NOVEMBER 2016 • Vol. 5 Issue 6
Special edition themirrormag.com November 2016 THE
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NOVEMBER 2016 | Vol 5 | Issue 6 2520 N. Dixie Highway | Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954.530.4970 Fax: 954.530.7943
Publisher NORM KENT norm.kent@sfgn.com Chief Executive Officer PIER ANGELO GUIDUGLI Associate Publisher/ JASON PARSLEY Executive Editor jason.parsley@sfgn.com
EDITORIAL Art Director BRENDON LIES artwork@sfgn.com News Editor JOHN MCDONALD
john.mcdonald@sfgn.com
Senior Features Reporter CHRISTIANA LILLY A&E Editor / Design J.W. ARNOLD Webmaster BRITTANY FERRENDI
SALES & MARKETING Director of Sales MIKE TROTTIER & Marketing mike.trottier@sfgn.com Sales Manager JUSTIN WYSE justin.wyse@sfgn.com Advertising Sales Assoc. EDWIN NEIMANN edwin.neimann@sfgn.com
T able of contents News Features Hot Wheels – A Car Collection 8 ‘Six Words’ – LGBT Rights in Jacksonville 12 The Boys of Bangladesh 18
Advertising Sales Assoc. TIM HIGGINS tim.higgins@sfgn.com Distribution Services Rocky Bowell TIM HIGGINS Printing THE PRINTER’S PRINTER National Advertising RIVENDELL MEDIA 212-242-6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com Accounting Services CG BOOKKEEPING
Upstairs Lounge – The Forgotten Tragedy 22 Raising Trans Children 28 A New Way of Healing 30
FOOD Where to Eat on the Drive? 14
SPECIAL SECTION Datebook 34 DIY – A Lego Christmas 36 Destination – Indianapolis 40 Quotable – Edison Farrow 44
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The Mirror is published quarterly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor are those of the writers. They do not represent the opinions of The Mirror or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations in The Mirror. Furthermore the word “gay” in The Mirror should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material that appears in The Mirror, both online at www.themirrormag.com, and in our print edition, including articles used in conjunction with the Associated Press and our columnists, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher of The Mirror, Norm Kent, at Norm@NormKent.com. The Mirror is published by the South Florida Gay News. It’s a private corporation, and reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs. MIRROR Copyright ©
2016, South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.
Associated Press Florida Press Association National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association
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Feature • Miami Car Museum
Ford Model A Ford Edsel
Disney’s “The Love Bug” 1963 Cherovlet Corvette
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European Microcars 1927 Dusenberg Model X
“Speed Racer” Novelty Vehicles
HOT WHEELS
Feature • Miami Car Museum
Boys like their toys and, boy, does Michael Dezer have an amazing collection...
The New York real estate developer was hooked after getting his first Vespa scooter as a teen. He began collecting all sorts of motorized vehicles— from scooters, motorcycles, classic automobiles and expensive sports cars to fantasy vehicles from television and the movies—more than 1000 in all.
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t’s easy to get lost in the Miami Auto Museum. Guests are advised to follow the taped arrows through the two, 200,000 sq. ft. warehouses located just off of Biscayne Blvd. in North Miami. Every turn reveals new surprises. The self-guided tour is a trip through history beginning with a Ford Model A and tracing the development of the auto in the U.S. and Europe. It seems hardly possible for Dezer to squeeze one more vehicle into the first building that houses the classic cars. There’s a rare 1927 Dusenberg Model X, one of only a handful to survive, as well as Chevies, Cadillacs and Packards. Perhaps more interesting are the European models, much smaller and completely quirky French Citroens, Italian Fiats, Swedish Volvos and German Audis, as well as rarer models from Israel, England and other countries. The second building houses 80 vehicles from the “Dezer’s Hollywood collection, including an original 1966 George Barris Batmobile, the 1981 DeLorean from “Back to the Future,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and iconic Story and photographs by J.W. Arnold vehicles from “Miami Vice,” “Ghostbusters,” “The Flintstones” and more. The collection also includes six pristine Aston Martins from the “James Bond” movies, a BD-5 microjet and the T-55 tank from the 1995 film, “Goldeneye.” The museum features a full-service cafeteria, gift shop and regularly hosts corporate and community events in the various showrooms. A second location is expected to open at Xtreme Sports Park in Fort Lauderdale next year.
Miami Auto Museum
Miami Auto Museum 2000 NE 146th St. North Miami, FL 33181 Open Daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. DezerCollection.com
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feature • equality
‘Six Words’
Documentary explores LGBT rights in Jacksonville
Christiana Lilly
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he absence of six words in Jacksonville’s human rights ordinance gives business owners the right to refuse service to a gay man, allows a landlord to not rent to a transgender person, or give the freedom to a boss to fire his lesbian employee. These six words, “sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression,” sent a filmmaker on a mission to make sure that everyone knew that these protections were not in place. “Everybody thinks there’s a law somewhere that protects gay people — that there’s something in federal law, there’s something in state law, there’s a city ordinance. But in many places in the United States, there isn’t anything,” said Bill Retherford, the writer and producer of “Six Words.” The documentary was released in 2015 and was widely seen in Jacksonville and was even a finalist for the prestigious James Batten Award by the Society of Professional Journalists Florida Pro chapter. Florida does not have any protections in place for LGBT people. Jacksonville is the largest city in the Sunshine State that does not provide these protections, and the second largest city nationwide. And the state is in the majority — according to Pride @ Work, 47 percent of LGBT people live in a state prohibiting employment and housing discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. There are three states that actually have laws on the books that bar nondiscrimination laws from being passed or enforced — Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The inspiration for the documentary came to Retherford when he was working on a film about race relations in his hometown of Jacksonville. During an interview, a subject informed the filmmaker that the city had no anti-discrimination protections in place for LGBT people. “I had no idea,” Retherford said. “As soon as I got over my amazement, in the back of my mind I thought, ‘This is my next documentary.’” The idea was shelved for a while as he
attended graduate school at Columbia University in New York. After graduation, he spent the next year interviewing local LGBT people, advocates, politicians, religious leaders, and business owners on the topic of adding the six words to the city’s human rights ordinance. In the documentary, Retherford disputes five major arguments made by those who did not want the human rights ordinance to be amended in Jacksonville, from anecdotes of a man who was fired because he was gay to an examination of the popular Leviticus passage many cite as being proof that homosexuality is a sin. An effort to expand the ordinance failed by one vote in 2012. The argument is also made that the ordinance should be passed to avoid a boycott from consumers — to avoid turning into Indiana. The state made waves in 2015 when Gov. Mike Pence — the vice presidential candidate who won the election alongside Donald Trump on the Republican ticket — signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law, giving private businesses the right to not accommodate LGBT people based on their religious beliefs. While the religious right was pleased, many corporations withdrew their businesses from Indiana, including Yelp and Angie’s List. Others spoke out against the law, including Apple, the NCAA, and the Indiana Pacers. Shortly after the outrage, Pence signed into law an amended version of the law. “[Indiana] was ridiculed nationwide after it was passed,” Retherford said. “The state of Indiana could have lost a great deal of investment money in the millions of dollars. The same can happen to Jacksonville.” “It is just very horrific thought that you live in a city where you are by any definition subhuman. You do not have the same protections that everyone else in the city has,” Retherford said. “Jacksonville is my hometown. I think it’s a sad situation for that city to appear so backward … it’s sad, it’s backward, it’s an embarrassment to the city, and it can have tragic ramifications for those people who are affected by the lack of protection in the city.
During an interview, a subject informed the filmmaker that the city had no antidiscrimination protections in place for LGBT people.
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Food • wilton drive
Devouring These places are bars but many of them serve up some must-try culinary delights
Rick Karlin
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the
rive
ith so many bars on the drive either serving food, or changing up their menus, not to mention the newcomers joining the party, we felt it was time to take a look at the fare that’s available. We have focused only on those places that are primarily known as bars or clubs, so Tropics and Rosie’s, both primarily restaurants are not included.
Alibi Monkey Bar 2266 Wilton Drive 954-565-2526 AlibiWiltonManors.com Since taking over a little more than a year ago, the new management revamped the menu. It is quite extensive, featuring about 20 appetizers options, mostly the usual suspects; nachos, wings, etc. but some exotic surprises as well; sesame noodles, Thai chicken skewers and ahi tuna nachos. There is a vast array of entrée-sized salads, hot and cold sandwiches, classic and inventive burger creations, including a veggie burger. Happy hour specials are fairly unimaginative, but are more than made up for by the $12 nightly specials, some of which are so popular they run out every night. Tuesday’s bacon-wrapped meatloaf, Friday fish and chips and Sunday’s fried chicken are prime examples. Brunch offerings are pretty much the expected fare, classics with some twists. The late night menu is great for soaking up some of that alcohol.
sauce. My only complaint, they need to give you more napkins with these things. In addition to lunch service, Gym Bar offers happy hour specials; 50 cent wings, $1 hot dogs (add chili or cheese for 50 cents more), $2 nachos and tacos or $3 for mozzarella sticks or chicken tenders. On top of that “Two for Tuesdays” offer day-long specials including; half price burgers (I guess that’s the same as two-for-one), $2 tacos and domestic beer. Thursday’s special features hot dogs for only a buck, from four to midnight. Weekend wings are 50 cents each all day. Matty’s 2100 Wilton Drive 954-900-3973 MattysWiltonPark.com
Gym Sportsbar 2287 Wilton Drive 954-368-5318 GymSportsBar.com
You might be as surprised as I was to learn that Matty’s serves food. The specialty of the house is Tater Totts (sic) which are served nacho style, topped with anything from steak with cheese, Buffalo chicken or pulled pork. There are also a variety of sliders (Korean pork, meatball) and skewers (ginger beef, curry chicken or Cajun shrimp). Naked Grape 2163 Wilton Drive 954-563-5631 NakedGrapeWineBar.com
Gym sports bar is now serving lunch. I’d heard good things about the food, so lunch service gave me an excuse to check it out. Not on the menu as a regular item, but sometimes added as daily specials, the soups are exceptional. On the day of our visit it was one of the best versions I’ve ever had of New England style clam chowder. The base was thick and rich without being gummy and had clams big and plump enough to satisfy size queens or chubby chasers. Burgers consist of two juicy patties (cooked to order) with a choice of toppings (build-your-own or try one of the signature combos). The chicken tacos would benefit from a bit less of the creamy sauce and more heat from the chipotle, but offer tender chicken. The kitchen also gets points for grilling the flour tortilla shell. If you avoid chicken tenders because you hate those pre-packaged things served at most places, rejoice because Gym Bar makes its own on premises, and you can taste the freshness. You can’t have bar food without wings and here there’s a choice of hot, mild, BBQ and soygarlic-ginger. The wings are crispy and tender and dripping with
Naked Grape is the Bentley of bars that serve food. Luckily, you don’t need the deep pockets you need for that vehicle to enjoy an evening of luxury. Sure you can go for the really expensive vintages, but there are plenty of options that won’t put a huge dent in your wallet. Happy hour is from 4-7 p.m. daily with $5 glasses of select wines and continues all night on Thursday. If you do hanker for a pricier vintage, check it out on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when all bottles are half-priced all night. On top of the great deals, the food is phenomenal; whether you opt for a cheese platter, tapas, flatbreads or my favorite; the mozzarella made tableside, you won’t be disappointed. Other options certain to win you over include; crab salad tacos, dates with chorizo and a peppadew-glazed goat cheese gratin. If you’re looking for a spot for a romantic date or want to spend a quiet evening visiting with friends, this is the place. There is also an intimate sidewalk patio which is great for people watching. Service is attentive, knowledgeable and friendly.
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Food • wilton drive
Alibi’s sammy
Rumors Bar & Grill
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Food • wilton drive
Village Pub takes bar food to a
whole
new level. Rumors Bar & Grill 2426 Wilton Dr 954-565-8851 RumorsBarWiltonManors.com Rumors has always been a great place to party, but the food never quite lived up to expectations. That’s all changed, now that they’ve brought in Robyn Almodovar to create a new menu. Almodovar, is best known for winning on Food Network’s “Chopped” and “Cutthroat Kitchen” and competing on season 10 of Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen,” where she finished as a top finalist. She created Palate Party, a mobile catering company/food truck and has won New Times’ “Best Food Truck” award twice. Consequently, Rumor’s menu features many items you wouldn’t expect as bar food, at least here in the U.S. For example, baconwrapped dates are a classic tapas bar item; but you’ll also find steamed pork buns, fried Brussels sprouts and mushroom risotto arancini, as well as classic pub fare such as onion rings and wings. Sandwich options include the classic burger as well as variations on that theme (and a veggie version) as well as duck confit with arugula on a hoagie or short ribs in the middle of a grilled cheese sandwich. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, check out the deep-fried bread pudding or an ice cream cookie sandwich.
Village Pub 2283 Wilton Drive 754-200-5244 VillagePubWM.com How much goodness can you pack into a tiny space? Village Pub has installed a kitchen and the menu is proof that size isn’t everything. The efficient kitchen not only turns out standard Pub Grub (which is what they’re calling the dining component of the business), but some upscale exotic fare as well. Onion rings arrive in a tower, and wings (with a choice of sauces, the classics plus some custom options including; spicy Chinese, sweet hot mustard, Jack Daniels infused with honey, pomegranate jalapeno and my favorite, honey-chipotle) overflow a basket, flatbreads bubble with cheese. It’s all the yummy stuff you love in bar food. But then, there are healthy and well-crafted salads, a charcuterie board to rival the finest dining establishments and a caprese salad skewer, if you’re yearning for something a bit more refined. Village Pub takes bar food to a whole new level. Don’t be so dazzled by the exotics that you pass up such classics as the Black Forest Villager, The thick burger is almost obscene; topped with bacon bits, melted blue cheese and sautéed onions and mushrooms. The sticks of ham on top are a bit unwieldy, (slices would be better) but with so much goodness that’s just nit-picking. Chicken tenders are crisp and panko-crusted, but pounded a bit too thin. Vegetarians and the health conscious will appreciate Quinoa-Huh burger, a hearty patty of grains and veggies with a crispy exterior and a soft and flavorful center, on a whole grain bun, topped with avocado and baby greens. It’s so hearty that even a meat and potatoes guy will be satisfied by it. Monthly specials will also be featured. During our visit, it was a sandwich of blackened cod topped with a crab cake! Everything we sampled was perfectly prepared and featured generous portions. Service is friendly and knowledgeable. Prices range from $5-$10 for snacky foods to $10-$15 for sandwiches and salads.
And Another Thing . . . Boardwalk 1721 N Andrews Ave. Fort Lauderdale 954-463-6969 BoardwalkBar.com Although it’s technically not on Wilton Drive, Boardwalk’s a close enough neighbor, and it is a bar that serves food, and more than just the sausage-fest you might expect. The fare at the aptly named Beefcakes includes tacos, wings and burgers as well as other classic bar bites. The street-side café offers some great people-watching, whether the dancing boys are around or not.
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Bubbles and Pearls 2037 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors 954-533-9553 BubblesNPearls.com Wilton Drive is being taken over by food show alums! In addition to the Robyn Almodovar menu at Rumors, tBravo’s “Top Chef ” competitor, Josie Smith Malave, has opened a globally inspired Champagne and raw bar, serving up small plates. As of this writing, there were no regular hours; they’re open only when people make reservations.
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feature • bangladesh
The Boys of
Bangladesh I
n April, two men were hacked to death in Bangladesh putting a spotlight on a hidden population in the small Southwest Asian country: LGBT people. Xulhaz Mannan, the editor of an LGBT magazine, and Mahbub Tonoy were killed in the Bangladeshi capital by six attackers, leaving a third man seriously injured. “It’s a really painful thing for us,” said Mir Abeureyad, the acting general secretary and a volunteer at Boys of Bangladesh (BoysOfBangladesh.org). “We can’t express ourselves as an LGBT person in Bangladesh. So it’s really tough for us.” Mannan and Tonoy were both also involved with BOB. The social group began as a Yahoo group in 2002, members using fake names and in the company of other gay men who could relate. Slowly, the group began to meet in person. Bangladesh has no laws on the books protecting LGBT people from discrimination, and same-sex marriage and
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civil unions are not legal. More than 90 percent of the population practices Islam. Abeureyad said only two cousins and two friends know he is gay. “If it is expressed, then I think it would be a shameful thing for me,” he said. “They will just hate me, they shall just not talk to me, they will try to avoid me. They will just try to make me leave this community, be straight. It’s a sin — be normal, go to doctor.” But with BOB, there was no judgment. Members organized seminars, workshops, picnics, parties, movie nights, and could talk to each other about school and boyfriend troubles. Rupban magazine, the LGBT publication Mannon was editor of, is the only one of its kind in the country. It also made waves by planning the first Rainbow Rally, which aligned with the Bengali New Year’s Day. However, after receiving threats from extremists, the police wouldn’t allow the parade to happen a third
Social group keeps gays connected in a hostile world Christiana Lilly time in 2016, Abeureyad said. Still, some people came together to continue with the parade and four people were arrested. Then, things got worse. Days later, Mannan and Tonoy were slaughtered by a gang. BOB members were in fear for their lives and being outed — they had moved to more visible social media networks, like Facebook, so they took down the page and disconnected from the Internet. “Everybody was so worried, and we were just seeing on the TV what was happening there,” Abeureyad said. “We were so scared.” Now, more than half a year later, the hurt is still there with the deaths of their close friends, but shows just how important BOB is to its members. Right now, it has about two dozen members. “I can’t even think of myself without BOB,” Abeureyad said. “BOB is my confidant.”
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Eating Disorders are a serious disease. You need someone who is an expert to help you navigate your recovery. Most people who have an eating disorder are in denial. So how do you know if you have a true eating disorder? Here are some warning signs:
Obsessing over food (when you are going to eat next, what you are going to eat, etc.)
Isolating from others so you can eat as much or as little as you want without others commenting.
Hiding food for consumption later, when you are alone.
Excusing yourself to go to the bathroom after each meal, so you can purge what you just ate.
Excessive exercising, sometimes for hours each day.
JCAHO Accredited Fully Licensed Non—Hospital Setting Supervised Grocery Shopping Group and Individual Therapy Apartment Residences 24 Hour On-Site Supervision
2525 Embassy Drive, Suite 10 Cooper City, FL 33026 www.milestonesprogram.org
If you think you or someone you love may have an eating disorder call us. We can offer you a free assessment to see if you have a disorder and if so, whether residential or outpatient treatment would be best for you. We have been helping men and women recover from eating disorders for over 17 years. Call us for help, 888 650-6809. November 2016 THE
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feature • history
The
Christiana Lilly
Forgotten Tragedy Before Pulse, there was the UpStairs Lounge in New Orleans
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n New Orleans’ French Quarter, countless people walk the intersection of Iberville Street and Chartres Street, perhaps to grab a drink at The Jimani, a bite at the Backspace Bar & Kitchen, or breakfast at Daisy Dukes. The site of the Upstairs Lounge fire. Photo by Christiana Lilly.
But look down, and a bronze plaque is embedded in the brick sidewalk, one with a flame and the names of 32 perished souls. Beneath a neon sign reading Dixie Divas, it sits at the feet of a burgundy door that houses the story of the UpStairs Lounge. It was June 24, 1973, nearly four years to the day of the infamous raid at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, when a gathering of LGBT people and their allies were laughing over drinks. By the end of the night, 29 were dead and another three would later die from their injuries. The next day, The Times-Picayune devoted its front page to the fire, headlined “29 KILLED IN QUARTER BLAZE” and printed a photo of onlookers in front of the charred building, as well as a portrait of a man in horror as he took in the damage. “I was 11 years old and I saw the front page of the newspaper,” remembers Johnny Townsend. “There was that picture of Rusty Quinton on the front cover looking up in horror at the bar. The expression on his face really struck me deeply.” To this day, no one has been arrested for the fire, and until recently, the tragedy disappeared into history. Townsend didn’t know the UpStairs Lounge was a gay bar until he came out. He was curious to learn more, and found that the newspapers didn’t print too much on the incident — even a lecture on New Orleans’ devastating fires left out the tragedy. “It killed more people than any other fire [in New Orleans], including the two that almost wiped out the city altogether,” he said. People recommended he speak to one person after another who was there that night, motivating him to write his book, “Let the Faggots Burn.” It took more than two decades before he found a publisher who thought it was a story worth telling. Filmmaker Robert Camina learned about the fire after he completed his documentary on the Rainbow Room raid, an incident eerily similar to that at Stonewall. As he looked into the fire, he decided to make a film and released “Upstairs Inferno” in 2015. It took three years of poring over records buried in archives, interviews, and multiple trips to New Orleans to complete the documentary. “It is as significant as Stonewall and Harvey Milk and other benchmark moments - Johnny Townsend of LGBT history, yet no Author one talks about it, no one
“I was 11 years old and I saw the front page of the newspaper. There was that picture of Rusty Quinton on the front cover looking up in horror at the bar. The expression on his face really struck me deeply.”
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feature • history
“This story was hidden for so long and the question is often asked of me, why don’t we know about it? Why was it hidden for so long? It’s important to preserve our history. Because if we don’t tell our stories, who will?” - Robert Camina Filmmaker knows about it,” he said. “I felt that the story needed to be told.” The UpStairs Lounge was located on the second floor of a three-story building that still stands today. A gay bar and also the home of gay-friendly Metropolitan Community Church services, a gathering of LGBT people and their allies were laughing over drinks. Just before 8 p.m., a buzzer at the door alerted patrons that someone’s cab had arrived. When a man opened the door, a wall of fire exploded into the bar. Patrons were trapped — some attempted to jump out of the windows, but they were blocked by steel bars while others were able to escape through a back door with the help of a bar employee. Outside, people looked on as the flames engulfed the building. The body of the Rev. Bob Larson hung out the front window in his attempt to escape, his hair and clothing burning. He would remain there for hours, no one bothering to cover him. Thirty-two people in all were killed by smoke inhalation or burns and 15 were injured. Three of the deceased are still listed simply as “unknown white male;” they may have been in town visiting or their families may have refused to claim their bodies. It was the largest massacre of LGBT people until the Orlando nightclub shooting earlier this year. To this day, no one has been arrested for the arson — the general consensus is that Rodger Nunez, who was thrown out of the bar just before the fire, did it. He killed himself a year later. “There might have been some
Featured on the cover of the documentary “Upstairs Inferno.”
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embarrassment and shame that the probable suspect was a member of the LGBT community, that it was possibly perpetrated by one of our own,” Camina said. The next day, newspapers published graphic details and photographs from the blaze, as was customary in journalism at the time. The photo of Larson’s body in the window was published on the front page of The Times-Picayune and the writer described a man begging for help from someone to remove a nickel from his pocket to make a phone call, his fingers too badly injured to do it himself, the moans of victims in the hospital as nurses mopped up blood, and a doctor removing dead skin from a patient. On the radio, DJs joked that the ashes of the dead could be stored in fruit jars. Passersby made comments like “I hope it burned their dresses off.” Neither the mayor of New Orleans or the governor of Louisiana acknowledged the tragedy. The Rev. Troy Perry traveled to the city from Los Angeles to aid the victims. He told NPR that one man, a schoolteacher, was fired from his job as he lay in the burn ward — he died the next day. The reverend called multiple churches asking for them to host the funeral services. He received laughs or hang ups until finally a Methodist church agreed. “The main point of my book was that … I wanted to give a little capsule of what each person was like, I wanted people to know that these were real people. They may not have been the most interesting or wonderful, but
Johnny Townsend, the author of “Let the Faggots Burn.” Photo by Larry Graham.
they were real,” Townsend said. In terms of its impact on LGBT history, the plaque on the site of the fire proclaims that the tragedy gave rise to the equality movement in the Crescent City. Not everyone agrees with that sentiment — the LGBT community in the city just wasn’t ready to stand up yet. “There wasn’t a bright silver lining in the wake of the fire, like after Stonewall,” Camina said of the motivation to fight after the iconic raid. “There wasn’t like this huge community emerging and digging their heels into the ground saying, ‘We’re not going to take this anymore.’ There wasn’t just this big activist uprising.” Townsend agrees. “The fire itself didn’t do it,” he said. “Gay people were still just too pressed down … I don’t know that the great community noticed anything, and it was probably just a small thing in the gay community, but it was a certainly noticed.” Now, decades after the arson at the UpStairs Lounge, more and more people are becoming aware of what happened. In the world premiere of “Upstairs Inferno,” on the 42rd anniversary of the fire, Camina brought together survivors, witnesses, first responders, and the fire marshal for the screening. Many had not seen each other in decades. The film has been accepted into its 35th film festival and has received rave reviews from both mainstream and LGBT festivals. “This story was hidden for so long and the question is often asked of me, why don’t we know about it? Why was it hidden for so long?” Camina said. “It’s important to preserve our history. Because if we don’t tell our stories, who will?”
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aent • blacksmith
HRC Releases Ultimate Guide to
Raising Trans Children Christiana Lilly
The groundbreaking guide will serve as a useful roadmap for parents, teachers, doctors, and allies
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The Human Rights Campaign teamed up with two national pediatrics groups to produce a comprehensive guide on transgender children to help family, friends, and physicians. The 24-page guide, Supporting and Caring for Transgender Children, was produced with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians (ACOP). It goes over basic definitions of gender, the benefits of affirming a child’s gender identity, debunks myths, and provides support and tips for those who care for transgender children. “As we’ve made more and more progress with transgender rights and our society is getting a deeper understanding of what it means to be transgender, more and more people are comfortable in coming out at younger ages,” said Sarah McBride, the national press secretary at HRC Youngsters like Jazz Jennings, who just celebrated her 16th birthday, have served as trailblazers in the advocacy world by sharing their stories with the world. In TLC’s “I Am Jazz,” the Jennings family shows how raising a transgender teenager includes run of the mill problems, as well as unique issues that arise. McBride said that Jazz has helped propel the dialogue in communities about transgender people, especially children. With the guide, she hopes that grandparents, parents, doctors, teachers, and mentors will be able to “support, affirm, and care for that child as they would want to do for anyone that they love.” In fact, it was those very people who made the guide come to fruition, McBride said. Families and friends of transgender people approached the HRC with questions, so the agency reached out to experts in the field to put together the guide. Plus, with two pediatric groups on board, it shows that the wellbeing of transgender children is not just important for an advocacy group or in politics, but because it’s the right thing to do. “It’s a testament to the fact that this is not a political issue. This is about science, this is about medicine, and this is about who transgender people say they are and what transgender people say they need,” McBride said. Over time, the groups hope that the guide will expand as more information is garnered and more people participate. A transgender woman herself, McBride said she didn’t come out until she was 21 — seeing the guide come together shows progress for the transgender community. “It’s empowering and inspiring and heartening to see more and more people coming out early. It’s a testament to some of the progress that we’re making. Until we live in a world where every person feels comfortable coming out and living their truth and where everyone who does that is met with support and affirmation, we have a lot of work to do,” she said. “It’s about kindness, it’s about respect, and it’s about allowing every person, including young people, to live their full selves and to spend every day living their life to the fullest.”
To access the guide, visit http://bit.ly/2elHgIE November 2016 THE
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feature • health
A New Way of Healing This latest fad isn’t for the feint of heart John McDonald
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feature • health
D
o you know what Glutathione is? effort to ensure a relaxed ambiance for the lounge experience. Chances are you don’t so here is a crash course. Tejada describes the lounge – with similar models in Broward Glutathione is an antioxidant that counteracts bad things and Palm Beach Counties – as offering concierge-like service the that happen to the human body. When the body shows signs of moment guests walk through its doors. deterioration, humans can take steps to counteract failing health. “We teamed up with a leading group of medical experts to Glutathione is part of the equation. create the best IV nutrient infusions in a high-end lounge setting,” Emmanuel Trenche, spokesman for Fort Lauderdale based Tejada said. Liquivida Lounge, said glutathione is essential to a healthy immune The lounge offers seven nutrient IV drips, giving guests a system. variety of options to improve their wellness. Executives seeking “Not having enough glutathione contributes to oxidative stress, to sharpen performance and relieve stress have their brand while which plays a major role in the mechanics of complex disorders,” other drips are offered that improve the appearance of skin, nails Trenche said. “In other words, oxidative stress affects the and hair; power cell defenses and even cure hangovers. composition and strength of your cell exposing you to disease.” All with the help of glutathione. At Liquivida Lounge, IV infusion with glutathione is available. “It’s one of the best anti-aging nutrients out there,” said The antioxidant is administered intravenously providing needed Newman. amino acids for the human body. Explaining how glutathione works in lay terms, Newman said: Doctor Howard Newman oversees the Liquivida Lounge “It grabs free radicals and makes them inactive.” operations in Coconut Creek in northwestern Broward County. Free radicals cause cell damage and interfere with normal cell Newman swears by the therapy’s results. Aside from IV infusion function, Newman said. Smoking, he said, causes free radicals. being the fastest way to restore health, glutathione, “When the body has certain stresses, it needs more Newman says, is an effective remedy. glutathione,” Newman said. “We’re getting good results with it,” A normal session takes anywhere between 30 Newman said. “It works well in women and to 45 minutes for the IV to be administered, men.” Newman said. Patients typically kick The Mirror Magazine visited three back in a reclining massage chair with different Liquivida Lounge locations flat screen televisions to watch during to observe and participate in the therapy. therapy. Prices vary depending on your In addition to rehydrating the body, selection. There are drips for many glutathione helps with skin lightening, different conditions. During our visit said Newman, giving some patients a to the Pompano Beach location, a “glow” and more energetic feel. Liquivida Lounge staff member pinched Celebrities such as Rhianna, Kim the arm of a reporter to determine a level Kardashian and Simon Cowell have - Dr. Howard of dehydration. successfully used IV therapy, said Newman. Newman “A lot of the patients are dehydrated,” On its website, the lounge lists several VIP Newman said. testimonials. Patients, Newman said, come in through referrals. “Those IV drips were amazing. I can’t even begin Cash and credit cards are accepted, Newman said, but to describe in words how great I felt after leaving Liquivida because Liquivida Lounge is classified as a wellness spa, standard Lounge, especially 2-3 days later. That massage chair sure didn’t health insurance, does not apply. hurt either,” said MMA fighter Steve Montgomery. “That’s just for catastrophic [insurance],” Newman said of the Flight attendants, professional athletes and busy corporate health care coverage offered in Florida under the Affordable Care executives fit the usual profile of an IV therapy patient, said Act. Emmanuel Trenche, marketing and public relations manager at Liquivida Lounge. The important thing to remember, Trenche A Lounge For Rejuvenation. said, is glutathione IV treatments slow down the aging process. “While glutathione is a naturally occurring molecule that is Tucked away in a shopping plaza off A-1-A in Fort Lauderdale’s found inside every cell of the body, levels decrease with age and Galt Mile is a lounge where drinks are served in untraditional low levels can cause many serious diseases,” Trenche said. “It has methods. This lounge focuses on wellness and nutrition and the been found to act as an antioxidant to other antioxidants as it has drip comes intravenously. the ability to maximize the activity of vitamin C and vitamin E.” Welcome to the future of healing. Not to be left out, Millennials, have a drip targeted for their “We created the Liquivita Lounge concept to bring nutrient IV lifestyle. Labeled “Rise and Shine,” this drip is customized for therapy to the masses,” says founder Samuel Tejada, a Broward society scene stealers recovering from a party hangover. County firefighter and paramedic. “Hungover? Bounce back and get moving quickly,” reads a page Raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Tejada now calls Coconut in a promotional Liquivida Lounge brochure. Creek home. He launched his premium wellness spa setting earlier What makes the Rise & Shine drip so effective? Liquivida this year after hearing a lot of positive buzz from similar startups officials point to Taurine, the drip’s most powerful ingredient. in Los Angeles. Taurine is an amino acid that works with electrolytes and The idea of voluntarily sticking a needle in your arm is still a bit Magnesium, a metal, and Chloride, a halogen, to detoxify cells. daunting for some so Tejada and his investors have made every
“We’re getting good results with it. It works well in women and men.”
Visit LiquividaLounge.com for more information. November 2016 THE
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Special edition From Miami to Indianapolis, there are no shortages when it comes to finding your next destination. Check out these classy favorites, then climb in that hot ride and get ready for your next adventure.
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Bars & Auto • datebook
DATEBOOK THE GREATEST SHOW ON H2O
Holiday Celebrations
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade celebrates its 45th anniversary on Dec. 10. Nearly 100 brightly decorated boats will parade down the New River and up the Intracoastal Waterway to ring in the holidays in South Florida. For more information, go to WinterfestParade.org.
HO! HO! HO!
Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, Santa Claus is coming to town and here are some concerts and special events to get you in the holiday spirit: DAVE KOZ Nov. 26, 8 p.m. Dave Koz may be Jewish, but the saxophonist loves Christmas music. He brings his annual Smooth Jazz Christmas Tour to Miami’s Arsht Center with special guests Jonathan Butler, Kenny Lattimore and Valerie Simpson. ArshtCenter.org
THE SANTALAND DIARIES Dec. 8 - 30 Brooks Braselman (“Mommie Queerest,” “Silver Balls,” “The Facts of Life: The Lost Episode”) returns to Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale as a disgruntled department store “elf” in David Sedaris’ wickedly funny one-man comedy. EmpireStage.org
GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA Dec. 11, 8 p.m. The 175-voice Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, under the direction of artistic director Harold Dioquino, “sings in” the holiday season with special guest and Broadway star Linda Eder at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood. Ticketmaster.com
CHRISTMAS ON LAS OLAS Nov. 29, 5 - 10 p.m. Breakthru Beverage Florida presents the 54th annual holiday celebration on Fort Lauderdale’s ritzy shopping strip. Enjoy musical performances by carolers and school groups, take a sled ride and don’t forget the holidays sales. LasOlasBoulevard.com
GEORGE BALANCHINE’S “THE NUTCRACKER” Dec. 9 - 30 Miami City Ballet performs George Balanchine’s beautiful choreography to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. Performances at the Arsht Center in Miami, Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale and Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. MiamiCityBallet.org
“MIRACLE ON 34th STREET” Dec. 16 - 17, 7:30 p.m. WLRN Radio Theater presents this holiday favorite as a radio play, complete with authentic sound effects, at the Broward Center’s Abdo New River Room. The performance will also be recorded and broadcast at a later date on WLRN-FM. BrowardCenter.org
DONNIE & MARIE Dec. 5, 8 p.m. She’s a little bit country and he’s a little bit rock ‘n roll, but the singing siblings both like Christmas songs. Don’t miss this special holiday performance at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. MyHRL.com
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SOUTH FLORIDA PRIDE WIND ENSEMBLE Dec. 10, 7 p.m. The Pride Wind Ensemble, the region’s LGBTQ and allies concert band under the direction of Dan Bassett, will perform a program of classical and popular holiday selections at the Broward Center that is sure to thrill audiences, both young and old. PrideWindEnsemble.org
bars & Auto • dIY
DIY LEGO® Mania
Putting It Together I don’t even break a sweat putting together IKEA furniture, but will I have the patience to successfully snap together hundreds of plastic LEGO® bricks to create kitschy Christmas decorations for my tree? We’ll find out.... I will never forget a particular childhood trip to Crown Center, a shopping center in downtown Kansas City. We lived about 100 miles away and a trip to the city was always special, but this trip was different. The shopping center, adjacent to Hallmark’s corporate offices, was hosting an exhibition of fantastic sculptures, all built with LEGO® bricks. There were life-size lions, tigers and elephants, skyscrapers, national monuments, cars, planes and trains. Like most kids, my sister and I always had hundreds of LEGO® bricks to play with, usually scattered on the floors of our rooms. We attempted simple projects but never could have dreamed the plastic pieces could be assembled in a way. When a press release for Chris McVeigh’s, “The LEGO® Christmas Ornament Book,” landed in my inbox a few weeks ago, I was immediately reminded of the wonder of that trip to the city. The 214-page book offered directions to complete 15 different holiday ornaments. Some were traditional, like a poinsettia blossom, wrapped present with a bow and and an angular wreath. There were also
various bulbs and pendants and even a desktop computer, camera and hamburger. My husband adores Christmas—a huge understatement, actually—and the holiday celebrations at our house are a major event, so I thought a theme tree decorated with LEGO® ornaments might become a focal point in our living room, worthy to compete with the six-foot long Christmas village and eight-foot tall polar bear on the front porch. How hard could it be? The book comes complete with a detailed parts list and beautifully illustrated decorations. The best part? Unlike assembling IKEA furniture, no annoying hex key or tiny screws are required. And these instructions were in color. If I could build that bookcase, a couple of ornaments should be a piece of cake. Unfortunately, I didn’t see the disclaimer on the back cover: This book is not authorized or endorsed by the LEGO Group. That meant all the necessary pieces wouldn’t be conveniently found in any pre-packaged set. Turns out it takes at least three different sets to complete the most impressive designs.
Thank to my Amazon Prime membership, the requisite pieces arrived the next day and I set out on this crafty endeavor. About 15 minutes in, I realized why my childhood ambitions for artistic greatness were never fulfilled, it’s hard! And tedious! And after a few minutes, the hard plastic pieces really started to hurt my fingers as I pressed them together. It took hours, but I finally applied the final, 71st piece to the ball depicted on the cover of the book. At this point, I realized that McVeigh and the other geniuses who manage to transform the bricks into ornate sculptures must have amassed huge college debt on engineering degrees. Whether it was ADD or just the simple satisfaction of completing one, I decided there would be no shame in resting on my laurels. No, there would not be a LEGO®-themed tree this Christmas, but I may just find a position of honor for the results of my labor. Now, what do I do with all the leftover pieces? – J.W. Arnold “The LEGO® Christmas Ornament Book” by Chris McVeigh 2016, No Starch Press 214 pg. $19.95
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Bars & Auto • On The Town
ON THE TOWN Mina’s Mediterraneo Miami
LADIES’ NIGHT
The Garden at Mina’s Mediterraneo on Miami’s Upper Eastside has become a popular monthly destination for South Florida’s lesbian community. The event regularly draws hundreds.
“I
first fell in love with Miami 13 years ago while touring with Cher,” admits former concert roadie and now restaurateur Yasmine Kotb, owner of Mina’s Mediterraneo. The Egyptian-born Texan eventually tired of long days on the road and nights in hotels while working for performers like Beyonce, Britney Spears and Paul McCartney. Three years ago, she mined the family recipes of her grandmother and mother and opened her Mediterranean-themed restaurant between Bel Meade and Miami Shores. “Cooking was always important in my family,” Kotb recalled. “I always enjoyed going out to eat while I was on the road, finding the places that were popular with the locals.” Word of mouth spread quickly after Mina’s opening, especially among the many LGBT couples who call the neighborhood home and were seeking a new hangout after the closing of Magnum, a popular local gay bar. More recently, Kotb expanded the space with a large outdoor dining area and added live music, still one of her passions. For the past several months, Mina’s has become a destination for hundreds of local lesbians at monthly mixers. She also hopes to add regular Sunday tea dances for gay men and their friends, promising to preserve the “local vibe” that she herself sought out during her touring career.
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Mina’s Mediterraneo 749 NE 79th St. Miami, FL 33138 MinasMiami.com
Smile, and the whole world smiles back.
$69 New Patients Comprehensive Exam, Digital X-Rays & Cleaning* *In the absense of gum disease.
$99 Whitening *Includes Custom Trays
General & Cosmetic Dentistry Located Conveniently on Wilton Drive Always Plenty of Free Parking New, All-Digital Equipment Most PPO Insurance Plans Accepted
954-565-7666 Dr. David K. Warner, DDS, FAGD Fellow, Academy of General Dentistry
1946 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors • FL 33305 www.IslandCitySmiles.com November 2016 THE
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Bars & Auto • Destination
DESTINATION Indianapolis, Indiana
Midwestern Oasis
Despite the bad rap the city received after an ill-conceived “Religious Freedom” bill was passed (and repealed) in 2015, Indianapolis is worth checking out: DINE
DRINK
STAY
Indianapolis is surrounded in every direction by hundreds of miles of corn fields, so it only makes sense that the city would boast a first class steak house, St. Elmo Steak House, 127 S. Illinois St. Even our cab driver called it the best in town. For a lighter meal, stop by Cafe Patachou, “A Student Union for Adults Since 1989,” 4901 N. Pennsylvania St. Enjoy the view of the state capitol while dining on a crisp salad and creamy bowl of soup or splurge on one of the huge omelets. Local burger fans swear by BurgerHaus, 335 W. 9th St., located on the scenic canal. The restaurant offers a full list of fantastic local craft beers, too.
Indy is the nation’s 12th largest city, so you’re bound to run into more than a few friendly gay people. These neighborhood bars are a great place to meet locals and get your bearings in the Hoosier State capital: Greg’s, 231 E. 16th St., features a heated patio and very active dance floor. Downtown Olly’s, 822 N. Illinois St., picutred above, is a sports bar “with a twist” for the LGBT Colts fans. Metro Nightclub and Restaurant, 707 Massachusetts Ave., is nestled in the heart of Indianapolis’ vibrant Arts District. If Boston has Cheers, “where everybody knows your name, then Indy has Zonie’s Closet, 1446 E. Washington, St., on the eastside.
A former church, The Inn at the Villa, 1456 N. Delaware St., a AAA Four Diamond Award-winner, offers an alternative to the traditional hotel without sacrificing location. Rates start at $204/night. For a boutique hotel experience in the Wholesale District, book your stay at the swanky and modern Le Meridien, 123 S. Illinois St. It’s conveniently located next door to St. Elmo Steak House in the heart of the lively neighborhood. Have hotel loyalty points to blow? Then select the J.W. Marriott, 10 S. West St. The hotel is adjacent to the convention center, baseball stadium and just a short walk away from Lucas Oil Stadium.
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Norman Elliott Kent & Russell Cormican 12 S.E. 7th Street, Suite 709 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 www.NormKent.com
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Bars & Auto • Quotable
QUOTABLE Edison Farrow
For more than 15 years, Edison Farrow has been one of the leading event promoters and concert producers in Miami Beach. The South Beach Social Club founder was the man behind all the most successful, see-and-be-seen parties on the beach. Today, he is owner of The Cabaret South Beach dinner show at Yucca restaurant on Lincoln Road. ON THE CHALLENGES OF BEING A PROMOTER People always complain that there is not enough to do. However, it is difficult to get people involved and excited when new venues open. People need to participate and support LGBT venues when they open in order to keep our community going. ON HIS BIGGEST SUCCESS People remember me for my long running events: “Martini Tuesdays”, Thursdays at Buck15 Lounge, Fridays at Jade Lounge and Drag Brunch at Samba Room. ON THE LATEST NIGHTLIFE TRENDS People are interested in smaller, more intimate venues. They do not want to be lost in a huge nightclub. ON THE FUTURE OF THE LGBT SCENE South Beach is always changing. ON HIS LATEST VENTURE I just started a brand new dinner show....We have fantastic singers, burlesque, tap dancing, choreography and a live band.
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KEEP YOUR EYES ON
South Florida Gay News
SFGN.com @SoFlaGayNews
SouthFloridaGayNews It’s about time. It’s about us. A paper that speaks with you, to you, and about you. A paper that pulls no punches, protects our friends, defends our allies, and defines our adversaries. Our goal is to have you make our paper your home page.
Welcome to the South Florida Gay News.
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