The Mirror v9iss3

Vol. 9 Issue 3 • July - August 2020

S O U T H

F L O R I D A

G A Y

N E W S

LGBT HEROES NEW COMICS BY THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE COMMUNITY PAGE 28

THEMIRRORMAG.COM

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

(bik-TAR-vee)

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:  Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.  Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.  Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.  Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.  Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.  The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

 Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you

have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains:  dofetilide  rifampin  any other medicines to treat HIV-1

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you:

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.

 Have or have had any kidney or liver problems,

including hepatitis infection.  Have any other health problems.  Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby.

Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.  Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed.

Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:  Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-

counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at

MyDailyCharge.com

 This is only a brief summary of important information

about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

 BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other.

Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

GET MORE INFORMATION

 Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5  If you need help paying for your medicine,

visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.

Version date: February 2020 © 2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0197 03/20

HUGO LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 1995 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT

KEEP CONNECTING. Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

See Hugo’s story at BIKTARVY.com.

Featured patient compensated by Gilead.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.

TABLE OF CONTENTS PUBLISHER’S EDITORIAL Trump Making A Treaty With The Past Page 10 NEWS Costume Designer Saves Lives At Sewing Machine Page 12 FEATURE Rooster’s Owner Hopeful As Rebuilding Challenges Unfold Page 14 FEATURE South Florida’s Campbell Foundation Turns 25 Page 18 FEATURE Road To Miami Wasn’t Short (Or Straight) For Elizabeth Schwartz Page 20 FOOD Thai One On: Thai Spice Offers Quality Ingredients And Excellent Service Page 26 FEATURE Comic Book Creator Spotlights LGBT Heroes In Unique Series Page 28

6 | THE

| JULY - AUGUST 2020

GADGETS Michelin Multi-Function Power Source XR1 Page 34 FEATURE Football Unites: The Miami Dolphins Hopes To Bring The Community Together With Football Page 36 PROFILE Longest-Running Florida Gay Rights Law Hits 30-Year Mark Page 42 FEATURE Getting Nude To Feel Renewed: Dan Carter Leads The Trend In Naked Yoga Page 48 CARS Is The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 Tragically Down-Market Or Magically Wonderful?

Page 54 FILM Screen Savor: Five Movies To Watch While You’re Stuck At Home Page 60

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA GAY NEWS

JULY - AUGUST 2020 Vol 9 | Issue 3 2520 N. Dixie Highway | Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954.530.4970 Fax: 954.530.7943

PUBLISHER

NORM KENT norm.kent@sfgn.com

Associate Publisher/ JASON PARSLEY Executive Editor jason.parsley@sfgn.com

EDITORIAL Art Director BRENDON LIES artwork@sfgn.com Webmaster KIM SWAN Senior Features Reporter DAMON SCOTT A&E Editor J.W. ARNOLD Food Editor RICK KARLIN

SALES & MARKETING For ad placement in the Mirror Magazine, CONTACT 954-530-4970 Sales Manager JUSTIN WYSE justin@sfgn.comm Senior Advertising Assoc. EDWIN NEIMANN edwin@sfgn.com Sales Consultant CHARLES REID Distribution Services NOAH LEBEL Printing PRINTER’S PRINTER National Advertising RIVENDELL MEDIA Accounting Services CG BOOKKEEPING Cover: Pictured left: Left to right are Kian (bear bisexual), Queen Izaar (drag hero), Jennifer “Sidekicker” (straight ally), and Neveah (transgender). Image courtesy of Fernando Velez.

The Mirror is published bi-monthly. 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 © 2020, South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

Associated Press Florida Press Association National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association

8 | THE

| JULY - AUGUST 2020

(954) 541-2550 2201 North Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 www.wiltonmanorsanimalhospital.com wiltonmanorsanimalhospital@gmail.com

PUBLISHER’S EDITORIAL

TRUMP MAKING A TREATY WITH THE PAST OUR FIGHT GOES ON TODAY

E

ach year, two million visitors travel to the remote Black Hills of South Dakota and trek their way up to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Entering at the Avenue of Flags, they peer up at the 450,000 tons of stone carved into the august mountains. Most are awed at the architectural magnificence of the 60-foot visages of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt.

The faces chiseled into the stones celebrate champions who helped build the United States of America. They were carved by a man who celebrated the confederacy.

Gutzon Borglum was the visionary sculptor who crafted the presidential stones. Earlier in his life, he had earned recognition working on Stone Mountain in Georgia, where he had partnered with the Ku Klux Klan and Daughters of the Confederacy.

The presidential monument was casually named after Charles E. Rushmore, a white attorney from New York City, tasked with the job of reviewing titles for a growing mining company. He too, had no ties to the land or Sioux history.

When both men arrived to work on this architectural masterpiece, the land had already been designated as “Six Grandfathers Mountain,” so named to represent the Earth, the Sky, and the four directions the ridge faces — north, east, south and west.

The Lakota Indians, of course, had the right to so name the ridge. It was their rock and their land, granted to them by an 1868 treaty our American government chose to trample upon.

America signed many treaties with native Americans. We never honored any of them.

We also drafted a constitution that said all men were created equal, unless you were black. Then you were a slave.

On July 3, the 45th president of the United States came to celebrate Independence Day at Mount Rushmore. Slurring words he read off a teleprompter, he toughly promised to preserve and protect the monuments.

Listening under a majestic summer sky and soft breeze, the nearly all-white crowd generously applauded. In this sea of privilege and supremacy, the commander in chief must have been happy.

10 | THE

| JULY - AUGUST 2020

A noble president could have held a moment of silence for those who have lost their lives in this pandemic, over 135,000 Americans.

He could have united our spirit, nationalized our effort, globalized our response. He could have said something about the massacre of the Sioux in 1890 at Wounded Knee last week, too.

It did not happen.

Lost in the evening’s summer breeze was the true legacy and history of Mount Rushmore. It does not belong to white Americans from New York City. It does not belong to architects who found friends with Ku Klux Klan members.

Mount Rushmore belongs to the Lakota Indians of the Sioux Tribe, no matter what names white Americans give it. It is their flag that should be planted in those mountains.

In the first year of law school, 45 years ago on Long Island in New York, I learned that you cannot get good title to stolen property.

The faces of our presidents chiseled in those rocks can stand for another century. It won’t alter one iota the historical injustice about how they got there.

The Lakota Indians have never given up their hold on the mountain ridge. It was in August of 1970 that a group of activists took over Mount Rushmore and held it for months, temporarily renaming it “Crazy Horse Mountain.” It was their Stonewall.

I don’t expect you to remember, but after Martin Luther King was slain in 1968, American cities erupted in protest and flames. A city of tents was established on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. It was named “Resurrection City.”

A year later, in 1969, angered over years of brutality and abuse, gays gathered up against New York City police in a place called the Stonewall Inn. 50 years later, we still celebrate that day. At the same time, we still must go to courts to protect our rights.

// Norm Kent

 Fireworks over Mount Rushmore.

Photo credit: U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marc I. Lane.

In our world of future shock, we forget what happened last year, let alone a half century ago. A hundred years ago, America overcame a pandemic as well. The country will survive this one too.

Life as we know it will never be lived again as we knew it. Somehow, we will push forward and persevere. Today’s days are as difficult as they come, but our forefathers only guaranteed us the right to pursue happiness. They did not guarantee the same. That’s on us. If you want a helping hand, look at the end of your own arm.

Only in a country as strong as ours can you wage a war for social justice against racial equality while challenging a lawless president and worldwide pandemic. Enjoy the ride. We are all on the clock.

Our forefathers were flawed and imperfect men, many with many flaws. Donald Trump is just another corrupt leader who carries that rich tradition forward. We elect them again and again. But beware, Mr. Trump. We also overthrow kings, we don’t crown them.

When our forefathers crafted the Declaration of Independence and our constitution, our founders left out women.

They treated blacks as property; as slaves.

They trampled on treaties, and ignored the working poor. Forget about gays or transgender persons. Deviant perverts, they were.

Our nation, our courts, our laws, and our people have not always lived up to the words we placed on parchment over two hundred years ago, but the struggle continues. Somehow, we still wound up with Yosemite Park, the Pacific Ocean, Hostess Cup Cakes, and a Walmart on every corner. Keep the faith.

We have a ways to go before we get there.

There is a Mount Rushmore for you to build, one where everyone gets a place at the table and a seat in the crowd.

NEWS

COSTUME DESIGNER

SAVES LIVES AT SEWING MACHINE

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Rick Peña created award-winning costumes for regional theater productions. Credit: A.J. Cola.

// J.W. Arnold

T

he stage may have gone dark prematurely for award-winning costume designer Rick Peña, but he’s back at work in his sewing room on a life-saving project.

Over the past 10 years, Peña has designed and sewn thousands of dazzling costumes for Slow Burn Theatre Co. and other regional theaters. (A talented actor and singer, he’s also frequently featured on stage.)

More recently, he joined the staff of American Heritage School’s nationallyrecognized theater program as resident costume designer. And, then the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of schools, performing arts centers and other public venues, just as he was preparing for two major productions.

“I just couldn’t watch the news anymore,” the Fort Lauderdale resident said. “I needed to do something, but wasn’t quite sure what I could do by myself.” 

12 | THE

| JULY - AUGUST 2020

Then, a call came from a cousin who manages a produce company. She was seeking masks so her employees could safely continue to provide fruits and vegetables to her customers.

Always resourceful, Peña found a pattern online and quickly whipped out a few masks. Jill Kratish, the Broward Center’s director of programming and a friend, then referred him to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, which was suffering a shortage of masks for nurses, doctors and other frontline workers.

“I went to Walmart and JoAnn’s [Fabrics] and found some fun ‘superhero’ prints, since they’re the real heroes right now,” he said of the 50 masks he initially provided the hospital.

He would go on to create colorful masks, even adding Star Wars- and Disney-themed styles as he came upon interesting fabrics.

Thanks to social media, word of Peña’s inspiring contributions to the effort spread and requests multiplied. He spent hours at the sewing machine, but quickly ran out of fabric and supplies. Luckily, friends and family came to the rescue donating hundreds of yards of fabric and industrial-sized spools of elastic.

His experience led him to eventually alter his pattern as some of the hospitals requested the addition of pockets for disposable filters, so the masks could be washed and reused. Since then, he has provided hundreds of additional masks to Holy Cross Hospital, Prideline Youth Services and other essential service providers.

“I’ve tried to keep it as simple as I can,” he said, but never abandoning the stylish flair that made him so successful creating eye-catching costumes. “I’m going to keep sewing until I can’t anymore. I just want everyone to be safe.”

The weeks have passed quickly — he says he’s lost track of time since undertaking the project — and at last count, Peña has completed more than 800 masks.

Those popular “superhero” prints he discovered weeks ago may be long gone from store shelves, but he’s proving to be an unsung superhero himself in the fight against the pandemic.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE SUPPLIES, CONTACT PEÑA AT FACEBOOK.COM/RICKP83 OR AT RICKP83@MAC.COM.

FEATURE

ROOSTER’S OWNER HOPEFUL AS

REBUILDING CHALLENGES

UNFOLD

IT’LL TAKE MORE THAN HALF A MILLION TO GET THE BAR OPEN AGAIN // Damon Scott

H

.G. Rooster’s in West Palm Beach may have partially burnt down, but it’s clear its heart still beats strong.

On May 19, a major fire destroyed the kitchen and parts of the roof at the iconic LGBT bar on Belvedere Road. It was determined by the fire marshal to be accidental — likely starting in a pile of soiled rags.

The bar was closed at the time of the fire. Owner A.J. Wasson got a call from his manager, David Zen, at 2 a.m.

FEATURE “I was in bed. My husband asked: ‘What are you going to do?’ and I immediately said: ‘I have no choice; I have to rebuild.’ I knew I had to rebuild. If I have to sell my house, sell any real estate — I’ll do what I have to do,” Wasson said.

But the situation quickly got more complicated when it was revealed that the bar’s insurance policy had lapsed in April.

Wasson said when the policy was due to expire; his agent said it would be $25,000 to be paid upfront — a huge lump sum to renew.

Roosters was already closed because of COVID-19, so Wasson decided to use the money he had on hand to keep paying his eight full time employees instead.

“I’ve got eight children and they have to eat and pay the bills and rent,” Wasson said. “They work off of tips.”

Roosters qualified for the federal government’s PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan, which helped with some of the payroll costs, he said.

But after an initial estimate that the rebuilding of the kitchen and roof would cost about $300,000 and take three-to-six months — more damage was discovered at the bar.

“There is smoke and water damage throughout,” Wasson said.

“It’s irreparable. We’re just keeping the shell now and taking it back to bare bones. All new — everything. We might be able to save the floor.”

He said the main mahogany bar should be able to be salvaged as well. But the new estimate for repairs to the 2,700 square foot building is now up to $543,000.

“We were hoping for three to six months [to reopen] and I don’t know whether that’s moved at all or not,” Wasson said. “One of the variables we don’t know about is the permitting process.”

LGBT HEART, SOUL Roosters is referred to as iconic, because it is. Before there was a Compass Community Center, there was an ad hoc Roosters Community Center. It’s long been a place where people congregate and meet with friends.

“Roosters was the original LGBT center here in Palm Beach County.

They’ve been helping LGBT people and those living with HIV/AIDS long before Compass was around,” said Julie Seaver, executive director of Compass. “I don’t even know if we would have a Compass without the people that started Roosters. It’s just so heartbreaking. I am sure they will prevail. They will rebuild.”

Its operation since 1984, it’s one of Florida’s oldest LGBT bars and the oldest in Palm Beach County. It’s been in operation since 1984.

Wasson has been with the bar on and off from the beginning and has owned it since 2006.

Roosters was helping LGBT people and those living with HIV/AIDS long before Compass was around.

Customers refer to it as the heart and soul of the LGBT community in the Palm Beaches — a lifesaver for many over the years.

ROOSTERS IS REFERRED TO AS ICONIC, BECAUSE IT IS. BEFORE THERE WAS A COMPASS COMMUNITY CENTER, THERE WAS AN AD HOC ROOSTERS COMMUNITY CENTER. A GoFundMe page — “We Are Roosters” — was quickly set up by Rooster’s entertainment director Melissa St. John, to raise funds to help rebuild. The donations rolled in early and often, and at press time more than 320 supporters had pledged almost $57,000 of a $100,000 goal.

Roosters has had quick support from both its customers and city and county officials.

“The city [of West Palm Beach] has been absolutely wonderful,” Wasson said. “Often when you deal with city officials the answer is no.

So far I’ve never heard the word no; it’s always — let’s see how we can make this happen.”

Part of the process of rebuilding is permitting, and part of it is securing a small business loan to cover the increasing costs to rebuild.

“The county is helping us to try and acquire a small business loan,” Wasson said. “I sometimes feel that they want us to open as badly as we want to open.”

Fundraising efforts didn’t stop with the GoFundMe campaign, either. On June 28, a gathering was organized by Wasson’s friend and Roosters customer, Chris Rhoades, at West Palm’s Petanque Kitchen & Bar. It was held in its outdoor spaces with lots of social distancing and hand sanitizer.

At press time, Wasson didn’t yet know how much money was raised at the event.

‘MIND-BLOWING’ RESPONSE Immediately after the fire, a bright side to all the challenges began to emerge. Wasson said the response to the fire continues to be “mind-blowing.”

“There is so much love and support out there for us to reopen,” he said.

Pictured left: A look at the damage inside of H.G. Roosters.

Photo via GoFundMe.

Inspecting the damage inside of the bar.

Photo via GoFundMe.

JULY - AUGUST 2020 | THE

| 15

FEATURE

TEARS OF JOY The day after the fire was put out, Wasson went to Roosters to start cleaning up. He said the bar area was dreadful, horrific.

Everything was black and covered in yucky, greasy soot.

The front door has a slot for mail and all of it was black, too.

But there was one clean, white envelope on the pile that had to have been put through the slot sometime after firefighters had extinguished the blaze just hours before.

“I opened it and there was a note that said: ‘Dear Roosters, I’ve never been to your bar before, but I know how much it means to our community. Please accept this donation to help you rebuild,’” Wasson recalled while tearing up.

There was a $50 check with the note.

“All we hear is how hellacious people are today and we never feel the love,” Wasson said. “I wrote the guy back and said how much it meant to me, that the timing couldn’t have been better.”

The tears started up again after another person who had never been to the bar donated $100.

Meanwhile, Wasson and his staff wanted to do something for the firefighters who spent hours with a challenging fire that was tough to extinguish. So they got some meals together for the firefighters and took them to the fire station a couple times.

Soon after, Jayson French with the West Palm Beach Firefighters Association got Wasson on the phone.

“He wanted to say how much our kindness meant to him and all the other firefighters. He said they’d gotten together and pooled some money to make a donation toward the rebuilding costs,” Wasson said.

The amount was $9,000 and the firefighters had an oversized rainbow colored check made for a ceremony at the station July 2.

“This is money out of their own pockets,” Wasson said through more tears. “To see this kind of love, it’s completely overwhelming.

The most overwhelming thing about all of this has been the love.”

“TO SEE THIS KIND OF LOVE, IT’S COMPLETELY OVERWHELMING. THE MOST OVERWHELMING THING ABOUT ALL OF THIS HAS BEEN THE LOVE.” - A.J. WASSON, OWNER

Inside what remains of the kitchen in H.G. Roosters.

Photo via GoFundMe.

SAME BAR, NEW LOOK Wasson said when Roosters reopens; customers can expect some changes — good ones.

The bar historically hasn’t served food, even though it had the ability to do so with the (now destroyed) kitchen.

“We’re a bar, we don’t want to mess with that, but we’ll have a larger kitchen and offer some great bar-style food like chicken wings and pizza,” Wasson said. “A lot of customers have told bartenders that it’d be nice to have some food.”

Wasson said it won’t be typical greasy bar food, but “yummy, fresh items” designed by a chef friend.

He expects to also add a showroom in the back by the new kitchen. Roosters is also know for the loyal patrons who attend shows, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

“We want people to come in and be wowed, but we don’t want them to say: ‘What happened to Roosters?’” Wasson said.

The bar area will be slightly reconfigured and there will be a DJ booth in the back of the showroom.

“We’re going to put in a lot of windows,” Wasson said. “At least 10 windows.”

Visit RoostersWPB.com for more information.

16 | THE

| JULY - AUGUST 2020

PRIMARY VOTE AUGUST 18th We can CREATE a Sheriff’s Office that Respects, Protects and Includes everyone in OUR community.

DEMOCRAT

SANTIAGO

VAZQUEZ FOR

BROWARD COUNTY

SHERIFF

Approved and Paid for by Santiago Vazquez Democratic Candidate for Sheriff of Broward County.

FEATURE

SOUTH FLORIDA’S CAMPBELL FOUNDATION TURNS

25 // Damon Scott

‘THE MISSION HASN’T STOPPED’ Keynote speaker Dr. Mario Stevenson speaking at Campbell’s 25 Anniversary at ArtServe. Photo via The Campbell Foundation, Facebook.

K

en Rapkin gets it: We are living in a time when people are juggling multiple responsibilities, dealing with new anxieties and often simply trying to make ends meet and get through the day.

With all the focus on COVID-19 and a new normal, who’s thinking about the threat of HIV/AIDS? “The general public thinks it’s over,” Rapkin, executive director of the Fort Lauderdale-based Campbell Foundation, said.

“Unfortunately, people are burnt out on it and it’s not a sexy thing now. HIV gets pushed aside – the same happens with breast cancer.

People say: ‘We did the 10K walk.’ Well, that doesn’t mean it’s gone.”

Rapkin said South Florida is still a hotspot for HIV, even with consistent outreach and widespread services in the area.

The reasons for it are complicated. One, Rapkin said, is simply that South Florida has more people with HIV/AIDS who live here.

“And there are a lot of immigrants from different places that come and have no sex education. There are people walking around who don’t know they’re infected. And there’s still a lot of stigma – a huge stigma still,” Rapkin said.

With South Florida’s resources and services – arguably above average compared to many regions – Rapkin said it would be reasonable to assume we have a better handle on the problem.

“But the numbers don’t lie. It’s not all stupid kids, either; it’s gay men over 50 who say: ‘I’ve been safe long enough.’ They’re not on PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) yet. Even though it’s not a death sentence anymore, it still causes premature aging and other comorbidities.”

Indeed many of the research grants the Campbell Foundation funds are focused on how to manage those comorbidities – one of which is dementia – something that is happening to those in their 50s, when typically it would be those in their 80s, Rapkin said.

The comorbidities rear their head in pediatric patients, too.

Rapkin mentions a 30-year-old girl who has osteoporosis.

“While we can control HIV, there are people are dying at a younger age of comorbidities,” Rapkin said, in their 30s, 40s and 50s.

“These are conditions you wouldn’t see until you’re 80 – especially in pediatric patients,” he said. “It’s just not a sexy topic. People are sick of hearing about it. It’s a bummer,” Rapkin said.

But while Rapkin may seem a bit pessimistic about public sentiment, he’d more accurately be described as a perpetual optimist when it comes to HIV/AIDS research.

He’s lived in South Florida since age 13, and now at 56, he has a macro view of all that has transpired here, including his 25 years at the Campbell Foundation.

While the foundation operates a small office and staff, its reach for more than two decades and running can’t be overstated.

“THE MISSION HASN’T STOPPED AS FAR AS GRANT MAKING,” RAPKIN SAID.

THAT MISSION: PROVIDE RESEARCH GRANTS FOR HIV/AIDS.

FEATURE “The mission hasn’t stopped as far as grant making,” Rapkin said.

That mission: provide research grants for HIV/AIDS. He said there aren’t many small foundations left that are doing it.

In addition to research grants, Campbell issues annual “Holiday Hug Grants” at the end of each year. Those funds help those doing the work in the trenches, like the Poverello Center or Latinos Salud – for bus passes, shoes, dental work. “Lots of things that aren’t covered by insurance,” Rapkin said.

The Campbell Foundation generates quick turnaround relief grants, too – something it did on the fly as the effects of COVID-19 started to sink in.

It recently issued $2,500 grants to 10 local organizations as a shotin-the-arm, unrestricted grant.

“The idea was: you know what you need more than we do,” Rapkin said. “We may need to do it again.”

The bulk of what the Campbell Foundation does is the longerterm research grants that are tightly controlled and require detailed progress reports.

The organization has funded $11.5 million in such grants over its 25 years – seeding money to young researchers as a private foundation.

(The “Holiday Hug Grants” account for about $1.5 million of that amount).

LIP BALM EMPIRE

“AS LONG AS THERE IS AIDS OR AIDS RESEARCH, WE’LL GO UNTIL WE’RE DONE.” - KEN RAPKIN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR long they’ve been working on cancer, MS, Parkinson’s – HIV is one of those things. Covid might become like HIV,” Rapkin said.

Rapkin said Zahn would be proud of what the foundation has accomplished in his name, with efficiency and effectiveness.

“We don’t have company cars and cell phones and aren’t funding travel expenses. The money we give out is as tight as we can get it,” Rapkin said. “As long as there is AIDS or AIDS research, we’ll go until we’re done.”

He’s got eight board members with trustees helping along the way.

“I approach every day from the grant seekers point of view. We’re able to do things in a quick, fast, responsible manner,” Rapkin said.

It was a chemist with HIV who would die of AIDS that started the Campbell Foundation.

Richard Campbell Zahn was a chemist by trade and would go on to invent Herpecin L – made in to a lip balm for cold sores and other conditions. He’s known as the first person to produce such a medicated lip balm.

It was manufactured in Fort Lauderdale and was very lucrative.

Rapkin worked for Zahn in those early years. After Zahn died of AIDS in 1995, the company was sold and the assets were used to start the foundation.

Rapkin remembers Zahn as one who was very vocal about the government ignoring the AIDS crises.

ON TO THE NEXT 25 YEARS Rapkin said HIV is tricky. There are many strains throughout the world. There’s an HIV in Cameroon, Africa, for example, that’s different than the one in the U.S. “Our medicines wouldn’t work there,” Rapkin said. “I once asked a doctor why that hasn’t happened here. He said: ‘Luck.’ It’s a fastchanging, mutating bug. There are trials going on all the time for a vaccine and they get closer and closer and closer, but it’s eluded us.”

Rapkin said because of HIV’s cellular and DNA makeup, it’s hard to develop a vaccine that’s effective for humans. Still, there’s hope.

“A lot of the studies are on mice bred with human DNA systems.

What happens in this particular mouse is more likely to happen in a human,” Rapkin said.

Rapkin said Gilead Sciences and the federal government has been funding ongoing vaccine initiatives. There are also studies in work for an injectable AIDS medication that would be effective for three to six months or more, versus, for example, taking a daily PrEP pill.

“We’re working on things like that. We’ve made incredible strides.

From drop dead within a year to now: 30 drugs on the market and pregnant mothers with HIV having a baby that’s negative. Look how

More is at campbellfoundation.net.

Keynote speaker Dr. Mario Stevenson (left) and Executive Director Ken Rapkin at Campbell’s 25 Anniversary at ArtServe. Photo via The Campbell Foundation, Facebook.

JULY - AUGUST 2020 | THE

| 19

FEATURE

ROAD TO MIAMI WASN’T SHORT (OR STRAIGHT)

y FOR

Elizabeth Schwartz // Damon Scott

Elizabeth Schwartz. Photo courtesy of Damon Scott.

LL

ife’s pivotal moments aren’t always recognized as such in real time.

Elizabeth Schwartz had an early one. She’d just finished her second through eighth grade education at a Jewish day school near her childhood home in the Hollywood suburbs. Schwartz was one in a class of 18.

Her parents gave her a choice: continue her education at the Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale or go to the public school down the street.

“I remember thinking: I’m pretty sure the world isn’t only 18 white people,” Schwartz said. “I’m pretty sure I should know the rest of the world, that’s probably a good thing.”

She chose Hollywood Hills High School. The more realworld, urban experience would lead her to another pivotal moment: a decision to follow in the footsteps of her father and attend the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Schwartz left for Penn in 1989.

“I was a real activist in undergrad. It was not long after the bombings of the MOVE houses,” she said.

MOVE was a black liberation group. On May 13, 1985, ongoing tensions between MOVE and the Philadelphia Police Department came to a head and erupted.

The city dropped a satchel bomb (typically used in military combat) on the group, which was living in a west Philadelphia rowhome occupied by men, women and children.

Eleven people were killed (including five children and the founder), 61 homes were destroyed and more than 250 people were left homeless.

“It was a time in Philly of a lot of racial tension and the black community was under siege,” Schwartz said. “I did a lot of work in the black community.”

She also earned a minor in African-American studies.

Schwartz was not only immersed in racial justice issues, but also in the plight of those experiencing homelessness and in reproductive rights.

She recalls protesting with a sign that had wire hangers on

Turn the page to continue reading.

20 | THE

| JULY - AUGUST 2020

t c e l E Re-

STEVE

GLASSMAN FOR FORT LAUDERDALE CITY COMMISSION, DISTRICT 2

As your City Commissioner, I will continue to lift every voice, and foster an environment of trust and respect for everyone in every corner of our community.

AC Action P a id r o l F lity

by Equa Endorsed

ReelectSteve.com VOTE Tuesday, November 3, 2020 Register to Vote: BrowardSOE.org Political Advertisement Paid and Approved by Steven Glassman, Non-Partisan, for Fort Lauderdale City Commission, District 2.

x

FEATURE it. It said: “This is not a surgical instrument,” referring to the issue of back alley abortions.

“It occurred to me that here I was trying to be this activist, but I was really always outside of the establishment trying to rattle the cage, sign the petitions,” she said. “I realized that I wasn’t as effective as I wanted to be, so I had my epiphany to go to law school. I was thinking that so many people who have affected social change have done so with a law degree.”

Schwartz, 48, had the activist streak in her before those consequential years at Penn.

“I grew up in a family that was very involved in the community,” she said. “My parents were, my mom still is, very involved in the Jewish community and trying to help others with a sense of the importance of giving back and acknowledging your privilege. It’s a central tenant in the Judaism I grew up with: moral values and healing the world. I always grew up with a sense of pride in who I am.

Even as who I am evolved.”

Her mother, who she is very close to, still lives in Schwartz’ childhood home where she lived since she was 11 days old. Her father, who Schwartz said was her best friend, died about five years ago. She is the youngest of six.

‘YOU NEED TO HIRE ME’ It was off to University of Miami School of Law in 1994. Soon after, Schwartz came out as a lesbian.

“When I think about coming out as a lawyer, [SFGN publisher] Norm [Kent] was one of the early pioneers that sort of made us think that it was OK, and that the world was safe,” Schwartz said. “He said to lift your

I

“I REALIZED THAT I WASN’T AS EFFECTIVE AS I WANTED TO BE, SO I HAD MY EPIPHANY TO GO TO LAW SCHOOL.”

- Elizabeth Schwartz 22 | THE

| FEBRUARY - MARCH 2020

Elizabeth Schwartz with her book, “Before I Do.” Photo courtesy of Damon Scott.

voice, don’t just put your head down and practice, but be out and do your thing.”

Years before Schwartz would go on to operate her own practice, she went through another of those pivotal moments.

She discovered two gay men who had the gay law firm in South Beach.

“I said: ‘you need to hire me.’ And they said: ‘we don’t hire people,’” Schwartz recalls.

The two men were Paul Crockett and Jerry Chasen of the now defunct Crockett & Chasen.

Schwartz persisted: “I said: ‘you don’t hire people, but you have to hire me. You think you represent the gay community, but you don’t have a woman, so you’re not representing the gay community.’”

The partners held firm, but Crockett was in the midst of writing a book on HIV law and Schwartz managed to convince him to let her volunteer to check his sources. It got her foot in the door.

She’d end up working at the firm for about four years, which specialized in many

areas that affected the LGBT community, including estate planning, probate and viatications.

Schwartz said she remembers viatications very well. It’s when an individual sells his life insurance policy to an investor for a portion of the face value.

“It was right at the beginning of the antiretroviral [HIV] therapies getting passed by the FDA,” Schwartz said. “We were on South Beach, really God’s waiting room — guys were coming to die.”

Selling a portion of a policy was a way for the men to quickly get needed funds to provide some comfort in the face of certain death.

As time went on and drug therapies advanced, people were living longer and so viatications decreased in frequency, Schwartz said.

“There really weren’t other lawyers here in Miami whose practice just focused on the LGBT community,” she said. “We got a lot of press for that. It was really not something that a lot of folks were doing.”

Medical • Surgical • Aesthetic Specialists

Same-day appointments reserved with Eric C. Wilkerson, MD, FAAD Board-Certified Dermatologist Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon Fellowship-Trained Cosmetic Dermatologist Providing an exceptional patient experience to those seeking a distinctive level of dermatologic care.

Skin Cancer Screenings General Dermatology • Botox Chemical Peels • Fillers PRP Hair Restoration Microneedling FORT LAUDERDALE DERMATOLOGY DR. ERIC WILKERSON

954.546.3376

2021 E. Commercial Blvd., Suite 301 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

FORTLAUDERDALEDERM.COM *Does not apply to packages and cannot be combined.

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

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2020 | THE

| 23

FEATURE ‘NOT DONE YET’ The firm would later split up and Schwartz went solo in 2000. She continued to practice in South Beach until a few years ago when she moved to midtown Miami.

Schwartz said her private practice has advanced in tandem with the timeline of issues the gay community has gone through.

She began to meet lesbians who wanted to have babies. She arranged sperm donor agreements and orchestrated surrogacy arrangements. (Gay people weren’t able to legally adopt in Florida until 2010).

“We were the last state in the country to remove the ban on gay people adopting,” Schwartz said.

Florida was, however, the 36th state to legalize same-sex marriage in January 2015.

The ban was lifted nationally in June of the same year.

Naturally, Schwartz’s practice worked on family formation issues — adoptions, surrogacy and estate planning. She formalized marriages and, consequently, did some divorce and relationship dissolution work, too.

Schwartz wrote a book on it all in 2016: “Before I Do: A Legal Guide to Marriage, Gay and Otherwise.”

Schwartz and her partner, Lydia Martin, were married in Vermont in 2013. They have been together for about 18 years in all. Martin, now retired, was a longtime writer for the Miami Herald.

Schwartz has also been doing work with the transgender community — name and gender marker changes. She educates Broward County judges about its importance.

“We have a statute that authorizes name changes but not gender marker changes and some judges are resistant. Not that they’re

W

“WE WERE ON SOUTH BEACH, REALLY GOD’S WAITING ROOM — GUYS WERE COMING TO DIE.” - Elizabeth Schwartz

24 | THE

| JULY - AUGUST 2020

Elizabeth Schwartz with her book, “Before I Do.” Photo courtesy of Damon Scott.

transphobic, but feel they need to see a statute,” she said.

Schwartz has seen and been a part of a lot of victories for the LGBT community, but, not surprisingly, she said there is much work to be done.

“Marriage equality was one hurdle.

Adoption equality was one hurdle. This isn’t the end. Until we have full-lived equality for everyone in our community, regardless of how you identify or where you live, your socioeconomic status, we’re not done yet,” she said.

Schwartz said she’s keeping an eye on cases currently before the U.S. Supreme Court that could have an effect on the LGBT community.

“Florida still does not have employment discrimination protections [for LGBT] on the statewide level,” she said.

Schwartz is hopeful about the Florida Competitive Workforce Act being championed by Equality Florida.

“It’s critical because it’s not just workforce discrimination protections,

its housing and public accommodations in addition to employment and lots of other areas. It’s really important that we have a comprehensive bill passed,” she said.

Schwartz is also the co-chair of the national board of SAGE, which is an advocacy and service organization for LGBT elders.

She credits many of her mentors for her drive to help the underrepresented: Norm Kent, Paul Crockett, Jerry Chasen, Riki Wilchins and many others — including her parents.

“My parents were always teaching me to be proud of who I am,” Schwartz said. “They’ve always been so loving and amazing. My mother is so fierce, she taught me to never take no for an answer.”

In some ways though, Schwartz said with a smile, she feels like she was raised by a wild pack of gay men.

“I very much came up in the queer community. I love our uniqueness and I never want that to change,” she said.

ONLINE FOR MORE, GO TO ELIZABETHSCHWARTZ.COM.

Elect

JULIE

Vote Nov. 3rd

CARSON

FOR

WILTON MANORS MAYOR Responsible Leadership and Integrity

• Open, Honest, and Accessible • Sustainable Economic Development • Address Climate Change & Sea Level Rise • Premium Public Safety • Fiscal Health • Protect Elderly, Children, and Needy

A Leader in Innovative Public Policy

Visit Commissioner Carson’ s Campaign for Mayor at www.CarsonForMayor.com and on Facebook at Julie Carson for Wilton Manors Mayor 954.288.8174 Political advertisement paid for and approved by Julie Carson, Non Partisan for Wilton Manors MAYOR.

FOOD

I A H TO

Thai Spice offers quality ingredients and excellent service

NE ON

Photos via Thai Spice, Facebook.

26 | THE

| JULY - AUGUST 2020

// Rick Karlin

T

here’s no shortage of Thai restaurants in the Fort Lauderdale area, so why go to Thai Spice where the prices are about 25% higher than you’d pay elsewhere?

The quality of ingredients for one.

The shrimp and scallops you get in seafood dishes are much larger than those you’d get elsewhere, and they are, for the most part, cooked to perfection.

Service is another reason. Although it is not a white linen tablecloth restaurant, the level of service is as if it were. Very attentive staff and friendly and efficient service make dining at Thai Spice an experience worth remembering.

It is consistently ranked among the best restaurants in South Florida and is the first and only Thai restaurant in the world to win the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences’ Five Diamond award. It has also received “Best of” accolades from TripAdvisor, Sun Sentinel, New Times and has been Zagat rated since 2000.

Even though it’s high season, we were able to get a reservation the same day we requested one. Of course, it helped that we were dining early before attending a show. We arrived at 6:20 p.m. for our 6:30 reservation and found the restaurant busy, but not packed. We were seated immediately. By the time we left at 8:30 p.m. there were lines waiting to get in.

Again, you have to ask yourself why the long lines when there are so many other Thai restaurants? In addition to the reasons above, the extensive menu is, no doubt, a draw. It’s no less than six pages (plus an additional page of specials). In addition to classic Thai noodle dishes, there are stir-fries and steaks and chops offered. Thai Spice’s prime Black Angus steaks and chops are 30 day dry-aged and ribeye, porterhouse and strip cuts.

For those seeking more authentic dishes you won’t be disappointed. They’ll even make those dishes not quite as authentic but known on Thai menus, such as the popular “Drunken noodles.”

Two in our party were looking forward to ordering the dish (the same thing one of them orders in every Thai restaurant). Our friendly server informed them the kitchen would be happy to make it for them.

Although it arrived with a thinner noodle than usually used in this dish, it tasted exactly as they expected.

We began our meal with crispy curry puffs and Siam chicken bites. These dishes went beyond the expected on a Thai menu. The curry puffs featured ground chicken and sweet potato in a flaky pastry.

The Siam chicken bites were merely chunks of chicken breast wrapped in bacon. When I say merely, I mean that was the limit of ingredients, but the flavor was not limited, although the dish would have been improved with a sweet chili dipping sauce. An order of yum woonsen (clear bean thread noodle salad) was delightful and refreshing and provided plenty for two to share. The only appetizer that disappointed was the grilled calamari. It was overcooked and rubbery.

Soup accompanies entrée dishes (but not noodles

THAI SPICE 1514 E. Commercial, Oakland Park 954-771-4535 ThaiSpiceFLA.com

or stir fries). The offering on the night of our visit was a chicken meatball and rice porridge. It was surprisingly bland, a good option for those who are not into spicy fare, but a bit of a disappointment to me. Thai Spice tends to be prudent in its spice levels.

I ordered my entrée medium and it was quite mild.

If you like spicy food, go up one level from what you usually order in a Thai restaurant. This is one place where I would not be afraid to order my dish prepared spicy or Thai spicy.

An order of steamed tofu pad Thai featured abundant blocks of tofu and well-prepared noodles.

My husband does not like the dried shrimp usually served in this dish and forgot to ask for it to be omitted. Fortunately it came without the savory dried crustaceans. Another example of the Thai dishes being adapted slightly for Western palates.

I tried one of the house specials, “Three Buddies.”

The ménage-a-trois featured chicken breast, shrimp and scallops stir-fried in a basil-garlic sauce with mixed vegetables. The scallops arrived plump, juicy and perfectly cooked. The same could be said for the large shrimp. The dish is served with jasmine rice.

Sautéed calamari in a red curry sauce proved to be the only disappointment among the entrees. Again, the squid was over-cooked to the point of where it had the consistency of a rubber-band.

We were tempted by the array of desserts, most of which were Western treats such as brownie, cheesecake, etc., but we were too full to indulge.

There’s a full bar featuring classic cocktails and exotic Polynesian drinks. Wines, available by the bottle, and to a limited selection, by the glass, are fairly priced.

For those seeking more authentic dishes you won’t be disappointed. They’ll even make those dishes not quite as authentic but known on Thai menus, such as the

POPULAR “DRUNKEN NOODLES.” FEBRUARY - MARCH 2020 | THE

| 27

FEATURE

COMIC BOOK CREATOR SPOTLIGHTS

LGBT HEROES IN UNIQUE SERIES // Damon Scott

F

ernando Velez has been imagining, creating and writing in Los Angeles for almost 10 years, but he’s got a South Florida connection, too.

From Puerto Rico (where he attended art school as a youngster and did some plays), the 32-year-old lived in Miami for about four years — working as a server and “hiding behind the buffet” at the Palms Hotel & Spa just trying to make ends meet.

His first taste of Florida, though, was in Orlando. At 18 he forged his mother’s signature to attend the Disney College Program and try life outside of the Island of Enchantment.

But life in California called to him, as it does so many others, so he left and the creative juices started to flow. He began to ponder creating a comic book series.

Velez wanted to call his comic book venture, of which he is the founder, creator and writer, “Raven,” but by mistake it ended up being “Kraven.” The name stuck and he never changed it — Kraven Comics it would be.

“I would read comics, but wasn’t a big fan of any — there wasn’t [a character] who I could identify with,” Velez told SFGN by phone recently from Los Angeles. “[Hollywood is] making gay characters now, not so much to represent us, but because we have an income and are a good market for it.”

LGBT heroes haven’t typically been celebrated in the comic book industry, he said.

Velez wanted to come at it from a more authentic place.

“I wanted to represent real people, transgender people, base [their lives] on [real] interviews,” he said. “I wanted to be inclusive.”

So Velez created a group of seven LGBT heroes for his series — Class6.

That began about seven years ago. Velez came up with the seven characters to be representative of the LGBT spectrum in some way: a drag queen, a bear, a straight ally, a lesbian, a leather guy, a twink and a transgender person.

At a convention, Velez began to bring artists together and formally launched the venture in 2016 when he published his first in the series in a digital format.

He used his staff of artists to do the

Pictured left: Left to right are Jaseri (lesbian), Kian (bear bisexual), Queen Izaar (drag hero), Jennifer “Sidekicker” (straight ally), Neveah (transgender) and Eron (leather hero). Photos courtesy of Fernando Velez.

FEATURE

THE HEROES JASERI (LESBIAN) ABILITY: The ability to control nature; therefore anything connected to the Earth that has life.

A member of a hidden coven, Jaseri was part of a new generation of voodoo priests and priestesses. When she was selected by her grandmother to carry on her powers, Jaseri decided to defend women and gay rights in Uganda.

Using her skills, she has pledged to fight for the weak and to teach others how to be warriors in their own right.

Little does she know, her ancestry can be traced back to the genesis of Earth’s planetary evolution. She may not know it yet, but Jaseri is destined to join Queen Izaar and Class6.

KIAN (BEAR BISEXUAL) ABILITY: Kian’s abilities arise as a response to danger, generated automatically by the security system within his DNA. His body’s reaction and powers vary, depending on the situation.

Kian is a bisexual man from the bear community. He used to have a happy life, one without any major problem or negative experience. His father is a very influential person who has always ensured his son’s safety, as he believes Kian is an essential key to the survival of the human race. Kian is made up of a special DNA sequence, one which contains encrypted information about human civilization, including lost cultures and histories unbeknownst to humankind from another universe. Kian’s world finally is threatened when the government captured him to try to access the information within his DNA.

QUEEN IZAAR (DRAG HERO) ABILITY: She can take and give life. She holds in her hands the life switch of humankind.

Queen Izaar is full of secrets, including who she is, where she came from, and what she knows. She was once a mighty drag queen, but things got out of control, leaving her powerless. Her mission is to save human society from the brink of extinction. She is the rock that keeps Class6 together, and is the goddess of humanity.

JENNIFER “SIDEKICKER” (STRAIGHT ALLY) NEVEAH (TRANSGENDER) ABILITY: Gender reassignment, which enables her to change her biological composition from female to male and vice versa; cell realignment, which enables her to transform into anyone and to manipulate parts of her body, such as her hair; cell manipulation, which gives her the ability to realign cellular structure in others, such as speeding up their aging process.

Neveah was born as a boy in a religious household in the Eastern European country of Montenegro. Thrown out onto the street at an early age, she’s struggled to survive her entire life. Forgotten by her family and attacked by society, she tries to end her life, but instead of finding death, she discovers a new path, one which will lead her to join Class6.

ERON (LEATHER HERO) ABILITY: Eron has a host of abilities that stem from his mind. His abilities include psychokinesis, super-speed, underwater breathing, time/interdimensional travel, and enhanced vision. His abilities appear to increase as he expands his mental capacity through learning.

Eron was an only child born to a low-income family in Venezuela. After Eron’s mother died, his father fell into drug addiction and sold him to the cartel to pay off his debts. From childhood to early adulthood, Eron was sexually abused by members of the cartel. When he was in his early 20s, Eron learned he had contracted HIV, and that without proper care, he would soon die. On the night he decided to escape the cartel, Eron caused an accident which gave him uncanny abilities. He in turned used his new power to find a cure for HIV. Lost in the unfamiliar outside world, Eron desires friendship and a sense of belonging, two feelings he has never experienced before.

NAMI (TWINK HERO) ABILITY: The ability to control technology and devices powered by electricity.

Nami was born with a deadly disease that his father with his knowledge of nanotechnology was able to eradicate, not before Nami experienced side effects which enabled him to control electrical devices. Circumstances caused by his father turned Nami’s life in upside down, into one of isolation and regret, obsession and revenge. But deep down inside, Nami is still a hopeless romantic. Now he is committed to using his abilities to help people suppressed by the powerful and wealthy and to give them back freedom and control of their lives.

JULY - AUGUST 2020 | THE

| 29

FEATURE drawings while he focused on the scripts, website and social media accounts.

While the digital comic book looked great and was easily distributed, it wasn’t so great for comic book fans, Velez said.

“People want to own it, to touch it. But printing [to order] single issues is too expensive,” he said.

The answer was to create a print edition — the format most associated with the genre and most familiar to fans and collectors.

The journey of converting his creations to print has taken some time. And money.

Velez’ partner, Waiyen Wong, from Venezuela was instrumental in the process.

Wong helped Velez hire artists from Venezuela to work on the drawings and he serves as manager of Kraven Comics.

“We are all like family. The [Venezuelan artists] had never done a comic book,” Velez said.

Velez and Wong met in L.A. and have been together about six years.

Short on funds and scrambling, though, Velez started a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for the print venture — the goal was $8,500.

The idea was to combine all six of his existing digital episodes into one 280-page book and offer it a reasonable price at $20 to make it more affordable for fans. (Digital access per is $9.99 an issue).

The Kickstarter campaign was successful — it met the mark and more. Velez thought it would be a harder ask, especially with tough times setting in for so many during the pandemic.

He expects the print edition to be available through Amazon soon.

“It’s time for us to have mainstream LGBTQ heroes,” Velez wrote for his Kickstarter campaign. “Wouldn’t it be amazing to go into the movie theaters to watch an LGBTQ superhero movie as good as Marvel but created by an LGBTQ company for the gay community?”

Velez’ seventh episode was just released in digital. Once episode 12 is complete, he expects a second book of six will be printed.

Velez has structured the series to span 30 seasons of 12 episodes each. In other words, this is a passion that will continue for a long time.

e e

FOR MORE The digital comic book’s are available online in Comixology, iBooks and Google Play Books for $9.99.

Go to kravencomics.com for access to the issues and for more information.

Follow the heroes on social at @KravenComics.

Information on the Kickstarter campaign is available at http://kck.st/3ccEDEX.

30 | THE

| FEBRUARY - MARCH 2020

Fernando Velez and his partner.

Photo courtesy of Fernando Velez.

“WOULDN’T IT BE AMAZING TO GO INTO THE MOVIE THEATERS TO WATCH AN LGBTQ SUPERHERO MOVIE AS GOOD AS MARVEL BUT CREATED BY AN LGBTQ COMPANY FOR THE GAY COMMUNITY?” FERNANDO VELEZ Image courtesy of Fernando Velez.

Elect

Willie “Supports A Community Partnership”

VOTE EARLY - AUGUST 8th - AUGUST 16th VOTE ELECTION DAY - AUGUST 18th, 2020 www.WillieJones2020.com Political advertisement paid for and approved by Willie Jones, Democrat for Broward County Sheriff.

Celebrating our 11th Year on Wilton Drive!

We are here for you... and will make your visit safe.

$69

New Patients

Comprehensive Exam, Digital X-Rays & Cleaning*

*In the absense of gum disease. Not applicable to insurance benefits.

(D0150,D0210,D110)

General & Cosmetic Dentistry Following all CDC and ADA guidelines for COVID-19

Located Conveniently on Wilton Drive Always Plenty of Free Parking 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 32 | THE

| FEBRUARY - MARCH 2020

I will be your friend & partner in success.

“Broker Joe” Grano, REALTOR®

954‐931‐0031 “I care deeply that gays, lesbians, transgender and bi‐sexual buyers & sellers are Residential Commercial

provided the best South Florida choices to feel comfortable and welcome.”

NEW!

3/2 Ocean Access Near Port. $369k

2/2 Direct Ocean View.

Remodeled. $309k

PENDING!

6/5.5 Luxury Golf Course Views. $625k

2/2 Endless View of FTL Beach $649k

Updated 3/3 w/Heated Pool. $449k

Recently Closed Sales 554 Riverside Dr Seller 321 SE 3rd St Seller 1900 S Ocean1112 Seller 250 SE 9th Ct Seller 1721 NE 42nd St Seller 500 NW 30th Ct Seller 6940 Plantation Rd Seller 1217 Seabreeze Seller 2308 NE 37th Dr Buyer 411 NE 43rd Ct Seller 1424 NE 23rd St Seller Please call or st 2608 NE 21 Ct Seller/Buyer text for a 5841 NE 22nd Av Seller walk‐through 2175 NE 59th Ct Seller video link to 1503 NE 18th Ave Buyer any of my 2508 NE 29th Ct Seller/Buyer listings.

2624 NE 26th Ct Seller/Buyer

First Atlantic Realty, Inc.

1881 NE 26th

St. #212 Wilton Manors, Fl 33305

Licensed Real Estate Brokerage

Since 1985

www.JoeGrano.com

GADGETS

MICHELIN MULTI-FUNCTION

POWER SOURCE XR1 / / Pier Angelo

T

his portable, multi-function Michelin XR1 Power Source can save the day in so many ways — from resolving roadside emergencies and charging smart phones to providing musical entertainment.

Ideal for anyone who drives a car, camps, tailgates or needs power away from the grid, the Michelin XR1 is packed with features like a 1,00 peak amp jumpstarter with anti-sparking protection, an air compressor, 2 AC outlets powered by a 200-watt inverter, a USB power port, DC socket, an LED work light, and an AM/FM digital tuner with Bluetooth speakers.

There’s also a 2-function light with flasher mode to help keep you safe during nighttime emergencies, such as inflating tires or jumpstarting a weak battery.

With this powerful tool in tow, you won’t have to wait for a tow truck or flag down a stranger. Measures 12in.L x 11in.W x 8.25in.H. Manufacturer Warranty: NTE 1 year RA/Exchange Policy

PRICE:

$153.81

WWW.AMAZON.COM ALSO AVAILABLE ON WALMART AND NEWEGG; PRICES MAY VARY

34 | THE

| FEBRUARY - MARCH 2020

It’s time we had a Clerk who really knows the law! your next Clerk of Courts, “As I’ll make the changes needed to improve service and procedures at every level of the office. You can count on it!

– Paul Backman

“

Paul Backman is a retired jurist who served as both a County Court and Circuit Court Judge in Broward County for over 34 years. Paul would be the first attorney and judge to ever serve as Broward’s Clerk of Courts.

As Broward’s Clerk of Courts, Paul Backman would reorganize the office from top to bottom.

• Streamline the Filing Process to Expedite Court Assignments • Revamp Document Control and Access • Establishment of Process and Procedures between Courtrooms and Our Jails • Responsive and Efficient Coordination for Attorneys and Court Filings • Compliance with Florida Statues/ Florida Law • Establishing Respect and Partnership with Clerk’s Office for All Users

Let’s get the Clerk’s Office back on track…

“BACK BACKMAN” for Clerk of Courts!

1

PAUL BACKMAN FOR BROWARD CLERK OF COURTS

2

Paul

Backman For Broward Clerk of Courts

pback64040@gmail.com • 954-849-8156

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Paul L. Backman, Democrat, for Broward Clerk of Courts

FEATURE

FOOTBALL

UNITES

THE MIAMI DOLPHINS HOPES TO BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER WITH FOOTBALL // Damon Scott

L

ike much of the economy, the future of sports and public sporting events is being determined day-by-day as states emerge from COVID-19 restrictions.

Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens — home to the Miami Dolphins — has taken proactive measures amidst the uncertainty.

The stadium was the first large sports and entertainment venue to earn a “STAR” accreditation from the International Sanitary Supply Association, for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention practices.

“When our fans, players and staff are able to return to Hard Rock Stadium, we want them to have a peace of mind that we’re doing everything we can to create the safest and healthiest environment possible,” Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium vice chairman and CEO Tom Garfinkel recently said in a statement.

Pictured right: Miami Dolphins and FOOTBALL UNITES community partners support 2019 Miami Beach Pride Parade. Courtesy Miami Dolphins. 

36 | THE

| JULY - AUGUST 2020

x

FEATURE The Dolphins’ organization, naturally, has employment” section of its handbook and a strong connection to South Florida and has code of conduct to add gender identity been involved in several initiatives and relief with sexual orientation, after meeting with efforts throughout the pandemic.

Equality Florida representatives.

One of its newest charity arms with a direct Football Unites commitment can be seen line to South Florida’s LGBT community is in the list of organizations it has partnered Football Unites. Representatives from the with, including the Alliance for GLBTQ Youth, Dolphins said they expect to continue the Aqua Foundation for Women, Arianna’s program’s mission as sports start to emerge Center, Stonewall National Museum, Hialeah from a nationwide pause.

Pride, 4 Ward Miami and the Gay 8 Festival, The goal is to bring people together Miami Beach Pride, Pridelines, SAVE and the through football — especially young people aforementioned SFFFL and Equality Florida. of different races, genders and sexual “The Dolphins and Football Unites orientations. Football is used as a hook to have made a tremendous impact on South discuss social justice issues, race relations, Florida’s LGBTQ athletic community,” and LGBT issues — a way to spark education SFFFL commissioner Dominic Grasso said and instill empathy. in a statement. “[They] have proven to all of Football Unites launched about two years our athletes, fans, referees, volunteers and ago with initial events — “cultural tours” — athletic supporters that our community is that were organized to show off the diversity important and valued. We look forward to that comprises South Florida and its large working together further in 2020.”

LGBT community. The tours included Jenkins said the Miami Dolphins want to Dolphins players, students, level the playing field “through community leaders and the power of teamwork, to members of law enforcement. inspire a healthier, more “THE DOLPHINS The cultural tours have gone educated and united South AND FOOTBALL to Miami’s Freedom Tower, Florida community.”

UNITES HAVE Little Havana, Overtown, the “We believe it is important Holocaust Museum and the to be inclusive of the diversity MADE A Jewish Museum of Florida. and aware of the intersections TREMENDOUS One group met at a “rainbow that make up South Florida, IMPACT crosswalk” in Miami Beach and uniting groups of different visited the Palace Restaurant, races,” he said in the ON SOUTH interacting with the LGBT statement.

FLORIDA’S community.

Football Unites also engages Sports fans could see it in with law enforcement through LGBTQ ATHLETIC real time last year as Hard Rock “Ride Alongs,” with Dolphins’ COMMUNITY.” Stadium was lit up in rainbow players, alumni, cheerleaders colors for “Pride Lights the and staff.

- Dominic Grasso Night.” Football Unites has Jenkins said it’s a way SFFFL COMMISSIONER supported, for example, the to engage with youth and South Florida Flag Football discuss community policing League (SFFFL) and it is a community partner with facilitated discussions led by the Ross on many parade floats at South Florida Pride Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE). There events. are other law enforcement-related events, Jason Jenkins, the Dolphins’ senior vice too, like a police and youth conference. president of communications and community Other initiatives Jenkins expects to affairs, heads up the program. continue include: “Equality Florida is proud and grateful to be a part of Football Unites, the model of what a • Project Change Scholarships: pays for sports community program can be,” Equality a four-year college tuition for one high Florida Miami development officer Robin school student each year. The goal is to Schwartz said in a statement. “Jason Jenkins provide financial support to students leads with heart and shows us every day his who have made a commitment to sincere dedication to supporting LGBTQ leading social progress initiatives in their people.” communities.

Jenkins said Football Unites has partnered with at least 12 local organizations so far that • Captains Program: a diversity and are focused on LGBT issues. inclusion initiative that brings together He said the group also updated the “equal 80 to 100 middle school students from

Arianna’s Center CEO Arianna Lint at Miami Dolphins FOOTBALL UNITES Tailgate prior to 2019 Dolphins vs. Eagles game. Courtesy Miami Dolphins.

various backgrounds once a month for a day of learning about tolerance, acceptance and leadership. Dolphin’s players and alumni join the students to share stories, perspectives and experiences.

• CommUNITY tailgates: the tailgates, funded by ownership and players, are an opportunity to unite groups of different races, genders, sexual orientation, identities and abilities. Diverse groups will attend Dolphins home games and participate in group activities designed to break down barriers and build relationships.

“The program helps us connect with others doing good work in their community,” Gay 8 Festival creator Damian Pardo said in a statement. “It’s meant to bring people together where they are, in the issues that are important to them, in the communities they live in and in their comfort zones. By meeting and working together in these spaces, Football Unites creates the synergy necessary to move South Florida forward faster, smarter and kinder.”

Larry Printz is an automotive journalist based in South Florida. He can be reached at TheDrivingPrintz@gmail.com.

Visit MiamiDolphins.com/community/footballunites for more information.

38 | THE

| JULY - AUGUST 2020

 Self monitor for fev Screen Screening for

CO respiratorysymptom

FloridaHealth.gov/C

COVID-19  Avoid contact with s 1  Delay any ad it ona COVID-19 2 longersick.

Are you experie

Symptoms may appe

FloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19 • Florida Department of Health 1.4

10

Are you experiencing symptoms?

FEVER C Symptoms may appear in 2–14 days after exposure to the virus 1.4

10

FEVER

Screening for COUGH

Have you return SHORTNESS OF BREA international tra cruise within the

FloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19 • Florida Department of Health

Have you returned from Are you experiencing symptoms?

COVID-19 Screening for

Waasthlehasnt2d0osefcteondwis.th soap and water for vmper,tcom1usgfho,r1o4r odtahyse.r 1 1 1 atleCoasvte2r0moseuctohnadnsd. nosewithatis ueor mstwiftohr2s1ic4kpdeaoyps.le. 2 2 2  Covsler move whuthenacodungohsinegwiorthsnaet zsinuge. Tohrow sdiictkopn33ealotpralev.elp3lansuntilno3 t h e t i s u e i n t h e t r a s h . s l e v wh n c o u g h i n g o r s n e z i n g .

T h r o w al travel plans until no thetis ueinthetrash.

COVID-19 

FloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19 • Florida Department of Health FloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19 • Florida Department of Health

Areyouexperi ncingsymptoms?

Are you experiencing symptoms?

Are you experiencing symptoms? of Health SymptomsFloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19 may appear in 2–14 days• Florida after Department exposure to the virus.

Symptoms may appear in 2–14 days after exposure to the virus.

1.4

10

.4 01

1

FEVER FEVER

Are you experiencing symptoms?

Symptoms may appear in 2–14 days after exposure to the virus.

1.4

10

COUGH COUGH

SHORTNESS OF BREATH SHORTNESS OF BREATH

FEVER SHORTNESS OF BREATH Have you returned COUGH from Have you returned international travelfrom or been on a Have you returned from international travel or14 been on a cruise within the last days? international travel been on a cruise within the last 14ordays?

cruise within the last 14 days?

Have you been around someone Have you been around someone Have you been around someone diagnosed with COVID-19? diagnosed with COVID-19? diagnosed with COVID-19?

Symptomsmay p earin2–14daysafter xposureto hevirus.

If youIf answered “yes”you to anytoofanythe above questions, call youra If you answered “yes” of the above questions, call your Ifhealthcare youhealthc answered “yes” any of the above questions,Health call your provider andtothe Department in healthcare provider andFlorida the Florida DepartmentofofHealth in healthcare provider andatthe Department ofany Health in Broward County (954)Florida 412-7300 before visiting any healthcare Browar Broward County at (954) 412-7300 before visiting healthcare Broward County at (954) 412-7300 before visiting any healthcare facility. facility. facility. facility.

Guidance

Guid GuidanceSelf monitor for fever, cough, Wash hands often with soap and water for or other Guidance at least 20often seconds. respiratory symptoms for 14 days. or  Wash hands with soap and waterm for  Self  Self monitor for fever, cough, or other 



 at Wash hands often soapa tissue and water least 20mouth seconds. respira  Cover andwith nose with or for at least 20when seconds. respiratory symptoms for 14 days. sleeve coughing or sneezing. Throw Delay plans until noA  Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or  void  Avoid contact withany sickadditional people.travel the tissue in the trash. longer sick.  Cover mouthcoughing and noseorwith a tissueThrow or  Avoid contact with sick people. sleeve when sneezing.  Delay  Delay any additional travel plans until no sleeve when coughing the tissue in the trash. or sneezing. Throw Florida Health Office of Communications 03/10/20  Delay longer longerany sick.additional travel plans until no the tissue in the trash. longer sick.  Self monitor for fever, cough, other respiratory for 14 days. symptoms Avoid contact with sickorpeople.

Florida Health Office of Communications 03/10/20 Florida Health Office of Communications 03/10/20

30

Rand Hoch.

Photo courtesy of Rand Hoch.

42 | THE

| JULY - AUGUST 2020

LONGEST-RUNNING FLORIDA GAY RIGHTS LAW HITS

-YEAR MARK // Damon Scott

PROFILE

T

he oldest Florida gay rights law — the Palm Beach County Fair Housing Act protecting gays from housing discrimination — recently hit a milestone.

Hoch said it had a demoralizing effect on across Palm Beach County strategized and the gay rights movement. met.

“It took until the late 1980s for anyone to At the time, they were facing a county even try to get something done,” he said. commission that was Republican by a 3-to-2 “She did such a number on the minds of margin. It was known that the Republicans Floridians, even in relatively progressive opposed the change and the Democrats Miami.” supported it.

In the late 1980s, Congress made changes Hoch said the strategy wasn’t so much to to the federal Fair Housing Act for people 55 gather scores of gays for public rallies and The ordinance was voted into law in 1990 and older to accommodate “adulttry to ram through legislation, and recently marked its 30th year on the only” communities. but to methodically become books Jan. 17.

“That opened a door, involved in political Rand Hoch was involved from the start in because every place that campaigns in order to getting it passed. had fair housing laws gain influence.

He also carries the distinction of having that didn’t protect “We wanted to been Florida’s first openly gay judge. Hoch is those 55 and over get to know the also the founder and president of the Palm now had to do it,” people who run Beach County Human Rights Council.

Hoch said. campaigns and the “Florida has always been slower than a lot Hoch, who was elected officials,” of states when it comes to gay rights,” Hoch an attorney, saw a Hoch said. “To help said. unique opportunity people get elected.”

He recalls that in the late 1960s and early to be leveraged.

Hoch’s influence 1970s, equal rights initiatives had begun to “We figured we would increase, too, - RAND HOCH take hold in cities like New York, where gays could get the words with roles as vice chair and other marginalized groups demanded ‘sexual orientation’ added and chair of the Palm to be treated like everyone else. [to the Palm Beach County Beach County Democratic In 1977, the (then) Dade County Fair Housing Act] to cover Party.

Commission passed a gay rights ordinance, LGBTQ,” he said. “In reality, we got sexual “And all of the sudden once we had making Miami the 40th U.S. city to do so. orientation defined as ‘homosexuality and these connections, we said: ‘Yes, we have Its passage prompted a crusade by anti- bisexuality.’” a gay agenda. To protect people from gay rights activist Anita Bryant, who called discrimination,’” Hoch said. for a referendum to repeal the ordinance.

THE LONG GAME They decided to keep the pressure on, but “It was an ugly campaign,” Hoch said. keep it as simple as possible.

“Portraying gay people as pedophiles, it was As one might imagine the process took a “We were asking them to put in a couple frightening.” lot of organization and work — in fact about words and a definition,” Hoch said of the asBryant got her wish later in the year when three years’ worth. non-threatening-as-possible strategy at the the referendum passed by an almost 2-to-1 The former Atlantic Coast Democratic time. margin.

Club played a big part. Gay Democrats from And instead of going to the media and creating a lot of publicity, they went directly to the county commissioners.

“The idea was to simply convince at least one Republican to vote for the new language,” Hoch said.

But the media eventually caught wind of the situation, and headlines read “Law to protect live-in lovers,” and things of that sort, Hoch said.

So much for flying under the radar — but they stayed optimistic.

Two hearings were soon set: a “first reading” and a final vote.

Hoch said supporters mostly sat quietly in the first hearing to gauge the opposition, which he said generally fell into two groups.

“There were the Realtors who worked in gay areas that were worried about being fined [under the proposed change],” he said.

“They thought it was unfair.”

Fines for violating the ordinance went up to $50,000.

The Jan. 24, 1990, cover of The Weekly News announced the victory.

And then there were “the crazies.”

“FLORIDA HAS ALWAYS BEEN SLOWER THAN A LOT OF STATES WHEN IT COMES TO GAY RIGHTS.”

Image courtesy of Rand Hoch.

JULY - AUGUST 2020 | THE

| 43

PROFILE CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE.

Hoch said the crazies were those who perpetuated the AIDS scare. They essentially had the view that gay people were bad and were going to spread AIDS across Florida if the ordinance was passed.

Fortunately, Hoch said, there weren’t many in that group.

“We had our people there with buttons reading ‘Housing is a Right, Not a Benefit.’

We had preachers, teachers and lawyers on our side. The other side underestimated our organization,” Hoch said.

The day of the final hearing Hoch printed out a list of the many municipalities across the U.S. that had already enacted similar laws to show that what they were trying to accomplish wasn’t a radical idea.

“We were demonstrating that if it’s OK to protect gays from housing discrimination in other cities, it’s OK in Florida. That was significant,” he said.

When the commissioners cast their votes it was 4-to-1 in favor of the new law. They got two Republican crossovers.

“It was monumental for us. This was breaking the glass ceiling,” Hoch said.

“It takes a while to build something monumental like this.”

LIFE OF ACTION

what motivated him to get the law changed in Palm Beach County.

Hoch had founded the Palm Beach County Hoch had come out to his employer to let Human Rights Council in 1988 with Jim them know if there were functions where Swope in the midst of the campaign for spouses were invited, he’d like to the new law. The group helped do bring a date if he had one. much of the organizing in the He said he’d assumed run-up to the 1990 hearing. it was OK to be gay at It remains very the firm. active today, recently But a series of launching a genderevents made it neutral restroom clear that the WHEN THE COMMISSIONERS CAST initiative in West firm thought his THEIR VOTES IT WAS Palm Beach. sexuality would Hoch, who has be more trouble 4-TO-1 IN FAVOR OF THE NEW vast political and than it was LAW. THEY GOT TWO REPUBLICAN civic experience, grew worth.

CROSSOVERS. up in Massachusetts Hoch went on and moved to Florida to practice real in 1978. estate law, labor law He was a real estate and unemployment broker before he went to law, representing unions Stetson University College of Law and workers. to be “near a gay beach” in St. Petersburg.

In 1992, he became Florida’s Hoch himself said he’d been first openly gay judge. He did one discriminated against in 1984 for being gay. judicial term in Daytona, representing He was employed by an undisclosed law Volusia, Seminole and Flagler counties. firm at the time. The experience was part of

Rand Hoch as the grand marshal of a Pride event in Palm Beach County in 2012. Photo courtesy of Rand Hoch.

FOR MORE ON THE PALM BEACH COUNTY HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL, GO TO PBCHRC.ORG. 44 | THE

| JULY - AUGUST 2020

CLOG-FREE GUTTERS

OR YOUR MONEY BACK

GUARANTEED! ER

AFT

E FOR

BE

r ilte F f Lea

ter

L

Fil eaf

15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE LEAFFILTER PURCHASE* Exclusive Offer – Redeem By Phone Today!

ADDITIONALLY

10% OFF SENIOR & MILITARY DISCOUNTS

CALL US TODAY FOR

A FREE ESTIMATE

1-954-719-4751 Promo Code: 285

Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST

PLUS!

THE FIRST 50 CALLERS WILL

RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL

5% OFF

YOUR ENTIRE INSTALL! **Offer valid at estimate only

FINANCING THAT FITS 1 YOUR BUDGET! Subject to credit approval.

Call for details.

1

*The leading consumer reporting agency conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 License# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License# 2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License#

FEATURE

GETTING

NUDE TO FEEL RENEWED

Dan Carter leads the trend in naked yoga // Matt Sunderland

D

an Carter has been teaching naked yoga classes in Washington DC for the past three years. As the founder of Danimal (a combination of Dan and animal - get it?) yoga, he’s built the largest and most social nude yoga group in DC, with over 1,000 members!

Now, he’s ready to go national. This May, he is inviting guys to join him in Palm Springs for a long weekend of uninhibited camaraderie under the hot desert sun.

Turn the page to continue reading.

48 | THE

| JULY - AUGUST 2020

JULY - AUGUST 2020 | THE

| 49

FEATURE “All classes are non-sexual however intimacy and touch will be important bonding components to the weekend,” Carter explains. “A huge part of the experience will be building a real sense of family between the two dozen men in attendance.”

We spoke with the naked Yogi to learn more.

Let’s start with the most important question. How long does it take to be able to do a split?

Daniel Carter: I get asked this all the time!

I don’t remember a time I wasn’t able to do a split but I have many students whose hips are shaped in a way that they’ll never do one.

I can teach a student to do a split variation that increases hip mobility and provides a cathartic release within five classes. I think that’s what really important.

Why should guys consider taking up yoga?

Daniel Carter: Yoga is a mind-body practice.

In addition to toning up muscles, improving

YOGA IS FOR EVERYBODY: EVERY SHAPE, COLOR, AGE… IN FACT, THE WORD YOGA LITERALLY TRANSLATES TO ‘BRING TOGETHER.’” - DANIEL CARTER, owner of INNdulge breath and lubricating joints, yoga also hones the nervous system and the bodies response to the world’s stressors.

Is there a benefit to doing yoga in the nude?

Daniel Carter: There are huge benefits!

We talk about the experience as an unshielding. Yoga is a very vulnerable practice with all the precarious shapes we bend into, by removing clothes, our last sheath, we make ourselves even more vulnerable and we grow from it. It also helps me, as the instructor, see your lungs, muscles and joints at work so I can give smarter cues and better hands-on adjusts.

What exactly did you do to achieve that badonkadonk?

Daniel Carter: I’ve always had a bit of a butt, but I got it to be bigger through a combination of yoga, pilates and regular squatting. Unfortunately, it has made shopping for jeans more difficult, but I feel much healthier and happier.

Does yoga increase the libido?

Daniel Carter: All fitness, in healthy moderation, contributes to libido. What’s really nice about yoga is we not only focus on energizing the body, we focus on relaxation.

To have incredible sex, you need to be able

Daniel Carter.

50 | THE

| JULY - AUGUST 2020

to get into that blissful rest space before things really start to heat up.

What are the biggest misconceptions about yoga?

Daniel Carter: That it’s only for one kind of person. Yoga is for everybody: every shape, color, age… In fact, the word yoga literally translates to “bring together.”

What’s your advice to someone who is new to yoga?

Daniel Carter: Take a private yoga class with a teacher who instructs beginners. If that’s not in your budget, take a beginner class, arrive early, and introduce yourself to the instructor.

What’s your advice to guys who may be on the fence about dropping trou with strangers?

Daniel Carter: The grass is truly greener on this side of the fence!

I have had a shocking amount of guys take a risk on one of my retreats as their first yoga experience and they’ve never been dissatisfied. If you’ve got anxiety around social nudity, your yoga practice or anything

else, email me through my website and let’s talk about it.

Why did you choose to do the retreat in Palm Springs?

Daniel Carter: Palm Springs is my happy place! There is something so breathtaking about the palms set against the mountain and desert. Then there is the gorgeous mid-century architecture that transports you to Hollywood’s golden era. But most importantly, there are the handsome boys, sunning their tan, rippling skin by the crystal blue swimming pools. I chose to do the retreat specifically at the INNdulge resort because it is the perfect encapsulation of all three of those visuals! In addition to being a beautiful space in which to hold a retreat, I am a huge fan of their salt water pool, which is so kind on the skin.

We all head into a vacation with expectations.

What can we expect from the Self Renewal: A Naked Health and Fitness Retreat?

Daniel Carter: This will be an absolutely transformative weekend.

Men leave these retreats with a renewed sense of purpose and love of self.

FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION ON THE SELF RENEWAL: A NAKED HEALTH AND FITNESS RETREAT, VISIT

DANIMALYOGA.COM/RETREAT. FEBRUARY - MARCH 2020 | THE

| 51

ARE YOUR DOORS OPEN ?

OUR PAGES ARE. Advertising in South Florida Gay News is economical, easy, and best of all, geared toward one well defined audience: the lesbian gay, bisexual, and transgender community. We deliver hard and accurate journalism, political analysis, entertainment, insightful opinions, health and fitness, cutting-edge editorials, and all the issues and stories that impact our colorful community.

SFGN highlights and features the businesses and professionals, individuals and organizations, that make a difference in the way we live our lives.

Advertise with us!

We will help your business.

954-530-4970

CARS

IS THE 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLB 250

TRAGICALLY DOWN-MARKET OR

MAGICALLY WONDERFUL? // Larry Printz

S

ome luxury brands are highly coveted for their cachet, like a Hermes Birkin bag. Others have lost their prestige. Let’s face it, when you can find designer names like Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Coach, Perry Ellis, and Michael Kors piled up like cordwood at T.J.Maxx or Macy’s, or hawking their own wares at an outlet mall, their days as influential high-end brands are over.

The same tragic down-market slide happens to automakers, and one has to wonder, is it happening to Mercedes-Benz? The brand first sold automobiles at their creation, and has been a favorite of the wealthy and powerful nearly as long.

So they would never ruin that, right?

[TURN THE PAGE TO KEEP READING] 

54 | THE

| JULY - AUGUST 2020

CARS

CARS

x

Given the company is expanding its portfolio of lower-priced front-wheel-drive vehicles, including the GLA-, CLA-, A-Class, and the new for 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4Matic, one has to wonder. After all, the lord of the manor can’t be seen driving the same brand of car as the hired help.

Looking like a shrunken version of its larger siblings, the GLB 250 fills the niche between the smaller GLA-Class and the larger rear-wheel-drive GLC-Class.

It’s sizable for a compact, offering an unexpectedly spacious cabin with two rows or three. And it seems somewhat affordable given that the front-wheel-drive GLB 250 starts at $36,600, with 4Matic all-wheel drive costing an extra $2,000, along with a $995 destination charge.

But then there’s the option list, where $17,880 worth of luxury goodies lurked on my test vehicle. Bottom line: $57,495, which answers any second thoughts I had about Mercedes-Benz.

It is still very much a luxury automaker, and a test drive of the GLB 250 proves this little trucklet to be a laudable addition.

The GLB 250 makes the most of its 221-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine thanks to a newly developed eight-speed dual clutch

2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLB250 4MATIC Base price:

$39,595

EPA fuel economy (city/ highway):

| JULY - AUGUST 2020

24-62 CUBIC FEET

23/20 MPG Curb weight:

Engine:

2.0-LITER -TURBOCHARGED FOUR-CYLINDER

Wheelbase/Length/Width:

Horsepower/Torque:

Ground clearance:

221/258

7.9 INCHES

3,891 POUNDS

111.4/182.4/79.5 INCHES

transmission that always seems to be in the proper gear. For those who always need to be in control, paddle shifters on the steering wheel are there if required. The GLB 250 is fairly quiet, remaining poised when tackling corners or traversing bumps. Its overall demeanor is more like a car or a foulweather friend than a true off-road boulder basher, but it remains a wonderfully solid German touring machine.

And despite a starting price lower than most of its siblings, the GLB is no penalty box. Its instrument panel boasts the

same long twin screen display found in tonier siblings that visually unites the instrument cluster and infotainment screens. It’s like an enormous flat screen TV for your car. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and Mercedes-Benz’s revised onscreen software is more intuitive than previous versions, with impressive high definition. A litany of shortcut buttons eases its use.

The seats are comfortable in the first two rows, with more than enough head and legroom, but opting for the third row seems like a waste of money given it diminishes cargo space and lacks usable legroom.

Nevertheless, one drive and you’ll understand this is no poser. If you go with the easy option, you’ll find the GLB 250 to truly be an affordable Mercedes-Benz luxury SUV. And it’s sure better than wearing some has-been designer’s duds.

Larry Printz is an automotive journalist based in South Florida. He can be reached at TheDrivingPrintz@gmail.com.

56 | THE

Cargo capacity:

DO IT

AT HOME IT’S FAST IT’S EASY IT’S FREE

CANHIVTEST.ORG SCAN THIS CODE TO ACCES NOW

FOR THEY KNOW FILM

HOME MOVIES 5 MOVIES TO WATCH WHILE YOU’RE STUCK AT HOME // Gregg Shapiro

L

et’s face it, we’re not going to be going anywhere for a while. With most of the country facing a devastating number of COVID-19 infections, and the rate showing no signs of declining, people are looking for sources of safe indoor entertainment, such as watching movies. The following are a few titles worth checking out on VOD, streaming, virtual cinema or good old-fashioned Blu-ray or DVD. Documentary filmmaker Daniel Karslake (2007’s “For the Bible Tells Me So”) returns to familiar territory — religious mistreatment of LGBT people — in his new doc “FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO” (DK Works Pictures). While the new David France doc “Welcome to Chechnya” focuses on the religious and politically-driven anti-gay purge crisis in that country, Karslake keeps it closer to home.  Pictured left: “For They Know Not What They Do,” courtesy of DK Works Pictures. Center: “The Prince/ El Principe,” courtesy of Artsploitation Films. Right: “Holy Trinity,” courtesy of Full Spectrum.

60 | THE

| JULY - AUGUST 2020

THE PRINCE/EL

SCREEN SAVOR:

PRINCIPE

HOLY TRINITY FILM

Opening with celebratory footage of the SCOTUS same-sex marriage ruling, it is immediately followed by the hate rhetoric of Franklin Graham, setting the mood for the rest of the doc. Or so it seems. “For They Know Not What They Do” is actually more uplifting than you might expect. True, it features a lot of anti-gay hate speech coming directly from various church pulpits. On the other hand, it tells emotionally moving stories of families of faith coming to terms with their LGBT children, not something that regularly makes the headlines. As Robert and Linda Robertson (parents of Ryan), Sally and David McBride (parents of Sarah), Harold and Collen Porcher (parents of Elliot), and Victor Baez and Annette Febo (parents of Vico), share their experiences, it almost feels like they are drowning out the tide of religious fanaticism, calming the waters, if you will.

(FirstRunFeatures.com/fortheyknownot_playdates.html) Based on the homonymous novel by Mario Cruz, “THE PRINCE/EL PRINCIPE” (Artsploitation Films), set in a Chilean prison during the reign of Salvador Allende, has a gritty, retro feel. In a drunken jealous rage, young Jaime (Juan Carlos Maldonado) slits the throat of Gitano (Cesare Serra) and is sent to prison. Relegated to a shared cell with Stud aka Ricardo (Alfredo Castro), three other inmates and Stud’s cat Plato, Jaime has to learn on the fly.

He gets an alias — The Prince — and finally has a chance to act on the same sex attraction with which he’d been struggling. There are flashbacks, shower sex scenes, acts of prison guard brutality, and enough homoeroticism to please even Jean Genet. Occasionally undone by the stagey direction by Sebastián Muñoz, as men-behind-bars movies go, “The Prince” is no “Kiss of the Spiderwoman,” but it sure has its moments.

(ArtsploitationFilms.com/film/the-prince/) A psychedelic candy colored acid trip of a movie, “HOLY TRINITY” (Full Spectrum), the feature-length directorial debut of writer/actress Molly Hewitt isn’t like anything else you’ve ever seen. Exec produced by mumblecore mastermind Joe Swanberg, “Holy Trinity” certainly contains some of that genre’s chattier aspects.

Where it diverts is in the level of the queer content.

Trinity (Hewitt), a dominatrix with carrot orange hair, and her trans sub lover Baby (Theo Germaine of “The Politician” fame), share an apartment in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood with control freak Carol (Heather Lynn) and drag diva Imp Queen (playing herself). Trinity has taken to huffing Orisha OKO room cleansing spray and as a result is experiencing surreal nightmares. Worse yet, she can hear the inner thoughts of her paying sub clients, as well as hear and see dead people.

There’s a lot of religious and psychic mumbo jumbo, including hilarious scenes with a Madonna-obsessed priest (Alex Grelle) and an energy reader named Fortune (Efrén Arcoiris), who gets to utter Whoopi Goldberg’s famous line from “Ghost.” Before you know it, the #HolyTrinity goes viral and Trinity is internet famous.

But her personal relationships begin to suffer.

As the movie goes on, Trinity gets better at controlling the voices than Hewitt does at maintaining one accent (which become a distraction), and the movie ends with a surprise twist.

(FullSpectrumFeatures.vhx.tv/products/holy-trinity)

#PRIDE

IT’S A PRIDE THING! 5350 W. SAMPLE RD | MARGATE, FL 33073 | 954-972-2200 | JMLEXUS.COM