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June 7, 2010 • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 20

Turning You On to Matthew Kurz page 27

By Joey Amato

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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PhelpsRoper: Sowing Discord

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9

Robert Van Damme Update

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SFGNites Profile: Alibi’s Chef Ron Kerr

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We Remember Blanche

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Pier Angelo Guidugli

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Local

Ex-State GOP Chair Arrested on Six Counts of Corruption

staff during the three years that Greer served as state chairman.

The relationship between Greer and Crist—who is seeking the open Senate seat as an Independent after losing the Republican primary to Rubio—has spilled over into evidence compiled by authorities against the former chairman.

Documents filed in the state’s case show that Crist’s campaign knew that Greer ordered the state party to bill $30,000 to the campaign for polling by Greer’s company,Victory Strategies.This polling had never been ordered by Crist’s campaign, and was never paid, since the party had already paid Nick Stone Greer’s firm.

According to an affidavit filed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the state party’s chief financial officer “sought repayment on several occasions from the Crist campaign for the [Victory Strategies] poll.” Crist’s campaign staffers “recall this bill being forwarded to Jim Greer them, but they denied payment for it because they did not know anything about a poll done by the [state party] for the campaign.” company that he then hired to raise

By Cliff Dunn This may mean that the Crist camfunds for the Florida GOP, pocketing paign found evidence of Greer’s crimes 10% of the money collected. he small-town vice mayor before law enforcement officials did.

Greer resigned the state chairmanappointed by then-Republican Crist told reporters in Florida that he Governor Charlie Crist to run ship in February amid questions concerning the state organization’s inflated was startled by events. “It’s surprising,” the state’s GOP machine was arrested he said. “Sometimes you’re disappointed credit-card expenses.

June 2 at his Central Florida home.

Crist had been Greer’s patron, utiliz- by people.”

Former Florida Republican Party In South Florida, reaction from LGBT ing his carte blanche as the state’s chief Chairman Jim Greer’s arrest could Republicans was muted but hopeful. executive to elevate him as state party prove troublesome to Crist, his Nick Stone of Fort Lauderdale, the vice chairman. Crist pushed hard for the one-time benefactor, in spite of the former CEO after Greer raised money president of the Sunshine Republicans, governor’s recent switch to become a for Crist’s 2006 gubernatorial campaign. said there was cautious enthusiasm political Independent. among his GOP friends about the Charge statements for GOP-issued Florida Department of Law Enforcerooting-out of corruption within their American Express cards indicate that ment (FDLE) agents arrested Greer, party’s ranks. during the campaign, Greer usually 47, claiming he absconded with at least “I can tell you that a lot of my Retraveled with Crist, staying at high-end $125,000 in state GOP funds that he publican friends are extremely excited hotels and dining in posh restaurants. used for personal expenses. Greer On most trips, Greer brought along his that he’s being investigated,” Stone said. was charged with four counts of grand “For the damage he did to our own entourage. theft, along with one count of money The statements detail over $7 million party, they want him prosecuted—not laundering and one count of running an just gone from the party forever,” he in charges on cards that were held by organized fraud scheme. added.

30 elected and party officials and their Authorities say that Greer set up a

Crist Appointee Could Come Back to Haunt Governor in His U.S. Senate Bid

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June 7, 2010 • Volume 1 • Issue 20

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

Norm Kent Publisher and Editor in Chief publishernorm@southfloridagaynews.com Pier Angelo Guidugli

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You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations in SFGN, and it would be careless to do so. For the sake of readable newswriting, the word “gay” in SFGN should, when relevant, be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community.

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June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Stonewall Street Festival Announces Entertainment Jennifer Holliday to Headline Festivities

By Joey Amato

opened Madame’s Restaurant and Cabaret to rave reviews. He’s now one of Florida’s ride of Greater Fort Lauderdale has most respected entertainers.

Don Philip is a musically-gifted vocalist announced that Jennifer Holliday will be headlining this year’s Stone- with a dynamic range. Philip is one of the wall Street Festival and Parade on June 20. only artists to record and release a duet, “I The Tony Award-winning singer and actress Will Still Love You,” with superstar Britney began her career on Broadway in the musi- Spears. A Miami native, Don Philip is an incal Dreamgirls and later became a successful dependent artist. He’s currently working on a recording artist. She is best known for her de- self-produced album and developing a roster but single, the Dreamgirls showstopper and of eclectic artists for his production company.

Eryn Woods is a pop/ Grammy-winning R&B/ rock/new-wave songpop hit, “And I Am Tellstress, whose vocals ing You I’m Not Going.” are said to be reminisAdam Bouska and cent of Cyndi Lauper.

Jeff Parshley—the creWoods has also drawn ators of the NOH8 camcomparisons to mupaign, which opposes sic legends Janis Jopan initiative in Califorlin, Carly Simon, and nia banning same-sex Pat Benatar. Her music marriage—have been cho­ whisks you away on a sen to be the grand marjourney across musishalls of the parade. cal genres by combinThe couple has garing ’80s wave synthenered support for the sizers with hard-rock campaign from numerguitars and contemous celebrities includporary industrial hiping Rose McGowan, J ennifer Holliday hop drums to create a Kim Kardashian and unique and unmistakable sound.

Pete Wentz.

Never before has Pride of Greater Fort In addition to Holliday, Kevin Aviance, Electra, Don Philip, and Eryn Woods will Lauderdale used the entirety of Wilton Drive for its annual Stonewall Street Festival and perform at this year’s festivities.

Kevin Aviance is a female impressionist, Parade, making this year the largest gaymusician, fashion designer, and popular pride festival in South Florida. Both the personality in New York City’s gay scene. festival and parade take place together on Aviance has appeared in several films, in- Sunday, June 20. The parade is scheduled to cluding Flawless, which starred Robert De- begin at 11 a.m., with the festival officially Niro, and the independent film Punks. Be- starting around noon. At 7 p.m. the Drive sides his feature-film work, he has made will be transformed into a giant street party guest appearances on the Tyra Banks Show that will run through 9 p.m.

The annual Stonewall Parade presented and America’s Next Top Model. His songs “Din Da Da,” “Rhythm Is My Bitch,” and by 42BELOW Vodka is the oldest gay pride “Alive” have all reached number one on the parade in South Florida. The half-mile parade route runs from N.E. 20 Street, east Billboard dance chart.

Electra moved to Florida from New York to 5-Points on Wilton Drive, moving right City in 1991 and began headlining his own through Wilton Manor’s famed arts and one-man cabaret show, consisting of fe- entertainment district, the heart of South male impersonations, at the DiLido Hotel Florida’s LGBT community. in South Beach. He then started Hollywood Legends at the Sands Hotel in Puerto Rico; For more information about this year’s festival, visit it ran for nine months. In 2002, Electra PGFL.net.

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June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Latest Attempt to Block HIV

Stronger Vaginal Gels

By Lauran Neergaard AP Medical Writer

WASHINGTON (AP)—Try after try to make vaginal creams that could repel the AIDS virus have failed. Now researchers are testing if a drug used to treat HIV infection finally might give women a tool to prevent it—by infusing the medicine into vaginal gels and contraceptive-style rings.

Even quick-dissolving anti-HIV films are being created, the same style now used for breath-fresheners or allergy medicines but made for fingertip application in the vagina.

Called microbicides, this kind of womancontrolled protection is considered key to battling the HIV epidemic—especially in developing countries where the virus is at its worst and women too often can’t get their partners to use a condom.

For two decades, scientists tried less powerful medications in disappointing microbi-

cide attempts. Results from the first study to see if this new strategy works—South African women tested a gel made of the AIDS drug tenofovir—aren’t due until July.

But researchers gathering for the biennial International Microbicides Conference in Pittsburgh next weekend express cautious optimism.

“Frankly, blocking transmission of the virus appears to be a lot harder than anyone understood it would be at the beginning,’’ says meeting co-chair Dr. Sharon Hillier of the University of Pittsburgh and a principal investigator of the Microbicide Trials Network.

“The reason we’re not depressed in the microbicide world? We actually have learned a lot and moved on to think about potent drugs and really cool delivery methods.’’

Antiretroviral drugs have revolutionized AIDS care, helping people live far longer with the virus. They’ve also successfully lowered the risk that an infected pregnant

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woman passes HIV to her child. So it was logical for scientists to begin testing whether swallowing an antiretroviral drug every day could protect the still healthy, both men and women, from getting infected. More than half a dozen studies of this so-called preexposure prophylaxis are under way among high-risk populations around the world, large­ly using the drug tenofovir because it tends to cause fewer side effects than many other AIDS drugs.

Even if that eventually proves protective, taking daily pills has drawbacks “systemic side effects, the risk of drug resistance, what happens if people miss a dose or share tablets with an already infected relative” that make the approach controversial.

Hence the need for topical protection, too. Women already make up half of the more than 33 million people worldwide living with HIV, and most of the new infections in hardest-hit sub-Saharan Africa are among young women.

“I have in fact so little to offer them in terms of HIV prevention that I sort of tear my hair out,’’ says Dr. Salim Abdool Karim of the Centre for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

He led the pending tenofovir gel study, his ninth microbicide study since 1994. “It must take a certain level of perseverance to want to stay in this field.’’

In those years, scientists discovered that cells on the vaginal surface aren’t big targets of HIV, yet the virus somehow fairly quickly penetrates to a much more susceptible second layer. Monkey studies show a small population of “founder’’ cells apparently reproduce in that spot for a few days before the virus is ready to spread, Hillier says. Drugs like tenofovir block HIV’s rep-

lication in the already infected, suggesting they’re a good try for that window period, she explains.

And tenofovir concentrates in vaginal tissue at far higher levels via a gel than a pill— with little spread of the drug elsewhere, easing side-effect concerns, adds Karim.

His study recruited 900 HIV-negative heterosexual women to test whether tenofovir gel, applied up to 12 hours before intercourse and again within 12 hours afterward, lowered the risk of infection.

While awaiting his results in July, the U.S. National Institutes of Health is funding the next step: Researchers now are recruiting up to 5,000 healthy women in several African countries to use either vaginal tenofovir gel “daily rather than timed around intercourse” or daily pills containing the drug.

It’s the first comparison of the two strategies.

Taking a lesson from contraception— that more choices equal more usage—researchers are developing other potential tenofovir methods, too: A quick-dissolve tenofovir vaginal film, with less mess to be completely invisible to the partner. Vaginal rings that could ooze tenofovir into the vagina over a month. And for gay men, a rectal tenofovir.

Health workers should be thinking now about the challenges should any of these attempts work, Dr. Regina Osih of the University of Witwatersrand will tell next week’s microbicide meeting. Access is a big question in already overburdened regions—as is how often users would need HIV testing to be sure the protection’s working.

Lauran Neergaard covers health and medical issues for The Associated Press in Washington.

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June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

MDGLCC to Honor Community Leaders at 9th Annual Gala Miami Herald Columnist Steve Rothaus among Recipients

By Joey Amato

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he Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber Of Commerce will honor corporate and individual leaders in the region’s LGBT community at its 9th Annual “Blue” Gala Awards Celebration, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 26, at the Hilton Miami Downtown Hotel (1601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami).

The honorees were selected for their long-term commitment to fostering diversity and their contributions to overall quality of life in South Florida.

“As the voice of the LGBT business community, the Chamber is especially proud to have such an exemplary group to recognize this year,” said Steve Adkins, president of the MDGLCC. “We’re anticipating one of the largest turnouts in our nine-year history, and we envision this year’s gala to be particularly significant in view of the Chamber’s achievements in growth and influence—especially in light of the new LGBT Visitor Center we recently opened in Miami Beach.”

This year’s recipients include Miami Herald columnist Steve Rothaus, who will receive the “Business Person of the Year” award for his coverage of gay and lesbian issues for The Herald. His daily blog, “Steve Rothaus’ Gay South Florida,” is one of the paper’s most popular, read by thousands of readers each week. He is the only reporter employed by a major U.S. newspaper to ex-

Steve Rothaus

Robert Loupo, Safe Schools South Florida

clusively cover the LGBT community.

“I very much appreciate that the MDGLCC recognizes the work I’ve done through the years at the Miami Herald,” Rothaus says. “It’s always nice to be honored, but it’s especially gratifying this award comes from a diverse organization that’s so wellrespected in our community—not just the gay community, but the entire South Florida business community.”

Another recipient will be Safe Schools South Florida, the only organization in South Florida that trains education professionals to recognize and intervene in ha-

rassment and bullying of LGBTQ students and the children of LGBT parents. Robert Loupo is the co-founder and executive director of SSSF and has been an unflagging advocate for the community.

“Safe Schools South Florida is deeply honored to be given this award by the MDGLCC,” Loupo said. “This award will inspire us to continue striving to do our best to support LGBTQ youth in our schools and communities and to teach respect for all.”

In addition, George Neary, associate vicepresident of the Greater Miami CVB, will be on hand to accept the “Blue” Diamond

Award. This award is given periodically— and only to those individuals who embrace diversity in all forms and have dedicated themselves to the betterment of the community through their superior leadership skills.

Neary is honored by the nomination: “I think it’s amazing to have been chosen and recognized for my many years of work in the community and to be honored at an event where my long time friends, colleagues and associates will be present,” he said.

The final recipient is the Morgans Hotel Group, a boutique group of hotels that revolutionized the hospitality industry by providing personalized service and home-awayfrom-home ambiance in a setting of timeless elegance. The Morgans Hotel Group has worked tirelessly to support diversity and equality in the hospitality industry.

For the past several years, MDGLCC has selected a different color of the rainbow flag for its gala theme. The theme for this year’s event is “Blue,” which is meant to represent knowledge, power, integrity and professionalism—all the qualities that this year’s honorees possess. Gala attendees are encouraged to wear “a touch of blue.”

This annual event is MDLCC’s principal fundraising effort and money raised helps sustain operations and the ever-increasing demand to expand programming.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Gogaymiami.com.

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June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

No Stranger to Sowing Discord Shirley Phelps-Roper Says Anti-Gay Ugandans Are Hell-Bound Too

By Jarrett Terrill

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he Westboro Baptist Church has been called “crazy,” “un-Christian,” “evil” and “hateful” across the spectrum of media in the United States and abroad. They have earned themselves these condemnations and judgments by holding up offensive protest signs at the funerals of both hate-crime victims and fallen soldiers.

Behind the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is a savvy lawyer whose Bible-based, socio-religious philosophy is next to impenetrable. Her name is Shirley PhelpsRoper, and she is the daughter of the infamous Fred Phelps, who founded the church over 20 years ago.

The Westboro Baptists operate a number of websites with such titles as “God Hates America,” “God Hates Fags,” “God Hates Sweden” and “Signs.net.” These Web sites are meant to be shocking, saddening and offensive to the majority of people who view them. In the church’s philosophy, our liberal society is sure to experience God’s wrath—mainly because of our perceived tolerance of homosexuality, or what the Westboro Baptists call “sodomy.”

In their world view, their job as Christians is to warn us of our impending doom in the hopes that we change our “vile” ways.

“We do not know when our God would give some little soul the gift of repentance, and a soft heart to understand, ears to hear, and eyes to see,” Roper says.

The Westboro Baptists never received so much media attention as they did when they began demonstrating at military funerals with loudly-colored signs reading “God Hates America” and “Fag Troops.” In fact, just this Memorial Day, Shirley Phelps-Roper was too distracted to complete an interview with me as she unpacked from just that sort of demon-

stration at Arlington National Cemetery.

“I just walked in the door from Washington DC,” Roper said, “where we picketed at the mother-of-all-worship-the-dead-fests— so how about if I get you an answer to this in the morning?”

When Roper settled back into her home in Kansas, she contacted me to answer my questions as promised. The subject of our informal interview was the proposed law calling for the death of those found guilty of being gay in the African nation of Uganda.

Surprisingly, she seems to be somewhat against it—but we’ll get to that point after a little more explanation.

Scott Lively is another American pastor who has made a career out of perpetuating the idea that homosexuals are responsible for every woeful “act of God” that has befallen us. His missions to Uganda and meetings with anti-gay Ugandan leaders like Martin Ssempa are widely viewed as the catalysts by which the African nation became consumed with anti-gay religious fervor.

Lively preaches, through his sermons and books, a series of distortions and falsehoods about gays in world history. Most notably, he

denies that gays were among the victims of the Holocaust and instead claims that “overly masculine” gay men were the real perpetrators behind the horrors of Nazi Germany.

Shirley Phelps-Roper doesn’t have much to add when it comes to Scott Lively’s Holocaust revisionism. But she does say this: “If Scott Lively has hooked up the fact that [the Jews] turned from the Living God [Jesus] to the Priapus, the filthy dung-hill god of the Sodomites, he is SPOT ON!” This is Roper’s way of saying that her view of the Holocaust is not a revisionist one like Lively’s, but rather, she believes the Jews and gays likely deserved the Holocaust because of their refusal to obey Christianity.

When Lively finishes his sermons about evil American gays hell-bent on taking over Ugandan “society,” he generally invites a man named Martin Ssempa to show hardcore, illegal, underground fetish videos to the church members—so they can see for themselves “what the homosexuals always do with each other.” The videos that Ssempa, the “Christian Pastor,” shows to his congregation are beyond disgusting—they’d make a crack-whore wince.

This method of conjuring up anti-gay panic and outrage plays on the ignorance of the church members, who have no venue in which to speak with or see normal gay people or to get the other side of the story.

What they see on the screen is burnt into

their minds. It becomes their only visual impression of what gays and lesbians “do” to a society once they “take over.”

This visceral tactic is one that Shirley Phelps-Roper is all too familiar with. In fact, you might say that her father invented it. Twenty years ago (and even today), you would hear Fred Phelps Sr. shouting at the top of his lungs from his small, make-shift pulpit at their Kansas compound.

“That’s what these fags are doing,” Fred Phelps would yell at his children. “They’re ripping out the pages of the Holy Bible and they’re smearing it with their AIDS-covered feces!”

But Fred Phelps’ industrious daughter, Shirley, is maybe a little more tactful and focused on scripture, despite also having a fondness for shock value. When asked what she thought of the death penalty being employed as a method of ridding Uganda of homosexuals, she took her time to answer—a whole day, in fact.

“This is a filthy generation of rebels,” she begins. “They have failed in every respect to help one another. They have NO capacity to administer the death penalty and for that, they are in a LOT of trouble!”

Once a nation has institutionalized sodomy, according to Roper, “They have already cast aside EVERY OTHER standard of God— that is to say, Sodomy is just the bottom rung on the depravity ladder.”

Roper is sensible, at least when it comes to viewing the death penalty as murder. “You are looking at a DOOMED people!” she says of this generation. “You put a dollop of unforgivable on top of the rest of your mischief when you teach your children that God is a liar and that His standards and commandments are on the table for disposal at their will!”

So there we have it, on authority from arguably the reigning queen of religious condemnation: Uganda cannot pick and choose the parts of the Bible it obeys.

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June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Father Collins to Be Honored by Wilton Manors

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he founder of the Poverello Center Food Bank, Father William Collins, will be honored on Tuesday, June 8 by the City Of Wilton Manors.

The proclamation signed by Mayor Gary Resnick and city commission members will honor Father Collins for his dedication and 50 years of service as a Franciscan priest.

The event will begin at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall and is open to the public. This will be the first in a series of proclamations honoring Father Collins during the month of June.

“I am deeply honored by this recognition of the City of Wilton Manors. I am also so honored to have worked around so many of the volunteers and staff within the organization at the Poverello Food Bank,” states Father Collins.

More than 23 years ago, while serving as chaplain at Imperial Medical Center, Father Collins came to know and minister to patients with the HIV/AIDS virus. The number of patients with this little known disease was everincreasing, and “Father Bill,” as he is lovingly called by the community, came to realize the

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June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

White House Meeting on Black Men & HIV Discusses New Outreach Approaches

By Jarrett Terrill

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n Wednesday, June 2, the Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) convened a meeting at the White House on Black Men and HIV. The meeting included black men living with HIV, experts on HIV/AIDS, Federal, State, and local policymakers, community-based service providers, representatives from foundations, and leaders from across the black community’s civil rights and faith organizations.

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Robert Van Damme ‘Not Wanted for Murder’ Source Denies Rumor; Arrest Devolves into He-Said, She-Said Spat

By Penn Bullock

said. “My right hand hit behind me and the edge of my fingertips hit the corner of her source close to Robert Kovarik— mouth. I did not mean to hit her.” Kovarik alaka “Robert van Damme,” the im- leged that his wife, after his arrest on a charge prisoned gay-sex icon—is deny- of domestic violence, forced him out of his ing rumors that the world-famous porn star production company, froze his credit card, is wanted for murder in his native Czech and revoked support for his immigration staRepublic. But the source, who asked not tus—paving the way for possible deportation.

“There is no exto be named, acknowlcuse for ever hitting edged that Kovarik may someone, much less be sought in that couna woman,” Kovarik try for questioning in a said. “However now I theft case. feel that I am the vicOn May 25, SFGN retim of a terrible plot to ported that Kovarik had steal my money and been arrested in Orange company.”

County, California, for His wife, Mimi Lealleged domestic viotuska, retaliated with lence and contempt of her own statement to court. SFGN further VinceLambert.com, revealed that Immigrain which she sharply tion and Customs Encontradicted her husforcement (ICE) had band’s account. She adplaced a federal deRobert Kovarik mitted that Kovarik, tainer on Kovarik, in effect preventing him from posting bond. on the night in question, had come home The story generated a flurry of comments with a broken nose—which, she added, had on SFGN’s site, including several written left no visible wound. But she told a differin Czechoslovakian. Rumors swirled about ent story of how the fight unfolded. She alwhether Kovarik was wanted in the Czech leged her husband had become bothered, Republic on grave criminal charges—ru- and then irate, over her daughters exchangmors that an ICE spokeswoman declined to ing text messages in the house. According to his wife, Kovarik stormed into the comment on.

As the reports of the arrest spread to daughters’ room; after he smashed their Queerty and other gay sites, Kovarik re- cellphones against a wall, Letuska said she leased a detailed statement alleging he was begged Kovarik to leave. “I never struck the victim of a plot by his wife, Mimi Letus- him. I was afraid of him. He is a 6-foot-1 ka, to steal his money, expel him from the bodybuilder,” she said—alleging further country, and arrogate his porn production that he had shown no immediate remorse, that he had been violent throughout their company, RVD Films.

In a statement published on VincentLam- four-year marriage, and that he had violated bert.com, Kovarik admitted that a yelling a restraining order following the fight.

Letuska denied any conspiracy to take match had broken out with his wife after his late-night return from a hockey game over his porn production company. “… in which he had suffered a broken nose. As There is no RVD Films anymore,” she said. the fight escalated, Kovarik said that his wife “Obviously, RVD Films was Robert Van picked up a lamp and hit him in the nose. Damme. He was the personality, the celeb“The intense pain was immediate and I re- rity. I only handled all administrative duacted by trying to get her away from me,” he ties. Robert ruined his own business.”

A

WIKIMEDIA

Gregorio Millett

The purpose of the meeting was to raise awareness about the domestic HIV epidemic among Black men, discuss government and community responses to the epidemic, and promote a conversation among diverse elements of the Black community. The meeting is part of a series of discussions that have been hosted by ONAP over the past year. Past meetings have focused on HIV among women, youth, and other topics.

“As a scientist who has spent the last 10 years addressing this topic while at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, I believe that this type of dialogue is essential to improving our country’s response to HIV/AIDS,” says Gregorio Millett, the Senior Policy Advisor for ONAP, “This conversation needs to continue, but more importantly, it needs to be followed by collective action to end the national tragedy such that future generations of Black men do not face HIV infection as a rite of passage.

Various outreach approaches were discussed at the meeting including an “Act Against AIDS” communication campaign by the Centers For Disease Control and a “Greater Than AIDS” campaign by the Black AIDS Institute. It is not known whether or not LGBT concerns or topics of sexual orientation were addressed at the meeting but representatives from the CDC, Dept. of Health & Human Services, The Bureau of Prisons, and select members of the “faith-based” community were present.

Also in attendance were Jonathan Capehart of the Washington Post, Kali Lindsay of Harlem United, Rev. Edwin Sanders of the Metropolitan Interdenominational Church and Marcus Murray of Project Brotherhood.

10

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

A worldwide research study is now underway to test an investigational treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD, also known as smoker’s cough, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema.

You may be eligible to participate in this study if you: • Are 40 years of age or older • Have a diagnosis of COPD • Are a current smoker or were a smoker in the past In addition to receiving studyrelated physical exams and laboratory services at no charge, participants will receive study medication and will be monitored by a medical team, including the study physician.

Ask your doctor if this study is right for you.

For information and to schedule an appointment, contact Verne Appleby, R.N. at The Medical Offices of

11

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Health

AHF Launches ‘Positive Health Care’ Special Needs Program for HIV Positive

A

HF MCO of Florida, a sub­sidiary of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the nation’s largest HIV health care, prevention and education provider, launched a new Medicaid Reform health plan for residents of Broward County, Florida who have HIV in May 2010. The plan, named Positive Healthcare Florida, is the state’s first special needs Medicaid Reform health plan specifically for Medicaid recipients who are HIV-positive and their families.

Positive Healthcare Florida, approved by Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration, is a comprehensive health plan that includes routine and emergency care and prescription drug coverage. The plan’s staff of Registered Nurses work with members and their doctors to coordinate timely and appropriate levels of care so members can avoid costly emergency room visits and preventable

illnesses. These nurses also educate the plan’s members how to improve and sustain their health through proper medication adherence and preventive health behaviors.

“Positive Healthcare Florida is a unique health plan. It is built around the medical and psychosocial needs of HIVpositive Medicaid recipients.

The plan’s primary goal is to keep its members healthy and leading productive lives.

We achieve the goal through careful member health monitoring and delivery of the right health care at the right time. Our Registered Nurse Care Managers are an integral part of member care. They are our members’ personal health coaches, that

Lifting Ban on Gay Donors Would Boost Blood Supply by 219,000 Pints Each Year

our members can contact whenever they need medical advice or have a health issue,” explained Donna Stidham, RN, AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s Chief of Managed Care.

With HIV infection rates on the raise in Florida, especially in Broward County, and the costs to care for Medicaid recipients with HIV escalating, Positive Healthcare Florida presents a cost-effective solution that promises improved member health outcomes.

“Under the fee-for-service structure, Medicaid beneficiaries, especially those with a chronic illness, have a difficult time getting timely preventive, specialty and follow-up care. The patient in fee-for-service has to do the majority of the care coordination for him- or herself.

Positive Healthcare Florida takes the burden of coordinating care between multiple providers off the patient and places the responsibility with the plan’s nurses. The result of shifting care coordination to a clinician is much improved health outcomes, lower costs and greatly improved patient satisfaction,” according to Stidham.

AHF MCO of Florida hopes that its approach to caring for Broward County’s HIV-

the study considers the impact of several scenarios for how the existing policy might be changed. Completely lifting the ban would add an estimated 219,000 pints to the blood supply and 903 organ donations each year.

A more limited revision of the policy, which would limit blood donation by those unwarranted.

Study co-author and Williams he Williams Institute for Sexual Orientamen who have not had a male sex partner Distinguished Scholar Gary Gates states tion Law and Public Policy at the UCLA that, “Lifting restrictions on blood and organ in the past year, would yield an estimated School of Law issued a report today providdonation by MSM would help to alleviate fre- 90,000 additional pints of blood and nearly ing the first published estimates of the impact quent blood shortages in the US and shorten 370 organ donations annually. Finally, changing of allowing men who have had sex with men the organ donation waiting list that currently the blood supply policy to be the same as the (MSM) to donate blood and organs.The report exceeds 100,000 individuals.” estimates that lifting the ban could add 219,000 The current FDA policy, established in pints each year to the nation’s blood supply, an increase of 1.4%. Organ donations could increase 1986, prohibits any man who reports having by 2.9% annually, meaning approximately 900 ad- had sex with another man since 1977 from ditional organ donations could occur each year. ever donating blood. The study estimates The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that this policy excludes nearly 7 million is expected to hold hearings on the current men from donating blood. FDA regulations also prohibit men who have had sex with ban on June 10 and 11. men in the past five years from donating Both the American Red Cross and the organs, excluding nearly 5 million men.

American Association of Blood Banks have Using data from the American Red Cross concluded that the current FDA ban on MSM blood donation is medically and scientifically and the US Department of Health and Human Services regarding blood and organ The full report is available at: http://www. donation patterns in the US population, law.ucla.edu/WilliamsInstitute/publications/ FormattedMSM_Goldberg_Gates.pdf

T

For more information on the plan contact: Donna Stidham Chief, Managed Care AIDS Healthcare Foundation Office CA: 323-436-5025 Office FL: 954-522-3132 Cell: 805-660-0703 Or Michael Kahane Bureau Chief-Southern Region AIDS Healthcare Foundation 110 SE 6th Street, Suite 1960 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301

positive Medicaid population will garner support from the Florida Legislature as it ponders further rollout of Medicaid Reform across the state. Positive Healthcare Florida is ready to take on the care of the rest of the state’s HIVpositive Medicaid recipients.

AHF MCO of Florida also operates a Medicare Advantage Part D health plan for HIV-positive Medicare beneficiaries who live in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. This plan, called Positive Healthcare Partners (HMO), has been in operation since 2008 organ donation policy (restricting donations by men who have had sex with men in the last five years) would result in an additional 70,000 pints to the blood supply each year.

“The impact of lifting the ban on these donors will have an even great impact on our health care system ,” says study co-author Naomi Goldberg, the Peter J. Cooper Public Policy Fellow at the Williams Institute. “Each pint of donated blood can be divided into three blood products, potentially helping up to three different patients.”

12

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

More Immigrants Cite Sexual Orientation for Asylum

By Russell Contreras (AP) WORCESTER, Mass. — For weeks, Nathaniel Cunningham and his boyfriend secretly lived together in rural Jamaica. They showed no affection in public and rarely spoke to neighbors.

Then one morning, Cunningham picked up a local newspaper with a front-page story under the headline, “Homosexual Prostitutes Move into Residential Neighborhood.” His address was listed below.

For days afterward, Cunningham said an angry mob gathered on his lawn hurling rocks and bricks and calling them “batty boys”—a Jamaican slang term for gay. Eventually, the pair grabbed what they could and fled on foot.

The story was one of many that Cunningham, now 32 and living in Worcester, recently shared with a federal immigration judge in his successful bid to win asylum in the United States. And it’s similar to other stories cited by a small but growing number of oth-

er gay, lesbian and transgender asylum seekers who are using U.S. immigration courts to argue that their sexual orientation makes it too dangerous for them to return home.

“I had no choice,” said Andre Azevedo, 39, a transgender man from Brazil who recently won asylum and now lives in New York. “Where I’m from, heterosexual men practice hate crimes against us like a sport, and the police do nothing to stop it.”

Since 1994, sexual orientation has been grounds for asylum in the United States.

That’s when former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno ruled in a case that persecution based on sexual orientation could be potential grounds for asylum.

Until recently, those grounds have been rarely used and such cases represent only a fraction of all asylum cases.

But now immigrant and gay activists say more asylum seekers from the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean are citing sexual orientation as reasons for seeking

asylum. Activists say the asylum seekers are escaping rape, persecution, violence, and threats of death from places where homosexuality is either outlawed or strongly, socially shunned.

Federal immigration law allows individuals asylum if they can prove a well-founded fear of persecution in their country of origin based upon race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Those applying for asylum are already in the United States, legally or illegally.

No one knows for sure just how many have sought asylum on sexual orientation grounds. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services doesn’t keep data on asylum cases won on that basis.

Still, last year Immigration Equality, a New York-based nonprofit group that helps gay clients with immigration cases, successfully won 55 asylum cases using sexual orientation as grounds, a record for the organization, said the group’s legal director Victoria Neilson. That’s up from 30 wins in 2007 and 27 in 2006, Neilson said.

And a Worcester, Mass.-based nonprofit group, Lutheran Social Services, has recently won five cases and is looking to help others.

“I think more people are finding out that this is an option,” said Lisa Laurel Weinberg, an attorney with the group.

However, not all cases for asylum based on sexual orientation have been successful. For example, a gay Brazilian man who was married in Massachusetts and whose American husband remains in the state was recently denied asylum by the Obama administration on humanitarian grounds, despite pleas from Sen. John Kerry. Genesio “Junior” Januario Oliveira had originally requested asylum because he was raped as a teenager, but an immigration judge denied the application, saying Oliveira repeatedly said in the hearing that he “was never physically harmed” by anyone in Brazil.

He was forced to return to Brazil in 2007.

Cunningham said he decided to file for asylum after working for a few years in the United States on a work visa. He conducted research online but couldn’t find an immigration group to help him with the case.

“One group said my case clashed with their Christian values,” Cunningham said.

Many gay rights groups, he said, also had limited services for immigrants.

It wasn’t until Cunningham connected with Jozefina Lantz, the director of immigrant services at Lutheran Social Services, that Cunningham gained support.

To win, however, Cunningham had to revisit painful moments of running from mobs in Jamaica. Even the police would point him out for persecution, he said. In successfully arguing Cunningham’s case for asylum, Weinberg also said Jamaica’s sodomy laws banning sex between men and “dancehall” music— whose lyrics often advocate violence against gays—made life for Cunningham unbearable.

Cunningham won asylum in January 2008.

During his asylum hearing, Azevedo had to recall violent episodes in Brazil when he and a group of transsexuals were attacked in bars. He recalled a transgender woman set on fire. Each time Azevedo said he went to police about an attack or a threat, the officers didn’t even bother to file a report.

“I had such a horrific experience,” said Azevedo, who was granted asylum in July.

“I was always in fear of being raped, maybe even killed.”

After winning their cases, both Cunningham and Azevedo have become advocates for other asylum-seekers by giving them counseling and directing them toward legal help.

In Worcester, for example, Cunningham has helped a Lebanese and three others Jamaicans win asylum with the legal help provided by the Lutheran Social Services’ “LGBT Human Rights Protection Project.”

Another case, involving an Ugandan woman, is pending in the courts.

But while those who have been granted asylum are eager to help, Azevedo said many still haven’t resolved the pain from the past and can’t go back home to visit family—those who haven’t disowned them.

Cunningham said he hasn’t gotten over the fear that, at any moment, he may be forced to flee.

“I’ve never really owned furniture,” Cunningham said. “You just never know.”

13

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Guest Editorial

6/7/2010

A. Sebastian Fortino

McDonald’s, en Francais et Gay

M

Teenage Homosexuality.”

You ready? It’s as rich as a milk shake.

“We see McDonald’s decision to backhand hundreds of millions of traditional family values people,” Bill Johnson, President of the American Decency Association, told LifeSiteNews, “and align themselves with promoting the godless behavior of a few.”

He continued that the commercial is, “one of the most bewildering kinds of advertisements when you consider the fact that so many Americans across this country have done business with McDonald’s.”

No, Mr. Johnson, what is bewildering is that the commercial is for the French market, not the U.S. Did you miss that?

Bill O’Reilly took it one step farther, he asked, “What’s next? Al Qaeda friendly ads?” Yet, we’ll leave Bill alone…he embarrasses himself often enough.

According to Theresa Riley, “This particular commercial was pro­duced

by McDonald’s France and is running only in France.

Each of our 117 markets around the world determines their own path on advertising and marketing, which is nothing new at McDonald’s. Advertising has always varied around the world.”

Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwA9y3y4qZo The French love McDonald’s, they call it “chez McDo.” To them it is dis– not embrace it. Had the boy revealed he posable food that they nosh on mid-day bewas gay by saying, “Pere, je suis homo,” we fore heading home to have duck confit for would have instantly linked the commercial dinner and a decent bottle of wine.

Furthermore, France allows gay civil unions to our website, sang “La Marseillaise,” and ordered Big Macs. Well, not me. Fast food is and—thanks to a small martinet named Nalike a boyfriend to me. Seems like a good idea poleon—France was one of the earliest counat the time, because it sates my appetite but tries to decriminalize sodomy. This was way as soon as it’s over, my stomach’s upset and I back when men wore silk stockings. Whether or not the fashion for said silk stockings have to throw up.

However, the reaction of conservatives prompted a need to decriminalize sodomy is at least noteworthy. Lifesitenews.com, remains uncertain.

The article on Lifesitenews.com also whose motto is “Life, Family and Culture News,” is a seemingly innocuous website. points out that the ad is not McDonald’s Yet it really is another Christian website. first—what they call—“homosexual activThey penned “McDonald’s Ad Promotes ism.” The chain was part of the National cDonald’s France recently aired a gay-themed commercial, for their “Come as You Are” campaign. The aptly named campaign, according to Theresa Riley of the American McDonald’s Corporation, “recognizes the diversity of McDonald’s customers in France.”

It shows a teenager talking on his cell phone discretely to a love interest. The camera shows him looking at his class picture.

His father comments that it is a shame he is in a class or school with all boys, because when he was his son’s age he got all the girls.

I did not think the topic, despite it being an Internet sensation among the gay community, was newsworthy. Firstly, it’s slightly ambiguous in that we can’t really see the class picture that the teenager looks at.

Secondly, through my American, however Francophile viewpoint, the very idea of the ad seemed to pander to the gay community

Letters, We Got Letters Comment On:

Leonard Matlovich: The Original Dan Choi To the editor: I knew Leonard [Matlovich] when I lived in San Franisco. I met him at the Twin Peaks bar on Castro. He was running for some office, at the time.

Nice guy. Anyway, I took this picture at one of the Pride events.

Pompano Bill

Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) in 2008, donating $20,000 to become a member of the group.

They also co-sponsored the San Francisco Gay Pride Parade in that year, and a vice-president of communications with the company, Richard Ellis, was appointed to the NGLCC board.

After reading that I had a change of opinion about McDonald’s. Wow, McDonald’s I never knew you were so gay friendly! Like amazeballs that’s so cool of you!

Then I read the rest of the article.

The American Family Association (AFA) on July 3, 2008 boycotted McDonald’s. Richard Ellis left the NGLCC and McDonald’s

announced they would not continue their relationship with the organization. Guess that’s the way the hot apple pie crumbles.

Curiously, to spur on a new boycott of a mega-corporation the article does not provide the contact information of McDonald’s France. They provide the American address though, since it is the job of U.S. Christians to police the world.

Oddly, the article did not point out that

by American standards the father’s talk of getting “all the girls” rings of womanizing and seems outdated and politically incorrect. I guess—to conservatives—those are, good, decent, family values to instill at an impressionable age.

15

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Deb Price

have to teach me that you feel the same way.”

Others were angry to find a lesbian columnist in their hometown paper: “How dare you make your life seem interesting and worthwhile.”

Since my column began 18 years ago, so See SFGN’s Farewell Article on D eb P rice , page 1 9 much has changed legally, politically and socially for those of us who’re gay: Then, presidential candidate o tell me, America, how do have a bigot think I’m Deb and Joyce in Hawaii Bill Clinton was quiI introduce Joyce?” I posed a lesbian than a lesbian etly saying gays should that question back in May think I’m a bigot.” be allowed in the miliGay readers told me 1992 in the first column I ever wrote. That tary; last week, the full debut was an earthshaking breakthrough— about coming out—and House and the Senate a nationally syndicated, weekly column in its rewards. Hampton H. Armed Services Commainstream newspapers about life from a Stennis, who took Presimittee voted to repeal gay perspective. Over the next 18 years— dent George W. Bush’s the ban on gays servand about 900 columns—I introduced my war on gay marriage very ing openly. Then, state readers, mostly heterosexuals, to a gay cou- personally, shared his legislators and judges ple—Joyce and me—and countless other “Big Gay Letter,” which routinely pointed to wonderful people we met along our journal- he sent as a coming-out sodomy laws in denyistic adventure. One was 87-year-old Chris- email full of fury, wit and ing basic rights; now, tine Burton, creator of Golden Threads, a pain to more than 120 thanks to the Supreme pen pal group for older lesbians. When I relatives and friends.

Court, no such taint Heterosexual readers asked her about dating a mere 58-year-old, of criminality shadows she laughed: “If you’re going to blame me for were game, too. One of gay Americans. robbing the cradle, I’m going to say, ‘What my favorites was Harry And of course, then, the question of how do you want me to do? Rob the grave? Ev- Guest, who at 80 started sparring with me.

“Remember the agenda; the purpose is to to introduce Joyce had no easy answer. Readeryone my age is dead.’”

Another was a mom who’d embraced her straighten out us straights. ... I don’t know ers offered plenty of ideas, from “partner in gay adult child with the help of P-FLAG why I am hetero except it seems perfectly nat- perversity” to “lovemate.” In 2001, the Nethand sported a button that read, “I’d rather ural, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. You erlands started the gay-marriage snowball

One Very Gay Time

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEB PRICE

“S

Susan Estrich

The Business of Politics

E

ven prominent Republicans, such as former Attorney General Michael Mukasey, agree that you don’t need a special prosecutor to investigate whether former President Bill Clinton can have a conversation with Congressman Joe Sestak about job possibilities other than running for Senate, or whether White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel’s deputy can call former Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff to find out whether he’s interested in jobs other than challenging the state’s incumbent Democratic senator.

Yes, there’s a law against bribing people not to run for office, just like there’s a law against offering money to members of Congress in exchange for their votes on issues.

But the elements of the crime, much less the challenge of proving them, pretty much limit prosecutions to sting operations (like

Abscam) or cash in the freezer.

The Republicans who are demanding further investigation of White House efforts to protect incumbents from outside challenge include many who, just last week, were criticizing the White House for not managing to convince one of the two Democrats running in a special election in a Democratic district in Hawaii to drop out of the race.

They are doing what the White House itself stands accused of doing. It’s called politics.

That is not to say they don’t have a point, or that they aren’t scoring some.

President Obama got elected, in part, by running against business-as-usual politics in Washington. He promised transparency and reform and open doors and all kinds of good things every outsider -- Democrat or Republican—who is running for office is promising.

Then he won, and he turned to some experienced D.C. hands, starting with Emanuel, to ensure that when he got to town, he could get something done. And he has. Agree with him or not, this administration has passed major legislation—starting with the stimulus package and health care reform.

Against the odds disfavoring an incumbent party in the middle of a still-painful jobs recession, not to mention a disastrous oil spill, they are fighting hard to protect their majorities in the House and Senate. If they weren’t, believe me, the knives would be out.

Does that include helping those who have been loyal to the president—who helped give him the 60 votes he once had in the Senate? Of course it does.

But what about Obama’s campaign promises? Has he really been different? Has he really changed the way Washington works?

Maybe not so much. But he got health care reform through. Democrats have been winning special elections (until Hawaii), despite the way the stars are aligned. He seems clearly headed toward victory on financial reform.

How has he done all this?

rolling. We wed in Canada two years later. So, now the answer is “spouse.”

What hasn’t changed is the importance of being out. Poll after poll shows that people who know gay people are far more likely to support equality. That’s the community service reward of coming out.

Other rewards are personal. I once wrote about our kitchen’s “travel wall,” which is covered with vacation photos of Joyce and me. A reader responded with a heartbreaking confession: She and her partner of two decades were so closeted they had no pictures of themselves together. None.

Mixing shame and fear inside a closet poisons individuals and couples. If you’re stuck there, seek coaching from joyfully, openly gay couples. Beyond that, as Betty Berzon, author of “Permanent Partners,” so wisely urged, pool your money, work as a team and assume permanence.

Now, as I write my last column, Joyce and I are preparing for our newest adventure: Thanks to the Neiman journalism fellowship I’ve won, we’re moving to Massachusetts for a year. Imagine living where your marriage is recognized. We’re definitely game.

This happily married gay couple leaves you with a few words we’ve tried to live by ever since 1992: Don’t let fear choose your path.

Politics. Hardball. Being tough and smart and persuasive.

The big mistake the White House made in handling this latest “jobs” crisis was not that they tried to encourage the challengers not to run. It was turning it into anything more than a one-day story about the business of politics. By initially denying that Sestak had been offered anything, by not coming clean at the first reports and not embracing their efforts to assure a Democratic majority through perfectly legal means, they added fuel to the fire.

The desire not to appear too political was, in the end, a political mistake—for which the president is paying. But anyone who thinks you can succeed in Washington without being very skilled at the business of politics should think back to the early years of Jimmy Carter, a decent man who tried to do things differently in Washington, who relied on a cadre of aides inexperienced in the ways of Washington, and who paid a very heavy price for doing so.

Chicago-style politics isn’t any different from the game played everywhere else.

They’re just better at it.

16

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

17

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

The Odyssey of

Rev. Grant Lynn Ford

By Jesse Monteagudo

T

o many South Floridians, the Right Reverend Grant Lynn Ford is bestknown as the beloved and enduring leader of Fort Lauderdale’s Sunshine Cathedral Metropolitan Community Church.

When Rev. Ford became senior pastor in 1986, what was then the Church of the Holy Spirit was a small outpost of the MCCs. Ford took that Church, re-named it the Sunshine Cathedral, and made it a powerhouse in South Florida’s LGBT community.

When Ford “retired” in 2008, the Sunshine Cathedral was the largest MCC in the world, serving our community with its many religious, educational and social programs, as well as through its derivative organizations, Light University and SunServe.

Considering his achievements at the helm of the Sunshine Cathedral, one would think Ford would spend his “retirement years” enjoying some well-deserved R&R. Instead, Ford moved to Jacksonville—where, in December 2008, he became lead pastor of the newly-formed OdysseyChurch.

As Ford recalls, “The local MCC gave up its franchise, so Jacksonville was without an MCC. The Reverend Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator of MCC, asked me to start a new church. A small group of people who wanted to form a new church joined the effort, and a little more than a year ago, OdysseyChurch was born. Our mission statement (in part) says: The journey is better ... together.”

OdysseyChurch describes itself as “an innovative online, onsite, multi-service, multisite church.”

According to Ford, “We have only one service now, but we are planning a second service soon, more contemporary. The goal is to have four locations in Duval County, each one having more than one type of service.

“We meet in the Unitarian Universalist Church with a ‘Sunday at Six’ service. The UU and the MCC folk seem to mix pretty well, and we’re engaged right now in opening an HIV testing site as a combined ministry effort.” The 20 or so core members are “about one-third heterosexual, two-thirds LGBT. It’s

Rev. Grant Lynn Ford

quite a mixed bag, and we like it like that!”

One of OdysseyChurch’s innovations is its online component. “The online part of OdysseyChurch is still developing,” Ford says.

“Technology requires expensive equipment which we are gradually buying. But we already have a number of people from around the country who follow what’s going on at Odyssey. Our goal is to have a very interactive site where people can do all sorts of things online. It will take another year to fully accomplish this goal, but we’re working on it. People will be able to see and hear the sermon, discuss it online, add their prayer requests and their thoughts. Then we will have a companion social-networking site where people can establish their own pages, their own blogs, etc. I hope we ultimately have a dating component. Why not? People meet at church, why not at a church website?”

Though Rev. Ford’s mission remains the same, being the lead pastor of a new, small congregation is not the same as being senior pastor of the largest MCC in the world.

Ford himself admits that “there are few similarities” between the Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville churches.

“Where I used to suggest an idea and

several staff members would have input and take responsibility, now I talk a lot to myself. But we’ve built up a good core group, including our teaching pastor, the Rev. Jim Merritt of Gainesville, who pastors Trinity MCC there and then comes over to Jacksonville every other week and preaches. We have a volunteer pastoral care minister, Barbara Dubberly, a long-time MCC activist. And we have a core of volunteers that do all sorts of things. In that regard, it’s just a matter of scale that makes it different from the largest MCC. I’ve been pastor of small churches before, but they always seem to grow on me. I hope that will be true in northeast Florida as well!”

Grant Ford also keeps busy as district president of the International New Thought Alliance (Newthoughtalliance.org). “I’ve been a Life Member of INTA for a number of years,” he says. “It’s a loose-knit organization of churches, centers and ministers who embrace the New Thought philosophy of positive, progressive spirituality. Not all groups or ministers are from the Christian tradition, which makes it quite interesting.

“The difference between northeast and southeast Florida is that there’s no connection between groups up here. So I’m slowly

working to get some collegiality and connection. It’s a long, slow process, but ultimately we are all stronger when we work together. I’m also working with the Interfaith Council of Jacksonville and will be doing the same with OneJax (successor to the National Conference of Christians and Jews). I love interfaith associations, and Jacksonville needs this kind of work.”

Ford extols Jacksonville as “a beautiful city, and very friendly—it has that southern charm, which creates a polite society. But,” he says, “it’s also the murder capital of Florida, so there’s an underbelly that’s not so pleasant. The LGBT community is still a bit in disarray with the collapse of Gay Pride a couple of years ago. But new efforts at reunifying the community are starting to take effect. So it’s a great time for me to be involved here, getting right in on the ground floor of this new movement. I’m hoping that this will work to bring the LGBT faith communities together in a common cause.

“Most of my new friends are part of OdysseyChurch. A few of them I’ve known for years, including one or two originally from Fort Lauderdale. Now that the congregation is established, I’m starting to get out and meet some new people not connected to MCC. Gotta get a date or two, you know! I miss all my friends in South Florida, but I’m making new ones here, and that’s exciting.”

Jesse Monteagudo (jessemonteagudo@aol.com) is SFGN’s Senior Feature Correspondent. For information about Odyssey Church, visit www.odysseychurch.org.

18

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

By A. Sebastian Fortino

D

eb Price, one of the first journalists to expose gay issues to America through her writing with The Detroit News, has released her last column. At the time she started, nearly 20 years ago, there were no openly gay, nationally-syndicated columnists.

The Washington, D.C., native has been awarded the prestigious Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University. Price and her spouse, Joyce Murdoch, were married in Canada in 2003. They say they are thrilled to be moving to Massachusetts, where gay marriage is fully legal.

“Maryland, where we live, recently began recognizing out-of-state same-sex marriages,” Price says. “So, on some level, we are in a place where our marriage is recognized— but not like Massachusetts. We’ve never experienced that before.”

The opportunity to study at Harvard will also be extended to Murdoch—who, as Price’s spouse, will be allowed to take courses at the prestigious university. But Price will discontinue her column, which she has been committed to for nearly 20 years. She likens writing a column to playing the piano—one has to write and work on it every day.

“It requires an incredible dedication to a topic, so it would be difficult to pick it back up. I am going to be studying a lot on China, so I am going to focus my journalistic energy towards that topic,” Price tells SFGN. The column, which she says has been a

remarkable professional experience, began when Price and her partner Murdoch were themselves semi-closeted in 1992. The first goal of the column was to bring the gay perspective into the mainstream press.

“The second goal of the column was to empower gay people. So many people who read the column over the years were inspired to come out,” says Price. “When people say, ‘I came out because of your column,’ it’s just fantastic to feel that you have made an impact on people’s lives.”

She credits the rising importance and acceptance of LGBT issues as the reason for people coming out in the public eye. But the response to her column and her openness about her sexuality was not always positive.

In May, 1992, when she posed the question in her first column—“So tell me America, how do I introduce Joyce?”—one response suggested “partner in perversity” as a moniker.

The couple has written two books. The first, And Say Hi to Joyce, was published in 1995. This is a collection of letters and responses Price received. She chose the title because there were often postscripts in correspondence asking Price to extend a greeting to Joyce. It reflects how, even as Price was creating and developing the column, America was opening up to the gay community.

The second book, Courting Justice: Gay Men and Lesbians V. the Supreme Court, was written by both women.

“This was the first book that dealt with how the Supreme Court handled gay cases.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEB PRICE

Deb Price Writes Her Last Column, But Not Her Last Piece

Joyce Murdoch and Deb Price in Spain

Joyce interviewed over 100 clerks, and I did a considerable amount of the reporting. It was an exciting time in our relationship,” says Price, who was told by other writers to avoid attempting a book with her partner. “We were told it would destroy us, but everything we’ve done has brought us closer together.”

Regardless of how America received their re-

lationship in 1992, much has changed in favor of the LGBT community in subsequent years.

Price and Murdoch have been together for 25 years now, and the self-described “tennis nuts” are celebrating with a June trip to Wimbledon.

SFGN wishes Price and Murdoch the best of luck and happiness in New England, although we will miss her column.

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June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

By Joey Amato

catering menus based on various styles of cuisine like we do,” said Vincent Frato, any people equate Georgie’s Alibi general manager of Alibi. with its $3 Long Islands on ThursAlthough 2009 was a days, but what people don’t realize is that the iconic Wilton Drive establishment offers great year for Alibi catering, Kerr and Frato project a menu of appetizers and entrees that rival any 2010 will be better. “We also downtown restaurant.

Alibi’s culinary renaissance began two years ago offer the option of in-home dining,” Kerr said. “I will come when Chef Ron Kerr was hired to spearhead the to your home and prepare a venue’s new menu. “We wanted to provide our customers with a better bar-food experience,” he menu for your guests according said. So instead of offering traditional nachos, Kerr to individual specifications.” This unique dining experience gives decided to kick it up a bit and created Tuna Nachos, a delicious blend of yellowfin tuna, seaweed, customers the chance to witness Kerr in action. “In-home dining is a orange soy reduction, wasabi aioli, and sesame lot less expensive than most people seeds on a crispy wonton. think,” Frato was quick to note.

Next, Chef Kerr prepared his famous hamOne menu item that is featured on burger, which he recently entered into the Riverwalk Trust’s Burger Battle. The burger is moist, the catering menu that I had the opwell-seasoned and topped with lettuce, tomato, portunity to sample was the Seared Sea Scallops served with sweet summer corn, onion, and Swiss cheese. “We try to offer the edamame and basil butter. The scallops best and least expensive burger on the Drive,” were perfectly cooked and the basil butter Kerry said. Alibi even offers an ahi-tuna burger was a welcome surprise. In addition, another served medium rare on a toasted Challah bun. dish, ideal for summer dining, is the Heirloom A click glance at the menu reveals the culinary Tomato Salad—an assortment of heirloom expertise of Kerr. I had previously sampled the tomatoes served with white truffle oil, pickled BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich, which was prepared onions and Humboldt goat cheese. with chipotle BBQ sauce and Swiss cheese and As I savored the taste of the tomato and goat served on coconut bread.This was one of the best cheese, Kerr mentioned: “We feature exciting items I have ever had on the Drive. specials every day, so even if one of these items is Alibi’s, which sees its fair share of regulars, offers daily specials and a weekend brunch menu not currently on the menu, customers can expect to see something just as appetizing.” which includes many unique items: among them, If you are in the mood for a great burger or the Ultimate Grilled Cheese on brioche, made a tasty sandwich, or you just want a small bite, with Humboldt Fog Swiss, truffle pecorino and head over to Alibi and tell them we sent you! guava paste. Another standout: the Roast Beef Hash, topped with two poached eggs and accom- On Friday, June 4, Alibi took first place at the Riverwalk Trust’s Burger Battle. Chef Kerr panied by white truffle hollandaise. beat out restaurants including Capital Grille, Kerr earned his culinary degree from the Florida Hard Rock Cafe, Johnny V’s and Morton’s Culinary Institute in West Palm Beach, but he only Steakhouse to claim the top prize and relocated to South Florida three years ago from Naples. Specializing in modern American cuisine, Kerr earn the right to serve the “Best Burger in Fort Lauderdale.” Congrats to Chef has also been instrumental in the formation of Alibi Kerr and his team! catering.“Not everyone has the capability to create

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Theatre

pen in the play are factual.

“I didn’t want the pressure of that, or the Mother/Son limitations of that,” says Solomon. “It is very Runs June 10-27 at Rising Action much inspired by my relationship with my Theatre, 840 E. Oakland Park Blvd., mom, and, in fact, many of the details are Fort Lauderdale. For tickets and more from my life. But many others are not.What information, call 1-800-595-4849 or is true autobiographically are the feelings, so I visit RisingActionTheatre.com. don’t feel the weight that I’m acting my life, so much as I’m sharing the spirit of my mom.”

In Mother/Son, Solomon plays both characters, morphing seamlessly from son to mother and back again. Solomon’s sisters often bring friends who never met their mom to see Mother/Son as sort of the next best thing.

“For me it’s special to evoke my mom’s character,” he says. “It’s like touching base with my mom. To be able to share her sense of humor, her spirit, her outrage, even her annoyingness, is a pleasure.”

By Mary Damiano Mother/Son has been embraced by many Arts Editor LGBT groups, and many PFLAG chapters have sponsored performances of the play. hen Jeffrey Solomon came “The term ‘family values’ is bandied about out to his mother, he never feared rejection. But he also by the religious right,” he says. “This really never imagined the two of them would one is family values: To have to learn how to love and accept your child as they are, and day march in a gay pride parade. then stand proudly beside them and tell the But they did, and that journey—from coming out to absolute acceptance—is the world, is so inspirational.”

Solomon has been performing Mother/Son basis of Solomon’s one-man show Mother/ Son, which he will perform at Rising Action for 12 years, and estimates that by the end of the year he will have performed Mother/ Theatre June 10-27.

“My mom and I marched together in the Son 200 times. The play has been translated into several languages, including Greek, but Stonewall 25 parade in 1994—her idea,” Solomon has no plans at the current time says Solomon. “That was a wonderful, lifeto allow anyone else to perform the show changing experience.” in English.

Solomon stresses that Mother/Son is Solomon has taken the show internationnot a strict autobiographical piece, and al and has found that the universality of the that about half of the things that hapstory translates well abroad.

“Gay audiences in the U.S., U.K., India and Sri Lanka have tended to react the same,” he says.

He likes when gay men and women bring their parents to the show—he remembers one man in India who brought his mom—and he sees a trend toward parents bringing their children.

Solomon is gratified to know that he has made an impact.

“It really is meaningful and moving to me when people are touched by the play,” he says. “Even if they say, ‘I saw the play and I had to go home and call my mom,’ that means a lot Jeffrey Solomon plays a mother and her gay son to me.”

A Journey Toward Acceptance Jeffrey Solomon Brings Mother/Son to Rising Action

W

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Orchestra Miami/Gay CubanAmerican Composer Composer Draws on Gay, Cuban Influences for Miami Premiere from Cuba to his adopted home of 16 years,Vermont.

Martin explains that as a child in school in New Jersey (his family left Cuba when hen it comes to inspirahe was five), he developed “a childhood tion, gay Cuban-American composer Jorge Martin, who romantic fantasy” with the state during a classroom activity. He visited decades later will have a new song cycle premiered by Orchestra Miami this weekend, has only re- with a friend who later became his partner and they continued to cently considered his return until setting up Cuban heritage and roots in 1994. sexual orientation.

“There was a Both are evident in certain ‘Yankeeism’ his latest opera, “Beabout Vermont, a fore Night Falls,” which political heritage, that was premiered by the was attractive to me,” Fort Worth Opera he explains. “And this last week. The work, was before the civil which received critiunion thing was even cal acclaim, musically dreamed up.” documents the story Martin wrote the of Reinaldo Arias, the poetry for the song gay Cuban writer who cycle, noting its “semidied of AIDS in 1990 funny title.” He says at the age of 47. some of the songs “It would be hard are humorous, but to figure out what Jorge Martin others are meditative influences my music,” and personal, recounting his family’s exodus he explains. “People have studied composfrom Cuba at a young age and his childhood ers who were gay, but it’s hard to see how it influenced them in musical terms. In terms of in New Jersey.

Acclaimed Cuban-American soprano subject matter, I haven’t sought gay themes Elizabeth Caballero will provide the vocals or shied from them. One of the things the for Martin’s music next week, accompanied character realizes in the opera is that the

by Orchestra Miami, under the baton of ‘left’ hates him because he was anti-Castro and the ‘right’ hated him because he was gay. the orchestra’s founder and conductor Elaine Rinaldi.

I really think it was his fate as an outsider Martin approves of the duo’s handling that spoke to me.”

Martin adds that for an opera about a gay of his creation: “Melissa is a marvelous soprano and I’m thrilled that she’s doing this Cuban, it only made sense for the music to reflect the setting: “It was not until I decided with Elaine.”

I was going to write this opera that it made sense to include some Cuban influences. I Music actually avoided it until now, except for a “A Cuban in Vermont” few chamber pieces I wrote around 2000….

Orchestra Miami Benefit Concert but that was more so in preparation for the opera. It’s not normally my style.”

Saturday, June 12, 8 p.m.

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23

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

You’ll Still Always Be A Friend SFGN Staff Fondly Remembers Blanche

B

lanche Devereaux one of Miami’s most famous—if fictional—residents will never pass away thanks to DVDs and syndication. However, Rue McClanahan, the great actress that played her passed away in Manhattan last week.

It is strange that nearly 20 years after “The Golden Girls” cancellation many of us took a moment out of our day to reflect on how much joy she brought into our lives. In addition to her work with Dorothy, Estelle and Rose she originated Mrs. Morrible in “Wicked,” took a turn as the “Countess de Lave” in “The Women,” played Bea Arthur’s cousin in “Maude,” and even appeared in the campy, early 1980s Vicky Lawrence vehicle “Mama’s Family.” She also played a vicious fag hag in the 1971 film, “Some of My Best Friends Are.” Yet Blanche is the most familiar character she leaves us with. Therefore, let’s celebrate her with some quotes that she and her costars made famous.

You will be much-missed.

By A. Sebastian Fortino

Blanche: When Blanche Devereaux goes after a man, she doesn’t stand on ceremony!

Sophia: Or the floor.

Blanche: There is a fine line between having a good time and being a wanton slut. I know. My toe has been on that line.

Blanche: My life is an open book.

Sophia: Your life is an open blouse.

Blanche: Ah! Look at the shameless way she’s flirtin’ with him… disgustin’!

Rose: You flirted with him.

Blanche: I’m from the South. Flirting is part of my heritage.

Rose: What do you mean?

Dorothy: Her mother was a slut too.

Blanche: [ explaining why she worn red at her wedding] Oh please, it’s bad enough hearing all those snickers as you walk down the aisle, but me in white, even I couldn’t keep a straight face.

Blanche: I ’m more jumpy than a virgin at a prison rodeo Blanche: I’m hotter than a whore in Sunday School.

The “we” that Kato speaks of is his collaborator and best-friend John Mercurio, whom he used to work with in his time at ndrew Kato has been active in the Burt Reynolds. As the show was in the theater since his days working at workshop stage, they received a $34,000 the famed Burt Reynolds Dinner Theater. Currently, he is the artistic director at grant to present three new works in New the Maltz Jupiter Theater. Ironically, Kato was a York, one of which was Academy.

Inspired by Goethe’s Faust, Academy is server at the Burt Reynolds at one time. a pop chamber-musical about boys learnHis latest endeavor, a show called Acading to become men, and remaining true to emy about an all-boys preparatory school, themselves. Academy is also a show within was an official selection of the 2009 New a show, as the boys are attempting to stage York Musical Theater Festival.

Goethe’s seminal work.

The festival works to support new “I did not go to boarding school,” Kato musicals and their creators. Altar Boys was developed there, as was Next to Normal. The responded to a question he is probably asked quite often. “The initial inspiration latter piece won “Best Score” at the Tony was from an a cappella festival. I was so imAwards last year. pressed with the boys’ camaraderie. From “I conceived of and developed the piece.

It’s been in the works for over 10 years,” said there we developed a storyline that was Kato. “It’s been a labor of love. In the last year both compelling and universal.”

The rigors and daily pressure of attending it’s had quite a journey.We picked it up again a little over a year ago, as part of a workshop.” a prestigious, academically elite school is one

A

Blanche: Like I’m the only person whose ever mixed a margarita in a sailor’s mouth.

Dorothy: There’s a man on our lawn.

Blanche: Get the net!

A Life on Broadway, and in Jupiter

By A. Sebastian Fortino

Rose: How do you feel about performing in front of a video camera?

Blanche: I think it’s okay as long as you’ve already had at least three dates.

“I am the coordinating producer. In television that means that I oversee all or most of the segments. If you think of the show as having 12 acts, I make sure that they are delivered well and completed,” said Kato, who has been with the show for seven years now. “I just submitted my resume and got a phone call offering me the job. I nearly fell over backwards!”

Now he is taking the show on the road.

However, he is not merely taking it crosscountry; he is taking it to Korea, where it will make its Asian debut at the Daegu International Musical Festival with two-time Tony Award-nominee John Caraffa. The theater—like Times Square itself—never shuts down. Rehearsals for the show begin in New York City the day after the Tony Awards, on Monday.

of those “compelling and universal” themes.

Kato says that the show also examines the father-son relationship, something that is often overlooked on stage and screen.

The show, in an abridged format, drew a very positive reaction from Jupiter audiences. In New York it was extended twice, and the cast was described in a rave New York Times review as the handsomest on Broadway.

Kato’s work—and clearly his enthusiasm for theater—go beyond being the creative force behind a show.

He also lends his talents to the Emmy Award-winning Tony Awards, Broadway’s most glittering evening. This year the Radio City Music Hall event will air on Sunday, June 13.

Andrew Kato

For more information, visit CBS. com, Academythemusical.com, or Jupitertheater.org

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June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

A Little Bit Country & A Little Bit Rock ’n Roll Three Concerts Kick Season into High Gear

By Joey Amato

be the return of Bret Michaels. The former Poison front man comes to South Florida to perform after a myriad of recent health he summer concert season is just incidents. After winning The Celebrity getting started and there is no better Apprentice and a surprise appearance place to be this week than West Palm Beach. on American Idol, Classic Rock meets Michaels is ready Country with three to rock. He will outstanding shows surely be performthat promise to ing classic Poison bring audiences tunes such as to their feet. It all “Every Rose Has kicks off with Yes Its Thorn”, “Talk and special guest Dirty to Me” and Peter Framp“Nothin’ but a ton on Tuesday and Good Time.” Lest ends with a farewell we forget the performance of one unmistakable sound of country music’s of Lynyrd Skynyrd most influential Bret Michaels and 38 Special groups. and this show will mostly be one of the best shows of the summer. June 10 at the Cruzan ES and Peter Frampton Amphitheatre. Tickets start at $34. www.

The two legendary performers are livenation.com. bringing their national reunion tour back to the Sunshine State. The artists’ combined performances will feature more than three rooks & Dunn with hours of music from the Grammy Award Jason Aldean winners, including If the return of such YES classics a rock legend as “I’ve Seen All wasn’t enough to Good People,” whet your appetite, “Starship Trooper,” then maybe Brooks as well as Framp& Dunn’s farewell ton hits “Show Me performance may.

The Way,” “Baby, The duo has been I Love Your Way” performing for 20 and “Do You Feel years and this tour Like We Do.” June marks the end of 8 at the Kravis the road for the Brooks & Dunn Center for the most celebrated Performing Arts.Tickets start at $35. www. duo in country music history. Come to kraviscenter.org. the “Last Rodeo” and sing along with Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn as they perform their unforgettable hits, “Boot Scooynyrd Skynyrd, Bret Mitin’ Boogie,” “Red Dirt Road” and “My Maria.” chaels and 38 Special June 12 at the Cruzan Amphitheatre.Tickets Few acts can overshadow a headliner, but start at $39. www.livenation.com. in this case, the showstopper is likely to

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in fact—namely, Liza Minnelli. And the video jockey will appear as his favorite country crooner, Patsy Cline.

This year’s “Battle of the Bitches” theme promises a lot of good-willed fun and competition. As far as Sewell and Madison know, it is the longestrunning, most successful turnabout event in Fort Lauderdale. A turnabout is when non-drag performers are encouraged to put on a wig and strut their stuff onstage.

“Most of the more famous bartenders in town have donned a wig and crossed the Alibi stage at one point or another,” said Sewell of the mock pageant featuring the Alibi staff. “Last year, we had a spectacular turnout and raised over $6,000 for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. This year we are aiming to go bigger and better.”

According to Sewell, they intend to reach $10,000. The funds raised this year will be divided equally and donated to the Broward House and the Poverello Food Bank. Nikki

By A. Sebastian Fortino Adams will host a hot red-carpet event at 8 p.m. The pageant itself will begin at 9 p.m., ark your calendar for Monday, and contestants will be judged in three catJune 14 for the Alibi’s annual Turnabout Fundraiser. The egories in order to win the coveted crown of “Miss Alibi Turnabout.” event has been the official kickoff party for Ultimat Vodka is the proud corporate the Stonewall Street Festival for 13 years.

Last year, to add a bit of fun in the name of sponsor of the event, while car service will be provided by Star Electric Cars. Coscharity, organizers Scot Newell and Dale Madison decided to turn it into a drag pag- tumes and accessories will be provided by Lace to Lust Boutique. eant: the Miss Alibi Turnabout Pageant.

The event promises comedy, competition, “Turnabout is basically a group of guys getting dressed up in drag for a charity event, that and outrageous fun, while raising funds to help members of our community. are not professional drag queens at all,” said Scot Newell of Great Scot! Productions, based in Oakland Park. “It’s usually the bartenders For more information, visit Georgiesalibi.com that participate.The audience tips the performers, and that money goes to charity. It makes everybody look ridiculous for a good cause.”

There are at least eight pageant contestants, but at least another ten people are doing jobs in support of the show. One of the Alibi’s managers will appear as a special guest. A very special guest,

Turnabout: Every Now and Then, Alibi Bartenders Dress in Drag

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June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Heard it on...

And Babs, we got lots of luxury buildings in South Florida that will welcome you with open arms. So, when are you coming over, darling? Past interviews to promote Matthew’s Place include Rob Thomas and Kathy Griffin. To read them, go to matthewshepard.org

By the Nite Owl Barbra Streisand continues to show her generosity with a very rare interview accorded to Matthew’s Place. Asked, “Have you ever been picked on for something that made you different...?,” La Streisand said that, early in her career, she applied to buy an apartment in an exclusive luxury building in New York. She was rejected “because I was Jewish or in the entertainment industry.” Hmm... not quite the mia_her_qtr_BW 6/2/10 1:05 PM Page 1 same thing. But we love ya anyway, Babs.

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For our entrees, my guest and I decided to try the blackened mahi-mahi and the Cajun swordfish. Both dishes were wellprepared—the spice didn’t overpower the taste of the fish itself. I favored the consistency of the mahi-mahi over that of the swordfish, although my guest begged

By Joey Amato to differ. He enjoyed the overall flavor and texture of the swordfish. t’s been a while since we visited an Legal Sea Foods also offers a New establishment in Boca, so I decided England Lobster Bake, a complete dinto venture up to Legal Sea Foods at ner beginning with a cup of delicious clam Town Center in Boca Raton—one of my favorite shopping malls in South Florida. The chowder, followed by a large plate of restaurant is a new and welcomed addition steamers, mussels, chourico sausage, corn on the cob, and a steamed lobster. to the complex.

Seafood is not the only items available We began dining with a sampling of cocktails from the bar. My favorites of the bunch at the restaurant. For land lovers, there’s an Oven Roasted Herbed Chicken with were the Legal Sangria, made with Spanish sweet-potato mash, broccoli, and lemon red wine, Cruzan Raspberry, lime cordial, and lemon juice; and the Fresh Watermelon butter sauce, as well as a Vegetarian Box of assorted stir-fried vegetables and Thai redCrush, a simple cocktail prepared with curry sauce.

Rain Organic Vodka, fresh watermelon, and The restaurant also offers a small selection simple syrup.

After drinks, the appetizers started arriving of dessert items, ranging from Boston Cream at our table. Chef recommendations included Pie to Belgian Chocolate Mousse Parfait.

Legal Sea Foods was born in 1950 when a portion of fresh mussels, sautéed with garlic, George Berkowitz opened a fish market in white wine, and crushed red pepper.The the Inman Square neighborhood in Cammussels were plump and juicy, and the sauce was delightful. In addition, we received Legal’s bridge, Massachusetts. He opened it adjacent Signature Crab Cake, made with jumbo lump to his father’s grocery store, Legal Cash Market.Then, in 1968, the Berkowitz family crab and mustard sauce and served over a opened its first seafood restaurant.The fish bed of salad.The crab cake was very good, was simply prepared—either broiled or fried, although I enjoyed the mussels a bit more. and served on paper plates at communal Next, we enjoyed a glorious raw platter, picnic tables. Despite the low-key trappings, consisting of tuna sashimi, three types of the food was second to oysters, and cherrystone clams. I thoroughly none. enjoyed this selection, as I tend to gravitate towards raw fish selections if they are offered.

Dining Review

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27

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Turning You On to

Matthew Kurz Local Songwriter Draws Comparisons to Gaga

M

ove over Gaga, you have competition. Local songwriter/producer Matthew Kurz appears to be following in the footsteps of one of today’s hottest performers. What a lot of people do not realize about Gaga is that she began her career as a songwriter and not a performer.

Matthew Kurz is a native of Flushing, New York, but was raised in Miami Shores. Kurz attended Miami Beach Senior High, but it was in elementary school when his creative juices started flowing.“I remember being in the third grade, sitting in class, and writing down whatever was going on in my head. I was a really imaginative kid, so if I wasn’t writing stories I was writing songs about falling in or out of love.”

Kurz was referring to his first love of course.

In his early teens, Kurz started dabbling with music production software and began to shape his words into songs. “I spent my time outside of school sitting in front of my computer writing and producing music.

I didn’t have a microphone, so I’d set up a tape recorder next to the computer speakers and sing the songs as I played the music from the computer,” states Kurz.

Kurz credits R&B singer Brandy as one of his musical influences. “People don’t understand why, out of all artists, I’m so in love with her music,” he states. “I find the tone of her voice, and her ear for harmonies so intoxicating. Until this day, I’ve yet to hear any other artist utilize harmonies and vocal arrangements the way she does.”

Even though R&B music has played an integral part in Kurz’s life, his music is quite different. “I’ve never been big on categorizing my music. It really depends on my mood, and what’s going on in my life. I’ve recorded

everything from something you’d hear at a club, to songs that you’d hear on a One Republic album. Music is an art form, and if you set limits for yourself then you really aren’t expressing yourself to the fullest.”

Often, songwriting can be an intense process. “I always have to create the music first.

When that is complete, I start humming along, trying out different melodies until I find something that catches my attention, then it all goes from there.”

“Wait” is a heart-wrenching ballad about someone that is afraid of commitment. Kurz tells us about the track. “The guy breaks it off with the person he is dating, and the person promises to wait for him to come back when he was ready to fall in love and commit. Shortly after they separate, he spots the person out with another guy. Not only does he regret letting this person go, but he’s also heartbroken that they didn’t keep their promise. It’s one of those songs that I think is relatable.”

Even though Kurz has always had a supportive group of friends and family, everything was not easy for the 20-year-old songwriter, who struggled with his weight at an early age and suffered from low selfesteem. “I joined Weight Watchers with my mom, and saw results in the first week alone.” Kurz has since then lost a total of 135lbs. “It was definitely a life changing experience for me, not only physically, but emotionally. I saw that I was stronger than I thought I was, and that I could reach any goal I set myself up for if I stuck to it and gave it my all.”

Songwriters often find ideas from a variety of sources. Some rely on personal experiences, others rely on the experiences of others. Kurz normally chooses the later,

but on “Fix Me” he decided to reach down inside himself. “I finally sat down and told myself to be honest and write how ‘I’ was feeling, and what ‘I’ was going through. I wrote, produced and recorded “Fix Me” all in the same day. By the time I finished it was 6 AM in the morning. It is definitely one of my most personal songs.”

Kurz, who hopes to one day collaborate with Kelly Clarkson plans on spending a lot more

Anthony Humphreys

By Joey Amato

Matthew Kurz

time focusing on his music this year.“These past two years I’ve just been writing and producing, so I have a bunch of songs that are just sitting on my computer begging to be heard. I feel like this is my year to really get the ball rolling.” In the past few months, he has produced and written a few tracks for local musicians including Kyle Poffenbarger (K-Poff).

“Matt and I worked on a song called ‘Turn Me On’”, states K-Poff. “Going into record with him I didn’t know what to expect, but we immediately sat down and started working together, and very well at that. The song has been a smash so far, playing at Living Room Nightclub every Friday.” Their second collaboration, a song called “High Tech” was scheduled for release last week.

For more information or to listen to Kurz’s music, please visit Myspace.com/mjkmusic. Be sure to listen to “How Does It Feel”, “Invisible” and my personal favorite, “Without You”.

28

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

29

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Gayborhoodapp .com

Book Review The Harvest of Inadequate Lives

by Patrick S. Stokes Strategicpublishinggroup.com 256 pages $27.50

By A. Sebastian Fortino

By A. Sebastian Fortino

T

he so-called “apps” popping up for Blackberry, iPhone, and other media are revolutionizing the way businesses interact with their target audiences. The May 20 launch of Gayborhoodapp.com by Carma Productions, Inc., publishers of the Gay Community Yellow Pages in Atlanta, GA and South Florida, intends to put all LGBT supportive and friendly businesses at your fingertips.

“After fighting to end discrimination based on sexual-orientation for almost twenty years by producing The Gay Community Yellow Pages, we have seen consumers shift to the use of electronic media.

With interest in continuing our fight for equality and working to expand our diversity footprint, the idea for Gayborhood was born,” said Thomas Ryan, Chief Financial Officer of Carma Productions, Inc. “Things have been going very well! In only 11 days we have well over 1600 fans on Facebook. We just started our Texas cities and that brought 400 fans within a few hours.”

The Carma Productions team sees this as a perfect way to help the LGBT community across America rest assured they are spending their money with businesses that do not discriminate. Additionally, they have structured advertising packages in a way that makes them affordable

to almost any business. For a mere for $0.55 per day a business can advertise on Gayborhoodapp.com.

The application is available —for free—at Apple’s iPhone App Store. In addition to a listing of businesses that are LGBT friendly, the application offers other features. Simple navigation via Google maps offers turn-by-turn directions to the business represented on the site. “Near Me,” puts you in touch with businesses within a certain radius of a user’s current location. “Reviews,” offers personalized critiques of businesses written by other Gayborhoodapp.com users.

A very personal, unique addition to the above features is “Journeys,” which allow users to read and write stories about coming out and living life in the LGBT community. The group plans on launching full lists of LGBT Pride and gay-oriented festivals across the country, as well as something everyone likes, “Giveaways” which will allow you to register for cool, LGBT stuff.

“Our community is really embracing Gayborhoodapp.com,” said Marci Alt, Chief Executive Officer of Carma Productions, Inc. “We were very careful to design Gayborhood with our consumers in mind, and we’re thrilled to see our community so excited.”

Both Alt and Ryan promise the community that all of the businesses, from attorneys to restaurants, have made a commitment to treat members of the LGBT community with respect. Currently the Web site covers more than 40 cities across the nation, with more coming on board every day.

For more information please visit Gayborhoodapp.com

F

inn Wallace has a wanderlust that takes him from Alaska to South Africa, from the sleepy hamlet of Heath, England to the excitement of Malaga in Spain. Finn works on cruise ships—he’s proud not to have a mortgage and lives according to his own will.

Finn also rids the world of the men whom he deems “inadequate.” He kills the liars, cheats, and married men that meet him at clandestine cruising spots.

The novel opens with an elegant tone recalling the adolescent years in which anything seems possible and the world is limitless. Then the book grows into a travelogue as Finn discovers sex in the arms of an older, teenaged cousin, then travels, comes out, and finds the love of his life—only to lose him tragically.

He buries the body, and keeps his lover alive by occasionally impersonating his identity. The fact that Finn is, ostensibly, a serial killer, is not really “dropped into” the story, but is mentioned casually, as if it’s being revealed that he plays chess or collects stamps.

He does not kill all of his lovers. He has a stable relationship with a cop-turnedelectrician named Raul. He recounts an escapade with a pair of Dutch boys whom he describes as having

“left a sour taste in my mouth.”

As the book came to an end, however, I had to wonder: what is Finn’s motivation for his savagery?

He kills to put the “inadequate” in their place, just as the vestiges of the British class system put him in his place back in his hometown of Heath.

He describes one murder thusly: “The ridding occurred in Venice alongside a nondescript waterway that stank of Italian sewage, more so now, I pondered as we sailed for Croatia.” Yet Finn, desperate for funds, works as a prostitute, claiming those that work nine to five are the real prostitutes.

Although the comparison will inevitably be made, The Harvest of Inadequate Lives is not The Talented Mr. Ripley. The similarities end with Finn’s love of travel and his masquerading as his late lover. Ripley kills the men that he loves when they become inconvenient, whereas Finn kills the cheaters and—for lack of a better word—the bastards he encounters.

It is easier, therefore, to like Finn and his murderous nature.

30

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

By A. Sebastian Fortino Passages

Peter Orlovsky, Poet and Partner of Allen Ginsburg FRIST POEM

T

he Beat Generation has lost another of its vanguards.

Peter Orlovsky, the life partner of Beat poet Allen Ginsberg, died of lung cancer on May 30 at the Vermont Respite House in Williston.

He was 76 years-old.

Orlovsky published five books and collections of poetry, as well as letters he exchanged with Ginsberg.

Allen Ginsburg & Peter Orlovsky He appeared in three films, including Andy Warhol’s Couch in 1965, and he documented his brother’s mental illness in a 1969 film, Me and My Brother. Although a distinguished poet, Orlovsky only began writing with Ginsberg’s encouragement, beginning in the 1950s when the two lived in Paris. Ginsberg and Orlovsky will be portrayed by James Franco and Aaron Tveit in Howl, a movie about the obscenity trial triggered by Ginsberg’s poem of the same name.

In 1974, Orlovsky taught at the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at the Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado. Of his poetry, four poems have been reprinted online. To mark the passing of this great artist, we reprint one here, with Orlovsky’s original spelling preserved.

What you don’t read here, READ HERE: www.SouthFloridaGayNews.com 2520 N. Dixie Highway Wilton Manors, FL 954-530-4970

A rainbow comes pouring into my window, I am electrified.

Songs burst from my breast, all my crying stops, mistory fills the air.

I look for my shues under my bed.

A fat colored woman becomes my mother.

I have no false teeth yet. Suddenly ten children sit on my lap.

I grow a beard in one day.

I drink a hole bottle of wine with my eyes shut.

I draw on paper and I feel I am two again. I want everybody to talk to me.

I empty the garbage on the tabol.

I invite thousands of bottles into my room, June bugs I call them.

I use the typewritter as my pillow.

A spoon becomes a fork before my eyes.

Bums give all their money to me.

All I need is a mirror for the rest of my life.

My frist five years I lived in chicken coups with not enough bacon.

My mother showed her witch face in the night and told stories of blue beards.

My dreams lifted me right out of my bed.

I dreamt I jumped into the nozzle of a gun to fight it out with a bullet.

I met Kafka and he jumped over a building to get away from me.

My body turned into sugar, poured into tea I found the meaning of life All I needed was ink to be a black boy.

I walk on the street looking for eyes that will caress my face.

I sang in the elevators believing I was going to heaven.

I got off at the 86th floor, walked down the corridor looking for fresh butts.

My comes turns into a silver dollar on the bed.

I look out the window and see nobody, I go down to the street, look up at my window and see nobody.

So I talk to the fire hydrant, asking “Do you have bigger tears then I do?”

Nobody around, I piss anywhere.

My Gabriel horns, my Gabriel horns: unfold the cheerfulies, my gay jubilation.

Nov. 24th, 1957, Paris

31

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Stage Scene

rare and intimate forum giving a musical performer and his or her audience an experience that transcends the everyday trials Peter Allen Lives On in of life, if for just an hour or so. The magic of Cabaret Show the moment is what I endeavor to bring an West Palm Beach performer Wayne audience into. It’s—esHosford will salute capism—but sophisticated the original Boy from escapism. One has dinner Oz with his show, Pasand/or drinks, the lights sionate Persuasion—A go down, and the audiPeter Allen Songbook, this ence is in for an experiweekend at the Colony ence unlike any other…

Hotel in Palm Beach. an entertaining evening Allen, as every good of what I like to call ‘entheatre queen knows, dangered elegance.’” The was a consummate Colony is located at 155 showman and proHammon Avenue in Palm lific songwriter whose Beach. Shows are Friday songs include “I Go To and Saturday, June 11 and Rio,” “I Honestly Love 12, at 8 p.m.; doors open You,” “Don’t Cry Out Wayne Hosford for dinner at 6:45 p.m.

Loud,” “I’d Rather Leave The cost for dinner and show is $90 per While I’m In Love,” and “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do).” Allen was also the person and $45 for show only. For more information and reservations, call the hotel subject of the Broadway musical The Boy From Oz, starring his fellow Australian Hugh box office at 561-659-8100.

Jackman. Hosford has performed internationally and has received rave reviews for Let the Sun Shine In his performances. He sees cabaret as “a Hair, the original American rock musical, will be presented this weekend at the Count de Hoernle Theatre in Boca Raton. This is the debut production by a new theatrical production company, Entr’Acte Theatrix.

“Entr’Acte was founded to answer the needs of a very unique brand of performer—the emerging professional Cast of Hair talent from Palm Beach

County and surrounding Mary Poppins areas,” says Vicki Halmos, Mary Poppins, that executive producer. “These practically perfect British talented young people, nanny who has more many of which are finishing tricks in her bag than their college careers, have Felix the Cat, will be landgreat abilities that would ing at Broward Center enhance any professional for a tree-week engagecompany, but lack one of ment, June 9-27office the major pre-requisites success. Based on the for success in theater—a 1964 Disney film starring professional resume. Our Julie Andrews and Dick goal is to provide these Van Dyke, Mary Poppins emerging talents with that tells the story of a nanny Mary Poppins opportunity and more.” whose special blend of Hair runs for six performances June 10-13, magic and common sense brings a family at the Count de Hoernle Theatre, 7901 N. closer together. Since opening on Broadway Federal Hwy., Boca Raton, and then for five in 2006, Mary Poppins has played more than performances June 17-20 at Palm Beach 1400 performances. Classic songs from the Gardens Community High School, 4245 musical include “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” “A Holly Drive, Palm Beach Gardens. For Spoonful of Sugar,” and “Jolly Holiday.” To more information and to purchase tickets, purchase tickets and for more information, EntracteTheatrix.org. visit BrowardCenter.org.

T

he Grabby Awards in Chicago celebrated the best in porn last weekend, and local photographer GIO won an award for best still photography.

On the far left of Chi Chi La Rue, of the popular C1R Releasing, is Howard Andrew of locally based Fab Scout Entertainment. Another local winner was Matthew Rush, whose victory celebrated one of his more salacious

moments in porn filming. The awards were for directing, sound, cinematography, ejaculation shots, and three ways, so use your imagination from there.

O ver 25 Years of Service

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32 Crossword Puzzle

Hard Act to Follow

Across 1 Risk rust, for the Tin Man 5 Use it to stroke your head 10 As Is subject 14 As to 15 “The closet” opening?

16 Boys in the Band author Crowley 17 At the ready 18 Funny Cheri 19 “How queer!”

20 Pepper Potts potrayer in 50-Across 23 Conduit bend 24 Roz portrayer on Frasier 25 Johansson of 50-Across 30 Kid’s “tattoos,” e.g.

34 Post- opposite 35 Socrates’ market 37 George of Star Trek 38 Boot 40 Grid coach Amos Alonzo ___ 42 Type of bath 43 Loathing 45 Milano opera house, with “la” 47 Kind of deer 48 Like 50-Across?

50 Superhero movie sequel 52 Trojans’ org.

54 Feeling of hitting rock bottom

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com 55 Title character portrayer in 50-Across 62 Lanford Wilson’s The ___ Baltimore 63 Madrid museum 64 Port on Osaka Bay 65 Katharine’s Butch Cassidy part 66 Conger catcher 67 Actor Richard 68 Erection material?

69 Ben Franklin’s belief 70 Internally pink Down 1 Cherry opening?

2 From the top 3 Heartbreaker for a big, hairy male 4 Loewe’s partner 5 Pirates 6 Baseball’s Babe 7 Lone Star sch.

8 Subway dangler 9 Flagged down 10 Ferrera of Ugly Betty with our country?

11 Otello villain 12 Emulate Alison Bechdel 13 Rubber avoidance danger 21 Scat queen 22 Singer Fure 25 Airplane!, for one

26 Like homophobic remarks 27 Norse race 28 They’re into diapers 29 Chef Des Jardins 31 The Seven Samurai director Kurosawa 32 Allow the pussy out of the bag?

33 Runway model’s specification, perhaps 36 Petri dish gel 39 Edna of Hairspray 41 Miriam Margolyes voice role in James and the Giant Peach 44 Steinbeck title vermin 46 Soon, to Shakespeare 49 Bitched and moaned 51 More sheepish 53 Up ___ (stuck) 55 Prefix with gravure, in “Easter Parade” 56 Beatle Bailey dog 57 Lover of Lorca, perhaps 58 Poems of Sappho 59 Madonna taught this in The Next Best Thing 60 Type of ski lift 61 Director Norman of Prelude to a Kiss 62 Chop down Solution on page 39

Sports

Team Oregon Takes on Cologne

By Dan Woog

I

n his late 60s, Arde Johnson still competes as a bodybuilder. When he and his partner moved to Portland, Ore. a few years ago, he left behind an important part of his athletic and social life: Team Palm Springs, with which he competed in the Gay Games.

As he told his new Portland friends how much fun the Games are—socially as well as athletically—he planted a seed. Rob Patton listed with interest. Like many others in the LGBT community, Patton had known little about the Games. And like them, he grew excited about the possibility of going to Co-

logne for the 2010 event.

“I got drawn in like the tractor beam in ‘Star Wars,’” says Patton, a softball player.

Portlanders had always participated in the Gay Games, of course. But not in any organized way. Individual athletes fund raised, made hotel arrangements and traveled on their own.

Now they are doing it together. Thanks to Johnson’s inspiration, and the organizational efforts of people like Patton, Team Oregon will send a few dozen athletes to Germany this summer. When Gay Games VII ends in August, the umbrella group will continue to support gay sports in the state.

And when the 2014 Gay Games opens in

Cleveland, Patton hopes “a couple of hun- group. More creatively, Team Oregon members solicited pledges based on the number dred” Oregonians will be there.

So far, Team Oregon has attracted more of laps they’d run around Portland’s Pioneer individual athletes—bodybuilders, swim- Square—in Speedos.

Small and medium-sized businesses have mers, runners, dancers—than teams. (Patton will play on a softball squad created by contributed up to $300 for exposure on Gay Games organizers; they form teams for Team Oregon’s website. Bigger corporations players who do not have one. He may also with sports connections in Portland’s backthrow the javelin, a sport he enjoyed when yard—Nike and the North American headquarters of Adidas—are also being solicited. he was younger.)

It is important, Patton says, to raise both But those athletes come from a wide geographic area, making Team Oregon perhaps money and awareness. To help the latthe only statewide gay sports organization ter mission, Team Oregon staffs booths at with a presence in Cologne. “We want to Pride festivals and reaches out to LGBT bring people together to train, compete and community centers and campus groups. But— mindful that the enhance the whole For more information on Team Oregon, Gay Games are not experience,” explains visit www.TeamOregon2010.org limited to LGBT Patton, now the presiathletes—Patton dent of Team Oregon.

For more information on the Gay Games, says, “We’re as likely “It’s not like we’re govisit www.gaygamescologne.com. to have flyers and ing to meet each other posters at gyms for the first time once and bike shops as gay bars. We’re working we get to Cologne.”

It’s a long way from the West Coast to the gay angle, and also the sports angle.”

Of course, there is also a Team Oregon Europe, so Team Oregon has embarked on several money-raising efforts. Members earn Facebook group.

Many Oregonians react like Patton did not points for participating in each event. Funds long ago: “I never heard of the Gay Games!” will be distributed based on point totals.

The owner of West Café donated 10 per- Once they learn about the Games—a social cent of the funds from a wine dinner to the continued on page 33

33

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Rob Patton continued from page previous page

and cultural gathering, as well as an athletic competition open to everyone regardless of ability or experience—they think: “I can go to Germany and compete in a sport I’ve always wanted to try, but never even done!”

They realize Team Oregon can help, and they start planning (and training) in earnest.

In addition to money and logistics, Pat-

ton’s organization faces the challenge of moving beyond the metropolis of Portland and cosmopolitan cities like Eugene.

“There are some pretty small towns in eastern Oregon where it’s tough to be gay,” he notes. “My dream is to reach those people.

We’re still trying to unearth them.” As an example, he points to a swimmer in Klamath Falls. However, Patton says, “We haven’t heard a lot from him lately.”

Finding gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender athletes; getting them together to train; organizing them and helping fund their travel to Germany—in the midst of a worldwide recession—is no easy task.

“We recognize the obstacles,” Patton acknowledges. “But we think whatever we can do to make a difference for people to go is great. This is the first time we’re doing this as a statewide group. We’re learning as we go along. The next time around, we’ll be that much smarter.”

Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccer coach, gay activist, and author of the “Jocks” series of books on gay male athletes. Visit his website at www.danwoog.com. He can be reached care of this publication or at OutField@qsyndicate.com.

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June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com “Jarrett’s Smart List” is a new feature for SFGN where Jarrett Terrill will be givLite brand has done considerable outreach Republicans. ing his advice on the best (and worst) businesses to support based on their busi• Lobbying expenses were $0. ness practices, politics, hiring policies, and contributions to the gay community. with the gay community and advertised

directly to gay audiences.

Starbucks Double-Shot • 9 3% of political contributions went to Democrats.

By Jarrett Terrill • L obbying expenses were over $1 million • Starbucks has Fair Trade coffees available. the company spends quite a bit of money Star­bucks Corporation is a partner in Pizza, Beer & Energy Drinks lobbying congress, they are also environthe (PRODUCT) RED campaign for HIV/ This week, the smart list is focused on Pizza, Beer mentally responsible and awarded for their AIDS relief. and Energy Drinks. Although it may seem like a strange combination of products, you may find this workplace diversity.

• Their non-discrimination policy is inclusive information useful when you go out celebrating Yum! Brands Inc. (Pizza Hut, KFC) of LGBTs and they offer insurance policies Gay Pride this June and need a shot of caffeine to • 56% of political contributions went to to domestic partners which even cover keep up with your friends. You might also want Democrats. some transgender treatments. to know where to get your pizza and beer as you • Yum! Brands spent $1.4 million lobbying settle down to watch the hotties of the FIFA World congress.

Cup this week.

• Yum! Brands has a non-discrimination hiring policy which is inclusive of sexual orientation (but not gender identity).

• Yum! Brands also has domestic partner benefits and health which includes insurThumbs Down ance for transgender employees but does Papa John’s, Dominos Pizza, Coors/Coors not include treatments.

Lite, RockStar Energy Drinks Thumbs Up Anheuser-Busch Companies Papa John’s Pizza DiGiorno, Pizza Hut, Budweiser/Bud Lite, (Budweiser, Bud Lite) • 100% of Political contributions went to Starbucks Double-Shot • 56% of Political contributions went to Democrats Kraft Frozen Pizzas Democrats • Papa John’s did not spend any money lob(DiGiorno, Tombstone) • Lobbying expenses were nearly $7 million. bying Congress.

• 56% of political contributions went to • Anheuser-Busch has a FULL Non-Discrim- • Papa John’s discriminates against LGBT’s in Democrats. ination hiring policy which includes Gays, hiring practices.

• Lobbying expenses were over $6 million.

Lesbians, Bisexual and Transgender people. • Papa John’s has NO Domestic Partner • Kraft has a full non-discrimination hiring poli• Anheuser-Busch also has Full Domestic Benefits and NO healthcare benefits for cy which includes LGB and Gender Identity.

Partner Benefits and Health which is availLGBT’s either...

• Kraft also has full domestic partner insurable to transgender employees and also Domino’s Pizza ance and health but does not cover certain covers some of their treatments. The Bud • 90% of political contributions went to transgender-related treatments. Although

JARRETT’S SMART LIST

Marketplace

• Domino’s Pizza refuses insurance to the domestic partners of LGBTs. Their nondiscrimination policy does not cover gender identity. Although they did not spend money lobbying congress, the amount of money they donated to Republican campaigns was 22 times higher than their next lowest competitor.

Molsen-Coors (Coors, Coors Light) • 67% of political donations went to Republicans.

• Lobbying expenses were $1.6 million.

• Although Coors has (after much controversy) amended their hiring policy to include non-discrimination for LGBTs and has also offered up full partner benefits and health – the company is decidedly partisan on political issues and their founder (Joseph Coors) has donated to fringe, radical organizations which advocate against minority rights and healthcare reform.

Rockstar Energy Drinks • 100% of political donations went to Anti-Gay Republican Campaigns (excess of $5000).

• Lobbying expenses are undeterminable.

• Rockstar Inc. is one of the most politically Anti-gay companies in the United States.

The corporation was founded by the rightwing shock-jock Michael Savage (whose real name is Michael Weiner) and his son Russell Weiner. The father-son team also founded the ultra-right-wing activist group called The Paul Revere Society.

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36

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com Licensed Massage

Classifieds: Call Mike 954-928-1862 Help Wanted Full Time WANT TO JOIN THE HI-LIFE CAFE FAMILY? Looking for experienced waiters and bartenders. Please call 954-563-1395 for an appt.

------------------------------------------------FULL TIME REGISTERED LICENSED BARBER CALL 954-564-7383 ------------------------------------------------SMARTY PANTS BAR is looking for 3 experienced bartenders.

Are you up beat with a positive attitude?

Then this is an opportunity for you. Full time and part time positions available for the right person. Accepting resumes or applications Mon - Fri before noon.

------------------------------------------------HOMBRE IS HIRING Hombre is Hiring.. All positions apply on-line, www.HombreBar.com ------------------------------------------------CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT EXPERIENCED Medical Assistant needed for busy medical practice in Pompano Beach. Must know: phlebotomy, EKG, vitals, injections, electronic medical records, etc.. Fax resume to:954-9419950 attn: Joe or emai to: joemed3@ comcast.net ------------------------------------------------FULL TIME ASSOCIATE Jimmies Chocolate Cafe and Jimmies Chocolate’s Wilton Manors is looking for Full time associate Possible management opportunities. Must have transportation 40+ hours Please stop in on our Dania location at 148 N. Federal Highway(1/2 mile south of the airport) or 1426 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors to fill out an application.

------------------------------------------------HISTORIC INN NEEDS ASST MGR. Late middle aged owner seeks asst mgr for small inn. Salary plus stock. Some hospitality experience, good tools skills, positive attitude, and the maturity for a commitment like this. Relocation to St. Augustine, FL. Respond with letter, resume, and photo to drs4614@gmail.com ------------------------------------------------BUSY DENTAL OFFICE Near Oakland and Federal, looking for full time office help/receptionist. Must be professional and punctual. Call 954566-9812 ------------------------------------------------SALES REPS. Join a professional sales organization with great career and income potential, 1st year potential unlimited. Call Brad 954-773-2800.

Help Wanted Part Time LOOKING FOR EXPERIENCED BARTENDERS AND DANCERS FOR BUSY NIGHTCLUB IN WILTON MANORS Apply in person, at GAYMART, must bring photo. 2240 Wilton Drive 954-630-0360 ------------------------------------------------MASCULINE DANCERS WANTED The Stable is hiring masculine male dancers. Please contact Howard at 954-296-9512

Help Wanted Other OLDERMEN WANTED FOR CAM WORK Attention all daddies and Grampas: Great opportunity to work from home AND MAKE $$$$$. Requirements: computer literate , knowledge of webcam use and a DSl/cable. We are the largest older men website online for over 12 years older4me.com info@daddylive.com

------------------------------------------------OLDER DADDIES/GRANDPA’S (50-75) WANTED FOR XXX MOVIES. Please be handsome, well built and clean. You don’t have to have a perfect body, just a nice looking one. Belly is okay, hairy is great! Also looking for younger men (18-35) WHO LIKE OLDER MEN (50-75) for XXX movies. Please be handsome, well built and clean. Contact Pedri 786-389-3311

Counseling JOHN W. DORAN , LCSW Serving the community for 19+ years, specializing in gay/lesbian/bisexual issues, addictions, relationship issues, HIV/AIDS, anger management, co-dependency, loss/bereavement.

Providing individual/couple/family/group.

Most insurance accepted, Wilton Manors location, 954-253-4060 ------------------------------------------------GROW FROM LIFE’S CHALLENGES Addictions, relationships, depression, co-dependency & support. Sensitive & Caring Gay Therapist-WM Office.

Kurt Robbins, LMFT 954-604-7893 www.SouthFloridaTherapy.com

Home Health Care PERSONAL AT-HOME CARE GIVER AVAILABLE. I am a young and experienced care giver; available to help with daily chores, companionship, driving, etc. in the NE Broward or SE Palm Beach areas. Call me. 954-224-5056 ------------------------------------------------CAREGIVER NEEDS WORK 55 y/o male of Italian/German descent seeking live-in or out employment. 7 yrs experience in caregiving. I became a caregiver overnight when my mom had a stroke. I had to care for her for 5 years.

I am now caring for a 47 y/o old who has Parkinson’s. I am a live-in caregiver but he is doing better after over a year of my help with his recovery— helped him go from 160 lbs to 193 lbs. Will consider any employment, part-time or full-time, gay or straight clients, in Ft. Lauderdale/Wilton Manors/Hollywood/Davie/Pompano or any other location. Call Gary: 954-471-5111.

Disclaimer The following advertisers listed under the category “Licensed Massage” are state licensed in Florida and provide therapeutic massage services.

------------------------------------------------MASSAGE BY A NICE JEWISH GUY Let me work my massage magic.

Aventura a specialty. David 305-936-2551 MA15197 ------------------------------------------------MASSAGE BY MARK $40 SPECIAL Soothe your gay nerves, 1 HOUR of therapeutic massage done in the privacy of your home. Call 954-463-6791 or Cell 954-895-2265 MA0016739 (Non-Sexual) ------------------------------------------------MAGIC HANDS PRO MASSAGE NCBTMB Certified, FL Lic. MA51008 Very reasonable IN Call Studio rates by mature, experienced LMT. In West Central Palm Beaches. Early/Late OK 561-254-8065

Attorney NEED A LAWYER ?

Criminal Defense * DUI Traffic * Accidents * Injuries * Personal Injury * AAA Attorney Referral Service 24 Hours * 1-800-733-5342 ------------------------------------------------NEED A BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY? Save your Home or walk away and owe nothing. Stop harassing creditors. www.dont-sweat-the-debt.com 954-458-7600

Cleaning Services FREE HOUSE OR OFFICE CLEANING! Call H&H Best Cleaners today for a FREE cleaning analysis. After two cleaning services, the third is FREE! 954-242-5044 ------------------------------------------------***CLEAN IT RITE*** THE BEST CLEANING FOR YOUR BUCK! 1BD $45, 2BD $55, 3BD $65.

Excellent rates and references. 10 years in the business. Call Manny at 954-560-4443 ------------------------------------------------ONE CALL DOES IT ALL BY HOUSE! Carpet Cleaning, House Cleaning, Tile & Grout, Upholstery Air Ducts, Pressure Cleaning- Patios, sidewalks, & drive ways. Construction and Foreclosure Clean Up. Cell 954-515-7615 ------------------------------------------------AFFORDABLE HOME CLEANING Dependable, friendly, honest...providing quality work with great rates. Let us give you a quote today. Call JUDITH 954-548-5532

------------------------------------------------SUMMERS CLEANING - WHERE CLEANING IS PERFECTION! Bruce’s mission is to provide professional, friendly and quality service. Give Bruce a call 513-490-7906 Licensed and Insured.

Computers DALE THE COMPUTER WIZ In Home/Office On Site Service. Vista/XP, Hardware/Software, FIX-IT-NOW Remote Service/Tune Up Starting at $30.00. 11 Years Experience. 954-579-7587 www.

GayComputerWiz.com ------------------------------------------------GEEK PATROL COMPUTER SERVICES On-Site & Remote Support Located in Wilton Manors - Windows & Mac (OS X) security, virus & spyware removal, repairs upgrades, wired & wireless networking - gay owned www.

FLTechSupport.com 954-453-9574 ------------------------------------------------**OPTIMA** COMPUTER REPAIR COMPLETE IN HOME SERVICE. *Get the BEST performance, protection & value from your computer investment. *A+ Hardware & OS CERTIFIED. *Friendly, professional, RELIABLE service. Reasonable rates. Call: Mike 954-817-3883 ------------------------------------------------COMPUTER/NETWORK SUPPORT FOR HOME OR OFFICE Personable and Reliable Computer and Network support Professional with over 15 years of Enterprise Level Experience. Affordable Rates. Contact Peter at (954)816-4126 or peter@netechsystems.com

Electrical RTS ELECTRIC 24 HOUR SERVICE Quality work at a reasonable price.

Licensed & Insured #98-CME-1807-X. Contact 954-257-9509. Also, all size generator service and installation.

------------------------------------------------BRUCE ELECTRIC CORP. Fair rates/quality work. All electrical services. Repairs/upgrades. Generator sales/ installations. Prompt/reliable/ dependable. State licensed & ins.

EC13001903 954-748-6234

Home Improvement * EARLY BIRD CONSTRUCTION * ROOFING, CARPENTRY, TILE, PAINT. Honest and ON TIME! 954-274-9378

SFGN’S Classified SOAPBOx

Annie Lennox Named UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Associated Press cottish rock singer Annie Lennox has become a spokeswoman for the U.N. agency fighting HIV/AIDS. Here appointment as UNAIDS goodwill ambassador Wednesday, and she pledged to address the “daily brutality faced by millions of women and girls” suffering from the disease.

The 55-year-old musician achieved fame with The Eurythmics, whose “Sweet Dreams” reached No. 1 in the United States in 1983.

She has since performed as a solo artist and spoken out on political issues. Her “SING”campaign raises awareness for AIDS-infected women in southern Africa.

Lennox said: “If we are to end the cycle of human devastation triggered by the AIDS epidemic, we must address the rights of women and girls and challenge their second class citizen status, which puts them at greater risk of HIV.”

S

Handyman DEREK’S 24 HR HANDYMAN SERVICE Introducing our new cabinet shop.

For all your Custom Made Cabintetry, Countertops and Laminates. 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, DECOR TILE Install, complete home up-dates. For large jobs, 4-man crew abailable. 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 ------------------------------------------------ONE STOP SHOPPING AND ASSOCIATES HANDYMAN/REMODELING AND MORE WITH OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN ALL PHASES OF...

Home improvements, a/c, extensions, electrical, plumbing, painting, kitchen, baths, flooring/ trim, steel erector and custom design fabricator. Pressure cleaning & power washing service.

Former owner of a NY remodeling co. as well as a hands on worker, because I demand perfection in all I do. Please call Mitch for prompt honest and dependable service. Lic. CGC1514441 and insured.

954-253-4650

Lawn Maintenance /Irrigation IRRIGATION SYSTEM REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE 19 yrs. experience, excellent work, referrals by request. Call Roberto at 954-383-8980 ------------------------------------------------LANDSCAPING, LAWNMOWING & MAINTENENCE - WE DO IT ALL INTEGRITY LANSCAPING SERVICE & MAINT. No Job Too Small! Also install tile/marble and clean windows! Call Call John 954-812-5434 or 954-763-3340

Moving/Storage GUYS AND DOLLIES Moving • Storage • Packing • Crating • Shipping. “A” Rated Member of the BBB. Registered Movers since 1976. Major Credit Cards accepted. For FREE price quote call 954-566-1270 ------------------------------------------------PLANNING A MOVE? At Cousins USA Moving & Storage, we want you to smile when you think of moving day, and we want you to tell a friend how pleasant your moving experience has been. For more info on about how we can make moving day a good day. Call toll-free at 1-888-300-MOVE, ask for Carlos.

Business Opportunities GAY BAR FOR SALE - SW FLORIDA Owner Nets $127K Absentee Ownership Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT Phil Rice 239-216-4915 phillip.rice@flcomml.com ------------------------------------------------SEEKING INVESTOR/LOAN, UP TO 18% INTEREST +$50,000/yr dividend for helping us open luxurious private pay drug rehab in the Catskill Mountains. Your loan is safe. Call J. at 845-335-5200 only serious Angel Investors Please!

------------------------------------------------SEEKING INVESTOR/LOAN, UP TO 18% INTEREST +$50,000/yr dividend for helping us open luxurious private pay drug rehab in the Catskill Mountains. Your loan is safe. Call J. at 845-335-5200 only serious Angel Investors Please!

Real Estate For Sale Broward FT LAUDERDALE/LAUDER LAKES PRIMARILY GAY PARK Hurricane Ready 1,600sf 2BR/2BA 1 Yr Old, 32’ Party Deck overlooks huge Lake.

Manufactured Home. Wood Cabinets & Granite Tops, Slate & Marble floors. Immaculate. Real Show Place! Pics @ www. twitpic.com/photos/FLParadise4Sale Cost $205K+, Sell $149,900, Call 954-817-6233

Vacation Rentals ASHEVILLE ANYONE? Brand new 1BD/1BA Apartment for rent in Asheville, North Carolina for weekly rental. 5 minutes to downtown and Biltmore House. Close to Beaver Lake.

Overlooks pond, beautiful country setting w/ 2 patios. Call Joey 828-505-2220

Rentals Furnished Housing NEW IN TOWN? COMING TO WILTON MANORS SOON? FURNISHED 1/1 $295/WEEK Walk to Wilton Drive, bright comfy spotless nicely updated furnished (pots, pans, dishes, etc.) 1st floor corner 1 bdrm, cen a/c, $295 a week includes electric, water & cable, pet considered; call for details.

Laundry on premises; 954-242-7566.

------------------------------------------------PERFECT RELOCATION RENTALS - 3-6 MONTHS From $250/week & $1,000/month. Beautiful Studio, 1 & 2 BR Apts. Turn key, fully furnished & equipped, clothing optional pool, laundry, parking. Close to Gay & Nude Beaches. Pets Welcome.

Incl. utilities, cable, tel., Wi-Fi Internet. 954-927-0090 or visit www.

LibertySuites.com

Rentals Hollywood HOLLYWOOD Private house has 2 rooms for rent.

Larger is $550, smaller is $500 per month, plus 1/2 month for deposit. Must share bathroom. Located off N. Park Road between Taft and Johnson Sts. Men and women are welcome to inquire. Please call Joe at 401.473.7859 or email at Jleon76486@aol.com. Available now.

Rentals Fort Lauderdale FT LAUDERDALE - MIDDLE RIVER AREA LOW MOVE IN /EASY TERMS* 1BD/1BA in 4 unit bldg. All Tile $690/Mo. or $175/Wk*. W/D on premises. 6 or 12 Mo. Lease. 954-527-9225 ------------------------------------------------MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE - MINUTES TO WILTON DRIVE - IMMACULATE EFFICIENCY & 1/1’S With your own PRIVATE backyard or patio, tile floors, large closets, tile floors, newer kit/bath, water/garbage/pest cont incl., cable ready, W/D avail, QUIET all gay complex. No pets. $575-$700/Mo. Will work w/ you on move-in costs. Call 954-592-3772

37

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

CLASSIFIEDS@HOTSPOTSMAGAZINE.COM ------------------------------------------------JUST MINUTES TO WILTON DRIVE FROM $695!!

Both 1/1’s, one in small private beautifully landscaped Middle River Terrace bldg!

Fresh paint, ceramic tile thruout, updtd kitchen, big bdroom, extra lge walk-in closet, laundry on premises, good parking. Another 1/1 in Wilton Manors, 2nd floor, all tile, fresh paint, updates, walk to Wilton Drive, cat OK. 954-561-3332 or 954-242-7566.

------------------------------------------------WILTON MANORS AREA Large 1BD/1BA in quiet complex. Tile floors throughout, laundry facilities, parking, close to Wilton Drive. $750/Mo. Call 954-815-2550 ------------------------------------------------LET ME FIND THAT PERFECT RENTAL At no cost to you, we review hundreds of properties in Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manor areas to meet your specifications and price range. We will even review and prepare the final lease to insure your protection. Call Dick at 954-616-7662 or our office 954-764-6061 East Side Realty Group.

------------------------------------------------SLEEPING ROOM Private entrance, private parking, $150/ week + 4WK Sec. No Pets. 954-465-4859 Leave message.

------------------------------------------------MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE 2/2 plus den. Less than 1 mile from Wilton Drive. Recent paint, new flooring, fenced tropical yard, pool. Off-street parking.

W/D on premises. $1,200/Mo. Call David, 954-806-8520 ------------------------------------------------MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE 1/1 Minutes to Wilton Drive, 2 miles to the beach. Nicely landscaped fourplex. All tile, central ac, new kit/bath, walk-in closet, french door off kit to priv 20x20 yard w/ privacy fence, laundry on prem, parking, pets ok, $750/Mo. 954-849-4944 ------------------------------------------------VICTORIA PARK UPDATED 1 BEDROOM Completely Renovated 1 bedroom, Central Air, Walk-In Closet, DW, Micro, Hurricane Windows/Doors. Walk to Gateway and Galleria. N/S. $850 mo.

954-270-0304 ------------------------------------------------POINSETTIA HEIGHTS Large 3/2 Duplex Apartment for Rent.

Tile floors throughout. Eat in Kitchen, W/D, Guest Bedroom with Private Entrance. $1,100/Mo. + utilities. F/S. Call 954-565-2714.

------------------------------------------------FORT LAUDERDALE EAST OF I-95 Great location 1BD/1BA w/ extra large walk-in closet, french doors lead to private deck and yard, built-in desk looks onto central courtyard, tile floors, smallquiet pets ok, coin laundry, $700/Mo. Call James 305-213-3473 ------------------------------------------------FURNISHED/UNFURNISHED 1/1 FORT LAUDERDALE New unit attached to home. Central AC, french doors, HW floors, fenced yard, hurricane windows, kitchenette w/ micro, fridge, no stove. $750/Mo. includes electric, cable and internet. Reliable landlord.

Non-smokers, 1 person occupancy. Very Nice. Call 954-707-0264 ------------------------------------------------$700 DOWNTOWN / SAILBOAT BEND Quiet, small complex. 1BD/1BA. Large walk-in closet, fully carpeted (new 2009).

Living room, dining area, kitchen, FREE hot water, NEW A/C, LOW electricity bills, assigned parking, **MOVE-IN SPECIAL** $700/Mo. 954-249-0874 or 513-257-1760

------------------------------------------------WILTON MANORS AREA 1BR/1BA Cottage with Private Fenced Yard in Gay Complex. Ceramic Tile Throughout, New Kitchen, Pet’s OK. F/L/S $795/Mo. Call Frank 954-816-2566 ------------------------------------------------NE FTL APARTMENTS AVAILABLE - EFFICIENCIES, STUDIOS & 1BDS FURNISHED/UNFURNISHED Walk/bike to beach, shopping, downtown.

Pets OK. On-site laundry facility, private patio areas & plenty of off-street parking. $625-$850/Mo. All utilities included. Call 954-520-2353 ------------------------------------------------LAKERIDGE- NICE QUIET 1/1 GARDEN APT. Newly remodeled. Close to Wilton Manors, downtown and beach. Includes utilities, premier cable and hi-speed internet.

Available weekly or monthly. Call Jeff 954-593-6833 ------------------------------------------------STUNNING 3BD/2.5BA ON DEEP WATER IN PRIME CORAL RIDGE Ultra contemporary bungalow, high-end finishes, approx 2,300sqft., arcitectual details, oversized master bathroom w/ double jaccusi, steamroom, W/D, heated pool, 90’ dock, ocean access. $3,500/Mo. Includes lawn/pool maint. Utilities extra.

Call 954-336-8043 ------------------------------------------------WILTON MANORS/POINSETTIA HEIGHTS 1BD/1BA w/garage, W/D, walk-in closet, walk to Wilton Drive, water/sewer/trash included. $750/Mo. Call 954-770-4572 ------------------------------------------------2/2 CONDO NEAR GALLERIA W/ DOCK OPTION 2nd floor corner condo direct waterfront and downtown views elevator, laundry room, pool $1600/Mo. 954-648-0514

Rentals Oakland Park 1BD/1BA IN OAKLAND PARK - 1 MILE FROM WILTON DRIVE Central AC, W/D, ceiling fan, eat-in kitchen, dishwasher, $750/Mo. Call 954818-9422 ------------------------------------------------EAST OAKLAND PARK 1BR/1BA Duplex with nice private patio, tropical landscaping, enclosed yard with pets, near Wilton Manors and beach.

East of Dixie Highway. Lots of charm.

Pets welcome with approval. Satelite, water, garbage included $795/mo. 954632-6662

Rentals Palm Beach DELRAY BEACH DOWNTOWN 2BD/1BA, central air, fenced yard, parking, pets ok, $850/Mo. + utilities. F/S. Call 305-296-7744 ------------------------------------------------1/1 LAKE WORTH DOWNTOWN $750 Lg 1/1 in duplex, 2nd Ave South at South M Street, front porch, rear patio, gas/water/partial electric included, walk to ICW and beach, NO SMOKING inside, SMALL pets considered, 1 year lease, $750/mo, F/S required. Available 5/31/2010. Call only: 561-315-3281

Rentals Wilton Manors WILTON MANORS - $1,095/MO. + TWO (2) FREE MONTHS! Large 2BD/1BA on NE 16th Street: Central AC! W/D, Kitchen w/ big fridge and DW. Nice backyard. No Pool. No Dogs. Please call Yoshi at 954-854-7711. Thanks!

------------------------------------------------2 AND 1 BEDROOM APTS NEAR SHOPPES OF WILTON MANORS Huge 2 Bedroom ~ 2 Full Baths~2 Large Walk-in Closets~ Over 1,000 sf of Fully Tiled Living Space~Dishwasher~New Cabinets~Onsite Laundry~Gated Private Complex~Gay Friendly~Small Private Yard~$1,000 Per Month~Wilton Manors 1 Bedroom Apt~Tile Throughout~Conveniently Located near Stork’s or GLCC. Starting at $775. Call Melissa for info at 954-563-6672 ------------------------------------------------WILTON MANORS RENOVATED STUDIO Nice full kitchen w/ stove, nice bathroom, A/C, tile, W/D, private & fenced. Walk to shops, clubs and park. $500/Mo. $800 moves you in. All utilities paid. 954-3251591 Jason ------------------------------------------------1950’S CHARMING 2/1 W/ 2 CAR CARPORT HOME FOR RENT 2/1 home w/ 2 carport, non smoking, new tile, new appliances, freshly painted, w/d on premises, fireplace, behind Stork’s, walking distance to the Drive, one locked storage closet available, $1,400 a month, tlc2323@comcast.net, 954 914-2467

Roommates Broward Other 55+ COMMUNITY IN POMPANO Retired gentleman looking for rommmate, non-smoker, no drugs, discreet lifestyle, credit check, $350/Mo. Call 954-941-3192 ------------------------------------------------HOLLYWOOD - YOUNGER GAY ROOMMATE WANTED Share a 3BD house with hot tub, full use of house. Close to downtown. $400/Mo. Including Utilities. Sal 954-536-6901

Roommates Fort Lauderdale FORT LAUDERDALE/A1A Ocean view. Share luxury accommodations. 2BD/2BA condo. $600/Mo. Includes TV, Utilities, Internet Connection, Pool. LOW MOVE IN. NS/DDF. Call 954-907-9564 ------------------------------------------------GAY PROF MALE LOOKING TO SHARE BEAUTIFUL 2BD/2BA IN CORAL RIDGE. . Off Street Parking Cable and Internet ready. Washer and Dryer. Incredible location! Close to Wilton Manors, Beach, and Shopping Gay Friendly building Must like dogs have 2 small. Move in ready $600/Mo. plus security Call 954-993-6531 ------------------------------------------------ROOM FOR RENT - MUST BE EMPLOYED Includes all utilities & cable, no pets. $500/Mo. + $300 Sec. Available June 1.

Call 954-548-6738

Roommates Oakland Park FURNISHED OR UNFURNISHED ROOM

BY OAKLAND AND ANDREWS Raquet Club, Large Room w/ cable, AC, walk-in closet, micro, ref, etc in room. Ex. large pool, clubroom, sm. dog ok. $450/ Mo. Call Michael 954-882-2928 ------------------------------------------------OAKLAND PARK - 2 WEEKS FREE RENT Share w/GM a 2BR/1BA Apt in a quiet pvt complex w/clothing optional pool, plus extras. $575/mo + $500 Sec. Util. incl. Min. 6 mo. lease. Call 561-302-5218 for details.

------------------------------------------------OAKLAND PARK CONDO SHARE Private BR/BA, walk-in closet, internet, HDTV, W/D, 3 pools, gym. Parking, minutes to Wilton Manors. Non-smoker/ drugs. $500/Mo. Bob 954-717-9906 ------------------------------------------------OAKLAND PARK NEAR WILTON MANORS Share 2br/2ba condo in Royal Park with easy-going gay guy. Room has private bath. Complex has three pools, gym, game room. Next to two parks with tennis courts, running trails. $425/mo. (includes utilities). Deposit. Prefer nonsmoker. No drugs. 954-735-4888

------------------------------------------------SHARE A GREAT POOL HOUSE IN OAKLAND PARK Easy-going GM seeking roommate. $650/mo includes internet, cable, W/D, electric, water. Full use of house and fantastic pool. Must see! Nonsmoker please. Call Roger 954-938-7986

Roommates Wilton Manors WILTON MANORS - 1 MI. FROM ALIBI Share a 3/2 newer home with one professional, unfurnished room. No smoking, drugs, x-drinking. Must like quiet and be employed. $550/Mo. + $550 Sec. Call 954-540-1811

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June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

FACE THE S IN NEW S

MEN’S NIGHT OUT at il Lugano Hotel. Next one June 29th

David Rairick, Trevor Cherry, and Anthony Verrico

Michael Papandrea, John Dozier, Scott Hass, and Joeseph Hogg

Jeff Zwally, Rick Marcena, Michael Faerber and Jimmy Giacomuzzi

David Rairick and Tony Tella

Jason Cardillo, Michael Papandrea, Jason Merzlek, Travis Wolf, Thomas Vanloon, and Nate Roche

June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Get out of town, Libra!

With Mercury entering Gemini, you could get some rational insight into current epochal shifts to articulate the necessary changes. As arguments heat up, try to keep calm with an open mind and heart.You could learn something important from opponents. That won’t be easy!

ARIES (March 20 – April 19): Open arguments in order to learn.

If you can let your opponents do most of the talking, you may give them lots of rope or learn better how to advance your own position.

TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): Write down a short play about your banker and your boss for clues about the work you need to do to get your affairs and career in order. Trust your intuition for information; think twice before acting on it.

GEMINI (May 21- June 20): Revisit family histories.Your spiritual growth since childhood will give fresh perspectives to those old stories. Listen to friends with daring ideas for your career. Take those as diamonds in the rough and polish them up.

CANCER (June 21- July 22): Turn worries into concrete actions – and if you can’t do anything about it, meditate on acceptance. A terrific opportunity may seem too good to be true. Don’t pass it up, but see if you might approach it from a different angle.

LEO (July 23 – August 22):Your social schedule is overburdened, forcing you to pick and choose.

It’s not just about having fun. Sit and think about which events are important and will serve you. Be pragmatic and take a long view.

VIRGO (August 23 – September 22): Rational logic points the way you need to go, but intuition and meditation show you the steps necessary now. A very annoying colleague now may have your interest at heart or not, but pay attention and learn something important.

Solution to Crossword Puzzle on page 32

LIBRA (September 23 – October 22): Get out of town. Find a serene, meditative place where you can assess your situation in solitude. A new acquaintance – a masseur or a healer? – can help you to work out problems both physical and spiritual.

SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21):Your critical observations of your family or community will upset some people.That’s better than letting problems fester, but try to be tactful and foresightful when you raise tough issues. New approaches to work and exercise will also improve your outlook.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 20): Your efforts to talk with your partner and colleagues can come off way too strongly. Go easy and remember to listen carefully.

Play in a sport you’re not familiar with to learn a little humility and gain other insights.

CAPRICORN (December 21 – January 19): Picky little details – and others who work with them – can really jangle your nerves.

You’d rather focus on the big picture, but you need to deal with the minutiae. A big surprise from home will help you think in new directions.

AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18): Playful banter can cross lines too easily. Hang out with friends who have thick skins and raunchy humor. If you are shocked by their responses, follow those lines of thought to better understanding of your own sexuality.

PISCES (February 19 – March 19): Hiding out from domestic stress solves nothing. Be charitable and empathetic. Those are your strong suits! A financial shock could be a blessing in disguise, teaching you strength you didn’t know you had and a better sense of who your friends really are.

Jack Fertig, a professional astrologer since 1977, is available for personal and business consultations in person in San Francisco, or online everywhere. He can be reached at 415-864-8302, through his website at www.starjack.com, and by email at QScopes@qsyndicate.com.

Humor

Q Scopes By Jack Fertig

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June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Cologne and the 2010 Gay Games

By Andrew Collins

will come to Cologne to participate and watch the games. It’s expected that many travelers will make time for both events. progressive, attractive metropolis, Organizers are expecting as many with leafy parks and friendly gay bars, Cologne is Germany’s fourth- as 12,000 participants, plus 100,000 spectators. The city of Cologne, largest city and a hub of the Rhineland.

Established as a Roman settlement, Cologne which is very LGBT friendly, has is rife with cultural attractions and centrally worked hard to prepare for the located, near to Amsterdam, Brussels, Frank- Games, improving many sporting venues and working hard to roll furt, Hamburg, and Strasbourg. out a warm welcome.

Summer is an especially popular time to Most games take place within Cologne and visit. Average high temperatures in July and virtually all of the venues are within 20 minAugust are in the low 70s, and the city’s many bars and cafes with sidewalk or court- utes of the city center by car or public transyard seating come alive during these months. port. Some 34 sporting events are featured, including basketball, cycling, diving, figure Every year in early July, the city hosts the skating, inline speed skating, sailing, softball, Cologne Gay Pride festival and parade it soccer, track & field, volleyball and many takes place July 2 through July 4 this year. others. The Games also feature a number of But 2010 is an especially important year in Cologne from an LGBT perspective - this cultural events, including a cheerleading contest, band and choral festivals, a “rainbow” year, from July 31 run, visual and performing arts, along with through August 7, countless parties and social events. the city hosts Gay The city’s skyline is marked by one of the Games VIII. This most dramatic buildings in Europe—the is the largest 515-foot Cologne Cathedral, built over the LGBT sports course of six centuries, its interior also is and cultural wirth visiting. The city has plenty of other gathering in cultural highlights. Near the cathedral the world are the fabulous Museum Ludwig, which Thousands contains one of Europe’s most impresof visitors sive collections of modern art, and the Romisch-Germanisches Museum, known for its priceless collection of Roman artifacts.

Andrew Collins

A

It’s also worth looking for tickets to the renowned Cologne Opera and the city’s esteemed WDR Symphony Orchestra.

There’s also some serious shopping in the city center, such as the massive Olivandenhof Department Store. The pedestrian-only Schildergasse is the most popular shopping street in the city—lined with hot shops and always abuzz with people. If you’re a fan of German snacks, don’t miss Hoss an der Oper, a justly famous delicatessen that proffers everything from sausages to fine Rieslings. Another retail highlight is the 4711 shop, which sells the product for which the city is named, eau de Cologne, a rather heady perfume with a citrus-y fragrance.

Visitors will find several enchanting places to stroll around the City Center, including the broad and open Stadtgarten, just west of the city. Just follow Rudolfplatz west a few blocks and look for the soaring Colonius telecom tower, which rises 872 feet above the park. It’s lovely to stroll along the Rhine, walking across the historic and dramatic Hohenzollem rail bridge, look for the triangular tablet along the river promenade just south of the bridge. It’s a memorial to gay and lesbian victims of Nazism. Sauntering back down the right bank, and crossing back over via the Deutzer Bridge, which deposits you right into Old Market district.

Historically, the gay scene in Cologne was centered around the Old Market and nearby Hay Market areas, and you’ll still find a number of bars and hangouts in these neighboring districts along the left bank of the Rhine. Bars

Three of Cologne’s most iconic sites: the Cologne Cathedral, the Colonius telecommunications tower, and the Hohenzollern Bridge.

and clubs tend to be cruiser and more sexdriven around Hay Market and the streets just south. Popular here are Hombres, Zille, Blue Lounge, Zipp’s, My Lord, and Station 2B fetish club, plus a few shops selling erotica, leather gear and underwear. Restaurant Mederrano is a very nice dining option hidden away from the crowds of Old Market but near gay nightlife.

Gay bars around Old Market generally appeal to a somewhat older, more mixed crowd. These include Zum Pitter, a convivial space, and nearby Comeback, a jolly gay pub.

Just south of Old Market, you’ll find several stylish gay bars along Schaafenstrasse and the streets just south of it. Check out ExCorner, Maxbar, Schampanja, and X-Bar. Restaurants worth a look near Rudolfplatz include Paul Bobotie which specializes in South African cuisine and endearingly cool Bar Tabac, which has the vibe of a cafe on the Left Bank in Paris. A good bet for a gay date, Nana’s is a comfy restaurant with a warmly lighted interior that feels rather oldschool, but the kitchen turns out surprisingly modern and very tasty German fare.

Excellent, fair-priced options near Rudolfplatz include the trendy Hopper Hotel Et Cetera a handsomely designed property set inside an 1893 former monastery, and the simple but cheerful Conti Hotel whose small but comfy rooms have rates starting well under 70 euros nightly.

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