Vol. 11 Issue 2 • JUNE - JULY 2022 •
S O U T H
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N E W S
MARGARET CHO
SCREEN HEAT UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL INTERVIEW WITH THE MULTIFACETED ICON Begins on Page 48
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SALES & MARKETING For ad placement in the Mirror Magazine, CONTACT 954-530-4970 Sales Manager JUSTIN WYSE justin@sfgn.com Senior Advertising Assoc. EDWIN NEIMANN edwin@sfgn.com Sales Consultants TIM HART Printing STUART WEB INC. National Advertising RIVENDELL MEDIA Accounting Services CG BOOKKEEPING Legal Counsel RUSSELL CORMICAN Thank you to our special guest columnists for this issue: Gregg Shapiro | Pier Angelo Pictured on the cover: Margaret Cho. Photo by Albert Sanchez. 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 or gender identity of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations in The Mirror. SFGN contracts with independent entities for stock images. 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 © 2022, South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS PRIDE ISSUE FROM UKRAINE WITH LOVE Page 18 FORMER SOUTH FLORIDA RESIDENT EXPANDS PRIDE CENTER WEST TEXAS Page 26 SCREEN HEAT: AN INTERVIEW WITH MARGARET CHO Page 48
Pictured on the cover: Margaret Cho Photo Credit: Albert Sanchez.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS PRIDE ISSUE PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR STONEWALL PARADE & PARTY Page 25 FLOATARAMA READY TO SET SAIL Page 30
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BITCH IS BACK Page 40 MAJOR LGBT NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS TO WATCH IN 2022 Page 44
THE MIRROR, LIKE THE SUN, SHINES MOST IN THE SUMMER Page 12
TOP TECH: CUISINART SOFT-SERVE ICE CREAM MAKER Page 52
YUCATAN: SAME-SEX WEDDINGS ON THE MEXICAN RIVIERA Page 34
CARS: 2022 BUGATTI CHIRO SUPER SPORT Page 56
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PUBLISHER’S PLATFORM
The Mirror, Like the Sun, Shines Most in the Summer By Norm Kent
Photo from The Mirror image library.
L
et’s face it. We all want glossy tans but sometimes get awful sunburns. Life is like that.
It’s been brought to life by nurses and doctors in hospitals who have helped us brave a pandemic, and ventured forth with new procedures and unheralded techniques. So I am here to tell you about monoclonal antibodies. Who the hell knew? Soon enough, these life saving measures will be given color and Occasionally, we forget the umbrella. Now and then, the convertible life, credence and spotlights by thespians, marking stages with roof gets stuck. So it goes, but we charge ahead, because while life is memories and musical magic. These actors will be brought to stages here, emulating the real-life unpredictable, it is unpredictably delicious. We are fortunate to live in an era where there is almost a cure for roles of those who actually saved our lives, risking their own to so. It may have all started by a shark attacking a holiday swimmer off every crisis; a treatment for every cancer. We are lucky to be riding on a lazy New England beach. But some surgeon was there to make a that road. I never expected to spend Fall nights in the hospital with COVID, difference. And Roy Schneider was there on-screen years later to give but I never expect to get treated with the exceptional excellence it life, scaring the daylights out of you. Enjoy the theater. Celebrate the show. But remember there are and professionalism of Holy Cross Medical Center either. Medically, hygienically, and professionally, doctors, staff, and nurses came to my sharks still biting in those summer waters and pandemics unknown need, with care, concern and confidence. Rain I did not seek may have this world may yet face. But there is a hospital, a doctor, and a nurse practitioner to rise to every occasion. On fallen, but medical professionals in super stages and screens across our nation, there will modern facilities led me back to health and be actors whose stage roles mimic the real-life hot dogs, a calming summer and outdoor episodes of these champions, who save us in ballpark. emergency rooms everywhere daily. We take so much for granted, from live We are fortunate These are the heroes of our century. musicals to blue ocean waves. But danger to live in an era They have been mine this past year, and maybe lies over every set and with every riptide. where there is almost they will be yours tomorrow. We are so fortunate to blaze new trails and The breadth of professionalism that overcome old cobblestones. We are lucky a cure for every crisis; modern medicine delivers to all of us and our and graced to be where we are. How we a treatment for every society and its care facilities is something do it I do not know. Doctors and nurses do. cancer. We are we should always acknowledge and forever Hospitals do, and we all prosper. appreciate, whether on a stage or in a real life, Like the song Annie articulates: lucky to be riding late-night, all-night emergency room. “Tomorrow, tomorrow, there’s always a on that road. Just remember to keep Jerry Seinfeld new tomorrow, it’s just one day away.” It is, and Kramer away from the operating room. and it’s because of your doctor or physician, Somethings you don’t want to be real. emergency care clinic or hospital.
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From Ukraine with Love.
Pictured: James and Robert Moon with Dasha Shareiko and her mother, Vita Dagaeva, at Miami Beach Pride. Photo: Carina Mask.
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FEATURE
WILTON MANORS GAY COUPLE OPENS THEIR DOORS TO UKRAINIANS FLEEING THE WAR By Steve Rothaus Vita Dagaeva celebrating equality Miami Beach Pride Parade 2022.
W
ilton Manors couple James “Jim” and Robert “Robbie” Photo: Carina Mask. Moon have long been leaders in the LGBT community, Immediately, Dasha called Jim, who then FaceTimed her back throughout South Florida and around the world. Jim, a Miami attorney and Navy veteran, serves as co-chair “so she could see the house” and the Moons’ dog, Boomer. “Once I talked to her on FaceTime, and we showed her the and national board member of A Wider Bridge, a New York-based organization that connects LGBTQ groups in the United States and house, everything clicked. I got a really good feeling and that was it. Israel; chair of the SAVE Foundation and a board member of SAVE. The rest was history,” said Robbie, 41. The Moons also disclosed something else to Dasha: Robbie, his husband of seven years, is an interior designer. “We told her we were a gay couple, to make sure that wasn’t Days after Russia attacked Ukraine in late February, the Moons an issue with her,” Jim said. “That was low on the list of her turned to social media to find ways to help embattled Ukrainians. “Watching everything that’s happening in Ukraine, it broke our concerns. When people are bombing you, you have other issues to hearts,” said Jim, 54. “We felt we wanted to do something. Even think about.” What Dasha didn’t reveal at the time: She’s a lesbian. though refugee status hadn’t been given to Ukrainians, I felt maybe A month later, Dasha finds that there were some who were stuck here whole conversation a bit amusing. Back in and couldn’t go home. Like, they were Kyiv, being queer is no big deal, she said. traveling on a tourist visa and found out “I have an ex-girlfriend. She lives in St. their town was invaded and couldn’t go I haven’t felt a thing Petersburg [Russia]. No one had questions home. for a month. I wanted about it. Nobody cared. It wasn’t positive, “I joined a Facebook group called it wasn’t negative, it was just neutral,” said North America for Ukraine. That’s to cry for two weeks Dasha, who is out to her family and friends what you do these days. You try to find straight. I didn’t have back in Ukraine. someone who wants to help. I joined the time for that. I wanted “We do have Pride parades,” she said. group and made a post: ‘Hey, if anybody “Several years ago, there was a lot of drama. needs help, I’m in Wilton Manors.’” to call everyone, There were police involved, not like here. Within hours, the group put the Moons but I didn’t have the They were not participating in the parade. in touch with Dasha Shareiko, 21, and energy or the emotional They were trying to hold back those on the her mother, Vita Dagaeva, 52, who other side of the conflict — those against desperately wanted to escape the capacity to do that. Pride.” Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv. After a month, you have Dasha said that even though “Dasha, hi! I live in Wilton Manors nothing left in you. Americans had been told during the [Fort Lauderdale area]. I actually winter that Russia was about to attack commute to Miami for work,” Jim quickly -Dasha Shareiko, 21 Ukraine, few in Kyiv really understood war messaged the younger woman. “I have a was coming. guest room and may be able to help!”
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FEATURE
Dasha Shareiko celebrating equality Miami Beach Pride Parade 2022. Photo: Carina Mask.
“We were talking about this with Jim and he said, ‘You had to know.’ I said, ‘No, no one knew. No one expected.’ I had the most mundane Thursday. The same as Wednesday. The whole week. “On Thursday, I remember my mom waking me up at 6 a.m. I was mad at my mom because I still had one hour on my alarm. She looked at me in the way mothers usually do, when something wrong has happened. ‘It’s war.’ That’s it. All the words I heard from her.” Dasha searched social media for “war in Ukraine.” “I saw reports of bombings near Kyiv. [My mother] heard the explosions. I saw all the destruction. The bombs. I texted everyone, not ‘Hello’ or ‘Good morning,’ but ‘What do we do?’” Dasha — still dressed in her pajamas — and Vita took their car for gas and drove 20 minutes looking for an open station. Finally, they found one with a three-hour wait for fuel. Then, they stopped at a grocery for food. “By that time, I was nearly hysterical. I tried to cry but I didn’t have time for that. I had to hold it in.” “Several hours after we got home, I sat with my mom and said, ‘OK, what now?’ She said we were going to evaluate our options.” Before COVID hit two years ago, Dasha and Vita had planned a road trip to Romania. Suddenly, they realized that’s how they’d escape Ukraine: “We already had the route planned and it seemed like a safer place to be,” Dasha said. They gathered the few belongings they could take: “Two backpacks and a bag. I have a laptop. We also brought some jewelry, some gold. We thought if we have no other way to get money. Which we never did. It’s our B plan,” Dasha said. “We left on the second day of the bombing, Friday, Feb. 25.” They barely made it out in time: “A couple of hours after we reached the Romanian border, after we had just crossed the bridge, our military blew it up,” Dasha said. She doesn’t have a driver’s license, so her mom drove them all the way to Istanbul. “We couldn’t leave our car in Turkey, so we drove it back to Bulgaria, some random place, some small village, God knows where. We took a bus back to Istanbul.” There, they bought two plane tickets from Istanbul to Miami, where 10 days after they fled Kyiv, the Moons would meet them. 20 | THE
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“When they flew in, when I got to the airport, there were two news crews there,” Moon recalls — not to greet Dasha and Vita, but to cover the arrival of a Ukrainian family of 11 being met by Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava “and a lot of Orthodox Jews.” Vita, a professional cook, and Dasha, a writer and casino game designer, are officially in the United States on tourist visas and unable to work. They are helping pay back the Moons by cooking and caring for their three-bedroom home. Dasha said that since coming to South Florida, she is numb. “I haven’t felt a thing for a month. I wanted to cry for two weeks straight. I didn’t have time for that. I wanted to call everyone, but I didn’t have the energy or the emotional capacity to do that. After a month, you have nothing left in you.” Her father and brother are still in Ukraine, serving in the military. Her grandparents and sister-in-law — who gave birth to a baby boy in March — have scrambled to different parts of the country for safety. “Almost every member of our family is in a different place in Ukraine,” Vita said. “My mother is 80 years old and alone in Kyiv, because we couldn’t take her with us. She screamed and cried and wouldn’t leave because it’s her home.” Both Dasha and Vita have no idea when they might go back or if they even want to. “If we return home, there’s going to be nothing there,” Dasha said. “A third of the country has fled. The Ukrainian economy was already in ruin. After everything that has happened, everyone deserves a good life.”
Vita and Dasha at Miami Beach Pride. Photo: Carina Mask.
HOW TO HELP Jim and Robbie Moon have set up a GoFundMe to raise money for Dasha Shareiko and Vita Dagaeva’s expenses in America. So far, about $8,000 has been raised.
Journalist Steve Rothaus covered LGBTQ issues for 22 years at the Miami Herald. @SteveRothaus on Twitter.
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NEWS
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Wilton Manors Stonewal Pride Parade & Street Festival. Image via Facebook.
PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR STONEWALL PARADE & PARTY
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t’s been three years, 2019, since Wilton Manors hosted a “normal” Stonewall Pride event.
COVID forced the 2020 event to be canceled entirely. Twenty-twenty-one was marred by tragedy when a car in the parade staging area accidentally went out of control and killed another parade participant. Now, with one month to go, organizers of the 2022 Stonewall Pride Parade & Street Festival are finishing up plans for what they hope will be a flawless day on The Drive. “Everyone feels as if this is going to be a great year and a great event,” Jamie Forsythe, one of the planners, said. “For our team, the excitement level is maxed out. The business owners on The Drive are anticipating and preparing for record-breaking crowds.” The event is Saturday, June 18. The street fair is from 3-11 p.m. with the parade set for 7 p.m. Logistically, plans are very similar to last year. The party will begin by Tropics at 20th St. and Wilton Drive. There will be three vendor booths between 20th St. and 21st Ct. and a stage. The entrances on the south end will be at 20th St. by Burgers and Beer, at the entrance from Hagen parking lot by city hall, and on the west side of 21st Ct. Admission will be $5 until 4 p.m. and $7 thereafter.
By John Hayden
Details Not Finalized Forsythe said they expect up to seven stages stretching along The Drive. Most of them will be run by businesses along the route, with one by the south entrance and at least The Manor anchoring entertainment at the other end near Five Points. The main stage at 6th Ave. will be the Black Excellence stage, as well as serve as the main reviewing platform during the parade, which will be broadcast live by Happening Out Television. Grand Marshals for the parade haven’t been announced yet, either. But who will be performing on those stages? That’s generally still up in the air. Forsythe said acts on the main stage (which is programmed by the event’s organizer) haven’t been finalized. A check of websites like The Manor and Hamburger Mary’s doesn’t list their Pride lineups yet either. As in past years, there will be plenty of local vendors ranging from local artists to voter registration to organizations raising social awareness. About 70% of booth space is sold, so there is still availability for groups that want to participate. There are also plans for a flash mob to celebrate Juneteenth.
Eat & Drink Food trucks will be providing food along with restaurants along Wilton Drive. There will be a food court in the parking lot of 21st Ct. as well as by Wilton Collective. Aside from the VIP area, all alcohol will be sold by bars along The Drive. Expansion On Hold Planning for the party began months ago, and there was a push to make it a two-day event, with a major, A-List headliner on one night and the parade the next. Forsythe said it just wasn’t possible. “Society is still recovering from the effects of COVID and the lockdown. Many of our suppliers are short-staffed and not able to provide the support staff for a two-day event.” That shortage includes security. “We were concerned that we would not be able to fully staff a two-day event as many of our security partners are all already stretched thin. It was a joint decision that in order to provide the quality and safety of the event, we would remain at a one-day event this year.” Wilton Manors Police Department is up to full staff, on paper. However, many officers are still in training, and a larger event would stretch the force beyond what is safe. For the latest updates on Stonewall events visit StonewallPride.LGBT.
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FEATURE
FORMER SOUTH FLORIDA RESIDENT
EXPANDS PRIDE CENTER WEST TEXAS // Damon Scott
Pictured right: Bryan Wilson and his husband Clint. Courtesy photo.
F
ormer South Florida resident Bryan Wilson is known locally as an LGBT rights activist, fundraiser and volunteer, who also worked for several years at SunServe in Wilton Manors. He ran a gay social club and business-consulting firm in Fort Lauderdale as well. But Wilson and his husband Clint took a leap during the early days of the pandemic and fast-tracked their dream of opening Pride Center West Texas in the city of Odessa. While the dream became a reality in 2020, 2022 is looking like a banner year for the center already. TURN THE PAGE TO CONTINUE READING.
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FEATURE CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Wilson and his board announced in early February the hire of its first therapist — a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)registered intern. Luis Trajo will offer free or reduced-price therapy to the center’s clients. Wilson said Trajo is a queer competent therapist and will be overseen by board president Emily Parks who is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). The plan is that Trajo will eventually become a fully licensed LPC at the center. Wilson, who is from Odessa, admits such a hire might not seem like a big deal to his friends and colleagues living in South Florida where such services are more available, but it’s a big deal for West Texas, and particularly for the center’s youth clients. Wilson said the center has had a youth focus since day one, and that’s where most of the programming has been directed so far. “It was really one of our primary motivations out here — things that we take for granted in South Florida — the availability of queer affirming therapy — even down to our next thing we’re trying to tackle which is free HIV testing,” Wilson said. As it stands right now, Wilson said the only place a person can get HIV or STI (sexually transmitted infections) testing is at the county health department — and on
just two days of the week, in the morning hours, on a first-come, first-served basis.
BIGGER DIGS Since its inception, the center has been operating out of a 1,000-square-foot rented office suite in a corporate building downtown, but that’s about to change in a big way. Wilson said he recently got confirmation that the center will be able to move into a former Episcopalian church in a lease deal of $1 a month. The former church is 3,000-square-feet with multiple indoor spaces, a dedicated parking lot, playground and outdoor patio. It’s owned by the Odessa Episcopal Community, and one of the center’s board members, Rev. Rick Lopez, who is a chaplain at the St. John’s Episcopal School, helped broker the deal. It’s not lost on Wilson that a former church will be transformed into a gay community center — in West Texas no less. “Here’s this formerly anti-gay Episcopalian church being handed over for our use,” he said in amazement. Wilson said that while the space needs some work, he hopes to be moved in by the fall, with an increase in staff to help oversee the center’s programming.
Inside the new location of Pride Center West Texas. Photo courtesy of Bryan Wilson.
“HERE’S THIS FORMERLY ANTI-GAY EPISCOPALIAN CHURCH BEING HANDED OVER FOR OUR USE.” - Bryan Wilson
FOUNDER, PRIDE CENTER WEST TEXAS PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY PHOTO.
PRIDE ON DISPLAY Meanwhile, Pride Center West Texas partnered with the local chapter of PFLAG to host an Odessa Pride celebration. Wilson said about 300 people came out in the summer heat, and while it was a dry (no alcohol) event, he said there was plenty of enthusiasm. “It was a big family-friendly day of vendors and activities and a kids’ corner. There were very diverse performances — a death metal band led by an early 20s transgender singer — and a 65-year-old drag queen/Reba McEntire impersonator,” Wilson said. The first Pride celebration ever held in the city was in 2018. Wilson is also happy to report that the community, nonprofit agencies and local leaders have largely embraced the center since he arrived, even as clients have shared plenty of stories of rejecting behaviors and physical violence for being LGBT. “In 2020, we were planning to move to Odessa in five to 10 years and adopt a child. But COVID presented this opportunity — to be closer to family and fast-track this passion — to create a safe community space in the middle of nowhere. It’s been remarkable.”
MORE INFORMATION IS AT PRIDECENTERWT.ORG. 28 | THE
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FLoatarama 2021 Photo Credit: JR Davis.
FLoatarama Ready to Set Sail By John Hayden
P
ride flags waving in the wind, music blaring from boats, and socially distanced solidarity. That’s how FLoatarama got its start two years ago. Now back for its third year, the event is bigger and beneficial for even more of the community. Up to 40 boats will set sail on June 11 up the New River and along the Intracoastal Waterway. The event is one of the biggest Pride month events in South Florida and kicks off Pride Week. FLoatarama’s president, Scott Schramm, said the third year will be the biggest yet. “The Flotilla will be similar to last year, but we’re working on additional commercial vessels so more ticketed passengers can participate even if they don’t have their own boat. Each boat will have a really fun group aboard, open bar, music and a ton of fun as we cruise the waterways and celebrate pride on water.” Leading the parade will be a pair of VIP boats, donated by Water Taxi. Schramm said the vibe will be very South Florida. “The vessels will have an open bar. This year we have expanded capacity of 175 and look forward to a much larger and bigger event. You will board the boat in downtown Fort Lauderdale and
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for the next 90 minutes celebrate pride as we enjoy the sun filled day with cocktails, music and many friends.” And when the flotilla ends, the party begins. “When the boats dock, you will step off into a Sailors Dance and Pool Party.” San Francisco DJ legend Matt Consola will once again be spinning for the party. He also is creating a set that will be streamed during the flotilla, letting every boat groove to the same music despite being far apart. Schramm said all the elements combine to make for a memorable day. “A Pride Flotilla on the waters of the Venice of America, a waterfront location for the Sailor’s Dance & Pool Party at Residence Inn Intracoastal, and amazing DJ in Matt Consola. We’re expecting 400-500 at the party, sunshine, hot guys, cocktails, and a great cause. What’s not to like?” Due to logistical limitations of sailing a large number of boats through a major metropolis, FLoatarama is limited to 40 vessels. Among boats will be a lot of Broward County’s top organizations.
FLoatarama 2021 participants enjoying the event. Photo Credit: JR Davis.
“We had 34 registered boats last year. Fort Lauderdale Marine Patrol, Broward Sheriff’s Office, Wilton Manors Police, with the mayor and vice mayor onboard, and the Coast Guard will all be participating in the Flotilla. We welcome everyone under the sun and boaters that are in support of us as well as our LGBTQ+ boating community.”
A NEW PARTNER After the fundraising success of 2021, FLoatarama took steps to solidify their support of the community. They became a 501(c)3 organization, and partnered with Our Fund Foundation. “We spent a lot of time figuring out the best use for the funds we raise. We’re focused on supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged LGBTQ youth, primarily in the areas of education, homelessness, and personal development. Our partnership ensures the funds we raise achieve the greatest impact in the community.” Our Fund Foundation CEO and President, David Jobin, told SFGN that the two organizations are hand in glove. “We are a natural partner for Floatarama as they expand their event to include both fun and philanthropy. We have built a reputation for knowing the needs of South Florida’s LGBTQ community and where resources are most critical. We are thrilled that the leaders of Floatarama have placed their trust in us to help them direct their gifting to non-profits.” To help focus how money is distributed, Our Fund started the FLoatarama LGBTQ Youth Fund. “FLoatarama comes in with instant credibility given the reputation of the leaders of their organization and their presence in the community. They were sincere about their desire for transparency so that attendees and supporters will actually see the impact in the community that their generosity and participation fosters. I worry that similar party fundraisers aren’t following through with their promise of philanthropy and giving back. That’s certainly not the case with the FLoatarama team.”
PRIDE IN A PANDEMIC FLoatarama got its start when COVID-19 forced the Stonewall festival to be canceled in 2020. But proud boating enthusiasts were not going to be denied. “Pride was canceled, but we were allowed to take private boats out with up to eight people on board,” Schramm said. “We did it for fun, and were blown away by the number of boats that participated, the enthusiasm, and the great press coverage. We realized we’d stumbled onto something, and the encouragement we received from the community was heartwarming.” With the pandemic appearing to ebb in summer of 2021, organizers decided to go big. They became a two-day celebration with activities on land and at sea. The water parade was on Saturday and featured the VIP boat on a Water Taxi, and the Sailor’s T-Dance on Sunday. The event raised more than $17,000. “The weekend was a huge success, and we donated $17,134 to the Pride GED Educational Program, fully funding it for 2021 and beyond.”
RECOGNITION FROM WILTON MANORS Renewed civic support came from the city commission of Wilton Manors. At their meeting on May 24, they issued a proclamation declaring June 11, 2022, as FLoatarama Day. The city will have a boat in the flotilla.
For more information on how to participate in FLoatarama, visit their website Floatarama.org.
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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 that may have been hidden in your body. 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. Your
healthcare provider will test you for HBV. 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, and may give you HBV medicine.
ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains: dofetilide rifampin any other medicines to treat HIV-1
BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: Have or have had any kidney or liver problems,
including hepatitis infection. Have any other health problems. Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-
counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.
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.
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. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.
HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.
GET MORE INFORMATION This is only a brief summary of important 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, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, GSI, and KEEP BEING YOU are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2021 © 2022 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-BVYC-0008 01/22
#1 PRESCRIBED
HIV TREATMENT * *Source: IQVIA NPA Weekly, 04/19/2019 through 05/28/2021.
CHAD LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 2018 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT
KEEP BEING YOU. 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. ONE SMALL PILL, ONCE A DAY Pill shown not actual size (15 mm x 8 mm) | Featured patient compensated by Gilead.
Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.
Scan to see Chad’s story.
Arturo & Rob From Los Angeles, CA have their wedding at Chablé Yucatán. Photo Credit: @yucantanlove_weddings @elguscortes
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Same-Sex Weddings on the Mexican Riviera By Rick Karlin
L
ast summer, the congress of the Mexican state of Yucatán approved same-sex marriage. Those laws went into effect this past March. Same-sex couples can now legally marry in 22 of Mexico’s 32 states. The approval in Yucatán came two months after the legislatures of Baja, California and Sinaloa voted in favor of marriage equality. The Yucatán peninsula, best known for Cancun and Chichen Itza has long been a favorite of the LGBT community which enjoyed its beaches along the Mexican Riviera and its accepting attitude. Merida, the state’s largest city is now gearing up to host same-sex weddings. But why should a couple consider a destination wedding in or around Merida? Other than the breathtaking scenery and lush tropical gardens, how about the fact that Merida is one of the safest cities in the world? Also, a destination wedding for 50 people will cost less than a wedding half that size in the U.S. And that includes renting out a private hacienda or two to house all your guests and host your event. You might even be able to rent a private jet to take everyone to your exotic destination wedding and still walk away with a few extra Benjamins in your wallet. A weekend stay at a hacienda is about 1500 pesos or $75. For the weekend! Overnight accommodations at nearby Hotel Mesón del Marqués are also reasonably priced. A few things you should be aware of though. If you like a 24hour gay party atmosphere you won’t find it in Merida. Despite holding one of Mexico’s biggest gay Pride parades every year, there is no gay nightlife per se. Folks gather with friends everywhere and are welcome to do so. Also, if you have elderly or disabled members of your party, most of the venues are not handicapped accessible. In fact, one hacienda had 80 steps just to walk up to the first floor. Many of the colonial buildings are multiple levels, and few pathways are paved. But, with those caveats stated let’s look at some of the delights that await. Midway between Cancun and Merida, you’ll find one of the most magical places, Zazil Tunich, a cavern-type cenote. A cenote is a body of water formed by the gradual dissolving of highly porous limestone, causing a collapse of the underground rock. When the collapse is deep enough to hit an aquifer, freshwater ends up in the sinkhole where it collects, forming pools and streams that can sometimes even connect to underground rivers. Some are just a few feet below the surface while others are in pits several stories deep. They are considered almost sacred places, and some have been known to host weddings. The cenote at Zazil Tunich has a deck overlooking the aquifer which has hosted small wedding parties and romantic dinners for two.
Grooms Arturo & Rob getting ready for the ceremony. Photo Credit: @yucantanlove_weddings / @elguscortes
Merida, a city of one million people, is accessible from many major U.S. airports and is only a three-hour drive to Cancun, 40 minutes to Chichen Itza, and just minutes to the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean. It is a young and hip city with tons of restaurants, bars, and cultural attractions. The residents are proud of their Mayan culture, which is on display and preserved in the cuisine. In fact, many residents speak Mayan as well as Spanish (and to a lesser extent, English). While you can rent a car for day-trips outside the city, Ubers are plentiful and an inexpensive way to get around town, at less than $5 a ride. For centuries Merida was a prosperous center for textiles and sisal rope used in sailing vessels, with strong trade connections to Europe, particularly with France. It was dubbed “ciudad blanca,” or the “white city,” for the white garments worn by the townsfolk, a tradition that continues to this day. It was already the center of Mayan culture when it was discovered in 1542 by the conquistadors. Mérida’s historic downtown, where some of the city’s top attractions can be found, is laid out as a grid, making it much easier to navigate than many other Mexican towns. Thanks to its warm, humid climate and numerous attractive parks and flower gardens, it is a laid-back alternative to many of Mexico’s busier cities. A good place to begin exploring the city is Plaza Mayor, also known as Plaza de la Independencia, or Plaza Grande. It is both the commercial and cultural hub of Mérida, as well as the
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Left: Cocktail Celebration before the big day. | Right: Guests witnessing the wedding ceremony. Photo Credit: @yucantanlove_weddings / @elguscortes
centerpiece of the old city center and a short walk from Municipal boutique hotels. Built in a beautiful former hacienda it is located Market. The Museum of Contemporary Art, Natural History and around a sacred cenote, where nature connects through architecture. Mayan World Museum of Mérida are all worth a visit, as are the Upscale Hacienda-style weddings artfully combine the ancient numerous galleries and studios featuring international and local Mayan environment with modern sophistication, accommodating artists. Yucatán is also a wonderful place from which to embark on a weddings of up to 100 people. A culinary experience enhances the fun day trip exploring Mayan sites such as the ancient ruins of Uxmal setting for your wedding as tropical gardens boast a marvelous view of the original 19th century walls of the former Hacienda. Its sister or the beaches of Celestun. Check out the local cuisine which, will no doubt, feature some location, Chablé Maroma, on the coast of the Riviera Maya, offers regional favorite dishes. Among those are cochinita pibil (suckling pig spaces that merge with the beaches and the rain forest. The Haciendas by Luxury Collection is the most “Americanized” of rubbed with achiote paste, marinated in sour orange juice, wrapped in banana leaves, and then cooked in a sealed earthen pit, called a pib, the offerings. With three Haciendas in Eastern Yucatán, the exclusive that forms an airtight oven, cooking and smoking the meat), poc’chuc collection offers a wide range of experiences. Each atmosphere (pork marinated in in sour orange juice, grilled or cooked on a wood transports you to an era of luxury and comfort that the hacendados of the Mexican southeast enjoyed in the fire, and served with pickled red onions), tikin past with all the amenities of today. Built xic (white fish marinated in regional mix of in 1700, Hacienda Uayamon reflects the achiote and sour oranges), sopa de lima (a soup A destination sophistication of a luxury resort with attention of lime-marinated shredded turkey or chicken), to surrounding natural beauty. Walk through and sikil pak, (a dip of toasted pumpkin seeds, wedding its candlelit private gardens amongst the cilantro, and roasted tomatoes). for 50 people whistling frogs or discover Edzna, a historical Museo de la Gastronomía Yucateca, is a hip, Mayan site. Hacienda Santa Rosa is a former airy restaurant dishing up local classics, spirits, will cost less than nobleman’s private estate featuring uniquely and craft cocktails. Other spots that are highly a wedding half that carved columns, ornately furnished gardens, recommended include Ixi’im at hotel Chablé and mysterious evening campfires. All offer Yucatán (see more about the hotel later in this size in the U.S. top of the line services and luxury to the article), Olivia, Pizzeria Raffaello, La Negrita And that includes finest detail. Cantina, Pola Gelato, and the food stalls at Of course, as with all weddings in Mercado de Santiago. renting out a Mexico, certain documents are required. In Merida, the wedding venue options private hacienda If one, or both, of the couple are Mexican range from the serene to out-of-your-mind nationals, that means an application for luxurious. Venue options for your wedding or two to house marriage provided by the Directorate of Civil range from the intimate Casa Azul, by Private all your guests and Registry of Yucatan. It must be filled out Haciendas (which despite its name is yellow host your event. with the general data of both parties, data on the outside) to grand. Grupo Izamal has of the parents, data of the witnesses, and two hotels to conduct the weddings of its the general data where the wedding will take clients. The Rinconada del Convento Hotel place, an updated birth certificate and official is a 12-room hotel that has a Mayan pyramid overlooking an esplanade in the garden. The esplanade has enough identification of both parties an analysis and prenuptial medical space for an event of up to 450 guests and has a wonderful side view of certificate and attend the premarital orientation workshop at the the Izamal Convent and a unique panorama of this beautiful, magical registry office and provide three witnesses over the age of 18, with town. Villa San Antonio de Padua is a colonial house with four rooms official identification. Foreigners need to have the following: legalized and offers privacy and elegance of the place when holding events or apostilled birth certificate (with its Spanish translation), a letter of for up to 50 people. It features a catering service offering regional naturalization, and a valid passport. All documents must be presented in original and a copy. And, of course, payment of the corresponding Yucatecan foods made with local ingredients. Villa Mercedes Hotel offers modern amenities (and elevators) for civil wedding fee. It is a good idea to secure a local wedding planner guests. Chablé Resort & Spa is part of a collection of ultra-luxury to help take care of these issues for you.
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FOURTH ANNUAL PRIDE DAY
JOIN US FOR FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN ALL DAY LONG!
JUNE 25, 2022
CELEBRATE PRIDE WITH MODS!
Our day-long event is filled with colorful fun and educational activities for everyone.
WHAT CAN FAMILIES DO AT THE MUSEUM? • Activities Participate in the rainbow science lab and make-and-take a Pride flag, prisms and tie-dyed t-shirt (purchase a white shirt for $5)! • Exhibits, Shows and Demos
See an explosion of colors with a special Pride KaBOOM! Show and attend a storytime with a drag queen. • Career Connection
See healthcare, legislative affairs and local diversity community partners in action.
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2022 • 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. FREE for MEMBERS and city of Fort Lauderdale residents with proof of address at the box office. NON-MEMBERS: $5 General Museum admission.
For more information and to register, please visit mods.org/2022pride Sponsored by
401 SW 2nd Street • Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 • 954.467.6637
BECOME A MEMBER TODAY! MEMBERSHIP STARTS AT ONLY $50!
Membership Benefits Include Discounts at
EXHIBITIONS Our exhibitions are curated from our Library and Archives to offer the public the opportunity to learn, engage and share historic and contemporary ideas relating to the LGBTQ community.
LIBRARY
ARCHIVES
The largest lending library of LGBTQ materials in the United States with more than 28,000 books, CDs and DVDs. Our collection incorporates most winners of gay literary awards including the prestigious Lambda Literary Award.
With a focus on the last quarter of the 20th Century to present day, The Archives contains items documenting LGBTQ political,cultural and social history. A resource to scholars, historians, researchers and writers, the Archives preserve our existence for future generations.
PROGRAMMING
VISIT!
1300 E. Sunrise Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954.763.8565 | stonewall-museum.org
WITH SUPPORT FROM Stonewall’s nationally-renowned virtual programming series features LGBTQ artists, writers, thinkers, curators, and advocates. Past guests have included Jeffrey H. Jackson, Allen Ellenzweig, and Sarah Shulman.
SNMA2022MSHIP_MirrorMagLTR2.indd 1
3/8/2022 7:44:13 AM
Pictured: Bitch. Photo by Kelly Davidson Studio. Image via bitchmusic.com.
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! k c a B is
BY GREGG SHAPIRO
I
f patience is a virtue, then Bitch fans are among the most virtuous. Nine years after she released her last full-length disc “In Us We Trust,” Bitch is back with “Bitchcraft” (Kill Rock Stars), an album that draws on all of her strengths with dazzling results. There are dynamic dance tracks (“Hello Meadow,” “You’re The Man,” “Nothing in my Pockets”), powerful person statements (“Pages,” “Another Wound”), as well as provocative social commentary (“Polar Bear,” “Hello Meadow”). The common denominator in the brew is Bitch’s trademark violin work combined with her political perspective, making this one of the best albums of her long and varied career. Always a lot of fun to interview, Bitch was kind enough to answer a few questions about the new release.
Gregg Shapiro: Bitch, I’m bad at math, but according to my calculations, almost 10 years have passed between your previous album, “In Us We Trust,” and your new album, “Bitchcraft.” Is that right?
B: I think there’s always an inherent trust in each other’s process. It has to be somebody that I respect and who I feel respected by. There’s a freedom there. There’s an ability of play. I’d say play is a huge element for me. It’s not like there’s pressure. “OK, we’ve got 45 minutes. Let’s make a song.”
Bitch: Pretty close! It’s nine years. GS: So, it feels less like work? GS: In a nutshell, what were you doing during that time? B: Exactly! B: [Laughs] Hiding in a log cabin in the woods. GS: What? Really? B: [Laughs] yeah. I left New York. I went to a log cabin in the woods. I finished “In Us We Trust” during that phase, too. I was still touring, etcetera, but I just had to take a break. It’s not like I took a break from making music. I just took a break from sharing it. It was in that log cabin that I started to work on the early phases of this album. Some of the tracks were recorded during that period. I think I put the violin down for “Pages,” in 2015. I took a break from sharing. GS: Well, I’m glad you’re sharing again. Speaking of sharing, you’re known for your long history of collaboration. From the duo Bitch & Animal, when I think you initially crossed many people’s radars, to your work with lesbian music legend Ferron, and so many others. All of this is to say that your collaborative spirit continues on “Bitchcraft,” on which you co-wrote songs with Faith Soloway (of “Transparent” fame), Melissa York (of The Butchies and Team Dresch), and even Greg Prestopino, who wrote songs recorded by Celine Dion, Bette Midler, and Natalie Cole, among others. What makes someone a good match for you when it comes to collaborating?
GS: “Bitchcraft” features a pair of irresistible electro numbers, opener “You’re the Man” and “Hello Meadow,” which are the kinds of dance tracks that give you something to think about while you’re working up a sweat. Can you please say a few words about combining message music with dance beats? B: For me, there’s something about dance music. Something where there’s a beat that unifies us and kind of forces us to move, like you almost can’t help it. There’s a certain universality to that. As an artist, I’ve been in the underground for a long time. There’s something about adding this kind of universal element I felt like, “Why not?” Why can’t I do that, too? Why can’t I put what I call my poet talk-ness, my obtuse poetry, and my political poetry into a sonic landscape like that? I think this whole album has been a little bit of experimentation with that. GS: Would you say that living in that cabin was part of the inspiration for “Hello Meadow”? B: Yes! When I left New York, I wrote that song, I believe, right as I was driving to the log cabin. Kind of leaving the city and the urban landscape, and suddenly being in this kind of nature’s paradise. JUNE - JULY 2022 | THE
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is Back! GS: What would it mean to you if either or both of these songs became popular with DJs spinning for the tea dance crowd? B: I would be thrilled! Absolutely thrilled. I would think of it as one notch toward lesbian visibility. One more notch [laughs]. GS: “Polar Bear” is also a significant statement song, addressing climate change and other issues as it does. Do you think music in 2022 can have the same kind of impact for social change the way that Odetta, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and others did 60 or so years ago? B: Gosh, let’s hope so. GS: Do you see that as the mission of your music, and this record in particular? B: Absolutely! I can’t help but be political in my work and be part of the times that we’re in. To me, it’s one of the jobs of an artist. These days where people have been gathering less physically and it’s more digital and we’re a little less connected, weirdly, even though we’re globally connected. The possibilities of movements feel a little more esoteric. But with what we’ve see with the Black Lives Matter movement and a lot of the organizing around climate change, I still think it’s possible and necessary that we stay engaged. GS: You mentioned “Pages” when we first started talking. I think it’s one of the most beautiful songs you’ve recorded, and it also sounds very personal. What can you tell the readers about that song? B: I love talking about this one. You know the rapper God-Des? GS: Of (lesbian rap duo) God-Des and She? Of course! B: Yes! She was a huge part of this album. And was very much a part of my coven, as I call it, that I relied on to run things by as I was making it. I wrote that chorus years and years ago. She was always saying, “Oh, my gosh, I love that hook so much. But you’ve got to rewrite the verses.” The verses were very classic Bitch, kind of spoken wordy, a poem that she wasn’t quite sure what it was about. She was always trying to push me into putting my craft, if you will, into a pop structure. We’ve had such a long friendship. We kind of spar with each 42 | THE
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“BITCHCRAFT” IS OUT NOW ON KILL ROCK STARS! GET YOUR COPY ON VINYL CD OR DIGITAL Photo by Kelly Davidson Studio. Image via bitchmusic.com.
other creatively and push and challenge each other. She was always saying, “Of all songs, that song, I really want you to put it into a pop structure.” For this album, I was interested. This was me saying, “OK, I want to write like that. I want to try that.” She really pushed me to rewrite the verses. At the time, I was going through a pretty big breakup in my life, and she gave me a writing assignment. She was like, “Listen! You’ve got the chorus. Write about your breakup. There’s a whole metaphor for writing. So here you are at this chapter. Just write about that and keep it as simple as possible poetry-wise.” It was such a great challenge. I’m so glad I did it. I resisted a little bit. I was like, “Oh, man! Isn’t this good enough?” [Laugh] she said, “Just try it.” I love a writing assignment! I would send it to her, and she’d say, “OK, now shave off two bars. We’ve got too many bars before that.” She really pushed me, and pushed me to simplify, too. Every time I listen to it, I think, “I’m so glad that I listened to her!” GS: Finally, “Shortbus,” the 2006 John Cameron Mitchell movie in which you performed, was recently given at 15th anniversary 4K restoration and theatrical re-release. What was the experience of making the movie like for you? B: Oh, my gosh! Well, talk about collaboration. Working with John was kind of my first foray into film. Just seeing how many people are involved, between the crew and the costume designers and all of that stuff, I’d never been part of such a big production. That was amazing. Working with John as an artist is pretty incredible. He’s a very quiet leader, and very confident in his vision. Now, years later, seeing it rereleased, it has such a different impact. First of all, seeing the old New York. At least to me the old New York, which, at that time I’m sure for a lot of people felt like, “Well, you didn’t know the old New York!” [Laughs] every New Yorker has an ego about it. To be able to be part of this thing that truly was this loving, creative experiment that I think went so well. The finished product is so heart-wrenching, tender, beautiful and meaningful. That was definitely a lifetime highlight.
The perfect home is out there for everyone.
Let’s find yours! Don Todorich RE Sales Associate 561.373.1791 | don.todorich@corcoran.com Real estate agents affiliated with The Corcoran Group are independent contractors and are not employees of The Corcoran Group. Equal Housing Opportunity. The Corcoran Group is a licensed real estate broker located at 400 Royal Palm Way, Suite 110, Palm Beach, FL 33480. All information furnished regarding property for sale or rent or regarding financing is from sources deemed reliable, but Corcoran makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy thereof. All property information is presented subject to errors, omissions, price changes, changed property conditions, and withdrawal of the property from the market, without notice.
MAJOR LGBT NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS
TO WATCH IN 2022
BY JOHN MCDONALD
TINA KOTEK
OREGON GOVERNOR
MICHELE RAYNER
U.S. CONGRESS FLORIDA Rayner is the first queer Black woman elected to the Florida House of Representatives. A highly accomplished civil rights attorney, Rayner, 40, is campaigning for the Democratic nomination in Congressional District 13. In her first term in Tallahassee, Rayner has been an outspoken supporter of women’s health care, trade unions and LGBT rights.
Kotek, 55, served as Oregon’s Speaker of the House since 2013, stepping down recently to run for governor and captured the Democratic party nomination for governor. She would be the first lesbian elected governor in the United States, but not a shoo-in.
MALCOLM KENYATTA
U.S. SENATE PENNSYLVANIA Another urban leader taking on the challenge of campaigning statewide. Kenyatta, 31, rose to prominence with a take charge attitude and unabashed progressive principles. Black, gay, and married with union backing. Expect Kenyatta is making some noise in this election cycle.
ROBERT GARCIA
U.S. CONGRESS CALIFORNIA
CELIA ISRAEL
AUSTIN, TEXAS MAYOR Israel, 57, has served in the Texas House of Representatives since 2014. She would be the first lesbian or latina elected mayor of Texas’ capital city.
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The mayor of Long Beach, California is looking to step up in service. A loyal supporter of the Biden/Harris administration, Garcia, 44, has raised his profile during the focus on supply chain management. He is seeking to succeed retiring Rep. Alan Lowenthal in California’s 47th Congressional District.
I
t’s a midterm election year and while there are thousands of LGBT candidates out there, we put together a short list of noteworthy national campaigns to keep your eye on in 2022. To be fair, we highlighted one campaign in one state and looked far and wide to find gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender candidates and even found a Republican. Good luck to all!
DANIEL HERNANDEZ
U.S. CONGRESS ARIZONA Hernandez gained hero status when he was the first person to administer aid to former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords during her attempted assassination. A gay Hispanic man, Hernandez, 32, has served in the Arizona House of Representatives since 2017. He is campaigning for the Democratic nomination in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, which includes his hometown of Tucson.
JIM OBERGEFELL
OHIO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Best known as the lead plaintiff in the historic 2015 Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage. A native of Ohio, Obergefell, 55, is seeking the house seat in District 89, which includes his hometown of Sandusky on the shores of Lake Erie.
ADRIAN TAM
HAWAII HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tam, 29, made headlines when he defeated a leader of the hate group Proud Boys to become the only gay legislator in Hawaii’s House of Representatives. The son of immigrants from Hong Kong and Taiwan, Tam was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and is a licensed realtor.
RITCHIE TORRES
U.S. CONGRESS NEW YORK The first openly gay Afro-Latin American member of Congress. Torres, 33, a champion of public housing reform, represents New York’s 15th Congressional District which includes most of the South Bronx.
5
MORE TO WATCH SARAH MCBRIDE TRANS WOMAN, DELAWARE STATE SENATE
KETURAH HERRON QUEER, KENTUCKY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DAVID CICILLINE GAY MAN, U.S. CONGRESS, RHODE ISLAND ZOOEY ZEPHRY BISEXUAL TRANS WOMAN, MONTANA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NEIL RAFFERTY GAY MAN, ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JUNE JUNE -- JULY JULY 2022 2022 || THE THE
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MAJOR LGBT NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS TO WATCH IN 2022 JARED POLIS
COLORADO GOVERNOR The first openly gay man elected governor of the U.S. state and Colorado’s first Jewish governor. Polis, 46, married his partner last year. The couple has two children.
JOSHUA HIGGINBOTHAM
WEST VIRGINIA SENATE
MAURA HEALEY
MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR Massachusetts Attorney General since 2015. Healey, 50, is a lesbian and basketball enthusiast who filed more than 100 lawsuits against the Trump administration while serving as Mass. AG.
In 2021, Higginbotham came out as gay while serving as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates. A Republican and a Christian, Higginbotham, 25, sponsored legislation to add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes in West Virginia’s human rights and fair housing laws.
MIKE SIMMONS
ILLINOIS SENATE
The first openly gay member of the Illinois State Senate. Simmons, 38, served as deputy director for My Brother’s Keeper, an Obama Foundation initiative to build safe and supportive communities for boys and young men of color.
CLAY AIKEN U.S. CONGRESS NORTH CAROLINA
SHARICE DAVIDS
U.S. CONGRESS KANSAS The first out LGBT Native American elected to Congress. A lawyer and ex-mixed martial artist, Davids, 41, represents Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District. 46 46 || THE THE
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The former “American Idol” singer returns for another chance at politics. Aiken, 43, a high school special education teacher is campaigning as a Democrat in a new district covering parts of North Carolina’s research triangle.
Pictured: Margaret Cho. Photo by Albert Sanchez.
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AN INTERVIEW WITH MARGARET CHO BY GREGG SHAPIRO
C
ould there be an Emmy Award in Margaret Cho’s future? In Hulu’s “Fire Island” (premiering June 3), as well as on HBO Max’s “The Flight Attendant,” Cho’s uncharacteristic restraint gives her queer characters, Erin and Utada respectively, an admirable depth and humanity. Additionally, Cho has an upcoming appearance on the Emmy Award-winning “Hacks” (as herself), and ongoing guest-starring roles in a multitude of popular shows. Never one to sit idle, Cho will be taking her stage act on the road throughout the coming months. Busy as she is, Margaret was gracious enough to make time to answer a few questions.
Gregg Shapiro: Margaret, in the new movie “Fire Island,” you play Erin, who’s described by one of the characters as a “career brunch server, age unknown, lesbian queen.” What was it about Erin that spoke to you and made you want to portray her? Margaret Cho: I just love the script. I’m a big fan of Joel Kim Booster, and his comedy and his writing, and as a person. I wanted to be a part of the film. I love Andrew Ahn’s direction. I love Bowen (Yang). It was really special to do this. The “career brunch server” was so appealing. Everything about this character is a lot of fun, and so it was just perfect. We had a blast doing it.
GS: It looks that way! Erin is the wise lesbian housemother to her gaggle of younger gays. Is this an aspect of your personality that also transfers to your offscreen life? MC: Absolutely! The elder gay. The crone. It’s also the old lesbian who’s burned all of her bridges with the current lesbians her age and has to mine the younger generation for friendship. It’s very fun, it’s really cold, and it’s very realistic to me. GS: What was the best part for you about acting with rising comic actors such as Bowen and Joel, whom you mentioned, as well as Matt Rogers? MC: We laughed every day. We had such a good time. Outside of my dressing room, every day, there were full-on reenactments of entire “Real Housewives” episodes. Full Tiffany Pollard monologues from “I Love New York.” It was like Shakespeare in the Park, but it was “Real Housewives” by the trailer. It was exciting. I just love those guys. GS: Erin was able to afford to purchase the Fire Island house following winning a settlement involving a piece of glass and a major Italian chain restaurant. Do you think our current culture is more litigious than necessary? MC: I don’t know. I think the character is just really savvy and knows where to make an opportunity for herself. I think that’s really more it. I don’t know if it was necessarily because of the culture or the time or whatever. But I think that she’s just smart about doing where she can get something.
Pictured: Margaret Cho. Photo by Sergio Garcia Photography.
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AN INTERVIEW WITH MARGARET CHO BY GREGG SHAPIRO GS: Was your first trip to Fire Island as a performer or as a vacationing guest? MC: Every trip I’ve made there was as a performer and then I stayed for vacation. So, I made it work and pleasure, both at the same time. I’ve been going there since 2008. I love spending time there and just hanging out. I’m actually more of a Provincetown lady. I’ve been going to Provincetown since the 1980s to work and perform and just hang out. These are very much important areas for me. It’s the gay beach life that I really love.
GS: Finally, I live in Fort Lauderdale, and I noticed that Florida is not on your tour schedule. I know that I’ve seen you perform in West Palm Beach, Miami, and, more recently, in Fort Lauderdale. With the political climate being what it is under the current governor, do you foresee performing here at any point in the near future? MC: Yes, definitely. I think it’s important to be out there. I was actually just there a few weeks ago, so. I think that we need to be constantly out there and we definitely need to be heard. Yes, I’m sure I’ll be returning again soon.
GS: You mentioned Andrew Ahn, the gay filmmaker who directed “Fire Island,” and he also directed the lauded 2019 film “Driveways.” Is he a director you could see yourself working with again? MC: Absolutely! I love Andrew. I think he’s quite an incredible director. Not only is he so great with actors … the way that he creates films is so visually stunning and they’re so emotionally rich. I really admire him and his vision as an auteur. I would love to work with him again. GS: You were one of the performers in the line-up for the LGBT comedy show “Stand Out,” which was part of Netflix is a Joke: The Festival. Stand-up comedy has received increased attention with Jerrod Carmichael coming out as gay in his HBO Max comedy special “Rothaniel,” as well as the controversy surrounding Dave Chappelle’s Netflix comedy special. As a performer whose roots are in stand-up comedy, do you think there’s the possibility of healing? MC: Yes, I think so. We need to hear from LGBT voices in comedy. I think that queer comedy has always been a part of the larger comedy world. We’ve always had a very strong presence within comedy. I see so many more of us participating and out there in this conversation. I was glad to be part of the festival and I’m so grateful to be part of the queer comedy community.
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Pictured: Margaret Cho. Photo by Albert Sanchez.
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CARS
2022 BUGATTI CHIRON
SUPER SPORT // Larry Printz
Want to buy your loved one a car? How deep is your love? That’s the question posed by the 2022 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, an engineering masterwork of carbon fiber, magnesium, high-strength steel and composites. In many ways this is the definitive manifestation of internal combustion powered cars; one last shriek of inappropriate, impudent pleasure as gasoline-powered vehicles has their final moments before being supplanted by electric vehicles. TURN THE PAGE TO CONTINUE READING.
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Pictured: 2022 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport. Credit: Bugatti.
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CARS
That said, too many EVs have all the charm of a golf cart, with looks to match. Their ethereal nature, their inherent smoothness lends them the personality of an air purifier. Sure, you’re saving the planet, but are you satisfying your soul? This is where you need a Bugatti Chiron in your life. Its body that’s built for sin. The front half of the car is painted. The rear half, composed of carbon fiber, encapsulates the front with a radical art deco arch that recalls the most fetching Bugatti GTs of the 1930s. It is the ultimate expression of engineering as art. Every chance to maximize airflow is taken; every opportunity to save weight was as well. Even the windshield wiper arms are made of carbon fiber. Being a Super Sport, its body is 10 inches longer for better aerodynamics at high speed with a spoiler that deploys at different levels and angles depending on your speed. Inside, you’ll find room for two. What you won’t find is an infotainment screen. Honey, the car is your entertainment. With 1,578 horsepower and 1,180 pound-feet of torque funneled through a seven-speed, twin-
Pictured: 2022 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport. Credit: Bugatti.
2022 BUGATTI CHIRON SUPER SPORT BASE PRICE:
$3,825,000 AS TESTED:
$4,301,450 ENGINE:
8.0-LITER QUADTURBOCHARGED W-16
HORSEPOWER/ TORQUE:
1,578/1,180 POUNDFEET OF TORQUE EPA FUEL ECONOMY (CITY/HIGHWAY):
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PREMIUM LENGTH/WIDTH/HEIGHT:
188.7/80.2/47.7 INCHES
8/11 MPG
clutch gearbox to all four wheels, the Super Sport reaches 60 mph takes 2.3 seconds. You’ll never have to shift manually, although you can. But there’s so much torque, it’s not needed. And let’s face it, most owners will never use one-third of the power that it produces, if at all. But such power raises a huge question: where can you possibly use it to its full advantage? The answer is that, outside of an aircraft landing strip, you can’t, unless you want to be hauled before a magistrate and thrown in the slammer.
Yet despite all this, it’s surprisingly easy to drive. Bugatti is making 500 Chiron Super Sports, but don’t expect the automaker to produce more like this. The company was recently acquired by Rimac, a Croatian electric supercar start-up. Future Bugattis will no doubt be fast, but they will not feel the same, as they’ll be electrified. They’ll Bugattis in name only. That’s what makes the Chiron Super Sport so enticing. The price for this slice of history starts at $3.8 million, with our test car coming in at $4.3 million. To put that in perspective, its $476,450 worth of options is enough to buy a 2022 Lamborghini Huracán STO. But it’s a rarefied treat for those lucky enough to afford one, or who has someone who REALLY cares about them.
Larry Printz is an automotive journalist based in South Florida. He can be reached at TheDrivingPrintz@gmail.com. 58 58 || THE THE
FUEL REQUIRED:
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Broward Teachers Union Engaging and Empowering Educators
The public education system and its employees are under siege from a state and federal government that want to dismantle public education. Teachers and support staff are overwhelmed and need our help. The Broward Teachers Union represents the finest educators in Broward County. At 12,000 members and growing, BTU stands against inequality and injustice in our public schools and protects educators’ jobs every single day. Join us in protecting and enhancing public education and supporting our educators, staff and students. Follow BTU and the Florida Education Association and get involved at the local level to elect candidates who stand for strong public schools. #FundOurFuture #4everyStudent @BrowardTeachers @FloridaEA
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PRE-WEDDING PLANNING: TO MARRY OR NOT TO MARRY?
Now that we have the right to marry in Florida, and you have chosen your husband or wife, there are legal issues to consider in addition to the when and where of your wedding plans. First, while there are over one thousand rights conferred by the act of legal marriage, your marriage also comes with a serious set of obligations - one way of pro-actively dealing with the obligation end of a marriage is to consider a pre-nuptial agreement. Next, contrary to popular belief, even after marriage, the “estate planning” documents we previously relied on to give us rights to inherit and act on behalf of our partners are still needed to assure that your assets and your care in event of disability and death are managed according to your wishes, and not by default under the law, which most often is NOT as you would have chosen. And finally, with the current excitement about Gay Marriage, for deeply personal, philosophical, political, and economic reasons, many, if not the majority of same-sex couples will choose to remain in unmarried committed relationships - our community will continue to benefit from the legal status conferred by “domestic partnership” legislation. PRENUPTIAL AND POSTNUPTIAL AGREEMENTS Most of us believe it won’t be us - but, statistics say approximately half of marriages end in divorce. In the absence of a legally binding pre-nuptial agreement, should your marriage end in divorce, your assets (real property, personal property, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, and retirement savings accounts) may be subject to being divided between you and your ex by Florida’s rule of equitable distribution. In order to avoid that potentially devastating outcome, many couples agree in writing to give up all or most of the rights to the other’s separately acquired assets, retirement plans, and assets earned during the marriage. The agreement can be entered into either before the wedding - a “pre-nuptial” agreement, or after the wedding - “post-nuptial” - but, should comply with some basic rules that ensure it won’t be overturned in a nasty divorce. For example, both parties should be represented by an attorney so that neither can assert that she didn’t realize the legal implications of signing the document, that the document wasn’t presented on the “eve” of the wedding, avoiding the argument that it was presented at the last minute and that it was signed under the pressure of the imminent nuptials.
Pre-nuptial Agreements are regarded by many as a very unromantic proposal to make upon the acceptance of the marriage proposal. However, the effect of entering into the agreement in advance of a possible divorce, is that your behavior when you are at your worst, that is, at the divorce settlement table, will be governed by your agreements made when you were feeling sane, in love and respectful of your spouse to be. Marriage shouldn’t be encumbered by a coerced financial liability to your spouse, but, should be a consensual union based upon mutual love and respect. That being said, the decision to create a “pre-nupt” should be jointly reached and not coerced and negotiated with love and mutual regard. For example, if you intend to be the working spouse and your betrothed the stay-at-home parent, then, your agreement should include provisions assuring that your partner who is forgoing advancing his or her career, etc., be compensated for his “sacrifice” to your joint marital plan. As for planning for disability and death, essential documents are still needed. First, a will and or a revocable living trust to ensure that your assets are managed according to your wishes upon your death. Marriage provides some inheritance rights, but, does not ensure that your spouse will inherit as you both might imagine. To assure that your
wishes be carried out in the event of disability, a Durable Power of Attorney (for finances), a Living Will, a Designation of Healthcare Surrogate, and a Preneed Guardian Designation, may be prepared. DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP Domestic Partnership is a subject close to my heart: I worked on the Los Angeles County Domestic Partnership legislation with Tom Coleman in the 1980s and, with his blessings, I imported it to Broward County in 1997. The rise of the importance of domestic partnership as a status for unmarried committed couples reflects the sea change in the way people live and configure their families in the United States. In the fifties, 78% of households in the US were headed by married couples. Now more than 50% of all households in the US are headed by unmarried people. 42% of the workforce is unmarried. Across the US we have seen a trend towards inclusive domestic partnership benefit packages provided by employers, that is, gender-neutral, encompassing both gay and straight domestic partnerships. To say that “you must marry” in order to obtain equal treatment at work, including pay, family leave, insurance, taxation, is just wrong. I think the current debate over the demise of domestic
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partnership legislation in the wake of gay marriage is necessary and that ultimately, domestic partnership recognition in the corporate world will definitely continue to grow. It is necessary to stay competitive in an industry where almost half of the workforce chooses to remain unmarried. Gay Marriage is necessary, but the fact is that most gay couples are not married, and many will choose for personal, economic, political, and
philosophical reasons not to marry but live in committed relationships: they deserve equal rights to pay, and benefits that domestic partnership legislation offers. Planning your life as a couple should be undertaken as an act of love, the cost should be affordable, and your attorney should be chosen with an eye to experience and of course, respect for our LGBT community. Planning your life as a couple should be
undertaken as an act of love, the cost should be affordable, and your attorney should be chosen with an eye to experience and of course, respect for our LGBT community. - Robin Bodiford
Attorney Robin L. Bodiford is an estate planning, probate, and bankruptcy attorney in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
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