CENTRAL FL OUT + ABOUT

announcements CENTRAL FLORIDA OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATIONS

The LGBT+ Center Orlando handed out the Center Diversity Awards during the 9th annual Harvey Milk Breakfast July 21, honoring U.S. Rep. Val Demings and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings with the Lifetime Achievement Award, State Sen. Linda Stewart with the LGBT Ally award, Bros in Convo Initiative founder Daniel Downer and The Center’s Joel Junior Morales with the Orlando Trailblazer award, U.S. Rep. Darren Soto’s outreach coordinator Vivian Rodriguez with the Kissimmee Trailblazer award, the City of Orlando with the Champion of Equality award, Miracle of Love with the Nonprofit Business Award, Green House Realty with the Small Business Award and State Farm with the Corporate Business Award. Green House Realty celebrated 11 years in Orlando on July 31. Southern Nights Orlando celebrates its seventh anniversary this month with three days of events Aug. 11-13.

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

Orlando Penthouse Acupuncture owner Mike Eghbal, real estate agent and Southern Nights bartender Colleen Green, Central Florida realtor and environmental activist Eric Rollings (Aug.5), Palm Coast super mom to a trans teen Jennifer Bertrand (Aug. 6); Orlando designer and “Project Runway” alum Jesse LeNoir, Orlando-based traveler of the friendly skies Drew Sizemore (Aug. 7); Kirkpatrick Veterinary Hospital manager Victor Daza, Orlando softball champion Scott Dunkle, Former Watermark interns Layla Ferris and Isaiah Peters (Aug. 8); Equality Florida Development Officer & Media Relations Manager Brandon J. Wolf, Orlando accountant Rose Gamba, QLatinx executive director Christopher J. Cuevas (Aug. 9); Lady Boy of the Peek-A-Boo Longue “Sorcha Mercy” Lance Austin (Aug. 11); Orlando hair stylist Bobby Kantz, Rotten S’more’s Shiala Morales (Aug. 12); Central Florida singer Billy Mick, Regalia owner David Lang (Aug. 14); Orlando performer David Almeida (Aug. 15); Central Florida performer Tymisha Harris (Aug. 16); Orlando entertainer TodKimbro, Tony Award-winner Kenny Howard (Aug. 17); Orlando actor Chris Shepardson, Orlando lawyer Paul San Giovanni (Aug. 18). 4

1HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: The team from Green House Realty — (L-R) Scott Benson, Julie Hoffmeyer, Joshua Cooper and Chuck Ferdinandsen — celebrate their 11th anniversary at Savoy in Orlando

July 31. PHOTO BY DANNY GARCIA

2BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS: (L-R) State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, Joél Junior Morales and Jerick Mediavilla attend the LGBT+ Center Orlando’s 9th annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast at the Sheraton Orlando North Hotel July 21.

PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

3BRUNCH BARTENDERS: Jan (L) and James serve up cocktails for Sunflower Brunch at HÄOS on Church Aug.

1. PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

4WINTER GARDEN WELCOME: Welcome to Sam José’s Sam Cloward (L) and José Cabranes take a stroll around Winter Garden

July 21. PHOTO COURTESY

WELCOME TO SAM JOSÉ

5GOT THE T-SHIRT: One Orlando Alliance Executive Director Josh Bell visits Kim Murphy’s Pulse mural on the side of the LGBT+ Center Orlando while sporting the matching T-shirt

July 26. PHOTO BY JOSH BELL

6ORLANDO STRONG: Andrea Montanez (L) catches a selfie with Yasmin Flasterstein during the Orlando Strong Symposium at Ace Cafe in Orlando July 30.

PHOTO BY ANDREA MONTANEZ

7BINGO BEAUTY: April Fresh (front) grabs a photo with a table of admirers during Naughty Bingo at Neon Beach in Orlando July

21. PHOTO BY APRIL FRESH

8TO THE STREETS: State Rep. Anna V. Eskamani has some swag ready July 31 for the People Power for Florida Orange County Canvassing Kickoff set for Aug.

7. PHOTO BY ANNA V. ESKAMANI

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