central Fl out + about

announcements CENTRAL FLORiDA OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATiONS

Greater Orlando Performing arts Relief, also known as GOPAR, surpassed its fundraising goal of $100,000 in donations the organization announced May 19. The funds are granted to eligible Central Florida performing arts workers, including onstage, backstage, production and management roles. With the pandemic abruptly canceling events and shutting down stages, many arts and entertainment industry professionals were left unemployed. Thanks to the community and their contributions to GOPAR, many of those out of work or even just behind on payments are being looked after in the Central Florida area. The ninth annual Celebrity Bartending Night at Savoy Orlando, which benefits the lGbt+ center Orlando, returned May 18 with such celebrities as Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell, Real Radio’s Sabrina Ambra, entertainer Axel Andrews, state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap and The B-52’s front man Fred Schneider. The event raised more than $19,000 for The Center Orlando. Go to WatermarkOnline.com to see photos from the event.

RESEARCH STUDY

Three of the nation’s largest blood centers — Vitalant, Oneblood, and the american Red cross — in partnership with the lGbt+ center Orlando are seeking participants to join a new groundbreaking FDA-funded study in Orlando to consider new approaches for determining blood donation eligibility for men who have sex with men. If you are a gay or bisexual male between 18-39 years old and interested in becoming a blood donor, you may be eligible to participate. To gather the necessary data the blood centers are partnering with LGBTQ Centers in eight cities across the nation. The study looks to enroll 250–300 gay and bi men in Central Florida who meet the study eligibility criteria. Read more about the program on page 8.

LOCAL BiRTHDAYS

Orlando hairstylist Jesse colin yeager (May 27); Orlando behind-the-scenes theater guru bill St. yves (May 29); Fairvilla peddler Dc bulla, Orlando-based photographer Jim barrett (May 30); Spektrum Health CEO and medical provider Joseph Knoll, Peer Support Space executive director yasmin Flasterstein; Orlando restaurant magnate nicholas Olivieri (May 31);Ranger’s Pet Outpost founder Rick Merrifield, JJ’s Grille ownerJ.J. Paredes, Southern Nights Orlando performer Kitana Gemini (June 1); Orlando realtor bobby Mills, Impulse Group Orlando’s David Rodriguez, Physical therapist Rob Ryan, Watermark freelancer Gregg Shapiro (June 2); Former Equality Florida public policy director Mallory Garner-Wells, Mojo Man owner lane blackwell, District Dive & the Hammered Lamb bartender Joel Gran (June 3); Central Florida transgender activist angela hunt (June 4); Orlando banker luis alberto Sousa-lazaballet (June 6); Orlando artist nick Smith, Orlando drag performer addison taylor (June 8); Freedom For All Americans VP of government affairs hannah Willard, KangaGirl Productions diva Margaret nolan(June 9). 4

1we’re in a Play: Members of the “Fucking Men” cast and crew take to the Fringe Lawn during Orlando Fringe May 23. PhoTo

CoURTesy ColeTyn henTz

2StarS tend bar: The B52’s front man Fred Schneider (L) and state Rep. carlos Guillermo Smith tend bar at Savoy in Orlando May 18 for the ninth annual Celebrity Bartending

Night. PhoTo by PaT miChael

3Making cocktailS: The News Junkie’s Sabrina ambra gets the vodka flowing at Savoy in Orlando May 18 for the ninth annual Celebrity Bartending Night.

PhoTo by JeRemy Williams

4heartS of orlando:

Kelly ann Mcguire

poses with Kim Murphy’s newly painted LGBTQ hearts mural on the side of the LGBT+ Center Orlando May 23. PhoTo

CoURTesy kim mURPhy

5MallratS: (L-R) nick Smith, bobby Mills and Kate Maini volunteer at onePULSE’s pop-up store at Bloomingdales in the Mall at Millenia in Orlando May 21.

PhoTo CoURTesy niCk smiTh

6art Park: (L-R) Jerick Mediavilla, Omar Mediavilla and Josh bell grab a selfie at the 62nd Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival May 15. PhoTo

cOuRtESy JERIcK MEDIaVIlla

7Seeing double: lynn “Moira” Dictor poses with a cutout of herself at the Orlando Rep during the Fringe Festival May 17. PhoTo

cOuRtESy lynn “MOIRa” DIctOR

8book club: brandon Wolf shows off his copy of ashley brundage’s new book, “Empowering Differences” in Orlando May 12. PhoTo

CoURTesy sally hogsheaD

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