Vol. 8 Issue 2 • MARCH 2019
s o u t h
f l o r i d a
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get out! Travel edition travel the state, the country, the world... or your own backyard Pages 50 - 92
Special Feature LGBT Refugees Inside the Caravan Page 34
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. 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: } Have or have had any kidney or liver problems,
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.
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
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:
Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.
} 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.
} This is only a brief summary of important information
} 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 HIV support by downloading a free app at
MyDailyCharge.com
GET MORE INFORMATION about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.
} 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, KEEP LOVING, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: December 2018 © 2019 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0102 01/19
KEEP LOVING.
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. To learn more, visit BIKTARVY.com.
Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.
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THE PERSONAL IS POLITICAL:
AN INTERVIEW WITH ALIX DOBKIN
“Here’s my advice to everybody in the world, lesbian, gay, straight, everybody. Any decision that you make based on fear is wrong. Except running for your life when confronted with a life threatening situation. Aside from that any life decision that you make based on fear is wrong. And there are no exceptions to that.” Alix Dobkin, currently co-chair of Older Lesbians Organizing for Change (“OLOC”), is known world-wide as the “head lesbian” and the first out lesbian to produce a record album containing blatantly lesbian oriented lyrics. (Historical note: a “record album” is a 12 inch black plastic disk that resembles a CD and was played on something called a “turntable” which had a suspended “arm” from which a “needle” protruded which was placed by the owner very carefully on the “record” where it moved visibly over the grooves and produced sound - most of Alix’s early albums are available on CD.) For the last 43 years, Q.: You have billed yourself as a “Talking Lesbian”. What exactly does that mean to you and your audiences? A.: I billed myself as “talking lesbian” based on the song “Talking Lesbian” inspired by “Talking Union” written by Pete Seeger in the early 1940’s. I don’t actually bill myself as a “talking lesbian”, it’s the title of a presentation I do at Universities across the country. Talking lesbian is a good example of the traditions I draw upon in my work. It is an example of the folk process and being a folkie. I feel one of the more interesting forms of history is the folk tradition - writing our stories, conveying our personal experiences. It’s consciousness raising, which I believe was responsible for the lesbian feminist movement of the late sixties and early seventies. It was the single most powerful force responsible for lesbian culture today. It was the revolutionary act of women getting together and talking about our lives. About what we had in common, which brought out what women’s politics are - and which is very different from men’s politics. Just like everything women do is different than what men do. Which is a whole theory of mine which we can get into later if you like, but right now were talking about “talking lesbian”. So I am talking about consciousness raising. That’s “CR,” which doesn’t stand for cruising. Talking about our lives - the personal is political. Our lives have elements in common from which we can begin to know who we are. So, lesbians are women together without men. Whatever women do, wherever women are, is to me, essentially, lesbian. That is what it means to me. Women talk to each other. Women base - as far as I can tell, we base our lives - we weave the fabric of our lives on relationships that is really what our community is founded on and how it remains organic and vital - relationships. An army of exlovers cannot fail. And so “talking lesbian” relates to all of that. So I am here to talk about what it means to me to be a lesbian and why I think that’s such a wonderful choice. Q: Do you consider yourself a woman with a mission? A: Absolutely. Q: And that mission is ... A: To go around the world, wherever I can and let women know that no only is it ok to love women, to be a lesbian, but that it’s great. It’s a great and very positive choice for your life. So that is my gospel and that is my mission and that is why I’m here. Q: Tell me about your early history. What was your family like and how do you think it contributed to who you are today. A: I had the good fortune of having been in the right place at the right time with the right stuff, all my life. My family, my parents, were members of the Communist Party when
Alix’s songs have carried the unabashed theme that being a lesbian is not only “ok”, but the penultimate of human experience and that, at all times, the “personal is political.” I remember driving down the Ventura Freeway in the early 1980’s, the gold-brown hills of the San Fernando Valley zipping by, the hot dry California wind blowing my long permed hair out the window of my silver pick-up truck singing along with Alix on the tape deck: “... Women’s love makes the world go ‘round, makes the world go ‘round. Makes the sun come up, makes the sun go down, puts a thrill in a woman’s heart...”
I was growing up. That’s where the heat was. Q: Where did you grow up? A: In New York. I was born in 1940. My parents joined the party in 1934. And my uncle, my mother’s brother, was killed in Spain. He was in the Spanish Republican army, he was a guerilla fighter and I was named after him. He was captured and shot by the fascists in 1937. Even though it was never brought up to me in my childhood, I knew I had a legacy, I had a heroic mold that I was born into. So my parents’ political activism, as I say the party was where the heat - the action - was. Anybody who had a social consciousness, anybody who fought for social justice in the 1930’s or 1940’s were in, or around, the Communist Party. That’s where it was happening. So I was raised with a political consciousness, with a sense of being an outsider, with a habit of questioning authority. That’s my tradition. My parents quit the party after Krushev’s revelations about what a criminal and what a murderer Stalin was. They thought they had been lied to and they quit the party. Now, they had never told me that they were in the party. It was too dangerous for me to actually be told. But, I knew. I think young people now who have not lived through the fifties and sixties have no idea what it was like to live in that hysterical anti-communist environment. I was raised in that environment always feeling like a target. I was very aware when the Rosenbergs were killed - that could be my parents. [The Rosenbergs were a middle aged couple who were executed by the American government for alleged spy activities, and whom many believed were innocent of the charges brought against them, guilty only of being members of the communist party.] So, I was raised with this consciousness. When I was sixteen I was recruited into the party, along with most of my friends. I joined the Party against my parents wishes. My father later told me that he learned from that never to forbid me anything, because I would do it anyway. And from that I learned never to forbid my daughter anything because she would do it anyway. So, my family was very critical of my joining the party, and of my political consciousness which has informed everything that I have done in my life. As has folk music. My parents listened to folk music, they brought me up on union songs, on Woody Guthrie, on Pete Seeger and Paul Robeson and the Weavers and Josh White, and the Red Army Chorus and the Songs of the Spanish War. So that I absorbed this culture. And as Jews, culture and education was a value in my childhood, and I benefited from that as well. Q: How long did you stay in the party? A: Six years. I quit when I was 22. I lived in Philadelphia as a teenager. I finished college and moved to New York and I became involved in the folk scene, and I had learned the guitar in the fifties, and had a background in
folk music, so I became involved in folk music at the time that folk music was peaking. So I came to New York City’s Greenwich Village which was an incredibly rich, beautiful and exciting time. Q: In the early Sixties? A: Yes, and I was a part of that very exciting folk scene. And so, I went to Hazard, Kentucky to do a benefit with Tom Paxton, and we drove down there to support the striking miners down there. And I heard these people telling stories about their lives at these union meetings and I thought they don’t need some commie from New York telling them about the class struggle. And I went back to New York and I quit the party. I quit because I thought it was really irrelevant. But it had given me a tremendous education. It had given me the tools of political analysis. It had given me a wonderful background which I treasure, but it was time to move on. Q: So what did you do after that? How did you end up at the Gaslight Cafe in Coconut Grove, Florida? A: I hung out in the Village, I was a folk singer and I married the son of the owner of the Gaslight Cafe in Greenwich Village and he grew up in Miami Shores. We came down here and there was a folk scene down here. Fred Neill, who wrote Everybody’s Talkin’ and other very popular songs, was a friend of ours, and he lived in Coconut Grove, and my grandmother lived on Miami Beach. And so we came down to spend our honeymoon here in 1965. We gambled our money, our return fare, away. So, I got a job at the Flick, a coffeehouse. Q: That was just a little bit before my time. A: It was a very popular folk club in the sixties. We went there and I played and I got payed and we were able to go home. But we saw this tremendously successful folk club and we thought well we can do this. Because we knew all the big folk stars, we were friends with them. So we went back to New York and packed up and moved down to Miami with, like, only three hundred dollars. And Fred Neill showed us this old hardware store which is now going to be a Spec’s record store - 2990 Grand Avenue. Q: Can you believe what they have done to the Grove? A: Yes, I cannot believe it! It is unbelievable. It’s very depressing. Q: I know. I lived there when I was in college. A: When was that? Q: The early seventies. I used to walk down to Grand Avenue, and my dog would wander off, and I’d go home and a shop keeper would call me and say, your
M.S.W., J.D.
dog’s here looking for you. A: Yes, That’s when it was a real neighborhood, it was very funky. It’s so different now, it’s one of the biggest changes I’ve seen in any neighborhood, anywhere. A: So, we renovated this old hardware store and we made it into a beautiful club and we opened with Tom Paxton, and we had Ian and Sylvia, Gordon Lightfoot, Simon and Garfunkel, Odetta, but we were undercapitalized and underfinanced we opened the club with twelve hundred dollars worth of checks floating to be covered by the weekends receipts, and we went broke and had to close eight or nine months after we opened. So that’s how I came down to Miami. And I come back every few years to perform and visit. Q: Do you identify as a Jew? A: Absolutely, absolutely.
Q: ...with regard to your spirituality? A: Well, I identify as a lesbian with regard to my spirituality. I identify as a Jew in terms of my culture. Q: How do you reconcile the patriarchal aspects of Judaism with feminist spirituality? A: What I encourage everyone to do is to look into their own background and into their own heritage and just take what is useful. And sort through it. I want to know what you find important about your background. What made you strong? Why are you a survivor? What in your background helps you be a good lesbian? That’s what I want from you. I don’t want your junk. I’m not going to give you my junk. I’m just going to look for what’s the best. So I can sort through what I got from being Jewish which was the culture the Yiddish culture and the progressive social activist tradition of the Jewish culture.
So that’s what I identify with, that’s what I draw from, that’s what I honor. More next month on your legal rights, your equal rights and lack thereof!
Attorney Robin L. Bodiford serves the tri-county area. Her practice includes, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, probate, and personal bankruptcy. She is co-author of books, A Simplified Guide to Creating a Personal Will and Fresh Start Bankruptcy, John Wiley & Sons, 2003. You may contact her by calling her Fort Lauderdale office at (954) 630-2707, or visit her website at www.LawRobin.com.
Table of contents NOTE From The CEO Mirror Introduction ● Page 14 Publisher’s Page When Stonewall was a Rights Riot, Not a Party or Parade ● Page 18 Books We Make It Better: New Book Focuses on Positive Contributions of LGBT People ● Page 24 Trans Talk Coming Out Trans: When I knew ● Page 24 Technology Nespresso Vertuoline System ● Page 32 News LGBT Caravan Refugees Seeking Sponsorship ● Page 34 Interior Design Outside is the New Inside ● Page 38 Feature Where The Bears Are ● Page 40 Profile Scott Wyman on Inside of Historic Mayoral Term ● Page 42 Author Spotlight Scott B. Wilbanks: A Real Character ● Page 46 A&E: LGBT Theater A Look At Spring Theater ● Page 48 Film Some of My Favorite Movies of the Year So Far ● Page 96 A&E: All Stars 4 The Winner Was Announced... Are You Ready? ● Page 98 Artist Spotlight Dunny Potter Finds Artistic Stride After Boeing Career ● Page 106
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A&E TRAVEL INTRO Page 50
Staycation ● Page 52 Extreme Entertainment ● Page 56 The Inn on 5th is the Place to Stay in Naples ● Page 62 48 Hours in Sarasota ● Page 64 Sail Away: Lets Go Cruising ● Page 72 Venice: The Drag Queen of Italy ● Page 76
Your Guide to
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The 2019 Ford Edge is Best In Class Page 92 Because Adventure is Worth It Page 80
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Featured on the cover: From Florida to Italy, The Mirror is here to help you hit the road. Photo via Adobe.
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Accounting and Tax Services Timothy S. Hart, CPA Managing Partner
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Now that 2019 is well underway, you should not only be planning this year’s vacation, but thinking about next year and even 2021. I have already taken my dream cruise this year. After 40 years I finally made it to Cuba and scratched it off my bucket list. My husband and I went to Havana this past February with MIM Travel. It was perfect, smooth and worth the wait. The MIM group were hosted and chaperoned by Norm Kempkens (www.Gay-travel-by-MIM.com) and ran like clockwork. Our group of mature men and their admirers was a lot of fun and we made several new friends while basking in the sights of the forbidden city. The cruise even offered exclusive private entertainment by the amazing Bob Lawson’s Mind Gaymes, a show that will blow you away. Cruises are now available to book until the middle of 2021 and the most popular destinations will book early. Get yourself a little TLC by indulging in an unforgettable cruise. The perfect vacation not only ignites curiosity and wonder in the destinations you visit, but also offers beautiful experiences while getting there. One of the byproducts of traveling is it’s sort of an instant reset button. If you go to countries that are not as fortunate as the U.S., you will realize that you aren’t the center of the universe and that people around you have much bigger issues and problems than you do, and with that you will feel more compassion and understanding for people. I hope this travel-themed issue will encourage you to look for new places to visit.
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“God is a comedian playing to an audience that is afraid to laugh.” - Voltaire
Spread your wings and bon voyage.
Santa Margherita grows luscious, aromatic Glera grapes in the gentle hills of Valdobbiadene, a town synonymous with the finest Prosecco Superiore, and DOCG status – the highest and most distinctive classification possible. For starting a celebration or sipping throughout a lively dinner, this bubbly favorite is an aromatic, fresh and vibrant treasure and is one that you can share again and again.
PIER ANGELO
March 2019 | Vol 8 | Issue 2 2520 N. Dixie Highway | Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954.530.4970 Fax: 954.530.7943
Publisher
NORM KENT norm.kent@sfgn.com
Chief Executive Officer PIER ANGELO GUIDUGLI piero@sfgn.com Associate Publisher/ JASON PARSLEY Executive Editor jason.parsley@sfgn.com
EDITORIAL
A Publication of south florida gay news
Art Director BRENDON LIES artwork@sfgn.com Senior Features Reporter CHRISTIANA LILLY A&E Editor / Design J.W. ARNOLD Digital Content Director JUSTIN MUSIAL webmaster@sfgn.com Copy Editor Kerri Covington
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 Senior Advertising Assoc. CLARK ROGERS clark@sfgn.com Sales Consultant Charles Reid Distribution Services Rocky Bowell LEE CURTIS Printing THE PRINTER’S PRINTER National Advertising RIVENDELL MEDIA Accounting Services CG BOOKKEEPING
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 © 2019, South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.
Associated Press Florida Press Association National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association
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PUBLISHER’S PAGE
When Stonewall was a Rights Riot,
not a Party or Parade // Norm Kent
T
his week, SFGN is proud to share with you the release and publication of our Spring Mirror, featuring a collage and collection of stories representing and illuminating the breadth and beauty of LGBT life in South Florida. This is no small achievement. We were not always so free to publicly participate in the life of our communities.
The year 2019 is a special one for LGBT America. From shore to shore, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. A little gay bar in Greenwich Village gave birth to our movement for civil rights, On a quiet summer night in Manhattan, a small group of angry homosexuals stood up against continued persecution and wrongful prosecution, They righteously rebelled, revolted and rioted. They said, with words and deeds, “No More.” That was 50 years ago. A half century later, gay Americans no longer live in dark closets or gather in secret places. We are the mentors and mayors of our town. We have not just survived, but thrived. We are not apart from our communities. We are a part of them. Our meeting places and bars are on Main Street. We publish mainstream magazines, serve in our nation’s armed forces, and lawfully marry others of our same sex. We hold our own parades. Still, we are not home free. As we applaud our achievements and celebrate our victories, there are still contests to fight, and battles to be won. Bullying has not come to an end. Advocacy for the Neanderthal policy of gay conversion therapy still has a voice. Equal rights in the workplaces has not won universal legal success. We are just beginning to recognize the wrongs we have for too long inflicted upon the transgender community. All of us still have to fight a never ending battle against those who still deny and discriminate against our dignity. Of course, LGBT America has come a long way. Today, we fight AIDS, not people with AIDS. We pass laws that protect us from persecution. We have International gay games and worldwide pride games. But
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lest we forget, gays are still hung in Kenya, tortured in Eastern Europe and jailed in Saudi Arabia. Holding a worldwide soccer tournament two years from now in a place like Qatar is stunningly unforgivable. We can find comfort in our lives, to be sure. But we can never stand for complacency. We can never acquiesce to abuse. Our duty as we move forward with our lives is to remember one fundamental principle: that while some of us are celebrating by the shore, many of us are still drowning in the ocean. We can’t let our lives become apathetic; our voices become silent. Our newspapers and magazines can’t just marvel at our majesty. We have to remind
LGBT Americans never should have been second class citizens in the first place.
We never will be so again.
ourselves of our duty to others. No man is an island. We have to do more than illuminate our parties. Our words need to mirror our realities. Our eyes can’t be shut to the world around us. We remember Harvey Milk as a LGBT rights hero, one of the first gay Americans ever elected to public office. A San Francisco city supervisor, he spoke for Gay America. He was shot and killed while so serving. He should not just be remembered as a ‘gay icon.’ He was an American hero. By fighting for equal rights for the LGBT community, he fostered universal justice for Americans everywhere. This month, we move our clocks forward for daylight savings time. We can spring forward every year, but we can’t ever afford, as a gay community, to forget our past. We must jealously guard our rights and assert our principles. Those who seek to turn back the clock must know we will march proudly, speak firmly, and fight furiously to maintain our place at the table. LGBT Americans never should have been second class citizens in the first place. We never will be so again. We do not speak for one political party. We speak up for everyone’s inalienable rights, to live the life we choose, and love the ones we want. Be proud, not apologetic. Be who you are. Enjoy our magazine then, and find a place in your home or business for others to share it. Most of all, find a place in your heart to appreciate our accomplishments. We have all come a long way, but still, as Robert Frost once wrote, “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.”
Photo by Diana Davies, Stonewall Inn, 1969. Courtesy of New York Public Library, Manuscripts and Archives Division.
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T H U R S D AY, A P R I L 2 5 , 2 0 1 9 Join us for Dining Out For LifeÂŽ! Dine out at one of our participating restaurants and a portion of your bill will be donated to Broward House. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals impacted with chronic health challenges, including HIV, by providing pathways to wellness. Dine Out. End HIV.
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MARCH 2019 | THE
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BOOKS
Better We Make It
New Book Focuses On Positive Contributions Of LGBT People // David-Elijah Nahmod
T
he book, intended primarily for teens and young adults but also of interest to older readers, is an easy read, offering the histories of each of its subjects, explaining how those histories led to the making of a positive contribution. The authors write about people from across the LGBTQ spectrum, sometimes travelling through time as they look back upon the lives of people like 19th century author and playwright Oscar Wilde, but they also chose people from our own time, such as gun control advocate Emma Gonzalez, a survivor of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
In the book’s introduction, Eric Rosswood and Kathleen Archambeau point out that many of the LGBT community’s most accomplished people are rarely if ever mentioned in schools. They point out that some U.S. states still have “No Promo Homo” laws on the books. Some of these laws prohibit teachers from discussing homosexuality in a positive light, while other laws even require teachers to paint a negative portrait of LGBT people.
Continued on next page.
24 | THE
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Photos courtesy of Kathleen Archambeau (pictured top right at a book signing) and Eric Rosswood.
JANUARY 2019 | THE
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BOOKS
“There are a lot of people out there with a negative impression of the LGBTQ community,” Rosswood said in an interview. “Kathleen and I wanted to highlight key LGBTQ role models who’ve made a positive contribution to society. We’re hoping to inspire people around the world and help them realize that being LGBTQ is something to celebrate. Our community has made significant contributions to society, and that’s something to be proud of.” The book is divided into ten parts: activism, business, dance, film and television, government and military, music, religion, science, sports, and literature. The activism section begins with an important, often forgotten chapter in Queer history, the story of Bayard Rustin. As the book points out, everyone knows about Dr. Martin Luther King’s I Have A Dream speech, delivered at the March On Washington in 1963. What’s rarely told is that Rustin, who mentored King and helped to organize the march, was a gay man. The authors recount Rustin’s commitment to nonviolent resistance, teaching us that he traveled to India during the 1940s to study the nonviolent techniques of Mahatma Gandhi. When he met Dr. King a decade later, Rustin imparted these teachings, working with King on the Montgomery bus boycott,
“We wanted to highlight people who are some of the best in their fields and they just happen to be part of the LGBTQ community.” - Eric Rosswood
Author
26 | THE
| MARCH 2019
which led to the Supreme Court’s ruling that it was unconstitutional for Alabama and Montgomery to segregate their public transit systems. The section on Lana and Lilly Wachowski also inspires. Creators of the hit sci-fi film “The Matrix,” among other big budget films, the Wachowskis are transgender siblings who show trans kids everywhere that yes, you can succeed and make your dreams come true. Further on, the authors recall Leonard Matlovich, a highly decorated career military man who, in 1975, outed himself to the Air Force so he could create a test case for banning gays and lesbians from the military. When he was discharged, Matlovich made headlines when he filed suit. “We didn’t want to do a book about people because they’re lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender,” said Rosswood. “We wanted to highlight people who are some of the best in their fields and they just happen to be part of the LGBTQ community. For example, Tim Cook and Beth Ford are not just business leaders, they’re CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. Abby Wambach isn’t just a soccer player. She’s an Olympic gold medalist who also holds the international world record for
international goals for both female and male soccer players.” Rosswood also points to Johanna Siguroardottir, a lesbian who served as Iceland’s first female Prime Minister. “We even run countries,” said Rosswood. “How many people out there know that?” The authors pack an incredible amount of information into the book’s 236 pages. The book is educational, but it’s also highly entertaining. With the Trump administration attacking LGBTQ rights, “We Make It Better: The LGBTQ Community And Their Positive Contributions To Society” becomes a must read, a reminder of all we have to be proud of. “We want to challenge people’s perceptions on what it means to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer,” said Rosswood. “And for all the kids out there who are struggling to accept their sexual orientation or gender identity, we hope to inspire them by letting them know they’re part of a community that has done extraordinary things. We make the world a better place.” “We Make It Better: The LGBTQ Community And Their Positive Contributions To Society” is now available in paperback and kindle editions.
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WAKE UP. Local Name. Global . e g a r e v Co m SFGN.co y Dixie Hw . N 0 2 5 2 L anors, F Wilton M
TRANS TALK
// Atticus Ranck
T
he typical transgender narrative is that the person knew they were in the wrong body since they were young. They were certain and they never wavered in their truth. However, there are a lot of trans people like myself whose story isn’t quite so clear cut.
The short version of my story is that I was a tomboy growing up. In middle school and high school I tried to be feminine sometimes but often I wore jeans and t-shirts and chalked up my look to being a 4-sport athlete. Then I was caught as a lesbian right before senior year of high school started. Literally. I was caught kissing another girl in my bedroom walk-in closet, no less. Word got out of course and by the time I came back for my senior year, everybody knew I was a lesbian. I lost all my friends and it was a really low point in my life. I kept my head down and focused on my sports and my books. I finally graduated high school, moved across the state for college, and finally came out to myself as a lesbian a few weeks later. I publicly came out a month after that. Throughout college I started wearing exclusively male clothing and then cut my hair short when I was 21. When I moved from my home state of Pennsylvania to Florida to start graduate school is when I really started to question my gender identity. I was a women, gender, and sexuality studies student. My first semester I took a queer theory class. For my final paper, I decided to write about prosthetic penises, which are penises that trans men can use to pee standing up, pack, and to engage in intercourse. I theorized that if this penis was real to the wearer, it was therefore real. After the semester ended, I bought myself one of these penises and started to wear it. Soon, I felt weird without it. I started asking my friends to use he/him/his pronouns only 30 | THE
| MARCH 2019
around other friends. Then I came across the name Atticus and asked my friends to use that name, but again, only around other friends. This was getting serious so I decided to go to therapy to see if I really wanted to transition. After reaching the 9-session limit of the counseling department on campus, I was told they weren’t equipped to handle “cases like mine” and I was referred to a nonprofit social service agency about 30 minutes south of campus. In therapy we discovered that almost all of my hesitations were based on my fear around my family’s reactions and my preconceived notions about what it meant to be a man. I had my “aha” moment when I was in the grocery store and the clerk referred to me as “ma’am.” I knew then that I didn’t want to be seen as female any longer. I needed to be seen as a man. I started medically transitioning just a few weeks later. Gender is complicated. While I’m sure of my identity as male now, I wasn’t always, and that’s okay. My identity as a man and as a trans man isn’t any less valid because I had questions. You don’t have to justify your identity to anyone or pretend you’ve always known with 100 percent certainty. Your identity is valid. Atticus Ranck is the Health Programs & Supportive Services manager for Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown, PA. Previously, he was the director of Transgender Services at SunServe in Wilton Manors. Atticus is a trans man who advocates for the LGBT community through his work, trainings, presentations, and everyday encounters.
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| 31
TECHNOLOGY
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32 | THE
| MARCH 2019
NEWS
LGBT Caravan Refugees Seeking
Sponsorship Asylum seekers need support, groups say // John McDonald
S
ponsorships are needed for LGBT refugees of the caravan.
Four organizations are actively recruiting individuals who desire to sponsor an LGBT refugee. Numerous LGBT refugees are currently being held in detention centers awaiting decisions on their asylum status, declares an email from Center Action Network, a collection of LGBT community centers. A long standing narrative of LGBT people being turned away by family members continues to haunt this community. There are entire nations where the simple existence of an LGBT individual can be dangerous, if not lethal. A recent public execution
in Iran shook the U.S. into action. Cast out of their home societies, LGBT people — like others — immigrate to the U.S. “LGBTQ+ people encounter unique obstacles to securing protection, particularly when caught up in immigration enforcement and detention systems,” the CAN email reads. Cristian Sanchez is an Equal Justice Works fellow for RAICES – the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services. A gay man and attorney, Sanchez said sponsoring refugees helps avoid a problematic detention system. “When people enter detention they typically can get out if they have a sponsor, but the problem with the LGBTQ community is a lot of them are fleeing because they have been turned away from their families … rejected by their families. Where
they would have a family member like an aunt or uncle sponsor them, now they can’t because of who they are,” said Sanchez in a telephone interview from San Antonio. RAICES is headquartered in Texas and has been working with the Santa Fe Dreamer’s Project and the Los Angeles LGBT Center, confirmed Gil Diaz, Media and Public Relations Director for the Los Angeles LGBT Center. In seeking sponsorships these organizations cite a report from the Center for American Progress as a major concern for their cause. LGBT immigrants in detention, the CAP report states, are sexually assaulted and abused at much higher rates. ICE, the nation’s Immigration & Customs Enforcement agency, reported 227 cases of sexual abuse and assault in 2017. Of the 227 — 28 involved an LGBT victim. Continued on next page.
“When people enter detention they typically can get out if they have a sponsor, but the problem with the LGBTQ community is a lot of them are fleeing because they have been turned away from their families … rejected by their families.” - Cristian Sanchez, 34 | THE
| MARCH 2019
Equal Justice Works fellow for RAICES
NEWS
Ͳ9999
Members of RAICES during an SB4 protest. Photo via RAICES, Facebook.
The accounts of abuse and assault were too much for RAICES. “So that’s when we decided let’s step in and volunteer to help,” Sanchez said. “Let’s find volunteer sponsors that can sponsor these people so they don’t have to spend more time in detention which is obviously really, really dangerous and even more so for this population.” RAICES got its start in Mexico as part of the much chronicled “caravan” migrate movement. “Our organization jumped in and we decided to help a self-form group of people, LGBT asylum seekers called La Comunidad,” Sanchez said. La Comunidad, Sanchez continued “were facing discrimination from other people
in the caravan as well as in Mexico so they formed a group and we decided to help them out to finish in their journey to Tijuana and we also assisted them with housing while they were there. Us and other organizations got together and helped with providing services and legal services.” Those interested in sponsorship or hosting LGBT asylum seekers must complete an application form on the RAICES website. Sanchez said the response has been strong, estimating the number of interested parties to be somewhere north of 90. “I think there’s been a really great positive reaction,” he said. “We have seen a lot of people step up and be interested. We have had people be so anxious and say, ‘I’m ready.’ We do extensively vet everybody before. We
“I think there is maybe a disconnect or a struggle for the wide LGBTQ community within the United States to really see this as an LGBTQ issue.” - Cristian Sanchez,
36 | THE
| MARCH 2019
Equal Justice Works fellow for RAICES
haven’t been able to reach out to everybody that has signed up because we’re still going down the list.” Most of the asylum seekers RAICES represents come from Central America. The reason, Sanchez said, is twofold. “Discrimination against LGBTQ people is wide spread, kind of engrained in the culture,” he said. “Political issues, cartel issues, there has been kind of a breakdown in government. The government is not in a position — or even wants to — protect vulnerable people like the LGBTQ community who because of the discrimination of the culture are susceptible to persecution.” The vetting process, or essentially matchmaking, is not easy. “We take it very serious,” Sanchez said. “It’s a lengthy process.” That process, Sanchez said, needs more attention from the wider community. “I think there is maybe a disconnect or a struggle for the wide LGBTQ community within the United States to really see this as an LGBTQ issue,” Sanchez said. “A lot of times our community closes ourselves off to other issues and it’s kind of an us versus them, but I see that changing, that people are saying, ‘Hey, these are our brothers and sisters regardless of their nationality and this is an important issue to our community.’”
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INTERIOR DESIGN
OUTSIDE IS THE
NEW INSIDE
// MI ROR Staff
Outdoor living design trends for Spring/Summer 2019 Days are getting longer… temperatures are getting warmer… the seasons are changing. This year’s trends see outdoor space functioning like indoor space for lounging and entertaining.
Blend your indoor and outdoor space seamlessly using the following tips: Frame your sitting areas with sleek wispy sheers. Fill planters with low-maintenance scrubs to create the illusion of walls. Use large daybed pieces with cabanas for shade. Wall some mounted sconces for mood lighting.
Other great decor to make your outdoor space breathe with modern life:
Outdoor rugs Mirrors Pit seating Vertical gardens
Mix a drink, fire up the barbeque…relax and enjoy! 38 | THE
| MARCH 2019
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Ready to join the discussion? Check out the Facebook group, and participate in local discussions about news in Wilton Manors happening NOW!
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FEATURE
e r e h the W
s r a Be Are G
Bear Necessitie s and the Bear s of South Flo rida // Rick Karlin
iven the strong presence of bears, especially in South Florida, it’s hard to believe there was a time when the label didn’t exist. Although there is some debate about who coined the term, it came into use about the time the post-Stonewall clone look was at its peak. By that time many of the older members of the community began to age out of the clone look and those, especially in the leather community, began to accept a new type of masculinity. In San Francisco in the late 1970s any hairy man of whatever shape was referred to as a “bear.” Some credit a humorous 1979 article in The Advocate “Who’s Who in the Zoo?,” as the first time “bear” was used in print to describe a hairy, beefy or muscular man. The term began to gain momentum, rising to national prominence in 1987 when Bear Magazine, a publication devoted to celebrating muscular hairy men, was founded by Richard Bulger and Chris Nelson. The publication developed in response to the increasing presence of buff, yet hairless, men in gay male erotica. Bear is used as an umbrella term for masculine, hairy men, with subsets attributed to different animals based upon body type and other physical characteristics. Polar bears are white-haired men (or sometimes used to refer to Caucasians), Pandas are Asian bears, and a cub is young bear. The members of the den have expanded to include otters (slim, hairy men), wolves (medium build and hairy) and manatees (big, hairless men). As with many other sub-groups within our community, Bears have adopted their own flag, which consists of brown, black, white, yellow, and grey stripes (reflecting the various colors of bears) with a bear paw print in the upper, left-hand corner. For many men, a gathering of bears is the first, and for some, the only
The bear community strives to have
all men accept their bodies.
Part of this is the celebration of all types of body types by holding “Mister” contests.
40 | THE
| MARCH 2019
place where they feel comfortable removing their shirts. The gay men’s community often tends to get caught up in the perfect body syndrome and many gay men battle body dysmorphia. The bear community strives to have all men accept their bodies. Part of this is the celebration of all types of body types by holding “Mister” contests. A circuit of events are held throughout the world with some of the biggest being “Bear” weeks in Provincetown, MA and Sitges, Spain and Bear Prides in Chicago, Illinois and Sydney, Australia. With a large community of older gay men, South Florida seems to be the unofficial world headquarters of the bear community. One of the largest bear organizations, The Bears of South Florida (BOSFL), is consistently chosen as best charitable organization and there’s no question the group does good in our community. Since its inception in 2002, BOSFL has donated more than $70,000 to local LGBT organizations, including The Pride Center, Gay Men’s Chorus, The Pantry, The Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus, The Pet Project, Tuesday’s Angles, Broward House, Stonewall Museum, SunServe and Island City Stage. BOSFL raises these funds by offering opportunities for social and fraternal interaction between its more than 1,600 members. The club strives for diversity and acceptance of any person who wishes to join. Membership within the club consists of bears, cubs and those who wish to socialize with such persons. There is no political agenda for the group. Its main focus is to encourage friendships, a positive attitude and camaraderie both within the group and in the community as a whole. Its goal is equal acceptance within the group regardless of any physical characteristic. Polar, grizzly, black, brown and even teddy bears gathered on Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Pride Center for the BOSFL annual holiday party and fundraiser. Members paid $10 to attend and were encouraged to bring new, unwrapped teddy bears, which were given to children entering the Broward Health System during the holidays. As with most events sponsored by the group, it was a sold-out event. Other events sponsored by BOSFL include bowling and pool parties, theater outings and smaller gatherings such as pot-luck dinners. Events are posted on the BOSFL website and most events fill all slots within hours of being posted.
For more information on the group and its events, go to bosfl.org.
PROFILE
THE
GATEKEEPER
Scott Wyman on Inside of Historic Mayoral Term // Damon Scott
I
t’s hard to talk about Scott Wyman’s South Florida experience without mentioning Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis. And he’s OK with that. Because it’s also true that Wyman should be mentioned in the conversation of Trantalis’ recent successes.
But first things first. Wyman is the assistant to the city’s first openly gay mayor. His life and career have been forever shaped by the relationship. Trantalis was elected March 18, 2018. There is currently no city in the southern U.S. larger than Fort Lauderdale with an LGBT-elected official. Annise Parker, the former mayor of Houston who campaigned for Trantalis, previously held the title. The election was also significant because City Commissioner Steve Glassman, also a gay man, replaced Trantalis in District 2. The two have been friends for many years. As a gay man himself Wyman is proud to be a part of the LGBT history. “It’s kind of incredible,” Wyman said in a recent interview. “It was also great to be at the federal courthouse and have a rally with [Trantalis] when the Windsor decision came down.” On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Windsor case that the federal government could not discriminate against married lesbian and gay couples for federal benefits and other protections. Wyman said the mayor has a history of LGBT advocacy.
“He was the chair of the group that pushed for the nondiscrimination ordinance in [Broward County] and the domestic partnership law,” Wyman said. “He pushed the commission to pass a resolution supporting marriage equality.” South Florida bound Wyman is far, far from home. He grew up near the Yellowstone River in the southern Montana city of Billings with his parents and two older sisters. “Billings is the big city of Montana with a population of 90,000,” he said with a chuckle. Like many have, he yearned to get away and see more of the country. Off to the University of Missouri he went, earning degrees in journalism and political science in 1989. With a talent for writing and journalism, he went on to work for three newspapers in both Missouri and South Carolina. Wyman, 51 and single, has lived in Fort Lauderdale since 2000. He lives in the South Middle River neighborhood and in his spare time does
Wyman said he’d formed a relationship with Trantalis over the years because he had written numerous stories about both the LGBT community and the political issues that involved him.
the “normal South Florida stuff.” When he’s not running a meeting or tackling an issue for Trantalis, you can find him at the theater, movies, pool, beach, or on Wilton Drive with friends. His first job here was at the Sun Sentinel covering Broward County and the city of Fort Lauderdale as a senior political writer. He’d stay at the publication for more than a decade. But even in the midst of a good run, Wyman said it was time to change careers in 2011. Bring on the politics With a feel for South Florida politics, he’d land a job as the assistant to Charlotte Rodstrom, who’d been a city commissioner since 2006. He would end up running in a special election in the spring of 2013, losing to Trantalis. “Which puts me in an awkward position because you’re an at-will employee,” Wyman said. “And most of the time people want to bring in their own person.” But Wyman said he’d formed a relationship with Trantalis over the years because he had written numerous stories about both the LGBT community and the political issues that involved him. Trantalis would bring Wyman on as his assistant. He was the District 2 commissioner from 2013 until 2018 when he became mayor. Continued on next page.
42 | THE
| MARCH 2019
Scott Wyman at Fort Lauderdale City Hall. Photo credit: Carina Mask.
PROFILE
“For Dean, how do you run a successful law practice and still do what you need to do as mayor? That’s where having somebody behind you is important, and so my job basically covers everything you can think of because I’m the only staff person.” - Scott Wyman,
Assistant to the mayor
Historic run Wyman said it would be a mistake to conclude that Trantalis was a shoo-in for mayor. He said the race was a tough one. There were three prominent people running in the election – Rodstrom in the primary and then Bruce Roberts, former vice mayor and police chief, running against Trantalis in the general election. Wyman said former Fort Lauderdale mayor Jack Siler and several members of the city’s business leadership were supporting Roberts, too. “Dean got in [the race] late and so we had to raise money very fast,” Wyman said. “He had to campaign very fast. Bruce had been out there over a year, as had Charlotte, and so Dean had a lot of ground to make up in a short period of time,” Wyman said. The final results, however, proved that the residents of Fort Lauderdale were ready for a change in direction. Trantalis won 64 percent of the vote. Early successes Wyman said he thinks most residents are happy with the mayor so far. He’s brought an end to the WAVE streetcar project and has proposed alternatives, he’s promised to make changes in city leadership (there’s now a new manager and attorney), there’s been infrastructure repair and an initiative was launched to help close down a homeless encampment. “The prior administration had gone in and arrested people for feeding the homeless and had bulldozed the encampment and the city was in lawsuits,” Wyman said. “Dean’s approach was: let’s go in with more compassion – so we joined with the county and other stakeholders to come up with the Housing First plan.” The plan offered housing, wrap around social services and a community court option instead of jail time for minor misdemeanors like panhandling and public intoxication. The camp has since closed. Voters had also been concerned about the pace of development and growth in Fort Lauderdale and Wyman said in the months since the election the commission has taken more of an analytical and skeptical approach. 44 | THE
| MARCH 2019
Scott Wyman at Fort Lauderdale City Hall. Photo credit: Carina Mask.
“That’s not to say they haven’t approved projects, because they have, but they’ve also rejected some and toned others down,” Wyman said. The top issues on resident’s minds right now, Wyman said, are traffic, scooters, and code enforcement, such as building permits and construction-related issues. Why Wyman’s important The mayor of Fort Lauderdale essentially serves as one of five city commissioners. The mayor is elected citywide, but he doesn’t have any special powers when it comes to running the city. “We aren’t New York City or Chicago where the mayor runs the city,” Wyman said. “However, he has a bully pulpit and is the only person representing the entire city. And he has the gavel at the meetings.” The mayor and city commissioner positions are not meant to be full-time, either, even if in reality they are. “For Dean, how do you run a successful law practice and still do what you need to do as mayor? That’s where having somebody behind you is important, and so my job basically covers everything you can think of because I’m the only staff person,” Wyman said. He controls the mayor’s calendar. He controls his meetings.
“Everybody wants to talk to the mayor, everybody wants a moment and I end up being the gatekeeper to that,” he said. Wyman also does issue and policy research and produces a popular newsletter. “I’m a liaison to staff, because there’s so many people wanting his attention. Sometimes it’s easier for him to say: ‘You go deal with staff on this issue and report back to me,’” Wyman said. Day in the life On one particular Thursday, Wyman and Trantalis were in an all-day goal setting workshop with city commissioners. Trantalis would go on to have a meeting at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, attend a benefit for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and speak at an economic development summit. He ended the day by stopping by a neighborhood association dinner. “He never lets up. He’ll do three, four events a night,” Wyman said. So with all of his political experience, does Wyman have his own political aspirations? “I really enjoy what I’m doing right now; I think Dean and I make a great team,” Wyman said. “To me, this is the best job you can have. I love writing. I love researching. And I love the politics and the governance of it. So I think it’s worked out well.”
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AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT
Scott B. Wilbanks
A Real
Character // Tucker Berardi
“I
t’s summer down here in New Zealand. I’m sitting at the breakfast table with my husband, my niece (who is visiting from Texas) is on the back deck feeding the neighbor’s cat treats (don’t tell the neighbor, please), and all is well.”
This is the first email I received from Scott B. Wilbanks after asking if he would be interested in an SFGN spotlight focusing on his writing career and his experiences as an LGBT author. What was supposed to be a six-month experiment in his husband’s country of origin turned into nearly a decade in the picturesque New Zealand. Wilbanks is the first to admit that his life is like a fairy tale — living in a cottage as he spends his days in Auckland crafting new stories (when he is not going to the gym or watching TV with Mike, his husband). But like all stories, this one had its fair share of conflict. Wilbanks graduated summa cum laude from the University of Oklahoma and became a decorated gymnast. But an accident rendered him unable to compete, and a lawsuit motivated him to step away from his career. In the wake of hardship, and with an extra push from his husband, Wilbanks decided to try his hand at writing. “One hundred twenty three. That’s how many rejections I got before something stuck,” Wilbanks said. “Some people get lucky. But for most it is an endurance contest.” Practice and endurance paid off, and Wilbanks released “The Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster” in August of 2015, a time-travel mystery following the exchange between two pen pals who are racing 46 | THE
| MARCH 2019
“Some people get lucky. But for most it is an endurance contest.” - Scott B. Willbanks Author
against the clock to find out why a hiccup in time has connected their homes — and how to stop one of them from being convicted for a murder that has yet to happen. Now Wilbanks spends his time on his new project, which follows the early life of a boy whose birth was induced by lightning during the storm of the decade — and as a result leaves him looking just a bit different. As bullies push him to hermithood he finds solace in writing, unknowingly honing his craft to a skill level comparable to some of the most celebrated poets. “The more time you spend with a manuscript, the deeper you get into it, the more you develop your characters,” Wilbanks said. “There is nothing more boring than a one-dimensional antagonist, and nothing better than an antagonist that becomes a protagonist at the end.” Wilbank’s characters each have a deep story to tell. In “The Lemoncholy Life,” the six main characters are each representatives of a marginalized group — an elderly woman, drug users, someone with a chronic illness, and two gay characters. As any good characters, there is far more to each of them than their marginalization. “One of the gay characters is based off of myself, while the other is based off of one of my exes,” Wilbanks said. “He was a very close friend, and he actually died two weeks before the [publication] date.”
“There’s not enough [LGBT] content. There’s never enough content. It’s about getting all of us out there — normalize us.” - Scott B. Willbanks Author
For Wilbanks, exposure to LGBT themes and characters is key. “There’s not enough [LGBT] content,” he said. “There’s never enough content. It’s about getting all of us out there — normalize us.” Wilbanks has put his own experiences into his characters and his stories, and advises up-andcoming writers to do the same. To those who want to change attitudes and perceptions toward LGBT people, Wilbanks believes telling stories — fiction and nonfiction alike — is the best way to do so. “The best form of education is story, we are hardwired to respond to stories,” Wilbanks said. “Stories give us context, they give us a reason to involve ourselves that regular facts and figures don’t provide.” Take a page out of Wilbank’s book — find your voice, find your characters, and give the world a story that will last beyond the closing line. JANUARY 2019 | THE
| 47
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
LGBT THEATER
A Look at
Spring Theater From ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’ and ‘Kinky Boots’ to ‘Rent’ and the ‘Lion King,’ South Florida offers up a taste for everybody this spring // Mary Damiano
T
heater is springing up all over South Florida — as the balmy days turn sweltering, regional theaters provide an entertaining way to escape the heat and the realities of the everyday world. More than a dozen shows will premiere April, May and June, and there is something for every taste. Love gripping drama? Try “Doubt” at Actors’ Playhouse. Have a short attention span? Don’t miss “Summer Shorts” by City Theate in Miami. Love country music? Check out “Always,” “Patsy Cline” at The Wick Theatre in Boca Raton. And who doesn’t love a big splashy drag musical with lots of 70s and 80s disco hits? Slow Burn Theatre Company is getting their drag on with “Priscilla Queen of the Desert.” And if your taste runs toward Broadway tours, big musicals “Rent,” “Come From Away” and “Lion King” are headed this way. Happy Theater-ing!
For Pride Month, Microtheater presents “LGBTQ Out of the Container,” featuring
short plays with LGBTQ themes.
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(Left to right) Logan Marks, Devinré Adams and Logan Farine in the “Rent” 20th Anniversary Tour. Photo credit: Carol Rosegg, via Kravis.org.
Yas, Queen Turn in your gay card if you don’t know “Priscilla Queen
of the Desert,” a funny and uplifting musical, produced by Slow Burn Theatre Company, about a glam drag trio in Sydney, Australia who board a battered bus dubbed Priscilla and take their act on the road to the Outback — the region, not the restaurant — battling homophobia, making friends and finding love. At Broward Center, June 15-30. SlowBurnTheatre.org.
Coming Out of the…Container? The concept for Miami’s Microtheater is unusual — short plays performed for a dozen audience members in a shipping container — but it works. The containers are comfy and air conditioned and the experience is unforgettable. For Pride Month, Microtheater presents “LGBTQ Out of the Container,” featuring short plays with LGBTQ themes. And Microtheater is like tapas — the plays are a la carte, so you can choose one, several, or a bunch, whatever your theatrical appetite craves. MicroTheaterMiami.org
Witty Comedy Island City Stage in Wilton Manors opens the sophisticated comedy “Veronica’s Position,” by popular playwright Rich Orloff, about a fading star, her errant ex, her right-wing senator fiancé and her gay assistant, as they all get caught up in love and politics during a production of “Hedda Gabler.” It runs June 1-30. IslandCityStage.org
Foot Fetish The Ghost and Miss Millie Broward Stage Door Theatre continues its first season at Never underestimate the power of the right footwear to
the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center with “Ghost,” the musical based on the movie, running April 17 through May 5. Next is “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” a musical about a flapper in 1920s New York City, determined to land a rich husband even though love is calling. It runs May 29 through June 16. StageDoorFL.org
transform lives and a town — especially when they’re “Kinky Boots.” The musical comes to Kravis Center May 16. kravis.org
Murder for Measure Measure for Measure Theatre, founded by transgender
South Florida at two venues, April 24 through May 5 at Kravis Center in West Palm Beach and May 8-26 at the Arsht Center in Miami. kravis.org ArshtCenter.org
director Daimien Joseph Matherson, wowed with their production of “Next to Normal” — its lead actress, Sabrina Lynn Gore, earned a Carbonell Award nomination. Gore and Matherson team up again for “Murder Ballad,” a rock musical about a love triangle set in a bar, at Broward Center’s New River Abdo Room, April 18-28. MeasureForMeasureTheatre.com
AThinking Wedding, a Baby and…a Gorilla? Cap Theatre at The Vanguard in Fort Lauderdale
has two shows in the wings. The dark comedy “Precious Little,” is about a woman who learns some unsettling news about the baby she’s carrying and finds solace in an elderly speaker of a vanishing language and a baby gorilla. It runs April 4-21. Next, Casey Dressler makes wedding planning look hilarious in her one-woman show, “The Wedding Warrior.” Dressler, a former wedding planner for a Keys resort, morphs into 15 characters to create a funny and touching portrait of a woman who’s given up on love but still plans perfect weddings. It runs May 2-19. VanguardArts.org
And the Carbonell Goes To… The 43rd annual Carbonell Awards, which
honors excellence in regional theatre and provides scholarships for high-school seniors pursuing studies in the performing arts or journalism, take place Monday, April 8, at Broward Center. The show will feature performances from the nominated musicals. Single tickets go on sale March 10. CarbonellAwards.org
Broadway in the Tropics
La Vie Boheme Set in 1980s New York, a group of friends deal with
love, loss, and the AIDS crisis in the musical “Rent.” The 20th anniversary tour comes to Kravis Center in West Palm Beach April 17. Kravis.org
“Thoroughly Modern Millie” is a musical about a flapper in 1920s New York City, determined to land a rich husband even though love is calling.
Hakuna Matata The Broadway tour of Disney’s “The Lion King” roars into
Come From Away and Fly Away Home Based on the true story of a small town in Newfoundland
that welcomed a diverse group of more than 7,000 passengers when their planes were rerouted in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the musical “Come From Away” comes to the Arsht Center in Miami June 1823. The tour features South Florida native Nick Duckart, who won a Carbonell Award for the 2013 production of In the Heights at Actors’ Playhouse. ActorsPlayhouse.org
Miami-Dade County
Hail Mary Pass Actors’ Playhouse opens “Doubt,” a play set in a Catholic school in the 1960s, about a nun who is suspicious of a priest and his favoritism of a certain boy. “Doubt” runs May 17 through June 9. ActorsPlayhouse.org
Short-Cut to theater Fun It wouldn’t be summer in South Florida without the long-
running short play festival, “Summer Shorts,” produced by City Theatre at the Carnival Theatre at the Arsht Center, May 30 through June 30. A mix of regional and world premieres, “Summer Shorts” is a program of about eight 10-minute plays, with a very versatile cast. CityTheatre.com
Home Sweet Home Internationally produced
local playwright Michael McKeever, who wrote “Daniel’s Husband,” will have one of his earlier, successful plays produced at Main Street Playhouse in Miami Lakes. “37 Postcards” focuses on a man who returns home after traveling abroad to find that a lot happened while he was away. It runs April 12 through May 5. MainStreetPlayers.com
Country Queen The relationship between a fan and a star is symbiotic —
the fan worships the star, while the star doesn’t know the fan exists. That symbiotic relationship is lovingly explored in “Always, Patsy Cline,” a play with music that runs April 27 through May 19 at The Wick Theatre in Boca Raton. Thewick.org
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Your Guide to
TRAVEL
It’s a big world, and you deserve all of it. Follow the Mirror as we guide you around the hottest places to travel. Your next profile picture could be photographed anywhere from Italy to the Caribbean ... or maybe there’s an adventure right around the corner.
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TRAVEL
Staycation You Don’t Have to Go Away to Get Away // Rick Karlin
T
he word staycation is a portmanteau of stay and vacation. Supposedly the term was first used in the Canadian television show “Corner Gas” in 2005, however the Merriam-Webster dictionary cites the earliest use of the term in the Cincinnati Enquirer, July 18, 1944.
W
herever and whenever it originated, the term, and its variations — nearcation, holistay and daycation — became widely used in the U.S. in 2008 as the summer travel season began with gas prices reaching record highs, leading many people to cut back on expenses including travel. With air travel becoming more expensive and awkward, with added fees for just about anything (I swear Spirit Air is going to start installing straps and handrails like subways instead of seats.) and gas prices fluctuating by the day in reaction to President Trump’s tweets, staying home and planning day trips to local attractions makes even more sense, especially since we live in one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. Folks travel for a variety of reasons: entertainment, to see the sights or just to relax and be pampered. Here are some staycation suggestions you can mix and match to create the staycation experience you want.
Less than an hour’s drive north, at Eau Resort in Palm Beach (www.eaupalmbeach. com), you can book a two-night stay spa package that includes a deluxe room, customized health-conscious meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a choice of two fitness classes daily, an afternoon “mocktail hour” featuring healthy smoothies for two, a choice of massage or facial and daily access for two to Eau Spa zones, bath lounges, and garden. It’s not cheap, but luxury seldom is. Booking this package mid-week will run about $3,000 a couple. A similar deal is available at The Pelican Grand Resort (www.pelicanbeach.com). Of course, you can book your spa treatments without an overnight stay and bring down the costs considerably, while still getting the use of the resort facilities. If you’d prefer an all-male environment, many of the area’s guest houses and resorts offer spa treatments. Booking spa treatments usually also includes access to the resort’s pool and other amenities. Most also offer day passes, should you just
The Cabanas Guesthouse and its spa
offer a wide range of amenities including two pools, a hot tub, some rooms overlooking the intracoastal, and an aroma therapy steam room. 52 | THE
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want to lounge by the pool and have some eye-candy. Check with each location for its guidelines. The Grand Resort and Spa (www.grandresort.net) offers discounts to Florida residents and spa packages and midweek discounts, such as 15 percent off a Grand Signature scrub or organic coconut oil and sugar scrub and a free express manicure with the purchase of an extreme ultimate pedicure, and it’s a short walk to Sebastian Beach. The Cabanas Guesthouse (www. thecabanasguesthouse.com) and its spa offer a wide range of amenities including two pools, a hot tub, some rooms overlooking the intracoastal, and an aroma therapy steam room. The cozy day spa offers an expansive array of treatments and a variety of packages, such as its honeymoon package (for two, obviously) for $297, which consists of pairs of sixty-minute massages, anti-aging facials, full body exfoliation with body wraps and lunch salads as well as a dozen roses, a crudité tray and a gift package featuring Babor for men products. This package includes an overnight stay in a standard queen room. If you prefer to just lounge by the pool, day passes, which include use of all of the resort’s facilities, are $20. Pineapple Point Guesthouse (www. pineapplepoint.com) doesn’t offer a slick modern experience, instead it revels in its history as a 1930s old world Florida property. Continued on next page.
TRAVEL
The Lantern Festival at the Morikami Museum. x Photo via Facebook.
The owners, Judd and Phil, rebuilt and restored the unique architecture, adding modern conveniences while keeping the feeling of Bogie and Bacall in Key Largo. While the guesthouse does not have a spa, it does offer on-site massage in its studio and personal training sessions in its gym. Day passes are good from 10-5 and are $25 daily, except Saturdays when they are $50 and include a poolside barbecue, wine and beer. If you’d prefer a bit more education in your staycation, check out some of the area’s local cultural attractions. Boca Raton’s Morikami Gardens (www.morikami.org) began as a tomato farm owned and operated in the early days of the 20th century as the Yamato Colony, a small community of Japanese immigrants. Prosperity during World War I and the land “boom” of the
Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum. Photo via Facebook.
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1920s resulted in many of the settlers leaving. By the beginning of World War II, few Japanese remained. In May of 1942, farmland in the Yamato area still owned by Japanese settlers was confiscated by the U.S. government for a military installation. In the mid-70s, one of the last remaining settlers, George Morikami, donated his land to Palm Beach County with the wish for it to become a park to preserve the memory of the Yamato Colony. The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens opened in 1977 and serves as a shrine to the original settlers. Plan at least four hours to tour the gardens, visit the museum and, of course, have lunch in the incredible on-site sushi restaurant. The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday: 10 a.m.5 p.m., admission is $15, $13 for seniors. Other museums to visit celebrating Fort Lauderdale’s rich cultural heritage include attractions and events that honor its multicultural heritage; the African American Research Library and Cultural Center and Old Dillard Museum and the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum (www.ahtahthiki. com) where you can learn about the Seminoles’ way of life in the late 1800s and wander nature trails through a recreated Seminole village. The International Swimming Hall of Fame (www.ishof.org) on A1A is a shrine to renowned swimmers and water polo players and features a collection of memorabilia and Olympic Gold medals
Bonnet House. Photo via Facebook.
of famous swimmers. Bonnet House (www. bonnethouse.org), like its sister property to the north, Hugh Taylor-Birch Park, was a grand estate, but now serves as a museum dedicated to historic and environmental preservation and creative expression. So much of what the Stonewall National Museum (www.stonewall-museum.org) does takes place behind the scenes in the archives, but you can always catch new exhibits as well as regular displays at its Gallery Space on Wilton Drive. While you’re in the area, be certain to pay a visit to the World AIDS Museum (www. worldaidsmuseum.org). Looking for thrills and chills? Take an air-boat ride in the Everglades or, for something a little more laid back, hop on the water taxi and learn the history of the grand houses along the intracoastal. Of course, if all else fails, you can always visit one of the many casinos in the area or the horse races at Gulfstream Park.
Extreme Entertainment From skydiving and trampolining to rock climbing, check out these local activities to get your adrenaline pumping // Rick Karlin
F
acing another boring Sunday brunch? Dreading that next yawn-inducing cocktail party? Got yet another night at the movies slated? Why not shake things up and take in some extreme entertainment? You don’t have to risk life and limb for an adrenalin rush, you just have to know where to go to shake up those entertainment doldrums.
Photo via K1 Speed, Facebook.
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TRAVEL
Come Fly With Me There’s no need to jump out of a plane to get enjoy the experience of sky-diving now that iFLY, the world’s largest indoor skydiving operation, has opened a South Florida location at 11690 W. State Road 84 in Davie. Almost anyone, regardless of age or physical fitness can experience human flight in a safe, comfortable and fun environment. The indoor skydiving facility is a marvel of engineering that replicates the sensation of freefall, creating conditions that allow people to fly on a smooth cushion of air. With the help of iFLY certified flight instructors, customers learn to fly, control their bodies in the air and experience true human flight. All flight packages include training, flight gear, and flight time with a certified instructor. To prepare for their flight experience, customers complete a training class guided by one of iFLY’s flight and safety instructors. They then are equipped with flight gear, including goggles, helmet and flight suit, and enter the flight chamber by leaning forward into a smooth cushion of air, with a flight instructor at their side. Prices start at $79.95 for a package of two flights for one person. Photos and videos of each flight are available for an additional fee. Each flight is roughly equivalent to the time spent in free-fall during an actual parachute jump. Learn more at iflyworld.com/fort-lauderdale. For those willing to take the big leap and actually jump out of a plane, Skydive Spaceland Florida, 1090 Airglades Blvd. in Clewiston specializes in tandem skydives, jumping from an airplane at 14,000 feet! After a brief class, jumpers freefall at 120 mph harnessed to an experienced instructor. After freefalling, they pull the ripcord for a peaceful, 5-minute parachute flight and a soft, on-target landing. Skydive videos and photos to prove you did it are available. Weekend jumps are $219, weekdays $199, and a second tandem jump is $99. Call 800-533-6151 or go to SkydiveSpaceland.com.
Jump for Joy
Sky Zone, 1834 SW 2nd St. in Pompano Beach, is a trampoline park offering a variety of programs including freestyle jump as well as organized activities such as ultimate dodgeball and volleyball. Weekend evenings bring glow-in-the-dark activities. In addition, there are foam zones and a sky ladder rope course. Prices range from 1 hour for $15.99 to $23.99 for 2 hours and $19.99 for a 45-minute Sky Course climb, $5 more if you add a zipline. Monthly and quarterly passes are also available. Call 954-4173999 or go to skyzone.com/fortlauderdale.
Climbing to New Heights
Project Rock, 3580 N. Andrews in Oakland Park, literally built a mountain indoors. Not just any mountain, but one that re-creates of some of the classic climbing areas of the U.S. According to company’s website, “Whether you’ve never stepped a foot off the ground, or you are a seasoned climber, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to …feel the excitement of climbing many of the iconic destinations that our country has to offer.” An individual day pass will run you, $25 with gear, $19 if you’ve got your own. If you prefer a little two on one action, a session with personal guide is $50, $90 for a three-way session. Call 954-766-4836 or go to projectROCK.com. Continued on next page.
The Need for Speed If you’ve ever dreamed of racing in the Grand Prix but don’t have the hundreds of thousands of euros necessary, head over to K1 Go Karting, 2950 Stirling Rd., in Hollywood, for a few laps in an electric powered vehicle. After a briefing on rules and safety, race against family, friends or complete strangers. After each race, you’ll receive a race result sheet that allows you to compare your times and overall rank against other drivers. K1 Speed also offers a variety of race events, including instructional classes, Challenge GP events, and night races. A single 14 lap race runs $22, a second race brings the total to $38. Package deals are available. Call 954-416-0044 or check out k1speed. com/fort-lauderdale Photo via iFly, Facebook.
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TRAVEL
One Stop Shopping If you can’t figure out exactly what you want to do, stop in at Xtreme Action Park, 5300 Powerline Rd. in Fort Lauderdale where you’ll have numerous options. For something physical, check out the ropes course that wends above the entire facility. There is no time limit while on the course. In this choose-your-own-course adventure, participants are safely harnessed as they face-off against their desired obstacle at each platform; alternating logs, wooden barrels, round bridge, suspended horizontal tires, a climbing wall, skateboard, plastic barrels, wall of tires, monkey bars, and more! With the various course options, you could literally spend hours negotiating the course. Xtreme Action Park also offers paintball and laser tag, gas-powered go-karts, arcade games and a roller rink, which hosts roller derby and a Pride Night skating party the third Tuesday of every month. If you prefer your thrills in a virtual setting, check out the XD Dark Ride, an immersive attraction in which each player experiences an interactive, unique experience including full motion seats, turbine wind blasts, realistic surround sound and a video game component. It’s a virtual roller coaster and video game all in one. Challenge your intellect instead of your adrenaline in one of the facility’s Evolution Escape Rooms. Groups of three to ten people work as a team to solve a variety of challenging puzzles, players will unlock the mysteries that are contained within one of the several rooms. Players have up to 60 minutes to overcome a series of brain twisters and escape the fictional world of Duskfield Springs. Each escape room offers a window in to the interesting story behind this small secluded town. Gearheads will want to check out Dezer Auto Museum, the largest and most eclectic, privately owned transportation museum worldwide. The museum is over 30,000 square feet and houses some of the world’s rarest and most expensive cars. Prices for various activities are available on the park’s website, xtremeactionpark.com or call 954-491-6265.
Photo via Xtreme Action Park, Facebook.
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TRAVEL
The Innis theon 5th Place to Stay
in Naples / / Pier Angelo
I
hate flying. OK, I said it. Funny because for decades I was the CEO of a company that supplied the avionics industry of Italy. I am fortunate to have traveled across the globe prior to 9/11. Since then getting on a plane is a major hassle, and that’s not including the chronic delays before getting on, taking off, disembarking, and waiting for your luggage after having spent hours in a seat far too small for the medium sized American human frame, always with the soundtrack of the shrills and cries of obnoxious children and their parents. Now I only fly if it is an emergency. I drive instead, it doesn’t matter how near or how far but at least I know I am in control of my life. If I can’t drive there I will not go there. We are fortunate here in South Florida to have at our disposal various top notch destinations that can be reached by car. My favorite is two hours away from Fort Lauderdale: Naples, Florida. AAfter crossing Alligator Alley you are in a slice of paradise. Our favorite place to stay is The Inn on 5th. A chic boutique hotel on Fifth Avenue South in the heart of old Naples, with high end shopping, art galleries, dining, nightlife, and theaters just outside its doors. It boasts a rooftop pool, a spa, a gourmet restaurant and plush guest rooms for a luxurious escape. It is only a half mile from 62 | THE
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I was invited to scan the array of liquors and they proudly pointed out that Jack Daniel’s was now part of their options. I had forgotten all about it but they were thrilled to tell me that they had done it for me. the famous Naples Pier, where every day as sundown approaches, a multitude gathers with folding chairs and drinks in hand to watch the spectacular sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. Naples is a walking city and it is yours to explore. The Inn on 5th occupies a pair of Mediterranean Revival buildings on either side of Fifth Avenue South with chic awnings shading Juliet balconies, which makes it feel more Beverly Hills than Southwest Florida. Inside, the hotel is a study in measured red, black and white with sophisticated Art Decoinspired furniture and a shiny marble floor in the lobby. Bathrooms are sumptuous and spacious in black and white Italian marble with rainfall showers and bathtubs in most rooms. They’re equipped with televisions and Starbucks coffee makers. Wi-Fi is free as is parking with a valet service that welcomes each guest with warmth and a smile.
The staff is above anything I have ever experienced, even in European capitals at 5 star hotels. You feel at home. In fact my husband and I were considering buying a house in Naples but after we discovered the Inn on 5th and its Club Level we decided that it was more convenient to drive over anytime we felt like it and have a place we could call home without having to worry about its upkeep. Case in point: A few months ago my husband and I were staying at the Club Level, which offers a fabulous free happy hour with the best selection of liquors anywhere. All the top shelf brands are there, well except one. They did not feature Jack Daniel’s, my favorite after dinner drink. I mentioned it, as a joke, to Nancy and Miriam, the wonderful ladies at the concierge, and they confirmed that JD was not on their list. On our next visit we were greeted by a smiling and chuckling staff saying, “We have something for you, come back later.” Promptly at 4 p.m. I was invited to scan the array of liquors and they proudly pointed out that Jack Daniel’s was now part of their options. I had forgotten all about it but they were thrilled to tell me that they had done it for me. That’s what I call customer care. If you want to treat yourself fo a stress and hassle free vacation, get in that car and go to Naples. Make sure you stay at the Inn on 5th. You will not be disappointed.
The Inn on 5th. Photo via innonfifth.com.
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TRAVEL
48
Hours in Sarasota
R
/ / Aaron Drake
eminiscent of the urban feel of artsy Miami combined with the laidback feeling of being on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the turquoise waters of Sarasota Bay sparkle in the sunshine, reflecting back at the city’s waterfront skyline. What new Florida adventures will this city hold? What exciting finds will there be? These are not always questions I ask myself when arriving to a new destination, but because I’ve traveled around the Sunshine State, I’m always curious what each unique destination holds here, each with its own seemingly distinct flavor. An aerial view of the John Ringling bridge leading into Sarasota. All photos courtesy of Aaron Drake. Continued on next page
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Photo courtesy of Visit Sarasota.
TRAVEL My visit to Sarasota boasted a collection of outdoor adventures, worldly cuisine and world-class art and museums. With 13 performance stages in downtown alone—the city is surprisingly home to world-renowned theatre, ballet and opera—something I had yet to experience in Florida!
STAY IN
As the city’s sole TAG-approved hotel, Hotel Indigo was the logical option. It’s very close to Sarasota’s walkable downtown, with restaurants and the waterfront only a short distance away. The pet-friendly hotel offers a modern, boutique feel with all the expected comforts while away, including complimentary Wi-Fi. H20 Bistro in the hotel’s lobby serves as the spot to grab a cocktail for happy hour, dinner fare made with fresh local ingredients or the daily breakfast buffet before you head out for the day.
Downtown at night. Courtesy of Visit Sarasota.
bit.ly/2NxX4sX
EAT OUT
A lovely spot to dine out for lunch, and only a couple blocks from Hotel Indigo, is lesbian-owned The Overton (theovertonsrq.com). This newer eatery features large doors that can be opened for an open-air style café vibe, serving up delicious food or just a cozy spot to sip a coffee. Cuisine here ranges from breakfast options like egg sandwiches and fresh pastries, to full lunch dishes like a burger and fries. Of course if you’re on vacation, O’Leary’s Tiki Bar (olearystikibar. com) might be more your vibe. Located in Sarasota’s Bayfront Park (next to the must-see outdoor Embracing Our Differences art exhibit currently on display through March), this Florida-style waterfront restaurant dishes up no-frills beach fare and frozen cocktails that you can chow down on picnic-style with your feet in the sand while overlooking the Bay. Get to know Sarasota on a more intimate level by making a reservation at Clasico Café Bar (barclasico.com). This romantic restaurant has a mildly different vibe from every other Italian eatery; with international beats playing, sidewalk café-style seating and a certain buzz from patrons all dressed up, you’ll get the feeling like you’re sitting in a restaurant somewhere south of the equator. The restaurant transforms on weekends with a live DJ and dance floor. For late nights, if you don’t fancy checking out the city’s main gay watering hole Oasis (facebook.com/ oasissarasota), find your way to Pangea Alchemy Lab (pangealounge. com), currently only accessible through a back alley entryway. You’ll feel like you stepped back in time to a dimly lit prohibition-era speakeasy, but updated with a cool modern vibe and inventive libations, of course. It’s perfect for after-dinner drinks or small shared plates.
Sarasota’s Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
SIGHTSEE
Hands down the top attraction when visiting Sarasota, is the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art (ringling.org). This elaborate 66-acre estate includes art exhibits you’ll be surprised to find in Florida. And the circus magnate’s own personal stunning mansion the Ca d’Zan and gardens are works of art as well. It’s easy to spend an entire afternoon here wandering the grounds before finding your way in to gape at the art on display or explore the Circus Museum. A quick runner-up to the Ringling Museum is another piece of Ringling’s legacy-turned-center of local and visitor life alike, St. Armand’s Circle (starmandscircleassoc.com). This outdoor shopping area has more than 130 high-end retail stores and restaurants, mixing local history and culture to paint a unique perspective of the city of Sarasota. For those with a penchant for learning and experience, another mustvisit is Sarasota’s Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium (mote.org). Here you can get up-close and personal with many of Florida’s species of marine life! The not-for-profit marine research location provides a handson learning experience about many of Florida’s underwater creatures such as sharks, turtles and manatees, as well as the valuable rehabilitative work being done to preserve these species. And leaving from the Mote is another experiential way to spend the afternoon on Sarasota Bay: Sarasota Bay Explorers (sarasotabayexplorers.com) sails out for daily tours of the bay—but with an educational twist. Mote researchers play tour guides as they dredge up sea life from the Bay to give guests a close encounter with the unique ecology that lies just beneath the surface. For the outdoorsy among us, Sarasota offers an exhilarating adventure that was by far my favorite experience during my visit. Treeumph (treeumph.com), which can really only be described as adventure courses, combines zip lines, ropes and treetop obstacle courses for what results in a full-body, adrenaline-spiking good time. Most importantly, don’t miss spending time at the beautiful white sandy beaches that the Gulf Coast is known for. Plan a day at Siesta Key, or the city’s gay beach on Lido Key.
Whatever you’re seeking for a quick weekend getaway, if it’s culture, cuisine or adventure, Sarasota has plenty to spare. Go to VisitSarasota. com for more info.
CAMPING
Gay Camping A Growing Gay Institution
// Ric Reilly
A
cceptance, rights and inclusion was our gay agenda and as the war subsides to battles, and as the dust clears, we begin to see the outcome. We may love our gay culture, yet it is important to understand that achieving our goals carries with it the cost of giving up who we were for who we will become.
Change is all around us. Many cities no longer have any gay bars. Neighborhoods once considered gay now have a preponderance of perambulators. Gay businesses seldom find it practical to focus solely on gay customers. Mainstream churches reach out to gay parishioners. Continued on next page. ď ľ
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CAMPING
Guests at The Woods Campground during a Camel Beach Water Park excursion. Photo via The Woods Campground Facebook.
Gay camping is perhaps the single growing gay institution. Though not a poor man’s sport, most gay campgrounds continue to grow. Gay campers tend to love “their” place much like fans love “their” team. They find haven in a safe and friendly environment and become comfortable with the community and culture. Private membership parks harken back to a day when many gay bars required memberships. Members-only campgrounds are the last bastion of a gay culture as we become more and more integrated into society in general. Gay campgrounds continue to provide a space and experience where gays can be the very persons they are. They provide a place to commingle with compatriots in a world separate from our usual and regular reality. There are many passable, good and great gay campgrounds across North America. Most are located east of the Mississippi River and most of those within about a two hour drive of a major metropolitan area. Size and success of individual endeavors appear at first glance to be directly related to the size of the market from which they draw campers. Black Bear Camp in Alabama closed in 2015. Some campgrounds muddle along whilst from the sidelines we wonder how. The Woods in Pennsylvania draws from at least four major metropolitan areas and is one of the most popular. New gay campgrounds open each year. Rumblings of new ones opening near Rehoboth Beach in Delaware and near St. Louis in Missouri remain rumors. Between 2017 and 2018 at least ten new, or newly owned, gay campgrounds opened across the U.S. Several including Rainbow RV and The Homestead at 3218 in
Texas, and Copper Cactus Ranch in Arizona opened west of the Mississippi River, an area that has had notably few choices. Fledgling smaller properties like River Ridge in Kentucky and Saddleback Campground in New Hampshire were founded by owners who simply love camping. Smaller new gay campgrounds tend to be built from the bottom up making use of limited acreage. Major new properties like Creek Ridge Campground in Michigan are usually already campgrounds finding a second life with new owners. Beginning a new business of any kind requires a certain dedication and appetite for risk. In addition, opening a new gay campground generally puts the owners in a rural, usually remote and often isolated location surrounded by non-urban neighbors who will individually take whatever reaction to the new business that aligns with their beliefs. Mostly, new owners find neighbors friendly and accepting. Local businesses in areas surrounding large gay campgrounds quickly learn to embrace their new gay customers who spend more, and more readily, than less affluent locals. Adroit owners set up a culture of giving, a natural attendant to gay entertainment, directly benefiting local organizations from volunteer fire departments to animal rescues. Gay culture is not disappearing but changing as families embrace their gay members, gay politicians win office and society recognizes its members’ value. Change embraced is growth. Urban areas have become our homes and gay campgrounds our retreats.
Membersonly campgrounds are the last bastion of a gay culture as we become more and more integrated into society in general.
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J. Mark’s Serves Up
Tasty New Fare N
ew traditions are hard to come by these days. Owners Steve and Ariel have owned J. Mark’s Restaurant for 10 exciting years. Sitting at their dinner table is quite the experience and something they do regularly with friends and family while tasting new menu items for their Pompano and Fort Lauderdale locations. A tradition they created, test tasting new menu items in their home in South Beach, started to receive real input on how food tastes and what changes may need to be made to these new items. Sitting down to their table was fascinating as we shared stories of cooking experiences gone bad to amazing memories of why we love food in the first place. During the laughter, Steve explained new menu items like the Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Crab and what makes theirs special. Learning they receive fresh produce, seafood, meats and breads daily is extremely important and sets them apart from many other local favorites. Toasting over wine with friends
creates memories that J. Mark’s has been proud to be a part of for the last ten years. Since their inception they have hosted numerous events for the LGBT community including the SFGN anniversary party and events for the Pride Center, Local Chamber and more. Steve and Ariel believe in supporting the community and creating one that cares and supports each other. This is no surprise as we enjoyed many new favorites from their menu.
• Blue Pistachio Kale Salad • Fried Green Tomato Sliders • Quarter Pound Trade Burger with Fries • Seafood Benedict – Sunday Brunch Menu • Happy Hour 2 - 6 & 9 – Close Daily House Mojito Martini House Cosmo House Margarita J. Marks Style Brown Sugar Mojito Beer, Wine and other liquor beverages included
Stop by anytime to say hello and enjoy a cocktail or romantic dinner for two and let J. Mark’s become part of your family tradition.
y a w A l i a
TRAVEL
S
o g s Let’
g n i s i u r c rlin
ck Ka
// Ri
There’s nothing worse than signing up for a cruise and finding that it’s with a group where you don’t fit in. Although cruise ships accommodate anywhere between a one to three thousand passengers, there are often large groups that book the majority of the cabins. You’re more likely to encounter that on some of the lower-end lines such as Carnival and Princess than you are on mid-to-upper-level lines such as Royal Carribbean, Celebrity or Cunard, but it can still happen. One way to avoid that is to sign up for a cruise where you know the LGBT community will be well represented. There are agencies, such as RSVP, Atlantis, Vacaya and Olivia, that book entire ships exclusively for their groups, as well as agencies that book large groups on mainstream sailings, such as Pied Piper, Aquafest, MTM Travel or Meet Me Onboard. If you’re looking at an exclusively gay cruise expect to pay a bit more. Not only do the companies producing these events need to provide additional staff, the entertainment level is usually much better than what you’d get on a mainstream cruise. It’s not unusual for these groups to bring in top name divas from Broadway or Hollywood for special shows. And then there are the parties; on some ships you’ll need a steamer trunk
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just for the costumes! All-gay cruises have the reputation of being a non-stop circuit party, and you can certainly find that, but ultimately the cruise is what you make it. If you want to chill in peace by the pool, bring your noise-canceling earbuds, grab a book and relax, you’ll have plenty of company seeking the same. The choice between a gay group cruise on a mainstream ship or an all-gay cruise is a matter of personal preference. Look at the itinerary, ship, cost and other factors when making your decision. For groups on mainstream ships, the group’s size is sometimes hard to predict. In the end it all depends on your comfort level-whether in an all-gay group or a mixed environment. Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise ports, which means that you can catch a specialty cruise out of your home town just about every week. The following LGBT cruises, sail out of Fort Lauderdale, with a few exceptions that are noted.
Atlantis
has chartered the sensational new Celebrity Edge sailing March 17 - 24, Caribbean cruise. The trip takes a ship full of gay men (and a few women) to Key West for Atlantis’ first visit in almost 10 years! After having most of the day to explore the numerous LGBT bars and restaurants and shopping charming Duval Street, cruisers head back to the ship around sunset and set sail for Cozumel, Mexico where everything from world-class diving to tantalizing restaurants beckon. During its return leg, the ship stops in Grand Cayman. Tickets range from $22,000 for a penthouse suite, to $1,429 for an ocean view cabin. Next year’s cruise hasn’t been scheduled yet, but a similar itinerary and departure date should be in the offing. For more information, check out AtlantisEvents.com.
Aquafest hosts a number of international tours, but perhaps its most popular is its annual Halloween cruise of the western Caribbean.
Priced beginning at $899 the cruise departs from Miami on Oct. 27 on the Norwegian Breakaway with stops in Roatan, Bay Island, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. The tour package includes two private cocktail parties, a host, private entertainment programs on Halloween, some fun and games with prizes, group dining, and optional private shore excursions in some ports of call. For more information and other cruises, check out AquafestCruises.com.
The Melissa Etheridge Cruise sails March 31 – Apr. 7 on the Norwegian Pearl. Although this excursion sails
out of Tampa, I am including it because of its unique draw. Not only does it feature Melissa Etheridge in two shows, it is a Lilith Fair on the seas, with appearance by Jill Sobule, Shawn Colvin, Paula Cole, Dar Williams, Crystal Bowersox and a dozen more performers. The ship stops in Harvest Caye, Costa Maya, and Grand Cayman during the seven day festival on the high seas. Everyone sailing gets a photo with Melissa, a Q&A with Melissa, and access to a guitar clinic with Etheridge. Available ticket prices range from $1,300 to $2,800. Check out TheMelissaEtheridgeCruise.com.
RSVP recent Caribbean cruise sold out weeks before it sailed Feb. 10-17, on the Holland America New Amsterdam. The group sailed to four
gorgeous islands with 2,100 gay and lesbian friends. The relatively small (for a major liner) ship made for a more intimate experience. The ship’s first port of call was Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. From there it sailed on to San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, and Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. On board the ship’s usual amenities, such as the spa and fitness classes were augmented by special entertainment including popular gay and lesbian entertainers, and legendary cabaret stars. Theme parties and T-dances traditionally brings out everyone’s creative best. Next year’s cruise dates haven’t been announced but expect it to come up early to mid-Feb. Fares range from $979 to $8,500. Go to rsvpvacations.com for more information. Continued on next page.
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TRAVEL
Happy Gay Travel
and Source Events will present the 10th Annual Miami Gay Pride Cruise Apr. 8 - 13, on the Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas. The five-night cruise sails to Havana, Cuba the day after Miami’s Pride Parade. Prices start at only $589 per person, including all the shipboard private parties, meals, special cocktail hours. For more information, go to HappyGayTravel.com.
For those of you with kids, an all gay cruise can be a bit much. Check out R Family Vacations for a more kid-friendly experience. There are many ways to define a family, and R Family Vacations celebrates them all. On R Family Vacations, everyone is welcome: men and women, LGBT or straight, and family & friends of all ages. R Family Vacations always offer signature kids programming for those families with children, but it’s not only about the kids. R Family sails from Fort Lauderdale aboard the Celebrity Edge, Apr. 21-28. The Eastern Caribbean cruise includes stops in San Juan, Tortola and St. Maarten. The cruise will also include a number of parties, including the “Sail Away Mixer”, a welcome party, special theme nights, and group dinners. Entertainment features LGBT comics, musical performers, and shore excursions. Stateroom rates range from $1676 to $1726, with special prices for additional guests staying in the same room. Go to RFamilyVacations.com for more information.
While not an LGBT cruise per se, our community was well represented on the Ultimate Disco Cruise which sailed from Feb. 14-19. Those sailing were able to hustle back in time and relive everything that made the disco era so special. Live performances by more than 40 disco legends, including KC and The Sunshine Band, Kool & The Gang, The Spinners, Gloria Gaynor and Evelyn Champagne King took place at over 25 interactive events aboard Celebrity Infinity as it cruised from Fort Lauderdale, with stops in Key West and Cozumel before returning home. Next year’s cruise, Feb. 10-15 sails out of Miami.
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Saint Croix, USVI
TRAVEL
Venice The Drag Queen of Italy // Pier Angelo
Stay away from Venice, Italy in June, July or August. Unless you enjoy being smothered and choked by thousands and thousands of cheap, crassy tourists. This is a city of 59,000 people. Yet 24 million visitors a year make Venice one of their favorite stopovers. Most of them in the summer months. It is a wonder it does not sink under its own weight. Go in the second half of September, October, even November. The weather might not be the best but you will savor the real thing. Personally, I think Venice looks better and more mysterious in the soft rain, or with a light chill. During the summer the city is a hot zoo filled to capacity. Herds crawl
along the narrow alleyways, called calli, loaded with shopping bags and suitcases, snapping pictures on their cell phones and iPads. Families with strollers try to navigate the tiny bridges and passages. It’s like watching a river of humanity slowly making its way to the various sites. The city was founded by people who were escaping Attila’s invasion. The Huns despised going near water. Now a new breed of barbarians invade it on a regular basis. Cruise ships unload three or four thousand more bodies each day. It is what Babel must have been in biblical times. Venice is a city that has to be experienced at a slow pace. The least number of people around you, the better. The best time I have ever had in Venice was in November, with my partner, in a semi deserted Saint Mark’s
Square, the mist coming in from the laguna and a violin player fiddling a passage from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. It was magic. It was as if the city had removed its mask, tears filled my eyes without warning. Much of Venetian life has balanced itself for centuries on the concept of the mask: one face for society made of papier-mâché and one only seen in private. It dates back to the late 1700s when the Carnevale lasted for months and Venetians lived behind the painted mask, bejeweled and bewigged, not knowing with whom they were playing, or making love to, as masks were seldom removed except at home or in church. These days the Mardi Gras lasts only a few days but its people spend most of the year getting ready for the elaborate party. The city’s nickname is “The Drag Queen of Italy” and even
It was magic. It was as if the city had removed its mask, tears filled my eyes without warning. 76 | THE
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Venice. Mirror File Photo.
TRAVEL
Venice. Mirror File Photo.
though it doesn’t have much of an official gay nightlife it has traditionally encouraged tolerance and individuality. The Bellini was invented in Venice sometime between 1934 and 1948 by Giuseppe Cipriani founder of Harry’s Bar. He named the drink the Bellini because its unique pink color reminded him of the toga of a saint in a painting by 15th-century Venetian artist Giovanni Bellini The drink started as a seasonal specialty at
Harry’s Bar, a favorite haunt of Hemingway, Sinclair Lewis and Orson Wells. For centuries Venice has also embraced the many famous gay travelers who went to Venice in search of their souls. Or to lose it. From Lord Byron to Jeannette Winterson. One of the first openly gay movies ever made is the 1971 “Death in Venice” with Dirk Bogarde based on the Thomas Mann’s novel of the same name. It was filmed entirely at the Hotel des
When you are in Venice forget about getting a map or directions. Just walk, get lost in the labyrinth of narrow streets. You will savor and discover the city in all its
mysterious haunting
beauty.
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Bains, one of Europe’s most fabulous hotels. The movie is now considered a classic. When you are in Venice forget about getting a map or directions. Just walk, get lost in the labyrinth of narrow streets. You will savor and discover the city in all its mysterious haunting beauty. Make believe you are Donald Sunderland in “Don’t Look Now” another classic movie set in Venice. You will eventually arrive in Piazza San Marco, preferably at twilight, to watch the last rays of the sun slip beneath the waters of the lagoon. Then watch the sky turn a cobalt blue and the wispy clouds a pinkish color with the gondolas lit up by the fading sun. There are few places on earth with the same chromatic intensity. For an enchanted moment you wonder if you are caught in a living painting or a living dream. The experience, depending who you are with, can be insanely romantic or slightly surreal. Gore Vidal, another famous gay part time resident, wrote in his book “Vidal in Venice,” “...There is a strong need for magic, for a place that is outside of time, for a postponement of reality. For Venice.”
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$50 • Available at Freeman’s Luggage, 2549 E. Sunrise Bouevard, Fort Lauderdale, and WallarooHats.com This is a fantastic outdoor hat with an 8½” long flap for complete neck protection for outdoor excursions. Perfect for all-day events like fishing, hiking, or watching a baseball game. A Velcro pocket in the brim stows the flap when not needed. Its UPF 50+ fabric blocks 97.5% of ultraviolet rays, according to the Australian Radiation Protection Agency. The Shelton is packable – crushable, has an internal drawstring to adjust fit, 100% cotton, and is hand washable.
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WHAT: No-Jet-Lag® WHAT: Tumi Latitude International Carry On $750 • Available locally at Tumi Store – Aventura Mall, 19575 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura, and Tumi.com Toughness is a luxury. Meet Latitude, our most durable lightweight hardside case yet. Crafted with layers of specially woven SRPP BALLISTIC™ material, the outer shell can bend and flex in response to its surroundings. Perfect for both international and domestic travel, the International Carry-On features a streamlined design and a brand-new wheel system that makes for smooth maneuvering. 80 | THE
| MARCH 2019
$12.95 for 32-pill box • Available locally at Bag’n Baggage, Town Center at Boca Raton, 6000 Glades Road, Boca Raton, and NoJetLag.com Jet lag is the curse of modern jet travel but it doesn’t have to spoil your trip. The unique homeopathic remedy No-Jet-Lag helps ensure holiday enjoyment and working efficiency even after long airline flights. NoJet-Lag is raved about by satisfied travelers globally, including business executives, sports teams, tour operators, and flight crews. It is safe, easy to take, and proven effective for over 25 years.
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FOOD
Regional Favorites
Spam Musubi.
From a Hot Brown to a Crown burger, check out these delectable dishes / / Rick Karlin
W
e have become such a homogenized society that it’s easy to forget that just a generation ago traveling from state to state was similar to traveling from continent to continent today. It used to be that there were regional department stores that were the places to shop when you went from one city to the next. Stopping in Chicago? You must shop at Marshall Field’s. Boston? Filene’s. Now every mall has the same 30 or so chains; Macy’s Bloomingdale’s, Forever 21, the list goes on. Victoria’s Secret is no secret anymore. The same can be said of regional foods. Stop in any mall restaurant and you can now get a Maine lobster roll, with a side of poutine, wash it down with a Dr. Brown’s soda and finish your meal with Key lime pie. Some foods that used to be regional favorites are gaining in popularity. In Hawaii, everyone has their own family recipe for poke, much like potato salad in the Midwest. When you travel, there are some specialties that are indigenous to certain areas and are dishes you must try if you want to feel like a local. Here are a few that haven’t been adopted by the masses yet.
Hot Brown.
Crown Burger.
Hawaii’s penchant for poke is out of the bag, but
Loose Meat.
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there are still two favorites that haven’t popped up all over the mainland. Loco Moco is a favorite dish, especially when you’ve had a little bit too much to drink. It is essentially a mound of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg, and brown gravy. Another favorite on the islands is Spam Musubi. Spam is popular throughout the state — for many years it was one of the few meat products readily available — and Spam musubi capsulizes Hawaii’s East-meets-West cuisine. It is a cube of grilled Spam on sushi rice, wrapped with a strip of nori (dried seaweed).
In Louisville, Kentucky
during Prohibition, the Brown Hotel had a basement speakeasy. Revelers asked for a late-night treat and the kitchen staff took what it had on hand; turkey, bacon and bread, topped it with mornay sauce (béchamel that includes grated cheese), slipped it under the broiler and dished it out to the throngs. The dish, dubbed the Hot Brown became an instant favorite. It is becoming better known throughout the country and was just featured on “Top Chef,” so don’t be surprised to see it on a menu near you soon.
Shandong Beef Rolls.
Apizza.
Salt Lake City is not exactly known as a culinary capital, but a Utah-based, fast-food chain created a burger that is the unofficial state dish, the Crown Burger. It’s basically a cheeseburger topped with hot pastrami. A variation is available here in Fort Lauderdale at B Squared. If you’ve ever eaten a Sloppy Joe and thought, “This would be much better without this tasty sauce,” then you’ll love
Iowa’s favorite, the Loose Meat Sandwich .
It supposedly was created by the “Maid Rite” burger chain, which began serving the sandwich more than 80 years ago.
Leave it to L.A. , the ultimate melting pot of a city to
merge dishes from China and Mexico, to create Shandong Beef Rolls. Similar to a burrito, but substituting a fried Asian pancake smeared with bean paste, then the roll is stuffed with sliced beef, scallions, and cilantro. The whole thing is rolled up and sliced into rounds for easy handling.
Mystic, Connecticut
may be famous for its pizza thanks to the Julia Roberts movie, “Mystic Pizza,” but over in New Haven ‘Apizza,’ a thin-crusted take, invented by Italian immigrant bakers in the 1920s is topped with white clams. The creamy garlic-laden sauce subs for tomato sauce and the pie is studded with chewy, salty clams.
Cheese Curds.
Wisconsin is the Dairy State (It’s been suggested that their motto should be, “Come and smell our dairy air!”) so it’s no shock that the food that you can find throughout the state is made from cheese. Cheese Curds to be exact. If you eat them raw, the dice-sized nuggets squeak when you bite into them. But you really should enjoy them the way everything in Wisconsin is prepared: battered and fried. You hear a lot about Chicago-style pizza and hot dogs, but the Italian Beef is still a mystery to many. It is similar to a French dip, but with Italian seasonings on the thinly sliced beef, which is soaked in Italian-spiced au jus. The beef is piled inside a section of crusty Italian bread, and is then topped with peppers, either “sweet” (cooked bell peppers) or “hot” (giardiniera, a tart and spicy vegetable blend). Those in the know order it “wet,” meaning that the entire sandwich is dunked in the au jus, making it a sodden mess, and absolutely delicious.
Italian Beef. Gooey Butter Cake.
It’s made from everything you shouldn’t eat — flour, butter, sugar, eggs and more sugar — but that’s what makes
Gooey Butter Cake, a St. Louis specialty,
so delicious. The flat, dense cake originated in the 1930s and is found in just about every grocery store in the area. MARCH 2019 | THE
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SPONSORED content
10 TRAVEL
Celebrates Ten Steamy Years with
‘Heatwave’ Swim collection
F
ounded by Eduardo Suner in 2009, Addicted has dedicated itself to the design, manufacturing and sale of men’s underwear, swimwear & sportswear. The Addicted brand emphasizes comfort, fun and excitement for the male form in its fashions. It is always setting trends and pushing the envelope in style and sexiness. Addicted brings an extra dimension to the variety of activewear for men.
Addicted was founded in 2009 in Barcelona, dedicating itself to the design, manufacturing and sale of men’s swimwear. In a fairly short amount of time, the brand experienced rapid growth, aided by the success of the premier brand: ES Collection. At the moment, there are more than 240 points of sale throughout the world where the brand can be found. Addicted is a recognised and independent label, easily differentiated from ES Collection. For a few years now, Addicted has not only been designing swimwear, but has also been expanding its collection. Every year new underwear, swimwear and sportswear ranges are presented. Nowadays, Addicted is a model brand within men’s fashion, and more specifically, within the gay sector, one that comes to mind when thinking about gay men’s fashion.
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CARS
your motoring trend surprise of the year:
the 2019 Ford Edge is best in class // Larry Printz
I
t seems that American culture has become an unremitting series of meaningless drivel meant to distress, demoralize, or distract. This makes it hard for me to remember anything that matters, like the name of a business colleague, the time I agreed to meet my new boyfriend for drinks or where I saw that incredible new bathing suit last week.
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CARS
Yet life is still filled with pleasant surprises, like dating someone new who is sexy, sane and smart, or discovering that the person squeezed into the airline seat next to you isn’t a body double on “My 600 Pound Life.” Having driven thousands of vehicles, I figured that I was beyond being surprised by any new car or truck, particularly the refreshed 2019 Ford Edge I drove last week. This is a vehicle so ubiquitous, it held as much appeal as eating lunch at Denny’s or buying clothes at Kohls. Offered in ascending SE, SEL, Titanium, and high-performance ST models, the Edge sports revised styling for 2019 and a revamped interior center console with a new rotary dial transmission shifter and optional wireless charging pad. The test vehicle, a Titanium model, seemed surprisingly glamorous for a Ford
with its standard Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and an app that accesses Alexa from the car through a smartphone connection. Then there’s Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, which is one of the easiest to use in any vehicle at any price. And the optional 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system transforms the Edge into a mobile dance club. The revelations continued as I found the Edge’s roomy cabin, comfortable seats, and massive panoramic sunroof provided a modern upmarket ambience as fetching as any luxury vehicle and proved to be the perfect complement to this crossover’s superior driving experience. Most models have Ford’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 250 horsepower, except for the performance-oriented ST, which gets a 335-horsepower 2.7-liter turbocharged four and sport suspension. An eight-speed
automatic transmission is standard, as are a boatload of driver-assistance features marketed under the name Ford Co-Pilot360. Front-wheel drove is standard; all-wheel drive is optional. Yet the real shock comes when you put the Edge to work and you’ll find it delivers the handling chops of Germany’s finest with the ride isolation you’d expect from a Lincoln. Steering is perfectly weighted for cornering, lightening up noticeably at low speeds for easier maneuvering. Its athleticism ensures driving is fun, yet it doesn’t come at the expense of ride comfort. Astonished? Hell yeah. To discover such élan in a mainstream crossover explodes anyone’s expectations by delivering a truly discriminating luxury car experience at an affordable price. Its tasteful, comfortable interior, flawless technology and expert balance of ride and handling renders it best in class. Of course, Ford would prefer you spend more on a Lincoln. Or you could pay even more and buy a foreign-branded crossover. But you wouldn’t be getting a better vehicle. It will merely cost more. Surprise.
Larry Printz is an internationally published automotive journalist based in South Florida. He can be reached at TheDrivingPrintz@gmail.com. 94 | THE
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FILM
Some of my
/ / Gregg Shapiro
FAVORITE MOVIES OF THE YEAR SO FAR T
he first three months of the year make up the part of the winter movie season where bad movies go to die. Films deemed unworthy of release at other times of the year are unleashed on unsuspecting moviegoers, resulting in tragic box office returns and scathing reviews.
Cases in point include the big budget bomb “The Kid Who Would Be King,” as well as “Glass,” yet another reputation shattering movie from M. Night Shyamalan. There are still other cinematic glimmers of hope for the season. By the time you read this, the Academy Awards will have come and gone. Two of my favorites were Best Actress nominee Glenn Close and Best Supporting Actress winner Regina King. Both should have taken home well-deserved Oscar statuettes for their career-high performances in “The Wife” and “If Beale Street Could Talk,” respectively. Both movies feature some of the strongest female characters you will see on screen; women who have been put through the proverbial ringer, yet manage to maintain their last shred of dignity. For the first time in a long while, the Best Foreign Film category had nominees that were all worth seeing, including Hirokazu Koreeda’s “Shoplifters,” about a makeshift family of misfit kleptomaniacs and their almost unbreakable bond, and “Roma,” Oscar-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón’s personal black and white feature about growing up in Mexico City in the early 1970s. But it’s the devastating “Cold War,” also in black and white and directed by Pawel Pawlikowski (director of 2015’s Best Foreign Film winner “Ida”), that tells the story of a tempestuous relationship between a young singer and her music director, set in 1950’s Poland, that will likely stay with you long after the credits roll. Also in black and white, and 96 | THE
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deserving of far more attention than it has yet to receive, is Yen Tan’s “1985.” Out lead actor Cory Michael Smith plays Adrian, a Texas-bred gay man who moved to New York in his early 20s. We understand why when he returns to his religiously conservative parents’ home for what he thinks is going to be his last Christmas. With friends and lovers dying in New York, and his own health status an issue, he showers his parents and younger brother Andrew (who is obviously also gay, although he hasn’t come to terms with it yet), with extravagant gifts. Adrian reconnects with Carly, an old girlfriend, making amends and revealing the truth about his situation. But it’s his interactions with his parents, played by Michael Chiklis and Virginia Madsen (in an awardworthy performance) whom he has written off as clueless bumpkins, that are the most revelatory. He has underestimated them, but they know more about him than he ever realized. What’s especially remarkable about “1985” is the way that it joins Rebecca Makkai’s breathtaking novel “The Great Believers” and Ryan Murphy’s FX series “Pose,” bringing the subject of AIDS in the mid-1980s into the cultural zeitgeist. By now the films mentioned above have either returned to your local cineplex to cash in on their Oscar glory or are available for viewing via DVD, Blu-ray, VOD or streaming. In other words, there are plenty of opportunities to catch up on movies that you may have missed the first time around.
Cory Michael Smith as Adrian in “1985.” Courtesy of Dutch Rall.
Gregg Shapiro is The Mirror’s film critic. Visit SFGN.com/ScreenSavor for more of his weekly reviews.
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Tuesday, April 30, 2019 7:45 pm
Classics Reborn
Glenn Dicterow, violin Karen Dreyfus, viola Sponsored by Lesleen Bolt & Stephen A. Keller (in memoriam) and Billy’s Stone Crab, Hollywood 7:00 PM Pre-Concert Talk & Wine Tasting with Lyn Farmer, Director, Veritage Miami
BrowardCenter.org • 954-462-0222 MARCH 2019 | THE
3/7/19 4:22 PM | 97
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
ALL STARS 4
4
All stars The winner was announced... Are you ready?
/ / Michael Cook
98 | THE
| MARCH 2019
Bring all your friends.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
ALL STARS 4
All Stars Drag Race Stunner – Two Winners
Monet X Change On Being First Winner Of Color, Manila Luzon and Her New EP ‘Unapologetically’ / / Michael Cook
M
onet x Change may have strutted into the Drag Race workroom on Season 10, broom in hand ready to sweep up the competition, but it was during this past season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars that the fans really got to see what our favorite Sponge Queen could do. Elaborate costumes and talent to match took her to the first co-crowning, as she and Trinity ‘The Tuck’ Taylor both snagged the All Stars 4 crown and prize package. I sat down to chat with Monet post-crowning, and this newly anointed queen chatted with me about everything from her new EP, her quick progression to right the wrongs she felt she made on Season 10, and whether or not the shade in the workroom was real or not.
Credit: VH1.
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Congratulations on your amazing and truly groundbreaking victory. Not only are you the first co-winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, but you are the first queen of color to get into the All Stars Hall Of Fame! You had such a great showing on Season 10; what made you want to turn right back around and essentially do it all over again? Well you know, I think in Season 10 I did not represent myself to the best of my abilities. I know that everyone thinks they’re the fiercest queen in the world, but I really do think that about myself. To see that my runways really held me back, I mean I know that that is something I really do know how to do, but for some reason I went with the bare minimum and it kind of bit me in the butt. So for me, that is something that I can fix quickly. I can get better clothes, I can do that overnight. I wanted to go back to show everyone, make no mistake-this is who I am.
think the way you felt about a fellow competitor intending to send you home was represented fairly? I was really honest. I tried to skim around the truth and all that, but I just can’t but be an honest person and express how I feel. I felt really shaded because I had been doing better than Latrice and we had all been talking about report card. The fact that she chose me really gagged me.
When you came into the workroom who were you surprised not to see as part of your cast? I was surprised that I didn’t see Ongina from Season 1. She had been having a big presence on social media, so not seeing her was kind of surprising. I had some really good reads for her too! (laughs).
Your podcast with Bob the Drag Queen (and The Only Productions) Sibling Rivalry has become one of the most buzzed about podcasts around nowadays, especially with the Drag Race fandom. So popular that you now have the Sibling Rivalry LIVE tour! Sibling Rivalry is really fun. Like we tell everyone at the live show, Bob and I talk on the phone almost everyday for hours on end, and it normally ends up with us arguing about silly mundane things, and sometimes we talk about really important stuff. We thought, why not share this with the world? I told Bob, I am normally right all the time and I want other people to tell you that; that’s how the podcast came out. I love Bob a lot and regardless of whether there is a microphone there or not, we would still talk everyday. Why not let the world in on a little bit of our conversation so they can share them and enlighten someone maybe .
Everyone goes into All Stars wanting a Ru-demption in one way or another. Do you think you accomplished that for yourself? I did. I am so proud of my performance on All Stars 4, I think I did great. Except for the singing challenge, which is really ironic since that’s what I have a degree in. I think I showed really well on All Stars, I came in and did my best. There is nothing that I would change and I don’t regret anything. I really don’t think I could have done better at anything, and I gave my all and 150 perfect every time; sometimes it was good enough, sometimes it wasn’t. That’s just the facts. I also believe that everything happens for a reason. Had I won a challenge that I did not win, maybe I would have sent someone home and then I could have sent me home. My All Stars path has gotten me to the Top 2 and I am happy about it. You definitely had a strong opinion when someone showed their lipstick after an elimination and your name was on it. In particular when Manila Luzon showed her lipstick with your name on it after Latrice Royale’s first elimination. Do you Monet x Change. Photo credit: Monet x Change, Facebook.
Season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race is upon us and your drag mother Honey Davenport is part of the cast. What do you think Honey is going to bring to the cast this season? I think Honey Davenport is gonna bring really fierce performer. Honey is a great performer. God forbid she ever ends up in the bottom two they’re gonna have a tough time sending her home, she’s fierce.
Your new EP has dropped, aptly titled “Unapologetically.” Tell me about it. I have been working on “Unapologetically” for a while now, and I am super excited about it. “Soak It Up” was co-written with a woman that I met Eritza Laues. She has really great credits behind her name, she has worked with literally almost everyone in the industry and she has written some of the biggest songs you have heard on the radio. She is a drag fan and she fell in love with me and we wrote songs together. After “Soak It Up” I really wanted to release music that sounds like what I listen to, like SZA and Beyonce and all that stuff. That was the premise of the album. I also have a classical piece that I am singing, Ave Maria, it shows a different side of who both Monet and Kevin are. As a New York City girl, you can look at Pride and Stonewall with a different set of eyes. As the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall is fast approaching us, what is giving you the most pride as a performer and as a person today? What gives me the most pride is celebrating the black experience in the type of music and lip sync that I do. Up until my early twenties, I was not proud of being black. Through the lens of drag and a little more maturity, drag has really opened my mind up as to how beautiful being black is. I love celebrating that experience every moment that I can, in my drag and in my life. On top of that, being a black queer person of color, we are so essential in the gay experience that many people are not aware of. Being a black person of color and being gay, girl-icing on the motherfucking cake. MONÉT X CHANGE / UNAPOLOGETICALLY NEW EP / wPRE-ORDER NOW iTunes: https://apple.co/2Ee9mnh
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
ALL STARS 4
Trinity The Tuck
On Snagging The All Stars 4 Crown, and Her New Album ‘Plastic’
A
s one of only two co-winners in the history of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Trinity The Tuck has come full circle. After coming close to snatching the crown during Season Nine, she came back with the intention to prove naysayers wrong, and she made good on that promise. Putting all of her concentration into the challenges and letting her body of work speak for itself, it was no surprise to anyone that it came down to her and Monet X Change at the end of the finale. I caught up with Trinity post-finale to chat about her path to the crown, her new album “Plastic” and what exactly constitutes the perfect tuck!
Credit: VH1.
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Congratulations on being the first co-winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars! After a stellar season on Season 9, which brought you to the finale, what was it like going back and now taking it all the way? Everything happens for a reason. Season 9 wasn’t my season. I felt phenomenal with where my placement was, but I knew once we got to the end, Shea (Coulee) had the most wins. The best track record wins, and I knew she was gonna win. There was no way that I thought Trinity was gonna win, I just thought I had a great run. The twist for Season 9 was a shock for everyone! For All Stars, I felt good. This is something I worked really had for and that I have wanted to for so long. I did it; I proved to myself that I could do it. When you walked into the workroom, who were you surprised not to see as part of your cast? Absolutely Ongina. I had pinpointed her to be on the season since All Stars 2, and I just knew that she would be on. I hope she is on a future All Stars season; I think that she is so amazing. I was surprised not to see her, but the girls that we got were phenomenal and I was so happy with them. You went back somewhat soon after your amazing showing on Season Nine. Any reason why? Girl, I am not getting any younger and I have been doing drag for sixteen years. To say that it was a quick turnaround was irrelevant to me; I have been doing drag for so long and I’m old as hell (laughs). The experience is there. I had some unfinished business to take care of and this is something that I have wanted to a long time; it’s time. It’s safe to say then, that you have gotten the Rudempton that you wanted. Trinity The Tuck. Photo credit: Trinity Taylor, Facebook.
Yes. I could not have possibly done better than what I did. I did everything that I possibly could do. I have the best track record, I had the most wins on lip syncs, I was in the bottom the least, I had great confessionals, the fan base was behind me, I don’t know what else I could have done than what I already did. I am very proud of how everything has turned out for myself and I am happy. There is something only you can tell us; what constitutes the perfect tuck? First things first, you can’t have a proper tuck without duct tape-obviously. Second thing is a very small penis (laughs). The perfect tuck can also be seen on my YouTube channel where I did a video on how to create the perfect tuck. Bitch, it is origami under there (laughs). You have new music out post-All Stars finale. Tell me about it. A new song called “I Call Shade” featuring Peppermint, a great music video with Phi Phi O’Hara, Thorgy Thor, Yuhua Hamasaki, Blair St. Clair, and a ton more. It’s hilarious and I cannot wait for everyone to see it. I don’t claim to be a vocalist, but I am doing this purely because it’s fun and it’s entertaining for myself. Hopefully everyone else agrees. My album “Plastic” is on pre sale today and you get the first track immediately. A good description of it is it’s a dance-comedy album, and there are some other people featured on the album, like Aja on one track and Alaska on another. I am so excited about it. All Stars is done, and “Plastic” is forthcoming. Where does the journey for Trinity the Tuck go now? My journey is ever evolving. I am going to constantly push the boundaries of where entertainment can take me. I would love to break into more acting, I would love to be a host for an awards show or for a red carpet, on a network like E! There are so many possibilities that I think I could do that I am just exploring and am going to see where it takes me. There are so many opportunities now with the show and doors opening for me. I am really excited to see what’s going to happen.
“My journey is ever evolving. I am going to constantly push the boundaries of where entertainment can take me.” - Trinity The Tuck
Co-Winner of All Stars 4
The 50th anniversary of Stonewall is rapidly approaching. You have a special connection after being a performer that performed regularly at Pulse nightclub. What gives you the most pride? There is so much talk right now with the fandom and being so negative about some of the other queens. Aside from that amount of negativity, I see so much love and positivity being sent to all of us. It makes me smile-and you know I don’t smile that much because of the Botoxinternally I am smiling because it’s just amazing to see that a show like Drag Race reaches millions of people, no matter how they identify. No matter what, it reached them and speaks to them on some level and it’s amazing. I think our community is constantly going forward in the right direction and being positive is all going to be better for us all. I believe in the universe, and I believe that what you put out, you get back. Being positive will only bring positive things your way. MARCH 2019 | THE
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| MARCH 2019
artist spotlight
Dünny Potter Finds
Artistic Stride After Boeing Career / / Damon Scott
D
ünny Potter grew up in the unique colors, shadows and light of Medellín, Columbia.
He remembers life there as easy and fun with little worry. “Everyone in the neighborhood watched over the kids,” Potter said. “We played a lot of games outdoors, there was a lot of creativity,” he said. His lower middle class home was filled with art on the walls and the bookshelves held encyclopedias on everything from Egyptian to modern art. The family would look through their pages and talk about them. “I was encouraged to draw and had a knack for it,” Potter said. “I chose art as my vocational track in high school and always did very well, always loved it.” Potter graduated high school at 16, and thought he’d study languages in the states – English, French and Spanish – but said he chose engineering since it was a “real career” and he was good in math. He earned his degree in electrical engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles, and moved to Seattle, soon landing a job in Boeing’s commercial airplane division. “It was a lot of learning at Boeing, but not exactly what I expected,” Potter said. At some point he says the work was tiresome, especially after he became a Federal Aviation Administration representative for the company. The ensuing paperwork and intense airplane certification process was stressful. Continued on next page
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“Intermission” by Dünny Potter.
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artist spotlight
“It was job security, but I got tired of it. And I had a relationship that was falling apart,” Potter, 38, said. Potter started dabbling in oil painting (he’d done most other formats). He took an oil class with a Ukrainian woman – Irina Kirienko Milton – who followed the Russian Impressionist style and turned him on to the work of American artist John Singer Sargent. “I discovered one of his paintings and the drama around it and I wanted to reproduce it. I finished it in two weeks,” Potter said. He became part of an artist’s cooperative with Russian and Ukrainian artists and met his current partner Mykhe Hesson. They were a Match.com love connection. A writer and librarian, Hesson loves myths and helped Potter come up with his first art series – Urban Goddesses. The two lived in Seattle’s gay, bohemian Capitol Hill district. Potter would stay in Seattle and at Boeing from about 2004 to 2014. But South Florida would come calling after Hesson, 41, got a job offer at the Wilton Manors library. “It was a little hard at the beginning. I was hustling clients for math and Spanish tutoring,” Potter said. He also did a stint as a middle school teacher, but it wasn’t a fit. Potter began to check out the art in Las Olas, Wynwood and at Art Basel. “It’s taken me a while to figure it out. There’s a lot of decorative art and marine life, it caters a lot to what Florida is, the beach, the sun, all that,” he said. It’s also taken Potter time to move away from his sometimes darker mood of nudes and transcendentalism. In Seattle he mostly painted women, and now he’s painting more men. He connected with the Claudia Castillo Art Studio in Wilton Manors (“I met her at a party, she’s Columbian, too.”) and showed there for four months. Potter is now almost exclusively doing art. He’s found a strong niche doing pet portraits for Chewy.com – more than 300 so far, about 10 a week. Potter said he sometimes ponders the decision to leave a solid engineering salary, but is enjoying life in South Florida and doesn’t regret it.
For more on Potter, go to ArtByDunny.com. 108 | THE
| MARCH 2019
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