworks presents A Raisin in the Sun, a powerful, classic drama about how a substantial insurance payment could have life-changing consequences for a poor black family living on Chicago’s South Side in the 1950s. The Lorraine Hansberry play opens Feb. 1 and runs through March 3 at the company’s Clematis Street space in West Palm Beach. For tickets and more

Slow Burn Theatre excels at musicals, especially challenging, rarely produced shows. The next production in this plucky company’s fourth season is Sideshow, a musical based on the lives of Daisy and Violet Hilton, a circus act of conjoined twins who became famous stage performers in the 1930s. We can’t wait to see how they pull that one off at West Boca High School’s performing arts center, Feb. 1 to Feb. 10. For tickets and more information, go to SlowBurnTheatre.org.

Photo by Alexandre Dufaur

The South Florida theatre community is still reeling from the sudden closure in December of Plantation’s award-winning Mosaic Theatre, the most successful and consistent company in Broward County. Understandably, founding Artistic Director Richard Jay Simon and his wife, who are expecting their first child, felt he could not continue to lead the rigorous schedule necessary to run Mosaic and the theatre’s board could not envision a replacement. In just one year, Boca Raton’s Caldwell Theatre shuttered under the pressure of insurmountable debt and Deborah Sherman’s Promethean Theatre also closed before its budget dipped into the red. Theatre lovers in Broward County will have fewer offerings — Broward Stage and a couple of small companies that present at Fort Lauderdale’s Empire Stage are all that remain — but South Florida still largely remains strong.

Miami-Dade GableStage, in Coral Gables’ famed Biltmore Hotel, welcomes back local hometown boy, Tarell Alvin McCraney, for the award-winning playwright’s 90-minute adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, created for London’s Royal Shakespeare Company. The inventive show opens Jan. 12 and runs through Feb. 10. For tickets and information, go to GableStage.org. Across Town at the Miracle Theatre on Miracle Mile, Actors Playhouse offers up Other Desert Cities, Jan. 16 to Feb. 10 by Jon Robin Baitz, creator of television’s Brothers and Sisters. Artistic Director David Arisco scored a coup in landing the first opportunity in South Florida to produce this Broadway hit. For tickets and more information, go to ActorsPlayhouse. org.

Broward The trials and tribulations of gay relationships are explored in Pig Tale, the latest production from Island City Stage, Jan. 3 to Feb. 2 at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale. Andy Rogow directs this urban fairy tale about Johnny, a pig

Mary Carmen Catoya and Renato Penteado in Divertimento No. 15. Choreography by George Balanchine. © The George Balanchine Trust.

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

All eyes were on Miami City Ballet last fall as the company kicked off its first season with new Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez. The departure of Edward Villella, the company’s founding director, was messy, but the dancers rose above the controversy in dedication to their art. The season continues in January with Program II: Tradition and Innovation, including Euphotic, another explosive world premiere ballet from openly gay British dancer and choreographer, Liam Scarlett. The program is rounded out with masterworks by George Balanchine, Divertimento No. 15 and Duo Concertante, and Marius Petipa, Don Quixote Pas de Deux. Miami City Ballet presents Program II at the Arsht Center in Miami, Jan. 11 to Jan. 13; at Fort Lauderdale’s Broward Center, Jan. 18 to Jan. 20; and the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, Jan. 25 to Jan. 27. Miami City Ballet follows with Program III: The Masters in February, ballets set largely to music by great Russian composers including a new work by Alexei Ratmansky, Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, and three George Balanchine favorites, including Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky. Program III opens in South Florida at West Palm Beach’s Kravis Center, Feb. 22 to Feb. 24; Fort Lauderdale’s Broward Center, March 1 to March 3; and the Arsht Center in Miami, March 8 to March 10. For tickets and showtimes, go to MiamiCityBallet. org.

Broward Ballet Etoile returns to the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center on Jan. 10 with Edith Piaf, a tragically romantic biography of the famed 1940s French chanteuse told through contemporary dance, dramatic theater and live vocals of the diva’s most beloved songs. For tickets and more information, go to AventuraCenter.org.

Palm Beach Dance figures prominently in the winter season at Palm Beach State College’s Duncan Theatre in Lake Worth. With an eclectic score ranging from birdsong to Vivaldi, Momix reveals nature’s changing imagery in its inventive program, Botanica, Jan. 25 and 26. This is dance at its most organic and inventive. In March, the Duncan welcomes New York City’s athletic and exuberant Parsons Dance to the stage, March 22 and 23. For tickets and more information, go to DuncanTheatre.org.

Miami-Dade The joy of movement takes an entirely new context when Karen Peterson and Dancers take the stage. This unique company, in its 23rd season, commissions and produces work for dancers with and without special needs. Many of the dancers use their wheelchairs in amazing ways to express the human condition through motion. The group opens 2013 with “Classical Music Meets Contemporary Dance” at Pinecrest Gardens, featuring the Cross Town String Quartet. For more information, go to KarenPetersonDancers.org.

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Two South Florida orchestras are marking major anniversaries in 2013: Symphony of the Americas, one of Broward County’s major cultural institutions, marks its 25th anniversary, while the South Florida Symphony, formerly the Key West Symphony, celebrates 15 years.

Rachmaninoff, Richard Strauss, Sibelius and Debussy. The program will be presented at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, Jan. 12; Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale, Jan. 14; and Delray Beach’s Old School Square, Jan. 15. For tickets and more information, go to SouthFloridaSymphony.org.

The Symphony of the Americas kicked of a special observance, “25 Days of Music,” on Jan. 1 with 25 days of special surprise “flash mob” style performances, educational presentations in the schools and ticket giveaways, culminating in a gala at the Hyatt Pier Sixty-Six in Fort Lauderdale, Jan. 25. The Symphony also takes the stage of the Broward center’s Amaturo Theatre on Jan. 22 at 8:15 p.m. with violinist Roberto Cani for a program of classics. For tickets and more information, go to SymphonyoftheAmericas.org. “Epic Heroes and Their Goddesses” is the title of the South Florida Symphony’s January program. Under the baton of Maestro Sabrina Maria Alfonso and featuring pianist Natasha Paremski, the orchestra will present music by Photo by Karina

Dance

Classical Music Miami-Dade The amazing Cleveland Orchestra escapes the frigid winter temperatures for another three-concert residency at Miami’s Arsht Center. Violinist Joshua Bell is featured in the opening program of Beethoven and Shostakovich, Jan. 25 and 26. Garrick Ohlsson performs Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 on Feb. 1 and 2, in a program rounded out with Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. Finally, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (“Choral”) closes out the season on March 15 and 16, along with the Master Chorales of South Florida and Tampa Bay.

Broward The Ares Flores Symphony Orchestra presents an eclectic program of musical genres on Jan. 26 at the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Theater on the campus of Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. Selections range from Mozart, Vivaldi and Gershwin to tangos and innovative original works utilizing Spoken Word artists. For tickets and more information, go to MiniaciPAC.com.

Palm Beach In recognition of its 39th anniversary, the Palm Beach Symphony presents two famous 39th symphonies on Jan. 6 at the Henry Morris Flager Museum in Palm Beach. The program, entitled “Forever 39,” includes Dvorak’s Czech Suite, Op. 39; Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, composed in 1939; and symphonies composed by Mozart and Haydn. J. Ramon Tebar, resident conductor of the Florida Grand Opera, will lead the orchestra in this original program. For tickets and more information, go to PalmBeachSymphony.org.

ADVERTORIAL

Fort Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus welcomes back Director Dr. Gary Keating Founding director of chorus returns home

ver 26 years ago, Dr. Keating had a vision of a gay chorus for the state of Florida. While a gay chorus was not an original idea, it certainly was in Florida.

Box oﬃce 954-344-5990 www.CoralSpringsCenterfortheArts.com

He founded the original Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, which many years later changed its name to The Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus, out of respect for other South Florida area choruses. This chorus was the first established gay arts organization in the state of Florida and has gained respect and admiration from the community over the years, both gay and straight audiences.In 1996, Keating parted ways with the chorus to pursue other goals. Most recently, he came back to direct our June 2012 concert, “Comedy Tonight.” Knowing that we were in search of a new director, he wanted to “test the waters.” After three months of rehearsals and preparation and a two night run of the nearly sold out show, he said, “You guys woke something up in me and I can’t wait to come back!” Keating’s recent holiday concert titled “In The Spirit” was performed at the Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale.

About Dr. Gary E. Keating, D. M. A. : Keating earned his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of New Hampshire where he studied with Stanley Hettinger, Dr. Cleveland Howard, and Dr. Henry Wing. Both is Masters of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting were earned at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. While at UM, he studied with Dr. Lee Kjelson, Dr. Brian Busch, Dr. Donald Oglesby and Dr. Jo-Michael Scheibe. Keating has been active as a conductor and adjudicator for the Florida Vocal Association since arriving in South Florida in 1979. He began the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida in 1986, the first gay-oriented chorus in the state. He would later begin the South Florida Lambda Chorale, a mixed chorus, and assist with founding 5 other choruses in the state. He was also the Artistic Director for The Miami Oratorio Society, The Miami Gay Men’s Chorus, and The Barry University Chorale. Keating is the Director/conductor of the Choral/Vocal Magnet Program at Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School in Miami where he conducts four choruses, teaches voice, Advanced Placement Music Theory and Music Theory I and II.

Come Sing With Us!

The original Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus will be having voice placement interviews and would love to have you come sing with us!

Saturday, January 5th, 2013 @ 1 pm Monday, January 7th, 2013 @ 7:30 pm Saint Mark’s Church • 1750 E. Oakland Park Blvd. • Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33306 For more information visit www.theftlgmc.org or call 954.832.0060

Funding for this organization is provided in part by the Broward County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council.

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

By Brian Swinford

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

Theater Broward County *Jon Faddis Quartet

Jon Faddis is the consummate musician, conductor, composer, and educator. Time Out New York praises Faddis as “the world’s greatest trumpeter ... brash soloistic logic and breathtaking technical acuity.” Be sure to see Jon Faddis at the Broward Center on Jan 9, at 7:45 p.m. Visit Goldcoastjazz. org

*Stanley Jordan Trio

Stanley Jordan is the most gifted guitarists of his generation, renowned as the uncontested master of the spectacular two-handed tap technique that allows him to play rhythm and melody simultaneously. Jan. 12 at the Miniaci Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. Visit Miniacipac.com

*Ars Flores Symphony Orchestra

An innovative program of musical genres selected by audiences through surveys and Facebook suggestions during the past year. Selections range from Mozart, Vivaldi, Gershwin and tangos to original works performed by string quartets and rhythm sections with Spoken Word artists. At the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Theater on Jan. 26. Visit ArsFlores.com

Laffing Matterz at the Broward Center continues in the Abdo New River Room Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. and selected Sundays throughout the season at 4:30 p.m. Taking on the latest scandal, social media, current events and everything in-between, Laffing Matterz at the Broward Center combines the best of dinner theater with the hilarity of topical satire. Admission is $59 and $65 and includes the show and a dinner with house salad, a choice of entrée and warm sourdough bread. Visit BrowardCenter.org

Itzhak Perlman

Undeniably the reigning virtuoso of the violin, Itzhak Perlman returns to the Broward Center for an intimate new recital performance on Monday, Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Au-Rene Theater. A master of baroque, classical, romantic and modern music, Perlman has also delighted audiences with everything from the brave old world of klezmer to the limitless frontiers of jazz and beyond. His performances are “everything one wants a violin sound to be,” wrote veteran critic Andrew Porter in The New Yorker. Tickets are $35, $55, $75 and $95. Visit BrowardCenter.org

Palm Beach County *A Delicate Balance

Romeo and Juliet - Ballet in Two Acts

A Delicate Balance a play by Edward Albee will be held at DramaWorks through Jan. 6, This riveting play is about a wellto-do suburban family’s life is upended when friends, seized by a nameless terror, come to live with them in this unsettling, darkly comic Pulitzer Prize-winning drama. For more information visit Palmbeachdramaworks.org

Johnny Mathis

In this powerful, classic drama, a substantial insurance payment could have life-changing consequences for a poor black family living on Chicago’s South Side in the 1950s. This play is directed by Seret Scott and produced by Calla & Ralph Guild. At the Palm Beach Dramaworks on Feb 1- Mar 3. Visit Palmbeachdramaworks.org

“Romeo and Juliet,” choreographed and produced by Michael Lavrovsky. “Romeo and Juliet” is the ultimate Shakespearean tragic love story of the young lovers and the conflict between the Montague and Capulet families in the City of Verona. This play will be at the Parker Playhouse on Jan. 5 at 7:30 p.m. Visit BrowardCenter.org The world’s greatest romantic singer” and living legend Johnny Mathis will make his first stop of the near year in South Florida on Monday, Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for Performing Arts. His hits include “Chances Are;” “It’s not for me to say;” “Wonderful, Wonderful;” “Loving You;” and The Lion King’s rousing “They live in you.” Tickets range in price from $55 to $85 with Club Level seats for $125. Call 945-462-0222.

Agatha Christie’s The BBC Murders

Agatha Christie’s Classic Mystery Series The BBC Murders on Tuesday, Jan. 15 through Sunday, Feb. 3. Four Agatha Christie classics, Three Blind Mice, Yellow Iris, Butter in a Lordly Dish and Personal Call have been adapted for the stage by Judith Walcutt and David Ossman from lost BBC radio scripts. Tickets are $26.50 to $66.50. Showtimes vary. Call Rachel at 954-776-1999 ext. 230

An Evening With The Stars Of Doo Wop

Sunday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. The Doo Wop extravaganza will include stars such as Kenny Vance and The Planotones (“Looking For An Echo,”) Terry Johnsons Flamingos (“Only Have Eyes For You,”) Jimmy Clanton (“Venus In Blue Jeans”) and The Mystics (“Hush a Bye”). Tickets range in price from $41.50 to $61.50. Call Rachel 954-776-1999 ext. 230

Romeo and Juliet

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia presents Romeo and Juliet, the ultimate Shakespearean tragic love story, Friday, Jan. 4 and Saturday, Jan. 5 at 7:30 p.m. This two-act ballet is choreographed and produced by Michael Lavrovsky, principal dancer and choreographer of 25 years for the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Tickets are from $31.50 to $61.50. Call Rachel at 954-776-1999 ext. 230

Monty Python’s Spamalot

At the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Friday and Saturday, January 25 and 26 at 8 p.m. Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table and features a bevy of beautiful showgirls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits and French people. Tickets start at $25, $39, $49, $59 and $65 with Club Level seats available for $109. Call 954-462-0222

*A Raisin in the Sun

*Singing in the rain

This high-energy romantic comedy overflows with splashy song-and-dance numbers, including glorious songs such as “Good Morning,” “Make ‘Em Laugh” and the show-stopping title number, “Singin’ In the Rain.” The golden age of movie musicals comes alive as we follow silent movie actor Don Lockwood’s journey into the talkies of the late 1920s. At Maltz Jupiter Theatre on Jan. 8 730pm. Visit www.JupiterTheatre. org/

Camelot

Master Playwrights Series, the new series will kick off on with four concert performances of Camelot, the final Broadway musical from the legendary writing team of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe on Jan.11 at 8 p.m., Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. Be sure to catch this amazing musical at the DramaWorks Playhouse. Call 561- 233-9918

Bob Lappin & The Palm Beach Pops

Broadway leading actress Christine Andreas joins the orchestra with a tribute to the great ladies of The American Songbook including Ethel Merman, Barbara Streisand, Judy Garland and more. At the FAU Carole & Barry Kaye Aud. on Jan. 5-6. Visit BrowardCenter.org

Songs of John Lennon

Created and led by Rex Fowler of Aztec Two-Step and Tom Dean of Devonsquare, this unique and compelling 8-piece band honors the genius and artistry of John Lennon in a thoughtful tribute that often inspires a whole new appreciation of the man and his music. Included are exquisite renditions of Lennon’s Beatles songs, plus selections from his solo years. At the Kravis Center on Jan. 4 at 630 p.m. Visit Kravis.org

Musical Theatre Masters Series

Palm Beach Dramaworks, (201 Clematis Street/ West Palm Beach), announces new Musical Theatre Masters Series. Modeled after PBD’s very popular Master Playwrights Series, the new series will kick off on Jan. 11-13. The series will be directed by Clive Cholerton, Musical director for Camelot is Caryl Fantel. All tickets are $35.00. Call 561-514-4042 or visit Palmbeachdramaworks.org

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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

Miami-Dade *Ballet – Edith Piaf

Ballet Etoile presents “Edith Piaf” at the Aventura Arts and Cultural Center on Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. - a tragically romantic biography of famed 1940’s singer told through contemporary dance, live singing and dramatic theatre. This ballet drama shows several episodes from the life of the famous French chansonniere and attempts to bring the phenomenon of Piaf closer to the audience: her life on the streets of Paris; first professional success; her misfortune in love and her fall from grace; alcohol and drug problems and her return to the stage. Visit BrowardCenter.org

*All New People

From Zach Braff, the writer, director and lead of the hit film Garden State and star of the long-running TV comedy “Scrubs,” All New People is a fresh look at unexpected and accidental friendships that arise in life’s most trying moments. Charlie is having a tough time with life and, on his 35th birthday, decides to call it quits. Ruining his plans is a parade of hilariously odd but engaging characters who are somehow sent to save his life. At the Carnival Studio Theatre on Jan 10, at 7:30 p.m. Visit Arshtcenter.org

Forbidden Broadway: 30th Anniversary Tour

From to Phantom to Wicked, this fall-down funny, satirical roast of over 30 Broadway hits has outrageous costumes, silly spoofs of songs you know by heart and madcap impressions. New spoofs include Patti LuPone in Gypsy and Grease, “You’re the One That I Hate!” This Spoof musical will be at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center on Jan. 4 -5. Times Vary. For more information visit BrowardCenter.org

Mary Poppin’s

Beginning Jan. 1 at 8 p.m. the world’s most famous nanny will arrive at the Ziff Ballet Opera House at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. This spectacular hit has astonished more than seven million people worldwide with its pure Broadway magic. Mary Poppins is one of the biggest stage musical successes in recent years to come out of London and New York. Visit Arshtcenter.org

New World Symphony presents Jubilant Beethoven New World Symphony presents Jubilant Beethoven at the Knight Concert Hall at the Arsht Center on Jan 5 at 8pm. Atlanta Symphony Orchestra music director Robert Spano returns to NWS with a flourish in Beethoven’s exuberant yet poignant Seventh Symphony. Power and virtuosity collide when Yefim Bronfman takes on Bartók’s demanding Second Piano Concerto. Visit Arshtcenter.org

An Affair of the Arts Performance and Gala

The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) will honor director and choreographer Debbie Allen, violinist Joshua Bell and actor and alumnus Adrian Grenier at An Affair of the Arts Performance and Gala on Saturday, Jan. 12, held in Downtown Miami at the Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts and the Historic Alfred I. DuPont Building. Contact Ellen Gray at 305-377-1140 X1208 or Email: egray@ youngarts.org

Broadway in Miami 2012-13

This season Ziff Ballet Opera House through May 12 will hold the Broadway In Miami spectacle. Experience the return of the world’s greatest musical spectacle - Les Misérables - in its lavish new 25th anniversary production, along with the Miami premieres of Broadway’s biggest fun-filled hits - including the high-stepping Mary Poppins, the outlandishly colorful Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the awesomely cool Rock of Ages, and - the 2010 Tony Award Winner for Best Musical - Memphis, a triumph of explosive dancing and powerhouse songs. Visit Arshtcenter.org

Community Calendar Broward County

*Auditions for Gay Men’s Chorus

The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida will hold auditions for new members at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 5, and at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 7, at the Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 SW 9th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. Click the “Sing With Us” tab at gmcsf. org or call 954-851-2299.

*Denotes new listing

Mack Power Lunch

Mack Planet’s Power Lunch will be held at the China Grill at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina. The Mack Power Lunch will be held on Jan. 8 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. At the beginning of every Power Lunch there is approximately 30 minutes to introduce yourself and chat with fellow attendees in a social setting. There may be a very brief presentation by an event sponsor to share insights and industry information. Then the rest of our time is enjoying lunch and breaking the ice to develop professional friendships with everyone around you. Visit Mackplanet.com

Water, Sports and Travel Festival

The first-ever Water, Sports & Travel Festival, presented by leading water sports organizations will be held at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center and several locations throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale from April 26-28, 2013. The Festival exhibition will feature four co-located shows including “The Board Show”, “The Dive Show”, “The Boating & Water Toys Show”, and “The Travel Show.” Visit Wstfest.com

Floral Designs for the Holidays

“Flower Designs for the Holidays”. Janice Hamlin, Master Flower Show Judge from the Manatee River Garden Club in Bradenton, Florida will inspire us by demonstrating the creation of flower designs for the holidays. Call 954-561-8475. Visit FLGardenClub@gmail.com

LGBT Quit Smoking Groups - Free Nicotine Patches

Did you know that LGBT people are more likely to smoke than most any other population group in the United States? Being around other Smokers can make it more difficult for people in our communities to quit. But many of us are trying, and the Quit Smoking Now Program in Wilton Manors is here to show us how to quit and stay without smoking. Visit My.vcita.com/myquitcoach QuitsmokingWM. com or call 305-942-6378

The 6th Annual I Care I Cure…I Run 5K

The 6th Annual I Care I Cure…I Run 5K and Family Fun Day! is on Sunday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 a.m. at the BB&T Center (formerly BankAtlantic Center), 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise, Florida. Register online at: www.icareicure.org, Adults $25 and Children $20. The I Care I Cure Childhood Cancer Foundation supports the development of, and raises public awareness about, cutting-edge research for targeted therapies for childhood cancer. Contact Sue Trilling at 800-807-8013

Island City-Wide Yard Sale

Annual Island city-wide yard sale. The Yard Sales are held at Hagen Park, 2020 Wilton Drive, on the second Saturday of the month through April 2013 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The City Yard Sales spaces will be available to purchase. Takes place Jan. 12 and February 9. Last year, the yard sales hosted from 60 to 90 vendors, so register early while there is still space. More info call the Leisure Services Department at 954-390-2115 or 954-390-2130.

Color Vibe 5K

Color Vibe 5k run is coming to Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 5. At the Color Vibe 5k run, YOU are the color canvas, and when you’re finished with us you’ll be an exciting and vivid masterpiece. So tag your friends and hook everybody up with the coolest 5k run to hit the streets. This is one amazing color blast you won’t want to miss! Event begins at 9 a.m. The Color Vibe Ft. Lauderdale 5k run will take place at the Central Broward Regional Park in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Visit TheColorVibe.com

The Four Noble Truths

We all have certain things that feel to us like true sources of happiness, but which in reality have caused us no end of suffering, time and time again. It is our mind of attachment that continues to deceive us, causing us to relate to these things in mistaken ways, and leading us straight into problems and misfortune. Learn how to break this cycle. $10/class or $30/ series includes vegetarian food after class, members free. Visit MeditationInFortLauderdale.org

Pozitive Attitudes Topic driven Peer lead support group for gay and bisexual men who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. Meets every Wednesday 7-9 p.m. at the Pride Center 204 N.Dixie Hwy Room 204. Refreshments, no charge, open meeting. PAHereandNow@aol.com www.PozitiveAttitudes.com

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Queer Youth Friday Nights

LGBTQ and allied youth group for people13-21. This Is a drop in group anytime from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. This youth group will be SunServe building on 1480 SW 9th Ave on the second floor. A Safe Space to be yourself! Queer Themed Movie showing at 7 p.m. on Friday nights. This group is a safe hangout to meet new friends, free Wi-Fi to bring your laptop or your iPad, plus board games that you can bring or play the ones that they provide at the group. Visit Sunserve.org/youth/index.htm

GLBX Business Advantage Referral Group

GLBX Business Advantage Referral Group will be held at the chamber offices on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 8 to 9 a.m. The leads group is looking for additional members. If you are interested joining, please contact Ken Stollar at Kenneth.Stolar@sci-us.com to see if your category is open and to attend as a guest. Visit Ftlchamber.com/index. php?src=gendocs&ref=GLBX_home&category=GLBX

Queer Youth Nights

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

Latinos Salud’s programs

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

Man2Man Discussion

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

Meditation After Work

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

Buddhist Meditation Classes

Survivor Support

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

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

Eating Disorder Support

Dream Car Classic

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

Every Sunday of the month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pre-1980s classic cars, modern classics and custom cars from 1981-2012 will be showcased. $10 car registration from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (Show Car Entrance: 20th Avenue & Tyler Street). People’s Choice Award - 2 Classes; Top Ten Vehicles Award. Call 954214-2457

Meets Friday evenings from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. At Sun Serve’s Wilton Manors location at 2123 Wilton Drive, second floor. A “drop-in” psycho-educational support group. Free. No registration required. Donations welcome. Call 954-764-5150

Sunday Jazz Brunch

Young Adult GLBT

A social group open to all LGBT people ages 18-35. Meets Fridays at the Pride Center in Wilton Manors from 7:15-9 p.m. Meeting starts with a discussion on current events followed by introductions and then a group activity. Visit PrideCenterFlorida.org/contact-us

Boardwalk Friday Fest

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

Toastmasters

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

Living Healthy

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

Life Coaching

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

Sex & Love Anonymous

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

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Full Charge Bookkeeping Services

YOGA Among the Orchids

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

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

Gay Male Empowerment

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 561-4042011. Visit OrchidWeb.org

*Denotes new listing

Man2Man Discussion

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 Borland Unveiled

PFLAG

The Borland Center for Performing Arts invites you to join us with free food, drinks, and live music in celebration of our 2013 unveiling! At The Borland Center we can offer a variety of room types and sizes available within our 10,000 square-foot flexible space for your special occasion. The elegant and contemporary space is unique to Palm Beach Gardens, FL. On Jan 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Borland Center for Performing Arts, Palm Beach Gardens. Visit TheBorlandCenter.org

SunServe Therapy Groups

*Speaker Luncheon - Palm Beach Round Table

Topic discussions include issues and concerns about being a gay man in South Florida. Meets Thursdays at the Pride Center from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Call 954-353-9155 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 Provided for the LGBT community at SunServe on a regular basis. Call the Intake Coordinator at 954-764-5150 to learn which therapy groups have openings. Groups Include a Gay Men’s HIV+ Long Time Survivors’ Group, a Safe “T” support group for gender variant adults, an Intimate Partner Abuse group and others. Visit SunServe.org

Fusion Wilton Manors - Connections

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

Women4Women Support

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

On Jan.10 the Palm Beach Round Table will hold a Speaker Luncheon beginning at 11:30 am at The Beach Club in Palm Beach with Guest Speaker John Browne, Former Member of Parliament. An area high school choir will perform and receive a scholarship grant. Call 561-832-6418, Email info@ palmbeachrt.com.

Lake Worth Bike Night

The Lake Worth bike night is fun, and it’s for a cause. Join loads of people in downtown Lake Worth every Thursday from 7 p.m.10 p.m.. The event is free and open to bikers and non-bikers. Visit Lakeworthbikenight.com

Alternative Life Style Show Featured guests contribute to the community. All are welcomed to call in. Many give aways and prizes including a contest for free buffets at Isle Capri Casino in Pompano. You can also listen by adding W4CYRADIO to SKYPE or call in at 561-6239429. Up coming spotlights on parties of interest and special events.

PFLAG

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

New Alternatives

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

Sober Sisters AA

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

PBC Gender Support

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

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 p.m. Residents $40 per 8 week session, Non-Residents $50 per 8 week session, Drop-ins $10 per class. To register, please call 561-804-4902.

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

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

nightlife Broward County 321-Slammer

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

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

Atomic Boom

Yoga

2209 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, (954) 567-5978. Large bar/ nightclub, amazing drink specials in Wilton Manors! Wednesday’s after 9 p.m. $10 Miller Lite Beer Bust

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

Bill’s Filling Station

Boardwalk

1721 N. 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 9 p.m. $3 U-Call-It Shots

The Club Fort Lauderdale

Bathhouse. 110 NW 5th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL, (954) 5253344 Good. Clean. Fun. 1/2 price rooms...Tuesday Nights and 1/2 price Lockers. Thursdays Nights. Always busy.

Clubhouse II

Driving 101

On January 11, from 9AM-5PM drive a real NASCAR race car from some of NASCAR’s greatest stars at the Miami International Speedway! The fleet consists of actual race cars that have been driven by current NASCAR drivers including Jimmie Johnson, Dale Jr, Jeff Gordon and other NASCAR favorites. For more info: (877)-RACE-LAP (722-3527)

Kart Racing Tour

On Feb. 8-10, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. enjoy The Florida Winter Tour which is one of the world’s largest, and longest running kart racing programs. In 2012 the FWT featured over 400 drivers from 28 countries and all six karting continents, and for the 5th consecutive year was the world’s largest official Rotax Max Challenge series and event. General admission viewing is free. Pit passes are $10. Call 305-469-6188

Taste of Miami

It’s time to dust off those bell bottoms and grab those platform shoes for the 4th Annual Taste of Miami event -- Saturday Night Feeder. Takes place Saturday, Jan. 12 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Hosted by the LGBT Visitors Center. Contact Karen Brown at 305-397-8914 or email her at Karen@gogaymiami.com

Ransom Mondays

Need an excuse to keep partying well after the weekend is over? The Monday-night party at the recently renovated Collins Park lounge. This amazing party will take place at Mokai in Miami Beach. The party, hosted by Mark Lehmkuhl, sort of takes now-defunct Bella Rose’s Black Sunday murder mystery theme but gives it a Patty Hearst twist. Every week, some prominent nightlife fixture gets held for ransom, and the only way it gets returned is if you party your ass off. Only $20 to attend. Visit Mokaimiami.com

Rainbow Circle

Rainbow Circle is a peer-led LGBTQ support & discussion group. Topics covered often include coming out, relationships, bullying, peer pressure, drugs & alcohol, depression and selfesteem. You pick and develop discussion topics and are able to express your thoughts and feelings without fear in a safe and supportive environment. This group will take place every Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the University of Miami, Flipse Building #302. Visit Pridelines.org

Sex Talk

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

Sex Talk: Peer Health Educators are young LGBTQ adults who learn how to talk to other young adults about sex, sexuality and HIV/STD prevention. You’ll conduct outreach events, record video messages, participate in a series of performances and organize special events with a purpose. This event takes place the second and fourth Thursday every month at Pridelines Headquarters located at 9526 NE 2nd Ave #104 In Miami Shores from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visit Pridelines.org

Bathhouse. 2650 E. Oakland Park Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, Florida (954) 566-6750. A Private Club for Bi/Gay men. “Bear and Friends” Thursday $5 Off a room 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday Leather Night - $5 off for those in full leather gear.

Corner Pub Bar

1915 N. Andrews Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33311, (954) 564-7335. Redefining what a bar should be. Thursday’s margarita madness $4, Monday’s “Underwear Night. 2 for 1” until 9:30 p.m.

Cubby Hole

823 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 728-9001. The Cubby Hole is one of Fort Lauderdale’s most unique and popular Neighborhood bar for men. Underwear Wednesday’s. “Boxers n’ Briefs” get 2 for 1 drinks 9 p.m. to 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

Dudes Bar

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

Georgie’s Alibi

2266 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, (954) 565-2526. Fort Lauderdale’s best & longest happy hour. Wednesdays $2 Domestics & $1 Schnapps after 9 p.m.

Johnny’s

1116 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, (954) 522-5931. Monday Dragon with TP Lords, Daisy D. and DJ Rob Sky Some of the hottest guys around with great happy hour drink specials. Bring all your friends to this sexy Bar.

The Manor

2345 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (954) 626 0082 - Come Dine, Dance, Drink, Mingle and of course Relax. 2 for 1 happy hour Tues-Friday 3 to 9 p.m. Indoor/Outdoor Dining. Dance the night away Thursday through Sunday. Live music Wed., Fri., Sat., Sun. Visit themanorcomplex.com

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.

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Mona’s

502 E. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 5256662. The eclectic décor and a friendly staff makes. Mona’s a great place to have fun in Fort Lauderdale. Thursday’s College Boy’s Night 8 p.m. Enjoy College Boy’s Choice 2 for 1

Monkey Business

2740 North Andrews Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33311. (954) 5147819. The Monkey Business Bar is a Small Outdoor Bar Among The Shops Just off Marina Blvd. No Frills But Comfortable and a Great Place to Stop and Meet Good People. Happy Hour 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Naked Grape Wine Bar

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

New Moon

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

Palm Beach County

The Cottage (Tea-Dance Sundays)

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

Fort Dix

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

H.G. Rooster

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

Mara (Thurs-Sat)

1132 North Dixie Highway, Lake Worth FL $3 Drinks. No Cover. Open till 5 a.m. Ladies night on Thursdays and Karaoke on Fridays.

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.

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

Scandals Country Western Bar

25 Northeast 2nd Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33483 954-801-3247. Delray Beach’s only gay bar. Mon - Sun: 4 p.m. - 2 a.m. Awesome Drink Specials.

Sidelines Sports Bar

Miami-Dade

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

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 underwear.

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.

Village Pub & Piano Bar

2283 Wilton Dr. Wilton Manors, FL 33305, 754-200-5244 Villagepubwm.com Looking for a relaxing place to spend the early afternoon? Or perhaps you want to come in and “work?” We have incredibly fast WiFi, complimentary outlets for you to power up your phone or laptop AND 2-4-1 Happy Hour Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Club Space

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

Club Sugar

2301 SW 32nd Ave, Miami, Florida, 33145, (305) 443-7657. All the sweetness you’ll need in one club. Every Thursday “drag wars” with TP Lords. $5 house drinks & $4 Domestic beers all night.

Discotekka

950 NE 2nd Ave, Downtown Miami, Florida 33132,(305) 3509084. One of the best night clubs In Miami. Every Saturday the hottest DJ’s from the top performers. Drink Special Every Saturday

Johnny’s

Miami 62 NE 14 Street Downtown Miami Florida (305) 640-8749. Open Wed. through Sun. The hottest men in the universe strip shows nightly from 6 p.m. sexy from wall to wall. Free entrance. Free parking. Free VIP rooms. Featuring the Hottest Male Dancers and The Best VIP ROOMS and always $5 Drinks. Full Lineup at ed at http://www.Facebook.com/JohnnysMiami

January 2, 2013 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com