V4i40

SAGEworks Comes to South Florida 12

‘My HIV Diary’ Closes Chapter 17

Profile: YES Institute 28

local name, global coverage

october 2, 2013 // vol. 4 // issue 40

SFGN Celebrates

LGBT History Month Icons, movies & more, check out SFGN’s special LGBT history section each week in October page 24-27

New LGBT Homeless Youth Coalition 10

SFGN.com //

soflagaynews

Hispanic PrideFest This Weekend 22

//

SouthFloridaGayNews

Top 3 on SFGN.com

SouthFloridaGayNews.com

October 2, 2013 • Volume 4 • Issue 40 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com Chief Executive Officer • Pier Angelo Guidugli Associate publisher • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com

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

Rubio Blasted for Blocking Black, Gay Judicial Nominee

Editorial

The gay rights group Equality Florida is criticizing U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, for blocking the nomination of Miami-Dade Circuit Judge William Thomas to a federal judgeship in the district that includes Broward County.

Thomas would have been the nation’s first openly gay black judge.

But since his involvement

comprehensive immigration reform through in

pushing

the Senate, Rubio’s popularity among conservatives has plunged. He may run for president in 2016, so he’s been seeking to shore up his credentials with the Republican Party’s base. Among his recent actions: going on the offensive against Obamacare and stopping

the Thomas nomination.

“Once again, we see Senator Rubio playing politics when it comes to what’s best for Florida,” Equality Florida CEO Nadine Smith said in a statement. “He is keeping a qualified nominee from the bench to appease extremists.”

From our media partner Sun Sentinel

Barilla President Issues Video Apology The head of Barilla pasta issued a new apology and said he will meet with gay groups, adding he “has much to learn” about the evolution of the family.

Guido Barilla, president of Barilla, said on an Italian radio program last week that he wouldn’t feature same-

sex couples in his company’s commercials because he prefers the “traditional” family. The company quickly issued a statement apologizing for the comment.

Now Barilla has posted a video of him apologizing in English on its Facebook page.

“Through my entire life I

have always respected every person I’ve met, including gays and their families, without any distinctions,” he said. “I’ve never discriminated against anyone.” He said the was “depressed and saddened” by the reaction to his comments.

From our media partner CNN

Online Producer • Dennis Jozefowicz

1

& 2

because “it hits so close to home for me.”

Wagner is among the minority this week at the U.S. Olympic Committee’s media summit, where more than 100 athletes are gathering for interviews.

The USOC says it disagrees with the law but a boycott is

out of the question. That’s fine with gold-medal bobsledder Steve Holcomb. He figures that would be playing into the hands of the Russians, who would be happy to see their main competition cleared out of the way.

From the Associated Press

2

Jesse Monteagudo Tony Adams Correspondents

Andrea Dulanto • Donald Cavanaugh Gideon Grudo • Dori Zinn • Sean McShee Gary Kramer • David-Elijah Nahmod Chris Persaud • Christiana Lilly Caity Kauffman

Contributing Columnists

Sales & Marketing

Director of Sales and Marketing • Mike Trottier mike.trottier@sfgn.com Community Outreach Coordinator • John Fugate john.fugate@sfgn.com

Sales Manager • Justin Wyse justin.wyse@sfgn.com Classifieds Sales Associate • Adrain Evans adrain.evans@sfgn.com

Advertising Sales Associate • Edwin Neimann edwin.neimann@sfgn.com Distribution Services Manager • Brian Swinford National Advertising Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping

3

Pakistan’s Gays in Dark After Muslim Nation’s First Gay Website Blocked Queer Pakistan, which went online in July, confirmed on Twitter saying, “QueerPK is banned from viewership in Pakistan.”

soflagaynews //

Senior Features Correspondents

J.R. Davis Pompano Bill Steven Shires

Cher Q&A: On Her New Tour, ‘Sloppy’ Miley, and Leather Jackets Gay icon talks new album and new tour

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

Arts/Entertainment Editor • JW Arnold jw@prdconline.com

Staff Photographers

Three More Quickies to Wake You Up

Alicia Keys: Let’s fight HIV together Singer pens opinion piece on fighting AIDS

Graphic Specialist • Mark Pauciullo Artwork@sfgn.com

Brian McNaught • Dana Rudolph • David Webb Ric Reily •Wayne Besen • Victoria Michaels

Champion Figure Skater Speaks Up On Anti-Gay Law Unlike many American Olympic hopefuls, figure skater Ashley Wagner has no problem expressing her feelings about Russia’s new anti-gay law.

The U.S. champion has gay family members and friends. She wants to talk about her dislike of the law

Social Media Director • Sergio N. Candido sergio.candido@sfgn.com

Cover

American journalist, author, and television personality, Anderson Cooper Photo Courtesy of Anderson Cooper’s Facebook South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, 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, 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©2013 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

Associated Press Florida Press Association National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association

SouthFloridaGayNews

news local

A LWAYS

Out HGTV Star Criticized for Hosting Local Salvation Army Fundraiser Openly gay HGTV star David Bromstad has come under fire for planning to host an upcoming event for the Salvation Army,

Towleroad reports.

Facebook to defend himself:

Dear fans, I’ve read your feedback on my participation with The Salvation Army USA, as an openly gay person who just happens to also be a celebrity, I took the Salvation Army’s request to participate in their fundraiser as one step in the right direction towards equality,” he wrote. “If we simply separate ourselves from

HGTV star David Bromstad Photo courtesy of David Bromstad’s Facebook

those that we assume oppose us or our beliefs then we will never make strides in the right direction. I applaud the Salvation Army’s symbolic handshake towards acceptance and would be foolish to not extend my hand in acceptance.”

From our media partner EDGE

PHOTO BY JASON BELL

On Oct. 18, Bromstand, best know for hosting the HGTV show “Color Splash,” will host the Red Shield ReDesign Bash in [Wilton Manors], Fla., but has drawn criticism from some fans for his participation in the event.

The Salvation Army has a history of antigay behavior — homeless LGBT people have complained that the organization has turned them down over their sexual orientation, while others have said they were discriminated against in the hiring process.

After several of Bromstand’s fans expressed disappointment with his involvement with the Salvation Army, the designer took to

Starring john o'hurley from "Dancing with the Stars" & "Seinfeld"

OctOber 9-20 brOWArD ceNter browardcenter.org or 954-462-0222 Groups 10+: 954-626-7814 or 954-462-0222 presents

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

3

News Briefs +George H.W. Bush Witnesses Gay Marriage George H.W. Bush was an official witness to a same-sex marriage this past weekend in Maine, a spokesman for the former president told CNN. Bush and his wife attended the

wedding of two friends, Helen Thorgalsen and Bonnie Clement, as private citizens, said spokesman Jim McGrath.

“He signed the marriage license after an impromptu request from

the couple,” McGrath said.

The news of the witnessing became public after one of the brides posted a picture Sunday on Facebook showing the former president signing the document.

+

+

Controversy Surrounds Elton John’s Upcoming Performance in Moscow

Elton John has received some flack ever since deciding to perform in Moscow in December, just a few months before the Winter Olympics in Sochi. But in an interview with NPR on last Tuesday, the singer explains his reasoning and what he plans (not) to say to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the government.

“On one hand, I want to say, ’I’m not going and you can go to hell, you guys.’

But that’s not helping anyone who’s gay or transgendered over there. I’ve been going to Russia since 1979,” John said. “I’ve been going quite frequently, and I’ve always had a wonderful rapport with the Russian audiences and with the Russian people. And you know there are a lot of great Russian people out there who are outraged by what’s going on, but they don’t have – I don’t want to abandon them.”

Instead of simply making a statement at the show, the musician said that he would find it “much more fulfilling to try and meet with people in Moscow and say ’ Listen, this is just, you know, this is silly. It’s a reactionary knee-jerk thing. It’s harming your reputation in the rest of the world. It’s not doing you any good. There has to be some discussion here. What you’re doing is outrageous.’”

Some have been critical of John’s decision to sing in Russia, including America Blog, which wrote, “No one wants to see the Russian government use the world’s most famous gay as proof that they’re really not anti-gay at all, and that their anti-gay ’propaganda’ law, and the proposed law to take children away from gay parents, aren’t really that bad because, hey, gay Elton is coming to sing! So what about all the young gay kids getting kidnapped, raped and murdered!”

4

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

“Getting our marriage license witnessed!” wrote Thorgalsen to accompany the photograph.

Same-sex marriage became legal in Maine last year.

From our media partner CNN

Alabama’s 1st Openly Gay Lawmaker Marries Partner

Alabama’s first openly gay legislator has married her longtime partner at a ceremony in Massachusetts.

Al.com reports (http://bit.ly/15TtF20) that Rep. Patricia Todd wed Jennifer Clarke on Sept. 14 in Provincetown, Mass.

Clarke’s 25-year-old daughter, a third-year law student, officiated the ceremony.

The Birmingham lawmaker said she got teary when they went to get their marriage license in Massachusetts, and teared up again during the ceremony.

The couple met eight years ago when Clarke clicked on a pop-up ad for the social side of a political web site. After dating for a year, Clarke moved to Alabama after Todd was elected to the House of Representatives in 2006.

From the Associated Press

+

Countries Seek to End Discrimination

A group of 11 countries called on

U.N. member states to repeal laws George H.W. Bush Photo courtesy of POTUS

You can read, or listen to, John’s full NPR interview here. He discusses coming to terms with his own sexuality, using drugs and Liberace.

But adding another twist in the saga is a group of Russian parents urging President Vladimir Putin to cancel the upcoming concert by Elton John because he will violate the country’s controversial “homosexual propaganda” law, according to Reuters.

“The singer intends to come out in support of local sodomites and break the current Russian law, directed at protecting children,” the Russian parents, who are from soflagaynews //

the central Ural region, reportedly wrote in the open letter to Putin.

Shortly before John stated he’d be going to Russia, pop icon Cher announced that she turned down a chance to perform at the Olympics because she did not agree with the “homosexual propaganda” law.

“I can’t name names, but my friend called who is a big oligarch over there, and asked me if I’d like to be an ambassador for the Olympics and open the show,” Cher said. “I immediately said no. I want to know why all of this gay hate just exploded over there.”

From our media partner EDGE

SouthFloridaGayNews

that discriminate against gay, lesbian and transgender people, in the world organization’s highest-level meeting on the issue ever.

“Those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender must enjoy the same human rights as everyone else,” said the declaration of the LGBT Core Group, which includes the United States, Japan, Israel and eight European and Latin American nations.

“Advancing equality for LGBT persons isn’t just the right thing to do,” Secretary of State John Kerry said in his statement at the meeting. “It’s also fundamental to advancing democracy and human rights.”

From the Associated Press

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

5

2012 BMW M6 Convertible

Call Charles Meek to Test Drive a Certified Pre-Owned BMW or Volkswagen Alternative Financing Available

6

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

7

news local

SAGEWorks Comes to South Florida Jesse Monteagudo

SAGEWorks is a national work readiness program for LGBT mature workers, ages forty and older, who need or want to return to the work place. The mission of SAGEWorks is “to improve the capacity of LGBT older adults to remain productive, vital and contributing members of the nation’s work force.”

Now in its fourth year, SAGEWorks has programs in Chicago, New York City, Denver, Philadelphia, and Palm Springs.

Now, thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation, SAGEWorks has come to South Florida, as a program managed and administrated by The Pride Center in

8

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

conjunction with SAGE USA, SAGE of South Florida, AARP and The Walmart Foundation.

According to Hilary Meyer, SAGE Director of National Programs, “SAGE was first introduced to the Walmart Foundation several years ago, when we joined a number of other national diverse elder organizations in a panel presentation to Walmart managers about diversity an aging issues.

The panel was organized by AARP. As a result of our participation in that panel, we learned about the Walmart Foundation and its interest in funding programs that support older workers who need help maintaining

soflagaynews //

and growing their job skills.

SAGE went through Walmart Foundation’s application process, and was awarded a grant for SAGEWorks.”

“SAGEWorks is designed to help LGBT workers age forty and up maintain and grow their job skills so that they can remain productively employed as long as they need to.” Mayer says.

“The SAGEWorks program is critically important because financial security is a central concern for LGBT older people, who are more likely to live in poverty. For LGBT people over forty, job security is complicated by the intersections of LGBT discrimination, the lack SAGEworks is a national work readiness program for LGBT mature workof legal protections in the ers, ages forty and older, who need or want to return to the work place. workplace, and ageism,” she Photo courtesy of longislandwins adds. “To help LGBT older Program with a series of three two-hour adults stay competitive and fulfilled in today’s job market, SAGEWorks orientations that were held this past August. provides hands-on workshops on topics Those interested in participating in any part such as resume building and interviewing of the program needed to enroll in these techniques; technology training; and orientations.” Williams managed publicity, personal coaching. The program also enrollments and held meetings with interested provides targeted job listings, networking individuals. Williams notes that, “in response opportunities, and connections to regional to our publicity, we were overwhelmed with hundreds of interested parties.” employers and industries.”

The orientations provided access to the In South Florida, SAGEWorks is managed

by Bruce Williams, The Pride Center’s Senior program and immediate enrollment in the Services Coordinator. According to Williams, AARP WorkSearch Program. This is “an on“SAGE of South Florida, a completely line system that enables the user to selfvolunteer organization, had assessed their assess their job skills, to match those skills resources and determined they did not have to various professions, to seek and obtain the infrastructure to administer the program. training and to search for area jobs.”

According to Williams, “those individuals Because The Pride Center and SAGE of South Florida have a long, successful history who completed orientation are eligible to of collaboration, SAGE of South Florida and enroll in our ten week computer course.”

SAGE USA approached The Pride Center The computer classes are taught by Ken about coordination the program. The Pride Goodman, who is also President of SAGE Center exhibits a proven track record of of South Florida, with the assistance of effective grant management and program several Pride Center volunteers. Williams administration and had the space and staff adds that “those interested individuals who resources to provide the needed services. missed out on our original endeavor will After lots of discussion and planning, we have an opportunity to become part of the knew this could be a win-win collaboration program when we repeat the orientation and computer class combination once again in for the local LGBTQ community.”

South Florida’s SAGEWorks program is late December.”

Meanwhile, “the final component of the administered through The Pride Center’s Senior Services Office and is managed by program will be a series of three communityWilliams with guidance from SAGEUSA. wide presentations and seminars that The Williams notes that “the grant from SAGE Pride Center will organize to assist job USA is directly with The Pride Center. seekers with such matters as resume writing, Thankfully, we have the full collaboration cover letter skills, one-on-one interviewing and the use of social media to enhance joband support of SAGE of South Florida.”

The Center “launched our SAGEWorks search possibilities.”

SouthFloridaGayNews

10

%

*10% Bonus Credited To All Deposits Made During 1st Year.

*R ATES EFFECTIVE 9/5/2013 SUBJECT TO CHANGE. soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

9

news local

For the Children

Miami groups vow to help LGBT youth, put their money on the table

Jacob Long

When Landon “LJ” Woolston read the job description, he knew this was the job for him.

Thirty-years-old, trans and very involved in the LGBT youth community, who better than Woolston to act as liaison of the LGBTQ Youth Homelessness Initiative? He got the job, and will now be the man with feet on the ground for one of the most ambitious LGBT youth initiatives ever in South Florida.

The announcement came in September: Eight groups and Miami Beach’s Florida rep. David Richardson will hold hands and identify homeless LGBT youth (24 and under), and work to reduce whatever they find in Miami-Dade.

“I’m the person who’s being trained to directly interact with youth,” Woolston told SFGN. “I think part of the issue is that a lot of our youth have been marginalized and beaten down by the system so many times that they neglect to reach out. If they see a card or a phone number, chances are they

$150

won’t call. You can only be abandoned by the system so many times before leaving it.”

Woolston has never been homeless himself, but he feels he can definitely relate and perform his duties well.

“But I’ve always been a part of the [LGBT] community. I just wasn’t sure how I fit into it. I was labeled as a tomboy,” he said. “Until I started getting education through the YES Institute, I just didn’t know. It was one of the only communities where I felt accepted.”

So what’s he going to be doing? Here’s what he told the Miami Herald: “My job is really two-fold. I will be one of the care coordinators on staff at the Alliance. I will be managing cases, care coordinating for kids who are homeless, or on the verge of homelessness, or at risk for homelessness. My other role ... is to train providers and to create more inclusive spaces for youth countywide, specifically around homelessness, so that anybody facing these issues can ideally seek out services where they will be affirmed and included.”

New & Exsisting Customers!

New Customers Receive FREE Exam (150) & XRays (274)

Dr. Axel Martinez Practicing in South Florida since 1997 Same location for over 10 Years Dermal Fillers • Botox Therapy • General & Cosmetic Dentistry • Dental Implants

New Hours

Monday & Tuesday 9-5 Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 9-4 Saturday 9-12

10

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

soflagaynews //

He’s getting his masters at FIU for social work currently, and is the cofounder and facilitator for the only group in South Florida that acts as a support group for transgender people.

This was one of his initial connections to the LGBT community. The TRUE group organizes meets and greets in South Florida where transgender people can find community.

“A lot of the infrastructure that’s being used by the LGBT kids isn’t specific to them. They’ve been bullied in school, alienated at home, and no one’s stuck up for them,” Woolston said. “We need to pull together as a community and show that we care about these youths.

We need to serve them.”

Pulling together is an understatement.

So far, $250,000 has been allocated to the endeavor, more than $30,000 from each of the groups involved in the measure. From a release, here are the involved groups and exactly what each group is doing for the initiative: •State Representative David Richardson secured special state funding of $100,000 for the initiative’s housing-related costs and selected Citrus Health Network to lead this effort. Using matching and local funds, Citrus has already added approximately $50,000 to the initial amount for a total of $150,000.

•The Alliance for GLBTQ Youth, which has produced numerous reports and studies on the issue of LGBTQ youth homelessness in South Florida hired and will train and supervise a full-time LGBTQ Youth Homeless Service Liaison who will identify and bridge the gap between LGBTQ homeless youth and the initiative’s service providers.

•Pridelines Youth Services will station the Homeless Service Liaison out of its youth drop-in center in Miami Shores as well as provide wrap-around services for initiative participants such as meals, job readiness training and access to resources via the Internet through its David Bohnett Cybercenter.

•Citrus Health Network will receive state funding to provide housing and support services to participating youth. Citrus will provide this innovative safe haven program until the youth can be transitioned into foster care, reunited with family or readied for independent living.

•Aqua Foundation for Women has committed to help fund the initiative for the next three years. This initiative is the first funding recipient that the Aqua board has approved for a three-

SouthFloridaGayNews

Landon “LJ” Woolston has taken up as the liaison of the LGBTQ Youth Homelessness Initiative, a conglomerate of South Florida groups battling LGBT homelessness.

Photo courtesy of Landon Woolston

year grant. For the first year of the initiative, Aqua has committed to $33,333.

•The GLBT Community Projects Fund at The Miami Foundation. The Fund has committed to $33,333 over the next 12 months. Grant funding for The Miami Foundation comes from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force through the proceeds generated from Winter Party Festival and the Miami Recognition Dinner.

Since 2005, 40 percent of the grants from the GLBT Community Projects Fund at The Miami Foundation have gone toward projects concerning and benefitting youth.

•Our Fund pledged $33,333 to fund the initiative for the first 12 months from various donor-advised funds. Our Fund is a South Florida LGBT community foundation that was organized in January 2011 and has distributed almost $800,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations serving the LGBT community.

The foundation is committed to connecting South Florida’s donors to important issues that create impact, such as this initiative.

•Miami Coalition for the Homeless provided $18,500 in additional grant funding to support the Homeless Youth Liaison.

The MCH grant program targets three specific areas — advocacy, intervention and prevention — and this initiative presented specific intervention strategies targeting one of Miami-Dade’s most vulnerable populations: homeless LGBTQ youth.

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

11

news miami

Hispanic Pride Festival Coming to Miami Beach 3rd Annual Orgullo Returns Denise Royal Dust off your salsa shoes! Miami Beach is about to be overtaken with Latin Pride as part of this year’s Hispanic LGBT Pride & Heritage Festival. Spanish for “pride,” Orgullo will showcase the diverse cultural

heritage and contributions of the South Florida’s LGBT Hispanic community. The event takes place on Saturday, October 5 and is free and open to the public. The party starts at noon and continues until 8 p.m.

The celebration will feature music, food and dancing. Party in the shade or under beachside cabanas and enjoy carnival games and vendors from throughout our area.

Emmy and Grammy award winning artist Albita will headline the show.

Other artists scheduled to perform include singer Jayquan, singer Diana Castilla and Latin singing sensation Rey Randal. There will also be appearances

by DJ Reddy, radio personality Enrique Santos and many other big names from the entertainment world.

“We are thrilled to have such an incredible lineup of talent this year. The move to North Beach gives Celebrate ORGULLO its own unique signature, amazing vendors, community workshops, more room and better access for our friends across South Florida. Also, this year we are partnering with the Anita Priest Whispering Angels Foundation to offer an LGBT Youth Scholarship as well, so a lot of good is going on for our community. Looking forward to seeing everyone at ORGULLO,” said Herb Sosa, event organizer.

In addition to the entertainers, preliminary winners from a series of dance competitions held at local bars and nightclubs over the past month will compete during the festival’s grand finale

12

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews

for the inaugural dance title. But the day is about much more than entertainment.

“We want attendees to feel they are part of something, a movement. In the end it’s about sharing, and supporting others. You don’t have to be Latin to participate. Just come out to have a great time surrounded by people from all walks of life with one commonality: supporting Latino Gay Pride,” says Liza Santana-Piñeres, President, Creativas Group Public Relations, Branding & Events.

IF YOU G What

Hispanic LGBT Pride Festival

When

Saturday, October 5, 2013, noon-8pm

Where

73rd Street & Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

Cost

Free & open to the public

More Info.

www.celebrateorgullo.com

Home Owners

Hurricane

Flood

LOWEST PREMIUM! FRIENDLY CUSTOMER SERVICE! QUICK QUOTES! 954.522.3800

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

13

column

compass points

Ernie Gonzalez

Palm Beach County Entourage is Going Places As a recent transplant to Palm Beach County from Philadelphia, I had the impression that this move was going to be an easy transition. After settling in, I set out to find the gay community and meet new people. I went online and did some research on some of the local establishments and gay bars. I quickly realized that the gay scene and culture here is quite different than that of a big city.

While out, I spoke to some of the guys and asked them what there is to do for young gay & bisexual men. The answer was the same “not much and then there is Fort Lauderdale.” I quickly learned that the itinerary of a young gay man in Palm Beach County is not very complicated. Activities and events are kept simple; weekend nights are usually spent in local bars and clubs or partaking in the night life down in Wilton Manors or Miami. A few times a year they attend Compass sponsored events and

interact with others in the LGBT community in Palm Beach County.

I looked in to what Compass does for the community and how to get involved since that’s where the action is. Compass’ mission and their passionate staff inspired me to help build a thriving community of young gay and bisexual men. Compass Entourage is a group for young gay and bisexual men ages 18-29 that come together, share experiences and have fun.

The group does more than just party and hang out together; they have a voice in the community and care about each other.

Unfortunately the number of young gay & bisexual men diagnosed with HIV is growing at a disproportional rate. Entourage is trying to combat these trends and behavior by promoting safer sex practices. This group promotes a healthy life style in more than just staying fit and eating right, but “playing” safely as well. By looking out for our friend

and LGBT family we are ensuring a healthy community for all.

Entourage is growing; each gathering is bringing in new faces, new stories, and new talents. The ideas and suggestions are rolling in. Events such as beach parties, white parties, Halloween bashes are already taking place. Activities like movie night, game night, yoga and gay sports leagues are in the works. Given this pace Palm Beach will not be a place where these young gay men just reside in but will be the community they want to live, work, and play in. Compass Entourage #GoingPlaces; come be a part of the movement.

Ernie Gonzalez is Compass’ Entourage/Mpowerment Coordinator. He can be reached at

ernie@compassglcc.com

Compass Entourage is a group for young gay and bisexual men ages 18-29.

Photo courtesy of Brian Giesen

United Way envisions a world where all individuals and families achieve their human potential through education, income stability and healthy lives.

For tickets and sponsorship information for the United Way Mayor’s Gala, visit: www.UnitedWayBroward.org or call 954-462-4850 ext. 125

14

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews

column

chamber chat

The Opportunity to Engage with Leaders in Our Community Jorge Richa, MDGLCC of Commerce presents its Big Networking Luncheon on Wednesday October 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Miami (400 SE 2nd Avenue, Miami).

Presenting speaker will be Bill Johnson (Port Miami Director), with guest speakers Carlos Migoya (President Jackson Health System) and George Foyo (Co-Chair One Community/ One Goal Committee: The Beacon Council). There will also be an opportunity to participate of the Business Expo (10:30

a.m. to 2 p.m.) before and after the lunch (only 20 tables available @ $45 each). The event is limited to 200 people and includes seated style lunch plus participation in a free raffle. Admission is $50 for members and $65 for non-members. RSVP required to rsvp@gaybizmiami.com or 305-673-4440 or www.gaybizmiami.com Jorge Richa is the Marketing & Programming Director of the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Port of Miami Director William Johnson.

Photo courtesy of bristolpr

As the Business Voice of the LGBT community in Miami-Dade, the MiamiDade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC) is always in search of opportunities where the community can gather and have a dialogue on issues that impact our businesses and lives. The gay community has always played an integral role in the development of this great city we call home. As reflected in the diversity of our members (both gay & straight) we are doctors, attorneys, brokers, photographers, marketers, bankers, dancers, entrepreneurs, to name a few. As a result of this wide range of professionals, the MDGLCC focusses its efforts in putting together dynamic events where our members can learn and engage in dialogue with each other. During this month of October the MDGLCC will be hosting two events that do exactly that; a DOMA Townhall and a Big Networking Luncheon with the Port of Miami. These two events will showcase respected professionals and experts in a variety of fields speaking on topics that are of interest and relevant to all.

Sponsored by Wells Fargo, the MiamiDade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with GALLA (Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Association) present a Townhall on DOMA where a panel of experts of various disciplines (adoption, family law, immigration, financial services, legal, taxation, state planning) will explain how the overturn of DOMA impacts the LGBT community. The event will be followed by a Meet & Greet cocktail reception with LGBT elected officials. The event will take place on Monday October 21st at the Grove Isle Hotel & Spa (4 Grove Isle Drive, Coconut Grove) from 4 p.m. to p.m. (Townhall) and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

(Meet & Greet). While admission is free, rsvp is requested at www.gaybizmiami.com, 305673-4440 or rsvp@gaybizmiami.com. The event is open to the public and will include complimentary nibbles and a cash bar.

Community Sponsors for this event include Equality Florida, Save Dade, & ACLU. Sponsored by the Port of Miami, The Miami Herald, and Curacao Tourist Board, the Miami Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

15

column sound bite q Norm Kent

Cars & Smiles

norm.kent@sfgn.com

THE ULTIMATE SMILE Sometimes we take for granted simple

things, like the newspaper in your hands.

It comes to you free, courtesy of a local business establishment offering their space for its distribution.

You did not have to pay for it, but one of our many advertisers has, and we invite you to patronize them. Towards that goal,

we share with you when new businesses make an investment in SFGN with their advertising dollars. Supporting them not only supports us, it supports you in maintaining a healthy, vibrant LGBT newspaper in our community.

One businessman who has been a fixture in the LGBT charitable community for over a decade has been a prominent dentist, Dr.

J. Michael Heider, whose website is www.UltimateSmileFTL.com Dr. Heider has cultivated a well-deserved reputation of enhancing his patient’s smiles, and maintaining the health of their teeth. One of many fine and reputable LGBT dentists serving our community, Dr. Heider provides modern techniques of cosmetic dentistry, restorative and teeth whitening procedures along with sedation for those seeking that alternative.

Making dentistry friendly and family oriented is his goal, and the Ultimate Smile combines state of the art technology with highly personalized care. A very Born on the race track. At home on the road: BMW 4-Series Photo courtesy of BMW’s Facebook comfortable office is made more relaxing with satellite radio and a Says B. Richard Aldahan, “We believe the zen like garden to soothe your experience. cars we offer are the highest quality and ideal From x-rays to records, they are a fully for your life needs. We understand that you digitalized dental office providing the rely on our web site for accurate information, highest quality of care in Fort Lauderdale. and it is our pledge to deliver you relevant, Each member of the staff at Ultimate correct, and abundant content.”

Smile is dedicated to providing the care

necessary to make your smile look as good as or even better than the smile nature VISTA BMW MOTORS provided you, using only the highest quality Family-owned and operated, BMW dental products endorsed by the American Motors is not some large, impersonal Dental Association. national chain. They are a family-owned His local office phone number is 954-566local business, and you can reach salesman 5428.

Charles Meek at 1-866-758-1111, or by

emailing Charles.meek@vistabmw.com “We love South Florida and our family will always call it home. And our strong sense of family goes well beyond our staff POMPANO NISSAN we welcome every one of our customers as a (954) 781-7700 family member, too,” says Meek.

Everyone loves driving a new car, Honored to be the number 1 BMW Retailer but most people don’t like the stress of in the United States, their local following is purchasing one. Two of our new sponsors at enthusiastic and loyal, with many happy and SFGN go out of their way to make the LGBT returning customers. community feel welcome.

For the last 5 consecutive years, they have At Pompano Nissan, owner B. Richard been recognized as the largest volume retail Aldahan prides himself and his company dealer in America. They relish this honor on making the new car buying experience due to the trust and trade of their customers. simple and customer centered.

They recognize the consumer; the car First, they offer an accessible and purchaser is their most valuable asset. attractive website, www.PompanoNissan.

“It inspires us to deliver the same high com, which provides you with an interactive performance the BMW brand of vehicles is tour of all their new and used inventory. The known for,” says Meek. He adds: “Whether site will also allow you to conveniently get a you are here to shop, service your car or quote, schedule a service appointment, or you just have questions about the brand, apply for financing. our collective objective is to exceed your Their staff has devoted themselves to helping expectations.” and serving customers first and foremost.

GAYS AND THEIR RIDES

16

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews

opinion dixon diaries

SFGN Says Farewell to

My HIV Diary For the past year Dixon Diaries has been an integral feature in SFGN and we’ve shared Ryan’s ups and downs, and his tragedies and triumphs with him. But like all good chapters in a novel this one must end as well. We felt that the year mark would be a natural ending point.

But that doesn’t mean you won’t see Ryan’s name disappear from this paper. He’s always welcome to lend his voice to these pages.

“Working with Ryan on his HIV Diary for the past year has opened my eyes to the struggles of living with a virus that I previously knew only as a mere concept,” said his Ryan’s editor Sergio Candido. “His story put a real face on a serious problem that not only the LGBT community, but society is facing as a whole. I can honestly say that it’s made me a better person.”

Over the next few pages we’ll take a look back on the last year by reprinting some of his dairies entries.

An Opened Door Ryan Dixon Over a year ago I set out to put into words what is was like to start an HIV medication regimen for the first time since I was diagnosed as HIV positive in December 15, 2008. My diary grew into an outlet for me to start discussions with the community about what the virus is really like. Unfortunately, I’ve been informed by editors at SFGN that they believe the diary has run its course and it will no longer be printed.

Now, I don’t want my readers to be upset with the decision of the paper. I myself have accepted it. Am I happy with it? No. I want to keep the discussion going. But, is this the end of an open and honest forum for us all to get to know HIV better? No. The one thing I hope each and every one of you can take away from the last 52 plus weeks is this: the defeat of HIV rests in our hands. Instead of looking in this paper each week for a reason to discuss HIV friends or strangers, take the reigns and start the discussion yourself. I, by no means, will stop writing this diary. My HIV Diary will just

no longer by published by this paper. This decision is a great chance for the discussion to continue and to evolve.

My Facebook page will be the epicenter on my diary for the immediate future. I welcome your emails still as well as your suggestions on what to write about. Please look at this as an open opportunity as I am. It has truly been a pleasure to share the last year of my life with South Florida and the rest of the world. The door on HIV discussion may be closing on me in this paper, but the door for discussion in our community has just opened.

“If you truly believe that you wrote the tale of your own life, then the end is up to you” -Mickey Mouse

Week 1:

Water Balloons and Headaches,

Ryan Dixon has just started taking HIV medication. He’s keeping a diary of his experience.

Being in my mid-20’s isn’t easy, add HIV on top of that and we have one hell of a complicated life. I’m making the best out of the hand life has dealt me and the decisions I’ve made along the way. Writing helps free my mind. Hopefully these words will help you understand the plight of others like myself, and inspire you to live each and every day in the moment.

Aug. 27 – Sept. 2, 2012 So this weekend was very interesting to say the least. What I thought was going to be a boring and shitty weekend because of how I have been reacting to my medicine turned out to be very productive and rewarding.

I needed to go have fun instead of being in the house all day, and the Labor Day water balloon fight at Matty’s turned out to be better medicine than the pills I’m taking.

Saw friends there, made new ones, and had a quasi-date on Monday because I met this amazing guy named Bobby while I was buying drinks for his “birthday boy” friend.

My reaction to my meds has gone from stomach trouble to making my head hurt.

It’s not a “can’t function” pain, but rather an annoying and bothersome pain. I’ve figured

out “take with food” means eat and then take the pills.

Took me two days to figure that out. I need to stay pretty consistent with the time I take these meds starting out I’ve read, so I’ve been getting up earlier than I usually do so that I keep that time. Early to bed, early to rise, right? I’m also taking on a suggestion from a friend and seeing how I feel with these meds by increasing my water intake, while cutting my alcohol and sugar intake.

Meaning more water or tea and less booze and juice. I’m a social drinker so it shouldn’t be too hard for me to keep up with that.

I go back to my doctor on Sept. 17 to do blood work and some other tests that will take up my whole day apparently.

I’m hoping my numbers look good. My viral load has been on a steady rise in the last four months or so, and my CD4 Ryan Dixon count had been declining.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan O’Brien Photography Nothing outrageous though.

My Viral load is a little over GoDaddy.com was hacked and my email at 5000 right now and my CD4 was about 550 work was out. I made do with what was in I think. So not horrible numbers, but not front of me. what I’m used to having. I really hope to see Yesterday left a lot of time for reflection, an increase in my energy to just do daily both personal and medical. Both are things. I’ve noticed myself getting tired and somewhat connected though, right? Maybe lazy in the last year, all while my viral load it was mostly personal. I keep trying to figure and CD4 count had been changing. out what I can do to leave behind a legacy. I So … headaches and no more stomach don’t want an empty shell of memories and pains. Making progress. Six days down … bills to be what people have when I leave this three more years to go. world. I mean, I’d like to think sharing my story will have— and maybe it has — helped people. If one person benefits from what I’ve written or said then it was all worth me pouring out my life on the Internet, right? I Testing 1… 2 … 3 just feel that I want to do more, that I need Sept. 3 – Sept. 11, 2012 to do more.

Today marks day 13 of my study. Yes, I’ve So, what I’ve decided to do is seek out actually gone through my calendar and information on how I can become an HIV written down next to day of the month what tester. I think that’s a start on the road to study day I’m on for the rest of the year. I me becoming the supporter and advocate I had nothing better to do yesterday when know I can be. I think from an early age, I Continued on next page

Week 2:

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

17

wanted to be a teacher or any position I could hold that would educate others. My mother is a teacher and I’ve seen how she has helped mold and shape the lives of young people in and out of the classroom, mine included.

Being a tester would mean I would have the power to finally have a place to inject my opinion on what HIV education needs to be. I’m so over people and places being condom Nazis. Yes, condoms prevent the spread of HIV and other STDs and STIs, but do you really want education to be all about that? Why aren’t we looking into the fact that we spend so much time and money on intervention, but no real education? Kids, yes kids, are leaving high school and college still not knowing how HIV is spread and what it really does to the body. If I have one more bottom say that we can have bareback sex as long as I pull out, I’m going to ram my head through a wall. Much like I wish I could do the same thing to them.

People have predispositions about sex.

One of them is that no matter what, they aren’t going to use a condom. So what can we do to make sure they’re best protected in the way they are going to have sex, no matter what we know they should be doing? I want to parlay my approach with intravenous drug users into my approach with sex education and HIV prevention. You can’t force an addict to get clean, but you can provide them with the tools to do what you know they are going to do so that they can do it safely. I think it is an injustice Florida doesn’t have a needle exchange. In that case, teach people to clean their works using the recommended 3×3 method from the CDC. The more youth that get involved now with the changing of the way we teach about HIV and how to prevent the spread, the better chances we could have an HIV free generation in the near future.

Week 12:

You Must Be Thankful, Nov. 19 – Nov. 25, 2012 Thanksgiving marked day 85 on my HIV medication. I’m approaching the mark in the study when I’ll be switching from Truvada to another medication. Heading into the home stretch of the first three months of this study, I’m satisfied with the results of the medicine, but I’m still bothered by the side effects of the pills. We still don’t know if my stomach issues are from the medicine or something more serious and internal.

It may sound silly, but I am very thankful for now having a boyfriend beside me. I’m a baby when it comes to not feeling well, and to have someone there who knows exactly what I’m going through eases my mind. It’s mostly just me complaining over text messages or being attention hungry when we’re together, but he’s been more than accommodating to me. Feeling love returned to me when I’m usually the one going so far out of my way to please a person is something new to me. I have to be the

18

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

luckiest guy in the world right now. I’ve met a guy who knows everything there is to know about what I’m going through because he is also positive. He’s definitely taken a lot of stress out of my life.

My friends have always been my back bone the last four years. Their constant love a support that I haven’t received from home has made struggling to keep my head up so much easier and rewarding.

Bob Keceskemety and John and Kevin Reed helped me with a place to stay when I needed a couch.

Norm Kent gave me a new job when he knew I had nothing but disappointments and stress in my previous workplace. Countless others have been there just to give me a hug or just an ear to talk off. My family is so large now, and full of so many amazing men and women (I love you Dawn).

Stress affects everyone in different ways.

Me, I tend to get an upset stomach when I’m upset or stressed out. With the heightened complications my stomach has been having due to the medication, a stress free life is important.

So thank you friends and readers.

Week 14: 100 Days

Nov. 30 – Dec. 6, 2012 “Failure is not an option.”

That quote comes from one of my alltime favorite movies, “Apollo 13.” Being an astronaut struggling to survive in space, just for the chance to survive a descent back to Earth, is a struggle I hope I never have to face.

But, much like those men on that spacecraft, my success story is ultimately how I made the best of a failure.

I’ve thought long and hard about how to put my thoughts into this entry. I have a lot of things rolling around in my head and I’m finding it difficult to wrap my head around these emotions. Much like the crew of Apollo 13, 100 days ago I set out on a journey that I had no idea what the outcome would be.

I hoped for the best, experienced the worst and have tried to make do with what I have around me.

I’m growing increasingly tired on the compounding stomach issues I’m experiencing.

Feeling no restitution is emotionally draining on me. I just want everything to go away – I just want to feel better. The worst part about all of this is I’m doing so much better than I actually feel. My viral load is undetectable, and my CD4 count is the highest it has ever been. I’m just struggling to control my emotions.

I’ve never been an emotionally strong person, no matter what my façade may be. I’ve touched on it before, but being the emotional shoulder people sucks when you feel there isn’t one for you in return.

Now, I know my friends will read this and say, “You know you can talk to me,” but I’ve soflagaynews //

always struggled with asking for help.

I always wait until I’m on the outskirts or past the point of no return and then I finally break down and make that call.

That, in turn, makes me look desperate, unorganized and needy. I try not to wear my emotions on my sleeve, but in doing so, I tend to harbor things on the inside to the point where it starts to physically affect me. I guarantee my stomach wouldn’t be so bad if I could just harness the emotions that I’m having.

One hundred days into this drug and I still can’t comprehend why I really started in the first place. I thought it was to regain my energy and to help out a future generation, but did I really think things through? I thought I did. See, this is what I’m talking about. Why am I having these conflicting emotions now and not 100 days ago? I was completely sure I wanted to do this; I was convinced I was ready for this.

Turns out I’m not.

All I can do now is hunker down and continue this road I have chosen for myself.

The good that is coming and will come from what I’m doing is exponential.

Bring on day 101.

Week 25: Walk the Walk

Feb. 15 – Feb. 21, 2013 Coming to six months on HIV medications I’m feeling amazing, and it’s all thanks to my doctors.

I just started going back to Robert Butler, a P.A. at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

No organization is perfect but the people at AFH, from the doctors to the people at the front desk, provide the best medical care out there for HIV patients, never caring about a patient’s ability to pay. You’d be surprised how many times I’ve gone into a doctor’s office depressed to no end and received good news about my health that made my emotions a 180-degree turn. My health is the only thing I can rely on in the world, the one thing that keeps me going.

This diary is a plea to my readers out there to help me help others like myself. I don’t mean just HIV-positive people, but people who need medical care to not only stay

SouthFloridaGayNews

healthy but to help keep a positive outlook on life.

For the third year in a row, I’ve started a page to raise funds for the Florida AIDS

Walk and Music Festival. My goal is to raise $1,500 but I truly hope to surpass that

goal in the next 31 days. I’ve donated a little money myself and would never ask anyone to give more than what I myself can, but any amount goes a long way in helping fight HIV and keep those that are negative safe.

Last year the Florida AIDS Walk fell just short on $1 million. This year I want us to shatter that glass ceiling. I don’t want people to ever fear about seeking treatment because they can’t afford it. I’m lucky to have the friends and support I do. Your donation means that you might be helping another struggling Ryan Dixon somewhere in the world.

Week 26: Perspective,

Feb. 22 – Feb. 28, 2013 It seems like just yesterday I was sitting in a doctor’s office staring down at three pills that would change my life forever. I felt so scared and so unsure of what could and what would happen. I was on the verge of tears and unable to even focus on my work.

Now, as I’m nearing 200 days, my outlook on HIV treatment and the future of medicine is a little brighter.

I watched the documentary “How to Survive a Plague” a few weeks ago. The movie is about the early years of ACT UP in New York City, and how that group was instrumental in new and better drugs being available on the market for HIV and AIDS Continued on next page

Protecting the lifestyle to which you are accustomed Home · Auto · Marine · Commercial · Life · Umbrella

SAVE A BUNDLE TODAY! On Florida Homeowners Insurance

The lowest average premium in Florida.

53% less than State Farm 40% less than ASI Assurance 31% less than Citizens 29% less than St. Johns

954.564.7772 ∙ dunhamins.com

BOCA RATON ∙ FORT LAUDERDALE

3000 N. Federal Hwy., Suite 8 ∙ Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306

The above rates show how People’s Trust Insurance’s statewide average rates compare to those of several other insurers. Of course, rates vary according to the location of a home and other factors. Based on average rate for homeowners insurers listed on Florida’s Shop & Compare website (www.shopandcomparerates.com) calculated as of August 1, 2009, for homes with dwelling values of $150,000 without mitigation features and percentage based on actual insured’s statements who switched their policy to People’s Trust Insurance Company and how much they said they saved at the time the policy was initiated. Each insurer’s actual rates will vary according to the unique characteristics of each insured home. Availability and coverage levels of some plan features subject to state laws and underwriting requirements. Coverage exclusions and limitations may apply. dunham_ins_sfgn_hp-c.indd 1

soflagaynews //

5/10/2013 5:40:28 PM SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 // 19

patients. It was chilling to watch the physical transformation people went through as AIDS completely destroyed their bodies.

It was sobering to see people sitting in a basement and being told the drug they were being given was experimental and there was no idea if it would save them or bring their inevitable death even closer.

Writing this diary has been and adventure as well as something therapeutic for me. I never set out to do anything other than help myself deal with the feeling and the thoughts in my head. Sitting at my desk on day one, I could focus on anything except when I was writing what was in my head.

I’ve received comments on my posts and messages on Facebook, but a letter I got in late January has made me realize that these entries are something more than me letting off some steam.

The message came from someone named “Sal.” He said he had been reading SFGN online and came across my diary entries. After reading everything I had written up to that point, he said he was deeply touched and moved by my story and what I’ve been through these last few years.

“It is striking how positive and strong you have remained despite what you are dealing with both physically and emotionally,” he wrote. “I was so glad to see in the later postings that your health seems to have improved radically over the last few months.”

Sal’s letter really put things into perspective for me. I know things for me were rough at the beginning, but there’s always someone out there who has it worse and so on.

He continued: “Reading your entries really helps put life into perspective and makes you realize never sweat the small stuff because you need to save your energy for the tough breaks life will inevitably throw at you.”

Week 27: Face of HIV

March 1 – March, 2013 I’m excited today. Not only am I about to reach day 200 in my medicine study, but I just had the opportunity to meet some amazing people who are passionate about HIV treatment and what being positive is really all about.

I just participated in a photo shoot for an advertising company based out of New York.

They were shooting ads for the pharmaceutical company Merck. Merck has created the first in a new class of drugs called integrase inhibitors.

The brand name of the drug is Isentress. It has only been on the market since 2007, making it a fairly new drug to help combat HIV. It

20

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

works best when combined with other antiretrovirals. Isentress had a campaign in the past that showed four people in difference poses in black and white with magenta trimming. I’ve seen tons of advertisements for HIV drugs and not just from working for SFGN. I like to think I’ve done my study of different medications and what each one does in the last four years.

One thing I have noticed about ads for HIV drugs, they only seem to want to show you a beautiful face. HIV is so much more than that.

I was pleased to find out the Isentress shoot wasn’t just going to be me standing by myself, but rather it placed me in a scene with two other people. We were “shoppin,” I think we actually did enjoy each others’ company. We held conversations about the same French cuff shirts while the photographer snapped away. The shots showed people in real life, not just posed on a white background and then superimposed into an ad. My feeling is that this ad will do more than just advertise a pill. It will show people that HIV affects everyone, but that people live completely normal lives with the help of medication.

I often get messages online and in person that people can’t believe that I’m HIV positive. I never know how to respond.

Is there a certain face of HIV that I don’t know about? Do people still believe that HIV is just something that only older gay men have? I don’t really understand what people really think of HIV, outside of getting told I’m disgusting online. I’m hoping this new campaign will show people that HIV is something we can all relate to.

It’s not the HIV of the 80’s anymore. I just wish people could see it. soflagaynews //

Week 37: Not So Fast

May 17 – May 23, 2013 “Not so fast!”

That’s exactly what I felt I was being told by the world. I’m in a bit of a pickle this week. I’m supposed to be in Atlanta but ran into some trouble with the car rental.

I’ve never had or needed a credit card.

You can’t get a car without one so instead of being in Atlanta already I get to spend a few more days in Florida.

On top of that, I’m supposed to be back in Florida on June 8 for a medicine study appointment, but I have no idea how I’m going to make it back. It’s cost me a lot of money to break a lease here and move to a new city. My doctor was trying to see if the study could pay for a flight or even a bus but no word on that yet. Seems like one of the fears I had of going off the meds might be coming true.

I understood that this move would come with difficulties, but I still didn’t want to face them. I have a doctor already set up in Atlanta, but I’ll most likely only be able to get a 60 to 90 supply of new drugs if I can’t make the study appointment.

After that, it’s mostly like a waiting game for me to see if I’ll be able to receive medication.

I have the option to stop taking medication and see how my body reacts to that. I have a friend who is eight years removed from medication and is still undetectable and has a very good CD4 count. Maybe the same could happen to me? Maybe taking these meds was the push my body needed to get back on track and fight this virus on its own.

These next months are going to prove to be crucial in my life and well being. I’ve rolled with the punches on the past, so let’s see what I can pull off this time.

Week 39: A New Beginning

May 24 – May 30, 2013 You know the old saying, right? When one door closes, another opens. The first few days in Atlanta have been exciting and scary all at the same time. What has me worried the most is the whole reason I even started this writing venture – my medicine study. Still, with no clear way back to Fort Lauderdale on June 8, I don’t know how I’ll be able to continue in this study. I was told they need me to finish the first year so they can have complete and more accurate data about my experience on the medication. I really don’t know what to do.

Medical options in Atlanta are bountiful,

SouthFloridaGayNews

but the only medicine studies around here are ones for people who were naive to medication, in other words, I can only participate by not having been on ARVs previously in my life. I’ve got to establish residency before I can reapply for Ryan White assistance from the state of Georgia, so that requires bills to come in and a nice trip to the DMV. Bills could take up to a month or other accepted documents that come in the mail. I have a doctor already picked out, there’s an AIDS Healthcare Foundation medical facility not 30 minutes from where I live, but I can’t afford to be seen without being on Ryan White. Labs cost upwards of $3,000 and God only knows what medication would cost, if I decide to stay on them.

The decision to stay on medication after the study is complete, or until an acceptable time for gathering data had past, is something I’ve talked about in the past.

I still really have no clue what I want to do or the ramifications of either decision. The contemplation is the easy part.

Week 40:

The Magnetic Cost of PrEP May 31 – June 6, 2013 My first week in Atlanta has been a whirlwind, to say the least. Work has been slow, but steady, and I’m finally starting to settle in, I think. I have a doctor’s appointment back in Florida on Saturday, June 8, so I’ll be sure to update everyone with my numbers and my future in the study next week. I’m only going back so I can make sure I have one more month of medication. It’s going to be a long overnight drive on Friday.

Speaking of medication, this week’s diary has been a long time coming. I moved to Atlanta for the opportunity at a new path in my life – a path that was well needed.

I’d grown stagnant in Fort Lauderdale and I was craving for a change. The friends I had made in the last year in Atlanta gave me the chance to do something else with my life. There’s also Dylan. I would hope that me covering different leather events, people would know the type of relationship I would want to have. Dylan can give me that. Now, I didn’t run away to go chasing after some guy, but it did help me decide if I really wanted to take a chance on Atlanta. So far, it’s paying off.

Dylan and I are exploring the possibility of being in what we like to call a “magnetic” relationship, meaning he’s HIV negative and as you know I’m HIV positive. Positive and negative – just like a magnet.

Dylan made the decision to start taking Truvada last week as a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), something that I was completely against people doing. I feel

so selfish for thinking that these healthy people were taking medication out of the hands of HIV and AIDS patients that need the medication more urgently, in my opinion. That all changed last week. Dylan

and I always use protection, whether it be condoms or gloves, during sex and heavy play. He happened to put a finger in me without a glove and there was a little blood when he removed it. He had been thinking about starting PrEP so this incident was sort of a defining factor.

Much like what I’m doing with this diary and writing about my experiences with taking HIV medication,. Dylan has started to write about his thoughts and feelings while starting PrEP. It’s an eye opening experience for both of us, I think. I still don’t really know how I feel about it deep down. I told him I support him doing everything necessary to protect himself, but I still can’t help thinking about people I know who are living with the virus and could use the pills he’s taking now every day. Can I really be upset pills aren’t in the hands of people who need them to live when someone is taking them to ensure their never in that position? Talk about the ultimate catch 22.

An open and honest line of communication has been key for Dylan and I to come to an understanding on the subject, even if it does still bother me.

Studies have shown PrEP to be a viable option for those seeking extra protection against HIV infection, but it comes at a cost to all of us. A physical, emotional and economical cost that I think was ignored all in the name of HIV prevention.

in our lives, and with as much as I’ve had to deal with in the last month, the less for me the better.

The other thing is getting my hands back in community involvement. While I loved Atlanta, I found my hands too idle for my liking. I couldn’t find my footing within the gay community to help make a difference there. There were plenty of opportunities, but I never felt like I fit in anywhere there.

The open arms and willingness of my friends and family here in South Florida lets me know that I’m not going to have a problem getting my groove back. Stella has nothing on me.

I stayed in a hotel and rented a car so I would have some sense of normalcy and freedom while visiting. I had no idea what shape my dad was going to be in or how I was going to be received. It ended up just being a mild scare that was a combination of several blocked arteries and pinched nerves.

My dad is fine and will make a full recovery, and there may be a glimmer of hope for our family to recover too.

An incident happened that brought a lot of things out in the open for the first time in years. My father was upset because my mother mentioned an issue to my sister-inlaw on the phone. He yelled at her saying

Week 52: One Year In,

Week 45:

Home Sweet Home, June 4 – July 10, 2013 You have no idea how great it feels to be back here in Florida. Oh, in case you missed that, I’ve decided to return to the Sunshine State for the time being. While I loved the city of Atlanta and what it had to offer, I didn’t like the life I was living. Bouncing from couch to couch wasn’t a healthy lifestyle. Even though I was working, it was mostly free; I was staying busy doing what I love to do.

Being back in Florida is going to make things a lot easier on me and my involvement in the medicine study. No more traveling or transferring in the near future for this guy. I’m still torn on whether or not I’ll be continuing with the study once my one year mark is reached. Drug assistance is better here in Florida than Georgia if I decide to stay. Of course that all means nothing if I decide to not quit taking my meds. No need for assistance if I’m in a study with free medicine.

I know of two things that I need to get back into doing here in Florida for my own wellbeing. I need to get back into talking with a person every once in a while. I’m a firm believer and advocate in mental health services. Even if you don’t have any issues or problems you’d like someone else to help you sort out, just having a person there to help you keep your life in check helps so much. Stress is something that’s we could all use less of

My mother and I walked out of the room and into the dining room where we talked more. She asked why I didn’t send any of my writing. I told her I didn’t think she’d be proud of me getting copies of a gay newspaper. I don’t think they’d be proud to know that I go speak at colleges and national organizations about HIV. I told her I’ve gotten comfortable dealing with things on my own. She asked how my HIV was going and I told her I’m fine. I haven’t always been and it’s been a struggle but I had to do things for myself. She promised I’d never have to again.

I learned a valuable lesson these last eight days: emotions make us act irrationally but tragedy can wipe that off the board in a heartbeat. Call or message that person you haven’t spoken to in years. Swallow your pride and say you’re sorry when you know you did nothing wrong. The freedom from that burden is the best feeling in the world.

Week 51: Reconciling

Aug.16 – Aug. 22, 2013 I’m writing this entry in a plane ride back to Florida. I just spent the last week surrounded by my family in Virginia. A week that I thought was never going to happen again. My thoughts and emotions have been scattered and running wild. No cell service and going a half a mile for wi-fi sucked too.

I ended up back home because my brother called me and said our dad was in the hospital with slurred speech and a numb arm. The worst situations passed through my mind and I exhausted all my resources to get home. For a brief moment I forgot that my family and I have been at odds for the last four years.

that she embarrassed him on the phone and he should never tell my mom things again.

When my mom started to cry I had to finally say something.

My father isn’t someone you just stand up to in front of the family but I couldn’t just let my thoughts go unsaid. I went in their room and told my dad that his selfishness had to stop. I told him that family is there to help bare burdens. Who is my sister-in-law going to tell? My brother? Well he should know what’s going on. It pisses me off when I find out someone is sick or in trouble months after they’ve recovered. It makes me not feel like I matter. I told him that’s why I don’t call or come around. It took me thinking he was dying to spend money I was saving for a house to come home. I’ve never thought of him as Superman so he can quit acting like he is one. Never thought I’d be taking my own advice.

soflagaynews //

Aug. 23 – Aug. 30, 2013 I’m hard pressed to found the words to fit the emotions that are running through my head right now. I’ve taken nearly 1,100 pills in the last 52 weeks, not counting the 10 days I skipped. It’s hard to believe my life has been turned upside down for better and for worse.

When I stopped taking my meds for those few days, I never thought I would make it to a full year on them. I was scared to death when I first started experiencing side effects the first few weeks on the medicine study. I didn’t know if I was helping or harming myself. The thought of moving from pills to an injection in the future is both unsettling and exciting.

I’ve already been a guinea pig the last 52 weeks and I’m nervous to see what the next step in this necessary medical study is.

This diary has broadened my horizons this last year and I have no one to thank but my readers. Your words and occasional letters of encouragement have made this willing invasion of my privacy completely worth it.

I like to think I’ve touched or changed a life out there, but in reality, this was all for me.

I didn’t know how else to express what was going on in my heart and head other than writing things down. I decided to publish these thoughts because no one else out there had, nor does, paint an unobscured picture of what living with HIV is like.

Read all the opinion articles you want.

Read all the articles from guys who have a project they’re looking to promote. I write this diary now for those who have questions about their diagnosis and don’t know where else to turn to.

Fifty-two weeks. 365 days. These numbers are surreal, but the number that really matters is 27 — the age I’ll be next year.

Another year I’ve been blessed thanks to medicine and the willpower I now poses to fight for my life.

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

21

column hiv

Reddit Asks What It’s Like Living with HIV

Members share their experiences of contraction and daily coping Jacob Long

For over a year, SFGN’s been telling its readers what it’s like living with HIV through former porn star Ryan Dixon’s weekly diary — but of course his isn’t the only story.

On Monday, Sept. 23, Reddit user Niko_ Liez asked the online social community to talk about their daily experience with HIV. On Reddit forums, users can “upvote” comments, thereby elevating the comment’s position on the page (comments can also be downvoted, resulting in an opposite effect). Here are some of the top answers on the forum:

From user NurseChelsea:

My mom wanted me to tell her story.

She was a Phlebotomist for 30 years, she worked the night shift for a hospital that had contracts with nursing facilities. She had a route and every night would go to the facilities to draw their patients labs.

She also would be on call for STAT lab draws. Eight years ago she was called to a STAT draw at a nursing home. Something happened with the vacutainer which is the plastic piece the tubes go into. Blood started squirting out of the patient and into my moms mouth and eyes. After she cleaned herself up and was walking out of the facility the nurse started running after her. That’s when she was told the patient had HIV and Hep C. When she got back to the hospital they told her she had a very slim chance she would contract anything.

Two months later she was diagnosed with Hep C, 6 months after that HIV. She lives a relatively normal life except that she can’t work and is on disability. She had chronic pain from multiple back surgeries before but with the HIV her body is too weak to have a job. Her levels are undetectable thanks to the cocktail of drugs. She has her good days and her bad. But recently found out the HIV was beginning to affect her brain and now has areas where damage has been made which affects her memory. HIV is no longer a death sentence but will take years from her life.

User never_ever_right:

It’s fine! Just sort of...background noise.

I don’t have side effects (I used to. Crixivan nearly killed me.) It’s a couple of trips to the doctor a year and that’s pretty much it.

22

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

User tvmediaguy:

I’m positive. Been so for a decade. At first, the meds were horrible. The number 1 side effect is unbelievably real and vivid nightmares. Not dreams... But nightmares.

It was tough getting past those the first few weeks... But they eventually faded away.

Next major side effect is loss of short term memory. I just kind of laugh about that part now. But, by far... The most difficult part of being positive is having to tell other people.

I don’t mean family or friends... That part wasn’t hard for me. I’m speaking of casual encounters at bars and such. Gone are the days of casually hooking up with some hot dude at the bar. Now... There has to be a “discussion” which always kills the deal.

Makes it very hard to date... And I don’t do it very much because frankly I feel like damaged goods. I broke the rules. Now I have to pay for it. The drugs aren’t bad... But having to explain to people my status... Is. Thats my experience.

EDIT- I’d like to thank everyone for their kind words! This is why I love Reddit! I try and pass good thoughts along to others myself... and you guys just threw me back a lot of love in return! As I replied to another user earlier, I’m very fortunate in other ways. I work at my dream job. I make pretty good money. I do pretty well in the looks department. I’ve got a sense of humor. I’ve got good friends and a loving family. Other than those couple of undetectable microbes hiding out inside of me somewhere... life is a blessing! If my biggest concern in this life is the toughness of the gay dating scene, I’ll consider myself lucky. Again, thanks for letting me share, and thanks for your kind words!

User throw_awAIDS:

I’m a positive gay dude. I got it in 2009, when I was 23. I had been seeing a guy for a bit and we stopped using condoms. I got another, curable, STI (gonorrhea) shortly after, which was a problem, as I understood our relationship to be a monogamous one.

It became clear that I didn’t actually have a good idea of the guy’s sexual activities prior to our relationship (he had claimed not to have had sex for a year before meeting me).

We stopped seeing each other, and a month or two later - after being very intensely sick I was diagnosed with HIV. I arranged to have the guy I’d been dating informed through a soflagaynews //

Scanning electron micrograph of HIV-1 budding (in green) from cultured lymphocyte.

Photo courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

third party service offered by my local public health department, so I’ve never spoken to him about it. I’m quite confident that I got it from him, as I hadn’t knowingly had unprotected sex with anyone else, and he confessed to having given me the gonorrhea before we stopped seeing each other. I have no idea if he was previously positive and unaware of it or lying, or if we got it simultaneously through his outside partner.

I’ve never been all that curious - it won’t change much now.

I’ve never had trouble or side effects from my medication combo. Some meds which contain an ingredient called sustiva can have psychological effects and give you the vivid dreams a few people are mentioning, but I’m not on a combo which contains it. My viral load - the measurement of how well the virus is suppressed - has been very low since almost immediately after I started on meds.

I am consistently told by my doctor that I can expect to lead a full life.

SouthFloridaGayNews

My life has changed for the better pretty much entirely. Being aware of my own mortality has radically changed the way I approach the world, how seriously I pursue my own goals, and how much I sweat the small stuff. My friends and the family members I told were nothing but supportive, and I started volunteering for an HIV/AIDS Service Organization within a few months of my diagnosis, and ended up meeting my best buddy through that, and a whole new group of very close friends as well. I live in a city with a huge gay community and lots of services for HIV+ guys, so there’s lot of other guys in my situation around, and I’ve never had trouble on the dating scene (to be fair, I’m also young and reasonably attractive). I’m about to complete a year with my current, awesome boyfriend, who is also positive, at the end of the month.

10/10 would get AIDS again.

Well, okay, not really.

  

Confident in your smile?

   |   

   General & Cosmetic Dentistry Find us on Facebook

$500 Off Clear Aligners Before

After

Dr. David K. Warner, DDS, FAGD Fellow, Academy of General Dentistry



954-565-7666 1946 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 www.IslandCitySmiles.com

Oktoberfest Bands

Always Plenty of Free Parking • Located Conveniently on Wilton Drive

Euro Express Sepp Diepolder Ambry Biergarten Specialities

Entertainment

Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Currywurst, Sauerkraut, Potato Salad, Goulash Soup Apple Strudel & Black Forest Cake German Wine Authentic Tucher Oktoberfest Beer

Euro Express Sepp Diepolder Dachshund Races Beer Barrel Races Stein Races Carnival Rides Schuhplattler Dancers

$5 Entry Fee Per Adult

Friday, October 4, 2013 • 5-11 PM | Saturday, October 5, 2013 • 1-11 PM Jaco Pastorius Park, 4000 North Dixie Highway in Downtown Oakland Park

www.oaklandparkfl.gov FREE Parking Available!

Phone: 954.630.4502

SPONSORS

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

23

LGBT History Month

Equality Forum Presents its 31 Gay Icons of 2013 for LGBT History Month Andrea Richard

andrearichard954@gmail.com

As October marks LGBT History Month, a different gay icon is to be featured every day on the popular website and educational resource via www.LGBThistorymonth. com. This online hall to fame will showcase downloadable resources from video bios, images, to archives of 150 icons including the 31 nominated individuals this year like Anderson Cooper, Queen Latifah and Sally Ride.

“We accept nominations from around the world from our website. Last year, there were over 500 nominations, and they were reviewed, and then recommended to our board,” said Malcolm Lazin executive director of Equality Forum, a Philadelphiabased LGBT civil rights nonprofit which launched this celebratory project in 2006.

Lazin, also an attorney, says Equality Forum aims to educate the world through promoting prominent LGBT individuals and their impact on the community at large. He does so by providing website users 150 tags or also known as keywords to render easy search tools. “Roughly about two years ago, when he had enough icons, and all of the icons’ resources archived on the site, we created a

cloud to post all the information and make it searchable,” said Lazin. “Type in a name say Elton John, and then you are able to click on his name and it allow users to click on his bio and downloadable resources.”

Up until 2012, LGBT history was not included in public education’s curriculum according to Lazin, marking a huge shift in supporting LGBT community. “Last year for the first time, three major school districts in the nation collaborated with LGBT History Month, and those were LA Unified School District, and Broward and Palm Beach Counties’ school districts.”

In 2013, four additional school districts including Miami Dade County added LGBT History to its curriculum.

The value of Equality Forum’s website project also serves to provide teachers with a resource that they can use to teach LGBT history and the many contributions.

To nominate an icon for 2014 lineup, vote now or before November 15 of this year, when polls will close via www.LGBThistorymonth. com. Also, visit www.EqualityForum.com for further information.

LGBT History Month 2013 Icons:

Zackie Achmat – South African Activist Edward Albee – Playwright Gwen Araujo – Transgender Hero Reinaldo Arenas – Cuban Author Axel Axgil – Activist Djuna Barnes – Author Joseph Beam – Activist Gad Beck – Holocaust Survivor Joan Biren – Documentarian Patrick Califia – Author Mandy Carter – Activist Willa Cather – Author Tracy Chapman – Singer/Songwriter Tim Cook – Entrepreneur Anderson Cooper – Journalist Elio Di Rupo – Belgium Prime Minister Martin Duberman – Historian Tom of Finland – Activist Brenda Howard - Actor Nathan Lane – Actor Queen Latifah – Entertainer Simon Nkoli – South African Activist Bruce Nugent – Author Ma Rainey – Singer Sally Ride – National Hero

Marlon Riggs – Filmmaker Vito Russo – Film Historian Jose Sarria – Activist George Takei – Actor Jason Wu – Designer John Lawrence & Tyron Garner – Legal Activists

Queen Latifah Photo courtesy of Queen Latifah’s Facebook

Love, hope, success, family, security.

Some things we all have in common.

There’s nobody like State Farm® to protect the things we all value.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

CALL AN AGENT OR VISIT US ONLINE TODAY. ®

statefarm.com

®

1101024.1

24

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews

LGBT History Month: 31 Days, 31 Icons From LGBTHistoryMonth.com

Edward Albee Playwright

March 12, 1928-

Zackie Achmat

Gwen Araujo

South African Activist

Transgender Hero

February 24, 1985 - October 3, 2002

March 21, 1962-

“I think we should all live on the precipice of life, as fully and as dangerously as possible.”

“The desire to know requires courage, patience and persistence because freedom, dignity and equality depend on it.”

Edward Albee is a celebrated playwright who won three Pulitzer Prizes and three Tony Awards.

“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” his first Broadway play, helped establish Albee as one of America’s greatest playwrights.

Born Edward Harvey in Washington D.C., he was adopted as an infant by the prominent Albee family of New York. The family’s ownership of a national theater chain nurtured Albee’s passion for the arts.

Albee and his parents were constantly at odds over his desire to pursue a career in theater. After failing out of two private schools, he graduated high school and matriculated to Trinity College.

In 1949, Albee dropped out of Trinity to pursue a career in writing. He moved to Greenwich Village, an artistic epicenter. Albee experimented with writing poetry and short fiction before finding a niche in playwriting.

Albee’s early Off-Broadway shows received praise for their unconventional themes, including homoeroticism. He made his Broadway debut with “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” which earned Albee his first Tony Award.

Albee has written more than 25 plays. His willingness to experiment with various styles earned him Pulitzer Prizes for “A Delicate Balance,” “Seascape” and “Three Tall Women.” He received two additional Tony Awards for “The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?” and a revival of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” Since moving to Greenwich Village, he has lived an openly gay life. Recognized for pioneering the depiction of homosexuality on stage, Albee weaves same-sex relationships throughout his work.

He lived for 35 years with Jonathan Winters, his partner, until Winters’s death in 2005. Albee received a Special Tony Lifetime Achievement Award and The Academy of Achievement’s Golden Plate Award for exceptional accomplishment in the arts.

Zackie Achmat is a South African activist whose work has focused on people living with HIV/AIDS, the gay community and combating apartheid. He is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and a recipient of the Desmond Tutu Leadership Award and the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights.

Achmat was raised in Cape Town, South Africa. At age 14, he participated in the 1976 anti-apartheid uprising in Soweto. As an adolescent, he assisted the African National Congress by organizing his peers.

Achmat became active in South Africa’s gay community and founded the National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality. In 2000, he directed the documentary “Apostles of Civilised Vice,” chronicling the history of the gay community in South Africa.

In the late 1990s, Achmat was diagnosed as HIV-positive.

It was difficult for him to obtain treatment or medications in South Africa, which had one of the highest rates of infection.

Achmat helped create the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC). TAC led campaigns against the South African government, which was reluctant to get involved with the epidemic in part because of the expense and also because it did not consider AIDS a significant problem. By organizing protests, Achmat demanded that the government take action to provide AIDS education, prevention and resources for HIV-positive citizens.

When pharmaceutical companies filed a lawsuit to block the import of cheaper HIV medications, Achmat and TAC led a successful campaign that thwarted their efforts.

Despite being able to afford antiretroviral medications, Achmat refused to take the drugs until they became available to all South Africans. In 2003, the South African government began providing antiretroviral medications to a greater portion of the country.

Achmat cofounded ABIGALE (Association of Bisexuals, Gays, and Lesbians) and Ndifuna Ukwazi (Dare to Know), an education-based organization. Nelson Mandela called Achmat a national hero. soflagaynews //

“Live as though this is your last day.”

Gwen Araujo was a transgender teen who was the victim of a brutal murder. Her attack brought national attention to the issue of violence against transgender people.

Born in the San Francisco Bay area, Edward Araujo Jr. underwent hormone therapy in high school and adopted the name Gwen Amber Rose Araujo. She left school because of incessant bullying and ridicule.

The night Araujo was murdered, she attended a party at the home of Jose Merél. According to police reports, there were four young men involved in the attack— Michael Magidson, Jose Merél, Jaron Nabors and Jason Casarez.

At trial, Nabors testified that Araujo had consensual sex with a few of the men before it was revealed that she was biologically male. Araujo was beaten and strangled to death, hog-tied, wrapped in a blanket and buried in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

In exchange for his testimony against the other defendants, Nabors pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. The other three men, charged with firstdegree murder and committing a hate crime, invoked the transgender “panic defense,” claiming that the victim provoked the attack by having sex under false pretenses. By invoking this defense, Magidson and Merél were convicted of second-degree murder and acquitted of the hate crime.

Casarez pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter.

Araujo’s murder helped bring awareness to the incidence of violence against transgender people and the “panic defense.” In 2006, California enacted the Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act. The law allows a judge to instruct jurors not to consider their anti-LGBT biases during deliberations. That same year, Lifetime aired an original movie, “A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story.” The case was the subject of a 2007 documentary, “Trained in the Ways of Men.” Each November, communities across the nation hold a Transgender Day of Remembrance to memorialize the dozens of transgender people like Gwen Araujo who are murdered every year.

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

25

LGBT History Month

Gay in Film Through the Decades

A look back at 10 of the most iconic ‘gay’ films Gary M. Kramer garyk@att.net

The Boys in the Band (1970)

There are films about gay history (Milk), and there are historic gay films (Brokeback Mountain). Both should be celebrated in Gay History Month. While there are many reasons why a film is “classic,” these ten titles are of historical cinematic importance— either because they were groundbreaking, award-winning, or the first film to depict a particular aspect of queer life for mass audiences. In some cases, they are all of the above. This is my no means a definitive list, but certainly a good primer on getting one’s gay film history straight.

1950

Some Like it Hot (1959)

Mart Crowley’s landmark 1968 play became a landmark 1970 film directed by William Friedkin.

Featuring an all-male cast, the film’s eight gay men plus one guest celebrate a birthday party that is anything but a happy experience. The dialogue is crisp, “Show me a happy homosexual, and I’ll show you a gay corpse” and witty, “Who do you have to fuck to get a drink around here?” And the performances are terrific (the cast first performed together on stage). If The Boys in the Band is a bit dated today, the film is key to “the evolution of gay and lesbian history and culture,” according to Clayton Robey, whose fine 2011 documentary Making the Boys chronicles Crowley’s success.

1960

This terrific cross-dressing comedy has Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) donning drag while on the run from the mob. Joining an all-female band, featuring singer Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe), the guys find being women helps them be better men—especially when Joe falls hard for Sugar, and Jerry is pursued by Osgood Fielding III (Joe E. Brown), who gets the hilarious final line. Full of slapstick, songs, and inspired silliness (Curtis’ pretending to be Cary Grant is quite amusing) Some Like It Hot was daring for its time, but forever fabulous.

26

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

1970

Midnight Cowboy (1969)

The only X-rated film to win the Best Picture Oscar, Midnight Cowboy depicts the intense friendship between Joe Buck (Jon Voight), who wants to be a hustler, and Ratso Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman), a disabled conman. Queer British filmmaker John Schlesinger’s New York-set film speaks volumes about being an outsider, as Joe and Ratso—two losers trying to survive against oppression—ably attest. The film has many outstanding sequences, from Joe’s gay encounter with a young student (Bob Balaban) to a psychedelic party featuring Warhol superstars.

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews

Cabaret (1972)

It is hard to believe Cabaret is more than 40 years old, but this fantastic Bob Fosse directed musical still holds up. Liza Minnelli gives an indelible, Oscar-winning performance as Sally Bowles, the singer at the Kit-Kat club (where most of the songs are performed). She falls in love with bisexual Brian (Michael York) while the Nazis take over Germany. The Kander and Ebb songs are dark but catchy—“Maybe This Time” is especially great—and Joel Grey’s notable turn as the Emcee won him an Oscar, too.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

The film itself is not particularly good, but the theatrical experience is what makes The Rocky Horror Picture Show a must-see. Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) have car trouble and enter the strange castle/ world of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a sweet transvestite from Transsexual Transylvania. Music and mayhem ensue. And as Dr. Frank advises, “Don’t dream it, be it.”

Cruising (1980)

Philadelphia (1993)

William Friedkin (Boys in the Band) angered the queer community with this thriller starring Al Pacino as a cop going undercover in the gay S&M scene to ferret out a serial killer. While the film was subjected to protests during shooting and its theatrical release, much of the anxiety about the film was how it depicted the gay community. However, seen now, Cruising is a fascinating (if dated) character study with a provocative final scene. While the film still may be somewhat offensive, it also deserves reconsideration. Interior. Leather Bar. made earlier this year by Travis Mathews and James Franco, attempted to “recreate” 40 lost minutes from Cruising with mixed results.

The first major theatrical release Hollywood made about the AIDS crisis, Philadelphia is memorable not just for Tom Hanks’ Oscarwinning performance but for how it presented issues important to the queer community (such as hospital visitation rights and legal issues in the workplace). While some queer viewers complained there was barely a kiss between Hanks and Antonio Banderas (who played his lover), the film tackled an important topic well, and is a crucial film in the gay historical canon.

1990

1980

Word Is Out (1977)

The remarkable Word is Out, was the first full-length documentary by queer filmmakers about queer subjects. The profiles consist of twenty-six gay men and women from a crosssection of the queer community. While these individuals have only sexual orientation in common, their poignant, emotionally charged portraits about when they knew they were gay speak to more universal experiences. The film may seem like something from a time capsule now, but it’s an important part of gay cinema history.

The Times of Harvey Milk (1984) and Milk (2008)

Rob Epstein’s Oscar-winning documentary presented the charismatic Harvey Milk from his efforts to become the first openly gay elected official to public office in San Francisco, and his subsequent assassination. The story was also brilliantly told in Gus Van Sant’s biopic, Milk almost 25 years later, which earned Oscars for Sean Penn and Dustin Lance Black, respectively, for their performance and script. Seeing both films back-to-back, one can appreciate how accurate Van Sant was in capturing the era and scenes right out of the doc, and both films deftly incorporated archival footage. Times and Milk are essential queer history titles; both emphasize its subject’s call to GLBT folks to come out and be heard. soflagaynews //

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Perhaps no other film in the history of cinema has achieved the crossover success of “the gay cowboy film.” Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger (in one of the most remarkable performances in queer film history) as lovers who try to deal with their feelings towards one another in the repressed West of the 1960s-1980s, this tearjerker is one of the great romantic dramas of all time—gay or otherwise.

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

27

lifestyle profile

YES!

South Florida’s Yes Institute works to get people talking about all those things they’d sometimes rather ignore

Jacob Long

When a Miami-Dade couple decided to accept their child’s psychologically-tested and apparent gender identification, son Manuel became daughter Manuela.

But the journey to acceptance wasn’t easy and it didn’t involve just the parents of the transgender child. An entire community must come to terms with the realities of Manuela’s gender identity, and entire communities tend to be less than informed on such topics.

Enter the YES Institute, a source for information and education on gender and sexual orientation for the community in South Florida — a source that actively pushes and condones open dialogues. When Manuela’s parents were trying to figure out with a son who insisted on being a princess for Halloween, they turned to a YES board member, who initiated the kind of education

28

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

that led the parents to accept their son becoming their daughter.

“That’s one of our number one requests,” says Roxy Sora, the chair of the YES Institute board, speaking about parents who approach the group and shrugs their shoulders about sons and daughters who identify as opposite genders. “It’s an opportunity for people in the community to express whatever they need to express, whether it’s fear or concern.”

YES gets together experts on people who can intimately discuss the issues at hand.

Education and information are the group’s mainstay, enforcing their philosophy.

“What we usually do is bring a speaker into the community who’s going through the same experience,” Sora told SFGN. And what was the result for kids like Manuela? “They realize this person is another human being.

soflagaynews //

The school is now working with the family to create a safe space for this child.”

YES began as a community-based initiative in 1996 to address the high rates of teenage suicide impacting young people who identified or were labeled as gay. In 2003, YES Institute added cuttingedge education courses on gender. The curriculum is accredited by the Florida Department of Health and the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the 4th largest school district in the U.S. Courses and presentations are available in both English and Spanish.

The group’s biggest shift recently is that it’s hitting large systems of care, from foster care facilities hiring them for educating to hospitals seeking to be more culturally competent.

Since YES doesn’t do direct service, it’s not implicitly working on suicide prevention, but its work surely aids people who may end up in such contemplations. Within the framework of the group’s agenda, there’s a different Roxy Sora is the chair of the board at YES Institute, which aims to educate way of communicating and and inform the community on issues relating to gender identity and orientation. going along with life — a Photo courtesy of Roxy Sora lot of the group’s speakers are children.

“We really decided that was something we “They become really strong in believing in wanted to be involved with and we wanted to themselves. It stops outside environments do something about that,” Barden told SFGN. from affecting them. The work does away The first obstacle was reaching people. They with many of their fears, and they go out and figured having conversations was the way to make a difference,” Sora said. “That feeling start, and that’s been part of YES’s philosophy of acceptance, where people are rooting for ever since. A long-time nurse, Barden had the you, provides a shift from the thinking that background of medical care and was familiar there may be no way out other than taking of the issues plaguing the community. one’s life.”

“The idea is education. That’s the basis Back in the early to mid nineties, YES of YES.” Barden told SFGN. “If we educate cofounder Connie Barden and a colleague the people who create the environment in were bothered by the high percentage of which kids grow up, that environment will youths that considered or committed suicide be better.” were LGBT. For more information, go to YESinstitute.org.

SouthFloridaGayNews

advertorial health

A Conversation With Phyllis Timlin, R.N.

Owner of AT HOME SENIOR CARE OF BROWARD, a local home health care firm.

Photo courtesy of JDlasica

Growing old and facing the fact that we may need to introduce a care giver into our home at some point is an unavoidable life event. Seniors in the LGBT community face the daunting challenge of selecting the right home health care provider.

Q. What qualities should one look for in a home care agency and how will I know if it’s right for me?

A. Often seniors reject the idea of a stranger coming into their home because they recognize the reality that their independence and personal privacy may now be compromised. I also encounter the perception that a care giver might mistreat or act abusively to a gay patient. Our home care agency has been serving the local LGBT for over 10 years. I have personally been involved in this area of health care as an R.N. for over 25 years. We pride ourselves in assigning caregivers who have a proven track record of health care in the LGBT community. My responsibility is to be hands on, recruiting personnel who are demonstratively dedicated to serving this community.

My LGBT patient/clients have historically drawn from word of mouth referrals, gay members of my own close friends and family, and social service professionals who have experienced our sensitivity to LGBT home health care issues.

Q. When a member of the LGBT community approaches you seeking home health care what is your protocol?

A. My job initially is to be a good listener.

Initially, a prospective patient/client (or) a family member interviews me. My goal is to learn what a prospective client is seeking.

Clients I’ve been responsible for through the years, have a unique set of health issues. My love is to find the perfect care giver for each client. My listening abilities must be coupled with intuition. Initially, people aren’t always candid. I engage in a thorough assessment. I generally ask polite but insightful questions designed to provoke truth. As I’ve said,

assigning the right care giver is dependent upon understanding the client’s medical needs and unique personal requirements.

Client’s preferences for a care giver concern age, gender, color and ethnicity. It some cases I’ve sent one, two or three care givers to a patient until the match works out…and it always does .

Q. In your care giver experience with patient/clients from the LGBT community is there any specific issue(s) that you have encountered unique to that demographic?

A. Anyone suddenly in need of a home health care giver as I’ve mentioned earlier deals with this experience differently. I have observed in this community a more pronounced craving for privacy. I am not a social worker. My guess is that older gays who may have kept their sexual preference to themselves over the years and must now allow a stranger into their home, face a significant dilemma. I have seen individuals in this context suffering from loneliness and resulting depression.

Imagine elder partners and same sex spouses that have been together for 40 years, suddenly encountering the unexpected need for a care giver. All of a sudden they face the prospect of revealing a heretofore personal lifestyle. I have come across this issue repeatedly. I am observant of strict HIPPA statutes that forbid sharing medical issues that would otherwise compromise individual privacy. I view my client’s lifestyle with the same level of guarded privacy. Unfortunately, a senior who suffers Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and other aging illnesses cuts across all demographics. As more and more baby boomers approach senior status and resulting old age disabilities, the availability of being cared for in one’s home is a desirable choice made more comforting by a qualified care giver.

For more information or if you have any questions, please feel free to call,email or join us on twitter,facebook. soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

29

$6Goose

Grey

s!

il Cockta

Presents

Boys Night Out

2 for 1 Entrees all night

Every Monday Night Live music featuring Mickey Havens

Free Valet Parking

We welcome our new managers Krystal K. & Jeffrey

Lobster Tail Thursdays, Surf & Turf friday & Saturdays Every Thursday get 2 Loster Tails (5-6oz. each) for just $19.

Friday and Saturday get a 6oz. tail & 8oz. filet for only $29.

Both specials are a la carte and require drink purchase. Dine in only.

Doors open at 5pm • Voted best new restaurant in Broward County 2011

MichelesDiningLounge • MichelesDL.com

2761 East Oakland Park Boulevard • 954-533-1919 30

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews

column the book worm Terri Schlichenmeyer

Autobiography of My Hungers

Author Rigoberto Gonzalez and the cover of his book “Autobiography of My Hungers.”

Submitted Photo

“Autobiography of My Hungers” by Rigoberto González c.2013, University of Wisconsin Press $19.95 / higher in Canada 113 pages Your life is full.

The days are jammed with work and home; evenings, with hobbies and projects and no time to breathe. Between friends and family, chores, and engagements, weekends are back-to-back packed, too.

Yes, your life is full… and yet, sometimes, you notice a lingering feeling of something missing. In “Autobiography of My Hungers”

by Rigoberto González, you’ll see that you’re not the only one with holes in your heart.

When he was a young boy living with his family in Mexico, Rigoberto González remembers that his kitchen job was to separate the piedrita (pebbles) from the beans before his mother boiled them.

He “enjoyed… the small stones,” until they followed him into adulthood.

Back then, he was his parents’ oldest child, but he was close to his Abuelo and Abuela.

The entire family was poor, but they “were not going to starve, despite what Abuelo had said the week before.” Despite poverty, his Abuela made sacrifices for him, especially after the family moved El Norte (north, to America).

Her gifts were something González didn’t fully understand until many years later.

He did understand loss, however, starting with that of his mother, who returned from California to Mexico to die. González was still a child when she died and her absence, too, was something he didn’t fully grasp until he was a man.

Following his mother’s death and

his father’s remarriage and subsequent departure, González continued to live with his grandparents in a tiny apartment, where they all slept in one room. He went to school but felt out-of-place, with one foot in Mexico and one in his new country.

He was devastated when his family moved back to Mexico, leaving him alone to finish his education. Still, college was where he found a girlfriend, and came to terms with his “hungry gay body.” It was there that he tried to commit suicide, tried to starve himself, felt unloved, and came to confront memories of embarrassment in childhood and the hurt he held from his abusive, alcoholic father.

And New York, post-college, was where he realized that he could fall in love too quickly with a man, but “if the waters got rough, I could always beat him to the exit.”

Looking for a quick little pick-me-up read?

Well… you’d be half right, if you tried this memoir.

Yes, “Autobiography of My Hungers” is skinny and, at under 120 pages (most of them, partially-filled), it’ll be a quick book for most people to finish. Still, it seemed to be the longest book I’ve read this year, because author Rigoberto González writes with a deep, soul-crushing sadness that never lets up.

Yes, it could be argued, I suppose, that González pens with the beauty of a poet. I’ll admit I enjoyed his nuanced observations on the tidbits of life. To find those subtleties, though, is like searching through a garden of despair, which I’m not sure is worth the leftover feeling I got when finished.

No, “Autobiography of My Hungers” is just too full of sorrow. soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

31

outeats

Special Advertising Section

Siam Cuisine SFGN Staff

W

hether you’ve been in Wilton Manors for 20 minutes or 20 years, you’ve seen Siam Cuisine.

Siam has been planted on Wilton Drive since 1980 – the first Thai restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. You can wander around greater Fort Lauderdale all you want, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more authentic Thai restaurant than the legendary Siam Cuisine.

Regulars come in constantly. They order take-out, where Tony, the owner, inquires about other family members not with the delegated pick-up person. Or they sit at a table – each one with a single pink rose atop – deciding between the night’s specials.

The waiter touts the seafood pumpkin curry (we’ll get to that later). They order wine, as they do on all of their visits. They hug Tony, welcoming him to the conversation.

It’s hard to walk into a Thai restaurant and not order the traditional pad Thai.

That’d be like going to a baseball game and not getting a hot dog. But if you walk in to Siam Cuisine, it’s fine to get the pad Thai.

But you’ll pinch yourself later for not trying anything else.

For drinks, try the sake, even if it’s your first time. Variations come in hot or cold – Nigori being one of the best among the chilled options ($15). Even an organic option is available.

Start with the chicken and shrimp dumplings ($6.95), topped with sliced green onions and served with soy sauce.

Or grab the shrimp wontons ($6.95) served with a semi-spicy chili sauce, topped with peanuts. If the sauce isn’t spicy enough (or maybe too much), be sure to tell your server, as they can adjust the level of hotness to your liking.

If you’re looking for just a main course, yes, the pad Thai is delicious. Get the shrimp and chicken ($17.95) since it’s the most popular. If you’re going out for pad Thai, Siam Cuisine will be your best option for it. But if you’re going out for all sorts of Thai cuisine, definitely consider branching out.

For the next few months, Siam is featuring a seafood pumpkin curry. With a mixture of shrimp, zucchini, red pepper, and restaurant-grown basil, chunks of pumpkin are pureed into the coconut milk curry mixture. It’s not overpowering; it actually gives it a subtle sweetness to an

32

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

otherwise fairly spicy dish. Spoon it over rice. It’s insanely good.

Ask about the whole red snapper since you won’t find it on the menu. It’s a filleted snapper broken into chunks, breaded and deep-fried, then tossed in a spicy tamarind chili sauce and placed back on the snapper bones. Don’t be alarmed at the fish head; it’s merely for presentation. Scoop the snapper chunks on to rice, add some of the red and green peppers and chili sauce, and dig in. If you can handle the heat, chances are you can finish the meal.

But you may want to take home some leftovers, just so you can make room for the Thai doughnut. Any preconceived notions you had about Thai doughnuts end when you eat this one from Siam Cuisine. Only because it’s nothing like a Thai doughnut.

For one, it resembles more of an American doughnut, not a large doughnut hole. It’s lightly fried and topped with honey, powdered sugar and sesame seeds. If you’ve made it this far, request chocolate syrup in place of the honey. No one will judge finger licking. It’s practically encouraged. At this point, you will never look at fried dough the same way ever again.

It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting the drive for the afternoon or you’re practically a resident. If you haven’t been to Siam Cuisine, you are missing out on truly authentic (and legendary) Thai food.

IF YOU G What

Siam Cuisine

When

Open for lunch Monday-Friday, 11:30-2:30 p.m.

Open for dinner Sunday and Monday, 5-10 p.m.

Tuesday-Thursday, 5-10:30 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, 5-11 p.m.

Where

2010 Wilton Drive Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305

More Info.

(954) 564-3411 www.siamcuisinefl.com

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews

get some

NEW AMERICAN | ITALIAN

19 SUMMER $

95

SIZZLER

THREE COURSE DINNER Monday-Wednesday 5 to10 pm Happy Hour will extended to your table till 7 pm Cannot be combined with any other offer. Expires 10/31/13.

New Times • Miami Herald • Sun Sentinel

American, Italian, Seafood, Steak

ZAGAT Rated “Excellent” • Open Table Diners Choice 2013

4140 N. Federal Highway • Ft Lauderdale 954 568 4443 • mojofl.com

Two for Tuesday Special

Second Entrée of equal or lesser value is Free Must purchase a beverage with each Entrée

•

Live Music Six Days a Week

2-4-1 Daily Happy Hour 4pm to 7pm

• Well drinks and Wine by the glass only

2761 East Oakland Park Boulevard | Fort Lauderdale

www.MichelesDL.com

954.533.1919

MichelesDiningLounge

Wilton Manors’ Premiere Wine Bar Organic, Heirloom & Farm to Table with Only Fresh Ingredients Gluten-Free Menu Options Fresh-Pulled Mozzarella Served Tableside

H a ppy Hou r Da ily U nt il 7p m day t on Thurs & all nigh

•New Seasonal Menu Items •New Wines •And More!

Tues-Thurs 4pm-12am • Fri 4pm-1am • Sat 2pm-1am • Closed Sun & Mon

2163 Wilton Drive • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954.563.5631 • NakedGrapeWineBar.com soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

33

S F G N I T ES F O R

T H E

W E E K

O F

S E P T E M B E R

1 8

-

S E P T E M B E R

2 5 ,

2 0 1 3

W W W . S F G N . C O M

J.W. Arnold

jw@prdconline.com

THUR Theater

10/3

Explore your feminine side this weekend at Andrews Living Arts Studio, 23 NW 5th St. in Fort Lauderdale. The inventive company offers An Evening of One Acts, all celebrating the female condition. Eve Ensler’s familiar The Vagina Monologues gets a fresh new solo treatment, and is paired with Save Me a Place at Forest Lawn, a geriatric buddy comedy featuring Kitt Marsh and Elizabeth Garrard that is sure to please.

So, get your v-jay jay down to Andrews Living Arts, Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. through Sept. 28. Tickets are $16.95-24.95 at AndrewsLivingArts.com.

FRI Art

10/4

Arts Garage, the popular flexible performance space in hip Delray Beach, celebrates Israeli Weekend. Tonight, meet internationally acclaimed artist Ted Barr, who invented a multi-layered technique using a combination of tar, acrylic and oil colors sealed with lacquer.

The reception for his solo exhibition begins at 6:30 p.m. Tomorrow, Sept. 28, Arts Garage Jazz Project presents critically acclaimed saxophonist, bandleader and composer Uri Gurvich, famous for his unique blend of Middle East and Hebraic folk melodies into contemporary, “meta-world” jazz. Gurvich takes the stage at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25-35 in advance and $30-40 at the door. For more information, go to ArtsGarage.org.

SAT Film

10/5 SUN

Perez Art Museum Miami offers the final screening of its summer Lights Out film series tonight with Tea, a film essay by artist Mario Garcia Torres. The film documents Torres’ journey to One Hotel in Kabul, Afganistan, which opened in 1971 by Italian conceptual artist Alighiero Boetti (1940-1994). Torres will make his first visit to Miami for the screening, today at 3 p.m. at Miami Beach Cinematheque at Historic City Hall, 1130 Washington Ave. A post-screening reception will be held at Dream South Beach, 1111 Collins Ave. Tickets are $10 for general admission. For more information, go to PAMM.org.

34

Edson Jean, George Schiavone, Michael Focas and Michael Kushner star in Stephen Karam’s award-winning play, Sons of the Prophet, playing at GableStage in Coral Gables through Oct. 20.

Photo Courtesy of George Schiavone

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

Theater

10/6 MON

Photography

Joseph Adler’s GableStage, in the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, produces some of the edgiest works coming out of New York and the current production, Stephen Karam’s Sons of the Prophet, is no exception. The “serio-comedy” a 2012 Pulitzer Prize finalist, offers a refreshingly honest take on how families cope with wounds that just won’t heal. This Lebanese-American family, struggling to get ahead in a blighted Pennsylvania steel town, must cope with two adult gay sons, racism and plenty of anguish.

Catch the show Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $37.50 – 50 at GableStage.org. soflagaynews //

10/7 TUE

This is your last chance to catch Woman’s World: Contemporary Views of Women

by Women and Bunny Yeager: Both Sides of the Camera at the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, 1 Las Olas Ave. The photographs in these exhibitions reveal how the explosive growth in numbers of women photographers since the 1950s—when Bunny Yeager herself was a pioneering pin-up photographer—has changed the way women are represented on film. Annie Leibovitz, Diane Arbus, Barbara Probst and Cindy Sherman are among the artists represented in the group exhibit, which closes Sunday, Oct. 6. For museum hours and more information, go to MOAFL.org.

SouthFloridaGayNews

Music

10/8

Festival Miami’s 30th anniversary season begins in grand style with multi-Grammy Award-winning international megastar Gloria Estefan performing highlights from her brand new CD, Gloria Estefan: The Standards. Enjoy behind-the-scenes video and new renditions of enduring favorites plus Latin American love songs. Festival Miami continues through Nov. 1 at the University of Miami’s Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Dr. in Coral Gables, and features top classical, jazz and international artists, including violinist Joshua Bell, trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, jazz vocalist Karrin Allyson and more. For tickets and more information, go to Miami.edu/Frost/.

Top Chef Sponsor:

8thual n An

Taste of the

Island

OCTOBER 3

Wilton Manors Taste of the Island is an evening of food and libation featuring samples of the cuisine from more than 50 area restaurants and drinking establishments.

Join us for an Evening of Food and Libation in the Island City Date: November 4, 2013 Location: Richardson Historic Park & Preserve, 1937 Wilton Drive Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/tasteoftheisland Buy your tickets online at: www.tasteoftheisland.org $30 in advance, $40 at the door Host Level Sponsor:

Chef Level Sponsor:

Host Level Sponsor:

Chef Level Sponsor:

Host Level Sponsor:

best dressed Table Sponsor:

Marketing Sponsor:

Getting YOUR Word Out!

Chef Level Sponsor:

Wine Tasting presented by:

Water/Soda Sponsor:

Media Sponsor:

Volunteer/T-Shirt Sponsor:

Entertainment Sponsor:

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

Green Sponsor:

TEdd & JuSTin TrabErT

HOLLYWOOD ARTSPARK

EXPERIENCE

UNEXPECTED SOUNDS FROM ITALY

+ NICOLA CONTE DJ SET

SAT OCT 5 7PM

HOLLYWOOD ARTSPARK 1 YOUNG CIRCLE DOWNTOWN HOLLYWOOD FL (305) 672-5202 • RhythmFoundation.com

PLUS: HIT WEEK MUSIC AND CHEF CONTEST WINNERS ITALIAN FOOD • MORE

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

35

a&e art

About Face: Portraiture A reflection of ourselves Andrea Richard

andrearichard954@gmail.com

The latest exhibition at Studio 18 opens this Friday, Oct. 4, with an opening reception from 7 to 10 p.m. As the name suggests: “About Face: Portraiture,” features a collection of multimedia portraits by a select group of seven artists who explore the intimate world of portraiture creations.

“I don’t think an artist is successful in painting portraits without seeing themselves,” said Jill Slaughter, curator of special projects of the City of Pembroke Pines. “There are many people who can draw, but there are few who can capture the soul and essence of a subject. To portray the essence of a person one needs to understand more than anatomy, color, light, shadow Pieces from Studio 18’s About Face: Portraiture exhibit..

Photo courtesy of Studio 18 and composition. Keen observations about the subject have little to do with like a hat, a photograph, any thing of capturing realism, and more to do with the sentimental value. “I wanted them to look at artist’s ability to build a trusting relationship themselves, and show us who they are,” she with the subject, often times revealing more said, of the visual memory showcase of the of what a person hopes to conceal.”

Vietnam War by post 8195.

Exhibiting artist Jc Bravo exaggerates In addition, a whimsical public art project and distorts facial features to reflect his “Face Bombing,” by artist Todd Brittingham sentiments on society. He grew up in an will conjoin with the show. improvised town in Peru before moving to At the opening reception on Friday, some Miami. The American consumer culture of of the veterans from Post 8195 will give a ‘bigger is better’ made such an impression reading from a book that they coauthored, on Bravo that when he paints a portrait recounting their service. he swells the head, and enlarges the nose Attendees will be treated to a live musical which serves as a visual representation for performance will be provided by Savannah the opulence and the congestion and things Ashton. A customized photo booth will be that are bigger than life in the United States set up for all attendees to snap up fun images according to Slaughter. as a keepsake. Props and backgrounds will be It is this pure observation that Bravo provided for a suggested minimum donation brings to his art, thus infusing a soul into of $3. Proceeds will benefit Veterans of his painted subjects. Bravo shared: “Painting Foreign Wars. portraits is my passion, I believe painting should go beyond just merely copying a faithful likeness; it should be able to give insight into the subject and artists.”

The other exhibiting artists include Diana Contreras, Barbara M. de Varona-BMD, Elyse What About Face Roth, Alex Altidor, and Buddah Funk.

Slaughter takes pride in offering accessible When Friday, Oct. 4, from 7 to 10 art to the public, and thus strives to incorporate p.m., and is on view through a community engagement component in any November, 22, 2013 of her curated projects. About Face is a nod to the military and intends to pay tribute to Where Studio 18, 1101 Poinciana those who served our country.

Drive, Pembroke Pines, FL She contacted Veterans of Foreign War post 8195 in Pembroke Pines, and invited Cost Free those at the post to contribute to her show.

Considering that some of the war veterans More ppines.com/studio18, or call 954are not trained artist, she suggested they Info. 450-6947 show a piece that addressed their feelings

IF YOU G

36

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews

a&e theater

The Twilight of the Golds Family drama at stage door raises ethical questions, challenges audiences J.W. Arnold

jw@prdconline.com

Torres effectively service Tolins’ overuse of operatic metaphors and foreshadowing throughout the play and Torres’ IKEAinspired set creates a suitable setting for this period play.

Despite some shortcomings in this production, the moral questions pervade, as evidenced by the lively intermission discussion of several older women sitting

in front of me: What would you do? Did you know (our friend) has a gay son? She insists he hasn’t met the right woman and he’s nearly 50 years old! I guess I’m not as liberal as I thought. Times have certainly changed….

Just how much have times really changed?

That’s exactly the question you’ll be asking yourself on the ride home after seeing The Twilight of the Golds.

James Hesse, center, stars as the gay son thrust into a family conflict when his family debates whether to abort a child who will probably grow up to be gay.

Photo courtesy of George Wentzler

Roll back the clock 20 years: Bill Clinton has just been elected president. IBM posts a $4.97 billion single year loss, the largest ever.

Lorena Bobbitt is arrested—and acquitted— for cutting off her husband’s penis.

Schindler’s List wins Best Picture and Angels in America is the Best Play on Broadway.

The AIDS crisis is at its height. Shocking pictures of Rock Hudson, Rudolf Nureyev and Arthur Ashe are plastered across the covers of supermarket tabloids. No one is quite certain how the disease is contracted and spread, but it’s a guaranteed death sentence. And, National Institutes of Health researcher Dean Hamer is about to suggest the existence of a “gay gene,” the desperately sought link in the gripping nature vs. nurture debate about the cause of homosexuality.

All of these realities collide with the lives of the Gold family, an affluent Jewish family, in Jonathan Tollins’ drama, The Twilight of the Golds, playing through Oct. 27 at Broward Stage Door in Coral Springs and then transferring to the Byron Carlyle in Miami Beach.

Parents Phyllis and Walter (Phyllis Spear and Larry Kent Bramble) like to think of themselves as progressive, after all they love their gay son, David (James Hesse), a flamboyant set designer at the Metropolitan Opera, despite his lifestyle “choice.”

Spoiled daughter Suzanne (Sarah Miller) an admitted underachiever—she quit medical school because she despised tests and now is a buyer at Blomingdale’s—and son-in-law David (Jeffrey Scott Leshansky), a researcher at a biomedical company, are celebrating their third anniversary.

All seems just fine as the family gathers to

celebrate the event, until Suzanne surprises all with the news she is pregnant. Joy quickly turns to painful conflict as a genetic test administered at David’s employer reveals the presence of the “gay gene.” Personal demons the family repressed over the years are suddenly revealed, as the couple openly contemplates an abortion.

Parents admit they wished their son had been normal, a sister expresses fear for the happiness and safety of her unborn child, and the father-to-be is the most visibly unnerved at the prospect of a gay son. David likens the very notion they would entertain such thoughts to the eugenics experiments of the Nazis and even the desire to kill him.

Even in 2013, in the midst of an era of gay civil rights, growing societal acceptance and marriage equality, this would still be a heartwrenching dilemma for many expectant parents, even the ones who think they’re liberal.

Indeed, Tolins’ script successfully raises these questions, but unfortunately, it lumbers along, especially during the first act, and creates, at best, an unflattering picture of a two-dimensional family that would stunt the healthy development of even a “perfect” heterosexual child.

Further, the cast—with the exception of the charismatic Hesse, who benefits from Tolins’ most fully developed character— lacks any convincing depth or onstage chemistry. However, each of the actors, under the direction of Broadway veteran Michael Leeds, shines best in their turns at monologues meant to express the deep anguish each feels with his or her situation.

Lighting by Ardean Landhuis and sound design by Stage Door co-founder David

SAT, OCTOBER 5 BB&T CENTER

soflagaynews //

AVAILABLE NOW

Charge By Phone: 800-745-3000. All dates, acts and ticket prices subject to change without notice. Ticket prices subject to applicable fees.

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

37

T

DateBook Theater

By Christiana Lilly, Calendar@SFGN.com

* Denotes new listing

Broward County

singers and dancers. Tickets $37.50 to $51.50. Call 954-462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.com

Patrizio Buanne

* Elegantly Brahms

Sarah Brightman

* Comedy Central Presents Anthony Jeselnik

Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. at the Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The Italian singer sings renditions of Italian classics and American pop songs inspired by Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.

Tickets $39 to $59. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

Oct. 5 at the BB&T Center, One Panther Parkway in Sunrise. The world’s best selling soprano will enchant her audience on her “Dreamchaser” tour.

Tickets $30 to $250. Visit TheBBTCenter.com.

* Chicago

Oct. 9 to 20 at the Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The Broadway classic takes the audience back to the Roaring ‘20s in a story of murder, corruption and jazz in the Windy City.

Tickets $34.50 to $119.50. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

* Björn Again

Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. at Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. A night to relive the ‘70s with ABBA’s hits performed by the world’s top tribute

Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Pianist Gwendolyn Mok performs pieces by Johannes Brahms to benefit the Friends of Music Education for Haiti. Tickets $60. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. at Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. The stand up comic has had the audience in stitches from various Comedy Central roasts, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel Live and his own The Jeselnik Offensive. Tickets $29.15. Call 954-462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.com.

* Ambrosia

Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. at the Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place in Miramar. Tickets $30 to $40. California rock is back with the ‘70s rock band known for their hits “How Much I Feel” and “Biggest Part of Me.” Call 954-602-4500 or visit MiramarCulturalCenter.org.

* Pentimento and Firebird

Oct. 12 to 13 at the Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida kicks off its season with its tribute to the pentimento art form as well as the notorious “Firebird” by Stravinsky. Tickets: $25. Call 954-4620222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

Palm Beach County Oct. 4 to 13 at FAU’s Studio One Theatre, 777 Glades Road in Boca Raton. Anton Chekov’s play of an aristocratic Russian family’s struggle to come to terms with the end of their family’s estate during the rise of the middle class. Tickets $12 to $20. Call 1-800-564-9539 or visit FAUevents.com.

Daniel Pearl World Music Days Harmony for Humanity

Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at FAU’s University Theatre, 777 Glades Road in Boca Raton. The University Symphony Orchestra joins an international network of concerts using music to reaffirm a commitment to tolerance and humanity. Tickets $10. Visit FAUevents.com or call 800-564-9539.

America’s Got Talent

Oct. 5 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Be wowed by the talent showcased across the country, headlined by the television show’s latest winner. Tickets $20 to $100.

Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

Last of the Red Hot Lovers

Oct. 5 to 20 at the Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 NW Ninth St. in Delray Beach. Barney Cashman’s friends convince him that having an affair will add some spice to his life -- but he soon discovers it’s not as easy to romance the ladies as he thought.

Tickets $30. Call 561-272-1281, ext. 4 or visit DelrayBeachPlayhouse.com. // 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

soflagaynews //

Kid Cudi

Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Big Sean and Logic open for the hip hop artist.

Tickets $54.05 to $64.25. Call 786-7771000 or visit AAArena.com.

The Cherry Orchard

38

Photo courtesy of Julio Enriquez

* All Shook Up

Oct. 10 to 27 at the Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave. in Lake Worth. A mix of Elvis Presley’s rocking’ introduction to the world in the lines of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Tickets $26 to $35. Call 561-586-6410 or visit LakeWorthPlayhouse.org.

* Of Mice and Men

Oct. 11 to Nov. 10 at Palm Beach Dramaworks, 201 Clematis St. in West Palm Beach. John Steinbeck’s novel of the struggle of two migrant workers come to the stage in the theater’s season opener.

Tickets $52 to $75. Call 561-514-4042, ext. 2 or visit PalmBeachDramaworks.org.

Miami-Dade County

Ruthless! The Musical

Oct. 9 to Nov. 3 at the Actors Playhouse at the MIracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. A satirical musical about a girl’s yearning for stardom in today’s celebrity-obsessed world. Tickets $40. Call 305-444-9293 or visit ActorsPlayhouse.org.

SouthFloridaGayNews

* Mamma Mia

Oct. 10 to 13 at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1200 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The acclaimed musical with the tunes of ABBA will have you dancing in your seat. Tickets $26 to $96. Call 786-468-2000 or visit ArshtCenter.org.

* Metamorphoses

Oct. 10 to 27 at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1200 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The Greek myths of Ovid are told through performance in an underwater stage. Tickets $45. Call 786-468-2000 or visit ArshtCenter.org.

The Marvelous Wonderettes

Through Oct. 13 at Main Street Players, 6766 Main St. in Miami Lakes. The story of the high school song leader squads in the ‘50s is told through pop songs of the ‘50s and ‘60s that you’re sure to sing along to. Tickets $18 to $25. Call 305-558-3737 or visit MainStreetPlayers.com

Sons of the Prophet

Through Oct. 20 at the GableStage, 1200 Anastasia Avenue in Coral Gables. A surprisingly humorous look at human suffering and wounds that just won’t go away. Tickets $15 to $42.50. Call 305-445-1119 or visit GableStage.org.

The Big Show

Fridays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. at Just the Funny Theater, 3119 Coral Way in Miami. A collection of comedy mixing the likes of improvisation and sketches. Tickets $12. Call 305-693-8669 or visit JustTheFunny.com.

C

DateBook

Community Calendar

By Christiana Lilly, Calendar@SFGN.com

Broward County * Strikers Pride Night

Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Lockhart Stadium, 1350 NW 55th St. in Fort Lauderdale. Watch the Fort Lauderdale Strikers take on the Tampa Bay Rowdies in a game benefiting The Pride Center. Tickets $10. Contact Ian Rees at 954-606-0403 or email Ian@Strikers.com.

* Tibetan Yoga

Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to noon at The Goddess Store, 2017 Harrison St. in Hollywood. Two hours of flowing yoga with Master Sunyata Saraswati. Bring your own mat. Tickets $25. Call 954-901-0759 or visit ShentaoInnergyArts.com

* Mommy, I’m a Bastard!

Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place in Miramar. A film about three families linked together through adoption, followed by a discussion with filmmaker Max Barbakow. Tickets $5. Call 954-602-4500 or visit MiramarCulturalCenter.com.

* Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

Oct. 10 to 13 at the Classic Gateway Theater, 1820 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. A line up of 37 feature films, documentaries and short films from 10 different countries. Visit FLGLFF.com

* Indie Craft Bazaar

Oct. 13 from noon to 5 p.m. at Revolution Live, 100 SW Third Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Crafters, clothing designers and artists gather to sell their work. Don’t miss live music, a spooky photo booth, trick-ortreating, and a zombie slime and vampire guts booth!

Tickets $5 entry. Email indiecraftbazaar@gmail.com

* LGBT Senior Health Expo

Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. Seminars on various health topics, flu shots, HIV testing, testing for hearing, sight, cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, and more. Free. Call 954-463-9005.

* SNAPSHOT

Through Oct. 23 at The Pride Center Room 206 Gallery, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors.

Twelve artists showcase LGBT life through their work.

Free. Email Steven Shires, steve@stevenshires.com

PFLAG

Tuesdays in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and Southwest Ranches. A support group for parents of LGBT youth 13 to 21. Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com for dates and locations.

GayWrites

Gender Bender Youth Group

Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at SunServe Campus, 1480 SW Ninth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. A group for LGBT youth 13 to 21 to discuss gender, gender expression, binary systems, friendship, family and whatever else comes up! Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com

Survivor Support

First and third Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Broward Health Imperial Point Hospital cafeteria, 6401 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. Find support from counselors and peers who have lost loved ones to suicide. Call the Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention at 954-384-0344 or visit FISPOnline.org.

Palm Beach County * Contemporary Kogei Styles in Japan

Oct. 9 at 3 p.m. at the Morikami Theater, 4000 Morikami Park Road in Delray Beach. Hear from exhibit featured artists Murose Kazumi and Men’ya Shoho. Free with museum admission. Call 561-495-0233.

* Science of Wine & Beer

Oct. 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, 4801 Dreher Trail North in West Palm Beach. Try food from local restaurants and taste craft beers and wines. Tickets $15 to $25. Call 561-8321988 or visit SFScienceCenter.org.

* Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Golf Classic

Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Delaire Country Club, 4645 White Cedar Lane in Delray Beach. Enjoy lunch and refreshments before shot gun start at 12:30 p.m. Benefits the Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America. Tickets $250 individual or $900 foursome. Contact Amanda Niklaus at aniklaus@ccfa.org or call 561-218-2929.

* ActivistArtistA Anniversary Party

Oct. 11 to 13 at ActivistArtistA, 422 W. Industrial Ave. in Boynton Beach. Celebrate the second anniversary of the gallery with three days of live music, art, performances, food and drink. Call 786-521-1199 or visit ActivistArtistA. Blogspot.com

Miami-Dade County * Performing Arts of Black Peru

Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. at HistoryMiami, 101 W. Flagler St. in Miami. Celebrate Afro-Peruvian culture with a performance by Peru Expresion. Free. Call 305-3751492 or visit HistoryMiami.org.

*SweatUSA

First and third Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Stonewall Library, 1300 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale.

Join other LGBT writers to work on your latest story, memoir or novel. Free. Email garri1@earthlink.net

Oct. 11 to 13 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive in Miami Beach.

A weekend of fitness with celebrity guests Jillian Michaels, Tony Horton and Shaun T. Tickets $59 to $799. Visit SweatUSA.com.

SunServe Youth Group

* Monster Masquerade

Tuesdays and Thursdays in Fort Lauderdale, Southwest Ranches, Coral Springs and Hollywood. A support group and night of fun for LGBT youth 13 to 21. Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com for dates and times.

Oct. 19 from 8 p.m. to midnight at Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St. in Miami. A ghoulish party of costumes, haunted houses, music, food and drink to benefit Zoo Miami. Tickets $60 to $75. Call 305-255-5551 or visit ZooMiami.org.

Visit SFGN.com/datebook soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

39

N

DateBook Nightlife

By Christiana Lilly, Calendar@SFGN.com

Broward County Alibi

2266 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Best and longest happy hour; Wednesdays $2 domestics and $1 Schnapps after 9 p.m. Call 954-565-2526 or visit GeorgiesAlibi.com.

Angel’s Cafe

2287 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Enjoy happy hour on Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. with $3 wines and beers, free snacks, raffles, and music by DJ Sol. Two-for-one Sunday dinner special. Valet parking in rear. Call 954-900-5217.

The Club Fort Lauderdale

110 NW Fifth St. in Fort Lauderdale. A gym oasis with a pool, steam room, hot tub and half-priced rooms on Tuesday nights and half-priced lockers on Thursdays.

Call 954-525-3344 or visit TheClubs.com.

Johnny’s

1116 W. Broward Blvd in Fort Lauderdale. Sixty hot dancers with drink specials to make it even sweeter.

Call 954-522-5931 or visit JohnnysBarFLcom

The Manor

2345 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Dance club Friday and Saturday nights.Call 954-626-0082 or visit

40

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

TheManorComplex.com. Call 954-626-0082 or visit TheManorComplex.com.

Naked Grape Wine Bar & Tapas 2163 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. A casual, hip bar to try out all sort of wines. Happy Hour all night on Thursdays. Call 954-563-5631 or visit NakedGrapeWineBar.com.

Rumors Bar & Grill

2426 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Come check out Rumors Bar & Grill. Call 954.565.8851 or visit rumorsbarwm.com

Sidelines Sports & Video Bar

2031 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Relax with a cold beer for some friendly competition on the pool table. Call 954-563-8001 or visit SidelinesSports.com.

Swinging Richards

1350 SW 2nd St, Pompano Beach, FL 33069. Fully nude male dancers for the best shows in the South.

Call 954-357-5521 or visit SwingingRichards.com.

Village Pub Wilton Manors

2283 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Never miss out on a happy hour, as the pub is serving up two-for-one drinks Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, hit the dance floor

soflagaynews //

with world class VJs. Call 754-200-5244.

Palm Beach County The Cottage

522 Lucerne Ave. in Lake Worth. Tea Dance Sundays with great service, food and drinks. Call 561-586-0080.

Fort Dix

6205 Georgia Ave. in West Palm Beach. A great place to mingle and relax with DJs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Call 561-533-5355.

H.G. Roosters

823 Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach. The city’s oldest gay club, with hot male dancer, free BBQ and karaoke. Cal 561-832-9119.

Vita Ultra Lounge Saturdays

1225 Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach. LGBT Saturdays with the best drag queens around. Call 561835-8482 or visit VitaUltraLounge.com.

Miami-Dade County

Eros Lounge

8201 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Bingo Tuesdays and Born to be a Drag Fridays. Call 305-754-3444 or visit ErosLoungeMiami.com.

Score

727 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach. Located in the heart of South Beach with hot male dancers, Pop Fever Thursdays and Filthy Gorgeous parties Fridays.

Call 305-561-5521 or visit ScoreBar.net.

Twist South Beach

1057 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. Multiple rooms to give you the music you want, muscle boy dancers, and never a cover. Call 305- 538-9478 or visit TwistSoBe.com.

Key West

801 Girls Cabaret

801 Duval St. in Key West. The island’s only daytime drag show. Call 305-923-9296 or visit 801Girls.com

Bottlecap Groove Lounge

Azucar

2301 SW 32nd Ave. in Miami. Jock night Wednesdays, drag Thursdays, girls night Fridays and more. Call 305-443-7657 or visit AzucarMiami.com

1128 Simonton St. in Key West. Thursday pool tournaments and dance parties Friday and Saturday nights. Tips during Happy Hour on Fridays will benefit a different nonprofit every week. Call 305296-2807 or visit BottlecapKeyWest.com.

Club Space

The Bourbon St. Pub

34 NE 11th St. in Miami. Come out for a night at the infamous nightclub known for crazy all-nighters to the best live electronic dance music. Call 305-3501956 or visit ClubSpace.com.

Discotekka

950 NE Second Ave. in Miami. Come on Saturday nights for some of the best DJs around. Call 305-3509084 or visit Discotekka.com.

SouthFloridaGayNews

724 Duval St. in Key West. Get a taste of New Orleans with the best video bar with live DJs every night. Call 305-296-1992.

Club Aqua

711 Duval St. in Key West. Dueling bartenders on Mondays as they sing, shake and stir their way to victory. Call 305-294-0555 or visit AquaKeyWest.com.

Classifieds accommodations

REAL ESTATE RUMFORD MAINE A UNIQUE CAMP SITE (or whatever). A retired 180 ft communication tower and a 12x24 support structure on 2.5.acres with a deeded ROW through a dense woods. Area known for skiing, snow mobile and ATV clubs and trails. jpm8145@gmail.com for pictures. $40k.

(251)867-8134

PERFECT VACATION RENTALS! Spring & Summer specials from $69/night and $395/week.Award Winning Gay Hotel. Beautiful Studio, 1 & 2 BR Self Catering Apts. with Full Kitchen.Clothing optional heated pool, laundry, private parking. Central to Wilton Manors &HauloverBeach.Incl.Wi-Fi utilities, cable, tel. Gay Owned & Operated. Pets Welcome.

Celebrating 15 YearsCall Joe or Jack at (954) 927-0090 or visit www.LibertySuites.com *Four Week+ Relocation Discounts Offered* LOOKING FOR LODGIING NEAR SUNLIFE STADIUM? Completely furnished luxury 1/ BD/1BA Condo. Easy access to public transportation and major express ways.

Shopping and dining are in walking distance.

Gated Community and private parking.

Reasonably priced @$375 a week or $1,500 a month plus $400 processing and move in fees.

Call 305-793-8650.

air conditioning HONEST, RELIABLE AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING SERVICES Gay owned and operated company, Eiland Air, Inc. 24 hour service. Reasonable prices.

Licensed & Insured #CAC1817222 Call Mike 786-247-6022

attorneys

dentist

business opportunities

GAY APARTMENT RESORT/HOTEL FULFILL YOUR RETIREMENT DREAM With this rare opportunity to enter the lucrative Fort Lauderdale Gay Accommodations Market.

Owners retiring and offering the award winning Liberty Apartment Suites in Dania Beach, with 11 beautifully furnished Apartments with full kitchens.

Established 15 successful years with high repeat and referral guests. Currently operated as selfcatering, limited service, extended stay hotel phenomenal potential for growth and expansion.

Turn-key business, All Inclusive. Offered at $895,000. Qualified Buyers Only - Brokers Protected - For info, contact: Joe Van Eron-(954) 383-5548 or Joe@LibertySuites.com

*

cars for sale VW Golf Rabbit 2006 For Sale, VW Golf Rabbit 06 well serviced, well-keptand in great shape with only 57,500 mileage. Registered until, 12/14. Ready to be picked up and driven home! Sporty , smart and nice looking car. Great on gas!!! Please call: 954.770.2795, miami. craigslist.org/brw/cto/3921656419.html

cleaning services

STATE-OF-THE-ART-DENTISTRY General & Cosmetic Dentistry Sedation Dentistry

employment ENTRY LEVEL SALES EXECUTIVE Full time Sales, Client Services, Direct Marketing, Lead Generation, Telemarketing & Email Services. Microsoft Word & Excel experience.

Competitive Salary plus Commission, Medical/Dental, 401k & Profit Sharing .

Email Resume: aleen@lighthouselist.com SALES POSITIONS Sales position open at high end antiques gallery in WPB. Knowledge of antiques, sales experience required.

Reply: HillcrestAntiquesWPB@gmail.com HANDYMAN WANTED Small local restaurant wanting handyman service part-time 954-496-9000 ACCOUNT MANAGERS ,BOOK KEEPERS AND SALES REPRESENTATIVES Work your own flexible schedule! Pays $1500 to $2000 monthly plus benefits. Must be computer literate, have 2-3 hours access to the internet weekly . We are looking for efficient and dedicated people who are at least 21 years of age. contact us for more details .If you are interested and need more information send your resumes to ruthmace7@gmail.com HANDYMAN NEEDED!! Part time handyman needed to with building projects. Painting, Tile work, Electrical, Construction. Wages based on experience. Call 954-892-0494.

HOME AND COMMERCIAL CLEANING Residential and Commercial cleaning.

Experienced with references and provide free estimates. Call (305)-896-7494 or (214)-356-0684

BROWARD HOUSE Case Manager for MEGA program working with 18 – 30 year old MSM (men who have sex with men) at risk for substance abuse and HIV. Candidate with have a Bachelors degree and provide testing and case management services addressing health care, social supports, and other life areas.

Individual must also have the ability to facilitate groups specific to target population. Forward resumes to AThornberry@Browardhouse.org

CLEAN IT RIGHT The best cleaning for your buck. 1BD $50, 2BD $60, 3BD $70. Excellent rates & references. 10 years in business. Serving Broward, North Miami Dade & S. Palm Beach.

Call Manny 954-560-4443

computers COMPLETE COMPUTER REPAIR FREE ESTIMATES - no extra charge for in-home.

FREE Computer tune-up with any service.

Replacement of laptop screen & key board.

Viruses, spyware, data recovery, lockouts & more. SAME DAY SERVICE - LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE Call Ernesto: 754-234-5598

To place an ad call 954.530.4970 or visit SFGN.com/getlisted

THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICES, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT WHICH IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED OR REDUCED SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT.

FINANCIAL OFFICER Responsible for maintaining financial, acctng, admin. and personnel services in order to meet legal requirements and support organizational operations. Email denise@lgbtcenters.org for more information!

HATE WINDOWS 8?We can bring back the look and feel of windows. Same day service. Call 954-986-1316 www.gaycomputerwiz.com PERSONAL COMPUTER TUTOR! Basic computer skills* Emailing pics /docs, scanning* Microsoft office programs*Excel, Word, Outlook and Powerpoint* Virus Removal* PC speed optimization* Secured Wireless home network setup* Wireless printer installation* PC purchasing consultant. Call (954) 980-0383 or email jamesjcarter22@gmail.com.

counseling/psychotherapy

antiques/collectables MOVIE POSTERS WANTED Private collector buying vintage movie posters, lobby cards, film stills, photography and other old entertainment memorabilia. Call for a free appraisal to find out what your stuff is worth! All calls confidential.

Ralph (800) 392-4050 email: sell@ralphdeluca.com

LICENSED CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR Dr. Saul Thermidor, FACCT # LCCP 0365011212 Licensed Christian Psychologist provides Christian counseling on LGBT, anger, violence & personal issues. I speak , English, French and Creole. Call 305-407-9397 day, evening & weekend!

TERRY DAVIS, LCSW, LLC #SW1079 Supportive male therapist, specializes in LGBT issues, HIV/AIDS,addictions, etc. Affordable, sliding scale. Eves/weekend. TdavisLCSW.com* (954) 731-5505

Visit SFGN.com

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

41

home care

Classified Ads as low as $20 a week!

Call Adrain at 954-530-4970

pets

HEART TO HEART HOMEMAKER AND COMPANION If you or your loved one are elderly, or temporary or chronic disabled, we can help you with home chores (cooking, light-house cleaning, laundry) and bring companion for home or where you need to go. We will work with you to find the Plan that fits your needs. (954)2264660. Right in the heart of Wilton Manors.

COMPANION,HOME CARE,SENIOR SERVICES. Make life a little easier for you or your loved one. 53 yr old experienced caregiver available. Light Cleaning, cooking and laundry included. Also shopping, appointments, gardening and organizing Im friendly, engaging and compassionate. Hourly or afternoon/ evening/late night shifts available. Bonded insured, college educated and references. Call for more info, Robert 954-707-0264.

STEVEN JAY’S LOVING WAYS PET CARE! I care for your pet in my home. One client at a time if requested. Multiple pets and all pets welcome! I have a very clean home and low rates! Call Steven Jay , 954 -565-1996

Dog Walking: $10.00 starting at Pet Sitting: $40.00 In House Pet Sitting: $45.00 Training: $10.00 starting per visit Pet Taxi (FTL Area): $20.00

human resources

seeking employment PERSONAL ASSISTANT & MALE COMPANION SEEKING a part-time job as a personal assistant & male companion in Broward County. Will take you to doctors appointments. Help you w/ your grocery shopping. Refill or pick up medications. Will drive you to do all your errands & assist w/ daily household chores. Great driving record, honest, professional, reliable, trustworthy, & always willing to help and assist. If you have any further questions please call 954-5481798 or email Ltn69@yahoo.com Thank you.

EXPERIENCED , LICENSED BARTENDER I am available for parties, weddings, private events and more. Available evenings and weekends. Call 410-299-6874 for more info.

handyman DEREK’S HANDYMAN SERVICE Cabinet shop for all your Custom Made Cabinetry, Countertops and Cabinet Re-facing. MUST SEE OUR WORK! JUST ASK OUR CLIENTS! ALL Electrical to code, any/all plumbing work, drywall finish work/repair, crown/baseboard pro-install, int./ ext. painting, demo work. Pressure washing, DÉCOR TILE Install, complete home up-dates. Also, PGT Windows (Wholesale) and Frameless Shower Enclosures. For large jobs, 4 man crew available. WE HANDLE IT ALL!!! Instant call back direct service response. No job is ever too small. Excellent references. Derek 954-825-5598 or email: DerekGallaway@att.net HUSBAND FOR RENT! Is he procrastinating home repairs? He says he will do it tomorrow?? After the football game?? We fit right in - In the house or the yard, small or big jobs: Tiles, Dry walls, paint, Plumbing, Roof leaks, broken furniture, Irrigation, Fences & more. It doesn’t cost to hassle us to see the work- so why wait? Neat, clean work for reasonable price. Haim, 954-275-0952, Sidnalll@yahoo.com

home improvement THINGS YOU NEED TO ACCOMPLISH? Minds at ease, A+ handyman service. Prompt, Reliable & Honest. Call Keldon Keller 954-551-3127 krkeller@aol.com TOP NOTCH CONTRACTING Knows all and does all!! Many years experience and easy on the eyes! Remodeling, Trimming, Ground molding, Drywall, Painting, Landscaping, Roofing , Tile work, Electrical, Windows, Doors and more. Very reasonable rates and free estimates. Call Shawn 954-549-8243

42

// 10.2.2013 // SFGN.com //

WE GOT YOU COVERED! Advocates for student needs. Specializing in helping foster student and others transition into responsible, independent Adults. We are here to help find resources and outlets for stable and healthy adult lives. Call 786793-8650 for more information.

Dependable • Reliable Service Delivered with Love and Respect

954-297-5336

landscaping IRRIGATION SYSTEM REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE 19 years experience, excellent work, referrals upon request. Call Roberto 954383-8980

licensed massage

EXP. MATURE MALE WPB MASSEUR Incalls only, private studio setting by Belvedere/ SR7 in quiet area.Highly skilled, intuitive theraputic bodywork by friendly LMT. Affordable rates but cash only. Early to late, 7 days.

Call (561) 254-8065 for appt. or walk-in OK. RELIEVE STRESS & TENSION WITH MAGIC HANDS PRO MASSAGE (FL: MA51008)

www.greendogpetservices.com

Lic# 11000106488

RECESSION RELIEF $40 per 90 MIN - Out calls higher. Swedish, Deep Tissue, Specialty Back, Lower Body & Feet. Couples Discounts.

Seniors Welcome. Delray Beach. 16 years experience. MA18563 Dennis (561) 502-2628 AFFORDABLE AWESOME MASSAGE BY JIM Offering Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports and LomiLomi Massage for Men; in a very comfortable, relaxed and Private Massage Studio, NOW conveniently located in Wilton Manors on NE 26th Street, with plenty of free parking. Same Day appointments are welcome; please call Jim, 954-600-5843 email: info@massagebyjim.com or visit my website for testimonials, rates and more. GREAT OPENING SPECIAL NOW AVAILABLE! www.massagebyjim.com Licensed and Certified MM22293 WPB/ LAKE WORTH MASSEUR Strong, caring perceptive therapist for your body in need. Full time therapist for over 15 years!

Easy and relaxed home studio for your comfort and healing.Convenient and affordable, flexible hours, in and out calls. MA64031, Alan 954-279-9935 www.alantherapy4u.com

WILTON MANORS MASSAGE Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports. $59 Swedish Hour. call or Text Chris Tunkus 954-258-8779 1322 NE 4th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL www.WiltonManorsMassage.com

THE BRITISH POUND John Maroussas LMT Sports Massage, Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular, Trigger Point, Swedish, Salt or Sugar Scrubs.

Private Studio w/ Shower. Wilton Manors Location near Bill’s Lic#MA51123 954-999-2240

REIKI MASSAGE BY JONATHAN Relieves stress and all other negative energy. You will feel great! One visit will convince you. For more information or to schedule and appt. Call Jonathan 954-549-8243 soflagaynews //

piano for sale LOVELY FAMILY STEINWAY & SONS GRAND PIANO Walnut color with Piano bench incl. Lived with same family since 1960. It taught their two daughters and now has taught the grandson how to play. Its parents are 75 and 89 years old and are moving to a small apartment and cannot bring it with them.It needs a new home with an owner who will love it and enjoy its marvelous sound .

Last tuned in June 2013. Appraised at $20K , will sell for $ 12K. Email Bobbi55bhi@aol.com

painting services PAINTING - INTERIOR & EXTERIOR Residential & Commercial. Drywall & stucco repair. 20+ years experience in Broward. Lic & ins. CC#92-6690-PU-X. Great references. Call Bob for a free estimate 954-465-1041

SouthFloridaGayNews

pool services POOL SERVICE Mention this ad and receive your first month

FREE! some restrictions apply

Serving Broward Since 1999

Call for a free estimate: 954-367-7007 Web: www.skimmerspools.com Email: skimmerspoolservice@gmail.com

plumber BUTLER PLUMBING, INC.Residential & Commercial, Licensed & Insured, Palm Beach 561-613-338, Broward 954 -999-3315, Miami-Dade 786-999-2152 24/7 -365 days,info@butler-plumbing.com, www.bultlerplumbing.com“ Just tell your friends the BUTLER did it”

commercial property

rent/lease ft. lauderdale LAKERIDGE FURN. GARDEN STUDIO Central to beach/downtown/Wilton Drive.Clean newly ren. 1 rm and bath. Lg. private fenced courtyard. private entry with parking,laundry onsite, water and electric included. $765/mo. 1st and security with lease. Avail March 1st call 941-548-7989 MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE 1/1 efficency $675/ mo. Or $165/week, 6 mos or 1 year lease. Large 3BD house $1,250, carport, office, and all tile.

Pay your first month’s rent with an approved application and you’re in. Water & electric included* Call for details. 954-527-9225 HUGE 2/2 POOL DUPLEX - POMPANO BEACH Updated, Lushly Landscaped, East of Fed Hwy 1 Mile to Beach, D/R, Sep. Laundry W/D, Fab Lrg Pool, New Central AC, Tile Floors, Small Dog or Cat ok. $1390, Available 2/1/13 Call Tim: 754-235-2911 1BD APARTMENT UPSTAIRS 1142 NE 4th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale $700/Mo. Yearly Call 954-764-0212 or 954-581-2573 2BA/ 2BA MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE Tile floors, marble and tile baths, stainless and granite kitchen. Open living/dining/kitchen floor plan.

Parking for 2 cars. Private Courtyards. Pet Friendly. $ 1350/MO F/S Call Camelot Property Management for showing instructions. 954-586-4880 LAKE RIDGE Beautiful 1 BD/1BA with a large yard, dishwasher and W/D. This apt is a must see! There is a $50 dollar application fee. First/last and security required $875 a month. Call 954-465-4420 for more info.

condo for sale MANOR GROVE CONDOS Two bedrooms with two baths ,condo for sale.1180 sq ft located in a nice and quiet community. Beautiful pool with clubhouse and friendly neighbors. $145k. Call Louisa for more information 561-654-8708

real estate for sale DAYTONA BEACH Gay rental complex for sale 2br home + 5 detached rental units beach side.

Owner financing real estate, trade or cash down. $420k DaytonaGayComplex.com

rent/lease furnished PERFECT RELOCATION RENTALS!! 4 WEEK + SPECIAL FROM $325 A WEEK!!!. Gay Owned & Operated Apartment Hotel. Beautiful Studio, 1 & 2 BR Apts.With Full Kitchens.Turn-key, fully furnished & equipped, clothing optional pool, laundry, parking. Central to Wilton Manors & Haulover Beach. Incl. Wi-Fi, utilities, cable, tel.

Pets Welcome. Call Joe or Jack at(954) 9270090 or visit www.LibertySuites.com

rent/lease west palm beach

PB COUNTY-LAKE PARK 2/1 CONDO 2nd Floor Corner - Next to Kelsey Park across from Intracoastal Great Locations. $750 per month - 1 year Lease • No Pets • No Smoking • 1st & Security Call 561-310-0615

rent/lease wilton manors

LARGE 2BR/1 BA Beautiful wood floors, private yard, single family home with canvas covered parking, amazing bonus room, washer/ dryer. Quiet neighborhood walking distance to Wilton Drive/restaurants, clubs, etc. Background check/credit check required. Available NOW!!! $1,650month Please call Terri Wright with Sea Island Realty, Inc 954-401-4918

MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE Nice 1BD/1BA apartment, with pool and two balconies! This unit also has a dishwasher with a W/D. There is a $50 dollar application fee. Also first/ last and security deposit required. $950 a month.

Call 954-465-4420

rent/lease pompano beach

PALM AIRE Affordable and ready to move in.

Beautiful 1 bedroom King Apt. 1.5 bath, new flooring and freshly painted walls. Can be furnished or unfurnished. A great place to live!!

Call Myron 201-214-3992.

roommates LAUDERLAKES ROOMATE WANTED Share a 2/2 on lake w/ hot tub, private bath, W/D , dishwasher ,central a/c and cable. $ 400/mo includes utilities & internet. Looking for a mature professional. 1st & security deposit. Background check req. Call Gary 954-803-0885 MALE ROOMMATE WANTED Male roommate wanted for 2/1/13. Beautiful WPB 2BD/2BA apt to share $650/Mo. Water, Elect, Waste Mgt included. Deposit + 1st. mo. Required. Call 561316-7236

Visit

SFGN.com soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 10.2.13 //

43

0 Over $1e0s0! in priz

‘s

l a u n n A 3rd

Vote Today & Win! SFGN.com/bestof2013

The winner of each “Best Of’ category will be featured in the January 1, 2014 issue of SFGN. Voting ends on October 31st at midnight.