Palette, Vol. 12

palette south florida’s lgbtq magazine april|may 2017 • vol. 12

A LIFE LESS ORDINARY

Mark Gilbert’s path to self-discovery led right through the local film scene Gay-Straight Alliances • World OutGames Miami • Florida Getaways Nature After Dark • Gay and Wordy • Dining on the Drive & more...

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palette•april|may 2017

FEATURES A vast network of gay-straight support organizations helps countless LGBTQ kids get by with a little help from their friends.

030 • mark gilbert

Mark Gilbert, board chair and chief executive of the rebranded OUTshine Film Festival, offers a sneak peek into his life.

036 • rainbow bright

Witty Internet wunderkind Randy Rainbow sits tight long enough for a Q&A.

038• world outgames miami

Get ready for spectacular sportsmanship, a heady dose of culture and an informative human rights engagement when Miami becomes the first U.S. city to host the World OutGames this May.

044• florida getaways

Look at the state you’re in! From unexpected weekend getaways on fun cruises to classic beach holidays, Floridians definitely live where others dream to vacation.

on the cover: Mark Gilbert photographed by Dmitry Zhitov at the The Lincoln Theatre, Regal South Beach

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

024 • gay-straight alliances

what’s your temptation? cruise aficionado | hopeless romantic shopaholic | sports & wellness enthusiast art lover | film connoisseur | spa maven foodie | kid at heart | performing arts fan history buff

No matter your desire, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau organizes carefully crafted, money-saving programs to indulge your every whim.

MiamiTemptations.com

ORGANIZED BY:

© Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau – The Official Destination Sales & Marketing Organization for Greater Miami and the Beaches. // CS 02312

SPONSORED BY:

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DEPARTMENTS 012 • in tune

022 • after hours

056 • serious business

014 • chez moi

050 • on trend

058 • the scene

016 • get cultured

052 • scoreboard

DiMare Design’s Deborah Rosenberg challenges us to join the humane revolution with cruelty-free home décor.

South Florida’s gay literary scene has a storied past and a vibrant present.

018 • the dish

A number of new and exciting dining concepts are part of the evolving culinary scene in the Island City.

There’s natural beauty all around us, and nighttime is the right time to explore South Florida’s waterways and parks.

The film festival circuit offers a forum for communal experience, especially for the LGBTQ crowd.

The Color Run World Tour and AIDS Walk Miami are going to paint the town rainbow colors!

054 • health check

Alcohol can easily become a problem.

Get the facts and get help.

Just in time for Passover, Rabbi Noah Kitty of Congregation Etz Chaim shares her insight on religion.

Were you there? Find out who was at Okama Con, the Women’s Rally in South Florida, the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Community Luncheon and Spotlight MegaMixer, the Raffi Freedman-Gurspan Meet & Greet and SAVE’s first LGBTQ townhall.

064 • final details

It’s been 20 years since Ellen DeGeneres came out as Ellen...and as “Ellen,” and 10 years since she hosted the Oscars.

From left: The Film Collaborative; Courtesy of Andrea Askowitz; Carina Mask

The varied music, multiple essays and cinematic twists in these selections offer an embarrassment of entertainment riches.

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south f lorida’s lgbtq magazine MIAMI HERALD

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER ALEXANDRA VILLOCH

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR DESIRÉE BLANCO EDITOR IN CHIEF SOLE SASTRE MANAGING EDITOR ROSA CALDERÓN SENIOR EDITORS CHRISTINE BORGES CAROLINA CARDONA DIGITAL EDITOR VANESSA MARTIN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SHAYNE BENOWITZ RICK KARLIN WYATT MYERS GREGG SHAPIRO JULIE BALTER

ART & DESIGN

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Visit us online at miamiherald.com/palette | Follow us Advertising, sales and distribution information: 305.376.2801 kcorrales@miamiherald.com

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contributors•

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GET

Steve Rothaus covers LGBT issues in South Florida and is also the Miami Herald’s assistant community news editor. Don’t forget to check out Steve Rothaus’ Gay South Florida News in the Miami Herald and at miamiherald.com — and follow his Twitter account, @SteveRothaus — for the latest information about our community.

SEAN LATTRELL

LYNARE ROBBINS

RICK KARLIN

New York-based animator Sean Lattrell’s lifelong dream of becoming an animator/ illustrator was inspired by Saturday morning cartoons and Sunday comics. He attended the Ringling College of Art and Design, where he studied Illustration and has worked at J.J. Sedelmaier Productions on projects that have included Saturday Night Live’s “TV Funhouse” and an Adult Swim pilot. He is constantly drawing, endlessly inspired by the folks he is “lucky enough” to encounter.

Lynare is a freelance journalist, lifestyle curator and screenwriter who has authored multiple publications, blogs and a short film that screened at the Miami Beach Cinematheque in 2011. In addition to her artistic endeavors, she is involved with several local organizations, including Aqua Foundation, Global Ties Miami and the City of Miami Beach.

She is also the vice president of the Women’s Program and Diversity Affairs for World OutGames Miami.

Rick is an author, editor, columnist and playwright. In addition to Palette he has also been a contributor to South Florida Gay News, Florida Agenda, boiMAGazine, Chicago Free Press, OutTraveler.com, ChicagoPride.com, Metromix.com, Wisconsin Gazette, Nightlines, Not for Tourists, Outlines, Windy City Times, Gay Chicago Magazine, Bay Area Reporter and GayLife. He’s written three novels and dozens of plays. The most recent one was the musical Witches Among Us.

JULIE BALTER

ANDREW PRINTER

SHAYNE BENOWITZ

Julie is a writer, yogi and calculated risk-taker. Her career has included everything from her 10+ years as a Screen Actors’ Guild Florida Branch executive to her current role for LGBT-based marketing campaigns, such as Kiss for Equality.

She’s a former yoga instructor at Prana Yoga in Miami, the blog creator of Yogi After Forty and a contributing writer for Elephant Journal. yogiafterforty.com

Originally from England, Andrew is an artist, writer and photographer.

Andrew’s arts coverage has been recognized with three Press Club awards. His video-work has been broadcast internationally, and his photography is included in several national and private collections.

He currently lives in Key West. keywestphotoworks.com

Shayne is the Hotels and Travel editor for Miami.com and a frequent contributor to the Miami Herald.

She is also the Miami destination expert and a hotel critic for the Daily Telegraph in London. Her work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune and Charlotte Observer newspapers and in Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida and Aventura magazines.

Steve Rothaus: Carl Juste

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USEFUL RESOURCES Miami-Dade Aqua Foundation aquafoundation.org Care Resource careresource.org Latinos Salud latinossalud.org OUT Miami Foundation outmiami.org Pridelines pridelines.org

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

SAVE save.lgbt The Alliance for GLBTQ Youth glbtqalliance.org

I

Unity Coalition | Coalición Unida unitycoalition.org Yes Institute yesinstitute.org Broward Broward House browardhouse.org Pride Center at Equality Park pridecenterflorida.org Stonewall National Museum & Archives stonewall-museum.org SunServe sunserve.org

Follow Us:

World AIDS Museum and Educational Center worldaidsmuseum.org

Stay Gold, @palettelgbt

Ethan Duran Creative Director

The GLBX Council of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce glbx.org

@palettelgbt

Monroe AIDS Help ahmonroe.org

PaletteLGBT

Key West Business Guild gaykeywestfl.com

Dmitry Zhitov

t’s incredibly validating to see yourself or experiences with which you can relate make their way into popular entertainment. To see Moonlight go from film festival favorite to Academy Award Best Picture winner was more than validating. The recognition spoke to the experience of countless young kids who don’t have a voice.

That’s especially important in this turbulent political atmosphere. Here, we enjoy the protections our local municipalities afford us — thanks to the determined work of local LGBTQ advocacy groups like SAVE — but that is not the case throughout the country. Seeing ABC’s docudrama miniseries When We Rise reminded me of how much we’ve struggled as a community.

We can’t take that for granted. We must continue to support organizations like OUT Miami Foundation, whose mission to build an engaged LGBTQ community helps us help each other, or Aqua Foundation, which has been addressing the community’s needs for years. From Key West to north Broward, South Florida is home to countless organizations.

So when you head to Miami Beach Gay Pride, OUTshine Film Festival (formerly MiFo LGBT Film Festival) or AIDS Walk Miami, remember these events are more than just social gatherings. They offer us an opportunity to stand up, be seen and speak out against injustice.

While you’re out, don’t forget to tweet us @palettelgbt, or drop me a line at ethan@miamiherald.com. We look forward to hearing from you. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook as well.

in tune•

palette•april|may 2017

to New York, following the passing of his lover Steven, Hayes becomes romantically involved with the late writer and scientist Oliver Sacks.

Hayes’ precise and affectionate observations of his newly adopted city, its denizens, subways, bodegas and landmarks, allow the reader to experience it through fresh eyes. Equally inspirational is the way he introduces Sacks and their relationship. The intimate observations on daily life and their personal exchanges never feel voyeuristic. Insomniac City is about falling in love with a person and a city, and ultimately what it means to be widowed twice.

CAN’T GET ENOUGH Whether featuring various artists, a collection of essays or an ever-increasing body count, these selections propose that more is more.

I

by GREGG SHAPIRO

• From top: Ilona from Insomnia City: New York, Oliver, and Me; From Broadway With Love: A Benefit Concert for Orlando

t’s true that for some things the adage less is more serves us well. Coco Chanel famously advised ladies to remove one accessory before leaving their homes. But when it comes to entertainment options, like these selections more is just better.

Healing For a sizable segment of our community, the double disc concert recording From Broadway With Love: A Benefit Concert for Orlando (Broadway Records) is the musical equivalent of a phoenix rising. Recorded live a little over a month after the tragedy at the Pulse Nightclub at Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center for

the Performing Arts, the concert featured a stellar cast that included unforgettable performances by Liz Callaway, Wilson Cruz with Voices Latina, Priscilla Lopez and Darren Criss, among many others. Hosted

by Broadway maven Seth Rudetsky, the CD closes with “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” performed by the entire cast as the Broadway For Orlando choir. Proceeds from the concert and CD and DVD sales benefit several Orlando charities.

Dealing In Bill Hayes’ breathtaking Insomnia City: New York, Oliver, and Me (Bloomsbury, 2017), he interweaves essays with journal entries, photos and poetry. It’s the kind of book that makes you stay up late without regret. After relocating

Squealing Women Who Kill (Parts and Labor/The Film Collaborative), writer/director and star Ingrid Jungermann’s feature-length debut, is a delightful black comedy. A funny voiceover ad for a hardware store selling supplies for dead body removal precedes the first scene in which podcast hosts (and exes) Morgan (Jungermann) and Jean (Ann Carr) debate who is the hottest female serial killer on their podcast, “Women Who Kill.” But there’s more to these two former lovers who still live together in Park Slope.

Morgan assists her best friend, sporty dyke Alex (Shannon Patricia O’Neill), with her upcoming nuptials by helping plan a bachelorette party at a strip club. She also volunteers at a nearby food co-op, where she flirts with hot newcomer Simone (Sheila Vand). Meanwhile, Jean dates Jackson (Rodrigo Lopresti), but this doesn’t rule out lingering feelings for Morgan.

In fact, as Morgan and Simone’s relationship develops, Jean Googles Simone and makes a shocking discovery. Before you know it, there’s a body count. Jungermann has crafted a smart, laugh-out-loud comedy that derives as much pleasure from poking fun at podcasters, serial killer fetishists and lesbian relationships as it does of precious hipster Brooklyn.

Women Who Kill kills with comedy.•

Top: Bill Hayes

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A

by DEBORAH ROSENBERG

leader in cruelty-free vegan design and wellness/sensory interiors, Deborah Rosenberg is the founder of the design firm DiMare Design and Ddigz.com — an online interior design service for the budget minded.

An animal lover, Rosenberg makes use of luxury faux fabrics and sustainable materials, replacing the skins, furs and feathers traditionally used in luxury interior design. “Vegan design is spiritually and physically positive,” she says.

With spring in full swing, show your home off with a mission: adopting humane décor. Let your furniture show you have heart, as well as impeccable taste.• where to buy •

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get cultured•

palette•april|may 2017 • From top: Reading Queer writing alumni James Sacco, Jan Becker (Workshop Leader), Y’senia Mina and Errol Portman; Badass, Lip Service: True Stories The Double Album, edited by Andrea Askowitz

READING OUT PROUD From Tennessee Williams to Richard Blanco South Florida casts a long literary shadow.

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by JULIE HOPE BALTER

hroughout its history, America shunned homosexuality, but small colonies of queer writers and artists staked out island-outpost residencies all the same. Fire Island and Provincetown were favored for their proximity to New York, but Key West — much more hospitable than a blowhard beached winter — was claimed as a celebratory playground. Literary greats including Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams and U.S. Poet Laureate Elizabeth Bishop, lived openly, wrote freely and entertained without a care. In many ways, Key West was an island.

Fortunately, much has changed.

Chapter 1: South Beach, 2017 Local writer and FIU instructor Jan Becker marches her signature combat boots into the Betsy Hotel to lead her resident workshop, Boot Camp

for Queer Writers, sponsored by Miami’s Reading Queer.

You may be scared to share your life story, but you’re in the right place. Becker makes the workshop safe and even — gasp! — enjoyable.

Here, you can find your voice and be heard. You may find that you are just beginning to find the words to actualize your life.

“Some of my students have become activists,” says Becker.

“Y’senia Mina is a trans woman. She never wrote poetry before Boot Camp,” she says. “Since coming out, she’s become vocal in her activism and did a reading at the Miami Book Fair. I was also able to introduce her to [former U.S. Poet Laureate] Richard Blanco.

Chapter 2: Downtown Miami, 2016 It’s another standing-room only Lip Service event, Miami’s most famous storytelling show, where

writers read true accounts of their lives. Miami Book Fair currently sponsors the series, but founder and local writer Andrea Askowitz (My Miserable, Lonely Lesbian Pregnancy) was at the helm for nine years. Today, Askowitz has a global reach with her popular podcast, Writing Class Radio.

Lip Service has never been LGBTQ-specific, but Askowitz estimates two out of every eight stories come from queer writers.

Her own tell-all mini-memoirs address everything from tantric sex workshops — “What it was like to be the only lesbian couple in the group, only to realize we all have the same intimacy issues” — to Miami’s homophobia — “I called the fertility clinic to make an appointment for my wife’s impregnation and the receptionist told me they don’t do inseminations for same sex couples.”

Every story is equally tear- and cringe-worthy. This is your America.

Chapter Three: South Florida, 2017 Today South Florida’s literary scene evokes a patchwork of bygone eras — equal parts historic Key West salon and gay 90s South Beach.

Queer writers are a vital independent voice that’s critical to the city’s world-renowned events, including the Miami Book Fair and O’Miami — the month-long poetry celebration that takes place every April.

Fortunately, the momentum will continue. Reading Queer was awarded a $70 thousand Knight Foundation grant at the end of 2016 to fund a literary festival, writing academy and writers’ residency. Becker, Queers’ first resident, is debuting The Sunshine Chronicles through Miami micro publisher Jitney Books. Described as “part Armistead Maupin set in South Florida, part Poor Richard’s Almanac for the 21st Century,” it is a quirky compilation of Facebook posts that are Floridian.• thoroughly Floridian.

Courtesy of Reading Queer

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A cricket’s chirp can be used to tell the temperature.

Find out why at the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science.

Opening spring 2017.

1101 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL 33132 | frostscience.org

The Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science is supported by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners of MiamiDade County. This project is supported by the Building Better Communities Bond Program and the City of Miami. Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and a member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers. Frost Science is an accessible facility.

All contents ©Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science. All rights reserved.

Source: A. E. Dolbear, “The Cricket as a Thermometer”, The American Naturalist 31: 970-971 (Nov. 1897).

PAL_1702_FrostMuseum_FP.indd 7

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and big enough for two (or a table) to share.

2150 Wilton Dr. 954.626.0722 Staying Healthy Ethos offers a modern spin on classic Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Whether you choose to sample the food with an array of meze (small plates designed for sharing) or the various sampling platters (featuring a shared salad with pita, appetizers, a mixed grill, vegetables, potatoes and rice), you can indulge in the guilt-free pleasure of Mediterranean dishes. The modern dining room flows effortlessly onto the patio, which offers a more subdued atmosphere.

2055 Wilton Dr. 754.999.0034 ethosbistro.com

There truly is a wealth of options for those looking to wine and dine in Wilton Manors.

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by RICK KARLIN

loomberg recently published a list of the American cities with the most restaurants per capita. With 21 eateries for every 10,000 people, San Francisco easily topped the list. But the count only included cities with a population of 500,000 or more.

If it had included smaller cities, Wilton Manors would have blown San Francisco — and most other large towns — off the charts. Its 11,632 residents have 35 restaurants within their city limits, and only two of those are chains. There are also eight bars with full-service kitchens, including old favorites like Rosie’s and Georgie’s Alibi/Monkey Bar and newcomers, such as Village Pub and Gym Bar.

While many of Wilton Manors’ restaurants get plenty of attention, there are a number of unique spots that you should explore.

What’s New EAT, the newest addition to the Wilton Drive dining scene, serves up deli food with a fresh Italian twist. The coal-fired oven cranks out whole pies or slices in minutes, but the menu also includes sandwiches and classic ItalianAmerican favorites such as lasagna, manicotti and, of course, spaghetti and meatballs. To round out the offerings, there are entree salads, steaks and chops. Weekday happy hour specials are a bargain, and the desserts, most of which are made in-house, are delightfully decadent

• From top: EAT’s

Shrimp Scampi; flamed, pan-seared Cheese Saganaki at Ethos

From top: Carina Mask; Courtesy of Ethos

GREAT MANORS

Off the Beaten Path Voo La Voo Café is cheaper than a trip to France and definitely worth a visit if you seek authentic fare. Duck into the delightful space it shares with The Alchemist coffeehouse, and you are whisked away to the French countryside. It’s a casual spot; you order at a counter and the food is delivered to your table, either in the small dining room or out in the charming tented patio. But they are serious about the food. While the menu is comprised of decidedly French fare, all dishes are priced less than $15. These include savory and sweet crêpes (both of which

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are available gluten-free), omelets, salads and sandwiches. Vegan and vegetarian options are also readily available. A variety of imported and domestic beers, a few classic French cocktail favorites and a small but well-curated wine list round out the menu options.

2430 NE 13th Ave. 754.200.5285 voolavoocafe.com Classy Night Out Late night cravings need not relegate you to a diner or drivethrough. Enter: Naked Grape.

The wine bar offers elegant small plates for guests to enjoy with the

palette•april|may 2017

features happy hour prices all night long.

2163 Wilton Dr. 954.563.5631 nakedgrapewinebar.com Treat Yourself Though not new, Wilton Creamery is far from being just an ice cream shop. It’s an ice cream boutique.

The ice creams, sorbets and other offerings (including the gourmet toppings) are artisanally-produced in small batches, from recipes the owners develop themselves. The décor has an unexpected 50s-meetsindustrial vibe, with comfy seating on the main floor, a clubby loft and

• From top: the Red Velvet Crêpe at Voo La Voo Café; Naked Grape’s Charcuterie & Cheese board

a sprawling patio. Flavors vary by season and include favorites, such as pecan praline dulce, sea salt caramel, sweet cinnamon, strong coffee, triple rum raisin, as well as more unusual offerings like aloe, beer and honey. One flavor that will always be available is the best-selling, He’s Not Worth It, a delicious combination of vanilla ice cream studded with Heath bar, Oreo pieces, chopped soft caramels and a sea salt caramel swirl. If that’s not decadent enough, try adding one of the dozens of gourmet toppings ranging from fresh berries and candies to nut syrups and flavored whipped creams. Vegan, gluten-free and non-dairy options are available, and there is even dogfriendly ice cream.

2301 Wilton Dr. 954.565.1183 wiltoncreamery.com

vast selection of wines it carries.

Whether it’s the peppadew-glazed goat cheese gratin, sausage stuffed mushrooms, artisanal mac-n-cheese, shrimp with pesto, Argentine empanadas, potato latkes with smoked salmon or one of the numerous flatbread options, you’ll never want to leave. Which is fine, as the staff never rushes you to give up your cozy spot. Naked Grape is a place to chill. Tuesdays and Wednesdays all bottles are half priced all night, and Thursday

From top: Carina Mask; Courtesy of Naked Grape

Dog Friendly Speaking of pet friendly, Shawn & Nick’s Courtyard Cafe may be an established after-hours destination, but you may not know that it welcomes you and your four-legged friend in the enclosed patio any time of day. Specializing in classic diner fare, many guests have become regulars thanks to a menu of hearty dishes made to order and served by sassy waiters in a laidback atmosphere.

2211 Wilton Dr. 954.563.2499 wiltonmanorscourtyardcafe.com•

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after hours•

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Experience your acute awareness of nearly indiscernible animal calls, the pulsing rhythm of flapping wings.

My point: Anyone can kayak a canal in broad daylight, but come moonrise, your favorite de-stressing outdoor activity can change from chillin’ to thrilling — in a really good way. Should you dare take on a South Florida evening ecoadventure, you’ll be in capable hands with these smooth operators.

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT Rediscover South Florida’s great outdoor attractions, under cover of darkness.

I

by JULIE HOPE BALTER

magine this — and I want you to stick with me: It’s the kind of sunny South Florida day you see captured on memes with suck-it quotes meant for northerners shoveling snow. It’s also a Saturday, so you’re not one to incubate indoors.

Maybe you’re kayaking through the backwaters of Florida Bay or skimming Wilton Manors’ waterways atop a paddleboard. You might even be gawking at alligators sunning themselves in Everglades National Park. See the azure sky; feel the sun reflecting off your face.

Now, I want you to shut off the lights. You heard me. Do it.

Now imagine you’re doing the very same outdoor activities I just described — only it’s pitch dark.

The Paddler At night, add high-tech neon LED lights to your paddleboard to transform a familiar sunlit excursion into an ethereal adventure. With a 40-foot circumference of light cast around the dark waters, your attention narrows from a wide-span waterway-vista, to an intimate and up-close commune with nature.

Precision Paddleboard in Fort Lauderdale guides night SUP groups down New or Middle River. precisionpaddleboards.com For an equally ambient paddling experience in the Key West area, Blue Planet Kayak leads full moon, night crawler excursions along the bay. Watch the water shimmer with the glow of bioluminescent plankton dancing as your paddle laps the bay. blue-planet-kayak.com The Watcher Introducing the Campfire & Owl Walk, presented by Bill Sadowski

• From top: Florida barred owl in Everglades National Park; Miami Eco-Adventures’ Sunset Kayak Adventure

Park in Miami. What happens there stays between you and the owls. “We welcome people from all backgrounds and strive to create a place where everyone feels safe and where everyone feels welcome,” says Victoria Galan, the Communications Manager at Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces.

Suggested Accessories: insect repellent, flashlight and marshmallows. In exchange, you’ll receive an informative talk about life as an owl and a dark park walk. miamidade.gov/ecoadventures The Prowler After dabbling with owls, you’re ready to delve into the nocturnal underworld of the Everglades with the hippie guides at Everglades Hostel & Tours in Florida City. You can opt for a two-hour walk along the River of Grass boardwalks. We can’t tell what you’ll see or do, as the hostel teases that trip details aren’t decided until the day of the tour. And isn’t it more exciting to maintain the element of surprise anyway?

If you’re ready for total submission, try the overnight camping trip. It starts with s’mores and ends with fireside farm-raised alligator burritos, served with mango and guac made with ingredients from the hostel garden. In between, canoeing and a barefoot beach dance light the night. evergladeshostel.com•

From top: David Davis Photoproductions / Alamy Stock Photo; Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces

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THE GREAT ALLIANCE SOMETIMES ALL IT TAKES IS A FRIEND TO LEND A HAND, BE WILLING TO LISTEN AND IN DOING SO SAY, “I STAND BY YOU.” SUCH IS THE WORK OF THE COUNTRY’S GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCES.

BY ANDREW PRINTER ILLUSTRATION BY SEAN LATTRELL

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This page: Members of Safe Schools South Florida at Miami Beach Gay Pride. Opposite page: Gay-Straight Alliance members at Edmonton Gay Pride.

the relentless march toward greater levels of acceptance.

Many factors contributed to the undeniable sea change in public attitudes toward LGBTQ people that preceded the president’s comments and the legal rulings that followed.

The proliferation of gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in high school and college campuses from the mid-1980s on is certainly one of them.

WE’RE GOING TO BE FRIENDS Acceptance into the fabric of a school’s clubs and classes has been a bumpy road for GSAs. Even now,

SEAN DRAKES / Alamy Stock Photo

T

oward the end of his first term, President Obama indicated that his thinking about gay marriage had evolved and that he had come to the conclusion that the union of a same-sex couple should be afforded the same rights and respect as a marriage between a man and woman. They were equal.

It’s quite possible he held this position long before he took office, but wisely waited for a majority of the population to grow comfortable with

© Angelaostafichuk / Dreamstime.com

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a scant 35 percent of high schools nationwide support this type of club.

What has remained constant from the start, however, is the creation and protection of a safe space where gay and straight students can process their experiences and do the work of normalizing, perhaps even celebrating differences.

Brad Koogler is the executive director of Safe Schools South Florida, a non-profit organization that has partnered with public school systems in both Broward and Miami-Dade counties for 26 years. Created by teachers for students, the organization’s mission is to support LGBTQ students and student organizations, including gay-straight alliances.

Koogler praises the support given to LGBTQ students throughout South Florida’s varied school districts. In particular, he recognizes Broward and Miami-Dade as school districts that are national leaders in providing professional development to staff and K-12 students.

“Research indicates all students, including LGBT students, benefit when recognizable supports are in place,” Koogler says. “GSAs — along with professional development, safe zones, visible adult allies, direct support services, inclusive policies and inclusive curricula — are critical for the safety, health and academic achievement of LGBTQ students.”

Each spring Safe Schools South Florida organizes a GSA Leadership Summit, a half-day training workshop for club sponsors, those teachers dedicated to facilitating clubs and activities during lunch breaks and/or after school. In the fall, a Diversity & Empowerment gathering takes place. This event also recognizes student leaders and has a more celebratory tone.

With such a plethora of excellent support mechanisms in place for students in these trend-setting South Florida school districts, is there a

need for the old fashioned, studentled, gay-straight alliance?

Koogler says yes.

“GSAs continue to play a critical role in diminishing isolation, fostering connectedness to school and understanding diversity,” he says. “In a number of cases, students involved are not out at home and so a gay-straight alliance in a familiar classroom setting is their first and only place to be themselves.”

With only 35 percent of the nation’s high schools served by a GSA or similar organization, clearly the vast majority of schools are doing without. Clubs established by bold students, utilizing existing school guidelines for any proposed extracurricular activity are the best, most effective starting point.

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER In Key West, there is one GSA at the high school and one at the middle school, a phenomenon that is gaining ground and quite telling for such

“GSAS — ALONG WITH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, SAFE ZONES, VISIBLE ADULT ALLIES, DIRECT SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUSIVE POLICIES AND INCLUSIVE CURRICULA — ARE CRITICAL FOR THE SAFETY, HEALTH AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF LGBTQ STUDENTS.” — Brad Koogler, Executive Director of Safe Schools South Florida

Clockwise from top left: Caspian Cassidy; Andrew Printer (2)

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Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Current Key West High School GSA President Caspian Cassidy; former president Jon Kuhn; Key West High School

a small city. According to Koogler, some elementary schools are recognizing the need for supportive, structured groups as well.

Jon Kuhn identifies as straight. He was president of the GSA at Key West High School during his senior year, three years ago.

“I participated in the GSA because it was the right thing to do. I had a gay friend who was bullied a lot in high school, and he asked me to go to a meeting with him and I said ‘yes.’ Four years later, I was president of the club.”

Kuhn adds that he did not join for any profound reason. His modesty underscores how important the alliance between gay and straight students is in effecting change.

Caspian Cassidy is the current president of Key West High School’s gay-straight alliance. He is precisely the kind of young person these student-led organizations meant to help. Cassidy began high school as Anastasia, a sensible, academically gifted girl from a troubled home. He is candid about his multiple suicide attempts, which he says had little to do with his gender issues but served to catalyze his circumstances.

Thanks to his remarkable fortitude Cassidy spent his sophomore year segueing out of a relationship with a supportive boyfriend, adopting the name Caspian (note the clever continuity of his Russian heritage) and beginning the process of identifying and presenting as male.

Without a family or home life that could support this intellectual, emotional and practical journey, Cassidy relied on the weekly meeting of GSA peers to process some of his experiences.

GIRLS & BOYS According to Koogler, in the U.S. GSAs typically adopt one of three

types of roles, and as both Kuhn and Cassidy can attest, their effectiveness changes from year to year as the motivation of students and classroom sponsors ebbs and flows. The breakdown goes something like this: Social: Creates a fun and safe place for students, on and off campuses, to meet other LGBTQ and ally students, make friends and celebrate being LGBTQ and allies.

Support: Creates a safe space for LGBTQ students to talk about their feelings, questions and the issues they face at home, school and in their everyday lives.

Activist: Focus is primarily on educating students, teachers, parents and community members as to how to create a safer and more accepting school for LGBTQ students by changing school rules and policies, training staff and students, and helping stop harassment and discrimination.

It’s too early to tell whether there is a trickle-down effect, if the new administration alters or abolishes the raft of progressive actions that quickly followed President Obama’s declared support of same-sex marriage.

Koogler says that President Donald Tump’s manner and rhetoric have spooked some students, especially after actions like his reversal of the Obama administration guideline for public schools regarding transgender students and their use of gender-specific facilities on school grounds. Many are fearful that longawaited advances may not come to pass and that some hard-won progress will be undone. A few also

wonder whether Vice President Mike Pence’s opposition to lesbian and gay protections will have an influence on public policy over time.

CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE Many cities and towns have instituted human rights ordinances to ensure their communities are supported at the municipal level. In Key West, city commissioners unanimously outlawed so-called conversion therapy for children in February.

Speaking before the vote took place, Commissioner Jimmy Weekley reiterated what most of the island’s residents already know: “LGBTQ youth are born perfect, and they all deserve to grow up knowing they are celebrated and valued for exactly who they are.”

Cassidy absorbed that message via his involvement in his high school’s GSA and the sensibility of a community that enabled it. He could have fallen by the wayside or, worse, succumbed to an attempt to end his own life. Instead he has doubleddown on his resolve to become a vital, happy member of society.

He will begin college in the fall, studying to become a flavor technician in the world of food technology. He is a promising student and a budding community organizer.

With the hint of a rare smile, the serious young man says what many in his community already know: “I help make a lot of things happen.”•

FOR YOUR INFORMATION GSANetwork.org is a good resource for anyone interested in learning more about GSA history and activities.

INTO THE

LIGHT MARK GILBERT OFFERS A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT HIS LIFE AND WHAT’S NEXT FOR SOUTH FLORIDA’S STORIED FILM FESTIVAL. STORY BY SHAYNE BENOWITZ ^ PHOTOGRAPHY BY DMITRY ZHITOV

AS I BEGAN EXPLORING THAT SIDE, EACH EXPLORATION LED TO THE PANDORA’S BOX OPENING LARGER AND LARGER.

“I ABSOLUTELY KNEW I WAS GAY ALL MY LIFE,” says Mark Gilbert, executive director and board chair of South Florida’s recently rebranded OUTshine Film Festival. “I just didn’t know what gay was.” For the Chicago native who moved to Miami after high school in the 1970s, coming out of the closet was not exactly a straight path.

He attended both Miami Dade College and Florida International University. At the former, he underwent three years of therapy, because he didn’t want to be gay.

“The one thing I did know was that homosexuality, as it was presented back then, was certainly not the

person I was. I wasn’t like Liberace.

I wasn’t like Paul Lynde, the gay role models for the world [at the time]. I didn’t want to be that person,” Gilbert says. “I understood the physical side of being gay. That yeah, you could have fun. But that it could also be intimate, emotional and fulfilling — that didn’t happen until much later in my life.”

He had girlfriends throughout college and eventually married at age 24. “We had a wonderful time together. We had a family. We had the life that I always dreamed of having, but it wasn’t complete, for either of us,” he says. He now has two adult daughters, Allison and Randi, and two grandchildren Aidan and Noah.

As a family, they were leaders in

the Jewish community and active in theater and the arts.

But this time was also marred by frustration and confusion, as Gilbert came to terms with his sexuality, leading a double life in the shadows.

“As I began exploring that side, each exploration led to the Pandora’s box opening larger and larger,” he says.

It wasn’t until he was 27 that he shared his first kiss with a man. “I’d known him for about a year,” he reveals. “It was like everything in my world opened up. The hair stood up on my arms. I said, ‘Oh my God, this is what I’ve been missing. This is what I’ve been afraid to experience.’ And I knew once that happened, I could never put it back in the box again. I tried.”

IN&OUT His marriage eventually dissolved in 1992 after 14 years, and yet it was not because he was gay. There were other factors Gilbert says, and while the issue of his sexuality was never directly confronted during his marriage, he believes his wife was probably suspicious, at least the last few years.

Getting involved in what was called the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in 2001 helped him finally come to terms with who he really was.

Doing so also paved the way for him to become one of the leading voices in South Florida’s LGBTQ community.

Just a year after joining, he became part of the festival’s board of directors.

Gilbert says that seeing the gay experience told through film was crucial in his own development. “It’s fundamental to a good, strong self worth,” he says. “There’s something about the validation of seeing your life on screen in a respectable format, in something that makes you feel good about who you are, that gives you — and this word is probably over-utilized in the community — but gives you pride in who you are…that can’t be replaced by anything else.”

He recalls one of the first gay films he saw, starring Harry Hamlin and Michael Ontkean. “Here were these two men in love with each other, sharing every moment of time, living together,” Gilbert says. “That changed

034 everything for me. I had never seen that. I didn’t even rationally realize that was a possibility. It was validating.

It made me cry.”

PLANB Gilbert’s involvement in the OUTshine Film Festival led to another pivotal opportunity. The radio station Party 93.1 was in its prime as a bastion of dance music, and it enjoyed a large gay following. The program director at Cox Radio, Phillip Michaels-Trueba, understood the importance of the gay community’s support and offered the film festival a package of commercials and PSAs. There was also a half hour time slot available at 6:30 a.m. and Michaels-Trueba wanted to fill it with a gay talk show. He asked Gilbert if he knew anyone who might be a good fit, and Gilbert volunteered himself, proving to be a natural.

“If I wasn’t already out of the closet, this blew the lid off,” he jokes.

“They were the first FM station — probably in all the country — to give a slot to LGBT issues, where they actually had a talk show that was totally dedicated to being LGBT, to the stuff that we deal with. They gave me free reign to do whatever. I developed a completely different style show that had never been done on radio before.”

It ran from 2002 to 2006 and eventually grew into a full hour, magazine-style show with segments on politics, community, nightlife, psychology, youth and an editorial during which Gilbert shared personal stories about his own journey. He earned the nickname Marky G. and interviewed A-list celebrities and public figures from Yoko Ono, Cher, Cyndi Lauper and Sir Ian McKellen to Janet Reno. The show naturally led to other gigs, emceeing Pride festivals in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach throughout the years. Today, there’s a plaque at the LGBT Visitor’s Center that reads: Marky G., the voice of the gay community.

Gilbert continued his work with the film festival on and off, returning in 2013 as both board chair and executive director only to find that his

beloved organization was in trouble.

“I definitely took over a festival that was going to be no festival.

We didn’t know. When I rejoined I thought everything was great,” he remembers. “There was fraud.

There were significant improprieties and accounting irregularities. The membership had declined.”

With help from Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Steve Adkins, Equality Florida Miami-Dade Development Officer Cindy Brown and Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital case manager Juan

community. We shine bright. Sunshine.

Films shine on the screen. It has all the things you need to really build a great name and a great image.”

Miami’s 19th annual edition will take place April 21–30, and Fort Lauderdale’s 9th annual edition is scheduled for October 6–15. In addition to screening more than 65 films at venues across South Florida, the opening party is always a highlight.

For the Miami edition, OUTshine is taking over the Scottish Rite building on the Miami River.

In 2018, the festival will introduce OUTshine on the Sea, a five-night

HERE WERE THESE TWO MEN IN LOVE WITH EACH OTHER, SHARING EVERY MOMENT OF TIME, LIVING TOGETHER.

Talavera, Gilbert toiled tirelessly to revive the flagging organization. “I made the decision. This festival is too important to too many people, and we’ve got to get the community behind it. I dedicated a year of my life as a volunteer to work full time for the festival,” he says.

LATTERDAYS After a year and a half, the debts were paid off, there was money in the bank and the restructured board boasted a staff of 20. Two years later, the Miami and Fort Lauderdale festivals merged into a single organization that was rebranded the MiFo LGBT Film Festival. This year, it will be rechristened once again, as the OUTshine Film Festival.

Gilbert says that this time the name will stick. “Out is inclusive,” he says. “We’re out. We shine as a

Celebrity Cruise departing on February 17 and making ports of call in Puerto Rico, St. Maarten and St. Kitts. The cruise will include film screenings, private parties, a culinary component and other special events.

Gilbert can’t underscore enough the OUTshine Film Festival’s role as a voice for South Florida’s incredibly diverse LGBTQ community. “Look, we all love James Bond, and we all love the incredible so-called straight films that are out there, but there’s something really special about being in a room filled with people who are all watching themselves or a part of themselves on screen. And there’s no substitute. You don’t have to place Brad Pitt with some beautiful starlet,” he says. “Brad Pitt, the hot guy on screen, is with another guy on screen.

There’s something really special about watching those kinds of movies.”•

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WITH MILLIONS OF FACEBOOK VIEWS TO HIS NAME, SOUTH FLORIDA-NATIVE RANDY RAINBOW IS A CERTIFIED SOCIAL MEDIA SENSATION.

BY GREGG SHAPIRO

© 2017 Bravo Media LLC / Getty Images

RAINBOWBRIGHT

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HIS

original musical video parodies, which gained considerable attention before and after the 2016 presidential election, have become the stuff of legend. Watched, shared and Tweeted by gay and straight folks alike, Randy Rainbow’s wicked sense of humor and polished performance skills have made him an internet celebrity.

Describe your performance background and training.

I’ve been on the stage since I was a kid.

I started with ballet when I was six. I have a musical theater background — a lot of theater camp as a child, a lot of community, regional theater. I dropped out of college and worked on a cruise ship for a time. [My background is] primarily in musical theater and mostly in South Florida.

In what ways does being from South Florida come across in your work?

I got some really great training there.

I spent most of my childhood at the Hollywood Playhouse, all of my summers growing up. Me and Josh Gad, who you probably know [from The Book of Mormon and Frozen]. We were buddies back then. I did a lot of children’s theater in Miami Shores. My base musical theater training happened there.

Your videos have remarkably sophisticated production values. Do you work with a creative team?

I’m very much a one-man-band [laughs].

It’s all out of my little studio apartment here in New York. There’s a green screen that takes up my entire living room. I write it and perform it with my cat sitting on the bed watching me. Then I edit everything myself.

Are you self-taught in terms of the technical part of the job?

Yeah, that’s actually my least favorite part of it. I’m a tech-savvy person by nature, but I have had to train myself to do what I’ve got to do. I learned Final Cut and Adobe After Effects. I have a good ear and a good eye for editing, now that I have a basic knowledge of it. I know how to make the finished product that I

see in my head, how to make it happen.

Technically, it’s not my strongest suit, but I make it happen.

Have you heard from any of the people whose songs you parody?

Yes, actually, I’ve heard from some big ones. Most recently Andrew Lloyd Webber Tweeted the Cats parody that I did. I guess that counts, huh [laughs]?

That was very exciting. I’ve also heard from Stephen Sondheim. Stephen Sondheim is apparently a fan of my videos. When I did the Mary Poppins

“I’M VERY MUCH A ONE-MAN-BAND [LAUGHS]. IT’S ALL OUT OF MY LITTLE STUDIO APARTMENT HERE IN NEW YORK.” video to “Supercalifragilistic…,” I heard from Jeff Sherman, who is the son of [songwriter] Rob Sherman. That’s been thrilling for me. I’m such a huge fan of all this material that I’m spoofing. To hear from those people is amazing to me.

How do you go about selecting a song or the subject matter to parody?

It kind of depends. I’m a big show queen to begin with. I think in show tunes.

For example, for the “Braggadocious!” video my mind went to “docious” from “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”

When I did the Meryl Streep Into The Woods parody, I thought about Meryl Streep singing “Greens, greens, nothing but greens” in the song [in the Into The Woods prologue]. I transformed that quite easily into “Tweets, Tweets, nothing but Tweets.” Sometimes it just pops into my head. Now that I have a nice big following, sometimes I’ll get suggestions from people that I’ll use.

Have you heard from any of the subjects of the songs you parody?

Well, Trump hasn’t called yet, thank God! I think the first time that that happened was with Jennifer Holliday.

I spoofed an interview that she did regarding her declining to play the [Trump] inauguration. She Tweeted it and said, “Thanks for the laugh. That was hysterical.” That was exciting. Sometimes I’ll hear from some of the CNN people if I use their interviews and plug myself into their position as the interviewer. Jake Tapper follows me now, and I’ve heard from Brianna Keilar. I’m happy to know that they are fans.

What has been your most popular video to date?

As far as numbers, it’s still the “Braggadocious” video, which has 31 million views. They’re all doing a good 10 million now. The last few I’ve put out are around 10 million and over.

Because of your theater background, have you ever considered taking your act on the road?

Very much. I’m booking a lot of touring stuff now. I’m pretty booked up now for Pride and for the next few months into the summer. I’ll have evenings, and I’ve done a few here in New York, where I’ll show some videos and link everything together with a little bit of stand-up. Then I’ll do musical parodies live. I’m hoping later in the year to flesh out a more largescale production to take on tour. As of now, it’s just doing the material that I have out there now. Touring is definitely on the top of my list.

If you don’t my mind my asking, what is your current romantic status — are you single, partnered or married?

Ugh, now I’m depressed. I wasn’t sad, but now I am.

But, Randy, the world wants to know.

I am single as hell. If anyone’s looking, let me know. You know my email, put it up there [laughs]. I’m telling myself I’m focusing on my career, which is what everyone says when they’re not dating.

I just know there’s someone out there for you.

I hope so!

For more information on Randy Rainbow visit randyrainbow.com•

M

M

aking agic

Š Dmytro Aksonov / iStock by Getty Images

>>

Featuring speakers, artists and, of course, athletes, the World OutGames takes Miami on a 10-day play date. By Lynare Robbins

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W

Game Face World OutGames is incredibly different from most other sporting competitions in its mission of inclusivity. “We are proud to bring World OutGames to the United States as a global statement of unity, inclusiveness and healthy competition,” says Ivan Cano, CEO of World OutGames Miami. GLISA — which was created in 2004 after an international think tank concluded that gay and lesbian sports clubs and teams around the world had a unique set of needs that were not being met — takes pains to provide athletes, coaches, managers, trainers and referees with opportunities to be involved in the games without fear of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex, physical or mental ability, marital status, ethnicity, color, nationality, religion or age.

Courtesy of Diego Suarez

inning never felt so good. And by hosting the World OutGames, Miami has done just that. The 10day global LGBTQ-focused event licensed by the Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association (GLISA) has previously been held in Montreal, Copenhagen and Antwerp, making the Miami edition only the fourth edition of the event and the first time it is held in a U.S. city. Featuring more than 450 sporting competitions, as well as cultural events and a three-day Global LGBTQI Human Rights Conference, the overall goal is to promote the equality, strength, health and visibility of the LGBTQ community through sports, culture and human rights.

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>>

The overall goal is to promote the equality, strength, health and visibility of the LGBTQ community through sports, culture and human rights.

“There are not many opportunities for same-sex dancers to compete,” says River Tumbleweed, who will be competing in the couples category with her wife, Sunny. The two women have been invloved in same-sex dancing for four years.

Sunny even proposed at one of their competitions. The Tumbleweeds will also be part of the Country Western Dance Team, Scandalous, which is sponsored by Scandals Saloon.

“We feel very fortunate for the opportunity to showcase our talents in a safe yet highly competitive environment.”

Diego Suarez, who first took up swimming 10 years ago to relax and exercise, is also excited about the games.

“When I was competing in Stockholm, Sweden at the 2015 Eurogames, it was announced that Miami had won the bid for 2017 World OutGames, and I was ecstatic to be able to participate in the games in my hometown,” he says. “I will be participating in the swimming events and playing water polo for the first time.”

© IPGGutenbergUKLtd / iStock by Getty Images

Opposite page: Diego Suarez, Daniel Hekman, David Jaramillo, Luis Leon, Daniel Brassil and Charlotte Schouchar make up the Miami Vice Water Polo Club ; This page: Track and field events will be held at Tropical Park.

While there are no qualifying standards to participate in individual categories, competitions are arranged according to skill level. Venues across Miami-Dade, from Marlins Studium — where the opening ceremonies will be held — to Tropical Park and the University of Miami will host matches, races, meets and games ranging from basketball, beach volleyball and flag football to synchronized swimming, bodybuilding and dance sport.

Suarez is eager to “get in the water,” but he is also looking forward to the festive ambience World OutGames promotes.

“The most exciting event every year is the speedo party, which is a tradition that is held by swimmers,” he says. He is also anticipating Pink Flamingo, an IGLA drag-show-meetsaqua-follies-synchro tradition that pits rival teams against each other in a fabulously friendly competition.

Culturally Relevant Beyond sporting events, World OutGames offers a cultural component that is slated to include art, architecture, music, dance, film and poetry. “Our three pillars — Sports, Culture and Human Rights — are at the core of everything we do,” says Cano.

042 destinations that share an interest in promoting LGBTQ equality and inclusivity. A previous World OutGames host, Copenhagen is actually sponsoring a number of activities.

Docked at Museum Park Miami, the Georg Stage training ship sets the stage for author and radio producer Pejk Malinovski’s presentation about love at sea. The audio walk is sponsored by the Danish Maritime Museum.

Back on land, culture vultures can explore the Wynwood Art District as tour guide, Thom Wheeler-Castillo, discusses how the textile warehouse and immigrant neighborhood formerly known as Little San Juan evolved into one of the world’s largest outdoor art galleries.

On stage at the Colony Theatre, Diego Salterini and Hannah Baumgarten present the landmark Edward Stierle production, Dance NOW! and literature lovers should not miss the Favorite Poem Project event. It will feature a special appearance by the project’s founder — and the 39th Poet Laureate of the U.S. — Robert Pinsky.

In honor of the Pulse Nightclub shooting victims, City of Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado and Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, along with various leaders of the local LGBTQ community, will host the Miami Gay Men’s Chorus at SoundScape Park at the New World Center.

Also in remembrance of the 2016 shooting at the Orlando night club, the multi-disciplinary artistic exhibition, Pulse Points, presents a dynamic, inventive response to the tragedy.

Curated by Cameron Basden and Octavio Campos and held

© Jenny Abreu / Courtesy of DanceNOW!

As part of the program, a number of varied activities and events will be hosted by notable local LGBTQ organizations and groups throughout the city. Opening the cultural presentation, the Miami Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates the Village People’s 40th anniversary with a show at the Colony Theatre entitled It Takes a Village, People!

ARTworkOUT reflects the overarching message of the games by combining athleticism with artistic endeavor and intellectual stiumulation. Comprised of cultural, sports and wellness empowerment classes, it is presented by the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) in conjunction with Equinox fitness centers.

Marlins Park is offering a behind-the-scenes tour of the state-of-the-art stadium, followed by a home game between the Marlins and the Phillies, as part of the architecture portion of the cultural program.

In an additional nod to local architecture, community activist, historian, preservationist and freelance writer, Herb Sosa, will discuss the contributions of the LGBTQ community to the historic preservation movement — at a local and global level — in Preservation Under the Rainbow, presented at the Art Deco Welcome Center in Miami Beach by the Miami Preservation League.

For something a little more risqué, the city of Copenhagen is treating Miami’s participants to an exhibit titled Sex and the Sea. Part of the OutCities program, this special collaboration is meant to strengthen ties between

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>> Herb Sosa – Preservation Under the Rainbow at the Art Deco Welcome Center

Juana Mora Cedeño – Cuban LGBTQ activist

Opposite page: DanceNOW! is part of the World OutGames cultural presentations. This page: SoundScape Park at the New World Center

at the New World Center, Pulse Points will feature drummers, dancers, DJs, choral voices and many other artists and performers from South Florida.

Surat-Shaan Knan – transgender interfaith Jewish activist founder of the Rainbow Pilgrim Project

New World Center: © Pascal Depuhl; Herb Sosa: Carina Mask; Juana Mora Cedeño: Courtesy of World OutGames Miami; Surat-Shaan Knan: © AJAMU; Tamara Adrian: Courtesy of World OutGames Miami

Something Fresh The Global LGBTQI Human Rights Conference is making its debut at World OutGames Miami. Held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the conference is set to host speakers from a wide swath of countries with varying degrees of LGBTQ protections. Their stories are meant to highlight the global nature of the challenges and successes that LGBTQ people face.

Plenary speaker Juana Mora Cedeño, a Cuban LGBTQ activist, is sponsored by the International Institute for Race, Equality and Human Rights. Other plenary speakers include Tamara Adrian, the first transgender lawmaker in Venezuela’s National Assembly; Surat-Shaan Khan, a transgender interfaith Jewish activist famously known for his Rainbow Pilgrim Project; and Amini Fonua, a competitive swimmer from Tonga and New Zealand. For more information, visit outgames.org.•

Tamara Adrian – the first transgender lawmaker in Venezuela’s National Assembly

Clockwise from top left: Courtesy of La Concha Key West; Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line (2); Courtesy of Amara Cay Resort; Courtesy of Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina

We Floridians live where others vacation, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take the familiar and make it refreshingly unexpected.

Sun Daze

By Sole Sastre

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oing to theme parks is a Floridian rite of passage. Whether we go as eager kids, reluctant teens or giddy adults, you’d be hard pressed to find a single one of us

This page: Pompidou’s Patisseries Dessert Experience at Rémy; Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Opposite page: Buena Vista Theater; AquaDuck water slide.

that hasn’t been to at least one park, at least once. It’s a testament to our good fortune that heading to Orlando — where most of the bigger parks are concentrated — is often considered an inexpensive alternative to a trip elsewhere. Plus, the parks are high on nearly any family’s to-do list, and Walt Disney World, in particular, remains one of the most popular destinations on the planet.

So what do you do if you’ve been there, done that, but are still hankering for a little magic of the wholesome variety? Disney has made it simple by combining your conventional theme park experience with another of Florida’s wildly popular travel offerings: the cruise.

Step aboard any of Disney Cruise Line’s lavish ships, and you are immediately struck by the sophistication. A nod to early-20th-century

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line (2)

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f you’ve lived in Florida long enough, you know it doesn’t take much driving to hit a beach, we have three of the most extraordinary national parks in the system, walking in the steps of a Spanish conquistador or surrealist is equally accessible and just a few hours is all you need to get to “The Most Magical Place on Earth.” We are truly spoiled for choice…which is why we sometimes crave something different. The rest of the world may be just a flight away, but when a vacation abroad isn’t logistically — or financially — possible, this is the kind of place that eternally renews itself, where the familiar can easily morph into the wonderfully new.

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line (2)

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design invokes the golden age of ocean travel. Steering away from the overly cutesy, the whole fleet is downright stylish. From the awe-inspiring 13-foot Art Deco-style chandelier hanging from the lobby atrium — which boasts a total of 88,680 Swarovski crystal beads — to the luxuriously leisurely ambience, this isn’t your standard theme park adventure. Still, it’s Disney, so it never feels inaccessible. They have seamlessly combined child-friendly with elegant, making the atmosphere at once refreshingly stylish, welcoming and playful.

The basic three-day trip to the Bahamas offers a quick getaway and an easy introduction to the Disney Cruise Line experience. Sailing from Port Canaveral, the ship makes stops in Nassau and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. But if you’re sold on the idea, other more exotic options include Alaska, the Mediterrenean and a transatlantic cruise.

While family entertainment is the big draw, an unexpected treat is the wealth of adults-only spaces. During the day, adults can retreat to the adults-only Quiet Cove or Satellite Falls pools. Cove Café services these areas, so you can easily get a coffee or cocktail without having to leave your lounger.

Senses Spa & Salon is the full-service pampering center. It features everything from trainer-led classes, such as the Body Sculpt Boot Camp or Pure Form Pilates, to holistic therapies. As with many spas, booking

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From top: Amara Cay Resort pool; La Concha Key West spa deck.

take a backseat to the natural views. In fact, other than the ubiquitous silhouette of Mickey’s profile, finding the cleverly incorporated characterthemed design details becomes something of an Easter-egg search.

Vast areas of the ship are understandably devoted to children’s activities, but the AquaDuck — a 765-foot-long water coaster that funnels riders up, down, around and over the side of the ship — is fun for all ages, and the Buena Vista Theater offers large-scale, Broadway-style productions, as well as current movies.

With everything there is to do on the ship itself, getting off at the port is an option you might not take.

a

nother quintessentially Floridian experience is taking a trip down to the Keys. And while you could easily throw on your most comfortable shorts and flip-flops and head to one of the many storied bars that abound throughout the island chain, there is a more stylish approach to the Keys, too. You can trace the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams and also treat yourself to fine dining and a decadent spa retreat.

Located right in the heart of Old Key West, the legendary property that is now La Concha Key West has been inspiring guests since it opened its doors in 1926. Recently updated with tropical, Colonial architecture accented by peacock-colored ceilings and dark wood plantation shutters and furnishings, the celebrated landmark has become decidedly more chic without losing its sense of place.

Step out onto Duval Street, which offers a hearty dose of what the island is about. Popular sites like the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum or the Key West Aquarium are just a walk away. But creativity abounds in places like the Key West Contemporary Art Gallery. If you want to visit one of the more unusual Florida gems, hop on a ferry or a sea plane to the Dry Tortugas National Park, where Fort Jefferson has been fully restored.

Then head back to La Concha for one of the island’s premier culinary experiences at 430 Duval. The sophisticated restaurant located in the

From top: Courtesy of Amara Cay Resort; Courtesy of La Concha Key West

a treatment means you get access to the facilities for the rest of the day. At night, an array of bars and lounges that includes everything from Pink: Wine and Champagne Bar and Pub 687 to the urban-hip Skyline offer yet another enclave for the 18+ crowd.

And then there are the dining options. Nine themed venues serve up varied fare that is not just several notches above park grub, it’s included in your ticket (take that park experience!). The two specialty adults-only concepts, Rémy and Palo, are unexpectedly outstanding.

Rémy is the Ratatouille-inspired French restaurant with menus created by Chef Arnaud Lallement of Michelin three-star restaurant L'Assiette Champenoise and Chef Scott Hunnel of Victoria & Albert’s — an award-winning Walt Disney World Resort restaurant. It offers some of the finest dining out at sea.

Palo is slightly more casual — no jacket required — but also offers an upscale setting. It specializes in exceptional Northern Italian dishes.

Both restaurants are located on the topmost aft deck, offering sweeping ocean views from virtually any table.

Most of the staterooms offer magnificent views, too. More than 80 percent of the cabins feature either ocean views or verandas.

The playful Disney-themed accents

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cruise the sites Amara Cay Resort Islamorada amaracayresort.com Disney Cruise Line Multiple ports, including Miami disneycruise.disney.go.com La Concha Key West laconchakeywest.com Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina Holiday Isle, Islamorada holidayisle.com

Courtesy of Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina

Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina lobby

grand lobby of the hotel brings a city-chic vibe to Key West with a menu of enticing island-inspired small plates.

If you want a few drinks and some interaction with locals, walk over to Bourbon St. Pub, which is always a riot. But if you’re an oenophile, Wine-O, the wine bar at the hotel features a wine shop, tasting room and lounge. It’s well stocked with a carefully curated collection of international wines.

Farther north, a few other properties have also leveled up their island vibe, making a chic Keys getaway less of an anachronism. Take Islamorada, commonly known as the Sport Fishing Capital of the World.

Its laid-back style and wide offering of water adventures — beyond fishing — have made it an increasingly popular Keys destination. It is now home to the elegantly understated Amara Cay Resort. Resting along the Atlantic Ocean, its lush lawns and palm-peppered landscaping complement graceful views. Like the island, the resort is a place of pure relaxation, inviting guests to curate their own non-scripted journey, whether that involves lounging in a hammock or diving in a nearby reef.

On Holiday Isle in Islamorada, the oceanfront Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina is an iconic Florida Keys escape. The recently renovated resort offers retro accommodations that harken back to a classic Florida beach vacation. Four dining options, including the legendary Holiday Isle Tiki Bar — an iconic Keys stop made famous for its creation of the original Rum Runner cocktail in 1972 — and Ciao Hound Italian Kitchen & Bar, offer inspired dining options that stay true to the setting. With its myriad water activities — including inshore and offshore fishing, non-motorized water sports, boat slips, beachside games and pool diversions — guests are treated to a destination within a destination.•

on trend•

CURTAIN CALL The queer film festival circuit offers more than just exposure to great films. It offers community.

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by DANIEL SHOER ROTH

iverse and complex, South Florida’s LGBTQ community enjoys a full calendar throughout the year. The wide array of activities and events — from pool parties and bar crawls to educational conferences, charity balls and even long-distance cycling — reflect the varied tastes and interests of the audience. But as far as identity-based events go, the region’s well-established queer film festivals go beyond offering an alternative forum for watching cinema. People eagerly anticipate the cool after parties and beautiful scenery that mark an event that

palette•april|may 2017

has also helped define and shape the local community.

Festivalgoers — a smaller sampling of the broader LGBTQ community — gather to experience the culture and creativity. But they also go for the sheer entertainment provided by the films and the event itself, as after screenings, actors, screenwriters and directors often participate in panel discussions that provide wonderful insight.

Those involved in filmmaking and movie lovers get the chance to connect as they explore the world of gay and lesbian cinema.

In recent years, the flourishing local festival circuit has gained international clout, becoming a social hub, as well as a place to exchange ideas.

“The trend in film festivals is more about actively engaging your audience. You have to be more than just a place to watch films,” says Victor Gimenez, executive director of the recently rebranded OUTshine Film Festival (formerly MiFo LGBT Film Festival), which hosts the 19th annual Miami edition April 21–30, and the Fort Lauderdale edition October 6–15.

Besides inviting filmmakers and talent to participate in Q&As with the public, he adds, “we also create panel discussions with experts on specific topics; for example bringing in healthcare professionals to educate about the current state of HIV/AIDS research and treatment; or lawyers to inform about pertinent legislation of the day.”

As the festivals continue to evolve toward greater interaction between the audience and the films, organizers have expanded the event’s social offerings, too.

Planned for the upcoming Miami edition are an opening night film screening and party at the historic Scottish Rite Temple, an awards brunch at the Biltmore Hotel, the women’s spotlight and closing night parties at venues throughout

“EACH FILM HAS SOMETHING TO OFFER, SINCE THEY ARE CREATED WITH LOVE AND PASSION.”

— Dmitry Zhitov

Miami Beach. These events offer attendees the delightful opportunity to meet and mingle with celebrities and artists.

Miami-based producer and director Dmitry Zhitov, who has toured the film festival circuit extensively, says that many of his friends in New York and Los Angles are eager to submit their features to OUTshine. “[It is] welcoming and takes good care of them,” he says.

“Each film has something to offer, since they are created with love and passion,” Zhitov explains.

“People come to open their horizons because you do learn a lot from these films.”

Carol Wartenberg and Laura Hohnecker attended the Fort Lauderdale edition of the festival last year with Hohnecker’s 23-yearold nephew from Wisconsin, Ryan, who recently came out.

“It was very cool to be there as older lesbians and to have our young gay nephew with us.

We were able to use the festival as a good way to get to know each other better. We talked a lot about some of the things we saw in the films,” says Wartenberg, a psychologist in Wilton Manors. “It really brought us closer.”

These kinds of connections — prompted by the international and culturally diverse movies presented, which offer historical and contemporary perspectives on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender experience — are the essence of the film festival circuit.

It is an experience that stimulates the senses in almost every way.•

Sean Lattrell

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scoreboard•

palette•april|may 2017

MADE FOR WALKING Sometimes colorful, sometimes muddy, 5k races have become a riotously fun way to go out, work out and help out.

I

by SOLE SASTRE

t may appear as if in the last few years even the most dedicated couch potato in your social circle has dusted off his sneakers and participated in a 5k walk or run. It could be the ever-increasing push toward health and wellness, but there’s a little more to the story.

What used to be an activity reserved for do-gooders trying to raise funds for a cause or weekend athletes looking to add competition to their running routines has become a bona fide social outing.

And this is especially true in South Florida at this time of year, when the weather beckons us outdoors and the recent holiday food fest has us seeking more active pursuits.

What’s more, organizers have raised the stakes, moving way beyond the standard neon goodie bag, drawing crowds with increasingly sophisticated productions. A 5k now often feels like a festival, complete with vendors and musical acts.

Flights of Fancy Take The Color Run®, for instance.

Billed as “the largest 5k event series in the world,” the paint race is held in at least 27 countries worldwide and aims to be the “happiest 5k on the planet,” according to organizers. This year’s theme — The Color Run Dream World Tour — is meant to create a whimsical atmosphere throughout a route that includes the expected color throws, as well as a foam zone, which is meant to simulate clouds with colored foam, and a dream

wall, where runners are invited to spray paint their aspirations for all to see. Music plays continuously throughout the course, energizing participants as they run toward giant unicorns and splashes of color.

“We are excited to bring The Color Run Dream World Tour

to color runners around the globe and give them the chance to step into a dream with us,” says Travis Snyder, founder of The Color Run. “We want The Color Run to bring happiness and health to people’s lives.”

Those who cross the finish line are treated to the Finish Festival, where they can take selfies with the “Runicorn,” dance and continue playing with color throws. This is definitely not your standard walk through a park. If this sounds like fun, The Color Run Dream World Tour will be blasting rainbows all over Huizenga Park in Fort Lauderdale on April 29. thecolorrun.com AIDS Walk Miami While The Color Run does indeed benefit a number of charities, few organized events are as successful with their work as Care Resource — the non-profit, HIV/AIDS service organization dedicated to providing education, prevention and early intervention services to the community. One of the organization’s biggest fundraisers, AIDS Walk Miami, is an integral part of its effort to cultivate a culture of awareness and prevention in addition to providing services for more than 15,000 Miami-Dade and Broward county residents. The 5k walk-a-thon, which has been around since 1989, is one of oldest and largest AIDS walks in the country.

This year’s walk begins and ends at Soundscape Park in Miami Beach on April 23rd, with the route snaking through some of the most picturesque streets in South Beach. Participants are encouraged to raise as much as they can by asking family and friends to donate, starting a team, joining a team or simply registering as an individual or sleep walker.

After the morning walk, participants can look forward to a feel-good celebration featuring live music, complimentary massages, drinks, giveaways and more. aidswalkmiami.org•

Courtesy of The Color Run®

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5 0 3 l a e R The Introducing the NEW Miami.com. The ultimate insider’s guide on where to dine, drink, dance, stay and shop in the city that loves going out to play. It’s all yours, baby.

MHPR127

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health check•

palette•april|may 2017

TOXIC COCKTAIL Many people are controlled by their addiction to alcohol, but there’s no need to suffer in silence.

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any of us enjoy kicking back with an adult beverage every now and then, whether it’s having a good time with friends or enjoying a nice meal.

And, of course, everyone faces the challenge of noting when their responsible consumption is veering into the realm of abuse.

For many complex and interrelated reasons, the challenge is greater for the LGBTQ community than it is for the mainstream public.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates that substance abuse rates among members of the LGBTQ community can range from 20 to 30 percent, compared to 9 percent in the general population.

When It’s a Problem Alcoholism is a complicated issue, and the factors that lead to problems among LGBTQ people are no different. “The issues that can lead to alcoholism in the LGBTQ community are multi-factorial,” says Pedro Rodriguez, MD, a psychiatrist with Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami. “They range from issues such as lack of acceptance and/ or rejection by family or friends.

Psychological factors such as the need to escape social pressures and stigmas that they could encounter

Critical Signs • Problems at work or school • Drinking in risky situations • Experiencing blackouts after drinking • Legal problems caused by drinking • Getting hurt or hurting someone else • Continuing to drink despite health problems related to alcohol use • Concern from friends or family members For more, visit: webmd.com/ mental-health

from their families, peers or community can also be a factor.

In addition, alcohol can be used to numb feelings of decreased selfesteem, depression or feelings of guilt related to their sexual identity.”

Add up all those extra pressures, and it’s understandable how habitual alcohol use can sometimes grow into a real problem.

An additional factor at play is the fact that bars and night clubs have historically been the de facto “safe spaces” for gays and lesbians to socialize, let down their guard and find others like themselves, making a growing habit more difficult to recognize or stave off.

What You Can Do If there’s any silver lining, it’s that the path to recognition and recovery is largely the same for everyone, and it’s pretty straightforward. It starts with recognizing the problem and having the willpower and support network to make positive life changes.

“The warning signs, of alcohol addiction are abrupt changes of personality and mood, lying about use of alcohol, consuming alcohol in unlikely situations such as while at work, an observable increase in

issues related to school or work or legal issues such as having a DUI,” says Dr. Rodriguez.

In some cases, the individual with an alcohol problem may require outside help from friends or family members. “Conducting an intervention is the best way to help an alcoholic accept that they need treatment,” adds Dr. Rodriguez.

“Interventions are also helpful when they engage the help of medical professionals or members of the clergy as a third party.”

The road to recovery is a challenging one, but many have gone through it, eventually going on to lead healthy, successful lives.

Dr. Rodriguez notes that psychological treatment, support groups, treatment facilities and medical treatment from a doctor are all possibilities in taking control.

The first step is a visit with your primary care physician to determine the proper course forward for the specific challenges that you face.

While alcohol abuse is a problem that can affect anyone, you can get support from a group of people that understand your needs. Find your local GaL–AA (Gays and Lesbians in Alcoholics Anonymous) group at gal-aa.org.•

Barbara Pollak-Lewis

by WYATT MYERS

Our Family – Proudly Caring For Yours As a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality,” our commitment to families in our community is unwavering. The Human Rights Campaign has designated six of our major hospitals, for the sixth consecutive year, to receive this important designation.

Learn more at LGBTHealthLeader.org.

Jackson Memorial Hospital • Jackson North Medical Center • Jackson South Community Hospital Holtz Children’s Hospital • Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital • Jackson Rehabilitation Hospital

serious business•

palette•april|may 2017

QA &

is no longer there. The question is, do gays and lesbians have a different experience in an LGBTQ or in a mainstream synagogue? It depends.

A mainstream synagogue with 1,000+ members can have smaller groups — chavurot — so that everybody’s needs are addressed. For a smaller synagogue, it’s hard to do that.

Rabbi Noah Kitty • Executive Director of Congregation Etz Chaim

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Q: There is still resistance within the Orthodox community. Why? A: The struggle with LGBTQ inclusion in the Orthodox world has two areas of resistance, one is Jewish law — Halakhah — and the other is cultural. But there are conflicting laws. One is the inherited customary denial that homosexuality is legitimate. The other is that God created us to have a partner. If you are gay and born into an orthodox family what do you do? Are you condemned to a life of loneliness?

That is the question we have asked orthodox rabbis for the past 20 years.

They are finally hearing us.

by DANIEL SHOER ROTH

eing Jewish while identifying as an LGBTQ person is a lot easier today, as more mainstream synagogues have become increasingly welcoming, but it was not always this way. Back in 1974, many gay and lesbian Jews yearned for a safe and nurturing place to worship in South Florida, and it was Congregation Etz Chaim that opened its doors.

Now located in Wilton Manors, the synagogue is a spiritual home for LGBTQ Jews.

Q: Was it really difficult to be gay and practice Judaism?

A: Judaism is practiced in community; there is a minimum of 10 that need to be present for any ritual event. Back in the 70s, if you were gay or lesbian — and certainly if you were transgender — it was very

hard to find a community that would accept you for your entire self. They literally wouldn’t let you in the door.

That led to the founding of several LGBTQ synagogues.

Q: Can you address the path Judaism has taken toward inclusion of LGBTQ Jews?

A: It takes time for institutions to address social change. First you have to let them know that change is on the horizon. Then you have people move into the institutions.

Either they’ll go to synagogues as congregants, or they’ll work there.

When they see that you are really not so different, then change happens.

Q: With more mainstream acceptance, what is the future of gay congregations?

A: The future is unclear because the reason to start an LGBTQ synagogue

Q: Are people surprised to meet a lesbian rabbi?

• Rabbi Noah Kitty, Executive Director of Congregation Etz Chaim.

For more information visit etz-chaim.com

A: When women rabbis were first ordained in 1972, we were seen as exotic rarities that some smaller congregations might take a chance on, but typically, female rabbis went to do institutional work or chaplaincy. Even today, it is rare to see a woman as the head of a very large congregation. Having a lesbian rabbi is still something new.•

Carina Mask

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gaybizmiami.com

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the scene•

palette•april|may 2017

CLARITY: 6TH ANNUAL STATE OF OUR COMMUNITY

Area mayors, government dignitaries and LGBTQ community leaders attended the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s 6th Annual State of Our Community gathering to share their vision for 2017 and the impact it will have on the LGBTQ community.

Clockwise from top left: Steve Adkins, Tony Lima, Nadine Smith, Mayor Tomás Regalado, Damian Pardo, Jorge Richa and Scott Bader • Donna Dambrot and Corina Mascaro • Richard Bec and Adrian Novello • Trelvis Randolph and Elizabeth Regalado • Yolanda Perez • Reinaldo Hernández, Giselle Kovac and Alex Spriggs

CLARITY: SPOTLIGHT MEGA-MIXER NETWORKER

Clockwise from top left: Bruno Garofalo, Jorge Richa, Jackie Infante and Bertha Galindo-Crucet • Eddie Nuñez, Maritza Bedoya, Jessi Villegas and Yenisleidy Mesa • Mark Jernigan, Ester Rodriguez and Bill Warren • David Nelson and Roger Krick • Leiticia Carranza and Cindy Brown • Opal Gibson and Tammy Carden • Dennis Rivera, Rafael Tierni and Alex Acevedo

State of Community: Carina Mask; Spotlight Mega-Mixer Networker: Christina Mendenhall

Sponsored by Jackson Health System at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s Spotlight MegaMixer invited guests to mingle and network with more than 200 chamber members, guests and the community at large.

16th Annual Awards Celebration: The Topaz Gala – May 13th, 2017 The Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber Of Commerce (MDGLCC) is honored to recognize some of the greatest supporters of the LGBTQ community in Miami-Dade at The Topaz Gala — the 16th Annual Gala and Awards Celebration taking place on Saturday, May 13th.

Honorees are selected for their long-term commitment to fostering diversity and for their contributions to quality of life in South Florida. This year’s gala will once again be presented by Wells Fargo.

“Our annual gala is all about networking with each other and with leaders in the community. It is the networking event of the year. Our 500 guests just get to have a lot of fun in the process,” says Steve Adkins, MDGLCC president. “As the voice of the LGBT business community in Miami-Dade, the Chamber is especially proud to have such an accomplished and extraordinary group to recognize this year.”

Continuing a four-year tradition, the Gala’s color-based theme is a nod to the rainbow flag. The theme’s color is elevated by representing it in a gemstone.

The 2017 yellow topaz theme represents empathy, serenity, harmony, and warmth.

THE 2017 HONOREES: ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL (BUSINESS OF THE YEAR) This award is presented annually to an organization whose mission statement adheres to the highest standards of outreach to the LGBT and allied community. A nominee must be a Chamber member for at least two years, be active in the LGBT community and have non-discrimination (sexual orientation and/or gender identity) language incorporated into its human resource policies.

ACLU OF SOUTH FLORIDA, INC. (NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR) This award is given annually to organizations that embody the highest standards of diversity and inclusion of the LGBT and allied communities in their mission statement. Awardees must be chamber members for at least two years and be visibly active in the LGBT community. This award can recognize outstanding work for the year awarded or for a body of work over a longer period of time.

BILL WARREN (BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD) This award is given annually to individuals who embrace diversity in all forms and demonstrate excellent management and leadership skills.

Nominees must be Chamber members for at least two years and be active in the LGBT community. This award can recognize outstanding work for the year awarded or for a body of work over a longer period of time.

JOAN SCHAEFFER (BOB BALSAM CIVIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD) For the third year, MDGLCC is honoring former Miami Beach Convention Center General Manager Bob Balsam by naming this award after him. In his five-years in South Florida, he made significant contributions to the LGBT community. A kind and generous man, he gave time and was financially generous, making sure his community benefitted from his stature as a business leader.

For more event information visit gaybizgala.com or call 305.673.4440.

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the scene•

RAFFI FREEDMANGURSPAN KEY WEST MEET AND GREET

Clockwise from top left: Mark Ebenhoch and RafďŹ Freedman-Gurspan • Mikey Hudson and Val McCall • Mary-Lynne Price and Rosi Ware • Susan Kent and JT Thompson • Donald Edward Allman, Jr. and Dell Lunsford • Kate and Beth Bauer-Jones • Loretta DiTocco and Dani Hoy

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RafďŹ Freedman-Gurspan, the ďŹ rst openly transgender woman in history to become a White House staffer, held a meet and greet in January at Sidebar at Aqua Bar and Nightclub in Key West. She is an advocate and public policy specialist, focusing on human rights and LGBTQ issues.

palette•april|may 2017

WOMEN’S RALLY IN SOUTH FLORIDA

Christina Mendenhall

Inspired by and in support of the Women’s March on Washington, thousands attended the Women’s Rally in South Florida the day after President Trump’s inauguration. Held at Bayfront Park Amphitheater, the rally was one of many similar events that took place throughout the country.

Clockwise from top left: Danyealah Green-Lemons, Adrienne Kanter, Mariana Wisby and Romina Blacharz • Rodrigo Barros, Dani Gonzalez, Adrienne Kurz and Graham O’Daily • Bob Kutin and Ira Lipton • Elizabeth and Andarte Galo • Travis Copeland • Nicole and Cindy Lang and Kia Drummond

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the scene•

OKAMA CON 2017

Clockwise from top left: Crystal Williams • Charles Hanna, Veronica Murray and Elijah Range • Holly Burgess • Jacoby Lovenstein • Cafe Kira Hoshi hostesses, Melissa and Sophia • Joseph Hanley • Carol Schonburg “Kikiama” and “Envy” • Javier Unzaga, Brian Simon and Michelle Marcheco

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Carina Mask

South Florida’s latest gay anime convention, Okama Con is on a mission to create and promote an accepting environment for all anime fans who want to celebrate gay anime culture. Participants dressed to kill and headed to the Miami Airport Convention Center on January 14th for a day with their favorite Japanese characters.

palette•april|may 2017

SAVE TOWNHALL: SAVE YOUR RIGHTS

Christina Mendenhall

More than 100 supporters attended SAVE’s LGBTQ Community Townhall on February 15th, armed with questions, comments and concerns about the politics of the day. Local leaders in attendance addressed the many questions and offered insight to help inform and ease the climate of tension and fear.

Clockwise from top left: Brad Wohler, Tony Lima and Alfredo Iglesias • Patricia Hernandez and Nora Rotelli • Kirk Arthur and Rebekah Monson • Nancy Brodzki and G. Cueva • Rick Morgan, Alan Rifken, Brian Adler and Omar Suarez • Carla Peña and Ty Mac • Marta Pedrosa and Sunny Weber • Arianna Lint, Michelle Lee and Eva Garcia

Goya's Outstanding Quality: The Key to Recipe Success Black Bean Quesadillas

When you use the best ingredients, the results are excellent every time.

With GOYA® Black Beans, you can trust that each U.S. #1 Grade bean* will be whole, plump and delicious from the first bite to the last.

For more great recipes and coupons, visit goya.com

Serves 4 | Prep time: 5 min. | Total time: 15 min.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 cup GOYA® Pico de Gallo Salsa

1. Using small-hole strainer, drain liquid from Pico de Gallo Salsa; discard liquid. Transfer remaining tomato mixture to medium bowl. Mix in black beans, cheese and cilantro until combined.

1 can (15.5 oz.) GOYA® Black Beans, or GOYA LOW Sodium Black Beans, drained and rinsed 1/2 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese 2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro 4 10* GOYA® Tortillas (for Burritos) 1 tsp. GOYA® Extra Virgin Olive Oil GOYA® Salsita (optional) *As defined by the USDA ©2015 GOYA Foods, Ins.

2. Divide black bean mixture evenly over half of each tortilla (about 1/2 cup each). Fold tortillas in half.

3. Heat large griddle or skillet over medium-high heat.

Brush with oil. Place filled tortillas on griddle. Cook, carefully flipping once, until tortillas are golden brown and crisp and cheese filling melts, about 5 minutes.

4. Cut quesadillas into wedges. Serve with your favorite GOYA® Salsita variety, if desired.

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final details•

palette•april|may 2017

LOOKING BACK

I

ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo

t’s incredible that it’s already been 20 years since Ellen DeGeneres came out publicly.

The April 14, 1997 Time cover featured the announcement with a picture of a smiling DeGeneres and the simple statement, “Yep, I’m gay.”

At a time when the concept of gay rights was still nebulous, DeGeneres took a bold step that would help push the country toward progress.

That same month, the character she played on ABC’s Ellen, Ellen Morgan, also came out in the twopart “The Puppy Episode.”

Ten years later, in 2007, DeGeneres became the first openly lesbian actor to host the Academy Awards.

Thanks for being your wonderful, hilarious self Ellen!•

KICK OFF YOUR SUMMER IN STYLE WITH THE MIAMI MARLINS MAY 26 | 7:10PM | VS. ANGELS

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GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE RECEIVE SPECIAL SAVINGS

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A beautiful celebration of unity.

And diversity.

Man. Woman. Gay. Straight. Or undecided. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, Key West has always been a place where people can come together to celebrate their differences. fla-keys.com/gaykeywest 305.294.4603