central Fl out + aBout

announcements CENTRAL FLORiDA OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATiONS

Gina Duncan, State Director of Transgender Equality, retired from Equality Florida July 1. Duncan, a trailblazer in the fight for equal rights, shared to her Facebook page “I thank you for your support, your encouragement and your engagement in supporting transgender equality. From my time at Wells Fargo, to running for County Commissioner, to heading up the Pride Chamber (MBA) and Come Out With Pride, to my amazing time at Equality Florida, you were there, you showed up and you spoke out. As I take this step into the next phase of my life I want you to know how grateful I am for all of you. You are loved. Onward.”

RETURNiNG EvENTS

The Global Peace Film Festival announced it will return with an in-person/virtual hybrid festival beginning on the International Day of Peace Sept. 21 and running through Sept. 26 for the in-person half and Sept. 27-Oct. 3 for the virtual half. Films will be announced this month at PeaceFilmFest.org. The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts announced it will continue its popular Frontyard Festival through mid-December, expanding the number of attendees seating from 2,000 to 4,500. Find out what events will be coming to the Frontyard Festival by going to DrPhillipsCenter.org/Events/Frontyard-Festival.

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.

LOCAL BiRTHDAYS

Hamburger Mary’s Jacksonville co-owner Brittany Moore, Darden attorney and board member Carole Conroy (July 8); Co-owner of Shelbie Press Michelle Murray (July 9), The Contigo Fund’s program director Marco Antonio Quiroga (July 11); Central Florida drag performer Kristina McLaughlin, Orlando event planner Jorge Cruz (July 12); The Dru Project’s Shawn Chaudhry, former Watermark Central Florida account manager Brianna Rockmore, One Orlando Alliance board member Andrea Massey-Farrell (July 15); Bank of America’s Tayt Jones, AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s Russell Walker (July 16); The Hammered Lamb’s Nikki Price (July 18); die-hard theater lover Deborah Simpson (July 19); Orlando physician Dr. Jerry Horton, Rock Hard Fitness owner and trainer Max Dunley, Central Florida performer Steven Johnson (July 20); beloved activist Rachel Gardiner (July 21). 4

1working out: Josh Bell (L) checks out Winter Park’s Bodystreet working out with co-owner and trainer Steffan Brandt.

photo Courtesy Josh bell

2style stAte: State of Gratitude founder Chris Bilyk shows off some of the company’s latest apparel July 6. photo

Courtesy state of gratitude

3mAking musiC: State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith (L) with Dr. Mary Palmer, outgoing board president for the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, as they welcome incoming board president Melody

Lynch July 3. photo Courtesy

Carlos guillermo smith

4Choo Choo-se Art: City Commissioner Patty Sheehan celebrates art in the Mill50 District in Orlando June 30. photo

Courtesy patty sheehan

5progress roAd: Members of the community gather at the revealing of Roberto Clemente Rd. in Orlando June 23. photo

Courtesy vivian rodriguez

6pArAde rAin: U.S. Rep. Darren Soto doesn’t let a little rain stop him from being in the Independence Day parade in Celebration July 4.

photo Courtesy vivian rodriguez

7Fresh CoCktAils:

Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet

(L) and Luis Alberto Sousa-Lazaballet enjoy a Bourbon Berry cocktail at Mathers Social Gathering in Orlando

June 25. photo Courtesy felipe sousa-lazaballet

8CeleBrAte the 4th: Former Watermark writer Marianella Falbo (R) and Nick Falbo enjoy the nation’s capital in D.C. for the 4th of July.

photo Courtesy niCk falbo

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